This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
The Boston Reformed Fuel Car
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Event:
National West Coast Meeting
Language:
English
Abstract
International Materials undertook to develop an inherently low-polluting automobile, the “Boston Car,”* with two fixed design parameters: the use of an internal combustion engine and the use of gasoline fuel. On-board production of carbon dioxide-hydrogen mixtures to fuel the engine was the approach undertaken; gasoline was reacted with steam to produce a “reformed” fuel upstream from the engine. Initial efforts to develop an engine to burn the mixture revealed problems with respect to starting reliability and high rpm carburetor flashback. Starting reliability was achieved by providing accurate air/fuel ratios at cranking speeds. It was necessary to employ a spark distributor lacking any provisions for spark advance in order to guarantee elimination of flashback at advanced rpms. These modifications have resulted in extremely fine road performance from the test vehicle, comparable to the production model prior to modification.
The reformed fuel production unit involved miniaturization of certain refinery techniques for the production of synthetic gas mixtures. In engineering this miniaturization, certain central factors were encountered. Development of reliable metering and pumping systems, heat exchange mechanisms, burner assembly, and reformer canister involved relatively straightforward engineering programs. Carbon deposition in the reformer coil, however, proved to be a peculiarly difficult problem but proprietary designs have allowed solution of this problem, insuring increased thermal efficiency and unit life.
The Boston Car concept retains all of the advantages of standard automotive technology. Low profile fuel system changes are involved, and production feasible innovations. High system efficiencies and engine performance provide the comfort of use required for consumer acceptability. Extremely low emissions signature provides an adequate resolution for the problem of air pollution from mobile sources.
Authors
Topic
Citation
Newkirk, M. and Abel, J., "The Boston Reformed Fuel Car," SAE Technical Paper 720670, 1972, https://doi.org/10.4271/720670.Also In
References
- King R. O. et al. “The Hydrogen Engine: Combustion Knock and the Related Flame Velocity.” Transactions of the Engineering Institute of Canada 2 4 1958
- Hoffman K. C. et al. “Metal Hydrides as a Source of Fuel for Vehicular Propulsion.” Paper 690232 presented at SAE Automotive Engineering Congress Detroit January 1969
- King R. O. et al. “The Oxidation, Ignition and Detonation of Fuel Vapors and Gases.” Canadian Journal of Research F 26 June 1948
- “Gaseous Fuels.” Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers 7th New York McGraw-Hill 1967
- King R. O. Rand Mogens “The Oxidation, Decomposition, Ignition, and Detonation of Fuel Vapors and Gases.” Canadian Journal of Technology 33 1955 445 469
- Judge A. W. “Aircraft Engines.” London Chapman & Hall, Ltd. 1941 31 33
- Kotzen M. R. Tielrooy J. “What's New in Methane Reformers.” Petroleum Refiner 40 4 April 1961 172
- Underwood P. Dieges P. “Hydrogen and Oxygen Combustion for Pollution Free Operation of Existing Standard Automotive Engines.” Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference 38 Paper 719046 New York Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. 1971
- Morgan N. E. Morath W. D. “Development of a Hydrogen-Oxygen Internal Combustion Engine Space Power System.” Report to NASA under Contract No. NAS 3-2787 Vickers, Inc.
- Smith R. D. Furlong D. A.
- Murray R. G. Schoeppel R. J. “Emission and Performance Characteristics of an Air-Breathing Hydrogen-Fueled Internal Combustion Engine.” Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference 38 paper 719009 New York Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. 1971
- Unzelman G. H. Gerber N. H. “Petroleum Engineer's Exclusive Hydrogen Report.” Petro/Chem Engineer October December 1966