US3695810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for burning combustible liquids within a confined burning area
Assignee: Pittsburgh Corning LLC
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Filing: 1970-11-17
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-11-17
Abstract
Abstract Oil residues and emulsions floating on a body of water are burned by confining the layer of residue within a furnace chamber. The furnace has combustion air inlet means adjacent the upper surface of the residue and a stack with inlets for a combustible gas. The combustible gas burns the combustible material in the gasses evolved from the combustion of the liquid residue to provide a relatively smokeless combustion process. The furnace is fabricated from a refractory material having insulating properties so that a substantial portion of the heat given off by the combustion of the residue is retained within the furnace to propogate further combustion of the residue and aid in the complete combustion of the difficult to burn portions of the residue. The furnace is preferably fabricated from a material that permits the furnace to float partially submerged in the body of water and may be easily transported from one location on the body of water to another location thereon. The furnace may be supported from suitable pilings and the residue conveyed directly into the furnace chamber. For certain types of difficult to burn residues, a layer of cellular glass nodules with a textured outer surface is positioned to float on the upper surface of the residue within the furnace chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard B Heagler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:56
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/042; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area comprising, confining a combustible liquid within a furnace chamber, positioning a layer of cellular ceramic nodules on said combustible liquid surface, supplying combustion air to said chamber at a location adjacent to the upper surface of said combustible liquid, igniting said combustible liquid on the surface of said cellular ceramic nodules, retaining a substantial portion of the heat generated by the combustion of said combustible liquid within said chamber to propagate the further combustion of said combustible liquid, withdrawing the gasses of combustion from said chamber through a stack outlet opening above the top surface of said liquid, and burning substantially all of said combustible liquid in said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area comprising, confining a combustible liquid within a furnace chamber, positioning a layer of cellular ceramic nodules on said combustible liquid surface, supplying combustion air to said chamber at a location adjacent to the upper surface of said combustible liquid, igniting said combustible liquid on the surface of said cellular ceramic nodules, retaining a substantial portion of the heat generated by the combustion of said combustible liquid within said chamber to propagate the further combustion of said combustible liquid, withdrawing the gasses of combustion from said chamber through a stack outlet opening above the top surface of said liquid, and burning substantially all of said combustible liquid in said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 1 which includes, adding a primer liquid having a flash point substantially lower than said combustible liquid to a portion of said combustible liquid surface within said chamber, igniting said primer liquid and said combustible liquid within said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 1 which includes, supplying a combustion gas to said chamber adjacent said stack outlet opening, burning combustible material in said combustion gas adjacent said stack outlet opening and withdrawing substantially smoke-free gases from said combustion chamber through said stack outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 1 which includes, supplying combustion air under pressure to said chamber at a location adjacent to the upper surface of said combustible liquid, and withdrawing substantially smoke-free gases of combustion from said chamber through said stack outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 4 in which, said combustible liquid comprises an oil-water emulsion containing up to 55 percent water by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 4 in which, said combustible liquid contains up to 40 percent by weight pulverulent clay products.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 1 in which, said combustible liquid floats as a layer on the upper surface of a body of water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 7 in which, Mu said furnace chamber has a bottom opening, and positioning said furnace chamber with said bottom opening below said layer of combustible liquid to isolate a portion of said combustible liquid layer within said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 8 which includes, floating said furnace on said body of water with said chamber opening below said layer of combustible liquid to isolate a portion of said layer of combustible liquid within said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 8 which includes, feeding combustible liquid to said chamber through a conduit having an opening below said layer of combustible liquid and in said body of water and below said chamber bottom opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area comprising, a furnace having a chamber with a bottom opening and a top outlet opening, said furnace having walls of a refractory insulating material to retain substantial portion of the heat generated by the combustion of said combustible liquid within said chamber to further propagate combustion of said combustible liquid within said chamber, air inlet openings in saId furnace walls adjacent said bottom opening, and said furnace being formed from a relatively light material so that said furnace floats partially submerged on a body of water with said bottom opening below the upper surface of said body of water and said air inlet openings above said upper surface of said body of water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area comprising, a furnace having a chamber with a bottom opening and a top outlet opening, said furnace having walls of a refractory insulating material to retain substantial portion of the heat generated by the combustion of said combustible liquid within said chamber to further propagate combustion of said combustible liquid within said chamber, air inlet openings in saId furnace walls adjacent said bottom opening, and said furnace being formed from a relatively light material so that said furnace floats partially submerged on a body of water with said bottom opening below the upper surface of said body of water and said air inlet openings above said upper surface of said body of water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 11 which includes, means to supply air under pressure through said side walls into said chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus for burning a combustible liquid within a confined area as set forth in claim 12 which includes, means to supply combustion gas adjacent to said outlet opening to burn combustible material in the combustion gases evolved while burning said combustible liquid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |