| abstract |
A method is provided of operating an internal combustion engine comprising subjecting a hydrocarbon fuel of relatively low octane number to in situ reforming at elevated temperatures by passing it through a reaction zone containing a substantially non-acid catalyst comprising a Group VIII hydrogenation/dehydrogenation metallic element, e.g., platinum, and an intermediate pore zeolite, e.g., having an X-ray diffraction pattern similar to that of an acidic zeolite which has a Constraint Index in the approximate range of about 1 to 12, such that the fuel leaving said reaction zone has an increased octane number, and passing the fuel to the combustion chamber of said engine. |