'Blackburn cycle' engine with exhaust condenser

摘要

A 'Blackburn Cycle' petrol engine 1 has maximised alternate 'air only' inductions between usual combustion cycles. The exhaust gases are passed through a condensing chamber 5 where steam produced by combustion is condensed to liquid and passes along the exhaust pipe 6 with other gaseous products of combustion, preferably entering into a condensate tank 7 which may also be a silencer at the rear of the vehicle. This tank preferably contains several porous or mesh surfaces 8 therein. Motion of the vehicle causes condensate 13 to splash and wet these surfaces which then filters, absorbs and reacts with unwanted products of combustion including NOx to improve exhaust emissions at low temperature. Preferably a reservoir 10 is also connected at a central point of the tank by means of a drain tube 9; a drain tap 11 may be operated remotely to empty the condensate in the reservoir. The exhaust gas treatment may also be used with diesel and Otto cycle engines.