Southwest Research Institute

Nigel F Gale

Thomas W Ryan, Iii

David W Naegeli

Steven R King

An engine is provided which, in at least one cylinder or combustion area, is provided with a hydrocarbon rich fuel which produces upon combustion an exhaust gas containing unburned hydrocarbons, water vapor and carbon monoxide. The exhaust gas is treated in a catalytic converter and the reaction process that occurs therein produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide which is mixed with air to form a hydrocarbon lean, hydrogen enriched mixture. The mixture is subsequently ignited in other cylinders or combustion areas of the engine to produce power.

Fuel supply system for engines and combustion processes therefor

Fuel supply systems for engines and combustion processes therefor

A fuel combustion process is provided for a multi-cylinder engine for reducing exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. The process includes the steps of introducing hydrocarbon fuel in a first engine cylinder, burning the hydrocarbon fuel and producing exhaust gases, introducing the exhaust gases in a second cylinder, introducing hydrogen in the second cylinder, and burning the hydrogen with the exhaust gases, thereby producing exhaust emissions having a lower carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon content than that of the exhaust gases produced in the first cylinder.

Combustion process and fuel supply system for engines

The present invention is a catalytic ignition engine (10) having a catalytic hot plug (14) mounted therein for 24 alcohol fuel. The hot plug (28) comprises a base material (32) coated at least partially with a catalyst (34), preferably platinum, and mounted on the top of the piston (18). The hot plug (11) is heated by combustion and is mounted on a support member (30) designed to reduce heat transfer from the hot plug (11) to piston (18). Consequently, the hot plug (11) remains at a temperature sufficiently high to cause ignition of alcohol fuel when the fuel is sprayed into the cylinder bore (14).

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Nigel F Gale