Feedback control of fuel reformer-engine system
A system for reforming a fuel may include a first sensor configured to measure an operating parameter of an engine. The operating parameter may correlate to a NO x emission level of the engine. The system may also include a controller in communication with the sensor and a reformer. The controller may be configured to determine a target NO x emission level for the engine. The controller may be also configured to determine a target value of the operating parameter corresponding to the target NO x emission level. The controller may be further configured to control the reformer to reform at least a portion of the fuel based on a difference between the measured value and the target value of the operating parameter.
1. A system for reforming a fuel, comprising:
a first sensor configured to measure an operating parameter of an engine, the operating parameter correlating to a NO x emission level of the engine; and
a controller in communication with the sensor and a reformer, the controller being configured to:
determine a target NO x emission level for the engine;
determine a target value of the operating parameter corresponding to the target NO x emission level; and
control the reformer to reform at least a portion of the fuel based on a difference between the measured operating parameter and the target value of the operating parameter.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises at least one of:
a pressure sensor configured to measure an in-cylinder pressure of the engine;
a temperature sensor configured to measure an average temperature in a combustion chamber of the engine;
an ion sensor configured to measure a flame speed of the engine; or
a NO x sensor configured to measure a NO x concentration at a tailpipe of the engine.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the reformer to reform the fuel based on at least one of a power output or a speed of the engine.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
control a composition of a reformed fuel; and
control a flow rate of the reformed fuel.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second sensor configured to detect a composition of an unreformed fuel;
wherein the controller is further configured to control the reformer based on the composition of the unreformed fuel.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third sensor configured to detect a composition of a reformed fuel;
wherein the controller is further configured to control the reformer based on the composition of the reformed fuel.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the reformer to enrich the fuel with an amount of H 2 .
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel is natural gas.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the engine is a reciprocating internal combustion engine.
10. A method for controlling the reforming of a fuel, comprising:
measuring, by a first sensor, an operating parameter of an engine, the operating parameter correlating to a NO x emission level of the engine;
determining, by a controller, a target NO x emission level for the engine;
determining, by the controller, a target value of the operating parameter corresponding to the target NO x emission level; and
controlling, by the controller, a reformer to reform at least a portion of the fuel based on a difference between the measured operating parameter and the target value of the operating parameter.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the operating parameter of the engine comprises at least one of:
an in-cylinder pressure of the engine;
an average temperature in a combustion chamber of the engine;
a flame speed of the engine; or
a NO x concentration at a tailpipe of the engine.
12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
controlling, by the controller, the reformer to reform the fuel based on at least one of a power output or a speed of the engine.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein controlling the reformer to reform at least a portion of the fuel further comprises:
controlling a composition of a reformed fuel; and
controlling a flow rate of the reformed fuel.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
detecting, by a second sensor, a composition of an unreformed fuel; and
controlling, by the controller, the reformer based on the composition of the unreformed fuel.
15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
detecting, by a third sensor, a composition of a reformed fuel; and
controlling, by the controller, the reformer based on the composition of the reformed fuel.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein controlling the reformer to reform at least a portion of the fuel further comprises:
controlling the reformer to enrich the fuel with an amount of H 2 .
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the fuel is natural gas.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the engine is a reciprocating internal combustion engine.
19. A controller for reforming a fuel, comprising:
a memory storing instructions; and
a processor configured to execute the instructions to:
receive an operating parameter of an engine, the operating parameter correlating to a NO x emission level of the engine;
determine a target NO x emission level for the engine;
determine a target value of the operating parameter corresponding to the target NO x emission level; and
control a reformer to reform at least a portion of the fuel based on a difference between the measured operating parameter and the target value of the operating parameter.
20. The controller of claim 19 , wherein the operating parameter of the engine comprises at least one of:
an in-cylinder pressure of the engine;
an average temperature in a combustion chamber of the engine;
a flame speed of the engine; or
a NO x concentration at a tailpipe of the engine.