US 5,437,099 A · Method of making a combustion apparatus for high-temperature environment

Abstract

A method of making a novel structure for the first stage of a multiple-stage combustion, in which a metal strip is coated with a catalyst on only one side. The strip is also corrugated with a herringbone pattern. The strip is then folded back and forth upon itself to form a reactor of a desired cross-section. The reactor has rows of channels that are formed between the layers of the metal. The single coated side of the metal defines the walls of the channels in every other row. The fuel-air mixture that flows through the coated channels is combusted. The fuel-air mixture that flows through the uncoated channels is not combusted, and cools the catalyzed surfaces. The herringbone corrugations prevent the layers of metal from nesting together, and also define zigzag paths for flow of combustion gas. The one or more stages subsequent to the ignition stage can employ a catalyst capable of operating at the very high temperatures present in gas turbines. The subsequent stages can also be non-catalytic. Thus, the first stage provides catalytic ignition, and the subsequent stages complete the combustion.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of making a catalytic reactor from a strip of metal, the method comprising the steps of:

a) corrugating the strip of metal,
b) coating one side of the strip with catalyst, while leaving the other side of the strip uncoated,
c) folding the strip once upon itself about a point near the midpoint of the strip, and
d) winding the folded strip into a spiral, wherein the catalyst coating is applied in bands that are separated by uncoated bands.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of making a combustion apparatus for high-temperature environment

Life of this patent

Method of making a combustion apparatus for high-temperature environment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17