Internal-combustion engine production of synthesis gas

Claim 1

IN A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDROGEN BY THE PARTIAL COMBUSTION OF A HYDROCARBONACEOUS FUEL WITH OXYGEN IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WHEREIN A MIXTURE OF SAID HYDROCARBONACEOUS FUEL AND OXYGEN IN APPROXIMATELY THE REQUIRED PROPORTIONS FOR SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE CONVERSION OF SAID FUEL TO CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDROGEN IS COMPRESSED AND IGNITED IN THE COMBUSTION ZONE OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES INJECTING A MINOR AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL OXYGEN INTO SAID MIXTURE FOLLOWING COMPRESSION AND AT THE APPROXIMATE INSTANT OF IGNITION INTO A LOCALIZED MINOR SECTION OF THE COMBUSTION ZONE WHEREBY THE OXYGEN CONCENTRATION WITHIN SAID SECTION IS AT LEAST 50 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THAT AMOUNT THEORETICALLY REQUIRED FOR PARTIAL COMBUSTION OF THE FUEL IN SAID SECTION OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDROGEN, AND INITIATING IGNITION OF THE MIXTURE WITHIN SAID LOCALIZED SECTION OF THE COMBUSTION ZONE.