Regeneration Of Diesel Particulate Filters With Hydrogen Rich Gas
The options for the regeneration of a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) using hydrogen rich gas are investigated. The advantages of using hydrogen rich gas for this purpose are described. The system requirements for such a system are also evaluated. The use of a plasmatron fuel converter for the onboard generation of hydrogen rich gas from diesel fuel is discussed. The advantages of homogeneous, non-catalytic reforming by the plasmatron fuel converter are described. Finally, the effect of homogeneous combustion of the hydrogen rich gas in the exhaust (upstream from the DPF) is investigated.
Visualization of Combustion Phenomena in Regeneration of Diesel Particulate Filter
Combustion phenomena in the regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) were clarified through a visualization experiment, using a half-cylindrical wall-flow DPF covered by a quartz glass plate. At a constant oxygen concentration (8.5% and 10% in the current study) of a working gas used for regeneration, in the cases of large particulate masses and high working gas temperatures, the particulate matter trapped on the filter surface is burned in a narrow reaction zone which can be observed as a high brightness zone moving slowly toward the downstream side. Just after the reaction zone passes, a sharp temperature peak is detected and there remains no particulate matter on the filter surface. Furthermore, the particulate matter is ignited first around the middle of the DPF, and then, the reaction zone propagates toward both the upstream and the downstream sides. On the other hand, in cases of small particulate masses and/or low working gas temperatures (but higher than 600°C), no such bright reaction zone is seen; however, it was observed that with time the particulate matter disappeared uniformly on the entire filter surface. These regeneration patterns can be summarized as separate and distinct reaction patterns in a reaction diagram consisting of the particulate mass and the inlet temperature of the working gas.
Palaeocarpinus (Extinct Betulaceae) from Northwestern China: New Evidence for Paleocene Floristic Continuity between Asia, North America, and Europe
Spiny-bracted fruits of Palaeocarpinus Crane, a genus of Betulaceae previously known only from Europe and North America, have been discovered in the Paleocene of Altai, northwestern China. The fruits are found in association with abundant Corylus-like foliage and staminate catkins containing Corylus-like pollen. Because of problems distinguishing leaves of Corylus from those of extinct betulaceous genera, we place these leaves in the genus Corylites Gardner ex Seward & Holttum. The fruits, staminate catkins, pollen, and leaves from Altai were probably all produced by a single species. Palaeocarpinus orientalis is nearly identical in its morphology to Palaeocarpinus joffrensis from the Paleocene of North America except in the more rounded primary bracts of the associated staminate catkins. The species is less similar to Palaeocarpinus laciniata from the Paleocene of southern England.