GB2072817A - Boiler adapted to burn different fuels - Google Patents

Abstract

A boiler adapted alternatively to burn a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel comprises a casing 1 which contains a gravity fed solid fuel combustion chamber and a separate gas or liquid fuel combustion chamber situated laterally adjacent the solid fuel combustion chamber. Each said chamber has at least one associated combustion air inlet 15, 16, and is connected to a common flue 21 having a laterally adjacent water tank 20/23 situated so as to be heated by the combustion gases. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Boiler adapted to burn different fuels This invention relates to a boiler which is adapted alternatively to burn a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel each in an efficient and reliable manner.

The main advantage of such a boiler is that the user has at all times the option of using that specific fuel which happens to be in plentiful supply or is most suited to the installation site.

In accordance with the present invention therefore there is proposed a boiler adapted alternatively to burn a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel comprising a casing which contains a gravity fed solid fuel combustion chamber and a separate gas or liquid fuel combustion chamber situated laterally adjacent the solid fuel combustion chamber; each said chamber having at least one associated combustion air inlet and being connected to a common flue having a laterally adjacent water tank situated so as to be heated by combustion gases.

A particular and at present preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevations of a boiler which differ only in that in Fig. 2 the side casing plate has been removed so as to expose the interior components of the boiler.

Referring now to the drawings, the boiler is of generally rectangular shape and has an inside casing 1 surrounded by a jacket of insulating material 2 and mounted on a plinth 3.

The left side of the casing 1 contains the main components of a gravity feed solid fuel firming system. There is thus provided a top opening 4 for delivering solid fuel to a hopper 5. Beneath this hopper there is a downwardly inclined chute 6 by way of which the fuel reaches a combustion chamber defined between the chute end, a roof element 7, a side wall 8, an inclined floor 9 and an ash clearing or de-clinkering ram 10 slidably mounted on the floor 9. The ram 10 is reciprocable beneath the floor by rotary motion of an externally accessible lever 11 which operates through a link 12 so as to deposit clinker or ash into a tray 13 which is removable through an opening closed by an access door 14.Forced draught primary combustion air is supplied by operation of a thermostatically controlled fan unit 15 whilst secondary air is supplied through a radially vented tube 16 in the top part of the side wall 8.

If desired there may be associated with the left side of the casing 1 a feed screw for conveying solid fuel from an outside bunker into the hopper 58 The right side lower part of the casing 1as viewed in the drawings -- is adapted to receive alternatively either a gas burner unit or an oil burner unit which would be installed through an opening closed by a door 17. Such a unit would be located on or above a grid 18 which constitutes the floor of a second combustion chamber bounded by the right hand side of the side wall 8, by a plate 19 spaced away from and parallel to the right hand lower part of the casing 1, and by the base of a hot water tank 20.

The first and second combustion chambers communicate with a vertical flue 21 which contains a baffle structure 22 and a central water heater 23. The water heater 23 is intended to be connected to a central heating system whereas the tank 20, which may contain an auxiliary immersion heater 24 is intended to form part of a hot water supply system.

Below the grid 18 there is an air inlet opening in a removable plate 25. Also diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1 is a thermometer 26, a thermostat 27, a rocker lever 28 for defouling the baffle structure and the back end 29 of the fan motor.

1. A boiler adapted alternatively to burn a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel comprising a casing which contains a gravity fed solid fuel combustion chamber and a separate gas or liquid fuel combustion chamber situated laterally adjacent the solid fuel combustion chamber; each said chamber having at least one associated combustion air inlet and being connected to a common flue having a laterally adjacent water tank situated so as to be heated by combustion gases.

2. A boiler in accordance with claim 1 in which the flue contains a water heater.

3. A boiler in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which a solid fuel bunker is situated laterally adjacent the flue.

4. A boiler in accordance with Claims 1 and 2 wherein baffles are installed between the water heater and the flue wall.

5. A boiler constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Boiler adapted to burn different fuels This invention relates to a boiler which is adapted alternatively to burn a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel each in an efficient and reliable manner. The main advantage of such a boiler is that the user has at all times the option of using that specific fuel which happens to be in plentiful supply or is most suited to the installation site. In accordance with the present invention therefore there is proposed a boiler adapted alternatively to burn a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel comprising a casing which contains a gravity fed solid fuel combustion chamber and a separate gas or liquid fuel combustion chamber situated laterally adjacent the solid fuel combustion chamber; each said chamber having at least one associated combustion air inlet and being connected to a common flue having a laterally adjacent water tank situated so as to be heated by combustion gases. A particular and at present preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevations of a boiler which differ only in that in Fig. 2 the side casing plate has been removed so as to expose the interior components of the boiler. Referring now to the drawings, the boiler is of generally rectangular shape and has an inside casing 1 surrounded by a jacket of insulating material 2 and mounted on a plinth 3. The left side of the casing 1 contains the main components of a gravity feed solid fuel firming system. There is thus provided a top opening 4 for delivering solid fuel to a hopper 5. Beneath this hopper there is a downwardly inclined chute 6 by way of which the fuel reaches a combustion chamber defined between the chute end, a roof element 7, a side wall 8, an inclined floor 9 and an ash clearing or de-clinkering ram 10 slidably mounted on the floor 9. The ram 10 is reciprocable beneath the floor by rotary motion of an externally accessible lever 11 which operates through a link 12 so as to deposit clinker or ash into a tray 13 which is removable through an opening closed by an access door 14.Forced draught primary combustion air is supplied by operation of a thermostatically controlled fan unit 15 whilst secondary air is supplied through a radially vented tube 16 in the top part of the side wall 8. If desired there may be associated with the left side of the casing 1 a feed screw for conveying solid fuel from an outside bunker into the hopper 58 The right side lower part of the casing 1as viewed in the drawings -- is adapted to receive alternatively either a gas burner unit or an oil burner unit which would be installed through an opening closed by a door 17. Such a unit would be located on or above a grid 18 which constitutes the floor of a second combustion chamber bounded by the right hand side of the side wall 8, by a plate 19 spaced away from and parallel to the right hand lower part of the casing 1, and by the base of a hot water tank 20. The first and second combustion chambers communicate with a vertical flue 21 which contains a baffle structure 22 and a central water heater 23. The water heater 23 is intended to be connected to a central heating system whereas the tank 20, which may contain an auxiliary immersion heater 24 is intended to form part of a hot water supply system. Below the grid 18 there is an air inlet opening in a removable plate 25. Also diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1 is a thermometer 26, a thermostat 27, a rocker lever 28 for defouling the baffle structure and the back end 29 of the fan motor. CLAIMS

1. A boiler adapted alternatively to burn a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel comprising a casing which contains a gravity fed solid fuel combustion chamber and a separate gas or liquid fuel combustion chamber situated laterally adjacent the solid fuel combustion chamber; each said chamber having at least one associated combustion air inlet and being connected to a common flue having a laterally adjacent water tank situated so as to be heated by combustion gases.

2. A boiler in accordance with claim 1 in which the flue contains a water heater.

3. A boiler in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which a solid fuel bunker is situated laterally adjacent the flue.

4. A boiler in accordance with Claims 1 and 2 wherein baffles are installed between the water heater and the flue wall.

5. A boiler constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.