Catalytic treatment of recycle gases for an internal combustion engine

Claim 2

IN THE OPERATION OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE TO REDUCE NOXIOUS GASEOUS COMPONENTS THEREFROM, THE IMPROVED OPERATION WHICH COMPRISES, POSITIONING A GAS PREVIOUS OXIDATION CATALYST IN A CONFINED ZONE IN HEAT EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIP WITH AN EXHAUST GAS OUTLET MEANS FROM SAID ENGINE AND EFFECTING INDIRECT EXHAUST GAS HEATING TO SAID CATALYST, COLLECTING AT LEAST A PORTION OF A HYDROCARBON CONTAINING GASEOUS STREAM FROM THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM OF SAID ENGINE AND EFFECTING THE PASSAGE OF SUCH STREAM THROUGH SAID CATALYST INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SYSTEM FOR SAID ENGINE TO THEREBY PROVIDE

Claim 3

The operation of claim 1 further characterized in that a portion of recycle exhaust gas from the engine exhaust gas stream is passed through said catalyst and resulting conversion products therefrom are admixed with the conversion products from said crankcase gaseous stream.

Claim 4

The operation of claim 1 further characterized in that said oxidation catalyst is of an all metal nature comprising an active oxidizing component on temperature resistant alloy in wire or ribbon form.

Claim 5

The operation of claim 1 further characterized in that said oxidation catalyst is a subdivided inorganic oxide substrate which is catalytically coated with a suitable oxidizing component.

Claim 6

A catalytic conversion system for converting a recycled gas stream in the operation of an internal combustion engine, which comprisies in combination: a. a confined reactor section connective to the exhaust gas outlet means from said engine to obtain heat therefrom and having a gas pervious body of catalyst therein which in turn can receive engine heat from the engine operation; b. gas passageway means connecting said reactor section with crankcase-vent means for said engine to thereby provide for a hydrocarbon containing vent stream therefrom to be passed through said catalyst of said reactor section; c. additional gas passageway means between said reactor section and the intake manifold means for said engine, whereby a resulting catalytically treated vent gas stream is provided for introduction to said engine along with the fuel mixture thereto; and d. second additional passageway means between the exhaust gas outlet means and said reactor section to thereby recycle a portion of the said exhaust gas stream through said reactor section to combine with treated crankcase gases prior to feed-in thereof to said intake manifold means.

Claim 7

A catalytic conversion system for converting a recycled gas stream in the operation of an internal combustion engine, which comprisies in combination: a. a confined reactor section connective to the exhaust gas outlet means from said engine to obtain heat therefrom and having a gas pervious body of catalyst therein which in turn can receive engine heat from the engine operation; b. gas passageway means connecting said reactor section with crankcase-vent means for said engine to thereby provide for a hydrocarbon containing vent stream therefrom to be passed through said catalyst of said reactor section; c. additional gas passageway means between said reactor section and the intake manifold means for said engine, whereby a resulting catalytically treated vent gas stream is provided for introduction to said engine along with the fuel mixture thereto; and d. second additional passageway means between the exhaust gas outlet means and said reactor section to thereby recycle a portion of the said exhaust gas stream through said reactor section to combine with treated crankcase gases prior to feed-in thereof to said intake manifold means.

Claim 8

The catalytic conversion system of claim 5 further characterized in that said catalyst in said reactor section is an all metal catalyst comprising an active oxidizing component deposited in a porous spongy form on a heat resistant alloy base of wire or ribbon.

Claim 9

The catalytic conversion system of claim 5 further characterized in that said reactor section is an inorganic refractory oxide material in subdivided form with an active oxidation coating.

Claim 10

The catalytic conversion system of claim 5 further characterized in that said reactor section has a removable wall portion whereby the catalyst in such section may be removed and replaced.

Claim 11

The catalytic system of claim 5 still further characterized in that said passageway means for the recycle exhaust gas stream is provided with valve control means whereby to regulate the quantity of exhaust gas being recycled through said reactor section to said engine intake system.