US2086639A - Liquid fuel burner - Google Patents

Description

July 13, 1937. L. H. REE-S 2,086,639

LIQUID FUEL BURNER Filed Oct. 19, 1934 f ATTORNEY.

Patented July 13, 1937 www A PATENT. OFFICE LIQUID FUEL BURNER Leslie H. Rees, Denver, Colo.

Application October 19, 1934, SerialNo. `749,057

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a liquid fuel burner and has for its principal object, the provision of a burner in which liquid fuel will be admixed, atomized, and dispersed in an exceedingly dispersed condition in a highly porous, i-lre resisting, dispersion medium so that the fuel will be efficiently prepared and converted into a highly inflammable, easily combustible condition which will result in efficient combustion.

Another object `of the invention is to provide means fo-r introducing and dispersing either or both air and water into the highly dispersed fuel to assist in the combustion thereof.

y A further object is to'provide a dispersing medium for use in liquid fuel burners which will be low in cost, and economical to use; which will not pack but will remain highly porous; which will efficiently act to break up the incoming combustion constituents into a rich combustible mixture; `and which will not be affected by the liquids used or heat generated in the burner.

A still further object is to provide a burner top for supporting the combustion which will be highly porous, fire resistant, and easily manufactured to suit any desired conditions of use.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efficiency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all Views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:-

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a burner in which the invention is embodied.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the burner of Fig. 1, taken on the line 2 2. In Fig. 2 the burner is illustrated installed in a base or housing of refractory protective and supporting material.

Fig. 3 is a detail side view, partly in section,

illustrating a name spreading cap which may be employed with the burner.

The invention employs a cup-like container III, which may be of any suitable size, depending upon the particular installation in which the burner is to be used, and formed of any suitable fire resisting material. It is preferred to employ a relatively thick-walled, cast iron cylinder for the container II), provided with a closed bottom Il.

The major portion of the container IIJ is lled with a loose mass or bed Of any suitable coarse granulated porous, flreproof material of a nature which will not pack, but will form a porous massr capable of withstanding a high temperature and having a relativelyA high percentage. of voids or interstices.

The most satisfactory material for this purpose has been found to be roasted vermiculite. Vermiculite is prepared by roasting an ore of the altered mica type such as jefferisite or zonolite, kerrite, maconite, etc., or any other ore containing a high percentage of altered mica. Such an ore when roasted, expands to many times its original volume, owing to the separation and corrugation of the mica sheets or layers. The resultant, light, highly porous product has been found highly satisfactory for the present inven-` tion. This material can be ground to any desired degree of fineness, and forms a light, reproof, highly porous mass. Granules of this'material varying in size from l to 1/4 inch has been found to be most satisfactory for the present purpose.

The loose granulated material I2 is held in place and covered by means of a porous cap I3. The cap I3 may have any desired form, but is preferably formed with an inwardly inclined conical border I4 leading to a semi-spherical depression I3. This cap may be formed of any suitable porous fireproof material. A very satisfactory material has been found to be a mixture o place upon the loose vermiculite in the container IIJ by rst placing a convex disc of wire screen I 5 over the vermiculite, thence pouring the above described mixture thereon, and molding the same to the required shape. After setting, this mixture produces a fireproof cap of high porosity.

The burner can be used by simply pouring alcohol or other volatile combustible liquid into the depression I3I of the cap, and allowing it to percolate therethrough into the interstices of the vermiculite until the desired amount has been completely absorbed. 'I'he wet surface of the cap is then ignited, producing a name thereabove. This flame heats the cap I3 and the upper portion of the vermiculite, causing a vaporization and gasication of the fuel, which, together with capillary attraction, forces it through the porous top into the ame. Such a procedure, however, is not continuous in operation.

For a continuous operation in a permanent installation, a liquid fuel pipe I6 is run through the wall of the container Il), preferably terminating in a suitable distributing head I'I. The fuel is fed continuously into the porous interior through the pipe I6 so as to continuously feed the ame above the cap I3.

For installations requiring a higher temperature, an air pipe I8 may be run into the container IB, adjacent the bottom thereof, and provided with suitable perforations I9 for distributing air lo under pressure through the porous mass to force the vaporizing fuel through the cap thereof, and to supply additional combustion oxygen. During its passage through the porous mass the air Will be brought into intimate contact with, and become highly dispersed in the fuel so as to provide a highly efficient mixture.

Still higher temperatures are obtainable by running a water pipe 2l! through the Wall of the container IU above the air pipe I8, and providing Z the water pipe with any suitable distributing head 2l. The air and capillary attraction forces the water toward the top of the container where it adrnixes with and vaporizes with fuel. A mixture of steam, air and fuel is then forced through 25 the cap, resulting in an exceedingly high temperature iiame.

It is believed that the Water vapor in steam coming in Contact with the highly heated vermiculite, and the heated cap I3, in close association 30 with the hydro-carbon of the fuel, forms a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen or water gas (CD4-2H) in direct contact Ywith the flame.

Both of these constituents are of course highly inammable and greatly increase the heat of the 35 resulting flame.

The supply pipes leading into the container IB are of course provided with suitable valves, such as indicated at 22 and 23. In permanent installations, the container may be embedded in masonry 40 or a re clay housing, such as indicated at 24.

In some installations, especially in hot air furnaces, it is desirable to have the flame spread outwardly so as toheat the walls of the firebox. This may be accomplished by placing a flame spreader, such as indicated at 25, Fig. 3, over the cap I3. The name spreader illustrated is formed of heat resisting material of high fusing point and consists of a relatively flat projecting top from which a perforated cylinder or sleeve 26 projects downwardly. The sleeve 26 is formed With suitable perforations 21. This flame spreader is positioned in the broken line position of Fig. 2, and the gas rising from the mid-portion of the cap I3 enters the sleeve 26, passes through the perforations 21, and burns as a flame under the spreading cap 25.

The burner, even when used With the heavier fuel oils, produces a practically colorless, noiseless ame of exceedingly high temperature. This flame can be very accurately controlled by manipulation of the air valve 23. The burner can be lighted without preheating or generation. 'Ihe heated porous particles soon form an ideal generator for the fuel.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, Within the scope of the appended claim, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent isz- A liquid fuel burner comprising: a container; a loose bed of small particles of roasted vermiculite in said container; a porous cap of refractory fire resisting material holding said material in place; means for feeding liquid fuel into said bed; an air conduit opening into said container for feeding air upwardly through said bed; and a Water conduit leading into said container.

LESLIE H. REES.

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