Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A process for forming a combustible liquid spray mixture which comprises: a) forming a liquid mixture in a closed system, said liquid mixture comprising: (i) at least one liquid fuel capable of being combusted; and (ii) at least one supercritical fluid which is at least partially miscible with the liquid fuel; and b) spraying said liquid mixture into an atmosphere capable of sustaining combustion of said liquid fuel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of Claim 1, wherein the at least one supercritical fluid is added in an amount sufficient to render the viscosity of the liquid mixture to a point suitable for spray combustion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of Claim 2, wherein the amount of supercritical fluid in the liquid mixture ranges from about 10 to about 60 weight percent based upon the total weight of the liquid mixture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of Claim 1, wherein the liquid mixture is sprayed to form droplets having an average diameter of from about 1 to about 300 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of Claim 1, wherein the liquid fuel is a petroleum product.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of Claim 1, wherein the liquid fuel contains solid particulate combustible matter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of Claim 1, wherein the liquid fuel is a liquid organic waste material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The process of Claim 1, wherein the at least one supercritical fluid is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, methyl amines, xenon, krypton, methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, butane, butene, pentane, dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, diethyl ether, formaldehyde, chlorotrifluoromethane, monofluoromethane, methyl chloride, cyclopentane, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of Claim 1, wherein the liquid mixture is sprayed as a decompressive spray.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for the spray combustion of liquid fuels containing at least one supercritical fluid comprising, in combination: a) means for supplying at least one liquid fuel capable of being combusted; b) means for supplying at least one supercritical fluid; c) means for forming a liquid mixture of the components supplied by means (a) and (b); and d) means for spraying said liquid mixture by passing the mixture under pressure through an orifice into an atmosphere capable of sustaining combustion.