US2443029A - Fuel composition - Google Patents

Description

Patented .Fune 8, i948 FUEL COMPOSITION Fred Elkan, New York, N. Y.

No Drawing. Application July it, 1944, Serial No. 545,015

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a fuel composition which can be used as a fire kindler for igniting anthracite coal, as well as bituminous coal, coke, and other solid fuels, in all types of boilers, furnaces, stoves and other equipment burning solid fuels, as well as a fuel in itself, which constitutes kindler and self-contained fuel all in one.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my patent application Ser. No. 466,473, flled November 21, 1942 (-now abandoned).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combustible product of the kind above referred to which can be manufactured economically and in any desired shape, is of high thermal eficiency, is not adversely aflected by weather conditions, is clean to handle, not fragile and is of comparatively low cost.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fuel composition which consists of a plurality but at least of three groups of hydrocarbons each of which has a higher flash point than the previous one, whereby the one with the lowest flash point can be lit with a match in the presence of a solid combustible material, whereas the hydrocarbons of higher flash points develop sufllcient heat to eflect incandescence of the solid combustible material and to kindle even anthracite in an open grate fire.

it is still another object of the present invention to provide a binder which allows the binding and solidifying of finely divided coal particles into briquets or the like. even in the presence of liquid and saint-liquid hydrocarbons up to 30% of the total weight of the final briquetted compound.

This and other objects are achieved by making the mixture of particles such as obtained from coal and charcoal and a plurality of hydrocarbons, preferably at least three, with graded flash points, since the proper selection of the hy--v drocarbons according to their flash points and the proper binder which binds the composition are decisive for the desired effect.

It was believed until now that it is necessary to use a kindler developing long lasting flames with a high thermal efiect in order to light such a hard and difilcultly inflammable material as anthracite. I believe that I am the first to discover that not flames alone, even of highest temperatures and long lasting, but a kindler material brought to quick incandescence will produce the high temperature necessary to effect the incandescence and ignition of the anthracite to be kindled most efllciently, most easily and quickest.

' the like.

2 This new round principle was decisive in the selection of the ingredients and the method oi preparing the compound according to the present invention, according to which the minimum amount or flames necessary for draft and at the same time a quick incandescence within itself will be produced, the incandescence spreading rapidly to the anthracite to be kindled.

The compound according to the present invention can be accommodated to the special use as a kindler or as a fuel-i. e. as kindler developing only moderate flames for a short period of time with following quick incandescence of the body of the kindler; as fuel developing hot, large flames for a long time (about 25 to 40 minutes according to the amount used) with following-incandescence lasting for a sti l longer period of time (about to minutes according to the amount used)-although it can be used in either capacity as kindler for kindling of the hardest inflammable anthracite or as a fuel for kitchen stoves, all kinds of furnaces, open grate fire-places, and In this connection it is important to state that the compound according to the invention in its use as a kindler is capable of kindling even anthracite in an open tire-place which could not be achieved with any known kindler until now.

In accordance with the present invention the compound comprises about 0 to 15% most readily inflammable hydrocarbons, 0 to 20% readily inflammable hydrocarbons, 0 to 20% less readily inflammable hydrocarbons, 0 to 20% most difficultly inflammable hydrocarbons, d5 to 65% solid combustible material, 1 to 30% pitch and 1 to 12% cornstarch, the mentioned four groups of hydrocarbons amounting to at least 18%. Though preferably at least three groups of hydrocarbons are used, it is possible to use a greater number of groups of hydrocarbons with graded flash points. Any pitchcan be used in the binder. as pitch of coal-tar, wood-tar, turpentine, of different oils and even any artificial pitch. a

In the preferred compound of four groups of hydrocarbons the first group of 0 to 15% most readily inflammable hydrocarbons contains hydrocarbons of a flash point up to about F'., as kerosene, which group can be ignited by a match in the presence of solid combustible material, preferably carbonaceous material. The second group of 0 to 20% readily inflammable hydrocarbons contains hydrocarbons of a flash point from about 150 F. up to about 260 as a crude petroleum of a medium flash and fire point. The third group of 0 to 20% less readily aaaaoso heavy oil may be an oil having a very high speciflc gravity and which requires a comparatively high temperature to get ignited. which oils'are used for instance in heavy oil motors or as lubricatin oils, or it may also be a heavy organic oil of the proper flash point characteristic of the highest group, or a heavy tar-oil.

In one 01 the favored embodiments of the invention the fuel compound comprises about 1 to 30% pitch, 1 to 12% cornstarch, about to 20% parailln, to 20% crude oil of medium flash point, to 15% kerosene, V to kaollne, 3 to 60% coal particles, 3 to 60% charcoal particles. To this compound can be added A to 30% naphthalene, about 1 to 2% slaked or other lime, about 1 to 2% iron oxide, about 1 to 2% antimony sulphide and 1 to 2% zinc oxide.

Thus according to the purpose to which the compound is to be used, a part of its ingredients will vary as necessary. The most important ingredients which are contained in all variations of the compound to be used either as kindier or as fuel are the binder, namely, any pitch, preterably coal-tar pitch, its stifiening agent as, preferably, cornstarch, parailln always as an element of the mentioned third group oi. the ignition steps and also charcoal as at least one of the carbonaceous or solid combustible materials. In accordance with the diflerent purposes the compound of the present invention is additional ingredients are added in the four ignition groups and chosen mainly according to their flash points and secondly also according to their specific gravity.

A special compound for kindler purposes consists mainly of coal-tar pitch and cornstarch as.

binder, kerosene as element of the group with lowest flash point, crude oil of medium flash and fire points as element of the group with next higher flash point, parainn as element of the group with still higher flash point, a heavy oil of a high viscosity aselement of the group with highest flash points, crushed charcoal and other anthracite and/or bituminous coal particles, wherer by the latter comprise not more than 65% but at least 45% by weight or the compound and the hydrocarbons or the four mentioned groups comrise at least 18% of the compound.

A variation of the compound, especially suited for fuel purposes, preferably in the form of briquets for open fire-places, kitchen stoves, and the like has about the same ingredients as the variation for use as a kindler, but the amount of each of the ingredients varies accommodating the compound to the special purpose. In this modification only three of the four groups of hydrocarbons of diflerent flash points are used and in a further modification naphthalene is added in the first group of hydrocarbons with lowest flash point, which initiates more efllciently the first stage of the burning process, In all variations oi the compound the solid combustible substances consist of particles of diiferent meshes, thereby forming a sufiicient number of interstices which remain between the particles to im-. part a porous character to the compound, beneficial to the burning process.

' my invention will It will be understood that kindlers em ody!" the quality to produce, strong in candescence within themselves in a surprisingly short period of time, a quality which is required to. ignite anthracite coal flres and other flres more quickly and eiflciently than it can be done with charcoal or wood alone and at a cost which is less than for charcoal or wood on a heat unit content basis.

The compound according to this invention relsents an ideal kindler which is absolutely safe and innocuous in use, not liable to catch flre though it can be lit by a match, nor dangerous, nor in any way di agreeable in use, for instance by the generation of evil smelling fumes. The said compound is cheap, convenient to handle and to use and fulfllls to perfection its function as a kindle:

and as a self-contained fuel as well, under allcircumstances, and very economically without the assistance of paper. wood, or any otherkindling material. J

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the fuel compound comprises a binder consisting of 1 to coal-tar pitch and 1 to 12% cornstarch, four groups of hydrocarbons with graded flash points, namely 0 to 15% kerosene as the hydrocarbon with lowest flash point, 0 to 20% to be used for, p

crude oil or a medium flash point as the hydrocarbon oi the second group, 0 to 20% paraflin as the hydrocarbon of the third group with higher flash points than that o! the second group, 0 to 20% of a heavy oil, as a heavy mineral oil, or any heavyor tar-oil. as the hydrocarbon of the fourth group of highest flash points, 3 to 65% coal particles 3 to 60% charcoal particles as the carbonaceous or solid combustible materials. whereby the four groups of hydrocarbons amount to at least 18% of the compound, and the coal and charcoal particles together amount to 45 to 65% by weight or the compound. To the compound as defined may be added 55 to 5% kaoline,

to 30% naphthalene, about 1 to 2% slaked or other lime, about 1 to 2% iron oxide, about 1 to 2% antimony sulphide and 1 to 2% zinc oxide.

As equivalent to paraflin all animal, vegetable, or mineral waxes can be used as well as the next following derivates of the iractional distillation o! naphtha, as for example Vaseline oil, watchmakers oil, etc.

The parailln serves mainly three purposes: first. it makes the compound readily but not highly inflammable in the presence of carbonaceous material acting as a wick, second, it increases the heat unit content or the compound considerably, and third, it seals the final product against evaporation of volatiles from within and atmospheric and other external influences.

As equivalent for pitch, asphalt, coal-tar, lacquers, resins, limed rosins, (rosin to M. P. and 2 to 5% lime) can be used. Thepitch serves mainly three purposes: first. it contributes largely to the high thermal eifect of the compound in the burning process and adds another grade of inflammability to the hydrocarbons, i. e. a flash point of 290-415 F., second, it acts as additional sealing agent in the same manner as paraflin works in this capacity, third, it represents the binding agent in the process of forming briquets, logs, or the like, which effect is supported by the boiling in of cornstarch as a stiilening agent, thus preventing the pitch from running or draining of! during combustion and carbonizing the pitch to reduce its smoke in the burning proces s, thereby rendering briquets that e will not disintegrate while burning and will not give oif obnoxious smoke. I

As equivalent for cornstarch, flour or dextrine, or a similar material, working as stiirening agent can be used; and naphthalene can be substituted by phenantrene.

The following examples are given, whereby the ingredients of the compounds are cited in percent of weight:

Example! For kindler purposes in granulated or briquetted form.

1 Per cent Pitch '13 Cornstarch--- 7 Crude oil or fuel oil of medium flash point- 8 Paraiiln Heavy mineral oil 5 Crushed bituminous coal 27 Powdered charcoal 10 Granulated charcoal In a variation an example which is also used for Mueller in granulated or briquetted form is shown as follows:

Per cent Pitch 11 Cornstarch- 7 Slaked lime 2 Sulphur i Iron onide 1 Antimony sulphide 1 Zinc oxide--- 1 Kerosene 1 Crude oil of medium flash point 8 Paramn no) 9 Crushed anthracite coal L 10' Crushed bituminous coal 19 Powdered charcoal 10 Granulated charcoal 19 Example 2 :For special use as a fuel for open fire-places,

kitchen stoves in briquet or log shape:

Per cent Pitch 13 Cornstarch 7 Kerosene 6 Paramn 8 Heavy mineral oil 12 Crushed anthracite coal 23 Powdered charcoal a 7 Granulated charcoal 24 Another example in use for the same purpose is the following:

Per cent Pitch 16 Cornstarch Kerosene... 4' Paramn 12 Heavy mineral oil 6 Iron oxide l. Crushed anthracite coal 27 Powdered charcoal 10 Granulated charcoaL; 17

Example 3 For special use as fuel for cooking stoves whereby it produces the required heating eflect almost immediately and has the additional advantage that at any time anthracite or other coal may be I added and quickly ignited while the fuel compound continues its previous function as fuel and thus sets as heating and kindling material at once:

1 Per cent Pitch 6 Cornstarch--- 5 Kerosene 2 Crude oil of medium flash point 6 Paraflln 6 Naphthalene 12 Heavy mineral oil 8 Crushed anthracite coal 11 Crushed bituminous coal e 12 Powdered charcoal 10 Granulated charcoal 22 Another example in use for the same purpose is thefollowing: e I

1 Per cent Pitch 4 Cornstarch 4 Crude oil of medium flash point 4 Par 2 Naphthalene 20 Heavy mineral oil 10 Crushed anthracite coal 16 Crushed bituminous coal 15 Powdered charcoal s Granulated charcoal 17 It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of preparing a fuel compound according to which a material is produced in either granulated; briquetted or log-shaped form. This object is achieved, first, by heating of pitch above its melting point and stirring in cornstarch, and by heating the mixture further until the cornstarch is fully dehydrated, i. e. until the water of condition of the cornstarch is driven out. The cornstarch integrates with the pitch and forms a gallertic mass with it. Second, another mixture is prepared simultaneously in a separate tank by introducing the largest part of the coal first and heating it up to about the same temperature as pitch and cornstarch, in order to dehydrate said coal, and then parai'fin and the liquid hydrocarbons are either introduced in the same tank containing the coal which is further heated to the same temperature, whereby the dehydrated coal partly absorbs the liquid and semi-liquid hydrocarbons after their melting; or to expediate this procedure the semi-liquid hydrocarbons are simultaneously melted in a third tank, then the liquid hydrocarbons are added while the total is being heated up to the same temperature as pitch and coal. In the first case, when operating with two tanks only, the contents of both tanks are intimately united by agitating them thoroughly while keeping them constantly at a temperature above the melting point of pitch, and in the second case, when operating after the liquid and liquefied hydrocarbons hav-' ing been united with and partly absorbed by the coal thecontent of the second tank is intimately united with thecontent of the first tank in the manner described above. During the whole procedure the materials in all tanks are kept at a the known manner, in

temperature above the melting point oi the pitch. All tanks are preferably jacketed tor steam-heat and covered in order to avoid the evaporation or the volatiles and equipped with agitating devices because it is very important to agitate during the whole procedure all oi the contents of the tanks.

Irrespectively of using two or three tanks as described or a more modern conveyor-belt mixing method or any other method to the flnal mixture (coal plus liquid and semi-liquid hydrocarbons plus pitch binder) which still is kept above the melting temperature oi the pitch, the rest of the charcoal, namely, the most coarsely granulated charcoal is added in its cold state.

The finished product is then either poured out and cooled off, thus maturing into a mass of granulated shape, or preierably, pressed in its still not state at the temperature above the melting point of pitch into briquets, logs, or the like. The pressing can be eflected by molding, extruding, or any other convenient way. The pressed compound either can be baked now, in order to carbonize the compound and thereby reduce the smoke development of the briquets in the burning process, and then letting it cool of! whereby it solidifies to a surprisingly hard briquet not subjected to breakage in shipment and disintegration in the burning process. or simply cooled oil immediaately after pressing, again either by molding or extruding in any desired shape, resulting in the same surprisingly hard briquet, since it develops a negligible amount of smoke only even it not subjected to the baking process. After the complete combustion there will be no undesirable residues or clinkers leit, but a little white ash (about 6%).

By adding granulated charcoal in its unheated state to the entire mixture it has been found that the mixture does not penetrate into the granulated charcoal. This has three explanations: first, the air contained in the granulated charcoal expands to such an extent as to prevent penetration of the fluid, second, intense evaporation of water still contained in the unheated charcoal occurs so that fluids which have penetrated at the surface are deprived 01 their heat to such an extent that they solidity and thereby prevent further penetration, third, the pitch binder added to the mixture before incorporating the coarse, unheated charcoal particles has, although still being hot, already solidified the liquids to such an extent that they are hard to absorb. Consequently. these dry charcoal particles will become incandescent in the burning process first and extend their lncandescence quickly to the other substances.

I had it important for some special purposes ltiok add to the mixture oxidizers, or sulphur or the The new fuel compound has-an outstanding superiority over all known regular coal and coke, packaged fuels, briquets and all kinds of kindlers.

It is the first coal iuel compound which is ignitable by a match and able to light even anthracite coal in an open grate fire. Furthermore, so much heat is developed in the kindling period already that the heating period begins simultaneously with the start 01' the fire. Finally due to the condensed high calorific compound and its rate of combustion as well as incandescenceone obtains a considerably stronger heating eflect with a lesser amount of fuel and in much shorter time than with any other kind of natural or artiflcial solid iuel.

ammo

After having described my invention. I an: aware of the fact that iurther modifleations can be made therein by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope oi the invention asexpressedinthe claims.

WhatIclaimie:

l. A iuel composition consisting substantially of about 0 to 15% most readily inflammable liquid hydrocarbons or a flash point not higher than about 150 F.. 0 to 20% readily inflammable llquid hydrocarbons oi a flash point irom 150' I. up to about 260 l"., a substantial amount up to 20% paraflln as less readily inflammable hydrocarbon ot a flash point from 280' I". up to about 300 F., 0 to 20% least readily inflammable liquid hydrocarbons of a flash point irom 300' I". up to about 600 F., l to 30% pitch, and l to 12$ starch, 3 to 65% by weight flnely divided coal material and 3 to of charcoal. both said coal material and said charcoal totalling 45 to 65%, and said hydrocarbons comprising said parafln and at least two of said other groups of hydrocarbons, all said hydrocarbons including parsifln amounting to at least 18% of the total composition.

2. A iuel composition consisting of l to 30% pitch and 1 to 12% starch, substantially 3 to 65% 01 finely divided coal material and substantially 3 to 60% charcoal, both said coal material and said charcoal totalling 45-65%. Paraflln and at least two other hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting oi liquid and solid hydrocarbons, each of the hydrocarbons including paraflln having a flash point dlilerent from that of the other hydrocarbons and a caloriflc value suiflclent ior igniting the hydrocarbon of next higher flash point and said paraflln and said other hydrocarbons'amounting to at least 18%.

3. A fuel composition consisting or at least three groups of hydrocarbons comprising substantially about 1 to 15% kerosene, 0 to 20% crude oil or a flashpoint of F. to 260 l"., a substantial amount up to 20% paraflin, 0. to 20% heavy hydrocarbon oil of a flash point 01 about 300 F. up to 600 F., each of said hydrocarbons having a higher flash point than the previous one and being of a caioriflc value suflicient for lgniting the next group of a higher flash point, 3 to 60% charcoal particles, 3 to 65% coal particles, l to 30% pitch, and 1 to 12% starch, said charcoal and coal particles-to th r amountin to from 45 to 65%, both said paraflln and at least two of said other hydrocarbons amountins to at least 18%.

4. A fuel composition consisting oi at least three groups of hydrocarbons comprising substantially about 0 to 15% kerosene. 0 to 30% naphthalene, 0 to 20% crude oil of a flash point of 150 0". to 600 F., a substantial amount up to 14% para!- fln, 0 to 20% heavy hydrocarbon oil oi a flash point of about 300 F. up to 600 F., each oi said hydrocarbons having a higher flash point than the previous one and being of a caloriflc value sufficient for igniting the next group of a higher flash point, 3 to 60% charcoal particles, 8 to 65% coal particles, 1 to 30% pitch, and 1 to 12% starch, said charcoal and coal particles together amounting to 45 to 65%, and both said parailln and at least two of said other hydrocarbons amounting to at least 18% 5. A method of preparing a fuel composition, which consists of heating of l to 30% pitch above its melting point and stirring in 1 to 12% starch. and further heating of said pitch and starch to the point oi dehydration of the latter and to the 9 point of integration of pitch with starch, heating separately 3 to 65% by weight of finely divided coal material to the point of its dehydration, then adding at least 13% or both paramn and at least two other hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of liquid and solid hydrocarbons of a flash point of about 150 F. up to about 600 each oi the hydrocarbons, including parafiin, having a flash point difierent from that of the other hydrocarbons and a, calorific value sumcient for igniting the hydrocarbon of next higher flash point, to said dehydrated finely divided coal material and heating it up to the temperature of the said pitch and starch before mixing all said heated ingredients together with said pitch and starch, finally adding 3 to 60% charcoal in cold state to the said mixture, both said coal material and said charcoal totalling 45 to 65%, mixing finally all said ingredients together, thorough- 1y mitating the mixture during the whole procedure and then cooling ofl the final mixture.

6. A method of preparing a, fuel composition, which consists of heating of 1 to 30% pitch above its melting point and stirring in 1 to 12% starch, and further heating of said pitch and said starch to the point of dehydration of the latter and to the point of integration of pitch with starch, heating separately 3 to 65% by weight finely divided coal material to the point of its dehydration, then adding at least 18% of both paraflln and at least two other hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of liquid and solid hydrocarbons of a flash point of about 150 F. up to about 600 F. each of the hydrocarbons, including paraiiin, having a flash point different from ing 3% to of charcoal in cold state to the said mixture, both said coal material and said charcoal totalling 45 to mixing finally all said ingredients together, thoroughly agitating the mixture during the-whole procedure, then forming the mixture under pressure to predetermined shape before cooling it oil.

FRED :ELKAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 44,940 Covert Nov. 8, 1864 836,897 Schorr Nov. 27, 1906 1,290,992 Hlte Jan. 14, 1919 1,682,195 Sheehan Aug. 28, 1928 1,811,935 Hue June 30, 1931 2,227,256 Hafi'ner Dec. 31, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,014 Great Britain 1903 4,377 Great Britain 1912 9,065 Great Britain 1912