U.S. patent application number 10/551496 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for fuel element.
This patent application is currently assigned to Invest In Property 19 (Proprietary) Limited. Invention is credited to Chad Daniel Lehman.
Application Number | 20060236599 10/551496 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33132337 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060236599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lehman; Chad Daniel |
October 26, 2006 |
Fuel element
Abstract
Abstract: The invention relates to a solid fuel element 10 which
includes a body 12 of combustible material which is impregnated
with an accelerant composition, including a liquid fuel and an
evaporation inhibiting agent. In one embodiment the body 12 is
sealed with a flammable sealant 14. The invention extends to a
method of making a solid fuel element.
Inventors: |
Lehman; Chad Daniel;
(Pretoria, ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWREY SIMON ARNOLD AND WHITE LLP
750 BERING DRIVE
HOUSTON
TX
77057
US
|
Assignee: |
Invest In Property 19 (Proprietary)
Limited
201 Momentum West Tower, 343 Pretorius Street
Pretoria
ZA
0002
|
Family ID: |
33132337 |
Appl. No.: |
10/551496 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 30, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB04/00945 |
371 Date: |
June 14, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
44/542 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10L 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
044/542 |
International
Class: |
C10L 11/00 20060101
C10L011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2003 |
ZA |
2003/2510 |
Claims
1. A solid fuel element, which includes a body of combustible
material which is impregnated with an accelerant composition,
including a liquid fuel and an evaporation inhibiting agent
selected from thermoplastic elastomers, organic derivatives of
clays, zirconium acetate and aluminium octanoate.
2. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 1, in which the body of
combustible material is a briquette made of a compressed
combustible material.
3. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 2, in which the
compressed combustible material is selected from carbonaceous
material, cellulosic material and granular coal.
4. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 1, in which the body of
combustible material is of coal.
5. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 1, in which the body is
sealed with a flammable sealant.
6. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 5, in which a major
portion of the flammable sealant is disposed beneath a surface of
the body.
7. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 5, in which the
flammable sealant is in the form of a hydrocarbon wax
composition.
8. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 1, in which the liquid
fuel is liquid paraffin.
9. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 8, in which the liquid
fuel is selected from C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins and mixtures of
C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins.
10. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 1, in which the
evaporation inhibiting agent is selected from a thermoplastic
elastomer and a thermoplastic elastomer/oil blend.
11. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 10, in which the
thermoplastic elastomer is a rubber-styrene copolymer.
12. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 11, in which the
rubber is selected from polyethylene/butylene and
polyethylene/propylene.
13. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 11, in which the
rubber-styrene copolymer includes at least 33% by mass of
styrene.
14. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 1, in which the
evaporation inhibiting agent is provided by an organic derivative
of a bentonite clay.
15. A method of making a solid fuel element, which method includes
the step of at least partially immersing a body of combustible
material in an accelerant composition, including a liquid fuel and
an evaporation inhibiting agent selected from thermoplastic
elastomers, organic derivatives of clays, zirconium acetate and
aluminium octanoate, so that at least some of the accelerant
composition is absorbed by the combustible material to produce an
accelerant-impregnated body of combustible material.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, in which the liquid fuel is a
liquid paraffin.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16, in which the liquid fuel is
selected from C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins and mixtures of C.sub.9
to C.sub.13 paraffins.
18. A method as claimed in claim 15, in which the evaporation
inhibiting agent is selected from a thermoplastic elastomer and a
thermoplastic elastomer/oil blend.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, in which the thermoplastic
elastomer is a rubber-styrene copolymer.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19, in which the rubber is
selected from polyethylene/butylene and polyethylene/propylene.
21. A method as claimed in claim 19, in which the rubber-styrene
copolymer includes at least 33% by mass of styrene.
22. A method as claimed in claim 15, in which the evaporation
inhibiting agent is an organic derivative of a bentonite clay.
23. A method as claimed in claim 15, in which the body of
combustible material is a briquette of compressed material selected
from charcoal, granular coal and cellulosic material, the-method
including the prior step of compressing the charcoal, granular coal
or cellulosic material to form the briquette.
24. A method as claimed in claim 15, which includes subjecting the
body of combustible material to reduced pressure prior to immersing
the body in said accelerant composition.
25. A method as claimed in claim 15, which includes subjecting the
body of combustible material to reduced pressure in the course of
immersing the body in said accelerant composition.
26. A method as claimed in claim 24, in which the body is subjected
to a reduced pressure of between 96 kPa and 99 kPa.
27. A method as claimed in claim 24, in which the body is
thereafter subjected to increased pressure.
28. A method as claimed in claim 27, in which the body is subjected
to an increased pressure of between 136 kPa and 140 kPa.
29. A method as claimed in claim 15, in which the body of
combustible material is at least partially immersed in the
accelerant composition for a period of between twenty seconds and
four minutes.
30. A method as claimed in claim 15, which further includes sealing
the accelerant-impregnated body of combustible material with a
sealing material.
31. A method as claimed in claim 30, in which the sealing material
is a hydrocarbon wax composition, sealing the body including at
least partially immersing the accelerant-impregnated body of
combustible material in a bath of molten hydrocarbon wax
composition.
32. A method as claimed in claim 31, in which the
accelerant-impregnated body of combustible material is at least
partially immersed in the bath of molten wax composition for a
period of between five seconds and thirty seconds.
33. An accelerant composition for impregnating a body of
combustible material, which accelerant composition includes an
evaporation inhibiting agent selected from a thermoplastic
elastomer, a thermoplastic elastomer/oil blend, an organic
derivative of a clay, zirconium acetate and aluminium octanoate;
and a liquid fuel.
34. An accelerant composition as claimed in claim 33, in which the
evaporation inhibiting agent is a thermoplastic elastomer, the
thermoplastic elastomer being provided by a rubber-styrene
copolymer.
35. An accelerant composition as claimed in claim 34, in which the
rubber is selected from polyethylene/butylene and
polyethylene/propylene.
36. An accelerant composition as claimed in claim 34, in which the
rubber-styrene copolymer includes at least 33% by mass of
styrene.
37. An accelerant composition as claimed in claim 33, in which the
evaporation inhibiting agent is an organic derivative of a clay,
the clay being a bentonite clay.
38. An accelerant composition as claimed in claim 33, in which the
liquid fuel is a liquid paraffin.
39. An accelerant composition as claimed in claim 38, in which the
liquid fuel is selected from C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins and
mixtures of C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins.
40. A solid fuel element, which includes a body of combustible
material having a seal of a flammable sealant, a major portion of
which is disposed beneath the surface of the body.
41. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 40, in which the
flammable sealant is in the form of a hydrocarbon wax
composition.
42. A solid fuel element as claimed in claim 41, in which the
hydrocarbon wax composition is a paraffin wax/resin blend.
43. A method as claimed in claim 25, in which the body is subjected
to a reduced pressure of between 96 kPa and 99 kPa.
44. A method as claimed in claim 25, in which the body is
thereafter subjected to increased pressure.
Description
[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to solid fuel. More particularly, it
relates to a solid fuel element and to a method of manufacturing a
solid fuel element. The invention extends to an accelerant
composition for use in the manufacture of a solid fuel element.
[0002] The Applicant is aware of prior art in which a flammable
liquid is incorporated into a charcoal briquette which is then
coated with a coating. The Applicant believes that the present
invention will dispense with the need for a coating to contain a
volatile flammable liquid absorbed by a briquette within the
briquette, by employing an evaporation inhibiting agent in
combination with the liquid fuel/flammable liquid, thereby to
inhibit evaporation of the liquid fuel absorbed into the
briquette.
[0003] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a
solid fuel element, which includes a body of combustible material
which is impregnated with an accelerant composition, including a
liquid fuel and an evaporation inhibiting agent selected from
thermoplastic elastomers, organic derivatives of clays, zirconium
acetate and aluminium octanoate.
[0004] By accelerant composition is meant an inflammable
composition which serves as a combustion aid or combustion promoter
when the solid fuel element is ignited and when it burns.
[0005] As used herein, the term `evaporation inhibiting agent` is
to be understood to mean an agent that reduces the tendency of the
fuel to evaporate, for example, by increasing its viscosity.
[0006] The body of combustible material may be a briquette made of
a compressed combustible material. The compressed combustible
material may be carbonaceous material, such as charcoal or coal
dust. Preferably, the body will be a compressed charcoal briquette
of the type used for outdoor cooking. Instead, the compressed
combustible material may be cellulosic material, such as, for
example, wood shavings. The body of combustible material may
instead be of coal or solid charcoal.
[0007] The body may be sealed with a flammable sealant. More
particularly, the body may be sealed with a flammable sealant in
the form of a hydrocarbon wax composition, such as, for example, a
paraffin wax/resin blend.
[0008] The sealant may at least partially be diffused
through/permeate a surface of the body. Preferably, a major portion
of the sealant is disposed beneath the surface of the body.
[0009] The liquid fuel may be a liquid paraffin. More particularly,
the liquid fuel may be selected from C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins
and mixtures of C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins.
[0010] The evaporation inhibiting agent may be a thermoplastic
elastomer.
[0011] The thermoplastic elastomer may be a rubber-styrene
copolymer. More particularly, the rubber-styrene copolymer may be a
copolymer of an olefinic rubber and styrene. The olefinic rubber
may be selected from polyethylene/butylene and
polyethylene/propylene. Preferably, the rubber-styrene copolymer
includes at least 33% by mass of styrene component. It may, for
example, be the rubber-styrene copolymer available under the trade
mark KRATON G Polymer from KRATON Polymers. The thermoplastic
elastomer may form part of a blend comprising the thermoplastic
elastomer and an oil, such as, for example, a mineral oil.
[0012] Instead, the evaporation inhibiting agent may be an organic
derivative of a clay. More particularly, the evaporation inhibiting
agent may be an organic derivative of a bentonite clay, such as
that available under the trade mark BENTONE SD-1 or BENTONE 34 from
Elementis Specialties. Naturally, however, any other suitable
evaporation inhibiting agent, including zirconium acetate and/or
aluminium octanoate, may be used.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a solid fuel element which includes a body of combustible
material having a seal of a flammable sealant, a major portion of
which is disposed beneath the surface of the body.
[0014] The flammable sealant may be in the form of a hydrocarbon
wax composition. The hydrocarbon wax composition may be a paraffin
wax/resin blend.
[0015] The seal may be of a hydrocarbon wax composition such as,
for example, a paraffin wax/resin blend.
[0016] The body of combustible material may be as hereinbefore
described.
[0017] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of making a solid fuel element, which method
includes the step of at least partially immersing a body of
combustible material in an accelerant composition, including a
liquid fuel and an evaporation inhibiting agent selected from
thermoplastic elastomers, organic derivatives of clays, zirconium
acetate and aluminium octanoate, so that at least some of the
accelerant composition is absorbed by the combustible material to
produce an accelerant-impregnated body of combustible material.
[0018] The liquid fuel may be a liquid paraffin. More particularly,
the liquid fuel may be selected from C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins
and mixtures of C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins.
[0019] The evaporation inhibiting agent may be a thermoplastic
elastomer, as hereinbefore described.
[0020] Instead, the evaporation inhibiting agent may be an organic
derivative of a bentonite clay as hereinbefore described.
[0021] The body of combustible material may be solid charcoal or a
briquette of compressed charcoal.
[0022] When the body of combustible material is a briquette of
compressed charcoal, the method may include the prior step of
compressing granular charcoal to form the briquette.
[0023] Instead, the body of combustible material may be a briquette
of compressed cellulosic material, such as wood shavings, or of
compressed granular coal, the method then including the prior step
of compressing the cellulosic material or granular coal to form the
briquette.
[0024] The method may include the step of subjecting the body of
combustible material to reduced pressure prior to immersing the
body in said accelerant composition. Instead, or in addition, the
method may include subjecting the body of combustible material to a
reduced pressure in the course of immersing the body in said
accelerant composition. The body of combustible material may be
subjected to a reduced pressure of between about 96 kPa and about
99 kPa, preferably between about 97 kPa and about 98 kPa. The
method may include the step of subjecting the body of combustible
material to increased pressure in the course of immersing the body
in said accelerant composition. The body may be subjected to a
pressure of between about 136 kPa and about 140 kPa, preferably
between about 137 kPa and 138 kPa. Typically, the body is subjected
to increased pressure following subjection to reduced pressure.
[0025] The body of combustible material may be at least partially
immersed in the accelerant composition for a period of between
about twenty seconds and about four minutes.
[0026] The method may further include sealing the
accelerant-impregnated body of combustible material with a sealing
material, thereby to seal the accelerant composition absorbed into
the combustible material.
[0027] The sealing material may be a hydrocarbon material, such as,
for example, a hydrocarbon/paraffin wax composition. Applying the
sealing may then include at least partially immersing the
accelerant-impregnated body of combustible material in a bath of
molten hydrocarbon wax composition.
[0028] The accelerant-impregnated body of combustible material may
be at least partially immersed in the bath of molten wax
composition for a period of between about five seconds and about
thirty seconds.
[0029] According to still another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an accelerant composition which includes [0030] an
evaporation inhibiting agent selected from a thermoplastic
elastomer, a thermoplastic elastomer/oil blend, an organic
derivative of a clay, zirconium acetate and aluminium octanoate;
and [0031] a liquid fuel.
[0032] The thermoplastic elastomer may be pre-blended with an oil,
eg. a mineral oil, to form an oil gel.
[0033] The thermoplastic elastomer may be as hereinbefore
described. More particularly, the thermoplastic elastomer may be a
styrene block polymer, such as the elastomer available under the
trade mark KRATON G Polymer from KRATON Polymers.
[0034] The organic derivative of a clay may be an organic
derivative of a bentonite clay such as that available under the
trade mark BENTONE SD-1 or BENTONE 34 from Elementis
Specialties.
[0035] The liquid fuel may be a liquid paraffin. More particularly,
the liquid fuel may be selected from C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins
and mixtures of C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 paraffins.
[0036] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings and
Examples.
[0037] In the drawings
[0038] FIG. 1 shows a sectional perspective view of a solid fuel
element in accordance with the invention;
[0039] FIG. 2 shows a schematic flow diagram depicting a method of
making a solid fuel element in accordance with the invention;
and
[0040] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an installation for use
in a method of making a solid fuel element in accordance with the
invention.
[0041] In FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally
indicates a fuel element in accordance with the invention. The fuel
element 10 includes a body 12 of compressed charcoal.
[0042] In other embodiments of the invention (not shown), the fuel
element has a body of other combustible materials, such as solid
charcoal, coal or a material comprised mainly of solid cellulosic
material, eg wood shavings.
[0043] The body 12 is impregnated with an accelerant composition
comprising a mixture of a liquid fuel and an evaporation inhibiting
agent (not shown). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
liquid fuel is a mixture of C.sub.9 to C.sub.13 liquid paraffins
derived from coal. In one preferred embodiment, the evaporation
inhibiting agent is the thermoplastic elastomer KRATON G Polymer
(trade mark), a rubber-styrene copolymer available from KRATON
Polymers. The KRATON G Polymer may form part of an oil gel blend
comprising the polymer and a mineral oil. Instead, the liquid fuel
may be mixed directly with the KRATON G Polymer, eg. by use of a
static mixer or a high shear mixer. In another embodiment, the
evaporation inhibiting agent is the organoclay, BENTONE SD-1 or
BENTONE 34 (trade marks), both available from Elementis
Specialties. In still other embodiments, the evaporation inhibiting
agent is provided by zirconium acetate and/or aluminium octanoate.
The evaporation inhibiting agent typically serves to increase the
viscosity of the liquid fuel in the accelerant composition and to
reduce the vapour pressure of the liquid fuel thereby to reduce
evaporation of the liquid fuel. It will be appreciated that the
accelerant composition tends to have a higher boiling point than
that of the liquid fuel as a result of the presence of the
evaporation inhibiting agent which has a high melting point.
Typically, the accelerant composition is absorbed into a core 16 of
the body 12.
[0044] The body 12 is sealed with a sealing of a flammable solid
hydrocarbon wax composition shown at 14, typically, a paraffin
wax/resin blend such as that available under the trade/product name
EXP 1456 from Sasol Wax (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd. Typically, the
bulk of the composition 14 penetrates the surface to a depth of
between about 0,5 mm and about 1 mm, although the depth of
penetration may vary from batch to batch of fuel elements 10.
EXAMPLE 1
[0045] The fuel element 10 was prepared by a continuous-feed
process. Reference is made to FIG. 2 of the drawings, which depicts
the process diagrammatically and in which one tonne of briquettes
was fed, via a dust extractor, onto a wire mesh conveyor at 30. The
conveyor was passed over a vibrating table at 31 where the
briquettes were sorted to assume flat orientations on the wire mesh
conveyor. The briquettes were passed, on the conveyor, below the
surface of a bath of accelerant composition at 32, and were
submerged for about 3 minutes so that each briquette absorbed about
15 ml of accelerant composition. The accelerant composition here
comprised a mixture of C.sub.9-C.sub.13 liquid paraffins with
KRATON G Polymer, the composition containing 3% by mass KRATON G
Polymer and the balance C.sub.9-C.sub.13 liquid paraffins and
having a melting point of about 100.degree. C. The bath was
maintained at approximately the same temperature (i.e. 100.degree.
C.) by means of a heat exchanger, through which the accelerant
composition was circulated. Sensors, provided by thermocouples,
were employed to sense the temperature of the bath and set a rate
of circulation of accelerant composition through the heat exchanger
thereby to maintain the bath at a temperature of about 100.degree.
C.
[0046] The briquettes were passed above the surface of the bath on
the conveyor and transported over a drip-off area at 34, where
drippings of accelerant composition were recovered for return to
the bath at 32 for re-use. The briquettes were allowed to stand for
about 5 seconds to allow their temperature to drop to just below
100.degree. C. before being transported by the conveyor below the
surface of a further bath of liquid EXP 1456 paraffin wax/resin
blend, for about 5 seconds at 36. The briquettes were finally
conveyed out of the bath and allowed to cool so that the wax
composition solidified. In one embodiment (at 38) the briquettes
were subjected to forced cooling to accelerate solidification of
the wax composition. It is to be appreciated that because each
briquette is at a temperature of just below 100.degree. C. prior to
immersion in the wax composition, the hot wax composition diffuses
through the surface of the briquette and solidifies largely
thereunder (see reference numeral 14 in FIG. 1). The wax
composition may in addition form a coating (not shown) on the
surface. Typically between about 1 gram of paraffin wax/resin blend
permeates the surface of the briquette.
[0047] Although the above describes a continuous-feed process, it
is to be appreciated that, instead, a batching process may be used
in making the fuel element 10 of the invention. In such a process,
the briquettes would typically be placed in a vibratory basket.
Dust collection would take place below the basket prior to
submerging the basket in a bath of the accelerant composition. The
basket of briquettes would then typically be raised and removed
from the bath of accelerant composition and allowed to drip. To
permit the contact of most, if not all, of the briquettes in the
basket with the accelerant composition, flow passages would
typically be defined through the basket, for example, the basket
may define an annular cavity for holding briquettes around a
central flow passage. The basket containing the briquettes would
then be dipped into a bath of hot paraffin wax/resin blend and
removed and vibrated to remove excess wax. Typically the
temperature of the briquettes during wax dipping will be greater
than a solidification temperature of the wax blend such that the
wax blend permeates the surface of the briquettes. Finally, the
contents of the basket would be emptied out onto a conveyor and
passed over a vibrating table.
EXAMPLE 2
[0048] Reference is now made to FIG. 3 of the drawings, in which
reference numeral 50 refers generally to an installation for use in
a method/process for making a fuel element 10 in accordance with
the invention, and, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference
numerals used above are used to designate similar parts.
[0049] The installation 50 includes an accelerant composition
storage tank 52, for containing accelerant composition as
hereinbefore described, and a sealant storage tank 54, for
containing a paraffin wax/resin blend sealant as hereinbefore
described. The installation 50 further includes a treatment vessel
56. Each of the storage tanks 52, 54 defines an outlet 58, 60 which
is connected in flow communication, via a conduit 62, 64,
respectively, defining a flow path, with a port 66 defined at an
operatively lower end 68 of the treatment vessel 56. A valve 70, 72
is mounted in each of the flow paths 62, 64, proximate the port 66,
for controlling flow of accelerant composition and sealant into and
from the treatment vessel 56 via the port 66.
[0050] Each of a vacuum pump 74 and a pressure pump 76 are
connected in flow communication with the treatment vessel 56.
Pressure valves 78, 80 are disposed between the vacuum pump 74 and
the treatment vessel 56 and the pressure pump 76 and the treatment
vessel 56, respectively.
[0051] In use, the accelerant composition is heated in the storage
tank 52 to a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius by a heating
element 82 mounted in the vessel 52. Similarly, the sealant is
heated to a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius by a heating element
84 mounted in the vessel 54. Both the accelerant composition and
the sealant are agitated in their respective vessels 52, 54 to
promote even temperature distribution.
[0052] Briquettes 100 are loaded into a basket 90 comprising a
metal framework and wire mesh side walls (not shown) and the basket
90 is inserted into the treatment vessel 56. Typically, operatively
upright helical rods 92 are mounted in the basket 90, surfaces
thereof providing a fluid flow path between the briquettes 100
received in the basket 90.
[0053] Once the briquettes 100 are loaded within the basket 90 into
the treatment vessel 56, the vessel 56 is sealed fluid-tight and
the valve 78 opened. A vacuum is induced within the treatment
vessel 56 by the vacuum pump 74. Typically sub-atmospheric pressure
of between 97 kPa and 98 kPa is induced in the treatment vessel 56.
It will be appreciated that the vacuum serves to exhaust air from
interstices defined in the briquettes 100 between particles of the
compressed material of which they are comprised. The vacuum is
typically maintained for about one minute prior to opening the
valve 70. The vacuum is maintained whilst the valve 70 is opened
and accelerant composition is drawn from the storage tank 52, via
the port 66, into the treatment vessel 56, rising until it covers
the briquettes 100 held within the basket 90. The valve 70 is
closed once the briquettes 100 are completely submerged and the
briquettes 100 are held in the accelerant composition under the
vacuum conditions of 97 kPa to 98 kPa for about thirty seconds. The
valve 78 is then closed and the valve 80 opened and the vessel 56
is now subjected to a pressure above atmospheric pressure of
between 137 kPa and 138 kPa. The vacuum is thus released whilst the
briquettes 100 are submerged in the accelerant composition. As the
pressure equalises, accelerant composition is drawn into the
briquettes 100 and continues to migrate into the briquettes 100 as
the vessel 56 is pressurised to 137 kPa to 138 kPa. This pressure
is maintained for about one minute, whereafter the valve 70 is
opened so that accelerant composition can drain from the vessel 56
via the port 66. It will be appreciated that the applied pressure
facilitates expulsion of accelerant composition from the vessel 56.
Typically, the basket 90 is vibrated during draining of the
accelerant composition from the vessel 56 to facilitate removal of
excess accelerant composition from the briquettes 100/basket 90. To
this end, in one embodiment, the installation 50 includes a
pneumatic vibrator 94 coupled to the pressure pump 76, a valve 96
being mounted in line between the pressure pump 76 and the vibrator
94 selectively to activate and deactivate the pneumatic vibrator
94.
[0054] Once all excess accelerant composition has been drained from
the treatment vessel 56, the valves 70 and 80 are closed
sequentially and the pneumatic vibrator 94 is deactivated by
closing the valve 96.
[0055] The valve 78 is then opened once more and a vacuum drawn. At
the same time, the valve 72 is opened and wax sealant is drawn from
the tank 54 into the treatment vessel 56 via the port 66 and rises
within the vessel 56 until the briquettes 100 are covered. When the
briquettes 100 are fully covered, the valves 72, 78 are closed
sequentially and the briquettes 100 are held in the wax composition
for about twenty seconds so that the wax composition migrates
beneath the surfaces of the briquettes 100. It is to be appreciated
that the briquettes 100 are typically maintained at a temperature
above the solidification temperature of the wax composition so that
the wax composition migrates beneath the surfaces of the briquettes
100 and solidifies thereunder to provide a subsurface sealing layer
14.
[0056] Excess wax is thereafter evacuated under pressure from the
vessel 56 by opening the valve 72 and the valve 80. The pneumatic
vibrator 94 is typically activated to agitate the basket 90 thereby
to remove excess wax from the basket 90 and briquettes 100 therein.
The valves 72, 80 and 96 are sequentially closed when all excess
wax has been evacuated.
[0057] The briquettes 100, having been impregnated with accelerant
composition and sealed with a subsurface wax/resin blend to yield
fuel elements 10 of the invention, are removed from the vessel 56
and cooled to ambient temperature prior to packaging thereof.
[0058] The Applicant believes that the vacuum applied prior to
submersing the briquettes 100 in accelerant composition in the
abovedescribed method facilitates absorption of the viscous
accelerant composition into the briquettes 100 by expelling air
from interstices in the briquettes 100. Further, the pressure
applied to the briquettes 100 whilst submerged in the accelerant
composition enhances absorption of accelerant composition, such
that a saturated briquette 100 can be yielded.
[0059] It is an advantage of the fuel elements 10 of the invention
that evaporation of the liquid fuel component of the accelerant
composition is inhibited by the evaporation inhibiting agent of the
composition such that the liquid fuel is retained within the fuel
elements 10. Accordingly, even upon breaking of a fuel element 10
of the invention, the liquid fuel will be retained within the
pieces of broken fuel element 10, evaporation thereof being
inhibited by the evaporation reducing agent.
[0060] Further, it will be appreciated that the waxy sealant 14
imparts a waterproof property to the fuel element 10. Moreover, the
sealant 14 serves to seal the accelerant composition in the body
12. It is an advantage of the present invention that the sealant is
largely disposed beneath the surface of the fuel element 10 as the
sealant is not susceptible to chipping off in as much as a surface
coating would be.
[0061] The Applicant believes that the fuel element 10 of the
invention will provide a self-lighting and combustible fuel element
10, dispensing with the need to employ fire lighters, which can be
costly and ineffective, in igniting briquettes. It has been found
that the fuel element 10 is capable of ignition typically by use of
a single match and yields a smouldering coal, in which the flame
has burnt out within a short period of about 10 minutes. This in
turn lends the fuel element 10 to use in preparing a fire suited to
barbecuing within a relatively shorter time span of about 20
minutes than is the case with conventional briquettes. The
Applicant believes that fuel elements 10 of the invention will
provide an inexpensive and effective means for generating an even
bed of coals and will afford sustainable burning. Further, the fuel
elements 10 permit of handling thereof without associated fouling
or soiling of the hands of a user as is the case with conventional
briquettes/coal.
[0062] The Applicant believes that the invention would function
better in outdoor, humid and rainy conditions than conventional
briquettes due to its waterproof characteristics.
[0063] It is also an advantage that the fuel element 10 of the
invention is more suitable for use in a semi-enclosed cooking area
such as a patio than conventional briquettes as the fuel element 10
of the invention is clean burning, being virtually smokeless due to
the accelerant composition's ability to ignite the body of
combustible material completely. This in turn, it is believed, will
offer the advantage that each fuel element 10 burns completely,
making for even heat and the use of fewer briquettes. Further, no
toxic fumes are emitted during burning of the fuel element 10. Both
the accelerant composition and wax/resin sealant of the fuel
element 10 of the invention are suited to use as ingredients in
articles intended for food contact, such that the fuel elements 10
are suited for use in cooking, more particularly, barbecuing food.
The accelerant composition is virtually odorless.
[0064] The Applicant believes that the fuel elements 10 of the
invention, with their protective sealant, will have an extended
shelf life and be resistant to damage, resulting in fewer broken
briquettes. The Applicant believes that the materials used in the
fuel elements 10 will not be hazardous for transport.
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