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US6010544A
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Supercritical water fuel composition and combustion system
Assignee: Hydroelectron Ventures Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-18
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Granted: 2000-01-04
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Expires: 2017-12-18
Abstract
Abstract Supercritical water fuel composition and combustion system. In one aspect, the invention is a composition of matter comprising a mixture of 5-50% water and a hydrocarbon wherein the water/hydrocarbon mixture is near the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase. A suitable temperature is 400° C. and a suitable pressure is 4,000psi. In another aspect, the invention is a fuel system including structure containing a water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture near the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase. Structure is provided for delivering the mixture for combustion. Combustion may occur in an internal combustion engine, turbine engine or other burner.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Haldeman
- 👤 Brian S. Ahern
- 👤 Keith H. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:51
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L1/00; C10L1/32; F; F23; F23D; F23D11/00; F23D11/36; F23D11/44; C10L1/328; F02; F02B; F02B43/00; F02B43/10; F02B47/00; F02B47/02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/022; F02M25/0221; F02M25/0225; F02M25/0227; F02M25/0228; F02M25/025; F02M25/03; F02M25/032; F02M25/038; F02M43/00; F02M53/00; F02M53/02; F23K; F23K5/00; F23K5/02; F23K5/08; F23K5/10; F23L; F23L7/00; F23L7/002; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
32 words
Composition of matter comprising a mixture of 5-70% water and a hydrocarbon wherein the water/hydrocarbon mixture is at or above the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
Composition of matter comprising a mixture of 5-70% water and a hydrocarbon wherein the water/hydrocarbon mixture is at or above the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the mixture is at a temperature above 363° C. and the pressure is above 3,000 psi.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the mixture is in the range of 363° C.-400° C. and the pressure is in the range of 3,000 psi-4,000 psi.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon fuel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Fuel system comprising: structure containing a mixture of 5-70% water and hydrocarbon fuel wherein the mixture is at or above the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase; and means for delivering the mixture into a combustion chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
Fuel system comprising: structure containing a mixture of 5-70% water and hydrocarbon fuel wherein the mixture is at or above the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase; and means for delivering the mixture into a combustion chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the structure containing the mixture comprises an injector including a valve for delivering the mixture into a combustion chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 6 further including a high pressure metering pump for delivering the water and the hydrocarbon fuel to the injector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the injector is controlled electrically to deliver fuel into the combustion chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the combustion chamber is the combustion chamber of an engine having a crankshaft and the electrical control of the injector responds to crankshaft angle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the engine is a diesel engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the engine is a spark ignition engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the engine is a gas turbine engine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the electrical control of the injector comprises pulse width modulation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the injector valve opens into the intake port or throttle body of a spark ignition engine and the fuel is gasoline, naptha, alcohol, light fuel oil or mixtures thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 9 wherein heating of the injector includes using heat from exhaust from the engine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 15 further including a heat pipe for heat transfer from engine exhaust to the injector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the injector comprises a flexible membrane forming a bellows sealing the water/hydrocarbon mixture and further including a mechanical cam to control the motion of the injector valve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
A fuel injection system for a furnace or power plant burner system comprising means for injecting a mixture of 5-70% water and hydrocarbon fuel into the burner system wherein the mixture is at or above the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A fuel injection system for a furnace or power plant burner system comprising means for injecting a mixture of 5-70% water and hydrocarbon fuel into the burner system wherein the mixture is at or above the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 6 further including electrical means for heating the injector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
112 words
Fuel system comprising: a source of water; a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a dual fluid, pressure limited high pressure metering pump having an inlet connected to the source of water and source of hydrocarbon and having an outlet; an injector volume connected to the pump outlet for receiving high pressure water and hydrocarbon fuel, the injector volume including heating means to heat a water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture, the mixture having 5-70% water, the injector volume further including a control valve to control discharge of the water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture, the temperature and pressure of the water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture being at or above the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
112 words
Fuel system comprising: a source of water; a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a dual fluid, pressure limited high pressure metering pump having an inlet connected to the source of water and source of hydrocarbon and having an outlet; an injector volume connected to the pump outlet for receiving high pressure water and hydrocarbon fuel, the injector volume including heating means to heat a water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture, the mixture having 5-70% water, the injector volume further including a control valve to control discharge of the water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture, the temperature and pressure of the water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture being at or above the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fuel system of claim 20 further including an internal combustion engine for receiving the mixture, the engine having a crankshaft and wherein the control valve is actuated in response to the crankshaft angular position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fuel system of claim 21 wherein the engine is a spark ignition engine.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fuel system of claim 21 wherein the engine is a compression ignition engine.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel system of claim 20 wherein the mixture is introduced into a powerplant gas turbine engine.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel system of claim 20 wherein the water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture is above 363° C. and in the pressure range of 3000-4000 psi.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-03 | 2003-07-05 | 2004-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | 2008-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-03 | 2011-07-05 | 2012-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |