North Haven, CT (August 28th, 2018) – Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) is developing an ultra-compact, high performance hydrogen generator as a new automotive component for improving gasoline engine efficiency and emissions. The Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technologies office, through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, has been supporting PCI in this development, and has now has expanded that support under a new SBIR Phase IIB award. The additional funding will be used to support advanced component development and automobile testing for OEM customers.
Scientists have long known that adding hydrogen to a gasoline engine’s fuel could boost efficiency and reduce emissions, but onboard hydrogen generation has been challenging. PCI has developed a potential breakthrough solution: a small, inexpensive component that converts some of the vehicle’s gasoline to hydrogen-rich syngas. This provides a practical and economic hydrogen generator for engines. Automotive engine and motorcycle testing of PCI’s component have shown efficiency and emissions gains, and PCI is now working with automotive companies worldwide to advance the technology to market entry.
According to Subir Roychoudhury, PCI’s Vice President of Research and Engineering and the project leader, “Our process-intensified approach uses our quick starting Microlith® fuel reforming catalyst in a small component to create useful amounts of hydrogen-containing gas from gasoline. The added hydrogen increases combustion stability and allows a modern gasoline engine to improve efficiency while also significantly reducing emissions. We’ve demonstrated this now at both external university testing and in engine cycle testing by Tier 1 automotive suppliers, and we’re in discussions with a number of interested parties.”
Kevin Burns, President of PCI, adds “This is a real breakthrough, confirmed by independent testing at automotive labs and being investigated by several interested teams. We have the makings of a new automobile component for the next generation of clean and efficient cars, both for engine-only and hybrid engine powertrains. We’re working with industry OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, towards engine implementation.”
In the DOE Phase IIB and other industry-supported programs, PCI plans to further mature the component and engine integration designs while supporting OEM trial and vehicle platform development adoption decisions.
Precision Combustion, Inc. is a clean energy technology company developing and manufacturing catalytic devices and systems for energy sector applications. To learn more, visit precision-combustion.com.
For more information, contact:
Anthony Anderson
Director, Marketing and Business Development
203-287-3700 ext. 290
aanderson@precision-combustion.com
