Claims
- 1. A method of cold start-up for an engine fueled by alcohol or hydrogen dissociated from alcohol comprising the sequence of steps as follows:
- (a) providing a first vaporizer means, a second vaporizer means, a methanation catalyst within a first reactor means, and a dissociation catalyst within a second reactor means,
- (b) vaporizing alcohol in said first vaporizer means to form a first alcohol vapor,
- (c) contacting said first alcohol vapor and said methanation catalyst to form methane,
- (d) passing said methane to said engine,
- (e) starting said engine,
- (f) vaporizing alcohol in said second vaporizer means to form second alcohol vapor,
- (g) contacting said second alcohol vapor and said dissociation catalyst in said second catalytic reactor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide,
- (h) conveying said hydrogen and carbon monoxide to said engine to sustain the operation of said engine.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said alcohol is methanol or ethanol, and further comprising conveying atomized liquid alcohol to said engine.
- 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said methanation catalyst comprises nickel.
- 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said methanation catalyst comprises nickel and alumina.
- 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said methanation catalyst comprises nickel and silica.
- 6. A method of cold start-up for an engine fueled by alcohol or hydrogen dissociated from alcohol comprising the sequence of steps as follows:
- (a) providing a methanation catalyst in a reactor means,
- (b) passing alcohol over said methanation catalyst to form a fuel mixture comprising methane,
- (c) mixing said fuel mixture with air to form a combustion mixture,
- (d) igniting said combustion mixture in said internal combustion engine to start said engine,
- (e) passing atomized alcohol to said engine to sustain the operation of said engine.
- 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising
- (f) passing alcohol to a dissociation catalyst to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide,
- (g) passing said hydrogen and carbon monoxide to said engine.
- 8. The method of claim 6 wherein said fuel mixture further comprises atomized alcohol.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 286,992, filed July 27, 1981, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,782, issued Jan. 4, 1983.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Kikuchi et al., J. Japan Petrol. Inst., 23,(5), 328-333 (1980). |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
286992 |
Jul 1981 |
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