System and method for reducing vehicle emissions and/or generating hydrogen

Abstract

Emissions from systems that use a catalytic converter are substantially reduced by introducing hydrogen, or a hydrogen containing fluid or fuel component, into the exhaust stream being scrubbed by the catalytic converter, resulting in instant lightoff and a significant reduction in emissions. Hydrogen for injection into the exhaust stream may, optionally, be generated within the vehicle using heat recovered from the catalytic converter, and/or the engine or elsewhere in the exhaust system, by a thermoelectric generator, the electrical output of which may be used to perform electrolysis and/or to power a reformer in order to generate the hydrogen. The thermoelectric generator may be retrofit onto the catalytic converter, or integrated in a way that enhances thermoelectric generation, including providing a catalyst coated heat sink and integrated cooling pipes to enhance the thermal differential required for thermoelectric generation. Sensors such as an oxygen sensor and temperature sensor may be provided to assess converter performance and adjust the temperature differential to ensure that the temperature of the converter remains optimum.

1 . A system for reducing emissions from a catalytic converter, comprising: 
 supply means for supplying a gas containing hydrogen; and    injection means for injecting the gas into the exhaust stream prior to entry into the catalytic converter.    
   
   
       2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supply means includes a hydrogen tank.  
   
   
       3 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supply means is a solid hydride brick.  
   
   
       4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supply means includes a hydrolysis device.  
   
   
       5 . A system as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising a thermo-electric generator for converting exhaust heat into electricity.  
   
   
       6 . A system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the electricity is stored in a battery and supplied to the electrolysis device as necessary to generate hydrogen.  
   
   
       7 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supply means is a reformer.  
   
   
       8 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a thermoelectric generator for converting exhaust heat into electricity.  
   
   
       9 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the electricity is stored in a battery and supplied to the hydrolysis device as necessary to generate hydrogen.  
   
   
       10 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a thermoelectric generator for generating electricity in response to waste heat from said exhaust.  
   
   
       11 . A system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said thermoelectric generator is in thermal contact with said catalytic converter.  
   
   
       12 . A system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said thermoelectric generator is integral with said catalytic converter.  
   
   
       13 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said thermoelectric generator is positioned between heat fins on said catalytic converter and a coolant supply.  
   
   
       14 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said heat fins are coated with a catalyst.  
   
   
       15 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said coolant supply includes pipes connected to a source of liquid coolant.  
   
   
       16 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising means for controlling said coolant supply based on input from a temperature sensor connected to said catalytic converter and an oxygen sensor in said exhaust stream.  
   
   
       17 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said hydrogen is also supplied to an intake of said engine.  
   
   
       18 . A system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the addition of hydrogen to the fuel intake occurs only during acceleration.  
   
   
       19 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a thermoelectric generator in thermal contact with the exhaust or engine block and arranged to generate electricity in response to a thermal differential, and further comprising means for heating of fuel injectors to get better atomization and gas mileage.  
   
   
       20 . A vehicle including a electrolysis device for generating hydrogen, a internal combustion engine, a thermoelectric generator for supplying electricity for said hydrolysis in response to heat generated by said engine or an exhaust system of said engine, a catalytic converter, and means for supplying said hydrogen to said catalytic converter.  
   
   
       21 . A vehicle as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising means for adding methanol to water for electrolysis, in order to increase efficiency and prevent freezing.  
   
   
       22 . A vehicle as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising a storage battery for storing electricity generated by said thermoelectric generator, and a controller for selectively supplying said electricity to said hydrolysis device.  
   
   
       23 . A vehicle as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising means for injecting said hydrogen into a fuel intake of said engine.  
   
   
       24 . A vehicle as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising a transmitter connected to sensors for measuring hydrogen production and transmitting data concerning the hydrogen production to a central station.  
   
   
       25 . A system for generating and utilizing hydrogen, comprising: 
 means associated with an internal combustion engine for utilizing hydrogen;    a thermoelectric generator in thermal contact with a source of heat generated during internal combustion with the internal combustion engine;    a hydrogen generator connected to and supplied with power from the thermoelectric generator for supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen utilization means.    
   
   
       26 . A system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said system is arranged to power a vehicle.  
   
   
       27 . A system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said means associated with an internal combustion engine for generating and utilizing hydrogen is a system for injecting hydrogen into an exhaust stream to heat a catalytic converter.  
   
   
       28 . A system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said means associated with an internal combustion engine for generating and utilizing hydrogen causing said hydrogen to be added to a fuel/air mixture of the internal combustion engine.  
   
   
       29 . A system as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein water and/or methanol is added to the fuel/air mixture to prevent premature combustion.  
   
   
       30 . A system as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein said system is provided in a vehicle, and said hydrogen is added when said vehicle accelerates.  
   
   
       31 . A system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said source of heat is an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine.  
   
   
       32 . A system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said thermoelectric generator is connected to a catalytic converter  
   
   
       33 . A system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said hydrogen generator is an electrolysis device.  
   
   
       34 . A system as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein methanol is added to water in the electrolysis device to increase electrolysis efficiency.  
   
   
       35 . A system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said hydrogen generator is a hydrocarbon fuel reformer.