Patent ID: 7661414

Claim:
An internal combustion engine system switchable between a spark ignition operation and a homogeneous charge compression ignition operation, comprising: a first fuel tank containing ethanol; a second fuel tank containing at least one of gasoline and GTL naphtha; a reforming means for reforming a portion of ethanol provided from the first fuel tank to an internal combustion engine by heating and bringing the ethanol into contact with a catalyst to obtain diethyl ether; a heat exchange means for exchanging heat between exhaust heat of the internal combustion engine and a heating medium to heat the heating medium; an ethanol heating means for heating ethanol provided to the reforming means with the heating medium heated by the heat exchange means; and a fuel supply controlling means for controlling a mixture ratio of ethanol provided from the first fuel tank to the internal combustion engine, at least one of gasoline and GTL naphtha provided from the second fuel tank to the internal combustion engine, and diethyl ether provided from the reforming means to the internal combustion engine.