Abstract: A method for combusting fuels selected from the group comprising hydrocarbons, alcohols, hydrogen, disassociated methanol and mixtures thereof in an internal combustion engine at an optimum effective compression ratio for each fuel by changing the effective compression ratio in the engine to an optimum value suitable for each fuel by injecting gas at a pressure selected to produce the desired effective compression ratio so that a variety of fuels requiring different compression ratios can be combusted at an optimum compression pressure for each of the fuels.

Abstract: A combined fuel engine for reduced emission pollution in which the engine is provided with a conventional fuel injection system for injecting a conventional fuel such as gasoline or diesel oil high in carbon into a combustion chamber proximate the cycle time of peak compression and with an auxiliary fuel injection system for injecting an auxiliary fuel such as methanol, ethanol or liquefied natural gas high in hydrogen into the combustion chamber with the charge of air proximate the cycle time of low compression with means for varying the proportion of fuels to achieve a lean combustible mixture.

Abstract: A carburetor-fuel preconditioner for internal combustion engines comprising a bubble chamber for holding fuel at a preselected level and for bubbling air therethrough; a multiplicity of catalytic beads located within the bubble chamber in contact with gasoline fuel for producing an air-fuel vapor mixture and for the catalytic cracking of long molecular hydrocarbon chains; and at least one air-fuel vapor mixing conduit located between the bubble chamber and the intake manifold of the engine to provide proper air-fuel ratio to the vapor entering the engine cylinders. A screen may be provided in the bubble chamber to prevent dislocation of the catalytic beads. Each mixing conduit is provided with a plurality of peripherally spaced baffles for creating an air-fuel vortex for superior mixing.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device for adapting the fuel/air metering system and the ignition system of an internal combustion engine to enable the engine to be operated with all normally available grades of petrol (gasoline). The invention provides for a manual facility for switching-over the fuel/air metering system from a fuel/air map for .lambda.=1 (operation with three-way catalytic converter and .lambda. sensor) with unleaded fuel to a fuel/air map for .lambda..noteq.1. Additionally, a manual facility is provided for switching over or selecting two out of a total of four ignition timing maps for premium grade unleaded fuel (s.sub.u), regular grade unleaded (n.sub.u), premium grade leaded (s.sub.b) and regular grade leaded (n.sub.b) (switch contacts 4, 10 11). An automatic switch-over function between the ignition timing maps s.sub.u /n.sub.u and s.sub.b /n.sub.

Abstract: The octane requirement increase phenomenon in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is controlled by introducing with the combustion charge a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of a combination of compounds, the combination comprising a first compound being (1) a gasoline soluble amide and (2) a second compound being a gasoline soluble ketone. Usually the first and second compounds are each added to the fuel in an amount between about 0.001 and 3 weight percent of the fuel. In particular, the combination of N,N-dibutyl formamide and either benzophenone or methylcyclohexanone provides an effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additive for unleaded gasoline.

Abstract: An injection nozzle utilizing nitrous oxide to aid in the introduction and atomization of fuel into a combustion chamber. The present invention comprises a Y shaped nozzle having a pair of input ports and a single output port. One input port is utilized to introduce nitrous oxide into a hollow sleeve of the nozzle and ultimately exiting at the output port. The second input port introduces fuel to the nozzle. A fuel line coupled to the second input port extends the length of the hollow nozzle, terminating at the output port extends the length of the hollow nozzle, terminating at the output port. The nitrous oxide is introduced at high pressure, approximately 500-1000 PSI. The fuel is introduced at approximately 3-12 PSI. As the nitrous oxide exits past the end of the fuel line, it creates a vacuum which aids in drawing the fuel from the line.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly having a premix chamber is provided for the injection of remixed fuel and air or other gas into a diesel ingine cylinder. Air, or other gas, is supplied continuously to the premix chamber through a port connected to a high pressure reservoir. Fuel is delivered into the premix chamber through a typical poppet injection nozzle. The passage orientation into the premix chamber and the magnitude of the fuel and air pressure determine the mixing level. By pressure of the air, the compressed fuel-air mixture is injected, into the diesel engine cylinder. To remove fuel remaining in the injection cavity and injection orifices, an air injection follows the fuel-air mixture injection. After the air injection, the fuel for the next cycle is promptly injected into the premix chamber to allow about 700 crank angle degrees for premixing with air and vaporization in the operation of a four stroke engine.

Abstract: Engine exhaust gas containing soot is bubbled through a magnesium-water mixture and the resulting mixture is fed to the intake of the engine.

Abstract: A process for running an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The process comprises running the engine in communication with ambient air and with a fuel that is, at the compression ratio of the engine, capable of undergoing combustion in air containing a sufficient amount of oxygen for combustion and of undergoing spontaneous explosion in the absence of sufficient oxygen in said air for combustion.

Abstract: A fluid injection system for injecting atomized fluids into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine comprising: a fluid reservoir to hold a supply of fluid, means to transport the fluid to a mixer having (i) a mixing junction, (ii) a flow adjustable fluid intake port to receive the fluid and deliver it to the mixing junction, and (iii) a restricted fixed air flow intake port to deliver a predetermined approximately constant air flow into the mixing junction for atomization of the fluids, and collector means and transport the atomized fluid mixture into the intake manifold.

Abstract: An injection nozzle utilizing nitrous oxide to aid in the introduction and atomization of fuel into a combustion chamber. The present invention comprises a Y shaped nozzle having a pair of input ports and a single output port. One input port is utilized to introduce nitrous oxide into a hollow sleeve of the nozzle and ultimately exiting at the output port. The second input port introduces fuel to the nozzle. A fuel line coupled to the second input port extends the length of the hollow nozzle, terminating at the output port extends the length of the hollow nozzle, terminating at the output port. The nitrous oxide is introduced at high pressure, approximately 500-1000 PSI. The fuel is introduced at approximately 3-12 PSI. As the nitrous oxide exits past the end of the fuel line, it creates a vacuum which aids in drawing the fuel from the line.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine in which fuel density is adapted to ambient temperature by a combination means heated by the engine cooling system and the injection of fuel in to the engine is related to pressure in the compensation means.

Abstract: A sensor for mixing ratio of gasoline and alcohol comprising: a transparent column, both ends of which are supported by grips; the surface of the column is positioned in direct contact with a mixing liquid of gasoline and alcohol; a light emitting diode disposed so that light beams therefrom are incident on one end of said transparent column and the mixing liquid, said beams incident on said boundary at less than a critical angle being totally refracted, while said beams incident on said boundary at more than the critical angle being totally reflected to pass within said column so as to go out from the other end thereof, said critical angle depending upon a mixing degree of said liquid; a photo diode placed to receive the light beams reflected from the boundary so as to generate an output in accordance with the quantity of the light beams received; and the column being substantially determined its lengthwise and diametrical dimension such that the light beams incident upon the boundary at a critical angle, ar

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-density fuel oil which is suitable for rockets and jet engines and which mainly comprises a tetracyclo (7. 3. 1. O.sup.2,7. 1.sup.7,11) tetradecane derivative represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein each of m and n is 0, 1 or 2, and the sum of m and n is 2 or less.

Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine (10, 90) having a fuel system for feeding a fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers which utilizes ammonia gas as an auxiliary fuel which is partially dissociated and added to the fuel-air mixture of the engine (10, 90). The dissociated ammonia allows the engine to have its fuel-air ratio leaned down well below the misfire limits of hydrocarbon fuel and air to thereby improve the mileage of a vehicle and reduce certain pollutants in the exhaust of the engine. The ammonia is stored in a liquefied state under pressure in a storage container (24, 98) and is fed to a dissociator (28) including a heater (30, 106) using heat from the engine's exhaust and a catalyst chamber (31, 107) and is then fed to the engine (10, 90). The partially dissociated ammonia being fed to the engine is metered simultaneously with the changing of the fuel-air mixture and is controlled to lean the normal fuel-air mixture down.

Abstract: The fuel injection system is provided with a control device for controlling the pilot fuel injection phase to be less than ten percent of the main fuel injection phase. In one embodiment, an injection pump is constructed with a piston having a part with a pair of bevelled edges which control the start and end of injection as well as a tension spring for abruptly moving the piston in the delivery stroke. In another embodiment, a control device includes a rotatable spool which has a cross-bore for communicating cyclically with a pair of radial bores in a surrounding sleeve and which, in turn, communicate with oppositely disposed bores in a casing in order to deliver a flow of pilot fuel during the injection phase.

Abstract: A motor gasoline composition for use in automotive vehicles is disclosed. A selected gasoline fraction is combined with a specified amount of a selected alkali earth metal salt whereby plug fouling inhibiting ability is greatly improved.

Abstract: The octane requirement increase phenomenon in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is controlled by introducing with the combustion charge a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of a combination of compounds, the combination comprising (1) a gasoline soluble amide and (2) a gasoline soluble ketone. Usually the two compounds are each added to the fuel in a concentration between about 0.001 and 3 weight percent of the fuel. In particular, the combination of N,N-dibutyl formamide and either benzophenone or methylcyclohexanone provides an effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additive for unleaded gasoline.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a diesel fuel/water emulsion for a diesel engine in which, as a function of the operating condition of the engine, water and diesel fuel are mixed at different quantitative proportions and supplied to the engine. The water and the diesel fuel separately are led practically to the intake side of the injection pump and are mixed only in the pump cylinder. The non-injected highly pressurized excess quantity of fuel is stored temporarily in an accumulator and is again supplied to the injection pump during the next intake stroke. The process makes it possible to produce a very fine water/fuel mixture and in addition to keep the volume of the fnished water/fuel mixture low, so that when the quantitative proportion is changed because of the inertia of the system, the new fuel/water mixture is available at the point of consumption (injection nozzle).

Abstract: In a diesel engine fuel injection system, a fuel injection pump draws fuel from a reservoir, delivers a portion of the fuel to the engine, and directs excess fuel through a return line back to the reservoir. A supply pump delivers fuel from a tank to the reservoir to maintain a constant volume of fuel in the reservoir. A fuel metering unit measures the rate of fuel delivery by the supply pump. An additive pump feeds an additive through the return line to the reservoir where the additive mixes with the fuel. The fuel metering unit controls the additive pump to proportion the rate at which additive is fed to the reservoir to the rate at which fuel is delivered by the supply pump, and the amount of additive delivered to the engine is thereby proportioned to the amount of fuel consumed by the engine.

Abstract: A method is proposed for operating an internal combustion engine with decomposition gas generated by gasifying methanol into hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a gasification reactor. The enthalpy necessary for gasifying the methanol is obtained from the heat of the exhaust gas of the engine. To attain high efficiency and high power, the decomposition gas is injected at high pressure directly into the combustion chamber of the engine.

Abstract: Fuel for an internal combustion engine is treated by flowing the fuel into intimate contact with a crystalline metal alloy that includes copper, zinc, nickel, lead, tin, iron, antimony sulfur, and manganese all in a specific range of percentage composition. The fuel can be any hydrocarbon including diesel, regular gasoline, low lead gasoline, aviation fuel, propane and butane. The crystalline metal is essentially non-sacrificial and will last hundreds of thousands of miles under ordinary conditions of usage. The crystalline metal alloy is contained within a housing through which fuel flows, whereby the fuel is placed in intimate contact with the surface area of the crystalline metal alloy, causing significant reduced pollution and increased mileage.

Abstract: A dual fuel supply for a rotary piston engine in which there is one fuel supply means for a running fuel of low volatility and another fuel supply for a starting fuel of high volatility. The starting fuel is contained in safe scaled pressurized cartridges. The temperature of the running fuel is raised to improve its combustion characteristics.

Abstract: A method of delivering fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising delivering individual metered quantities of fuel into a conduit, and propelling each individual metered quantity of fuel along the conduit by an individual gas pulse. During the time interval between the respective gas pulses that deliver the metered quantities of fuel there is established a secondary gas flow in the conduit so as to limit variations in the quantity of fuel retained in the conduit as the metered quantity of fuel varies with engine fuel demand.

Abstract: Alcohol fuel conversion apparatus for internal combustion engines including a fuel tank, a fuel pump, a primary heat exchanger, a heat source, a converter and a carburetor or fuel injection system. The pump delivers pressurized liquid alcohol to the primary heat exchanger where the alcohol fuel is heated above the vaporization point at ambient pressure. The heated fuel is next delivered to the carburetor where the vaporized alcohol is metered and mixed with air for proper combustion and then delivered to the intake system of a conventional internal combustion engine, or, alternately, by means of the fuel injection system, the fuel is delivered directly to the cylinders where it is mixed with air for proper combustion. A fuel pre-heater assembly utilizing waste heat from the engine may also be provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of fuel mixture, including a first and second fuel of different volatility, to be supplied to an internal combustion engine includes calculating a base amount of fuel mixture needed to achieve a desired air to fuel ratio at a predetermined engine operating condition. Such a base amount of fuel mixture is modified as a function of the temperature of the internal combustion engine and is a function of the percentage of the first fuel.

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of fuel mixture, including a first and a second fuel of different volumetric energy content, to be supplied to an internal combustion engine determines a desired air fuel ratio for the fuel mixture. The percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture is sensed and the desired air fuel ratios for the first and second fuels are determined. The desired air fuel ratio for the fuel mixture is determined as a function of the desired air fuel ratios for the first and second fuels.

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of spark advance for an internal combustion engine using a fuel mixture having a first and a second fuel of different volatility and volumetric energy content. The percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture is sensed and a desired base spark advance is determined. The desired base spark advance is adjusted as a function of the percentage of the first fuel to achieve a desired engine operating condition.

Abstract: A fluid power transfer device includes a pair of rotors and vanes mounted for rotation in a hollow housing having an equatorial plane wherein conical faces of the rotors rollingly engage each other to form a line contact and wherein a hinge pin which hingedly connects the vanes is constrained to rotate in the equatorial plane of the housing by two pairs of guide shoes. The guide shoes are slidably received within grooves formed on the inner surface of the housing and each of the hinged vanes in slidably received and connected to its guide shoes within its respective rotor. The conical faces and the housing cooperate to define a working chamber which is divided into working compartments by the hinged vanes and the line contact. The rotors transfer power between their respective shafts and an operating fluid introduced into one of the working compartments. A fuel system is also disclosed for use with the device when operated as an engine.

Abstract: A fuel charging system which injects nitrous oxide into the engine of a high performance vehicle to provide an instant burst of power to the vehicle. A nitrous oxide supply line feeds nitrous oxide under pressure from a supply container thereof into the vehicle engine through a spray bar. A normally closed solenoid valve controls the flow of nitrous oxide into the vehicle engine through the supply line. The supply line also is connected to a vent tube having a normally open solenoid valve controlling the flow of nitrous oxide thereto. The vent valve communicates with a one-way low pressure actuated check valve and vents any nitrous oxide leaking past the closed solenoid control valve into the atmosphere to prevent the harmful buildup of nitrous oxide in the engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of toxic waste materials by combustion in a modified piston type internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine contains a combustion chamber which is divided into a variable volume primary chamber and a fixed volume secondary chamber, in which the combustion reaction occurs. The secondary chamber contains a source of carbon which enhances the combustion of the toxic waste materials.

Abstract: Processes for operating gasoline engines with spark plug ignition of gasolines containing manganese compound additives such as pentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), the gasoline being essentially free of lead, sodium and barium compounds, thereby avoiding fouling of the spark plugs with glass-like deposits formed from the oxide reaction products of sodium or barium and manganese; the lubricating oils in the crankcase of said engines being essentially free from lead, sodium and barium compounds; processes for operating gasoline engines having an exhaust system with a catalytic converter for conversion of hydrocarbon emissions and carbon monoxide emissions to water and carbon dioxide with the same types of gasolines, and preventing fouling of the catalyst in said converter by glass-like deposits formed thereon by oxidation products of sodium and/or barium compounds with manganese by operating said engine in the absence of lead, sodium and barium compounds in the combustion chambers of the engine, its exhaust

Abstract: A process, an apparatus and an agent for the continuous supply of internal combustion engines and/or auxiliary devices thereof with additives are described, the additive being metered continuously into a line, in which an excess liquid operating agent of the combustion engine and/or the auxiliary device is returned to a supply tank.

Abstract: Mixtures of nitrocellulose and polyether are used as ignition improvers for alcoholic propellants.

Abstract: A system is described for improving performance of spark ignition, internal combustion engines using fuels such as liquified petroleum gas (LP-gas), which have conventionally been stored as a liquid and delivered to the engine as a vapor. This system stores such fuels as liquids (10) and delivers the fuel to the engine inlet air stream as a liquid. The absorption of heat by the vaporizing fuel lowers engine inlet air temperature, increasing its density and permitting more fuel to be burned in each cycle. Vaporizing heat in a pilot line (17) provides the cooling to the liquid fuel in the main fuel line (20) and provides fuel to maintain the engine idling. A member (27) slides within a fuel delivery chamber (25) for covering or uncovering a series of orifices (26) through which the liquid fuel passes into the inlet air stream of the engine.

Abstract: In an alcohol engine using a alcohol and foreign fuel having combustibility higher than that of the alcohol as a fuel, an auxiliary fuel quantity adjusting means and control means are provided so that a ratio of a quantity of the foreign fuel to a quantity of the alcohol in the fuel to be supplied to the engine upon cold starting of the engine may be different from that upon warm-up of the engine.

Abstract: Alcohol fuel conversion apparatus for internal combustion engines including a fuel tank, a fuel pump, a primary heat exchanger, a heat source, a converter and a carburetor. The pump delivers pressurized liquid alcohol to the primary heat exchanger where the alcohol fuel is heated above the vaporization point at ambient pressure. The heated fuel is next delivered to the converter where the super-heated liquid alcohol is vaporized at reduced pressure. The alcohol is then delivered to the carburetor where the vaporized alcohol is metered and mixed with air for proper combustion. The air-fuel mixture, in gaseous form is then delivered to the intake system of a conventional internal combustion engine. A fuel pre-heater assembly utilizing waste heat from the engine may also be provided.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed for adding a fluid agent to the fuel supply of an automotive engine, the agent is effective in depressing the ignition temperature of soot collected in an exhaust trap. The apparatus comprises: (a) a reservoir for containing a supply of the fluid agent such as copper octoate and hexane; (b) an electrically operated pulse pump for positively displacing a measured amount of the agent from the reservoir into the fuel supply; (c) register means for registering the amount of fuel replenished to the engine fuel supply and for transmitting an electrical signal proportional to the amount of fuel so added; and (d) control means responsive to the electrical signal to permit electrical operation of the pulse pump for a number of predetermined pulses to dispense a required amount of the agent for maintaining a desired uniform concentration of the agent throughout the fuel supply.

Abstract: The control of the octane requirement increase phenomenon in an internal combustion engine is achieved by introducing into an internal combustion engine, having manifold and/or combustion surfaces which inhibit the formation of engine deposits, along with the combustion charge, a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of (a) an oil-soluble iron compound and (b) carboxylic acids and/or ester derivatives thereof. In particular the esters of a tertiary alcohol and an unsubstituted, mono-carboxylic acid having at least two carbon atoms, e.g., t-butylacetate, in combination with dicyclopentadienyl iron provides an effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additive for said internal combustion engine. Preferably the manifold and combustion surfaces of said internal combustion engine are coated with a low density alumina or zirconia coating. More preferably said alumina or zirconia coating further comprises a carbon gasification catalyst, e.g.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fuel comprising a mixture of at least one alcohol and at least one ether. The ether conveniently has a boiling point below 200.degree. C., preferably below 100.degree. C. The fuel can comprise lower aliphatic alcohols and ethers. An engine may be run on the fuel by injecting the constituents separately or as a mixture. The fuel may optionally contain diesel fuel and/or castor oil.

Abstract: Oxalic acid, dispersed in glycerol is heated to form formic acid which is then heated at a higher temperature to form hydrogen. By-product carbon dioxide is absorbed. The hydrogen is used directly with a fuel cell to produce electricity or as fuel for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A metering pump employs a pump which is actuated by the fuel level gauge float assembly of the fuel tank to add metered quantities of an additive to the fuel tank. The quantity of metered additive is proportional to the quantity of fuel added to the tank. A container for the additive supply communicates with the fuel tank via a valve is actuated in response to the introduction of fuel into the fuel tank.

Abstract: Method and device for dissolving gas, especially carbon dioxide or compressed air, in liquid subject to conditions of pressure and temperature at which, when the solution is subsequently introduced into the combustion air, it will be in a supersaturated state and accordingly finely disperses and distributes itself uniformly. The fuel is forced by a pump (41) into the mixer (11), to which the gas is supplied through a flow regulator (29). Downstream of the mixer (11) are a turbulent section (163), a mixing dome (161), and an exhaust section (164) from which the solution is supplied free of bubbles to the carburetor or injector of an internal-combustion engine, a heating burner, or a reaction-engine burner. The flow regulator (29) is controlled in accordance with the throughput of fuel and regulated by a regulation device (R) in accordance with the percentage of gas in the mixing dome (161) as determined by a pressure gauge (46) or light sensor (51).

Abstract: A process and device for determining the composition of an alcohol-petrol mixture supplying a combustion engine. According to this process a light beam is emitted through the mixture supplying the engine, the degree to which this beam is absorbed by the mixture is determined in a wave length chosen in the wave length range corresponding to the near infra-red and adjustment of the operating parameters of the engine is controlled as a function of the degree of absorption thus measured.

Abstract: Water is sprayed onto the surface of a bank of conduits or tubes extending through a heat exchange compartment, which conduits carry the hot exhaust gases from a diesel engine at a temperature of approximately 950.degree.-1100.degree. F. The water is sprayed at such a rate that a substantial portion of the water is reformed into a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas and steam. The hydrogen is then mixed with air to form hydrogen enriched air which is introduced into the combustion chamber. When the hydrogen enriched air is compressed, the diesel fuel is introduced with a resulting improvement in fuel efficiency and maximized combustion of the fuel. The water is delivered to the hydrogen generator responsive to the activation of the accelerator pedal at a controlled rate in which the percentage of water to diesel fuel is substantially in the range of 5% to 10%. Air from the engine turbosupercharger is delivered to the hydrogen generator to pick up and carry the hydrogen gas back to the air intake of the engine.

Abstract: A device used with a fuel charging system in which nitrous oxide is injected into the engine to provide a sudden burst of power to the vehicle. A pressurized cylinder of liquid nitrous oxide is connected to the engine through a delivery conduit and a solenoid valve. A jacket preferably formed of a silicone hose is placed about a portion of the delivery conduit forming a cooling chamber about the conduit. A manifold closes one end of the cooling chamber and an orifice block closes the other end. First and second solenoid valves are connected to the manifold. The first valve purges gaseous nitrous oxide from the delivery conduit and injects it into the cooling chamber where the expanding gas lowers the temperature of the nitrous oxide in the conduit to maintain it in a liquid state prior to being injected into the vehicle engine upon actuation of the second solenoid valve.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a hydrogen vehicle in which a plurality of fuel cylinders are disposed and contained in a casing of the fuel tank for containing hydrogen storage alloy, the fuel cylinders are connected to a header mounted integrally with the casing for containing the fuel cylinders, a conduit for supplying engine exhaust gas is connected to the casing for externally heating the fuel cylinders in the casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for propelling a hydrogen engine with ogenically stored hydrogen, wherein a pump, cooled down to an operating temperature close to the hydrogen boiling point, feeds hydrogen to the fuel-injection hydrogen engine. In order to improve the method and the apparatus so that the pump need not be maintained constantly at the operating temperature, it is proposed that the pump, when its temperature exceeds its operating temperature level, be purged with cold hydrogen gas and thus cooled down until its temperature drops to the operating level, and that the hydrogen gas that has been passed through the pump be utilized to propel the hydrogen engine in a partial-load range.

Abstract: An apparatus used in combination with a gasoline powered internal combustion engine. The apparatus allows a fuel-air inlet charge to be applied into the engine combustion chamber that is comprised of an optimized mixture of gasoline, air and unburned hydrocarbon exhaust gases. The apparatus is comprised of four elements that are synergistically combined with existing engine and engine-related components. The four elements include a thermic reactor, a catalytic gas injector, a thermic reactor exhaust filter, and a fuel regulator/restrictor. The thermic reactor supplies heated clean air and exhaust gases to the catalytic gas injector where the clean air and exhaust gases are mixed. The mixed gas together with a regulated quantity of gasoline supplied from the fuel regulator/restrictor are applied to the carburetor or fuel injection system. The fuel-air mixture improves the thermal efficiency of the engine, thereby reducing fuel consumption, and reducing air-contaminating exhaust emissions.

Abstract: A flow through catalytic reactor (10) which selectively catalytically decomposes methanol into a soot-free hydrogen-rich product gas utilizing engine exhaust at temperatures of 200.degree. to 650.degree. C. to provide the heat for vaporizing and decomposing the methanol. The reactor (10) is combined with either a spark ignited (28) or compression ignited (54) internal combustion engine or a gas turbine (202) to provide a combustion engine system. The system may be fueled entirely by the hydrogen-rich gas produced in the methanol decomposition reactor or the system may be operated on mixed fuels for transient power gain and for cold start of the engine system. The reactor (10) includes a decomposition zone formed by a plurality of elongated cylinders (12) which contain a body (114) of vapor-permeable, methanol decomposition catalyst preferably a shift catalyst such as copper-zinc. A vaporizer (14) is provided for vaporizing liquid methanol prior to introduction into the elongated cylinders (12).