Claims
- 1. A method for starting a fast light-off catalytic reformer for converting hydrocarbon fuel and air to reformate, the reformer including a reactor tube, a reforming catalyst disposed within the reactor tube, an ignition device for igniting a fuel/air mixture within the reactor tube, and a control system for controlling fuel and air flow rates into the reactor tube and for controlling the ignition device, the method comprising the steps of:
a) setting a first fuel flow rate and a first air flow rate into said reformer to form a first fuel/air mixture having a first and predetermined mass ratio; b) providing said first fuel/air mixture into said reformer for a first predetermined length of time; c) igniting said first fuel/air mixture with said ignition device within said reformer at least once during said first predetermined length of time; d) passing exhaust products of said ignition through said reforming catalyst to raise the temperature thereof; e) terminating flow of fuel into said reformer at the end of said first predetermined length of time, and simultaneously beginning a second predetermined length of time; f) terminating ignition action in said reformer; g) at the end of said second predetermined length of time, flowing fuel and air into said reformer at a second fuel flow rate and a second air flow rate to form a second fuel/air mixture having a second and predetermined mass ratio; and h) passing said second fuel/air mixture into contact with said catalyst to reform said mixture into reformate.
- 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first mass ratio is fuel-lean and said second mass ratio is fuel rich relative to fuel/air ratios for fueling an internal combustion engine.
- 3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first mass ratio is about stoichiometric for complete oxidation of said fuel.
- 4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second mass ratio is between about 3 and about 5 times richer in fuel than is said first mass ratio.
- 5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first predetermined length of time is less than about ten seconds.
- 6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first predetermined length of time is about two seconds.
- 7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second predetermined length of time is less than about five seconds.
- 8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second predetermined length of time is between about 100 and about 200 milliseconds.
- 9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of natural gas, light distillates, methanol, propane, naphtha, kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, and combinations thereof.
- 10. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reformer is coupled to an internal combustion engine for providing a hydrogen-rich reformate for combustion.
- 11. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reformer is coupled to a fuel cell.
- 12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said fuel cell is a solid-oxide fuel cell.
- 13. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said fuel cell provides electric power to a vehicle.
- 14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of land vehicle, boat, ship, and aircraft including spacecraft.
- 15. A vehicle comprising a hydrocarbon fuel reformer for generating hydrogen reformate fuel, said reformer being started up by a method including the steps of
setting a first fuel flow rate and a first air flow rate into said reformer to form a first fuel/air mixture having a first and predetermined mass ratio, providing said first fuel/air mixture into said reformer for a first predetermined length of time, igniting said first fuel/air mixture with said ignition device within said reformer at least once during said first predetermined length of time, passing exhaust products of said ignition through said reforming catalyst to raise the temperature thereof, terminating flow of fuel into said reformer at the end of said first predetermined length of time, and simultaneously beginning a second predetermined length of time, terminating ignition action in said reformer, at the end of said second predetermined length of time, flowing fuel and air into said reformer at a second fuel flow rate and a second air flow rate to form a second fuel/air mixture having a second and predetermined mass ratio, and passing said second fuel/air mixture into contact with said catalyst to reform said mixture into reformate.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a Continuation-In-Part of a pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/604,129, filed Jun. 27, 2000.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09604129 |
Jun 2000 |
US |
Child |
10229729 |
Aug 2002 |
US |