Abstract: A pre-engine catalytic converter for use with fuels which are mixtures of hydrocarbons and oxygenated organic compounds, such as alcohols, ethers and ketones, convertible to carbon monoxide and H.sub.2. The converter comprises two catalyst beds arranged in series, the first containing a catalyst suitable for the decomposition of organic oxygenates to CO and H.sub.2 and the second containing a cracking catalyst of the ZSM-5 zeolite type to convert the liquid hydrocarbon fuel to gaseous hydrocarbon fuel. Energy is extracted from the engine exhaust by heat exchange and utilized to support the catalytic reactions whereby the heating value and the octane rating of the fuel are increased. The performance and fuel economy of the engine are substantially improved.

Abstract: A system for converting a rich air-fuel mixture to a reformed gaseous mixture containing hydrogen and for feeding the reformed gaseous mixture to an internal combustion engine comprises a carburetor for producing the rich air-fuel mixture, a vortex combustion type burner for imperfectly burning the mixture to produce heat and partially oxidized gaseous mixture, and a reactor vessel provided therein with a catalyst bed of annular cross-section. The partially oxidized gaseous mixture flows radially inwardly through the catalyst bed into a central passage defined by the annular catalyst bed so that the partially oxidized gaseous mixture is completely converted into the reformed gaseous mixture during the passage through the catalyst bed.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator provides hydrogen rich product gases which are mixed with the fuel being supplied to an internal combustion engine for the purpose of enabling a very lean mixture of that fuel to be used, whereby nitrous oxides emitted by the engine are minimized. The hydrogen generator contains a catalyst which must be heated to a pre-determined temperature before it can react properly. To simplify the process of heating up the catalyst at start-up time, either some of the energy produced by the engine such as engine exhaust gas, or electrical energy produced by the engine, or the engine exhaust gas may be used to heat up air which is then used to heat the catalyst.

Abstract: A reactor having a reaction chamber with an inlet and outlet along with a heat exchanger designed as a cooler for the gas product has all of its walls which are swept by the hot starting materials or the product gas on the way from the inlet to the cooler made of an entirely non-metallic, heat resistant material which will not act as a catalyzing agent for the formation of undesired reaction products.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for maintaining the operating temperature in a device in which exhaust gases are passed from an engine through a fuel reformer in indirect heat exchange with fuel and steam in contact with a catalytic bed for steam reforming the fuel, the reformed fuel is brought into heat exchange relationship with the fuel and water entering the fuel reformer and thereafter the engine is operated utilizing this reformed fuel for lowering the amount of pollutant species from the engine.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing flowing media from one flow cross section to a different flow cross section in a funnel-shaped tubular enclosure open at both ends. A plate having a multiplicity of parallel passage canals is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the tubular enclosure leaving free passage openings between the edge of the plate and the tubular enclosure and the flared opening of the funnel shaped tubular enclosure is filled by an end plate with a multiplicity of parallel passage canals.

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: The invention concerns a device for quick starting a reformed gas converter. A first fuel nozzle vaporizes fuel supplied thereto and directs the fuel towards a flame tray. An oxygen carrying gas is combined with the vaporized fuel and the mixture is ignited by a suitable ignition device. The hot gases generated permeate through the device to pre-heat a catalytic converting material such as a perforated sintered block. A second fuel nozzle, after the converting material has been pre-heated to a minimum temperature, directs a stream of vaporized liquid fuel against the heated block. The reform gas generated passes into the reform gas generator proper as fuel therefor. By control of the combustion temperature, the hot gases generated by the ignition step when they pass through the sintered block will also be partially converted to reform gas, suitable for fuel for the generator proper, thereby allowing immediate operation of the generator.