US1674163A - Fuel lighter - Google Patents

Description

Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED. STATES FRIEDRICH JOSEF DIEDERICHS, or nnnnrmenmvmn FUEL LIGHTER.

No Drawing. Application filed .Tune5, 1926, Serial 80.114927, and in Germany April 15, 1926.

Fuel-lighters have become known which consist of a mixture of saw dust and easily ignitable substances so that they can be ignited by the commonly used means. Owing to the low ignition point these fuel lighters are liable to catch fire easily so that they are dangerous under some conditions and cannot be used everywhere.

This invention has for its object to create a fuel-lighter, consisting preferably also of saw dust or wood-shavings, which are intimately mixed with a substance generating oxygen but not explosive. In order to obtain the highest possible combustion point, the mass is impregnated with oils which are diflicult to ignite so that a combustion point of high temperature, e. g. above 600 0., is obtained. In this state any danger of catching fire is avoided, so that the mass may be used also where, under any circumstances, i nition at low temperature must be avoided. I or the purpose of igniting the mass, primers, burning at high temperature and of known type, are used. Owing to the slow development of temperature the mass cannot be ignited with an ordinary match. Several seconds after this mass has been ignited its entire surface will burn, and develop, owing to the generating of oxygen at the combustion, such a high temperature that after a short time the fuel has been ignited. The igniting-mass is further distinguished in that it is effective also in small quantities, burning also in this case with big flames of high temperature.

The process for manufacturing the mass for igniting fuel is carried out as follows In a IIllXlIlg machine of convenient type saw dust, wood-shavings and other convenient material areintimately admixed with products generating oxygen, (for instance peroxides and superoxides, especially barium peroxide, barium superoxide and potassium perchlorate) and oils possessing a high combustion-point, such as a highly distilled mineral oil poor in hydrocarbons and having a high flash point so as to give the mixture a high combustion point, e. g., 600 C.

According to whether a rich or poor prodnot has to be produced a material is selected which generates oxygen more or less easily. After intimate admixing, the product obtained, which does not require any subsequent treatment, can be compressed in any quantity and moulded,\tl1e briquettes obtained being ready for use. In accordance with the quantity of fuel to be ignited a greater or lesser portion of igniting mass is used. The mass is adapted for igniting large furnaces for instance of locomotives and other large plants, or for steam heating plants as well as for domestic use.

For the mixing and the inflammation point of the mixture .is of importance, aside from the flash point of the oil, and the oxygen carrier,'the granulation (size of the grain of the basic substance) as well as the relative proportions of the three.

A suitable mixture is for instance (1) 500 gr. saw dust of a grain about the size of a pin head. 350 gr. oil of a flash point of about 270 C. p 100 gr. potassium perchlorate.

(2) 600 gr. saw dust as above.

300 gr. oil of a flash point of about 270 C. 100 gr. barium superoxide.

The kindling temperature of the mixture rises according to the degree of fineness to which the basic substance is pulverized and the amount of the oxygen carrier used. If the basic substance is very finely powdered, ignition can be obtained with pyrotechnic woods at 600 (1, if during combustion the material is shaken, or the oxygen carrier, for instance, potassium perchlorate must be used, in a more coarse state and in a relatively larger amount, say 20% of the total mixture.

The stated examples have been proven to give good results. The material readily ignites and burns down without further at tention. For a locomotive, for instance, a brick of about 1 kilogram (2.2 pds.) suifices. It will burn for about 35 minutes. If two fires are to be lit, then 2 bricks are used, of about 1.1 pds. each, burning time each about 20 minutes. Without the use of ordinary fuel wood, anthracite, briquettes, also hardest fused coke, will readily be ignited.

Experiments have shown, that by an igniting-mass of about 500 gr. the furnace of a large size steam-heating plant can be ignited without the assistance of other means. Under the hitherto prevailin circumstances about 1,3 to 1,5 meter on e of wood is required for this purpose. The

igniting of fuel with the mass prepared according to the invention does not only save considerable expense but also much time.

I claim:-

1. A fuel igniter comprising comminuted wood mixed with a non-explosive chemical substance having the capability of generatin oxygen in the presence of heat, and a dii'heultly ignitable mineral oil.

2. A fuel igniter comprising comminuted wood mixed with a non-explosive peroxide and a difficultly ignitable mineral oil.

3. A fuel igniter comprising comminui'ed Wood mixed with u non-explosive ClIGITllCfll substance having the capability of gener ating oxygen in the presence of heat, and a mineral oil poor in hydrocarbons and having a high flash point such as to produce in e01nbination with the two first-named ingredients a mixture whose combustion point is 20 about 600 C.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

F. JOS. DIEDERIGHS.