SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING A DEDICATED POWER SUPPLY FOR AN ELECTRIC CATALYST UNIT OF AN ON-BOARD AMMONIA CRACKING SYSTEM

The present invention relates, in general, to systems and methods for generating hydrogen from ammonia on-board vehicles, where the produced hydrogen is used as fuel source for an internal combustion engine. The present invention utilizes an electric catalyst unit operating in series with a heat exchange catalyst unit. The electric catalyst unit is used to initiate an ammonia cracking process on-board during a cold start or low load operating condition of the internal combustion engine, where the ammonia cracking process occurs in the heat exchange catalyst unit once exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine has been heated to a threshold temperature suitable to perform the ammonia cracking process. The electric catalyst unit receives power from a dedicated power supply that is charged on-board through a secondary alternator, motor-generator, or other energy harvesting mechanism.