Method for using hydroxyl radical to reduce pollutants in the exhaust gases from the combustion of a fuel
AssigneeLitex, Inc.
InventorsRobert P. Caren, Jack A. Ekchian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for reducing pollutants in the exhaust gases produced from the combustion of a fuel by introducing hydroxyl and associated radicals and oxidizers into at least one of the precombustion and postcombustion gas stream of the combustion engine upstream of the catalytic converter and treating the exhaust gases with the catalytic converter.
Claims16
A method for treating exhaust gases to reduce at least one pollutant resulting from incomplete combustion of fuel in a combustion chamber having a precombustion gas stream of at least air to, and a postcombustion gas stream of exhaust gases from the combustion chamber, the method comprising:
- adding hydroxyl radicals to at least one of the precombustion and postcombustion gas streams;
- and
- providing sufficient surface area in a postcombustion chamber to allow the hydroxyl radicals to react with the exhaust gases produced from the combustion of the fuel.
A method for the reduction of at least one pollutant in an exhaust stream comprising exhaust gas formed from the combustion of fuel in an engine having an exhaust pipe attached to an inlet of a catalytic convertor, the method comprising:
- passing the exhaust gas stream through the exhaust pipe and the catalytic convertor;
- forming hydroxyl radicals from water in at least a portion of the exhaust gas stream using UV light;
- and
- introducing the hydroxyl radicals into the exhaust gas stream upstream of the catalytic convertor.
A method for the reduction of at least one pollutant in an exhaust stream comprising exhaust gas formed from the combustion of fuel in an engine having a combustion gas stream, which comprises a precombustion gas stream and an exhaust gas stream, and an exhaust pipe attached to an inlet of a catalytic convertor, the method comprising:
- passing the exhaust stream through the exhaust pipe and the catalytic convertor;
- forming hydroxyl radicals in the combustion gas stream using UV light;
- and
- introducing the hydroxyl radicals into the combustion gas stream upstream of the catalytic convertor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.