Particulate Deflagration Enhanced Firebox

Abstract

A particulate deflagration enhanced firebox for burning particulate fuel either alone or in combination with other fuels and the associated method. The firebox may be employed in association with a power plant where the heat from the firebox is used to generate electricity. Fine fuel particles are fed to a mixing drum or box by a pre-measured auger system where the fuel is mixed with dried, compressed combustion air in a desire fuel to air ratio. The fuel mixture enters the combustion firebox or boiler either alone or in association with other fuels where it is ignited. The hot combustion gases leave the firebox and are vented through the firebox's normal route which generally includes passing through a precipitator for remove particulates before exiting to atmosphere via a chimney stack.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present invention is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 196,372 for Particulate Deflagration Combustion Engine which was filed on Aug. 22, 2008 and is scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,435 on Aug. 31, 2010.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a particulate deflagration enhanced firebox for burning particulate fuel, such as corn starch or other suitable renewable energy source, either alone or in combination with other fuels, and the associated method. One of the many applications where this technology can be applied is in coal or gas fired power plants where the heat from the firebox is used to generate electricity. The invention includes a fuel feed system which delivers the powdered or particulate fuel to a mix drum, chamber or box where it is mixed with previously dried and compressed combustion air in a desired fuel to air ratio. The fue...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0034]The operation of the engine is controlled by a control panel that is connected to the operational components of the engine and controls their operation in response to input from dew poi

Problems solved by technology

The first major challenge or modification that would be needed in a standard combustion engine would be in the delivery system of the fuel and air mixture to the combustion chamber.

The second major challenge or modification that would be needed would be in the means to control the increased heating of the combustion chamber.

Thus detonation is not desirable in a combustion engine.

Detonation can cause major damage to an engine.

If the air contains too much moisture, the fuel mixture will burn too slowly or will not burn at all and will not produce the discharge energy required.

It is believed that a graphite level of 0.01 percent would not retard the combustion rate and would provide the needed lubrication.

Although some prior art patents suggest the desirability of burning renewable fuels, the prior art patents do not address how the fuel would be delivered to the combustion chamber so that the engine operates efficiently on these fuels, i.e. preparing the fuel to the proper particle size and moisture content and mixing or atomizing it with oxidant.

If moisture is not adequately controlled, the engine might only function when the relative humidity is very low.

If the fuel to air ratio is not proper, then there is incomplete burning or there is detonation.

If burning speed exceeds subsonic velocity, then detonation occurs which will severally damage the engine.

The prior art attempts to combine the particulate fuel and air in the combustion chamber and this leads to incomplete mixing and failure to achieve the crucial uniform particle suspension of the fuel mixture prior to combustion.

The unspent or unburned fuel will then coat the combustion chamber and greatly damage the engine, resulting in further reduction in engine performance and a greater likelihood of detonation of the fuel.

In some cases new technology brings new challenges.

Too many plants do not use this system because it is rare that a dust explosion occurs and they are willing to take the small risk of an explosion rather than spend the money to be safe.

The chance of a dust is very rare so most operators do nothing.

The chance of an explosion is low.

Those that do occur are devastating, with total destruction of the grain elevator and normally loss of life.

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