Photocatalytic ignition system

Abstract

A photocatalytic ignition system is provided that basically comprises an ignition chamber, a photocatalyst and a light source. The ignition chamber is configured to receive an air fuel mixture. The photocatalyst is arranged in the ignition chamber to contact an air fuel mixture. The light source is arranged to shine light on the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst includes a photocatalytic material having an oxygen absorbing and a desorbing function. The photocatalytic ignition system is capable of igniting a lean air fuel mixture with a greatly reduced amount of light energy.

1 . A photocatalytic ignition system comprising:
 an ignition chamber configured to receive an air fuel mixture;   a photocatalyst arranged in the ignition chamber to contact the air fuel mixture; and   a light source arranged to shine light on the photocatalyst,   the photocatalyst including a photocatalytic material having an oxygen absorbing and a desorbing function.   
   
   
       2 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the photocatalytic material is at least one selected from a group consisting of cerium oxide, titanium oxide and copper oxide.   
   
   
       3 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein
 the photocatalytic material is cerium oxide with an average particle size of 20 nm or smaller.   
   
   
       4 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes a photothermal conversion material that includes at least one transition metal compound selected from a group consisting of transition metal sulfides, transition metal nitrides and oxides of transition metals other than cerium, titanium and copper.   
   
   
       5 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein
 the photothermal conversion material includes at least one of iron and vanadium as a transition metal of the transition metal compound.   
   
   
       6 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein
 the photocatalytic material is cerium oxide, the photothermal conversion material is an oxide of iron, and the mole ratio of cerium to iron contained in the photocatalyst lies in the range of 2/8 to 8/2.   
   
   
       7 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes an auxiliary catalyst that includes at least one of a noble metal and nickel.   
   
   
       8 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes an inorganic carrier material that is fixed to a base body with an inorganic adhesive.   
   
   
       9 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes a photothermal conversion material that includes at least one transition metal compound selected from a group consisting of transition metal sulfides, transition metal nitrides and oxides of transition metals other than cerium, titanium and copper.   
   
   
       10 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein
 the photothermal conversion material includes at least one of iron and vanadium as a transition metal of the transition metal compound.   
   
   
       11 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein
 the photocatalytic material is cerium oxide, the photothermal conversion material is an oxide of iron, and the mole ratio of cerium to iron contained in the photocatalyst lies in the range of 2/8 to 8/2.   
   
   
       12 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes an auxiliary catalyst that includes at least one of a noble metal and nickel.   
   
   
       11 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes an inorganic carrier material that is fixed to a base body with an inorganic adhesive.   
   
   
       12 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes a photothermal conversion material that includes at least one transition metal compound selected from a group consisting of transition metal sulfides, transition metal nitrides and oxides of transition metals other than cerium, titanium and copper.   
   
   
       13 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein
 the photothermal conversion material includes at least one of iron and vanadium as a transition metal of the transition metal compound.   
   
   
       14 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein
 the photocatalytic material is cerium oxide, the photothermal conversion material is an oxide of iron, and the mole ratio of cerium to iron contained in the photocatalyst lies in the range of 2/8 to 8/2.   
   
   
       15 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes an auxiliary catalyst that includes at least one of a noble metal and nickel.   
   
   
       16 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes an inorganic carrier material that is fixed to a base body with an inorganic adhesive.   
   
   
       17 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes an auxiliary catalyst that includes at least one of a noble metal and nickel.   
   
   
       18 . The photocatalytic ignition system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein
 the photocatalyst further includes an inorganic carrier material that is fixed to a base body with an inorganic adhesive.