JPH11319561A - Catalyst for modification of fuel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a catalyst for modification of fuel which is hardly influenced by a place of installation by sustaining the excited condition of the fuel caused by catalytic action for a long time and remarkably improves burning efficiency of the fuel. SOLUTION: The first catalyst for modification of fuel is a catalyst used for modification of hydrocarbon liq. fuels and has a constitution wherein solid substances such as calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), potassium(K), sodium(Na), iron(Fe), silicon(Si) and aluminum(Al) are combined. The second catalyst for modification of fuel is a catalyst used for modification of hydrocarbon liq. fuel and has a constitution wherein a coral contg. calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), potassium(K), sodium(Na) and iron(Fe) and solid substances such as silicon(Si) and aluminum(Al) are combined with together.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to gasoline, light oil,
The present invention relates to a fuel reforming catalyst used for reforming a hydrocarbon liquid fuel such as kerosene, and is applied to, for example, an internal combustion engine such as an automobile and a truck.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a fuel reforming catalyst for improving the combustion efficiency of an internal combustion engine of an automobile or the like, there is a fuel reforming catalyst using a ceramic material. This type of catalyst is obtained by combining a predetermined inorganic component into a ceramic material, and sintering to obtain a granular catalyst. As the inorganic component of the conventional fuel reforming catalyst,
It is selected in consideration of metals used for petroleum reforming. Specifically, calcium, copper, aluminum, platinum, nickel and the like are used. The mixing ratio of each component is set according to the surface area of the particles and the like.

[0003]

However, such a conventional fuel reforming catalyst has the following problems depending on the location of the catalyst.
There is a case where a sufficient fuel reforming effect cannot be obtained. For example, when a catalyst is installed in a gasoline tank of an automobile, the effect of promoting gasoline combustion tends to be insufficient.

[0004] The present inventors have studied the cause of such a decrease in catalytic action, and have found that there is a difference between the properties of the particles of the fuel before reforming and the particles of the fuel after reforming. That is, before reforming, some fuel molecules gather to form clusters, and clusters of various sizes are formed in the fuel. Are dispersed, and the fuel becomes a homogeneous excited state. Then, the fuel molecules after such reforming converge again with the passage of time, form clusters, and return to the properties of the fuel molecules before reforming.

[0005] Since the properties of the fuel particles change in this way, it is considered that the effect of promoting combustion varies depending on the location of the catalyst. In other words, if the distance from the catalyst to the engine is long, it takes time for the fuel in the excited state to reach the engine, and during this movement time, the fuel returns from the excited state to the original state, and it is difficult to promote combustion. Had become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel reforming catalyst which is hardly affected by an installation place by maintaining an excited state of fuel by a catalytic action for a long time, and which greatly improves fuel combustion efficiency. It is in.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel reforming catalyst for use in reforming a hydrocarbon liquid fuel, comprising calcium (Ca), magnesium, (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al). Further, the fuel reforming catalyst according to the second invention of the present invention is a catalyst used for reforming a hydrocarbon liquid fuel, and comprises calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), It is characterized in that a coral containing iron (Fe) is combined with solids of silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al).

[0008] The form of the solid substance may be any substance that can contact the liquid fuel, and may be in the form of crushed pieces, granules, powders, or the like. The shape and size of the solid are not particularly limited, and various shapes and sizes can be mixed. Further, the shape and the size may be made into a sphere, a tablet or the like so as to be uniform.

As a means for holding these solids in the fuel, a container through which a liquid fuel can flow may be used. For example, a container in which a plurality of through holes are formed in a capsule-like container, or a net-type container can be used. These containers can be filled with the solids or coral and suspended in the fuel, or held in the fuel path by a suitable weight. In addition, the entire container may be put into the fuel tank and submerged.

[0010] In the container for filling the solid material, the material of the container itself may be the inorganic component. For example, the container can be easily formed of aluminum or iron. Since the surface of the container easily comes into contact with the liquid fuel, the catalytic action can be sufficiently exerted. By using the container itself as a part of the fuel reforming catalyst in this way, the type of solid material to be filled in the container can be reduced, and the trouble of separately manufacturing the container can be omitted.
It is possible to reduce the size of the catalyst.

As for the combination of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, silicon and aluminum, as a result of an experiment using various combinations of inorganic components, the combustion efficiency was highest and the effect of maintaining the excited state of the fuel was great. A combination of components was selected. In addition, components other than these components (nickel,
Even if a solid such as copper and platinum is contained, a sufficient catalytic action can be expected as long as the solid of the inorganic component is contained in a state capable of contacting the liquid fuel.

For calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron, coral can be used instead of these solids. In general, coral
This is because calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron are contained, and a catalytic action is exerted by these inorganic components. Therefore, by combining silicon and aluminum, which are not contained in coral, and coral among the above-mentioned inorganic components, a fuel reforming catalyst having a good sustained excited state of the fuel can be obtained.

[0013] In general, coral is a general term for the types of intestinal flower insects that form a calcareous skeleton. As the present invention,
Eight-way corals and six-way corals can be used. Specifically, there are red coral, peach coral, white coral, and red coral. In addition to these, fossil coral can be used as long as it contains the inorganic component.

When the amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium or iron contained in the coral is small, it is possible to appropriately add these inorganic solids. If any of the components is extremely small, the effect of reforming the fuel may be insufficient. The inorganic component to be added can be selected by sequentially adding solids and conducting experiments.

An advantage of using coral is that a large contact area with the liquid fuel can be ensured without any processing. Complex corrugations are formed on the surface of the coral, and the inside is porous. Thereby, even with a relatively small size coral piece, a good modifying effect can be obtained.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the fuel reforming catalyst according to the present invention. In the fuel reforming catalyst 1, a coral piece 3 and a silicon piece 4 are filled in a capsule-shaped container 2 made of aluminum. A plurality of punch holes 2 a are provided on the wall surface of the container 2. When the fuel reforming catalyst 1 is put into the liquid fuel, the fuel touches the container 2 and the punch 2
The liquid fuel enters the container 2 from a, and comes into contact with the surfaces of the coral pieces 3 and the silicon pieces 4.

The inorganic components of the fuel reforming catalyst 1 include aluminum (container 2), silicon (silicon pieces) 4, and calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron contained in coral 3. At the time of contact with the liquid fuel, a catalytic action specific to these inorganic components is combined, so that the excited state of the liquid fuel can be maintained.

In the above configuration example, coral is used as the fuel reforming catalyst, but when coral is not used, solids such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron are used instead of coral. The fuel reforming catalyst can be formed by packing the aluminum piece together with the silicon pieces.

Next, the fuel reforming catalyst 1
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a configuration in the case of attaching the. In the figure, 10 is a fuel tank, 11 is a strainer, 12 is a fuel supply pump, and 13 is an engine. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the fuel reforming catalyst 1 is provided in a fuel path between the fuel supply pump 12 and the engine 13. When fuel enters the fuel path from the fuel tank 10 through the filter 14, foreign matter is removed by the strainer 11 and enters the catalyst case 15 through the fuel supply pump 12. The fuel introduced into the catalyst case 15 comes into an excited state by contacting the fuel reforming catalyst 1 and is directly injected into the combustion chamber of the engine 13. When the catalyst 1 is located closer to the engine 13 as described above,
The excited gasoline after the reforming is kept in a high excited state, so that the gasoline combustion efficiency is remarkably improved.

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the fuel reforming catalyst 1 is charged into the fuel tank 10. The fuel reforming catalyst 1 is held while sinking at the bottom of the fuel tank 10. After being catalyzed in the tank, the fuel in the fuel tank 10 is injected into the combustion chamber of the engine 10 via the strainer 11 and the fuel supply pump 12. The fuel reforming catalyst 1
Due to the long duration of the excited state of the fuel, the engine 10 is maintained at a high excited state during the fuel path.
That is, even if the distance between the fuel reforming catalyst 1 and the engine 10 is relatively long, the excited gasoline is efficiently burned in the combustion chamber. Moreover, it is not necessary to form a catalyst holding means such as a catalyst case in the fuel path, and the output of the engine and the fuel efficiency can be improved at a low cost.

The fuel reforming catalyst 1 may be provided not only at one position in the fuel tank or the fuel path but also at a plurality of positions. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the catalyst 1 may be charged into the fuel tank 10.

Next, a test was conducted on the combustion promoting effect of the fuel reforming catalyst according to the present invention, which will be described. The exam is
This was performed by charging a fuel reforming catalyst into a fuel tank of an automobile and measuring the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) in the exhaust gas. Examples of the fuel reforming catalyst include a combination of solids of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, silicon and aluminum (Example 1) and a coral containing calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron with silicon and iron. A combination of aluminum solids (Example 2) was used. The solid weight of each solid of Example 1 and Example 2 is as follows. In addition, the component ratio of the coral of Example 2 is shown in parentheses.

[Example 1] Calcium 6.0g Magnesium 0.9g Potassium 0.8g Sodium 0.1g Iron 2.2g Silicon 10.0g Aluminum 10.0g [Example 2] Coral 10.0g (Calcium 55.0wt %) (Magnesium 1.0wt%) (potassium 0.7wt%) (sodium 1.2wt%) (iron 20.0wt%) (other ash etc. 22.1wt%) silicon 10.0g aluminum 10.0g

The monitor vehicles used in the test are as shown in Table 1.

[Table 1] The concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) were measured before and after the introduction of the catalyst for each of the monitor vehicles. The average value was determined from the measured values of each of the monitor vehicles. The results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.

[0025]

[Table 2]

[0026]

[Table 3]

As shown in Tables 2 and 3, 10 kph
At constant speeds of m, 30 km / h and 60 km / h, the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) significantly decreased before and after use of the catalyst. In particular, when traveling at a speed of 60 km / h, carbon monoxide was reduced by about 60%. As a result, it was confirmed that the use of the catalyst improved the combustion efficiency during constant speed running.

Next, for the same monitor vehicle,
Table 2 shows the results of inspection of the exhaust gas concentration during acceleration. The catalysts of Example 1 and Example 2 were charged into a fuel tank of a gasoline-powered vehicle. ) Was measured. For comparison, the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) in the exhaust gas were measured under the same conditions before the catalyst was charged. The results are shown in Tables 4 and 5. In addition, the numerical value of a table | surface has shown the average value of the measured value of a monitor vehicle-.

[0029]

[Table 4]

[0030]

[Table 5]

As shown in Tables 4 and 5, the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) in the exhaust gas decreased before and after the use of the catalyst under any conditions. Combustion efficiency improved. At the time of acceleration up to 60 km / h, the concentration of carbon monoxide decreased by 70% or more. That is, it was confirmed that the use of the catalyst significantly improved the combustion efficiency during acceleration.

Further, when the fuel efficiency was measured for the monitor vehicles to, as shown in Table 6, the fuel efficiency of each vehicle was improved before and after the use of the catalyst. This indicates that the combustion efficiency has been improved.

[Table 6]

Next, the state of the gasoline before and after reforming by the fuel reforming catalyst is observed with a microscope in FIG.
And (B). As shown in FIG. 5B, before reforming the gasoline, particles of various sizes are scattered. This is, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 6, a hydrocarbon molecule M (5-9 carbon atoms) in gasoline.
Are gathered to form cluster C. When the number of molecules M is large, the cluster C becomes large, and when the number of molecules M is small, the cluster C becomes small. In contrast, after gasoline reforming, FIG.
As shown in (A), the cluster is in a state of disappearance. That is, it is considered that the gasoline is excited by the action of the catalyst, and the hydrocarbon molecules constituting the cluster are dispersed. As a result, the gasoline becomes homogeneous and the combustion efficiency is improved.

The inventors conducted a combustion experiment on reformed gasoline and non-reformed gasoline. As a result, the explosion flame of the non-reformed gasoline spread in the combustion chamber in a plane,
With high quality octane gasoline, it was observed that the flame spread crosswise. On the other hand, in the reformed gasoline, it was observed that the flame spread in a swirl in the combustion chamber and disappeared instantaneously. The flame of such a reformed gasoline explosion
This is considered to be a phenomenon that occurs because the combustion efficiency of the reformed gasoline is extremely excellent. In addition, such a phenomenon,
When using a conventional ceramic material fuel reforming catalyst, since this phenomenon is not seen, the combination of the inorganic components according to the present invention not only enhances the effect of sustaining combustion, but also improves the excited state. It is presumed that it has the effect of making things.

[0035]

As described above, the fuel reforming catalyst of the present invention has the following excellent effects. (a) The excited state of the reformed fuel can be maintained for a long time, and the fuel combustion efficiency can be improved without being affected by the installation position. (b) To significantly improve combustion efficiency, increase engine output and help improve fuel economy. (c) By using coral which is a natural product, an excellent catalytic effect can be obtained at a low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration example of a fuel reforming catalyst according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration example of a fuel reforming catalyst according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a fuel path of an automobile for explaining a mounting position of a fuel reforming catalyst according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a fuel path of an automobile for explaining a mounting position of a fuel reforming catalyst according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which gasoline particles are observed with a microscope, wherein (A) shows gasoline particles after reforming,
(B) is a diagram showing gasoline particles before reforming.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state of clusters of gasoline particles.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel reforming catalyst 2 Container 2a Punch hole 3 Coral piece 4 Silicon piece 10 Fuel tank 11 Strainer 12 Fuel supply pump 13 Engine 14 Filter 15 Catalyst case

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A catalyst used for reforming a hydrocarbon liquid fuel, comprising calcium (Ca), magnesium (M
g), potassium (K), sodium (Na), iron (F
e) a fuel reforming catalyst comprising a combination of solids of silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al). 2. A catalyst used for reforming a hydrocarbon liquid fuel, comprising calcium (Ca), magnesium (M
g), potassium (K), sodium (Na), iron (Fe)
A fuel reforming catalyst comprising a combination of coral containing silicon and solids of silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al).