Method and apparatus for membrane separation of air into nitrogen and oxygen elements for use in internal combustion engines

摘要

A method and apparatus for reducing the emissions and improving the performance of an internal combustion engine ( 40 ). An input air stream is separated into an oxygen-enriched air stream and a nitrogen-enriched air stream. The nitrogen-enriched air stream is received by a holding chamber ( 35 ). The oxygen-enriched air and a combustible fuel are provided to a combustion chamber ( 45 ) of the internal combustion engine ( 40 ) and a combustion process is initiated. After a predefined time delay, a volume of nitrogen-enriched air is provided from the holding chamber ( 35 ) to the combustion chamber ( 45 ) to be used during the rest of the combustion process.