US4191012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wet oxidation engine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-07-10
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Granted: 1980-03-04
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Expires: 1998-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A reactor vessel is established wherein a fuel is oxidized within an inert oxygen-carrier liquid. A portion of the heat of oxidation is used to raise steam. In one embodiment a double acting engine is interconnected to the reactor vessel wherein the first stroke of the piston is actuated by exhaust gases from the products of oxidation and the return stroke of the piston is actuated by the said steam. In other embodiments generated gases are used to power a turbine and a gas lift pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Xerxes T. Stoddard
- 👤 Vesper A. Vaseen
- 👤 Ruel C. Terry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:25
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of coupling a wet oxidation reactor to an engine so that the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions can be converted into mechanical work, comprising the steps of injecting a mixture of fuel and an inert liquid into the reactor, injecting an oxidizer into the reactor, establishing superatmospheric pressure within the reactor, establishing superambient temperature within the reactor, wet oxidizing the fuel to residue, withdrawing the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions from the reactor, and diverting the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions through an engine with the resultant generation of mechanical work, wherein the said inert liquid is a fluorocarbon with eight or more carbon atoms.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of coupling a wet oxidation reactor to an engine so that the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions can be converted into mechanical work, comprising the steps of injecting a mixture of fuel and an inert liquid into the reactor, injecting an oxidizer into the reactor, establishing superatmospheric pressure within the reactor, establishing superambient temperature within the reactor, wet oxidizing the fuel to residue, withdrawing the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions from the reactor, and diverting the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions through an engine with the resultant generation of mechanical work, wherein the said inert liquid is a fluorocarbon with eight or more carbon atoms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of removing a portion of the heat of wet oxidation reactions from the reactor, such heat being transferred to water and converting the water to steam, then diverting the said steam through an engine with the resultant generation of mechanical work.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said oxidizer is selected from the group comprised of air, oxygen-enriched air and oxygen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said engine is a device selected from the group comprised of reciprocating engine, turbine and gas lift pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said superatmospheric pressure is maintained in the range of 30 psia and 3200 psia and the said superambient temperature is maintained within the range of 100° F. and 610° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the said residue is water and further including the step of withdrawing the said water from the reactor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the said residue is ash and further including the step of withdrawing the said ash from the reactor.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of coupling a wet oxidation reactor to an engine so that the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions can be converted into mechanical work, comprising the steps of injecting a mixture of fuel and an inert liquid into the reactor, injecting an oxidizer into the reactor, establishing superatmospheric pressure within the reactor, establishing superambient temperature within the reactor, wet oxidizing the fuel to residue. withdrawing the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions from the reactor, diverting the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions through an engine with the resultant generation of mechanical work, withdrawing a portion of the said mixture of fuel and an inert liquid from the reactor, then reinjecting the said mixture of fuel and inert liquid into the reactor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of coupling a wet oxidation reactor to an engine so that the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions can be converted into mechanical work, comprising the steps of injecting a mixture of fuel and an inert liquid into the reactor, injecting an oxidizer into the reactor, establishing superatmospheric pressure within the reactor, establishing superambient temperature within the reactor, wet oxidizing the fuel to residue. withdrawing the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions from the reactor, diverting the gaseous products of wet oxidation reactions through an engine with the resultant generation of mechanical work, withdrawing a portion of the said mixture of fuel and an inert liquid from the reactor, then reinjecting the said mixture of fuel and inert liquid into the reactor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the said fuel is selected from the group comprised of hydrocarbons, petroleum derivatives, coal, wood products, plastics and municipal refuse.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 8 further including the steps of removing a portion of the heat of wet oxidation reactions from the reactor, such heat being transferred to water and converting the water to steam, then diverting the said steam through an engine with the resultant generation of mechanical work.
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) | 1983-03-04 | 1983-09-03 | 1984-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-04 | 1987-09-03 | 1988-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-04 | 1991-09-03 | 1992-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |