Abstract: In situations where the demand for syngas is intermittent, a fuel processor is operated to provide a high absolute hydrogen and carbon monoxide production, rather than to give a high fuel-specific hydrogen and carbon monoxide production. When a syngas generator is operated to intermittently produce syngas, a heating process can be performed between periods of syngas demand in order to keep the fuel processor within a desired temperature range. The heating process can comprise various steps or events including performing a heating event, allowing a standby period, and/or performing a carbon conversion event. Carbon formed during the process of converting fuel to syngas can be advantageously converted to maintain the temperature of the fuel processor within a desired range in between periods of syngas demand. A predictive method can be employed to control at least a portion of the heating process.

Abstract: In situations where the demand for syngas is prolonged, a fuel processor is operated continuously to provide a syngas stream for a prolonged period. The equivalence ratio of reactants supplied to the fuel processor is controlled so that a high fuel-conversion efficiency to hydrogen and carbon monoxide is obtained at temperatures correspondent to carbon production balance, where carbon is formed and gasified at approximately the same rate in the fuel processor.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream from a fuel stream and an oxidant stream, comprises a mixing tube from which the combined fuel and oxidant stream is directed substantially axially into a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber comprises a turn-around chamber and a turn-around wall at one end for re-directing the combined reactant stream, so that in the turn-around chamber the re-directed stream surrounds and is in contact with the combined reactant stream flowing substantially axially in the opposite direction. This design and opposing flow configuration creates a low velocity zone which stabilizes the location of a flame in the fuel processor and offers other advantages.

Abstract: A system and method for regenerating a device in an engine exhaust after-treatment system is provided. To regenerate the device, a syngas stream is introduced into the engine exhaust stream and combusts in the presence of a catalyst in the after-treatment system, raising the temperature. A supplemental liquid fuel stream is then selectively introduced into and is vaporized by the syngas stream to form a combined fuel stream. Combustion of the combined fuel stream with the engine exhaust in the presence of the catalyst further heats the device bringing it to a temperature suitable for regeneration. The catalyst can be upstream of or within the device being regenerated.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream from a fuel stream and an oxidant stream is actively-cooled by a gaseous or liquid coolant which is directed to flow in contact with at least a portion of the outer shell of the fuel processor. Active cooling can improve the operating characteristics of the fuel processor as well as allowing for the use of compact fuel processor designs that would otherwise tend to have insufficient heat loss capability.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream from a fuel stream and an oxidant stream incorporates a particulate filter assembly comprising a plurality of filter segments separated by expansion joints to accommodate dimensional changes that result from temperature fluctuations. Other embodiments of a fuel processor incorporate, instead or in addition, one or more of: a flame rod as a temperature sensing device for a reforming reaction; a two-sleeve concentric type heat exchanger; a mixing tube manufactured from an alumina-silica based material; and a wet blanket type of insulation.

Abstract: An engine system comprises a fuel processor that is supplied with air and a fuel stream to produce a hydrogen-containing gas stream. The fuel processor comprises a housing, and at least a portion of the housing is located within an exhaust stream conduit from the engine. During operation of the engine, heat transfer between the fuel processor and the engine exhaust stream occurs. An exhaust after-treatment assembly is located downstream of the fuel processor and is connected to selectively receive hydrogen-containing gas stream from the fuel processor.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream from a fuel stream and an oxidant stream incorporates a particulate filter assembly comprising a plurality of filter segments separated by expansion joints to accommodate dimensional changes that result from temperature fluctuations. Other embodiments of a fuel processor incorporate, instead or in addition, one or more of: a flame rod as a temperature sensing device for a reforming reaction; a two-sleeve concentric type heat exchanger; a mixing tube manufactured from an alumina-silica based material; and a wet blanket type of insulation.

Abstract: In situations where the demand for syngas is intermittent, a fuel processor is operated to provide a high absolute hydrogen and carbon monoxide production, rather than to give a high fuel-specific hydrogen and carbon monoxide production. When a syngas generator is operated to intermittently produce syngas, a heating process can be performed between periods of syngas demand in order to keep the fuel processor within a desired temperature range. The heating process can comprise various steps or events including performing a heating event, allowing a standby period, and/or performing a carbon conversion event. Carbon formed during the process of converting fuel to syngas can be advantageously converted to maintain the temperature of the fuel processor within a desired range in between periods of syngas demand. A predictive method can be employed to control at least a portion of the heating process.

Abstract: In situations where the demand for syngas is prolonged, a fuel processor is operated continuously to provide a syngas stream for a prolonged period. The equivalence ratio of reactants supplied to the fuel processor is controlled so that a high fuel-conversion efficiency to hydrogen and carbon monoxide is obtained at temperatures correspondent to carbon production balance, where carbon is formed and gasified at approximately the same rate in the fuel processor.

Abstract: A system and method for regenerating a device in an engine exhaust after-treatment system is provided. To regenerate the device, a syngas stream is introduced into the engine exhaust stream and combusts in the presence of a catalyst in the after-treatment system, raising the temperature. A supplemental liquid fuel stream is then selectively introduced into and is vaporized by the syngas stream to form a combined fuel stream. Combustion of the combined fuel stream with the engine exhaust in the presence of the catalyst further heats the device bringing it to a temperature suitable for regeneration. The catalyst can be upstream of or within the device being regenerated.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream from a fuel stream and an oxidant stream is actively-cooled by a gaseous or liquid coolant which is directed to flow in contact with at least a portion of the outer shell of the fuel processor. Active cooling can improve the operating characteristics of the fuel processor as well as allowing for the use of compact fuel processor designs that would otherwise tend to have insufficient heat loss capability.

Abstract: A gas diverter includes at least one port circumscribed by a port seat, and a valve subassembly for selectively obstructing the port. The valve subassembly comprises: (a) an actuation arm; (b) a disk coupled to the arm, and (c) an actuator for selectively causing the disk to be urged against said port seat to obstruct said port. In operation, the disk deforms elastically as it is urged against the port seat.

Abstract: A passively cooled valve assembly selectively diverts a fluid stream from an inlet port selectively through at least one outlet conduit. The valve assembly comprises a housing defining the primary chamber. The housing also comprises at least one inlet port and at least two outlet conduits and associated outlet ports. A rotatable plate with at least one aperture formed therein is located within the primary chamber and is urged against an interior surface of the housing by a spring assembly. The rotatable plate is rotated by a shaft that extends axially through the primary chamber, in order to align the at least one aperture with at least one of the outlet conduits to allow selective fluid flow from an inlet port to an outlet conduit.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream from a fuel stream and an oxidant stream, comprises a mixing tube from which the combined fuel and oxidant stream is directed substantially axially into a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber comprises a turn-around chamber and a turn-around wall at one end for re-directing the combined reactant stream, so that in the turn-around chamber the re-directed stream surrounds and is in contact with the combined reactant stream flowing substantially axially in the opposite direction. This design and opposing flow configuration creates a low velocity zone which stabilizes the location of a flame in the fuel processor and offers other advantages.

Abstract: Fuel processors include at least one of a fuel introduction tube, a critical flow venturi and/or a heat exchanger along with other components. Such fuel processors are particularly suitable for use in engine system applications where a liquid fuel is introduced into an oxidant stream comprising hot engine exhaust gas, for downstream conversion in the fuel processor to produce a hydrogen-containing gas stream, such as a syngas stream.