Oil fuel combustion
OwnerMarvin J. DenHerderinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Improved combustion efficiency is achieved by separately preparing a water-in-oil emulsion, containing up to about 90 volume % water, and blending the emulsion into an oil fuel prior to combustion. The blended oil fuel contains from 1 to about 10 vol. % water in the form of tiny droplets having a diameter within the range from about 1 to about 10 microns. The process of this invention may be applied to heating systems, steam boilers, gas turbines, rotary kilns, and internal combustion engines, including diesel engines.
Claims23
A process for the improved combustion of oil fuels in a combustion zone, comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing a water-in-oil emulsion in a combustible oil carrier fluid, said water-in-oil emulsion containing from about 20 to about 90 volume % water present as droplets having a diameter within the range from about 1 to about 10 microns;
- (b) thereafter blending the water-in-oil emulsion into the fuel in a proportion selected to provide a water content dispersed in the fuel within the range from about 2 to about 10 volume %;
- and
- (c) introducing the blended fuel to the combustion zone.
Apparatus, for the improved preparation of water-in-oil emulsions for use in the combustion of oil fuels in a combustion zone, said emulsions containing water droplets having an average diameter within the range from about 1 to about 10 microns, comprising:
- (a) an emulsification vessel, affording means for the preparation of a water-in-oil emulsion;
- (b) separate metered lines for feeding, respectively water, combustible oil carrier fluid, and emulsification additive to the emulsification vessel;
- (c) an emulsion holding tank;
- (d) cycling means for the circulation of water-in-oil emulsion between the emulsification vessel and the emulsion holding tank;
- (e) an oil fuel blending zone;
- (f) first delivery means, for the metered delivery of the water-in-oil emulsion to the oil fuel blending zone;
- and
- (g) second delivery means, for the transfer of blended emulsion and oil fuel from the blending zone to the combustion zone, or optionally, to an intermediate storage zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.