Emission-free cold-start and warm-start of internal combustion engines

摘要

This invention provides means and a method to eliminate emissions from an internal combustion engine during cold-starts and warm-starts. An oxidizer intake valve external to the engine head and an exhaust valve following the after-treatment system and condensing heat exchanger are closed, thus sealing all gasses inside the engine and the exhaust after-treatment system before starting the engine. Oxygen and hydrogen are used as the oxidizer and fuel to start this engine and operate this engine until the exhaust after-treatment systems have reached their required operating temperatures. This emissions-free startup system works equally well on two, four, six, or eight stroke engines, one or multiple cylinder engines, and spark or compression ignition engines. This invention also provides a means and method to clean the interior of an engine and the after-treatment systems of soot, particulate, and the catalytic surfaces without disassembling the engine or the after-treatment systems.