Study of low-temperature-combustion diesel engines as an on-board reformer for intermediate temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell vehicles

Fuel cells have been recognized as a feasible alternative to current IC engines. A significant technical problem yet to be resolved is the on bound fuel supply before fuel cells can be practically used for vehicles. Use of an on-board fuel reformer can mitigate the fuel supply issue. In particular, using a diesel engine as on-board fuel reformer, combined with a fuel cell, is a strong candidate for the next generation power plant for vehicles. This study investigates feasibility of using a diesel engine as a fuel reformer. To supply the hydrogen and carbon monoxide for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), a primary Low-Temperature-Combustion (LTC) technology diesel engine using will bum fuel-rich mixture to provide the high temperature combustion products necessary for SOFC. This study models the ignition properties of the fuel-rich mixture, and then applies the model to estimate operation map of a LTC diesel engine. This research provides useful design for the combined cycle prove plant.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Hahn, Tairin

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Wai K. Cheng.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/36235

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/36235