ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 7, 1997 TAG: 9701070082
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
In the fuel-cell system being developed by Chrysler Corp., gasoline is converted to hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water with an on-board fuel processor.
The hydrogen is used to create electricity to power the vehicle.
The process of chemical reactions begins with a fuel vaporizer that heats the gasoline to convert it from a liquid to a gas, ensuring cleaner combustion that is free of soot, Chrysler says.
The vaporized gasoline is then processed in a partial oxidation reactor, essentially a metal canister with a spark plug. By limiting the amount of air in this low-pressure environment, hydrogen and carbon monoxide are produced. Sulfur in the gasoline is converted into hydrogen sulfide gas and filtered from the vapor.
Carbon monoxide poisons fuel cells, so it must be eliminated or reduced to minute levels. Water is introduced as steam and, acting with copper oxide and zinc oxide catalysts, converts nearly all of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Additional hydrogen fuel also is produced.
Air is injected into the hydrogen-rich gas, which reacts with the remaining carbon dioxide over a platinum catalyst to produce carbon dioxide, leaving only a trace of carbon monoxide.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 33 linesby CNB