U.S. patent application number 10/363802 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for tornadic fuel processor.
Invention is credited to Kruger, Uli.
Application Number | 20040038164 10/363802 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3823987 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040038164 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kruger, Uli |
February 26, 2004 |
Tornadic fuel processor
Abstract
A method of effecting burning is described wherein combustible
materials are introduced into a vortex having a high pressure
periphery and a lower pressure center, or are caused to form such a
vortex and there is provided further fluid to provide for the
combustion of this material, and the mixture is ignited whilst in
the vortex. A variation of this is method of effecting burning
which includes the step of introducing as a burnable mixture, a
mixture into a vortex of a type having an outer periphery with a
higher pressure than its pressure at a center of the vortex. The
methods are useful for generating heat, steam or disposal of
wastes.
Inventors: |
Kruger, Uli; (Aldgate,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Akerman Senterfitt
4th Floor
222 Lakeview Avenue
West Palm Beach
FL
33401-6147
US
|
Family ID: |
3823987 |
Appl. No.: |
10/363802 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
September 6, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU01/01123 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/5 ; 431/353;
431/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23C 3/006 20130101;
F23D 14/24 20130101; F23G 5/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/5 ; 431/9;
431/353 |
International
Class: |
F23D 001/00; F23D
014/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2000 |
AU |
PQ 9934 |
Claims
1. A method of effecting burning of combustible materials which
method includes the steps of causing the combustible materials to
be entrained as a vortex which is of a type having a higher
pressure periphery and a lower pressure center, then effecting
passage of such a vortex through a downstream passageway where the
vortex is caused to enter into a chamber which has a larger
cross-sectional area and is then caused to enter thereafter a
passageway that is again smaller than the said larger cross
sectional area, effecting ignition of the combustible materials the
forgoing all being arranged such that any ongoing burning is
constrained to be only within the chamber.
2. A method of effecting burning as in claim 1 further
characterized in that the said forgoing are also all arranged that
the outer temperature of outermost sides of the vortex burning in
the chamber is approximately ambient.
3. A method of effecting burning which includes the step of
introducing a burnable mixture, into a vortex of a type having an
outer periphery with a higher pressure than its pressure at a
center of the vortex.
4. A method of effecting burning of claim 2 wherein the burnable
mixture includes a combustible material and fluid.
5. A method of effecting burning of any one of claims 1 to 3
wherein there is a continuous supply of combustible materials and
of further fluid.
6. A method of effecting burning of any one of claims 1 to 4
wherein the combustible materials and/or further fluid are in a
gaseous state.
7. A method of effecting burning of claim 5 wherein the combustible
materials includes propane or hydrogen gas.
8. A method of effecting burning of claim 5 wherein the further
fluid is air.
9. A method of generating heat that uses the method of effecting
burning of any one of claims 1 to 7.
10. A method of processing waste that incorporated a method of
effecting burning of any one of claims 1 to 7.
11. A method of processing waste materials wherein the waste
materials are used as or supplement the combustible material feed
used in the method of claims 1 to 9.
12. A method of generating steam wherein water is introduced into
the vortex used in the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.
13. A continuous feed burner apparatus wherein in use a continuous
feed of a burnable mixture is introduced into a vortex having a
high-pressure periphery and a lower pressure center.
14. A heating apparatus having a vortex-forming chamber having an
arrangement of apertures effect a vortex of a type having a
pressure at the center which is lower than the pressure at the
periphery.
15. An apparatus of claim 12 or 13 having a chamber with a
downstream outlet passageway and at least one inlet aperture which
is directed substantially at a right angle to a central axis of an
inner cylindrical shape of the chamber in which one end is closed
and the other end opens into a combustion area and wherein an inlet
aperture is directed so it is other than directly aligned to
interact the said central axis.
16. An apparatus of claim 14 having a downstream outlet has a
cross-section that changes from a first cross-sectional area to a
second somewhat larger cross-sectional area over a relatively short
distance and thereafter defines a larger chamber having itself a
further outlet downstream.
17. An apparatus of claim 14 including a heat transfer element for
transferring some of the heat from the combustion of the burnable
mixture to an inlet location.
18. An apparatus of claim 16 wherein proximal to the inlet location
there is an appropriate catalyst for permitting a thermocatalytic
reaction will take place prior to introduction of the burnable
mixture into the vortex.
19. An apparatus for burning of combustible fluids where the
apparatus includes means to effect a vortex of a type where the
inner part of the vortex has a higher pressure than the outer side
of the vortex, and where there is a burning chamber with an inlet
to receive combustible fluids with an imparted vortex and an outlet
from the burning chamber such that the burning is confined to be
only within the chamber.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a method of burning that could be
used, in the generation of heat, in the generation of steam and
power, and in the processing of wastes, such as toxic organic
compounds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention results from discoveries related to
investigations into vortexes having a low-pressure central region
and a higher-pressure periphery. Such vortexes are sometimes
referred to as natural or centripetal vortexes.
[0003] There are also other types of vortexes. There are vortexes
with a high-pressure control region and a low pressure periphery.
This invention does not relate to this type of vortex. That type of
vortex may be referred to as centrifugal vortex.
[0004] Unfortunately there is confusion in the literature as to the
proper name and types of vortexes. It is not helped by the
recognition sometime ago in some countries that `centrifugal`
force, or acceleration is a misnomer, with the force or
acceleration being more properly called centripetal. It is common
to find incorrect references in old textbooks to centrifugal
forces, and that expression is commonly used today by
laypersons.
[0005] To clarify the matter the centripetal direction is toward
the inside of a circle or column, whilst the centrifugal direction
is toward the outside of the circle or column.
[0006] It is known to impart a swirling motion to air to assist in
the mixing of fluids and combustion of fluids. A number of patents
on the matter are for devices for intenal-combustion engines. In a
typical arrangement there is a pipe or casing with baffles therein.
When air is passed through the pipe the baffles are used to impart
a spinning, spiralling or swirling motion to the air or other
fluid. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 1,084,480 (Evans).
[0007] An improvement of these arrangements involves swirling the
air or fluid to a sufficient extent so to form a vortex. A vortex
has a column of fluid moving in a swirling motion. Tho motion is
structured so that a funnel shaped vortex is formed. The vortex may
be formed by the application of centripetal forces to a fluid such
as air or water. The centripetal forces may be formed or directed
by fluid movement. At the bottom of the funnel the centripetal
forces are the stronger than higher up the funnel. Accordingly the
walls of the vortex are steepest at the base.
[0008] The structured turbulent flow of a vortex may be used to mix
two or more fluids together or accelerate the evaporation of a
fuel. Examples of patents using vortexes for this purpose includes
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,472,645 and 5,672,187, both by Cyclone
Technologies Inc. A detailed treatise on vortexes can be found in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,383 (Automotive Engines Associates). Typically
these documents involve the use of bulky and complicated
arrangements to mix fuel with air and subsequent feeding of the
mixture into the intake manifold of a motor vehicle engine.
[0009] In such environments the vortex is being used to evaporate
fuel and promote homogeneous mixing of the fuel with air. This can
provide advantages in respect of the operation of the engine in
that the engine may be run lean (high air in fuel ratio). This can
significantly reduce pollutants such as NOx formation and non-burnt
hydrocarbons, and improve the efficiency of the engine in respect
of fuel use for a given energy output.
[0010] Of course a combustion engine is a complicated piece of
machinery, designed to convert a stored chemical energy into
mechanical motion by the expansion of a gas. The generation of heat
is not the goal of an internal combustion engine, in fact engines
include a number devices to reduce or control heat as it can
detract from engine performance. An engine operates in a batch
method wherein a particular mix is fired and exhausted. It also
includes many components including feedback circuits, pre heating
systems, and cooling systems.
[0011] A heater unit is quite different in operation to a motor
vehicle engine, in that it should be capable of operating in a
continuous manner. Furthermore many of the earlier patents
documents do not indicate the type of vortex used, so that a reader
can only speculate as to its nature.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is the object of the present invention to provide a
burner for the production
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Broadly stated in one form the invention is a method of
effecting burning of combustible materials which method includes
the steps of causing the combustible materials to be entrained as a
vortex which is of a type having a higher pressure periphery and a
lower pressure center, then effecting passage of such a vortex
through a downstream passageway where the vortex is caused to enter
into a chamber which has a larger cross-sectional area and is then
caused to enter thereafter a passageway that is again smaller than
the said larger cross sectional area and then effecting ignition of
the combustible materials the forgoing all being arranged such that
any ongoing burning is constrained to be only within the
chamber.
[0014] The effect of this is found to be that very high
temperatures can be achieved at a center of the vortex within the
chamber but very low temperatures are maintained on the sides of
the chamber.
[0015] This phenomenon in trials produces temperatures at least in
the range of 1300-1400 degrees Centigrade at its center so that it
is able then to be used to treat materials which at this
temperature will be disassociated and rendered in the case of
pathogens or pollutants at least different for subsequent
disposal.
[0016] Two other characteristics of this phenomenon are
significant, a first being that there seems to be an action
occurring within the burning that has somewhat less pollutants
result as a result of the burning of a carbon based combustible
material and air as typical. The specifics are later given but the
unburnt hydrocarbons, the Nox's, and the CO's are significantly
less than would normally be expected from a conventional burning
process.
[0017] We have some possible theories about why this should be the
case but at this stage have observed the phenomenon and have found
these enormously valuable results.
[0018] The second characteristic is that while there can be this
very high temperature at its center, the temperature at the side of
the chamber confining the burning is very low to the extent that
the chamber wall itself that is used to confine the burning fluids
is in trials conducted so far only at most warm. The material used
for the chamber therefore does not need to be and it is pointless
to have materials that can withstand high temperatures. An
aluminium housing for instance is used as an example and during
trials is able to be touched and is simply warm to the hand.
[0019] This then means that the physical environment within the
burning area is such that it is not as a result of random mixing of
the combustible elements because this would not then allow for this
continuing restraint of the extremely high temperatures within a
cocoon. In appearance the burning area within the chamber has its
luminous parts appear to be of donut shape with the donut shape
being axially central within he chamber area and there is in trial
instances a resonance that seems to emanate from the cocoon
providing a relatively low frequency audible sound. This frequency
can be altered in steps by varying pressures of supply of the
combustible fluids. This establishes we think, that the directions
and pressures of the combustible fluids are precise and not
random.
[0020] As a result of this effect being discovered it is
appreciated that each of the characteristics can be advantageously
useful. The fact that the very high temperature is attained and
maintained means that there will be efficient and complete
combustion. This then means that it is a way of getting good
efficient burning. However because the temperature is confined
within the chamber the heat product fairly much in total of the
burning can then be taken and used simply for heat exchange
downstream or where ever.
[0021] Because the temperature is confined within the burning
fluids then, the equipment for creating and holding the burning
fluids can be very economical indeed and more over very low in
maintenance requirements because it is not exposed to the high
temperatures as such. Further, its value for pollutant disposal is
again huge because of the self containment effect with very high
temperatures.
[0022] The invention can be said to be also residing in a method of
burning wherein combustible materials are introduced into a vortex
having a high pressure periphery and a lower pressure center, or
are caused to form such a vortex and there is provided further
fluid to provide for the combustion of this material, and the
mixture is ignited whilst in the vortex.
[0023] The invention also resides in an apparatus for burning of
combustible fluids where the apparatus includes means to effect a
vortex of a type where the inner part of the vortex has a higher
pressure than the outer side of the vortex, and where there is a
burning chamber with an inlet to receive combustible fluids with an
imparted vortex and an outlet from the burning chamber such that
the burning is confined to be only within the chamber.
[0024] Another form of the invention is a continuous burner capable
of providing for the above method of burning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0025] For a better understanding of this invention it will be
described in relation to preferred embodiments which will be
described with the assistance of drawings wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly according to
a first embodiment illustrating a vortex forming tube, a burning
chamber, and then an outlet conduit arranged to pass through a heat
transfer medium such as water prevention exhaust to air;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a five cutaway perspective view of the burner
portion as shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 in FIG.
4;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tube providing inlet
apertures arranged in a spiral pattern and shaped so as to be
capable of causing gas-passing therethrough to form within it into
a centripetal vortex;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view along the same lines as in FIG.
2 except in this case, there is a continuous slot in the burner
tube to provide a further way of causing inlet gases to form into a
centripetal vortex;
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a further arrangement of a burner tube in
this case having tubes around a common diameter that also is found
to cause a natural or centripetal vortex within the tube; and
[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the exhaust
coil used in connection with the burner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] It was found that by introducing a combustible matter for
instance propane gas into a chamber together with a supply of air,
in such a way as to cause this combustible matter form a vortex,
when the mixture is ignited a flame is formed which is visually
located about a center of such a vortex and such a flame appears to
be localized within generally a center of the upstream portion of
the vortex.
[0034] Further, on tests conducted so far, for instance using
propane gas and air where these are introduced at a controlled
relative rate one with respect to the other into a chamber which is
substantially closed except for a downstream outlet that a
temperature within the vicinity of 1400.degree. C. is detected
within a center of the flame but that such a temperature does not
extend to side wall of a chamber confining the centripetal
vortex.
[0035] However, the downstream combusted gases maintaining to a
large extent a residual centripetal vortex action carry with it the
heat resulting from the combustion process where it can then be
transferred to the walls of a passageway and transmitted to any
other medium thereby.
[0036] Of significant interest in relation to this burning process
is the fact that the combustion products in experiments conducted
so far have reduced levels of gases that might normally be expected
from a normal burning of propane.
[0037] For instance, in one instance, we have been unable to detect
any significant carbon monoxides or unburnt hydrocarbons or
nitrogen oxides.
[0038] Various experiments have been conducted so far to ascertain
the extent to which this effect depends upon input materials, the
shape and size of apertures leading into the vortex forming
chamber, and the balance of gases including combustible gases, such
as hydrogen and oxidizing gases, such as oxygen that might provide
a best result. Of course it is envisaged that the combustible
materials need not be gaseous and as such could include liquid fuel
or even solid fuel such as coal dust.
[0039] The burner has a shape wherein a chamber which has a larger
cross sectional area with a downstream outlet passageway with a
restricted cross sectional area so as to effect some back pressure
against exiting gases. This then has the result that the burning
materials are confined to the chamber provided that the pressures,
relative cross sectional areas and outlet size is appropriate and
this has to be found by trial in any example. We have set out what
is to be looked for and we have given a set of criteria that has
worked for us and provides this significant advantage.
[0040] The burner also has at least one inlet aperture which is
directed substantially at a right angle to a central axis of an
inner cylindrical shape of the chamber in which one end is closed
and the other end opens into a combustion area and where an inlet
aperture is directed so it is other than directly aligned to
intersect the said central axis.
[0041] By introducing air in such an arrangement through the inlet
aperture, by selection of pressures of inlet fluids, including a
selective relative pressure between respective fluids, there can be
effected the required vortex.
[0042] The introduced mixture including a combustible material
together with an oxidizer needs to be ignited as a first step.
Simply locating a flame at an outlet downstream of the
vortex-forming chamber can ignite the mixture.
[0043] This can be achieved by simply exposing this downstream
mixture to a lighted flame, there is a flame front that travels
back to close to the inlet location of the fluids being introduced
into the chamber and it then forms a doughnut shaped flame. The
burner may have a closable exhaust port or outlet to permit this
operation. Alternatively the burner may have an electronic or other
ignition means incorporated into tho housing of the burner.
[0044] In preference, the design of the burner is such that a
downstream outlet has a cross-section that changes from a first
cross-sectional area to a second somewhat larger cross-sectional
area over a relatively short distance and thereafter defines a
larger chamber having itself a further outlet downstream.
[0045] The effect of this is found in practice to provide a limit
to the extent to which the burning flames extends and downstream
direction.
[0046] In preference, a portion of the chamber projects into the
chamber and is such that it will be heated by and transmit heat of
the flame by conducting to an inlet location.
[0047] In preference, incoming gases are subjected to a first
heating by being directed past a preliminary heated member before
being directed into the chamber through means to effect a vortex
having a low pressure center relative to a higher pressure
periphery.
[0048] It is found that in this way, the gases can be raised to
very high temperatures indeed and combining this with the nature of
the process occurring within the vortex, means that there is both
very high vacuum, recirculation of the mixture and very high
temperatures within the vortex.
[0049] Temperatures as high as 1400.degree. C. have ben ascertained
to exist within the vortex burning cone but by reason of the nature
of the vortex, the temperature at the outer edges of the vortex are
very much lower so that the sides of any confining chamber can be
kept relatively low in temperature.
[0050] It is envisaged that such a burner could be used for the
purpose of continuous heat creation, such as to heat a surrounding
jacket of water or air. Such a device could be used for industrial
or domestic purposes for use in general heating.
[0051] The burner may be used in a continuous feed waste disposal
process. Provided the waste can be combusted and incorporated into
a vortex then there may be very real advantages in using the vortex
burner. The flux within the burner permits high temperatures to be
achieved at the core of the combustion chamber. Certain toxic
compounds, particularly hydrocarbon compounds, such as benzene when
subjected to those conditions will be burnt or converted into a
less dangerous product.
[0052] It is envisaged that waste would be fed into an established
burning vortex via feeder ports. The temperature of combustion
could be selected by using appropriate fuels. In some instances the
waste itself may provide the fuel for the combustion process.
[0053] Advantageously for waste disposal, the vortex burner is very
efficient in the mixing and combustion process. Accordingly it is
envisaged that very little, if any, unburnt waste would pass
through the device.
[0054] Another possible use is in the direct creation of steam. In
a typical power generator, there are a number of separated systems
used to produce the steam. The combustion chamber heats pipes
containing a first heat transfer medium that then connects pipes
containing water. The water is turned into steam and is used to
turn turbines.
[0055] In contrast it is envisaged that the vortex burner could be
used to directly heat water and form steam. Water could be
introduced into a burning vortex of fuel. The water would vaporize
and exit the device as steam. Unlike a typical combustion zone, as
the vortex burner burns very clean it is expected that the directly
formed steam could be safe to use for work. As the NOx output from
the burner is very low, then the steam should not be unduly acidic
or corrosive.
[0056] It is expected that the water would have a cooling effect on
the output of the burner, but this should be manageable. It could
be simply controlled by changing the amount of water or fuel
delivered to the burner
[0057] It is also thought that the method could be used in respect
of hydrocarbon based fuel reformation. Such methods generally
involve exposing a hydrocarbon fuel and water vapor mixture to a
minimum amount of heat or a plasma arc, and a suitable catalyst.
During the endothermic process methane, hydrogen and carbon
monoxide are produced.
[0058] An advantage of that system is that these fuel gases yield
higher energy content on combustion than the original feed stock.
They also provide a higher flame propagation speed and produce much
lower amounts of polluting emissions.
[0059] The burner method should be suitable for use as part of a
reformation system. It can be configured to introduce more than one
liquid or gas, or combination thereof, into an air stream. A
preliminary heating chamber could effect the hydrocarbon
reformation step, with a subsequent burning of the fuel gas
mixture.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS--EXAMPLES
[0060] Referring now to the first embodiment as illustrated in
FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the vortex forming tube 1 forms a closed
chamber 2 having an outlet at 3 which enters into a large portion 1
which itself then has an outlet at 5 which variously passes through
outlet 6 or when the valve 7 is closed, through conduit 8.
[0061] In use propane may be passed though the bottom inlet whilst
air is passes through the side inlet. The passageways are
preferably separated so that the positive pressure of the propane
gas does not adversely affect the ingress of air.
[0062] The vortex forming tube at its upstream end at portion 9
having a double ended cone shape.
[0063] An inner cone at 10 is positioned so as to be at a center of
any flame forming and burning within a centripetal vortex being
formed and as such to heat.
[0064] The material of which this portion 10 is made is 316-grade
stainless steel.
[0065] Any heat will transmit by reason of conduction to the
opposite end at 11.
[0066] This is arranged to be within the path of incoming gases in
the passageway at 12 so that such incoming gases will strike this
cone shape 11 passing over the surface and thereby gathering heat
and then passing through the respective aperture such as at 13.
[0067] In this case, the size of the vortex tube, and the
respective position of the various apertures can be defined in the
following details, vortex tube diameter 19.01 mm, vortex tube wall
thickness 1.2 mm, length 30 mm, the alignment of the inlet holds of
which there are eight, is such that they are lined up in a double
helix with a diameter of each inlet hold being 2.3 mm.
[0068] Inlet pressure of propane is 7 Kpa and air inlet pressure is
9-13 Kpa. The shape of these holes is more specifically shown in
FIG. 3.
[0069] With a tube diameter, having an internal diameter of 16.6
mm, means that with these specifications the stoichiometric mixture
of air and propane will form in the vortex tube 1 and the gas will
then exit through the outlet end that is turned downstream while
maintaining this centripetal vortex.
[0070] It has been found beneficial to have a direct access to the
enlarged chamber 4 for affecting a lighting of the stoichiometric
mixture and this is achieved by having a valve 7 that opens access
through to this area temporarily at initially lighting stage.
[0071] Once lit, the valve 7 is closed and any resulting burnt and
heated gases will then proceed through the full heat exchange
arrangement including the coil of tube 8. Of course it is expected
that, in an commercial product this feature may be omitted and
replaced with an electronic ignition system, located close to or in
the enlarged chamber 4.
[0072] The surprising discovery is the results arising from such a
process.
[0073] Firstly, it is found that there is a very high temperature
indeed formed within an inverted cone shaped flame generally within
the vortex tube 1 which is kept in this location by the fact that
the enlarged area 4 alters the nature of the process through the
downstream path.
[0074] Because a centripetal vortex creates very unusually strong
digress of vacuum and recirculation of gases and as well retention
of its spiralling shape over a longer pathway, this changes
characteristics of burning that have not previously been known to
exist.
[0075] A first of these is that for a reason that is not entirely
understood as perhaps is the case with a number of the resulting
characteristics, there is a very high temperature resulting on the
inside of the vortex tube. This may be related to the lower
pressure at the center of the vortex.
[0076] With a two parts of air to one part of propane, and with
preliminary heating, the temperature of the gases then reaches well
in excess of 500.degree. C. where above, thermocatalytic cracking
of a hydrocarbon fuel by way of an endothermic reaction process can
exist.
[0077] Such a thermocatalytic cracking is enhanced by exposure at
the time that the gases are exposed to very high temperatures where
the exposure to specific materials can be such as nickel containing
alloys, aluminium oxide or other known catalytic materials which
can be either separately located in the vicinity or be incorporated
within the material of a cone or tube.
[0078] Where the gases are subjected to such very high temperatures
prior to entering into the vortex tube itself, then by reason of
such thermocatalytic cracking, there can now be gases divided into
components such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon, water
and hydrogen.
[0079] As well of course there can be remaining elements of air,
and propane.
[0080] These compounds can now enter the vortex tube so as to form
into the centripetal vortex where combustion is taking place. In
experiments as described, the flames assume the shape of the vortex
itself with combustion progressing from the outside of the vortex,
where a higher pressure prevails in a direction roughly
perpendicular to the vertical center axis toward to extreme low
pressure zone in the center.
[0081] Surprisingly, it appears that gases caught within the
centripetal vortex will pass from the high pressure zone to the low
pressure zone and back so that probably those more oxidized will
then continue downstream to any exhaust heat exchanger conduit.
[0082] The results in the described test on trials so far have
indicated that there is no hydrocarbon output in any exhaust, 0.03%
carbon monoxide, 10.4% in carbon dioxide, 5.4% in oxygen and no
nitrogen oxide.
[0083] Further, with water that is received at exhaust, the acidity
or alkalinity of this is zero, in other words it has a pH of 7
strongly suggesting that it has not any dissolved nitrogen
oxides.
[0084] It is suspected that the reason that no nitrogen oxide is
present is that with the preliminary cracking effecting the
availability of hydrogen or carbon monoxide, such materials have a
greater oxidation affinity when the flame burning is excluded from
being open to the atmosphere.
[0085] Referring to the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 5 now,
there is shown a single slot 20 which is cut to direct in a
peripheral tangential manner air passing into this into the vortex
tube 21 and again there is a double ended cone 22 and 23 adapted to
transfer heat from within the vortex tube to an outlet location at
22 over which incoming gases can pass and therefore be subjected to
very high temperatures with the material being selected to be of a
thermocatalytic creating character.
[0086] However, it is found that such a slot can also be used then
to cause a centripetal vortex with all of the other characteristics
described in relation to embodiment 1.
[0087] In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the same
characteristics exist except in this case, there are inlet
apertures at 30 aligned around a common diameter of the vortex tube
31 which again has an outlet as described in FIG. 1 so that the
flame is limited by reason of the substantially expanding chamber
formation and the downstream gases can then be directed as
desirable.
[0088] This then describes a method of burning which has been found
to provide potential for enormously advantageous results including
substantial reduction of polluting chemicals as a result of the
combustion process, the ability to achieve very high temperatures
within a confined area without having to have highly resistant heat
insulating materials to contain such high temperatures, the ability
to insert other materials into the flame so as to affect the
destruction of these within an effective burning and high
temperature with high plasma characteristics so that pollutant
chemicals may be introduced and have these substantially destroyed
in a reasonably effective way.
[0089] The invention can apply then to the method of effecting
burning which includes the steps of introducing a burnable mixture
into a centripetal vortex.
[0090] In another form, the invention can reside in apparatus
having a vortex-forming chamber having apertures directed into this
to effect a centripetal vortex and means to effect a lighting of
this so that a burning effect will take place of the gases being
input.
[0091] In a further aspect, the invention can be said to reside in
the arrangement of having a heat transfer element transferring some
of the heat from the burning gases to an inlet location so with the
presence of an appropriate catalyst, some thermocatalytic reaction
will take place prior to introduction of the gases into the
centripetal vortex.
[0092] These and other embodiments are all understood to come
within the concept of this invention.
[0093] Throughout this specification purpose has been to illustrate
the invention and not to limit this.
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