Convectively cooled hot gas exhaust structure to reduce infrared radiation

Abstract

The invention is a new design for a structure such as a stack for exhaust hot gases. One embodiment is that of the top portion of a ship's stack (the watchcap) for exhausting a hot steam plant, a gas turbine, a diesel or other engine, or burner exhaust gases. The function of the invention is to reduce the infrared radiation generated by the hot metal of the exhaust pipe and surrounding structure. This function is accomplished by constructing an annular plenum chamber around a portion of the length of the smokepipe. The plenum chamber has air flow channels, an arrangement of insulation, and openings, top and bottom, so that convective air flow is established at the hot smokepipe wall. The thermal gradient produced also induces a secondary cool-air-flow along an outer wall. Another feature is an arrangement of a double-walled shield extending above, below, and around the terminal end of the smokepipe that blocks the low angle view into the hot smokepipe. The shield is cooled by an ambient air flow that is induced by the escaping exhaust gases.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.