Abstract: An improved Diesel exhaust filter element of the type having a rigid porous wall portion formed of an acicular ceramic (such as acicular mullite), the porous wall portion having a first side and a second side, the porous wall portion being coated with a precious metal catalyst and a Nox absorbent, such that when exhaust gas from a Diesel engine is flowed through the rigid porous wall from the first side to the second side, the exhaust gas containing excess oxygen, Nox and soot, the soot in the exhaust gas in trapped within the rigid porous wall and catalytically oxidized to carbon dioxide, the NO is catalytically oxidized to NO2, which NO2 is then absorbed by the Nox absorbent, and such that when the exhaust gas is caused to contain excess hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide, then the Nox absorbent is regenerated and the remaining hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide are catalytically converted to nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustion ignition engine comprises introducing an amount of a compressibly non-ignitable fuel into the air induction system of a compression ignition engine during the intake stroke of the engine and then injecting an amount of compressibly ignitable fuel (e.g., Diesel fuel) in the cylinder chamber at a crank angle sufficiently advanced during the compression stroke of the compression ignition engine such that the compressibly ignitable fuel and incompressible non-ignitable fuel ignite and combust such that substantially all of the fuel in the cylinder is combusted, where the amount of compressibly non-ignitable fuel introduced into the cylinder has an energy content that is at least about 50% to at most about 99% of the total energy content of the total amount of fuel introduced.

Abstract: A method of operating a spark ignition engine comprises introducing a fuel comprised of a water soluble organic compound and at least 30% by volume water mixed in a homogeneous charge air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel mixture is compressed in an engine having a compression ratio of at least about 16, with such compression ratios including the effective compression ratios arising from precompressing the intake air (e.g., turbocharging). The compressed air fuel mixture is then ignited by a spark or like controllable ignition source.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustion ignition engine comprises introducing an amount of a compressibly non-ignitable fuel into the air induction system of a compression ignition engine during the intake stroke of the engine and then injecting an amount of compressibly ignitable fuel (e.g., Diesel fuel) in the cylinder chamber at a crank angle sufficiently advanced during the compression stroke of the compression ignition engine such that the compressibly ignitable fuel and incompressible non-ignitable fuel ignite and combust such that substantially all of the fuel in the cylinder is combusted, where the amount of compressibly non-ignitable fuel introduced into the cylinder has an energy content that is at least about 50% to at most about 99% of the total energy content of the total amount of fuel introduced.

Abstract: A catalyzed soot filter is comprised of a monolithic ceramic honeycomb body that has a catalyzed inlet zone that has a catalyst within the walls of the ceramic honeycomb inlet end to at most about 45% of the length of the catalyzed soot filter. The catalyzed inlet zone has a porosity that is at least ? the porosity of a wall of the ceramic honeycomb that does not have a catalyst in the wall.

Abstract: A catalyzed Diesel soot filter and process. The Diesel soot filter incorporates a porous filter element coated with a catalytic agent so that Diesel soot from Diesel exhaust gas is deposited into contact with the catalytic agent when Diesel exhaust gas is passed through the porous filter element and so that the ignition temperature or oxidation temperature of the deposited Diesel soot is reduced. The catalytic agent is a mixture of alkali metal and cerium oxides. The mole ratio of alkali metal to cerium of the catalytic agent is in the range of from 0.5 to 5.

Abstract: A catalyzed soot filter is comprised of a monolithic ceramic honeycomb body that has a catalyzed inlet zone that has a catalyst within the walls of the ceramic honeycomb inlet end to at most about 45% of the length of the catalyzed soot filter. The catalyzed inlet zone has a porosity that is at least ? the porosity of a wall of the ceramic honeycomb that does not have a catalyst in the wall.

Abstract: A catalyzed Diesel soot filter and process. The Diesel soot filter incorporates a porous filter element coated with a catalytic agent so that Diesel soot from Diesel exhaust gas is deposited into contact with the catalytic agent when Diesel exhaust gas is passed through the porous filter element and so that the ignition temperature or oxidation temperature of the deposited Diesel soot is reduced. The catalytic agent is a mixture of alkali metal and cerium oxides. The mole ratio of alkali metal to cerium of the catalytic agent is in the range of from 0.5 to 5.

Abstract: A catalyzed soot filter is comprised of a monolithic ceramic honeycomb body that has a catalyzed inlet zone that has a catalyst within the walls of the ceramic honeycomb inlet end to at most about 45% of the length of the catalyzed soot filter. The catalyzed inlet zone has a porosity that is at least ? the porosity of a wall of the ceramic honeycomb that does not have a catalyst in the wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing hydrocarbons from the exhaust stream of a diesel engine prior to cooling the exhaust for recycling through the intake manifold. A filter is used to remove hydrocarbon combustion products, including particulate matter, from the exhaust at a point after the exhaust gasses leave the exhaust manifold and before the exhaust gasses enter an exhaust gas cooler. Reduction of the hydrocarbon levels in the exhaust gasses slows or prevents buildup of hydrocarbon residue downstream of the filter, such as in the exhaust gas cooler, reducing the frequency of the requirement for cleaning or replacing the filter and effectively extending the life of the exhaust system.