Abstract: Residual fuels, as well as lighter distillate fuels, are combusted with greater efficiency by utilizing low concentrations of specific bimetallic or trimetallic fuel-borne catalysts. The catalysts reduce fouling of heat transfer surfaces by unburned carbon while limiting the amount of secondary additive ash which may itself cause overloading of particulate collector devices or emissions of toxic ultra fine particles when used in forms and quantities typically employed. By utilizing a fuel containing a fuel-soluble catalyst comprised of platinum and at least one additional metal comprising cerium and/or iron, production of pollutants of the type generated by incomplete combustion is reduced. Ultra low levels of nontoxic metal combustion catalysts are able to be employed for improved heat recovery and lower emissions of regulated pollutants.

Abstract: A low-emissions diesel fuel comprises fungible aviation kerosene grade 55, 50-300 ppm detergent, 25-500 ppm lubricity additive and a bimetallic, fuel soluble platinum and cerium fuel borne catalyst (e.g., 0 1-2 0 ppm platinum COD and 5-20 pmm cerium oleate). The fuel can be used as is or in the form of an emulsion A method of reducing the emissions of pollutants from a diesel engine, comprising running the engine on a fuel as defined.

Abstract: A plurality of separately-controllable, supply nozzles incorporating pulse-width modulated, solenoid-actuated metering valves precisely controls the introduction of pollution control chemicals into the effluent of a combustor to provide improvements in pollution reduction and/or economy of operation despite the existence of widely variable combustor loads.

Abstract: Gasoline engines equipped with three-way catalysts emit less NOx, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide when operated on fuels containing a bimetallic catalyst comprising rhodium acetylacetonate and a fuel-soluble platinum compound such as diphenyl cyclooctadiene platinum(II) or platinum acetyl acetonate. The total metals in the additive will be dosed at a concentration of less than about 2 ppm (milligrams of metal to liter of gasoline) based on the amount of gasoline burned in the engine. Preferred dosages will be from about 0.15 to about 1.5 ppm, with a ratio of platinum to rhodium of from about 3:1 to about 15:1.

Abstract: Urea is pyrolyzed in a chamber designed to facilitate gasification of the urea by pyrolysis with conversion of urea to ammonia and isocyanic acid (HNCO) with water vapor and carbon dioxide. The product gases are introduced into exhaust gases from a lean-burn engine, preferably upstream of a turbocharger. The exhaust gases are then contacted with an SCR catalyst.

Abstract: A safe, reliable SCR system for reducing NO.sub.x emissions from a lean-burn internal combustion engine utilizes urea in aqueous solution. A modular assembly is provided for mounting inside a urea reagent tank enables controlled feeding an aqueous urea solution to an injector. The assembly includes a reagent quality sensor, a reagent temperature sensor, a reagent level sensor and a pump.

Abstract: Operation of a diesel engine with low particulate emissions is achieved. A diesel engine is equipped with a platinum-catalyzed particulate trap. The engine is operated with a blend of diesel fuel and a fuel-soluble cerium composition to reduce the balance point of the trap with reduced cerium content. Preferably, the fuel will also contain a fuel-soluble organo-platinum group metal compound, or an effective platinum group metal compound can be added to the exhaust or combustion air.

Abstract: Emissions of pollutants from diesel engines are reduced by a combination of mechanical devices and fuel additives. In one series of embodiments, diesel emissions of NO.sub.x and particulates are reduced, simultaneously with gaseous hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, by the combined use of exhaust gas recirculation or engine timing modification, with a particulate trap and a platinum group metal catalyst composition. In another embodiment, a multi-metal catalyst composition, comprising a combination of a platinum metal catalyst composition and at least one auxiliary catalyst metal composition, especially cerium or copper, is employed to provide catalyst metal to the exhaust system including a diesel trap to lower the balance point of the particulate trap (the temperature at which the rate of trap loading equals the rate of regeneration) while also lowering the emissions of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Data for platinum, copper and cerium catalysts establishes effective amounts.

Abstract: Urea is pyrolyzed in a chamber designed to facilitate gasification of the urea by pyrolysis with conversion of urea to ammonia and isocyanic acid (HNCO) with water vapor and carbon dioxide. The product gases are introduced into exhaust gases from a lean-burn engine, preferably upstream of a turbocharger. The exhaust gases are then contacted with an SCR catalyst.

Abstract: A simple and effective biochemical process solves the problems associated with sulfur in bitumen by removing sulfur from active participation in SO.sub.x -producing combustion reactions. In one aspect, an emulsion of bitumen and water is contacted with a microbiological desulfurization agent for a time and under conditions effective to reduce the oxidizable sulfur content of the bitumen. The preferred agents do not affect the heating value of the fuel, but selectively oxidize organic sulfur to water-soluble sulfates which can either be physically removed or chemically bound so that they do not cause SO.sub.x production. Multistage reaction is employed to enhance sulfur removal.

Abstract: Urea or other solid NO.sub.x -reducing reagent is employed in a selective catalytic reduction process on emissions from diesel and lean-burn gasoline engines. The solid reagent is fed to a gas generator that produces a reactant gas by heating. In one embodiment the reactant gas is maintained at elevated temperatures to prevent condensation products from forming. The reactant gas contains ammonia and is fed to the exhaust on an as-needed basis.

Abstract: Diesel and other lean-burn engines emit less NO.sub.x, when the of fuel comprises an emulsion of hydrocarbon fuel and an aqueous solution of a nitrogenous NO.sub.x -reducing reagent which is separated into its two principal portions prior to combustion. The hot exhaust gases produced by burning the fuel contain NO.sub.x, but the NO.sub.x is reduced by introducing the separated aqueous solution of nitrogenous NO.sub.x -reducing reagent into at least a portion of the exhaust gases and directing them to a catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NO.sub.x. The fuel emulsion preferably comprises a continuous phase comprising diesel fuel and from about 1 to about 20% (most preferably, from about 2 to about 10%) of a discontinuous phase comprising an aqueous solution of nitrogenous NO.sub.x -reducing reagent. It is also preferred to include in the fuel a corrosion inhibitor and biocide, and optionally a lubricity additive and emulsifier.

Abstract: An improved lubricity water and diesel fuel emulsion is presented. The emulsion is used as fuel for diesel engines, and includes a lubricity additive selected from the group consisting of dimer acids, trimer acids, phosphate esters, sulfurized castor oil, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Platinum group metal fuel additives are effective in fuel environments which make the exclusion of water impractical. The fuels additives comprise a platinum group metal compound and a water-functional composition selected from the group consisting of lipophilic emulsifiers, lipophilic organic compounds in which water is miscible and mixtures of these. The additives are preferably effective in fuel compositions having water contents of at least about 0.01% water by weight.

Abstract: A simple and effective biochemical process solves the problems associated with sulfur in bitumen by removing sulfur from active participation in SO.sub.x -producing combustion reactions. In one aspect, an emulsion of bitumen and water is contacted with a microbiological desulfurization agent for a time and under conditions effective to reduce the oxidizable sulfur content of the bitumen. The preferred agents do not affect the heating value of the fuel, but selectively oxidize organic sulfur to water-soluble sulfates which can either be physically removed or chemically bound so that they do not cause SO.sub.x production. Multistage reaction is employed to enhance sulfur removal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing nitrogen oxides emissions from a diesel engine, which comprises preparing an emulsion of water in diesel fuel which contains a catalytically effective amount of catalyst composition and a lubricity additive, and supplying said emulsion to a diesel engine for combusting therein, whereby combustion of the emulsion leads to a reduction in the nitrogen oxides emissions from the diesel engine when compared with combustion of diesel fuel alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing nitrogen oxides emissions from a diesel engine, which comprises preparing an emulsion of an aqueous urea solution in diesel fuel, and supplying said emulsion to a diesel engine for combusting therein, whereby combustion of the emulsion leads to a reduction in the nitrogen oxides emissions from the diesel engine when compared with combustion of diesel fuel alone.

Abstract: The invention provides a method employing a fuel additive to improve the operation of a pass-through oxidation catalyst over long periods of time with continued catalytic activity and without the undesirable conversion of SO.sub.2 to SO.sub.3. A pass-through catalyst support is continuously, selectively catalyzed by the combustion of a fuel containing a platinum group metal composition which burns to release the catalyst metal in active form. The effectiveness of the process is attributed to improved combustion in the engine by the catalyst and the treatment of the catalytic oxidizer with active catalyst metal released during combustion such that, in the exhaust system, the soluble organic fraction of the particulates and the levels of gaseous unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are significantly reduced. The catalysts conditioned by the present invention cause minimal conversion of SO.sub.2 to SO.sub.3.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the ability to control the focussing of an eye. A pair of images originating for apparently different distances are directed simultaneously into the eye of an observer. The observer's ability to focus selectively upon either of the images is used as an indication of tolerance to intraocular multifocal contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing nitrogen oxides emissions from a diesel engine, which comprises preparing an emulsion of an aqueous urea solution in diesel fuel, and supplying said emulsion to a diesel engine for combusting therein, whereby combustion of the emulsion leads to a reduction in the nitrogen oxides emissions from the diesel engine when compared with combustion of diesel fuel alone.