CA2585204C - A system for efficiently burning biomass - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system used for efficiently burning biomass fuel. A
device used within the system has a body dimensioned to accommodate an area of combustion. The body defines apertures therein positioned in the body for transfer of combustible or combusted gasses and securement devices. The body dimensions allow for movement of bodies about one another for conforming to a predetermined arrangement within the system and to fit within the constraints of an area used for combustion of fuels either in residential or industrial settings.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR EFFICIENTLY BURNING BIOMASS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention provides a system for the efficient burning of biomass.
In particular, the present invention relates to a system that uses a device dimensioned for transferring and igniting combustible gases about a biomass fuel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional biomass burning systems for residential or commercial uses have wood stoves, fireplaces or other chambers that rely on a combination of complex electronic and mechanically operated devices in an attempt to maximize the stored energy within the biomass fuels.

The biomass fuels generally consist of pelletized fuels having one or more organic ingredients combined together to form the pellet and as such are considered to be environmentally friendly. However, due to the very structure and complex nature of the systems currently used and the wide variety of pellet fuel constituents used therein, those systems are inevitably prone to excessive waste of underutilized biomass fuel. More specifically, insufficient air supply in and around the fuel causes smoldering which in tum produces low heat output and incomplete buming. In those systems the inevitable build up of ignitable creosote occurs thereby creating a potential fire hazard. Unfortunately, the uneconomical use of such systems have to rely on an outside power source in the form of electricity, propane gases or other forms of energy to impart air under force or by using an auger for feeding the fuel. Those systems lead to the occurrence of problems not only with electrical and/or mechanical breakdowns but with the difficulty of access to a complicated piece if machinery when trying to fix problerns caused by the very structure and function of those devices.

In addition to the aforementioned problems, the application and positioning of fuel anci the types of devices used to impart heat and distribute the fuel is an important aspect for the efficient bum rate and production of heat. Accordingly, the systems currently used do not efficiently urge combustible gases or heat throughout the fuel, VM.IM1 thereby increasing smoldering and as a result the inefficient burning of the fuel.
Accordingly, the biomass fuel is only partly burnt, an effect known by those skilled in the art as the "book effect", which in tum causes smoldering, creosote build-up and a reduction of heat.
In order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention providles a system for efficiently burning biomass at a constant rate and generating heat without the effects of smouldering and reduced heat. In particular, there is provided a device dimensioned to effect the efficient buming of the biomass fuel and to generate high temperatures at a rate to efficiently burn the biomass fuel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a system using a device dimensioned for efficiently distributing biomass fuel in, around or over an arrangement of those devices, hereinafter referred to as bodies or body, for efficiently transferring combustible gasses and imparting heat about the biomass fuel. More specifically, the present invention provides a device having a body dimensioned in a predetermined size and shape, the body having an apex with angled sides extending therefrom, the apex, angled sides or both defining a length of the body, the angled sides terminating at free ends thereof, the body having at least one aperture therein for transfer of hot combustible or combusted gaseous material throughout the biomass fuel.

In an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for efficiently buming biomass having at least one body for use in a an area, said body dimensioned for accommodating said area and use therein said body having an apex with at least two angled sides extending therefrom said apex defining a length of said body, said body having at least one aperture therein for releasable securement or transfer of combustible or combusted gases therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides for angled sides of the body terminating at free ends thereof, the angled sides defining the length of said body. In an further embodiment of the present invention there is provided for the body being dimensioned for receiving longitudinally a further body having a lesser, a greater, or a same dimension, or combinations thereof

-2-1 =I I I Y 111- CA 02585204 2007-04-18 for adjusting said bodies in an arrangement for accommodating said area, the bodies are arranged adjacent one another, transversely, in parallel or both for accommodating the area. In an even further embodiment, the present invention provides for the releasable securement of the bodies to other bodies.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for efficiently burning biomass having a body with a predetermined length width and thickness thereof, the body width, length or both defining at least one side angled about a central portion of the body, the angled side defining an apex thereof, the width, apex or both defining at least one aperture therein. The width and length of said body terminating at free ends thereof for defining the length and the width of the body. In a preferr-ed embodiment, the present invention provides for an apex of body being in a fixed position or having a hinge thereabouts defining an angle of said angled side in a range of from about 10 degrees to about 175 degrees, the angled side defining at least one aperture therein, the aperture dimensioned in an irregular shape, a regular shape or both thereof.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a device for releasably securing the body to a further body, having an elongate-body with a proximal end and a distal, the proximal end including an engaging member thereof, the elongate body being dimensioned to engage an aperture of the body.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides for a securing device having an elongate-body with a length sufficient to engage at least one body for releasably securing that body to a further body. In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for surrounding a perimeter of bodies having four sides extending upwards from a ground level and terminating in a height above a height of an arrangement of bodies therein. In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a base attached to the sides for containing the arrangement of bodies, the base including means for elevating at least one of said four sides of said container from a ground level to a predetermined height off said ground by using at

-3-least one of the bodies positioned undemeath the base which are optionally releasably secured therein by the securement device.

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side plan view of the body of the device used in the system of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of the device showing the apex of the body of the present invention.

Figure 2a is a cross-sectional view of the body illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the hinge.

Figure 3 is a side profile view of an embodiment of the system showing bodies of the devices used in formation.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the system of the present invention illustrating application of a first fastening member/device in a horizontal position.

Figure 5 is a side profile view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a system of bodies in a predetermined order with fastening members/devices of adjoining bodies.
IFigures 6 and 6a are cross-sectional views of embodiments of the present invention.

-4-I =I I =Y CA 02585204 2007-04-18 Figure 7 is a side plan view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a sysitem of numerous bodies releasably attached in a horizontal formation.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment illustrating an alternative form of the body for use in the system of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a one-piece formation of bodies for use in the system of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating a cross-sectional view of the container with apertures in line with the apertuires of the stacked bodies therethrough.

Figure 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating movement of a combustible or combusted gas throughout the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Although other applications may be envisioned for the buming of biomass fuel, the application of the present invention is particularly advantageous for efficiently burning the biomass fuel. Accordingly, without intending to limit the present invention to the embodiments described herein, the invention will be described below in further detail having regard to the system and in particular the varied assortment and arrangement of devices used in that system as shown in Figures 1 to 11.

Referring to Figure 1, the body of the device used in the system of the present invention will primarily be described in conjunction with a further body suitable for arranging in a predetermined fashion to fit an area and type of use. It should be understood, however, that the device and body thereof of the present invention can be utilized in conjunction with a variety of other types and shapes of devices used as cookers/bumers or in other areas used for cooking or preheating, igniting and burning

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the fuel, in particular biomass fuel. For example, the device and the embodiments thereof can be utilized together for temporary or permanent fixtures with or without a surrounding container level on the ground level or raised partly from the ground level.
In addition, embodiments of the present invention will be primarily described in conjunction with releasable securing devices for adjoining other adjacent bodies in a predetermined arrangement.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention providing a body 1 of a predetermined size and shape. The body 1 being made of a material having a high thermal conductivity. For example, body 1 can be made of metal/ceramics including but not limited to metal carbides, nitrides and borides. Preferably, the body 1 may be made of steel, stainless steel, iron or combinations thereof and is of a shape and size fitting for directional movement of biomass fuel over and around the body 1 or an arrangement 1 a as shown in figure 3, of bodies thereof. The body 1 is dimensioned in accordance with the end-user's requirements and as such the dimensions can vary extensively. Accordingly, the body 1 can have a cross-sectional view of an inverted-V-shape, a V-shape or combinations thereof having a hinged 5 apex 2 or a fixed apex 2 defining a body 1 length, height and width of a dimension fitting for the purpose intended for industrial or residential use thereof. Preferably, the body 1 dimension can be of a size ranging from about 15cm to about 120cm, having a width of from about 0.25cm to about 3.0cm. The shape of the body 1 can optionally be round, square, triangular or combinations thereof dimensioned to define apertures 3 or 3a of a fixed or varied size. Preferably, the body 1 defines apertures 3 or 3a along the length of an apex 2 and along an angled side 4 of body 1, the angled side can be varied in length ranging depending on the size and number of apertures 3 defined therein or of a length greater or lesser from one end of the body 1 to the other end of the same or adjoining bodyl thereon. Apertures 3 and 3a are dimensioned for directing therethrough combustible or combusted gasses (shown as X in figure 11) or entry of a primary securement-device 7 or a secondary securement-device 7a as shown in figures 4 and 5. Apertures 3 are varied in size and shape to accommodate a style or function of body 1 used for different fuels, more preferably biomass/organic fuels 11 as defined in figure 11.

-6-u r Figures 2a and 2b depict a cross-sectional view of the body 1 as depicted by the A----A' line going through the aperture 3 in figure 1. Figure 2a shows the aperture whereas figure 2b shows the aperture and a hinge 5 used for moveable adjustment of at least one angled side 4 about the apex 2 for varying the shape of the body 1 to accommodate a predetermined use in a chosen area of combustion or to for adapting the body 1 to be used with a different fuel thereof, the varied angle of the body 1 being releasably secured by incorporating a primary securement-device 7 therein. The angle of variation can range from about 10 degrees to about 175 degrees about the apex 2 thereof. Figure 4 depicts a further embodiment of the present invention providing an arrangement la with both the primary securement-device 7 and secondary securement-device 7a engaging several body's 1 therethrough. The a primary securement-device 7 has a head 6 for operably engagement by the end-user, the head 6 defining dimensioned receiving apertures(not shown) as used with implements known by those skilled in the art.
Figures 5 and 6 depict the primary securement-device 7 engaging at least one body 1 of the arrangement 1 a within the system, having an elongate body with a proximal end 6 and a distal end 8 thereof. In figure 5 an embodiment of the present invention provides the distal end 8 of the primary securement-device 7 to engage the apex 3 of the body 1 as opposed to engaging the aperture 3 of the apex 2 therethrough. Actuation of the proximal end 6 of the primary securement-device

7, having a lesser length, forces downward the distal end 8 of the primary securement-device 7 onto the apex 2 of the body 1 thereby engaging and releasably securing the adjacent bodies 1 together. The secondary securement-device 7a as depicted in figures 4 and 6a provide a further embodiment of the present invention in which the secureiment-device 7a being of a length greater than the length of the body 1 is positioned in and through the apertures 3 of at least one body 1 for releasable securement of the bodies 1 or for ease of movement of the arrangement 1 a in or out of the area of use. Both the primary securement-device 7 and the secondary securement-device 7a are made of a material having a high thermal conductivity, preferably stainless steel, iron or both.

x Accordingly, during use the elongate bodies of the securement-devices 7 and 7a expand in the apertures 3 thereby expanding within the apertures 3 and further securing the bodies thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the proxirnal end 6 of the secondary securement-device 7a may have a handle means (not shown) in the form of a loop, hook, grip or combinations thereof to be engaged by the end-user for removing the arrangement out or in of the area of combustion, for instance, in case of an emergency or cleaning. Figure 7, depicts a further embodiment of the present invention providing several bodies 1 in a horizontal alignment on top of one another allowing for slidable adjustment of the body 1 within the next body 1 to accommodate an area of use, the length being fixed by the primary securement-device 7 in the arrangement 1 b of the system. Accordingly, figure 8, depicts an embodiment of the present invention by providing a variation on the shape of the body 1 in which the body 1 is substantially curved. Several substantially curved bodies 1 can be arranged together to fit a particular dimension of an area of use or for the type of fuel used or both.

Figure 9 provides an altemative embodiment of the present invention providing a single one-piece molded body having a predetermined size and structure similar to the body 1 of arrangement 1 a. The single one-piece molded body is a ready-to-use arrangement 1 c alone or with a further arrangement selected from 1 c, 1 b, 1 a or combinations thereof, the arrangements being either releasably secured thereto or positioned on top of each other without the use of a securement device 7, or 7a in a choseri area. Figure 10 depicts the use of arrangements 1 a,1 b,1 c, 1 d or combinations thereof surrounded by a wall 10 dimensioned to adjoin to or be in a close proximity to at least one body 1 of the aforesaid arrangements of said bodies 1. A
preferred embodiment of the present invention also provides the wall 10 forming a bottom portion thereof for containing and supporting the chosen arrangement. The wall 10 has a height greater than the height of the arrangement, the wall 10 having apertures 3a therein for alignment with an aperture 3 of at least one body 1 in a chosen arrangement. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the aperture 3a can be in a direct alignment with the aperture 3 of the body 1 for direct transfer of combustible or combusted gasses throughout the system thereof.

-8-a According to various embodiments of the present invention the body 1 can be in an arrangement as depicted in figure 11, where the body 1 is in an inverted position on top of an upright body 1 surrounding as depicted herein a fuel 11. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the arrangement of bodies 1 can be interchanged to effect a better bum rate of biomass fuel within the system, accordingly, figure 11 shows the movement of combustible or combusted gasses X throughout one such arrangement 1 d indicating the collection of hot gasses within the underside of the apex 3 of body 1 thereby increasing the movement of gasses X throughout the biomass fuel 11 of the system for cooking or preheating, igniting and buming thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the bottom part of the wall 10 can be raised up off a ground level by supporting an underside of the wall 10 with a supporting means (not shown), the supporting means can be varied and regulated to effect a desired angle of elevation. The system of the present invention provides the means for transferring heat and combustible gasses throughout the biomass fuel 11, that can optionally cover the entire arrangement of bodies 1, to effect a more efficient cooking of the fuel 11 and to ignite the gasses for essentially producing a higher temperature from which the fuel 11 is burnt and continuously cooked or preheated thereby heating the system at a constant rate. Embodiments of the present invention provide a variety of applications of the system to be used as inserts in areas of combustion including those areas found in residential and industrial settings wherein for example wood stoves, fire places, cookers, fumaces would be used for applying the economical and effective system provided by the present invention.

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Claims (65)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A system for efficiently burning biomass comprising: at least one body for use in a an area, said body operably dimensioned for accommodating said area and use thereof said body having an apex with at least two angled sides extending therefrom said apex defining a length of said body, said body having at least one aperture therein for releasable securement or transfer of combusted gas, combustible gas or both therethrough.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said angled sides of said body terminate at free ends thereof, said angled sides defining the length of said body.

3. A system according to claims 1 and 2, whereby said body is dimensioned for receiving longitudinally a further body having a lesser, a greater, or a same dimension, or combinations thereof for adjusting said bodies in an arrangement for accommodating said area.

4. A system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, whereby said bodies are arranged adjacent one another, transversely, in parallel or both for accommodating said area.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said bodies are releasably secured to each other before use, during use or both.

6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a cross profile of said body has a hollow inverted V, a V shape, with said apex facing in an upward, a downward direction or both thereof.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said apex, said free ends or both are dimensioned for receiving said further body.

8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the length of said body is from about 15cm to about 120cm.

9. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said cross profile of said body has a dimension of from about 0.25cm to about 3.0cm in width.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein said body is substantially straight, bent or both.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein a length of said body follows the dimension of a circle, a square, a web or combinations thereof.

12. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said body lengths are slidably adjustable about other body lengths for operably accommodating said area.

13. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein an angle of said angled side is operably set in a predetermined position ranging from an angle of about degrees to about 175 degrees about said hinged apex.

14. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said apex of said body is operably hinged for movement of at least one angled side about said hinged apex thereof.

15. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said angled side is operably adjustable about said hinged apex thereof of from about 10 degrees to about 175 degrees.

16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said angled sides are dimensioned to operably accommodate the apertures therein.

17. A system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one aperture is dimensioned in an irregular shape, regular shape or both.

18. A system according to claim 1, wherein said aperture is dimensioned to be substantially round and equally spaced apart from a further aperture within the angled side, the apex or both.

19. A system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein said at least one aperture is positioned relative to a further aperture within the angled sides, the apex or both.

20. A system according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein said aperture has a diameter of from about 0.5cm to about 3.0cm.

21. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said body receives a securing device for retaining said body in an operable arrangement or at an operable angle.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein said securing device is an elongate rod with a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end having a head for controlling said rod thereof.

23. A system according to claim 21 or 22, whereby said rod secures said bodies together by engaging said proximal end and manually inserting said rod through said apertures.

24. A system according to anyone of claims 21 to 23, wherein an elongate-body of said rod expands with heat releasably securing said bodies together.

25. A system according to claim 1, wherein a container having sides extending upwards from a base thereof surrounds, supports or both of said arrangement.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein said sides have at least one aperture therein for transferring combustible or combusted gasses therethrough.

27. A system according to claim 25, wherein said base has at least one aperture therein for transferring combustible or combusted gasses therethrough.

28. A system according to anyone of claims 25 to 27, wherein said aperture is in direct alignment with at least one end, an aperture of said body or both thereof for directly transferring said gasses through said bodies.

29. A system according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein said at least one aperture is dimensioned in an irregular shape, regular shape or both.

30. A system according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein said at least one aperture is dimensioned to be substantially round and equally spaced apart from a further aperture within the side, base or both.

31. A system according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein said at least one aperture is positioned relative to a further aperture, the body end or both.

32. A system according to any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein said aperture has a diameter of from about 0.5cm to about 3.0cm.

33. A system according to claim 25, whereby said base is adjustably supported for elevating an end of said base from a ground level of said area to a predetermined distance off the ground.

34. A system according to any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein said base is supported by at least one of said bodies.

35. A system according to any one of claims 25 to 34, wherein said base is elevated and supported therefrom by operably varying said bodies positioned transversely, longitudinally or both thereof.

36. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein said body is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity for cooking, preheating, igniting, burning of the biomass fuel or combinations thereof, said biomass fuel positioned in, around or over the arrangement of bodies.

37. A system according to claim 36, wherein said material is a metal, a ceramic or both.

38. A system according to claim 36, wherein said material is a metal ceramic selected from the group consisting of transition metal carbides, nitrides and borides.

39. A system according to claim 36, wherein said material is iron, steel, stainless steel or combinations thereof.

40. A device for efficiently burning biomass comprising: a body having a predetermined length width and thickness thereof, said body width, length or both defining at least one side angled about a central portion of said body, said angled side defining an apex thereof, said width, apex or both defining at least one aperture therein.

41. A device according to claim 40, wherein said width and length of said body terminate at a free ends thereof for defining the length and the width of said body.

42. A device according to claim 41, wherein the length of said body is from about 15cm to about 120cm.

43. A device according to claim 41, wherein said width of said body is from about 1.5cm to about 120cm.

44. A device according to claims 40 to 43, wherein the length of said body follows the dimension of a circle, a square, a web or combinations thereof.

45. A device according to claim 41, wherein a cross profile of said body has an inverted- V shape, a V shape, with said apex facing in an upward, downward direction or both thereof.

46. A device according to claim 45, wherein said cross profile of said body has a dimension of from about 0.25cm to about 3.0cm in thickness.

47. A device according to any one of claims 40 to 46, wherein said apex, said free ends or both are dimensioned for receiving a further body.

48. A device according to claim 40, wherein said angled side is set in a predetermined position ranging from an angle of about 10 degrees to about 175 degrees about said apex.

49. A device according to claim 40, wherein said apex of said body is hinged defining an angle of said angled side in a range of from about 10 degrees to about 175 degrees.

50. A device according to any one of claims 40 to 49, wherein said angled side defines at least one aperture therein, said aperture dimensioned in an irregular shape, a regular shape or both thereof.

51. A device according to any one of claims 40 to 50, wherein said aperture is equally spaced apart from a further aperture within the angled side, the apex or both.

52. A device according to claim 40, wherein said aperture is substantially round.

53. A device according claim 40, wherein said aperture has a diameter of from about 0.5cm to about 3.0cm.

54. A securing-device for releasably securing said body as defined in claim 1 to a further body, comprising: an elongate-body having a proximal end and a distal end said proximal end including an engaging member thereof, said elongate body dimensioned to engage an aperture of the body, said elongate-body made of a material that expands with heat induced therein.

55. A device for surrounding a perimeter of bodies as defined in claim 25, comprising: at least one side extending upwards from a ground level and terminating in a height above, below or both of the arrangement therein, said side having a wall with a top and a bottom portion and a width having a front-wall and back-wall defining at least one aperture therethrough.

56. A device according to claim 55, wherein said device has a base integrally attached or releasably attached thereof to the side wall for containing said arrangement of bodies therein, said device having means for raising a part of or all of said base off from a ground level to a predetermined height above the ground level.

57. A device according to claim 56, wherein said raising means include at least one of said bodies operably positioned underneath said base and releasably secured therein by a securement device as defined in claim 54.

58. A device according to any one of claims 55 to 57, wherein said wall, base or both define at least one aperture therein, said aperture dimensioned to receive said elongate-body or combustible or combusted gasses therethrough.

59. A device according to claim 40, wherein said body has a cross profile of a hollow triangular shape having three equilateral sides, one of said sides defining at least one aperture therethrough.

60. A device according to claim 40, wherein said body has a cross profile of a hollow square shape having four opposing sides, one of said sides defining at least one aperture therethrough.

61. A device according to claim 40, wherein said body has a cross profile of a hollow tube shape having an opposing inner side defining at least one aperture therethrough.

62. A device according to any one of claims 59 to 61, wherein said shape is pivotally hinged about at least one point along a length, width or both of said shape.

63. A device according to any one of claims 40 to 62, wherein the dimension of the body dissipates the fuel around the arrangement of devices for efficient cooking, preheating, igniting, burning of the biomass fuel or combinations thereof.

64. A device according to any one of claims 40 to 63, wherein said apertures of said body transfer heat and combustible or combusted gasses throughout the biomass fuel for efficient cooking, preheating, igniting, burning of the biomass fuel or combinations thereof.

65. A device according to any one of claims 40 to 64, wherein the body of the device cooks the fuel of the biomass generating further heat for cooking or preheating, igniting and burning more fuel for generating a constant supply of heat therefrom.