A mobile system and method that reform flare gas, methane, or natural gas, using air without steam, to directly produce methanol, a clean burning gasoline blend, component, and/or substitute are disclosed. The system first reforms the air-methane mixture at ambient atmospheric pressure, then compresses the resulting CO-hydrogen-nitrogen gas mixture to 600 psi, and feeds it through a methanol reactor which reacts the gas mixture directly into methanol. The nitrogen is returned by the system back to the atmosphere. Methanol is a clean burning gasoline substitute, and can be used to displace significantly costlier and dirtier petroleum-based fuel, while solving a critical problem with flaring. For example, the over 120 billion cubic feet per year that was flared in North Dakota in 2014 could be converted into over 6 million tons of methanol.

A split-cycle engine includes: a first cylinder housing a first piston, wherein the first piston performs an intake stroke and a compression stroke, but does not perform an exhaust stroke; a second cylinder housing a second piston, wherein the second piston performs an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke, but does not perform an intake stroke; and a valve chamber housing a valve, the valve comprising an internal chamber that selectively fluidly couples to the first and second cylinders, wherein the valve and internal chamber move within the valve chamber and relative to the first and second cylinders.

A split-cycle engine includes: a first cylinder housing a first piston, wherein the first piston performs an intake stroke and a compression stroke, but does not perform an exhaust stroke; a second cylinder housing a second piston, wherein the second piston performs an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke, but does not perform an intake stroke; and a valve chamber housing a valve, the valve comprising an internal chamber that selectively fluidly couples to the first and second cylinders, wherein the valve and internal chamber move within the valve chamber and relative to the first and second cylinders.

The invention provides a system and method for controlling corona discharge and arc formations during a single corona event, i.e. intra-event control. A driver circuit provides energy to the corona igniter and detects any arc formation. In response to each arc formation, the energy provided to the corona igniter is shut off for short time. The driver circuit also obtains information about the arc formations, such as timing of the first arc formation and number of occurrences. A control unit then adjusts the energy provided to the corona igniter after the shut off time and during the same corona event based on the information about the arc formations. For example, the voltage level could be reduced or the shut-off time could be increased to limit arc formations and increase the size of the corona discharge during the same corona event.

The invention provides a system and method for controlling corona discharge and arc formations during a single corona event, i.e. intra-event control. A driver circuit provides energy to the corona igniter and detects any arc formation. In response to each arc formation, the energy provided to the corona igniter is shut off for short time. The driver circuit also obtains information about the arc formations, such as timing of the first arc formation and number of occurrences. A control unit then adjusts the energy provided to the corona igniter after the shut off time and during the same corona event based on the information about the arc formations. For example, the voltage level could be reduced or the shut-off time could be increased to limit arc formations and increase the size of the corona discharge during the same corona event.

A lubricating oil composition and method of operating a spark ignition combustion engine. The lubricating oil composition includes a major amount of a base oil of lubricating viscosity and an additive composition that includes an over-based detergent and a low-based/neutral detergent, wherein a total amount of calcium from the over-based and low-based/neutral detergent ranges from greater than 1100 ppm by weight to less than 2400 ppm by weight based on a total weight of the lubricating oil composition. The lubricating oil composition is effective to reduce low-speed pre-ignition events in a turbocharged gasoline engine lubricated with the lubricating oil composition.

Combustion charge compositions comprised of a gasoline-like fuel and air for use in spark ignited internal combustion engines and methods to reduce global warming are described.

Combustion charge compositions comprised of a gasoline-like fuel and air for use in spark ignited internal combustion engines and methods to reduce global warming are described.