Means and procedure for the operation of combustion engine

Patent · Tue Jul 20 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6735145

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: EDB-83-017155
• Patent Number(s): US 4340013
• OSTI ID: 6735145
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330700* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Emission Control
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ALCOHOLS
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
CONTROL
CORROSION PROTECTION
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
EVAPORATION
EXHAUST RECIRCULATION SYSTEMS
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
FUEL ECONOMY
FUEL SYSTEMS
FUELS
GASOHOL
HEAT ENGINES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
LIQUID FUELS
METHANOL
OPERATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT