Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the evaluation of non-fuel components within a selected fuel with respect to engine knock performance. A non-fuel component such as a lubricant oil is now evaluated to determine onset of engine knock relative to baseline oil formulations that indicate relative low reactivity and optimum engine performance and those engine oils that exhibit relatively high reactivity and sub-optimum engine performance.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of detecting and inhibiting an abnormal combustion event in an internal combustion engine, comprising operating the internal combustion engine to produce exhaust gas from the cylinder at a break mean effective pressure greater than or equal to 10 bars at a speed less than or equal to 2,000 revolutions per minute; monitoring the exhaust gas from the cylinder with an oxygen sensor while the internal combustion engine undergoes a pre-ignition combustion event; obtaining an output from the oxygen sensor, the output from the oxygen sensor providing an indicator of the pre-ignition combustion event; and adjusting at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine in response to the output of the oxygen sensor, wherein the at least one operating parameter is adjusted to inhibit an occurrence of a subsequent pre-ignition combustion event.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lubricant oil compositions formed from base stock oils to optimize internal combustion engine performance. Base stock oils are identified that have selected cetane number characteristics and relatively reduced reactivity to improve their associated combustion characteristics and reduce engine knock without the need to modify the engine fuel or engine parameters such as compression ratio and/or ignition timing. The base stocks may specifically include esters of dicarboxylic acids, esters of trimellitic anhydride and/or alklyated naphthalene compounds.

Abstract: A method of preventing a pre-ignition event within a cylinder (20) of a spark ignition engine (100) involves taking in-cylinder measurements and using the measurements to determine the instantaneous heat being released within the cylinder (20) as a function crank angle. If significant heat is being released before the intended spark timing, additional fuel is injected into the cylinder (20) immediately following the detection of early heat release (pre-ignition) within the same engine cycle, preferably within 45 crank angle degrees following the detection of pre-ignition. The additional fuel quenches the heat released within the cylinder (20) to prevent a pre-ignition event.

Abstract: Methods of mitigating the occurrence of a low-speed pre-ignition event in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine (10), the engine (10) having a computerized engine management control module (70) and an ignition timing module (66) controllable by the engine management control module (70). The computerized engine management module (70) monitors the operating conditions of the internal combustion engine (10) and at certain operating conditions dithers the ignition timing of at least one cylinder (20) of the engine (10) to induce light to medium SI engine knock temporarily. Due to the high temperature, high frequency pressure waves caused by SI engine knock, fuel and/or lubricant related deposits accumulated on combustion chamber components, i.e.

Abstract: A method for identifying a lubricant composition that reduces the propensity for knock in an engine. The lubricant composition is mixed with a solvent to reduce the viscosity of the lubricant composition, thereby forming a lubricant-solvent mixture having a viscosity similar to or less than that of engine fuel. A sample of a lubricant-solvent mixture is then subjected to a constant volume combustion test to determine the reactivity associated with the lubricant-solvent mixture. The test is repeated for a range of lubricant-solvent ratios, and statistical methods are used to calculate the reactivity of the lubricant composition without solvent.

Abstract: A method for identifying a lubricant composition that reduces the propensity for knock in an engine. The lubricant composition is mixed with a solvent to reduce the viscosity of the lubricant composition, thereby forming a lubricant-solvent mixture having a viscosity similar to or less than that of engine fuel. A sample of a lubricant-solvent mixture is then subjected to a constant volume combustion test to determine the reactivity associated with the lubricant-solvent mixture. The test is repeated for a range of lubricant-solvent ratios, and statistical methods are used to calculate the reactivity of the lubricant composition without solvent.

Abstract: Methods and a related system of preventing a pre-ignition event in a spark ignition engine. Unusual crankcase pressure fluctuations often occur prior to a Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) event. A high speed high resolution pressure transducer (60) attached to the crankcase (30) of an engine (10) takes a plurality of engine crankcase pressure measurements and relays these measurements to an engine control module (70). The pressure measurements are analyzed to determine if unusual pressure fluctuations within the crankcase are occurring. If so, one or more engine control parameters are adjusted in order to mitigate a LSPI event. Various engine control parameters may be adjusted including fuel injection, engine load and combustion timing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the evaluation of non-fuel components within a selected fuel with respect to engine knock performance. A non-fuel component such as a lubricant oil is now evaluated to determine onset of engine knock relative to baseline oil formulations that indicate relative low reactivity and optimum engine performance and those engine oils that exhibit relatively high reactivity and sub-optimum engine performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lubricant oil compositions formed from base stock oils to optimize internal combustion engine performance. Base stock oils are identified that have selected cetane number characteristics and relatively reduced reactivity to improve their associated combustion characteristics and reduce engine knock without the need to modify the engine fuel or engine parameters such as compression ratio and/or ignition timing. The base stocks may specifically include esters of dicarboxylic acids, esters of trimellitic anhydride and/or alklyated naphthalene compounds.

Abstract: Complexes of silanes and cyclodextrin or derivatives thereof are storage stable and allow target release of silane or decomposition products thereof.

Abstract: Biological decomposition of compounds containing Si-C bands such as PDMS takes place under substantially anaerobic conditions in the presence of an alternative electron acceptor.

Abstract: Multi-component system for modifying, degrading or bleaching lignin, lignin-containing materials or similar substances, includes

Abstract: Multi-component system for modifying, degrading or bleaching lignin, lignin-containing materials or similar substances, includes (a) if appropriate at least one oxidation catalyst; (b) at least one suitable oxidizing agent; and (c) at least one mediator, wherein the mediator is chosen from the group consisting of N-aryl-N-hydroxyamides.

Abstract: A multicomponent system for modifying, degrading or bleaching lignin and lignin-containing materials or similar substances, includes an oxidoreductase and an oxidant suitable for the oxidoreductase and a mediator and at least one enzymatically active additive. The mediator does not inactivate the oxidoreductase and the enzymatically active additive, and the enzymatically active additive is selected from the group consisting of the hydrolases of the enzyme class 3.2.1.

Abstract: A process for reducing the content of triglycerides in egg yolk and in products containing egg yolk includes (a) diluting egg yolk with water or an aqueous salt solution, (b) adding at least one cyclodextrin to this solution, (c) separating off the cyclodextrin/triglyceride complex from this mixture, and (d) separating off to the respective desired extent the added water or the added salt solution from the egg yolk thus treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to the enzyme S-tetrahydroprotoberberineoxidase, which oxidizes selectively S-tetrahydroprotoberberines and S-1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline in the presence of oxygen, resulting in the corresponding protoberberines and 1-benzyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines. The invention also relates to a process of preparing S-tetrahydroprotoberberineoxidase by extraction from certain plant materials. The oxidation products of several compounds find use in the pharmaceutical industries.