A Reformer to Convert Engine Exhaust Gases, Reducing Harmful Emissions and Producing Hydrogen to be Reused in the Fuel System

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The transport sector contributes 23% of total world CO2 emissions, with road transportresponsible for the highest share of emissions globally. The impact of growing demand fortransport in terms of environment, energy use & efficiency demands a step change inperformance to deliver a sustainable transport system. A number of innovations are receivinginterest in the mkt place, one of these being ‘multi-fuel’ engine technology. G-Volution (GV)Limited have developed a unique patented fuel control technology, the ‘Optimiser’ whichallows a large diesel engine to operate on a mixture of two (or more) fuels that are combustedsimultaneously. Using diesel & a secondary fuel (e.g. LPG) the Optimiser provides a ‘bolt-on’solution that delivers significant fuel cost (10-15%) & CO2 emissions savings (7-9%). Despitethese significant benefits, there is a major emissions challenge with multifuel engines as theyhave higher hydrocarbon (HC) emissions than single fuel engines. HCs react with groundlevel ozone to form smog which is the most widespread & intractable urban air pollutionproblem.With support from the TSB, GV aim to address this issue through the development of a‘basic’ prototype of a ‘reformer technology’ that involves the reformation of the exhaust & afuel in the presence of a catalyst to produce a reformate mixture which can be used as atertiary fuel in the engine, & thus utilise the excess HC emissions. When combined with theOptimiser, GV believe that CO2 emissions & fuel costs will be further reduced & efficiencywill increase, whist reducing HC emissions in the atmosphere. The technology will initially betargeted in the HGV sector where a 10-15% fuel cost saving can make a big impact(transferability into the domestic transport mkt is envisaged). GV believe the reformer has thepotential to enhance the ‘transitional’ role of the Optimiser to revolutionise the transportsector. Further prototyping will follow with expected mkt introduction in 2013.