EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) evaluation of the optimizer device under Section 511 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act

Technical Report · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:6901138

Barth, E A

This report announces the conclusions of the EPA evaluation of the Optimizer device under the provisions of section 511 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act. The evaluation of the Optimizer was conducted upon the application of the manufacturer. The basic device is a combustion catalyst consisting of an electric fuel heater containing a bed of platinum deposited on an inert substrate. The remainder of the system includes a heater relay, a condenser to cool the fuel to operating temperature, and the associated plumbing. According to the applicant, the device introduces a very small amount of platinum into the fuel. This enhances the combustion process and allows ignition timing to be advanced. The device, coupled with the ignition timing adjustments, is claimed to improve fuel economy, increase performance, and reduce engine maintenance while keeping emissions low. EPA fully considered all of the information submitted by the applicant. The evaluation of the Optimizer device was based on that information and EPA's engineering judgement. The overall conclusion is that, for most vehicles, the device and the prescribed ignition timing adjustments of the engine will cause a small improvement in fuel economy and a large increase in NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Ann Arbor, MI (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6901138
• Report Number(s): PB-84-154194; EPA-AA-TEB-511-83-9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330700* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Emission Control
AIR POLLUTION
CATALYSTS
CHALCOGENIDES
COMBUSTION CONTROL
CONTROL
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENGINES
FUEL CONSUMPTION
FUEL ECONOMY
HEAT ENGINES
IGNITION
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
MAINTENANCE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
OPTIMIZATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POLLUTION
SPARK IGNITION ENGINES
TESTING
VEHICLES