Abstract: In the preparation of a gaseous fuel mixture mainly of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of oxygen and water by either the partial combustion process or the catalytic decomposition, the product of catalytic decomposition of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is utilized as the oxygen and water sources. When a relatively dilute hydrogen peroxide solution is used, the resulting liquid phase water may be separated from the decomposition product and introduced into either the subsequent reaction system or the produced fuel mixture.

Abstract: A reformer for obtaining a reformed gas containing H.sub.2 and/or CO from an ordinary fuel exemplified by a petroleum fuel, having a reaction chamber in the form of a combustion chamber of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine, preferably with a swirl-producing auxiliary chamber, and a piston adapted to compress the fuel usually together with air at a compression ratio ranging from about 14 to about 20 in order to initiate and sustain a reforming reaction by the heat of adiabatic compression.

Abstract: A plurality of catalysts are arranged in a desirable order based on the temperature gradient existing in the reaction chamber. The operating temperature of the catalyst and the temperature of the portion of the reaction chamber it is in, are matched so as to avoid catalytic degradation and/or catalytic inactivity.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel is subjected to combustion in an internal combustion engine by the use of excess air, and the exhaust gas is utilized as heat and oxygen sources for partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon fuel in a separate reformer. A resulting mixture of the reformed gas and the exhaust gas is subjected to heat exchange with air to be drawn into the engine and/or the fuel to be supplied to the reformer and thereafter is supplied to a larger internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a combustible material such as a hydrocarbon or carbon fuel into a gaseous fuel containing H.sub.2 and/or CO by reaction with a heated mixture of O.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O prepared by decomposition of H.sub.2 O.sub.2, characterized by the provision of a venturi section located upstream of the entrance to a reaction chamber for increasing the velocity of the flow of the O.sub.2 --H.sub.2 O mixture and arrangement of the combustible feed line to add the combustible to the mixture at the venturi.

Abstract: H.sub.2 O.sub.2 or its aqueous solution is catalytically decomposed into oxygen and water in a vessel having radiation fins formed on its wall, and the heat of decomposition is transferred to air drawn into the induction passage, to fuel ready to jet into the drawn air or to an air-fuel mixture flowing through the induction passage. The evolved oxygen is fed to the combustion chamber and/or the exhaust line of the engine.

Abstract: A free hydrogen containing gas is produced from a fuel by a self-operating or -perpetuating expander in which a working member compresses a base mixture of fuel, oxygen or air and water during the compression stroke thereof. The base mixture is heated, after being compressed, by a flame resulting from combustion of a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber to convert the fuel into the gas, and the gas expands to perform work on the working member which accumulates power for the compression stroke of the working member.

Abstract: The system fundamentarily consists of a means to prepare a substantially gaseous mixture of a fuel, e.g., hydrocarbons, oxygen and water, a heated catalyst chamber and a reciprocating compressor. The compressor is arranged and valve-controlled such that the fuel mixture is pressurized before the feeding into the catalyst chamber and the heated and pressurized H.sub.2 -containing mixture is drawn into and expanded in the working chamber of the compressor before the feeding into an engine. The means to prepare the starting fuel mixture may include a sub-system for producing oxygen and water from hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A rotating wheel made of oxygen absorbing material absorbs oxygen from air passing therethrough from an air inlet to a residual gas outlet. Fuel passing through the wheel from a fuel inlet to an oxidized gas outlet is oxidized by the absorbed oxygen.