Burnpot for solid particulate stove

Abstract

A burnpot for a solid particulate stove is disclosed. The burnpot includes a bottom cover, a top cover, two side plates connecting the top cover and the bottom cover, a bottom grate having a plurality of bottom grate apertures disposed therein and positioned intermediate the bottom cover and the top cover, a top grate having a plurality of top grate apertures disposed therein and positioned intermediate the bottom grate and the top cover and an air passageway configured to direct air to a burn chamber of the burnpot through the bottom grate and the top grate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 865,240, filed Nov. 10, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to a burnpot for stoves that burn solid particulate fuels.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Stoves that burn solid particulate fuels such as wood pellets, shelled corn, and pulverized coal for home heating are very popular. These stoves have a container or burnpot that contains and holds burning fuel, while air is provided through holes in the bottom of the burnpot to provide a flow of oxygen for combustion. Until now, these hole sizes have been 0.125 in. and larger in diameter. This has a tendency to provide too much air at one spot, which can lead to improper combustion and formation of carbon. Also, in some cases, these holes also allow ash and saw dust or other fuel fines to fall through the holes into the ai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]One advantage of the invention is that providing air both over and under the burning fuel promotes cleaner burning, resulting in the reduction of carbon buildup in the burnpot and reducing the need for cleaning the burnpot.

[0011]Another advantage of the invention is that cleaner burning reduces sticky creosote residue build up on heat exchangers, resulting in heat exchangers that operate more efficiently.

[0012]Yet another advantage of the invention is that cleaner burning can additionally be achieved by reducing the size and increasing the number of holes in the grates, reducing emissions levels of noxious pollutants, such as carbon monoxide.

[0013]Still another advantage of the invention is that providing holes in the burnpot smaller than the current 0.125 in. standard promotes a cleaner, more efficient burn and lower carbon monoxide emissions. The burnpot stays cleaner because of reduced carbon build up because more carbon is converted to carbon dioxide instead of soot and carbon monoxide. Smaller grate hole size also reduces the amount of ash and fines that can fall through the holes and into the air intake system.

Problems solved by technology

This has a tendency to provide too much air at one spot, which can lead to improper combustion and formation of carbon.

By only using standard hole sizes of 0.125 in. and larger in diameter, as seen in conventional burn pots, high volumetric flow of air has a tendency to cool the hot coals as it blows past, reducing the efficiency of the burn.

This efficiency is further decreased because these higher volumes of air also tend to sweep volatile components from the fuel, which are carried away in the exhaust, leaving ash and residue that cannot be burnt to completion.

Furthermore, particulate fuels can clump together in the burnpot, reducing efficiency and increasing the buildup of spent fuel and ash.

Cleaning the burnpot is a time-consuming and difficult chore.

Inefficient burning of fuel may result in other problems as well.

Mechanical problems caused by inefficient burning include hazing of glass windows provided to view the firebox from outside the stove and the build up of creosote on heat exchangers.

Environmental problems include the presence of carbon monoxide and other common pollutants associated with incomplete or inefficient burning, which pollutants continue to be regulated to ever lower emissions standards.

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