Gas generator for catalytically reacting liquid, hydrocarbon containing fuel to be evaporated with an oxygen containing gas at elevated temperature to form a fuel gas, particularly for supplying internal-combustion engines

A gas generator for catalytically reacting liquid hydrocarbon containing fuel to be evaporated with a gas containing oxygen at elevated temperatures to form a fuel gas comprising:

• a. a heat resistant housing including a lower cup-shaped part and a removable lid;
• b. a replaceable cartridge disposed centrally in said housing spaced from the sides and bottom thereof, comprising:
• (i) a tubular casing having an open inlet and an open outlet and;
• (ii) a first plate containing a plurality of holes;
• (iii) a second plate containing a plurality of holes;
• (iv) means supporting said first plate at the inlet end of said casing and said second plate at the outlet end of said casing, said plates thereby defining a reaction chamber;
• and
• (v) a packed bed of catalyst disposed within said casing between said first and second plates.
• c. means disposed in said lid adapted to have the reaction media consisting of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel and gas containing oxygen supplied thereto for conducting said reaction media to the inlet end of said tubular casing, said inlet end of said tubular casing being in sealing contact with said means for supplying and forming a mixing chamber at said inlet end;
• and
• d. means for removing the fuel gas from said housing whereby, when said catalyst is no longer effective, replacement thereof requires only removing said lid and replacing said cartridge, removal of said cartridge also permitting access to said housing for cleaning thereof.