Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N.sub.2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N.sub.2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of, or shortly before, spark ignition.

A system for providing ultraviolet treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is disclosed. The system can include a first gas conduit to carry a stream of gas having VOCs and a second gas conduit to carry a second stream of gas containing a partial pressure of water vapor. A gas treatment unit can be coupled to the first gas conduit and the second gas conduit. The gas treatment unit can form hydroxyl radicals from the water vapor in the stream of gas carried by the second gas conduit and inject the radicals in the first gas conduit to decrease the presence of the VOCs. The gas treatment unit can include a photocatalyst component and at least one ultraviolet radiation source to irradiate the photocatalyst component with ultraviolet radiation. To this extent, the irradiated photocatalyst component disassociates the gas containing the water vapor to form the hydroxyl radicals.

A system for providing ultraviolet treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is disclosed. The system can include a first gas conduit to carry a stream of gas having VOCs and a second gas conduit to carry a second stream of gas containing a partial pressure of water vapor. A gas treatment unit can be coupled to the first gas conduit and the second gas conduit. The gas treatment unit can form hydroxyl radicals from the water vapor in the stream of gas carried by the second gas conduit and inject the radicals in the first gas conduit to decrease the presence of the VOCs. The gas treatment unit can include a photocatalyst component and at least one ultraviolet radiation source to irradiate the photocatalyst component with ultraviolet radiation. To this extent, the irradiated photocatalyst component disassociates the gas containing the water vapor to form the hydroxyl radicals.

An on the fly fuel reformer device to produce variations in the autoignition and burning rate properties of a fuel by appropriate processing of some or all of a single fuel supply in its liquid form. The system includes a non-thermal plasma generator and/or a UV radiation source in contact with a fuel line so as to contact a multi-phase fuel in the line and dynamically modify the fuel to exhibit desired autoignition characteristics and burn rate such that the engine can operate with increased efficiency and lower emissions.

An on the fly fuel reformer device to produce variations in the autoignition and burning rate properties of a fuel by appropriate processing of some or all of a single fuel supply in its liquid form. The system includes a non-thermal plasma generator and/or a UV radiation source in contact with a fuel line so as to contact a multi-phase fuel in the line and dynamically modify the fuel to exhibit desired autoignition characteristics and burn rate such that the engine can operate with increased efficiency and lower emissions.

An environmentally friendly energy saving device includes a hollow metal inner pipe inserted in a hollow metal outer pipe, and the inner pipe includes: a middle portion defining a receiving chamber with respect to the hollow metal outer pipe, two connecting portions located at two ends of the middle portion and extended out from two ends of the hollow metal outer pipe, and a thinning groove formed in the middle portion and in communication with the receiving chamber. Far infrared powder are filled into the receiving chamber and the thinning groove and pressurized into a block. Two ends of the receiving chamber are sealed. By thinning the part of the outer wall of the inner pipe that is connected to the receiving chamber, the energy-saving efficiency of the environmentally friendly energy saving device is improved.

An environmentally friendly energy saving device includes a hollow metal inner pipe inserted in a hollow metal outer pipe, and the inner pipe includes: a middle portion defining a receiving chamber with respect to the hollow metal outer pipe, two connecting portions located at two ends of the middle portion and extended out from two ends of the hollow metal outer pipe, and a thinning groove formed in the middle portion and in communication with the receiving chamber. Far infrared powder are filled into the receiving chamber and the thinning groove and pressurized into a block. Two ends of the receiving chamber are sealed. By thinning the part of the outer wall of the inner pipe that is connected to the receiving chamber, the energy-saving efficiency of the environmentally friendly energy saving device is improved.

Provided is a fuel reformer for a vehicle. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank in which fuel of the internal combustion engine is stored, and a fuel supply device configured to supply the fuel in the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine. The fuel reformer includes an irradiator configured to emit light from an irradiation portion. The irradiation portion is disposed at a position where the fuel stored in the fuel tank is irradiated with the light without the light passing through a gas phase region in the fuel tank.

Provided is a fuel reformer for a vehicle. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank in which fuel of the internal combustion engine is stored, and a fuel supply device configured to supply the fuel in the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine. The fuel reformer includes an irradiator configured to emit light from an irradiation portion. The irradiation portion is disposed at a position where the fuel stored in the fuel tank is irradiated with the light without the light passing through a gas phase region in the fuel tank.

The present invention is to provide a device for activating a substance, which is a flexible sheet that is available regardless of the shape of each of the device that has a substance to be activated inside. The member for activating a substance 1 of the present invention is flexible. The member for activating a substance 1 includes a metal layer 11 containing a metal with a redox potential of 0 V or less or an alloy of a metal with a redox potential of 0 V or less and a radiation generating layer 12 containing a mixture of a natural ore containing a radioactive substance with a radiolucent resin. The dose of radiation generated from the radiation generating layer 12 is from 0.02 Sv/h or more to 0.2 Sv/h or less. To enhance the flexibility, a radiation shielding layer that shields radiation generated from the radiation generating layer 12 is preferably unformed.