Improvements in diesel engine aftertreatment technology are needed to meet
future environmental quality goals, Systems using recently developed compac
t plasmatron fuel converters in conjunction with aftertreatment catalysts c
ould provide new opportunities for obtaining significant pollution reductio
ns. Use of compact plasmatron reformers to produce hydrogen-rich gas for th
e regeneration of NOx absorber/absorbers and particulate traps could provid
e significant advantages. Catalyst requirements are determined and overall
system characteristics are evaluated. The options made possible by use of o
nboard hydrogen generation for regeneration of catalysts are briefly descri
bed. Recent tests of conversion of diesel fuel to hydrogen-rich gas using a
low current plasmatron fuel converter with non-equilibrium plasma features
are described.