Method and apparatus for reducing particulates and NO.sub.X emissions from diesel engines utilizing oxygen enriched combustion air

A method of reducing the amount of oxides of nitrogen and particulates in gases being emitted from an exhaust of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising:

• supplying oxygen enriched air contains approximately 23%-25% oxygen concentration by volume to an air intake of said engine;
• supplying an increased amount of fuel to said engine in proportion to the amount of oxygen in said oxygen enriched air;
• and
• retarding the injection timing of said engine approximately 4-10 degrees of crank shaft angle.

A method of reducing the amount of oxides of nitrogen and particulates in gases being emitted from an exhaust of a diesel engine and increasing the amount of output power from said engine, said method comprising:

• producing oxygen enriched air by processing ambient air through a selectively permeable membrane;
• mixing said oxygen enriched air from said membrane with ambient air so as to have a resulting oxygen enriched air with approximately 23%-25% oxygen concentration by volume;
• supplying said resulting oxygen enriched air into an air intake of said engine;
• supplying an increased amount of fuel to said engine at a minimum in proportion to the amount of oxygen in said oxygen enriched air;
• and
• retarding the injection timing of said engine approximately 4-10 degrees of crank shaft angle.