US4304761A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of treating exhaust gases from a methanol fueled internal combustion engine
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1980-11-28
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Granted: 1981-12-08
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Expires: 2000-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of oxidizing that portion of a methanol fuel which has not been burned in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Briefly, the method includes the following steps. A methanol fuel is burned in an internal combustion engine thereby to produce exhaust gases which contain unburned methanol. The exhaust gases containing the unburned methanol are passed over a catalyst consisting essentially of silver dispersed on a washcoat material. The washcoat material is in turn dispersed on a substrate. In this manner, the unburned methanol is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water without any significant production of aldehydes, ethers or carbon monoxide.
Inventors
- 👤 Yung-Fang Yu Yao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:45
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J37/00; B01J37/02; B01J37/024; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/34; B01D53/74; B01D53/86; B01D53/8668
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of oxidizing that portion of a methanol fuel which has not been burned in an internal combustion engine, which method comprises the steps of: burning a methanol fuel in an internal combustion engine thereby to produce exhaust gases which contain unburned methanol; and passing said exhaust gases containing said unburned methanol over a catalyst consisting essentially of silver dispersed on a washcoat material, which washcoat material is dispersed on a substrate, whereby said unburned methanol is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water without production of significant amounts of aldehydes, ethers or carbon monoxide.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of oxidizing that portion of a methanol fuel which has not been burned in an internal combustion engine, which method comprises the steps of: burning a methanol fuel in an internal combustion engine thereby to produce exhaust gases which contain unburned methanol; and passing said exhaust gases containing said unburned methanol over a catalyst consisting essentially of silver dispersed on a washcoat material, which washcoat material is dispersed on a substrate, whereby said unburned methanol is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water without production of significant amounts of aldehydes, ethers or carbon monoxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1, wherein prior to passing any of said exhaust gases containing said unburned methanol over a catalyst consisting essentially of silver dispersed on a washcoat material which is in turn dispersed on a substrate, the step of thermally aging said substrate, washcoat dispersed thereon and silver dispersed on said washcoat in order to induce a thermally activated migration of silver over the washcoat surface to reach a quasiequilibrium surface concentration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said washcoat material is gamma alumina.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
26 words
The method of claims 2 or 3, wherein said thermal treatment is at a temperature of about 1000° C. for a time of about six hours.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said silver is present from 2% to 15% by weight silver when compared to the weight of the washcoat placed on said substrate.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
31 words
The method of claims 2 or 3, wherein said silver is present from 2% to 15% by weight silver when compared to the weight of the washcoat placed on said substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2664340A
Cited
US3362783A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-07 | 1985-06-08 | 1985-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-07 | 1989-06-08 | 1989-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-07 | 1993-06-08 | 1993-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |