A first engine fuel, for example diesel fuel, is reformed (preferably via steam reforming) to produce syngas for use as a second engine fuel, with the fuels then both being used in an internal combustion engine to perform Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI). The syngas is produced and supplied to the engine as a supercritical fluid, thereby avoiding the pumping losses that would occur if syngas was pressurized for supply/injection. The reforming is done by a reformer which is provided as a unit with the engine (e.g., both the engine and reformer are onboard a vehicle), thereby effectively allowing use of a single fuel for RCCI engine operation.

A first engine fuel, for example diesel fuel, is reformed (preferably via steam reforming) to produce syngas for use as a second engine fuel, with the fuels then both being used in an internal combustion engine to perform Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI). The syngas is produced and supplied to the engine as a supercritical fluid, thereby avoiding the pumping losses that would occur if syngas was pressurized for supply/injection. The reforming is done by a reformer which is provided as a unit with the engine (e.g., both the engine and reformer are onboard a vehicle), thereby effectively allowing use of a single fuel for RCCI engine operation.

A first engine fuel, for example diesel fuel, is reformed (preferably via steam reforming) to produce syngas for use as a second engine fuel, with the fuels then both being used in an internal combustion engine to perform Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI). The syngas is produced and supplied to the engine as a supercritical fluid, thereby avoiding the pumping losses that would occur if syngas was pressurized for supply/injection. The reforming is done by a reformer which is provided as a unit with the engine (e.g., both the engine and reformer are onboard a vehicle), thereby effectively allowing use of a single fuel for RCCI engine operation.

A first engine fuel, for example diesel fuel, is reformed (preferably via steam reforming) to produce syngas for use as a second engine fuel, with the fuels then both being used in an internal combustion engine to perform Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI). The syngas is produced and supplied to the engine as a supercritical fluid, thereby avoiding the pumping losses that would occur if syngas was pressurized for supply/injection. The reforming is done by a reformer which is provided as a unit with the engine (e.g., both the engine and reformer are onboard a vehicle), thereby effectively allowing use of a single fuel for RCCI engine operation.

This disclosure relates generally to the use of gas clathrates. More particularly, this disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses related to the use of gas clathrates as a fuel source for automobiles. The gas clathrates may first be dissociated into at least one gas and the at least one gas delivered to the prime mover of a vehicle or the gas clathrates may be directly utilized by the prime mover as a fuel source.

This disclosure relates generally to the use of gas clathrates. More particularly, this disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses related to the use of gas clathrates as a fuel source for automobiles. The gas clathrates may first be dissociated into at least one gas and the at least one gas delivered to the prime mover of a vehicle or the gas clathrates may be directly utilized by the prime mover as a fuel source.

An electricity-generating system of the invention which includes the following: a carbonization apparatus for carbonizing a carbonization source to form a carbonized product; a heat recovery steam generator for producing first steam through heat exchange with the heat exhausted from the carbonization apparatus; a carbonized fuel steam generator which employs the carbonized product serving as a fuel; a mixing header for mixing the first steam and a second steam produced by the carbonized fuel steam generator, which steams are fed thereinto, to thereby discharge a steam mixture having a uniform pressure; an electricity-generating apparatus for generating electricity by means of the steam mixture discharged from the mixing header as an actuating source; and an electricity-storing apparatus for storing the electricity generated by the electricity-generating apparatus.

An electricity-generating system of the invention which includes the following: a carbonization apparatus for carbonizing a carbonization source to form a carbonized product; a heat recovery steam generator for producing first steam through heat exchange with the heat exhausted from the carbonization apparatus; a carbonized fuel steam generator which employs the carbonized product serving as a fuel; a mixing header for mixing the first steam and a second steam produced by the carbonized fuel steam generator, which steams are fed thereinto, to thereby discharge a steam mixture having a uniform pressure; an electricity-generating apparatus for generating electricity by means of the steam mixture discharged from the mixing header as an actuating source; and an electricity-storing apparatus for storing the electricity generated by the electricity-generating apparatus.

Internal combustion engines, including engines producing power from solid or slow burning fuel(s), such as biological-based or petroleum-based fuels, wood, corn, biomass, coal, and waste products, and/or possibly other liquid or gaseous fluids, as well as methods for operating or implementing such engines, are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, the engine includes a crankshaft, a piston, a cylinder having an internal cavity and several ports, and an assembly having a chamber having a first region within which solid fuel can be situated and combusted. The assembly further includes a diverter valve so that, depending upon a setting of the valve and during engine operation, first and second amounts of compressed air respectively proceed to the first region and to bypass the first region, and a combination of combustion products and the second amount proceeds via one of the ports to the part of the internal cavity.

Provided are systems and methods for transport vehicles using recyclable metallic fuels. The method includes capturing fuel products, including a metal oxide and unburnt fuel from the combustion of a metallic fuel, storing the unburnt metallic fuel and the fuel products, and recycling the metal oxide to recreate the metallic fuel and/or byproducts. Heat generated by the combustion and/or sintering of the metallic fuel may be transferred to a working fluid to drive the production of electricity and/or to provide propulsion in land, air and water vehicles and spacecraft. Furthermore, the thermal energy harvesting system may be used to generate electricity. The system includes a thermal (heat) engine having an induction heating assembly for heating the metallic fuel. Processes for complete combustion of the metallic fuel and recycling the metallic fuel in a sintering loop are described.