Patent ID: 6463889
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: F02M

Abstract:
A gasoline vapor storage system for an automotive vehicle of the type having a liquid gasoline storage tank with an air and gasoline vapor space above the liquid level of said gasoline, a gasoline vapor evaporation control (EVAP) adsorptive canister in vapor flow communication with said storage tank and an on-vehicle reactor for partial oxidation (POx) of gasoline to a hydrogen-containing fuel mixture for an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell motive source, said system being used during starting of said POx reactor and comprising in combinationa vapor accumulation canister for POx reactor vapor feed, said vapor accumulation canister comprising a vapor inlet, a bed of gasoline vapor adsorbent material providing a vapor flow path from said vapor inlet through said bed to an overflow vapor outlet, said vapor accumulation canister further comprising a purge vapor outlet adjacent the vapor inlet portion of said bed; a vent passage from said gasoline tank air and gasoline vapor space to said vapor inlet of said vapor accumulation canister; a vent line from said overflow vapor outlet to a vapor inlet of said EVAP adsorptive canister; and a vapor purge line from said purge vapor outlet for delivery of an air and gasoline vapor mixture to said on-vehicle reactor for use in POx reaction start-up in said reactor.