US 2008/0156237 A1 · Combustor for solid particulate fuels

Abstract

The combustor for solid particulate fuels is particularly well suited for burning shelled corn, but is also capable of burning other solid particulate fuels as desired, with no modification required for their use. The combustor includes a rotary agitator extending across the combustor chamber or “burning pot,” with the agitator having a plurality of radial arms. Combustion air passes through the hollow agitator shaft outwardly through the hollow arms, the arms distributing combustion air into the fuel mass as the arms rotate therethrough to produce more efficient combustion of the fuel and thereby reduce coagulation of partially burned corn on the internal surfaces of the combustor. The opposed walls of the combustor include at least one pivotally mounted wall, with the angle of that wall being adjustable to adjust the ash dispersal gap between the pivoting wall and the opposite wall.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A combustor for solid particulate fuels, comprising:

a first end wall;
a second end wall opposite the first end wall;
opposing first and second side panels extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, each of the side panels having a generally J-shaped cross section with a generally vertical upper portion defining an upper edge and a curved lower portion defining a lower edge, the side panels being disposed in mirror image to one another, the lower edges of the side panels facing one another and defining an adjustable ash dispersal gap therebetween;
a rotary agitator disposed between the first end wall and the second end wall, the agitator having;
an elongate, hollow agitator shaft defining a combustion air passage disposed axiallytherethrough;
and
a plurality of agitator arms extending radially from the agitator shaft, each of the agitator arms defining a combustion air passage disposed axially therethrough and communicating with the combustion air passage of the agitator shaft, each of the agitator arms having a plurality of combustion air outlets disposed therethrough communicating with the combustion air passage of the agitator arm, wherein each of the agitator arms has a flattened distal end defining a narrow combustion air outlet slot therein.

4 more elements

A combustor for solid particulate fuels, comprising:

a first end wall;
a second end wall opposite the first end wall;
opposing first and second side panels extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, each of the side panels having a generally J-shaped cross section with a generally vertical upper portion defining an upper edge and a curved lower portion defining a lower edge, the side panels being disposed in mirror image to one another, the lower edges of the side panels facing one another and defining an adjustable ash dispersal gap therebetween, wherein the lower edges of the first side panel and the second side panel each have a continuous bevel disposed therealong, with the ash dispersal gap having a narrow inlet and a wide outlet and extending continuously along the first side panel and the second side panel.

A combustor for solid particulate fuels, comprising:

a first end wall;
a second end wall opposite the first end wall;
a rotary agitator disposed between the first end wall and the second end wall, the agitator having;
an elongate, hollow agitator shaft defining a combustion air passage disposed axially therethrough;
and
a plurality of agitator arms extending radially from the agitator shaft each of the agitator arms defining a combustion air passage disposed axially therethrough communicating with the combustion air passage of the agitator shaft, each of the agitator arms having a plurality of combustion air outlets disposed therethrough communicating with the combustion air passage of the agitator arm, wherein each of the combustion air outlets has a beveled wall defining the outlet, the beveled wall having a narrow inlet and a wide outlet.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combustor for solid particulate fuels

Life of this patent

Combustor for solid particulate fuels

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20