Process and apparatus for combusting hydrogen

A system for producing heat energy comprising:

• a source of gaseous molecular hydrogen;
• a manifold fluidly coupled to the source;
• a nozzle for discharging gaseous material feed which is received by the manifold;
• wherein:
• the nozzle defines a maximum cross-sectional flow area of less than 3.14×10−6 square inches;
• and
• an igniter for effecting ignition of reaction zone material within a reaction zone;
• wherein:
• the source, the manifold, the nozzle, the igniter, and the reaction zone are co-operatively configured such that, while:
• (i) the gaseous material feed, including the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the source, is being received by the manifold and discharged via the nozzle to the reaction zone, and (ii) oxidant is also being supplied to the reaction zone, such that the reaction zone material, within the reaction zone, is obtained and includes the gaseous molecular hydrogen and the oxidant:
• in response to ignition of the reaction zone material within the reaction zone by the igniter, the reaction zone material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced, wherein the post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products;
• the reactive process includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen effected by the oxidant;
• and
• the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced.

A system for producing heat energy comprising:

• a source of gaseous molecular hydrogen;
• a manifold fluidly coupled to the gaseous molecular hydrogen source for receiving the gaseous molecular hydrogen;
• a nozzle for discharging the received gaseous molecular hydrogen;
• an igniter for effecting ignition of reaction zone material within a reaction zone;
• and
• a flame arrestor, disposed between the manifold and the source of gaseous molecular hydrogen, for mitigating flashback from the reaction zone;
• wherein:
• the source of gaseous molecular hydrogen, the manifold, the nozzle, the igniter, and the reaction zone are co-operatively configured such that, while:
• (i) the gaseous molecular hydrogen is being received by the manifold and discharged via the nozzle to the reaction zone, and (ii) oxidant is also being supplied to the reaction zone, such that the reaction zone material includes the gaseous molecular hydrogen and the oxidant:
• in response to ignition of the reaction zone material within the reaction zone by the igniter, the reaction zone material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced, wherein the post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products;
• the reactive process includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen effected by the oxidant;
• and
• the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced.

A process for heating ambient air, comprising:

• electrolyzing water, with effect that gaseous molecular hydrogen is produced;
• emplacing reaction zone material within a reaction zone, wherein the reaction zone material includes the produced gaseous molecular hydrogen and an oxidant;
• igniting the reaction zone material combined fluid material, with effect that the reaction zone material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced;
• wherein:
• the reactive process includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen effected by the oxidant;
• the reaction products include water vapour;
• the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced for heating of ambient air;
• and
• the heated post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products;
• condensing the water vapour such that liquid water is obtained;
• wherein the electrolyzing includes electrolyzing of the liquid water that is obtained from the condensing.

A process for heating ambient air, comprising:

• producing gaseous molecular hydrogen via electrolysis with water;
• combining the produced gaseous molecular hydrogen with adscititious oxidant to produce a combined fluid material;
• igniting the combined fluid material, with effect that the combined fluid material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced;
• wherein:
• the post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products;
• the reactive process includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen effected by the oxidant of the motive fluid;
• and
• the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced;
• and
• emplacing the heated post-reactive process gaseous material in indirect heat transfer communication with ambient air.

A kit of components for retrofitting a furnace that includes a conventional burner assembly and a heat exchanger, comprising:

• an electrolyzer for effecting electrolysis of water to produce an electrolysis product material including gaseous molecular hydrogen;
• a gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly, including a fluid conductor for receiving and conducting a reaction zone supply to a reaction zone such that a reaction zone material, within the reaction zone, is obtained, and an igniter for igniting the reaction zone material disposed within the reaction zone;
• wherein:
• the electrolyzer, the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly, and the heat exchanger are co-operatively configured such that while:
• (i) the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly is replacing the conventional burner assembly, (ii) the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly is receiving a reaction zone supply;
• (iii) the electrolysis product material is being produced by the electrolyzer, and (iv) the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly is fluidly coupled to the electrolyzer, such that the received reaction zone supply includes at least the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the electrolysis product;
• the received reaction zone supply is conducted to the reaction zone, such that the reaction zone material includes the gaseous molecular hydrogen;
• in response to ignition of the reaction zone material within the reaction zone by the igniter, the reaction zone material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process that includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced, wherein the post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products;
• the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced;
• and
• the heated post-reactive process gaseous material becomes disposed in heat transfer communication with the heat exchanger.