Fuel reforming process for internal combustion engines

Abstract

A fuel reforming system, process, and device including a catalytic chamber and a heating chamber. The catalytic chamber, further including a fluid fuel intake and a gaseous fluid exit port and at least one heat exchanger for distributing heat between the heating chamber and the catalytic chamber. The catalytic chamber further including a screen member having a surface, wherein the member includes a catalytic deposit made from a combination of platinum and rhodium alloy. A catalytic conversion of converting liquid fuel to gaseous fuel occurs within the catalytic chamber. Fuel exits the fuel reforming device through a gaseous fluid exit port.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 015,253 filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 16, 2008 by Penman, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 982,204, filed on Oct. 24, 2007 by Penman, the entire contents of each are incorporated herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention generally relates to internal combustion engines, and more particularly, to a fuel reforming process that improves the efficiency of fuel consumption and reduces environmental pollutants generated by internal combustion engines.[0004]2. Background of the Invention[0005]In response to tightening EPA regulations on automobile exhaust, catalytic converters were introduced to the United States market in the 1970s. Catalytic converters are universally employed in automobile exhaust systems for the reduction of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a fuel reforming process for internal combustion engines that improves efficiency and reduces emissions. The process involves heating liquid fuel until it reaches a maximum temperature, at which point it is converted into a gaseous fuel and released from the engine. The process uses a catalytic chamber with a screen member that contains a catalytic deposit, which helps to speed up the conversion process. The resulting gaseous fuel burns cleaner and removes more greenhouse gas pollutants than traditional fossil fuels. The fuel reforming device includes a catalytic chamber, heating chamber, and screen member, and the process can be easily integrated into existing engines.

Problems solved by technology

Although exhaust catalytic converters remove noxious gases and reduce some green house gases, these devices suffer from several drawbacks.

Further, the conversion of gases within these devices does not reduce greenhouse pollutants at an efficient rate.

This process as applied to water, however, will require more experimentation and would require higher temperatures for dissociation than petroleum products and ethanol.

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