U.S. patent application number 13/986449 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-03 for particulate and co2 reduction system for commercial/residential devices that generate thermal energy.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alex Leonard Johnson. Invention is credited to Alex Leonard Johnson.
Application Number | 20140093829 13/986449 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50385532 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140093829 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Alex Leonard |
April 3, 2014 |
Particulate and co2 reduction system for commercial/residential
devices that generate thermal energy
Abstract
This describes the novel use of a naturally occurring material
known as volcanic rock, as a particulate and CO.sub.2 reduction
system. The material is used within the combustion chamber of
devices that utilize solid fuel for energy generation.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Alex Leonard;
(Saint Joseph, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Johnson; Alex Leonard |
Saint Joseph |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50385532 |
Appl. No.: |
13/986449 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61687933 |
May 4, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/170 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23J 15/02 20130101;
F23J 2219/10 20130101; F23B 80/04 20130101; F23J 2215/50 20130101;
F24B 1/006 20130101; F23C 10/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/170 |
International
Class: |
F23C 10/00 20060101
F23C010/00 |
Claims
1. The novel exploitation of volcanic rock material manufactured
into (a) customizable structures in a variety of sizes and shapes;
for example, tiles, slabs, or spheres and (b) with or without a
multiplicity of conduits to channel emissions within high
temperature environments.
2. The novel placement of volcanic rock in any form within the
combustion chamber of solid fuel combustion devices such as
boilers, incinerators, and residential or commercial wood heating
apparatuses. The volcanic rock material is placed within the
combustion chamber (a) above the fire, or (b) in any manner so as
to restrict the flow of gases and particulates from the combustion
chamber to the exhaust port of the device.
Description
[0001] I, Alex L. Johnson, claim priority on Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/687,933. PPA filing date May 4, 2012.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This describes the novel use of volcanic rock within any
device that utilizes solid fuel materials for combustion for the
purpose of energy generation such as boilers, incinerators, and
residential or commercial wood heating apparatuses. This rock can
withstand temperatures above 2000 degrees for extended periods
without loss of integrity. The volcanic rock acts as a gas
permeable insulating agent and can be manufactured into a multitude
of sizes and shapes to conform to any specific application and
apparatus specifications. Additionally, lava rocks such as those
used in gas grills may be purchased from any home improvement store
inexpensively for use in residential combustion devices. It has
been found that volcanic rock, when used within the combustion
chamber where no visible conduit exists for exhaust gases to pass
from combustion chamber to the exhaust outlet, restricts emission
of exhaust gases to atmosphere.
[0003] Within the combustion chamber, this embodiment works in such
a manner as to confine the energy that normally exits the exhaust
port of combustion devices and is lost to atmosphere. The
embodiment also filters the particulate matter that may be
suspended within the combustion chamber prior to exiting the device
to atmosphere. When particulate matter adheres to the volcanic
rock, it spends more time inside the device to further reduce the
particulate size, at this point the particulate has been reduced to
ash and is pushed away by the energy that is being captured and
stored by the volcanic rock. It has been suggested that the
surfaces of the volcanic rock get clogged. When volcanic rocks are
cold, particulates do stick to the surface of the material. The
adhesion of particulate matter to the filter in the early stages of
device start up aids in faster start up with less fuel waste.
[0004] The volcanic rock may be thought of as a naturally occurring
catalytic matter. This material can be obtained from volcanic
regions on earth, and manufactured into structures of any shape or
size. Such structures may be used to promote thermal oxidation of
gases, in addition to reduction of particulates and CO.sub.2
entering the atmosphere.
[0005] In relation to the acquiring of prior art for references,
here are a few that utilize volcanic rock. U.S. Pat. No.
6,257,157b1 is a method that exploits the use of volcanic rock by
placing them within tanks, where a series of "water vapor spray
jets" scatters water over the rocks, as a way to cool the exhaust
gases and confine the particulate matter within the condenser
tanks. These tanks are post incineration process and are in
multiplicity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,483 exploits the use of volcanic
rock as a heat storage device for implementation in traditional
"Brazier" heaters were liquid fuel is used. U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,245
exploits the use of volcanic rock within a device that is
positioned "within the duct work of currently used home heating
systems". U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,563 exploits the use of volcanic rock
within the combustion chamber of liquid fuel-fired furnaces as a
manner of heat storage. The patent states, "by placing them in
spaced relation to each other". U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,785 exploits
the use of volcanic rock, as a "Heat Sink" for use in fireplaces.
The abstract states, " A fireplace grate having an upstanding frame
supporting a basket a distance above the grate, without blocking
the fireplace chimney, with the basket forming perforate reservoir
filled with lumps of porous lava rock". The heat is released after
the fire is out. U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,097 exploits the use of
volcanic rock as an absorbent material within an indoor grill.
[0006] All previous uses of volcanic rock have not exploited the
ability of this material to endure the high temperatures within the
combustion chamber of energy generation devices as a means to
filter particulate matter, and reduce the amount of particulates
and CO.sub.2 being expelled to the atmosphere. The exploitation of
this embodiment within devices that utilize solid fuel sources for
electrical generation, such as coal fired boilers and
waste-to-energy boilers will reduce the excessive waste of fossil
fuels. These fuels are being consumed at an alarming rate to supply
the world's needs, albeit inefficiently. The burning of fossil
fuels produces CO.sub.2 and water vapor. When these two molecules
enter the earth's atmosphere they have a symbiotic relationship.
This leads to the trapping of solar energy within the atmosphere
resulting in higher temperatures on earth.
SUMMARY
[0007] Volcanic rock is a natural material that is formed under
extreme pressures and temperatures within the earth's core that has
the capability to withstand extreme heat without deformation of
said material. Said material is placed within the combustion
chamber (a) above the fire, or (b) in any manner so as to restrict
the flow of gases and particulates from the combustion chamber to
the exhaust port of any and all boilers, incinerators, and
residential or commercial wood heating apparatuses. Said material
can be manufactured into a multitude of sizes and shapes to conform
to application and apparatus specifications. When used inside
combustion devices and covering the exhaust exiting portion, this
material acts as a filter for combustion gases and for capturing
particulate matter. Additionally, said material captures and stores
heat resulting in higher efficiency ratings. This novel use of a
well-known material will inherently lower fuel needs for current
boiler, incinerator and wood stove technologies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1: Front facing view of a traditional wood stove used
for heating purposes.
[0009] FIG. 2: Orthogonal view of a square slab of volcanic
rock.
[0010] FIG. 3: Orthogonal view of a cylindrical slab of volcanic
rock.
[0011] FIG. 4: Cross-sectional view of a diversity of conduits for
gaseous transmission through slabs of volcanic rock.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 comprises a traditional wood stove used for heating
purposes. 1 is the point in which exhaust gases from combustion
exit the combustion device to atmosphere and the point at which the
chimney attaches to the combustion device. 2 shows the random
placement of volcanic rock within the combustion chamber
restricting the flow of exhaust gases to the atmosphere. The
volcanic rocks are placed so as to fill in the area above the fire,
leaving space above the volcanic rocks so the gases can escape
freely from this point. 3 shows the body of the stove. 4 is the
handle for the fuel loading door. 5 shows the fuel loading door. 6
shows the handle for the ash removal door. 7 shows the legs that
elevate the device off the surface on which it's rests. 8 shows the
ash removal door. 9 shows the hinges for both the ash removal and
fuel loading doors of the device. 10 shows the perforated steel
tray that suspends the volcanic rock material above the fire so as
to let the gases flow through the screen.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows an orthogonal view of a rectangular shaped slab
of volcanic rock. 2 is the slab of volcanic rock. 1 shows the
conduits whereby exhaust gases flow from the combustion chamber and
pass through said slab to the exhaust port of device.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an orthogonal view of a cylindrical shaped slab
of volcanic rock. 2 is the slab of volcanic rock. 1 shows the
conduits whereby exhaust gases flow from the combustion chamber and
pass through said slab to the exhaust port of device.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows cross-sectional views of a slab of volcanic
rock illustrating a variety of possible conduit configurations. The
view is divided into three sections with dashed lines depicting the
separation point between FIG. 4A, 4B, and 4C. 1 illustrates the
volcanic rock slab which the conduits transition through. The
dashed arrows illustrate the flow of exhaust gases through volcanic
rock slab. FIG. 4A illustrates a diagonal conduit system through
which exhaust gases flow from the combustion chamber and pass
through said slab to the exhaust port of device. The conduit
placement should be such that a significant mass of volcanic rock
exists between conduits and the periphery of volcanic rock slab.
FIG. 4B illustrates a vertical conduit system through which the
exhaust gases flow from the combustion chamber and pass through
said slab to the exhaust port of device. The conduit placement
should be such that a significant mass of volcanic rock exists
between conduits and the periphery of volcanic rock slab.
[0016] FIG. 4C illustrates a branched conduit system through which
the exhaust gases flow from the combustion chamber and pass through
said slab to the exhaust port of device. The conduit placement
should be such that a significant mass of volcanic rock exists
between conduits and the periphery of volcanic rock slab.
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