A fuel activation and energy release apparatus is provided for increasing energy output of a fluid substance. The apparatus comprises a fluidly sealable reactor chamber, adapted to withstand a predetermined fluid pressure and temperature; a fluid injection port, adapted to provide a one-way fluid communication from an external fluid reservoir to said reactor chamber; a fluid ejection port, adapted to provide a one-way fluid communication from said reactor chamber to an external region, so as to controllably release said fluid substance from said reactor chamber and at least one first electromagnetic radiation (EMR) waveguide. The first EMR waveguide having a first waveguide input port and a first waveguide output port, operably coupled within said reactor chamber and adapted to couple electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined first wavelength to a fluid substance injected into said reactor chamber.

A fuel activation and energy release apparatus is provided for increasing energy output of a fluid substance. The apparatus comprises a fluidly sealable reactor chamber, adapted to withstand a predetermined fluid pressure and temperature; a fluid injection port, adapted to provide a one-way fluid communication from an external fluid reservoir to said reactor chamber; a fluid ejection port, adapted to provide a one-way fluid communication from said reactor chamber to an external region, so as to controllably release said fluid substance from said reactor chamber and at least one first electromagnetic radiation (EMR) waveguide. The first EMR waveguide having a first waveguide input port and a first waveguide output port, operably coupled within said reactor chamber and adapted to couple electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined first wavelength to a fluid substance injected into said reactor chamber.

An engine mounted fuel manifold configured to inhibit gelling of fuel is provided, comprising: a housing comprising an internal chamber configured to receive drain fuel from a pump, an accumulator and a fuel injector, and a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the internal chamber to receive the drain fuel; a tank fuel port configured to receive fuel from a fuel tank; an output port configured to output fuel to a filter; a fuel supply passage in communication with the tank fuel port and the output port; and a thermal recirculation valve in fluid communication with the recirculation passage and the fuel supply passage, the valve responding to temperatures of fuel received by the tank fuel port being below a predetermined value by mixing drain fuel from the recirculation passage with fuel in the fuel supply passage, thereby causing mixed fuel to be supplied to the filter.

An engine mounted fuel manifold configured to inhibit gelling of fuel is provided, comprising: a housing comprising an internal chamber configured to receive drain fuel from a pump, an accumulator and a fuel injector, and a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the internal chamber to receive the drain fuel; a tank fuel port configured to receive fuel from a fuel tank; an output port configured to output fuel to a filter; a fuel supply passage in communication with the tank fuel port and the output port; and a thermal recirculation valve in fluid communication with the recirculation passage and the fuel supply passage, the valve responding to temperatures of fuel received by the tank fuel port being below a predetermined value by mixing drain fuel from the recirculation passage with fuel in the fuel supply passage, thereby causing mixed fuel to be supplied to the filter.

Methods and systems are provided for detecting throttle obstructions in a vehicle. In one example, after engine start up, throttle icing condition resulting from the throttle capturing ice fragments originally formed within a charge air cooler or an intake passage upstream of throttle, may be detected. Responsive to detecting the throttle icing condition, the throttle may be adjusted to a fully open position independent of accelerator pedal position, and maintained at the fully open position for a threshold duration while maintaining a desired torque, to release the captured ice fragments from the throttle.

Methods and systems are provided for detecting throttle obstructions in a vehicle. In one example, after engine start up, throttle icing condition resulting from the throttle capturing ice fragments originally formed within a charge air cooler or an intake passage upstream of throttle, may be detected. Responsive to detecting the throttle icing condition, the throttle may be adjusted to a fully open position independent of accelerator pedal position, and maintained at the fully open position for a threshold duration while maintaining a desired torque, to release the captured ice fragments from the throttle.

The present invention relates, inter alia, to a process for enriching a hydrocarbon fuel for use in an internal combustion engine, the process comprising: (i) contacting a hydrocarbon fuel with a gas stream containing hydrogen gas such that at least some of the hydrogen gas is introduced into the hydrocarbon fuel to produce an enriched hydrocarbon fuel; and optionally (ii) delivering the enriched hydrocarbon fuel to an internal combustion engine. The present invention further provides a device for use in the process.

Engines, systems, devices, software, and methods of the present invention provide increased fuel efficiency and emission performance. The engine may include a magnesium alloy cast engine block cast as a mono-block with or without a ceramic inner core and including one or more cylinders designed to provide compression ratio of 10:1 to 14:1. Each cylinder may include one or more laser igniters, one or more supercritical fuel injectors configured to inject the fuel near or in a supercritical state, and carbon dioxide, which may be in the form of engine exhaust gas. The fuel may be diesel, gasoline, or other suitable hydrocarbons that may be cracked into smaller molecules prior to be injected into the cylinder.

In an aspect, a system includes a mixer configured to mix a fuel stream with a solvent to form a mixed stream, the solvent having a higher affinity for a second component of the fuel stream than for a first component of the fuel stream. The system includes a first separator configured to separate the mixed stream into (i) a first fuel fraction including the first component of the fuel stream and (ii) a mixed fraction including the second component of the fuel stream based on a difference in volatility of the first fuel fraction and the mixed fraction. The system includes a second separator configured to separate the mixed fraction into a second fuel fraction including the second component of the fuel stream and a solvent fraction.

In an aspect, a system includes a mixer configured to mix a fuel stream with a solvent to form a mixed stream, the solvent having a higher affinity for a second component of the fuel stream than for a first component of the fuel stream. The system includes a first separator configured to separate the mixed stream into (i) a first fuel fraction including the first component of the fuel stream and (ii) a mixed fraction including the second component of the fuel stream based on a difference in volatility of the first fuel fraction and the mixed fraction. The system includes a second separator configured to separate the mixed fraction into a second fuel fraction including the second component of the fuel stream and a solvent fraction.