EP4212772B1 - Combustion system and method of operation thereof - Google Patents
Combustion system and method of operation thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4212772B1 EP4212772B1 EP22165657.2A EP22165657A EP4212772B1 EP 4212772 B1 EP4212772 B1 EP 4212772B1 EP 22165657 A EP22165657 A EP 22165657A EP 4212772 B1 EP4212772 B1 EP 4212772B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- fuel tank
- fuel
- propylene glycol
- glycol based
- based liquid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 title claims description 32
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propylene glycol Chemical compound CC(O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 225
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims description 109
- 239000002828 fuel tank Substances 0.000 claims description 102
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 81
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 210000002268 wool Anatomy 0.000 claims description 2
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isopropanol Chemical compound CC(C)O KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 231100000481 chemical toxicant Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000077 insect repellent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003440 toxic substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 244000166675 Cymbopogon nardus Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000018791 Cymbopogon nardus Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000238631 Hexapoda Species 0.000 description 1
- BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Orthosilicate Chemical compound [O-][Si]([O-])([O-])[O-] BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006231 aramid fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000000222 aromatherapy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003763 carbonization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003197 catalytic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013329 compounding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001877 deodorizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003205 fragrance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000417 fungicide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004009 herbicide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002917 insecticide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011490 mineral wool Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011017 operating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009428 plumbing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008262 pumice Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001846 repelling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001502 supplementing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000419 toxicity Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000001988 toxicity Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D3/00—Burners using capillary action
- F23D3/02—Wick burners
- F23D3/18—Details of wick burners
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23K—FEEDING FUEL TO COMBUSTION APPARATUS
- F23K5/00—Feeding or distributing other fuel to combustion apparatus
- F23K5/02—Liquid fuel
- F23K5/04—Feeding or distributing systems using pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D11/00—Burners using a direct spraying action of liquid droplets or vaporised liquid into the combustion space
- F23D11/36—Details, e.g. burner cooling means, noise reduction means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D3/00—Burners using capillary action
- F23D3/02—Wick burners
- F23D3/08—Wick burners characterised by shape, construction, or material, of wick
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N1/00—Regulating fuel supply
- F23N1/005—Regulating fuel supply using electrical or electromechanical means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D2202/00—Liquid fuel burners
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D2214/00—Cooling
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D2900/00—Special features of, or arrangements for burners using fluid fuels or solid fuels suspended in a carrier gas
- F23D2900/31004—Wick burners using alcohol as a fuel
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23K—FEEDING FUEL TO COMBUSTION APPARATUS
- F23K2900/00—Special features of, or arrangements for fuel supplies
- F23K2900/05001—Control or safety devices in gaseous or liquid fuel supply lines
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23K—FEEDING FUEL TO COMBUSTION APPARATUS
- F23K2900/00—Special features of, or arrangements for fuel supplies
- F23K2900/05003—Non-continuous fluid fuel supply
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N2225/00—Measuring
- F23N2225/02—Measuring filling height in burners
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a combustion system and method of operation thereof.
- Propylene glycol based fuels contain at least 60 wt% propylene glycol and have a flash point of at least higher than 50°C, which can even be as high as 104°C depending on the compounding ratio. So propylene glycol based fuels are actually a non-inflammable flammable liquid fuel. "Non-inflammable” means that it won't catch fire when in contact with a flame (such as a match) at room temperature, and "flammable” means that it can burn under the right conditions. Further, burning propylene glycol based fuels will extinguish if poured onto a surface which is at a temperature the same as the ambient temperature, thereby preventing the fire from spreading.
- a wick is essential for supplying fuel to a flame and draws up the fuel by the capillary attraction.
- the wick may be made of, for example, glass fibers, ceramic fiber materials, silicate fiber materials or rock wool, or polymeric materials such as aramid fibers, cotton or porous materials such as pumice, or other wick materials known in the art.
- the metal wick does not produce carbonization and wear during combustion and so more suitable for burning propylene glycol based liquid fuels completely.
- metal wicks has a problem of getting overheated due to a good thermal conductivity of the metal, thereby affecting the flame size and transferring heat from the flame tip to the fuel.
- US 10 842 146 B1 describes a system for repelling insects from an outdoor area which includes at least one torch configured to disburse an insect repellant by burning a fuel, and a central fuel reservoir interconnected with the torches by a fuel plumbing system and configured to automatically replenish the fuel in a local reservoir of the torch.
- EP 0 540 133 A2 describes a cooking fuel device which includes a fuel container and a wick supporting member positioned at the top of the container.
- US 2018/266677 A1 describes a wick configured from a single metallic meshed wick material which continuously includes a spiral section with a shape including at least one loop, a folded section with a shape including a fold, a first length extending away from the spiral section to the fold and along a first imaginary plane and a second length extending from the fold to the spiral section and along a second imaginary plane, and a wrapped section with a shape including at least one contour conforming shapes of the spiral and folded sections.
- US 2008/014539 A1 describes low vapor pressure compound-based fuels, which are useful in catalytic burner systems that can be used to disperse fragrances, insecticides, insect repellants (e.g., citronella), aromatherapy compounds, medicinal compounds, deodorizing compounds, disinfectant compositions, fungicides and herbicides.
- the present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.
- a combustion system using at least 90 wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel includes a first fuel tank for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel, a wick for transmitting the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first tank, a sensing unit configured to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly, a second fuel tank for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel, a conduit system connecting the first fuel tank to the second fuel tank, and a drive unit connected with the conduit system and configured to receive the fuel replenishment signal so as to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank to replenish the first fuel tank through the conduit system as well as to cool the wick.
- a method of operating the combustion system includes preparing the combustion system; using the sensing unit to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly; and using the drive unit to receive the fuel replenishment signal so as to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank to replenish the first fuel tank through the conduit system, and to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from the second fuel tank to cool the wick.
- FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective and partial, cross-sectional views of a combustion system in accordance with the present invention respectively.
- the combustion system of the present invention uses at least 90 wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel.
- the combustion system includes a first fuel tank 10, a second fuel tank 20, and a drive unit 40.
- the first fuel tank 10 is for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel and includes a wick 11 inserted therein for transmitting the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first tank 10.
- the wick 11 is made of non wool material.
- the wick 11 is made of metal.
- the wick 11 is made of carbon fiber.
- the first fuel tank 10 also includes a sensing unit 12 configured to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly, i.e. when the liquid level is at a low predetermined level
- the second fuel tank 20 is for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel.
- the second fuel tank 20 is connected to the first fuel tank 10 by a conduit system 30.
- the drive unit 40 is connected with the conduit system 30 and configured to receive the fuel replenishment signal so as to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank 20 to replenish the first fuel tank 10 through the conduit system 30 as well as to cool the wick 11.
- the sensing unit 12 can sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 in advance, and if the liquid level is low, it will send the fuel replenishment signal the driving unit 40.
- the signal causes the drive unit 40 to replenish the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank 20 to flow into the first fuel tank 10 through the conduit system 30 until a high liquid level is achieved; on the contrary, a user can ignite the wick 11 if the liquid level is high.
- the fuel replenishing signal is sent to the drive unit 40, so that the drive unit 40 causes the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank 20 to replenish the first fuel tank 10 through the conduit system 30, and the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from the second fuel tank 20 can not only supply fuel to and maintain the flame, but also cool the wick 11 heated by the flame so as to prevent the wick 11 from being overheated to affect the size and shape of the flame.
- the above efficacy is based in particular on the high flash point characteristics of propylene glycol based fuels, utilizing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from the second fuel tank 20 to cool the wick 11 that has been heated by the flame and stabilize the flame size and shape, generally Ethanol or isopropanol based fuels cannot be used in this way, because their flash point is extremely low, and they are ignited upon contact with the wick 11 heated by the flame, and cannot be used to cool the wick 11 at all.
- the driving unit 40 is configured to receive a shutdown signal so as to pump the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 to the second fuel tank 20 by the conduit system 30.
- a shutdown signal so as to pump the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 to the second fuel tank 20 by the conduit system 30.
- the wick 11 when the wick 11 is in the ignited state, it will conduct the heat of the flame to the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10.
- the propylene glycol based liquid fuel when the propylene glycol based liquid fuel is pumped to the second fuel tank 20 the wick 11 is also cooled, thereby better cooling the environment temperature. This is the characteristic of the high flash point of propylene glycol based fuel, and the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 is cooled by the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from the second fuel tank 20.
- the driving unit 40 when the driving unit 40 receives the shutdown signal and pumps the level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 to a height that cannot be transmitted by the wick 11 to generate a flame, or after the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 is completely pumped to the second fuel tank 20 (sensed by the sensing unit 12), it continues operating for a predetermined period of time so as to extract exhaust gas produced after the flame goes out through the conduit system 30.
- the volume of the first fuel tank 10 in this embodiment is smaller than the volume of the second fuel tank 20, and more preferably, the volume of the second fuel tank 20 is at least ten times larger than a volume of the first fuel tank 10.
- At least 90 wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel used by the combustion system of the present invention can preferably contain 95 wt% propylene glycol.
- conduit system 30 of the present invention can include a first conduit connecting the first fuel tank 10 to the drive unit 40 and a second conduit 32 connecting the second fuel tank 20 to the drive unit 40.
- the drive unit 40 includes a motor 41 which is adapted to transmit the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank 20 to the first fuel tank 10 through the conduit system 30, or to transmit the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 to the second fuel tank 20 through the conduit system 30.
- Fig. 3 shows a method flowchart of operating the combustion system using at least 90wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel.
- the method includes preparing the combustion system, which has been described in detail above, and will not be repeated here for brevity; using the sensing unit 12 to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly i.e.
- the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 reaches a height for igniting the wick 11 or maintaining the flame generated by the wick 11 in the ignited state, and it is worth noting that the wick 11 will heat up due to heat conduction in the ignited state, and the wick 11 can be cooled by supplementing the normal temperature propylene glycol-based liquid fuel from the second fuel tank 20 to achieve the cooling effect; and using the drive unit 40 to receive a shutdown signal and pump the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 to the second fuel tank 20 through the conduit system 30, and wherein the drive unit 40 continues operating for a predetermined period of time after receiving the shutdown signal and pumping the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 to the second fuel tank 20 so as to extract exhaust gas produced after the flame goes out.
- the operating method of the combustion system further includes the steps that the driving unit 40 receives the shutdown signal, and accordingly, the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 is pumped to the second fuel tank 20 through the conduit system 30 until the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 is low and the wick 11 cannot generate a flame, or the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 is completely pumped to the second fuel tank 20, so that the flame of the wick 11 goes out.
- the driving unit 40 After the driving unit 40 receives the shutdown signal and pumps the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 to a low level, or completely pumps the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank 10 to the second fuel tank 20 (sensed by the sensing unit 12), it continues operating for a predetermined period of time to extract the exhaust gas generated by the extinguishment of the flame of the wick 11 through the conduit system 30.
Description
- The present invention relates to a combustion system and method of operation thereof.
- Current combustion systems, such as fireplaces, which can create warm and cozy atmosphere, mostly use an ethanol-based fuel, which is a highly flammable liquid, which may lead to an explosion risk or burn injuries during the procedure of filling fuel. The risk is especially high especially after the fireplace is completely extinguished or cooled sufficiently. Further, when a fireplace accidentally falls, ethanol-based fuels can cause the fire to spread rapidly. Likewise, isopropanol, which is also frequently used as a fuel, suffers similar disadvantages as ethanol-based fuels.
- It has now been found that the above problems can be overcome by using propylene glycol based fuels. Propylene glycol based fuels contain at least 60 wt% propylene glycol and have a flash point of at least higher than 50°C, which can even be as high as 104°C depending on the compounding ratio. So propylene glycol based fuels are actually a non-inflammable flammable liquid fuel. "Non-inflammable" means that it won't catch fire when in contact with a flame (such as a match) at room temperature, and "flammable" means that it can burn under the right conditions. Further, burning propylene glycol based fuels will extinguish if poured onto a surface which is at a temperature the same as the ambient temperature, thereby preventing the fire from spreading.
- Additionally, a wick is essential for supplying fuel to a flame and draws up the fuel by the capillary attraction. The wick may be made of, for example, glass fibers, ceramic fiber materials, silicate fiber materials or rock wool, or polymeric materials such as aramid fibers, cotton or porous materials such as pumice, or other wick materials known in the art. In contrast to wicks made of other materials, the metal wick does not produce carbonization and wear during combustion and so more suitable for burning propylene glycol based liquid fuels completely. However, metal wicks has a problem of getting overheated due to a good thermal conductivity of the metal, thereby affecting the flame size and transferring heat from the flame tip to the fuel.
-
US 10 842 146 B1 -
EP 0 540 133 A2 describes a cooking fuel device which includes a fuel container and a wick supporting member positioned at the top of the container. -
US 2018/266677 A1 describes a wick configured from a single metallic meshed wick material which continuously includes a spiral section with a shape including at least one loop, a folded section with a shape including a fold, a first length extending away from the spiral section to the fold and along a first imaginary plane and a second length extending from the fold to the spiral section and along a second imaginary plane, and a wrapped section with a shape including at least one contour conforming shapes of the spiral and folded sections. -
US 2008/014539 A1 describes low vapor pressure compound-based fuels, which are useful in catalytic burner systems that can be used to disperse fragrances, insecticides, insect repellants (e.g., citronella), aromatherapy compounds, medicinal compounds, deodorizing compounds, disinfectant compositions, fungicides and herbicides. - Generally, when the flame is extinguished, the wick and the fuel are still hot, indicating that the fuel is evaporating to produce exhaust gas with toxic chemicals. While propylene glycol based fuel is a low smoke toxicity fuel, even the smallest amount of toxic chemicals can raise concerns regarding human health. Therefore, providing a combustion system that people can use without risk to their health and can be used in an environment with children and pregnant women is desirable.
- The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.
- The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims.
- According to the present invention, a combustion system using at least 90 wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel according to claim 1 includes a first fuel tank for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel, a wick for transmitting the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first tank, a sensing unit configured to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly, a second fuel tank for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel, a conduit system connecting the first fuel tank to the second fuel tank, and a drive unit connected with the conduit system and configured to receive the fuel replenishment signal so as to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank to replenish the first fuel tank through the conduit system as well as to cool the wick.
- Further, a method of operating the combustion system according to
claim 10 includes preparing the combustion system; using the sensing unit to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly; and using the drive unit to receive the fuel replenishment signal so as to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank to replenish the first fuel tank through the conduit system, and to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from the second fuel tank to cool the wick. -
-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a combustion system in accordance with the present invention. -
Fig. 2 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the combustion system ofFig. 1 . -
Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the method of using the combustion system of the present invention. -
FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 are perspective and partial, cross-sectional views of a combustion system in accordance with the present invention respectively. The combustion system of the present invention uses at least 90 wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel. The combustion system includes afirst fuel tank 10, asecond fuel tank 20, and adrive unit 40. - The
first fuel tank 10 is for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel and includes awick 11 inserted therein for transmitting the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst tank 10. Preferably, thewick 11 is made of non wool material. Preferably, thewick 11 is made of metal. Preferably, thewick 11 is made of carbon fiber. Thefirst fuel tank 10 also includes asensing unit 12 configured to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly, i.e. when the liquid level is at a low predetermined level - The
second fuel tank 20 is for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel. Thesecond fuel tank 20 is connected to thefirst fuel tank 10 by aconduit system 30. - The
drive unit 40 is connected with theconduit system 30 and configured to receive the fuel replenishment signal so as to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thesecond fuel tank 20 to replenish thefirst fuel tank 10 through theconduit system 30 as well as to cool thewick 11. - Before the
wick 11 is lit, thesensing unit 12 can sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 in advance, and if the liquid level is low, it will send the fuel replenishment signal thedriving unit 40. The signal causes thedrive unit 40 to replenish the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thesecond fuel tank 20 to flow into thefirst fuel tank 10 through theconduit system 30 until a high liquid level is achieved; on the contrary, a user can ignite thewick 11 if the liquid level is high. When thewick 11 is lit and starts to transmit the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 to a flame, once thesensing unit 12 senses that the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 is consumed to a low level, the fuel replenishing signal is sent to thedrive unit 40, so that thedrive unit 40 causes the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thesecond fuel tank 20 to replenish thefirst fuel tank 10 through theconduit system 30, and the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from thesecond fuel tank 20 can not only supply fuel to and maintain the flame, but also cool thewick 11 heated by the flame so as to prevent thewick 11 from being overheated to affect the size and shape of the flame. - The above efficacy is based in particular on the high flash point characteristics of propylene glycol based fuels, utilizing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from the
second fuel tank 20 to cool thewick 11 that has been heated by the flame and stabilize the flame size and shape, generally Ethanol or isopropanol based fuels cannot be used in this way, because their flash point is extremely low, and they are ignited upon contact with thewick 11 heated by the flame, and cannot be used to cool thewick 11 at all. - In addition, the
driving unit 40 is configured to receive a shutdown signal so as to pump the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 to thesecond fuel tank 20 by theconduit system 30. When thewick 11 is in the ignited state, once thedriving unit 40 receives the shutdown signal, it starts to pump the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 to thesecond fuel tank 20 until the propylene glycol based liquid fuel is at a low level such that thewick 11 cannot generate a flame, or the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 is completely pumped to thesecond fuel tank 20 to extinguish the flame of thewick 11. Further, when thewick 11 is in the ignited state, it will conduct the heat of the flame to the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10. Thus, when the propylene glycol based liquid fuel is pumped to thesecond fuel tank 20 thewick 11 is also cooled, thereby better cooling the environment temperature. This is the characteristic of the high flash point of propylene glycol based fuel, and the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 is cooled by the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from thesecond fuel tank 20. - Further, when the
driving unit 40 receives the shutdown signal and pumps the level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 to a height that cannot be transmitted by thewick 11 to generate a flame, or after the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 is completely pumped to the second fuel tank 20 (sensed by the sensing unit 12), it continues operating for a predetermined period of time so as to extract exhaust gas produced after the flame goes out through theconduit system 30. - In order to improve the cooling efficiency of the fuel, the volume of the
first fuel tank 10 in this embodiment is smaller than the volume of thesecond fuel tank 20, and more preferably, the volume of thesecond fuel tank 20 is at least ten times larger than a volume of thefirst fuel tank 10. - Further, at least 90 wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel used by the combustion system of the present invention can preferably contain 95 wt% propylene glycol.
- Further, the
conduit system 30 of the present invention can include a first conduit connecting thefirst fuel tank 10 to thedrive unit 40 and asecond conduit 32 connecting thesecond fuel tank 20 to thedrive unit 40. - Further, the
drive unit 40 includes amotor 41 which is adapted to transmit the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thesecond fuel tank 20 to thefirst fuel tank 10 through theconduit system 30, or to transmit the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 to thesecond fuel tank 20 through theconduit system 30. -
Fig. 3 shows a method flowchart of operating the combustion system using at least 90wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel. The method includes preparing the combustion system, which has been described in detail above, and will not be repeated here for brevity; using thesensing unit 12 to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly i.e. if the liquid level is not high enough for ignitingwick 11; using thedrive unit 40 to receive the fuel replenishment signal so as to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thesecond fuel tank 20 to replenish thefirst fuel tank 10 through theconduit system 30, and to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from thesecond fuel tank 20 to cool thewick 11, i.e. the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 reaches a height for igniting thewick 11 or maintaining the flame generated by thewick 11 in the ignited state, and it is worth noting that thewick 11 will heat up due to heat conduction in the ignited state, and thewick 11 can be cooled by supplementing the normal temperature propylene glycol-based liquid fuel from thesecond fuel tank 20 to achieve the cooling effect; and using thedrive unit 40 to receive a shutdown signal and pump the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 to thesecond fuel tank 20 through theconduit system 30, and wherein thedrive unit 40 continues operating for a predetermined period of time after receiving the shutdown signal and pumping the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 to thesecond fuel tank 20 so as to extract exhaust gas produced after the flame goes out. - The operating method of the combustion system further includes the steps that the
driving unit 40 receives the shutdown signal, and accordingly, the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 is pumped to thesecond fuel tank 20 through theconduit system 30 until the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 is low and thewick 11 cannot generate a flame, or the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 is completely pumped to thesecond fuel tank 20, so that the flame of thewick 11 goes out. - After the
driving unit 40 receives the shutdown signal and pumps the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 to a low level, or completely pumps the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in thefirst fuel tank 10 to the second fuel tank 20 (sensed by the sensing unit 12), it continues operating for a predetermined period of time to extract the exhaust gas generated by the extinguishment of the flame of thewick 11 through theconduit system 30.
Claims (12)
- A combustion system using at least 90 wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel, the combustion system comprising:a first fuel tank (10) for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel, a wick (11) for transmitting the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank (10), a sensing unit (12) configured to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank (10) and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly, a second fuel tank (20) for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel, a conduit system (30) connecting the first fuel tank (10) to the second fuel tank (20), and a drive unit (40) connected with the conduit system (30) and configured to receive the fuel replenishment signal so as to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank (20) to replenish the first fuel tank (10) through the conduit system (30) as well as to cool the wick (11), whereinthe drive unit (40) is also configured to receive a shutdown signal so as to pump the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank (10) into the second fuel tank (20).
- The combustion system as claimed in the previous claim 1, wherein the drive unit (40) is configured to continue pumping the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank (10) into the second fuel tank (20) for a predetermined time after receiving the shutdown signal.
- The combustion system of claim 1, wherein the volume of the first fuel tank (10) is smaller than the volume of the second fuel tank (20).
- The combustion system as claimed in the previous claim 3, wherein the volume of the second fuel tank (20) is at least ten times larger than a volume of the first fuel tank (10).
- The combustion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conduit system (30) includes a first conduit (31) connecting the first fuel tank (10) to the drive unit (40) and a second conduit (32) connecting the second fuel tank (20) to the drive unit (40).
- The combustion system of claim 1, wherein the drive unit (40) includes a motor (41).
- The combustion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wick (11) is made of non wool material.
- The combustion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wick (11) is made of metal.
- The combustion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wick (11) is made of carbon fiber.
- A method of operating a combustion system using at least 90wt% propylene glycol based liquid fuel, comprising:preparing a combustion system which includes:a first fuel tank (10) for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel with a wick (11) inserted therein for transmitting the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank (10), and a sensing unit (12) disposed therein;a second fuel tank (20) for containing the propylene glycol based liquid fuel;a conduit system (30) connecting the first fuel tank (10) to the second fuel tank (20); anda drive unit (40) connected with the conduit system (30)using the sensing unit (12) to receive an activating signal and sense the liquid level of the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank (10) and send a fuel replenishment signal accordingly;using the drive unit (40) to receive the fuel replenishment signal so as to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the second fuel tank (20) to replenish the first fuel tank (10) through the conduit system (30), and to cause the propylene glycol based liquid fuel from the second fuel tank (20) to cool the wick (11); andusing the drive unit (40) to receive a shutdown signal and pump the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank (10) to the second fuel tank (20) through the conduit system (30), and wherein the drive unit (40) continues operating for a predetermined period of time after receiving the shutdown signal and pumping the propylene glycol based liquid fuel in the first fuel tank (10) to the second fuel tank (20) so as to extract exhaust gas produced after the flame goes out.
- The combustion system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wick (11) is made of metal.
- The combustion system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wick (11) is made of carbon fiber.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
TW111101720A TWI783858B (en) | 2022-01-14 | 2022-01-14 | Combustion system and operation method thereof |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4212772A1 EP4212772A1 (en) | 2023-07-19 |
EP4212772B1 true EP4212772B1 (en) | 2024-01-31 |
EP4212772C0 EP4212772C0 (en) | 2024-01-31 |
Family
ID=81074263
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP22165657.2A Active EP4212772B1 (en) | 2022-01-14 | 2022-03-30 | Combustion system and method of operation thereof |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20230228414A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4212772B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3240815U (en) |
AU (1) | AU2022201378B2 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI783858B (en) |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5589014U (en) * | 1978-12-13 | 1980-06-19 | ||
EP0540133B1 (en) * | 1991-10-31 | 1996-06-19 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Cooking fuel container |
WO1998033011A1 (en) * | 1997-01-24 | 1998-07-30 | Wallace Burak | Disposable fuel burner |
US8062389B2 (en) * | 2006-02-08 | 2011-11-22 | The Board Of Regents Of The University Of Texas System | Low vapor pressure fuels for use in catalytic burners |
CA2702099A1 (en) * | 2006-10-12 | 2008-04-17 | Stonewick, Inc. | Catalytic burner |
US8490617B2 (en) * | 2008-12-26 | 2013-07-23 | GHT Global Heating Technologies, GmbH | Jet cavity catalytic heater |
TW201510442A (en) * | 2013-09-05 | 2015-03-16 | Pro Iroda Ind Inc | Wick of flaming device |
EP2865734B1 (en) * | 2013-10-25 | 2019-02-20 | Sara Carine Wilma Torfs | Use of safe fuel in wicked open geometry devices |
CN207230634U (en) * | 2017-08-16 | 2018-04-13 | 常州恩图机电科技有限公司 | A kind of air-cooled intelligent alcohol fireplace |
US10842146B1 (en) * | 2020-07-14 | 2020-11-24 | Joseph Pannullo | Insect repellent torch system with automatic fuel replenishment |
US20210041103A1 (en) * | 2020-10-27 | 2021-02-11 | Eric Champagne | Portable Liquid Fuel Vaporizer |
-
2022
- 2022-01-14 TW TW111101720A patent/TWI783858B/en active
- 2022-02-24 US US17/679,374 patent/US20230228414A1/en active Pending
- 2022-02-28 AU AU2022201378A patent/AU2022201378B2/en active Active
- 2022-03-30 EP EP22165657.2A patent/EP4212772B1/en active Active
- 2022-12-09 JP JP2022004058U patent/JP3240815U/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TWI783858B (en) | 2022-11-11 |
AU2022201378B2 (en) | 2024-02-29 |
EP4212772A1 (en) | 2023-07-19 |
US20230228414A1 (en) | 2023-07-20 |
JP3240815U (en) | 2023-02-06 |
AU2022201378A1 (en) | 2023-08-03 |
TW202328594A (en) | 2023-07-16 |
EP4212772C0 (en) | 2024-01-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8268027B2 (en) | Meltable fuel gas generation apparatus and methods | |
US6033212A (en) | Lamp for dispensing volatile substances | |
EP0843561B1 (en) | Device for dispensing a volatile substance | |
US5928605A (en) | Device for dispensing a volatile substance | |
US20200049344A1 (en) | Solid Fuel Burning System and Method with Electronic Ignition | |
US9709263B2 (en) | Fuel burning system and method | |
US20130101946A1 (en) | Fuel Management of a Melting Fuel | |
DK177438B3 (en) | Electronically controlled burner | |
US20180335206A1 (en) | Wax Burning System | |
TW201431573A (en) | Essential oil evaporating device capable of accelerating the evaporation | |
US9074763B2 (en) | Spill proof alcohol burner | |
EP4212772B1 (en) | Combustion system and method of operation thereof | |
WO2004044111A2 (en) | Wind resistant candle | |
CA2625935C (en) | Self-extinguishing relightable wick for use on candles and the like | |
EP2865734B1 (en) | Use of safe fuel in wicked open geometry devices | |
US20150125797A1 (en) | Fuel Burning System and Method | |
CN116481025A (en) | Combustion apparatus and method of operating the same | |
US20130216966A1 (en) | Spill proof alcohol burner | |
JPH0129381Y2 (en) | ||
JPH0322533B2 (en) | ||
JP2000184843A (en) | Pest control and pest-controlling apparatus usable therefor | |
AU2005100797A4 (en) | Vapour release mechanism | |
JPS6217160B2 (en) | ||
JPS61202010A (en) | Flame extinguishing device for kerosene stove | |
JPS6113131B2 (en) |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20230111 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20230907 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602022001732 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
U01 | Request for unitary effect filed |
Effective date: 20240205 |
|
U07 | Unitary effect registered |
Designated state(s): AT BE BG DE DK EE FI FR IT LT LU LV MT NL PT SE SI Effective date: 20240214 |