Procedure for the operation of combustion engine

Patent · Tue Jan 13 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6292426

Lindstrom, O B

An improved process and apparatus for preparing a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide to be supplied to the air/fuel mixture of a combustion engine is disclosed. The process and apparatus are useful in reducing the amount of noxious components and aldehydes in the engine exhaust gas. In one embodiment of the invention, an improved process and combustion engine are provided for reducing the noxious components and aldehydes. Recycled, water vapor-containing exhaust gas is mixed with at least one lower alcohol. Subsequently, the lower alcohol is catalytically steam reformed in the presence of the exhaust gas to form a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, at least a portion of the water vapor and energy required for the steam reforming being provided by the exhaust gas. The hydrogen/carbon monoxide mixture is combined with a mixture of air and a disparate primary engine fuel, and the combined mixture is supplied to a combustion zone wherein the mixture is combusted to produce an exhaust gas having a reduced amount of noxious components and aldehydes. Preferably, the lower alcohol is methanol, the primary fuel is gasoline, and the steam reforming is carried out in the presence of a noble metal catalyst or a nickel catalyst.

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-81-099047
• Patent Number(s): US 4244328
• OSTI ID: 6292426
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100* -- Internal Combustion Engines
330700 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Emission Control
330800 -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ALCOHOLS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CATALYSTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
EXHAUST GASES
EXHAUST RECIRCULATION SYSTEMS
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
GASOLINE
HEAT ENGINES
HYDROGEN
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
LIQUID FUELS
METALS
METHANOL
NICKEL
NONMETALS
OPERATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
REFORMER PROCESSES
STEAM REFORMER PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VAPORS
WASTES
WATER VAPOR