Process and apparatus for generation of steam via catalytic combustion
First Claim
1. A process for vaporizing water via catalytic combustion comprising steps(a) for reacting a mixture of fuel, oxidizer and water on a catalytic surface, where the catalytic oxidation of the fuel releases thermal energy which vaporizes the water, and where the water and water vapor pass directly across the working surface of the catalyst,(b) for conducting the water vapor and combustion product gases away from the catalytic element, and(c) for utilizing the product.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mixture of fuel and air is introduced onto a catalytic combustion surface, preferably an inert, refractory substrate coated with trace amounts of a catalyst. Combustion is normally initiated by an ignition device, and proceeds spontaneously once the minimum temperature has been reached. Water is introduced directly onto the heated combustion surface, in metered quantities to prevent cooling below the desired minimum combustion temperature, thus generating a continuous flow of steam at a pressure equal to the inlet pressure of the air, fuel and water. The quantities of air, fuel and water may be varied proportionately to produce rapid variation in the volume, temperature and pressure of the steam generated, a function that may be greatly facilitated by the choice of a combustion element having a low thermal mass. Both the catalytic combustion of fuel and the vaporization of inert working fluids can occur over a wide range of temperature and pressure conditions.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A process for vaporizing water via catalytic combustion comprising steps
(a) for reacting a mixture of fuel, oxidizer and water on a catalytic surface, where the catalytic oxidation of the fuel releases thermal energy which vaporizes the water, and where the water and water vapor pass directly across the working surface of the catalyst, (b) for conducting the water vapor and combustion product gases away from the catalytic element, and (c) for utilizing the product.
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3. Apparatus for vaporizing water comprising
(a) a catalytic element, (b) means for supplying a mixture of fuel, oxidizer and water to said element to support a combustion-vaporization reaction thereon, and (c) means for utilizing the mixture of water vapor and combustion product gases so produced.
Specification