Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved solar powered distillation system and method. The solar powered still may have a waterproof membrane that is extruded, molded, or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner resulting in improved ease of still manufacturing and assembly as well as improved sealing. Further, the membrane may include silicone. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane material may be an opaque food grade non-toxic odorless, tasteless silicon, for example, Dow Corning 40. In one variation, the solar still basin may be formed from an aluminum sided insulation material. In another variation the solar still may include a carbon filter attached to either the input or output of the solar still for filtering out VOCs. The solar still may further include adjustable legs that facilitate leveling the still to ensure the most efficient operation possible. The still may be provided to users in a kit and assembled on site to improve shipping.

Abstract: An automobile engine's catalytic converter is heated by inducing a change in the engine's fuel injection delivery that varies from normal operating conditions. Heating the engine's catalytic converter by changing the engine's fuel injection delivery is useful in enabling the catalytic converter to achieve efficient operating temperature quicker and enables efficient and accurate diagnosis of catalyst degradation. Diagnosis of degraded catalyst performance is accomplished by measurements of the catalyst's temperature characteristics following alternating of the fuel delivery to different cylinders from lean and rich fuel conditions that differ from the mass ratio of air to fuel being at chemical stoichiometric conditions. Measurements of the catalyst's temperature characteristics with defined modifications of an engine's operating conditions allows determining the catalytic converter's gas conversion effectiveness.