A method to control the combustion of a compression ignition engine having the steps of: establishing, for each combustion cycle, a fuel quantity to be injected into the cylinder; injecting a first fraction of the fuel quantity; heating a second fraction of the fuel quantity, which is equal to the remaining fraction of the fuel quantity, to an injection temperature higher than 100° C.; injecting the second fraction of the fuel quantity heated to the injection temperature into the cylinder at the end of the compression stroke and at no more than 60° from the top dead centre; and decreasing the injection temperature and the ratio between the second fraction and the first fraction as the internal combustion engine increases and as the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine increases.

The ignition characteristics of a fuel are adjusted using a unit which has a distribution zone, a oxidation zone and a conversion zone. Fuel is distributed in the distribution zone having a distribution structure. A portion of the fuel is oxidised in the oxidation zone with a oxidising agent on a catalyst on a catalyst carrier, and a portion of the distributed fuel and/or of another supplied fuel is thermally and/or catalytically converted in the conversion zone. The ignition characteristics of the fuel are adjusted via: the molar ratio of oxygen included in the oxidising agent to the oxygen required for the complete oxidation of the fuel provided; and/or via the pressure in the unit; and/or the dwell time; and/or the temperature. Exhaust emissions, in particular NOx and soot emissions, can be lowered.

The ignition characteristics of a fuel are adjusted using a unit which has a distribution zone, a oxidation zone and a conversion zone. Fuel is distributed in the distribution zone having a distribution structure. A portion of the fuel is oxidised in the oxidation zone with a oxidising agent on a catalyst on a catalyst carrier, and a portion of the distributed fuel and/or of another supplied fuel is thermally and/or catalytically converted in the conversion zone. The ignition characteristics of the fuel are adjusted via: the molar ratio of oxygen included in the oxidising agent to the oxygen required for the complete oxidation of the fuel provided; and/or via the pressure in the unit; and/or the dwell time; and/or the temperature. Exhaust emissions, in particular NOx and soot emissions, can be lowered.

A system supplies gas to a high-pressure gas-consuming apparatus and a low-pressure gas-consuming apparatus of a floating structure including a tank. The supply system includes: a first supply circuit, a second supply circuit, a return line, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The return line includes a flow-regulating member. The supply system includes a device for managing the supply system which includes a control module to control the flow-regulating member based on the characteristics of the gas.

A thermal choke, includes (1) a body, comprising a heat conductive material, (2) an electric heater, on or in the body, (3) a temperature sensor, on or in the body, and (4) a fin, in a channel surrounded by the body. The thermal choke is configured to fit between a throttle assembly and a cylinder of a spark ignition engine.

A thermal choke, includes (1) a body, comprising a heat conductive material, (2) an electric heater, on or in the body, (3) a temperature sensor, on or in the body, and (4) a fin, in a channel surrounded by the body. The thermal choke is configured to fit between a throttle assembly and a cylinder of a spark ignition engine.

A heating device for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine; the heating device has: a first tubular body wherein a combustion chamber is obtained; a fuel injector to inject fuel into the combustion chamber; an inlet opening, which is obtained through the first tubular body and can be connected to a fan to receive an air flow, which is directed into the combustion chamber; a hot air outlet opening to let hot air out of the combustion chamber; an outlet duct, which originates from the outlet opening; a spark plug which is mounted through a side wall of the first tubular body to trigger the combustion of a mixture of air and fuel; and a labyrinth, which surrounds a side wall of the tubular body, starts from the inlet opening, ends in the combustion chamber, and the air must necessarily flow out of the inlet opening until reaching the combustion chamber.

A heating device for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine; the heating device has: a first tubular body wherein a combustion chamber is obtained; a fuel injector to inject fuel into the combustion chamber; an inlet opening, which is obtained through the first tubular body and can be connected to a fan to receive an air flow, which is directed into the combustion chamber; a hot air outlet opening to let hot air out of the combustion chamber; an outlet duct, which originates from the outlet opening; a spark plug which is mounted through a side wall of the first tubular body to trigger the combustion of a mixture of air and fuel; and a labyrinth, which surrounds a side wall of the tubular body, starts from the inlet opening, ends in the combustion chamber, and the air must necessarily flow out of the inlet opening until reaching the combustion chamber.

A fuel injector for injecting an over-enriched fuel and air mixture to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a spray nozzle, a gaseous carrier, a fuel mixing and evaporation chamber and an injector nozzle. During operation, both a liquid fuel and the gaseous carrier are supplied to the fuel mixing and evaporation chamber of the injector through the spray nozzle, where they are mixed and evaporated as a result of elevated temperature, and the mixture reaches the combustion chamber. The gaseous carrier is air or, flue gas, at elevated pressure and temperature and having a composition that prevents the initiation of flame combustion, and the gaseous carrier has an oxygen content low enough to prevent the initiation of combustion, even under conditions of elevated pressure and temperature.

A fuel injector for injecting an over-enriched fuel and air mixture to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a spray nozzle, a gaseous carrier, a fuel mixing and evaporation chamber and an injector nozzle. During operation, both a liquid fuel and the gaseous carrier are supplied to the fuel mixing and evaporation chamber of the injector through the spray nozzle, where they are mixed and evaporated as a result of elevated temperature, and the mixture reaches the combustion chamber. The gaseous carrier is air or, flue gas, at elevated pressure and temperature and having a composition that prevents the initiation of flame combustion, and the gaseous carrier has an oxygen content low enough to prevent the initiation of combustion, even under conditions of elevated pressure and temperature.