Method and apparatus for reduction of pollutants emitted from automotive engines by flame incineration

Abstract

A method of improving the performance of a pollutant abatement means, e.g., catalytic converter (16), used to purify engine exhaust gas streams and the like includes combusting a combustion mixture of air and a low ignition temperature fuel in the exhaust gas stream upstream of the catalytic converter (16) to oxidize carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, and/or to rapidly heat the catalytic converter to its operating temperature. Reaction conditions are maintained so as to cause the combustion mixture to ignite spontaneously. A control system may be used to regulate the supply of the combustion mixture in response to time lapse or temperature of the catalyst or both. The apparatus includes a fuel supply (18) and a fuel line (20) controlled by a valve (22) to deliver a low ignition temperature fuel into the exhaust gas discharge line (14) associated with the engine (12). An air pump (26) provides combustion air through an air line (28) into the exhaust gas discharge line (14). Optionally, a thermocouple (36) attached to the catalytic converter (16) signals a controller (38) to reduce or stop the flow of air and/or low ignition temperature fuel in response to the temperature of the catalytic converter (16).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.