Method for reducing the lightoff temperature of a catalyst

Abstract

A method to reduce the lightoff temperature of a catalyst. In the method, the working fluid (the fuel and oxidant to be reacted in the presence of the catalyst) is supplemented with a starter fluid at least until the lightoff temperature of the catalyst is reached. Preferably, the amount of starter fuel added is sufficiently small such that a reaction of the starter fuel and oxidant in the presence of the catalyst does not have a sufficient heat release to raise the temperature of the catalyst to the lightoff temperature.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A method for reducing a baseline lightoff temperature of a catalyst intended to support an exothermic reaction between constituents of a working fluid, the method comprising the steps of: 
 supplementing the working fluid with a starter fuel prior to associating the working fluid with the catalyst, the working fluid in association with the starter fluid in the presence of the catalyst defining a supplemented lightoff temperature less than the baseline lightoff temperature.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the working fluid comprises fuel and oxidant in fuel rich proportions.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the working fluid comprises fuel and oxidant, and the catalyst in cooperation with the starter fuel and oxidant is capable of generating a heat of reaction, the heat of reaction being insufficient to raise the catalyst to the baseline lightoff temperature.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  including the further step of discontinuing the starter fuel after the catalyst lights off.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the working fluid comprises fuel and oxidant and the fuel has a reactivity, and the starter fuel has a reactivity, and the working fluid fuel reactivity is less than the starter fuel reactivity.