US4047876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catalytic fuel combustion apparatus and method
Assignee: Comstock and Wescott Inc
•
Filing: 1975-08-01
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Granted: 1977-09-13
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Expires: 1995-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A flameless catalytic combustion apparatus includes a combustion chamber with a hydrogenous fuel inlet and a mass of catalyst in the chamber between the inlet and an outlet. Preferably the catalyst mass comprises porous pellet bodies supporting varying high and low concentrations of platinum family metals dispersed therein. For spontaneous starting of combustion the fuel is one of the lower alcohols and the high catalyst concentration is at the fuel inlet. The fuel may be in a container pressurized by air, or a lower ether or lower hydrocarbon which is also a fuel. Preferably separate, valved conduits from the fuel container first supply either atomized fuel droplets or air and fuel vapor to the high catalyst concentration for spontaneous ignition of combustion and vaporized fuel for continued combustion throughout the catalyst mass. The catalytic combustion apparatus may include a heat exchanger for fluids such as air, water or personal care foams and creams, or may be used in heating and cooking apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:09
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23C; F23C99/00; F24; F24H; F24H1/00; F24H1/0027; F24H1/0045; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E20/00; Y02E20/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
Catalytic fuel combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber forming a fuel inlet and an outlet and a combustion path therebetween, and a fuel- and air-permeable mass of catalyst in the chamber the mass including a relatively high catalytic concentration at the inlet and a relatively lower catalytic concentration is toward the outlet, wherein the mass of high concentration capable of spontaneous self-ignition in the presence of a lower alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, the apparatus comprising means containing at least one of said lower alcohols and a pressurizer, and including means to form and direct droplets of said alcohol on said high catalyst concentration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
Catalytic fuel combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber forming a fuel inlet and an outlet and a combustion path therebetween, and a fuel- and air-permeable mass of catalyst in the chamber the mass including a relatively high catalytic concentration at the inlet and a relatively lower catalytic concentration is toward the outlet, wherein the mass of high concentration capable of spontaneous self-ignition in the presence of a lower alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, the apparatus comprising means containing at least one of said lower alcohols and a pressurizer, and including means to form and direct droplets of said alcohol on said high catalyst concentration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fuel containing means includes conduit means separately supplying a vaporized fuel to extend combustion initiated spontaneously by the droplets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pressurizer comprises a fuel selected from the lower hydrocarbon group consisting of dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, methane, ethane, propane including cyclo propane, butane including n-butane and isobutane, ethylene, propylene, butene-1 and -2, butadiene and butylene including isobutylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including valving means for separately controlling supply of the alcohol fuel and vaporized fuel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the conduit means includes means to meter the supply of vaporized fuel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 including means to coordinate opening of the separate valving means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the metering means includes an orifice for metering a continuous flow of fuel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 including an aspirator tube around and between the conduit means and the combustion chamber fuel inlet, said aspirator means having air inlets adjacent the orifice.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means in heat exchange relation to the combustion chamber for conducting a lower alcohol to the combustion chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the pressurizer comprises air.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
Catalytic fuel combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber forming a fuel inlet and an outlet and a combustion path therebetween, a fuel- and air-permeable mass of catalyst in the chamber, means containing hydrogenous fuel in liquid and vapor phases, and conduit means for supplying the fuel to the fuel inlet in both phases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
Catalytic fuel combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber forming a fuel inlet and an outlet and a combustion path therebetween, a fuel- and air-permeable mass of catalyst in the chamber, means containing hydrogenous fuel in liquid and vapor phases, and conduit means for supplying the fuel to the fuel inlet in both phases.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the conduit means includes means for forming droplets of the fuel in liquid phase and directing the droplets on the catalyst mass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the liquid and vapor phases are in equilibrium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the fuel is selected from the lower alcohol group consisting of methanol, ethanol and isopropanol.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the fuel includes a pressurizer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the pressurizer is a fuel selected from the lower hydrocarbon group consisting of dimethyl ether and methyl ethyl ether.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the fuel comprises approximately 5% to 25% methanol by volume.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the fuel comprises approximately 10% methanol.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the fuel container comprises separate volumes for the liquid and vapor phases of the fuel, and said conduit means include separate connections from the liquid and vapor volumes to the combustion chamber fuel inlet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the conduit means includes valving means supplying one fuel phase at the beginning of fuel supply.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the separate vapor conduit means includes an orifice directing a vapor jet toward the combustion chamber fuel inlet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the separate liquid phase conduit means includes a nozzle dispersing liquid droplets toward the combustion chamber fuel inlet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the fuel comprises a liquid alcohol and a pressurizer, and the valving means supplies the liquid phase at the beginning of fuel supply.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the fuel comprises substantially only an alcohol, and the valving means supplies the vapor phase at the beginning of fuel supply.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 including timing means controlling the valve means so as to supply fuel in a second fuel phase after supply of the first phase.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the container comprises two outlet valves respectively communicating with the liquid and vapor phase volumes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 including a single means for actuating both outlet valves.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the liquid outlet valve opens momentarily, and the vapor outlet valve opens continuously, with each actuation of the single means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 including a fluid conduit in heat exchange relation with the catalyst mass.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the conduit means is in heat exchange relation with the combustion chamber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the conduit means connecting the liquid volume to the combustion chamber is in heat exchange relation with the combustion chamber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the catalyst mass includes a relatively high catalyst concentration at the fuel inlet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 characterized in that the hydrogenous fuel in liquid phase spontaneously ignites on the high catalyst concentration at ambient temperature.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the fuel comprises 5% to 25% of a lower alcohol selected from the group of methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, and 75% to 95% of a lower ether pressurizer selected from the group of dimethyl ether and methol ethyl ether.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 including first means for valving a predetermined quantity of fuel in the liquid phase and second means for valving a continuous flow of fuel in the vapor phase.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 35 including means coordinating the valving means such that the first valving means is actuated at least as early as the second valving means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein the fuel containing means comprises the first and second valving means and the coordinating means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 including a manually operable member for actuating the first and second valving means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
65 words
A catalytic combustion method comprising: supplying a hydrogenous fuel in both liquid and vapor phase, directing fuel in one of said phases on a fuel-and air-permeable mass of platinum family catalyst in a concentration effective to initiate spontaneous catalytic combustion, and flowing fuel in the other phase through a further catalyst mass of concentration effective to extend fuel combustion initiated in the first said mass.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
65 words
A catalytic combustion method comprising: supplying a hydrogenous fuel in both liquid and vapor phase, directing fuel in one of said phases on a fuel-and air-permeable mass of platinum family catalyst in a concentration effective to initiate spontaneous catalytic combustion, and flowing fuel in the other phase through a further catalyst mass of concentration effective to extend fuel combustion initiated in the first said mass.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 39 wherein the fuel in liquid phase is atomized into liquid droplets.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 39 wherein the fuel in said other phase is flowed through a further catalyst mass of substantially lower concentration.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
87 words
Catalytic fuel combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber forming a fuel inlet and an outlet and a combustion chamber therebetween, a fuel- and air-permeable mass of catalyst in the chamber, a container of a mixture of a lower alcohol and a lower hydrocarbon fuel selected from the group consisting of alkanes and alkenes with less than five carbon atoms as a self pressurizer for the alcohol, the mixture being spontaneously ignitible on contact with the catalyst, and conduit means for supplying the fuel mixture to the catalyst.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
87 words
Catalytic fuel combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber forming a fuel inlet and an outlet and a combustion chamber therebetween, a fuel- and air-permeable mass of catalyst in the chamber, a container of a mixture of a lower alcohol and a lower hydrocarbon fuel selected from the group consisting of alkanes and alkenes with less than five carbon atoms as a self pressurizer for the alcohol, the mixture being spontaneously ignitible on contact with the catalyst, and conduit means for supplying the fuel mixture to the catalyst.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein the conduit means include means for forming alcohol droplets.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 42 including a second container of catalytically combustible primary fuel, and means for selectively valving the fuel mixture and primary fuel to the catalyst.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein the lower hydrocarbon fuel is selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane including cycle propane, butane including n-butane and isobutane, ethylene, propylene, butene-1 and -2, butadiene and butylene including isobutylene.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein the mixture is 5% to 95% alcohol by volume.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein the catalyst mass includes a relatively high catalytic concentration at the inlet and a relatively lower catalytic concentration toward the outlet.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the catalyst mass includes a relatively high catalytic concentration at the inlet and a relatively lower catalytic concentration toward the outlet.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
73 words
Catalytic fuel combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber forming a fuel inlet and an outlet and a combustion path there between, a fuel- and air-permeable mass of platinum family catalyst metal on a support in the chamber, the mass including a relatively high metal concentration at the inlet and a relatively lower catalytic concentration toward the outlet, wherein the high metal concentration is at least 18% of the initial weight of the support.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
73 words
Catalytic fuel combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber forming a fuel inlet and an outlet and a combustion path there between, a fuel- and air-permeable mass of platinum family catalyst metal on a support in the chamber, the mass including a relatively high metal concentration at the inlet and a relatively lower catalytic concentration toward the outlet, wherein the high metal concentration is at least 18% of the initial weight of the support.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein the high metal concentration is 18% to 60% of the initial weight of the support.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein the high metal concentration is 18% to 40% of the initial weight of the support.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein the platinum family metal is superficially dispersed on the support.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein there is a high metal concentration at the outlet of the combustion chamber.
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) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |