Device and method to mitigate hydrogen explosions in vacuum furnaces
OwnerDouglas Wayne Stampsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device to mitigate hydrogen explosions in a vacuum furnace includes at least one igniter, an ignition transformer, and an electrical switch. The at least one igniter includes a set of high-voltage electrodes and is connected to the ignition transformer by high-voltage wires. The electrical switch activates the ignition transformer to provide power to the at least one igniter forming a continuous electrical arc between the electrodes. The at least one igniter is located inside the vacuum furnace at an opening where air may enter the vacuum furnace, which may contain a hydrogen and steam gas mixture under accident conditions. The device consumes hydrogen by controlled combustion as flammable mixtures are formed.
Claims13
Device to mitigate an explosion of a flammable mixture in a vacuum furnace, comprising:
- (a) at least one igniter inside said vacuum furnace for initiating the combustion of said flammable mixture,
- (b) at least one ignition source connected to said at least one igniter for providing power to said at least one igniter,
- (c) activation means for activating power from said at least one ignition source to said at least one igniter before said flammable mixture forms,
- whereby said flammable mixture can be removed by controlled combustion from said vacuum furnace.
A method for mitigating an explosion of a flammable mixture in a vacuum furnace, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing at least one igniter for initiating the combustion of said flammable mixture in said vacuum furnace,
- (b) placing said at least one igniter inside said vacuum furnace at an opening where external air may enter said vacuum furnace,
- (c) providing at least one ignition source to supply power to said at least one igniter,
- (d) providing activation means for activating power from said at least one ignition source to said at least one igniter before said flammable mixture forms,
- whereby said flammable mixture can be removed by controlled combustion from said vacuum furnace.
A vacuum furnace, comprising:
- (a) at least one tank comprising a device to mitigate an explosion of a flammable mixture in said tank by the controlled combustion of said flammable mixture, said device including:
- (b) at least one igniter inside said tank for initiating the combustion of said flammable mixture,
- (c) at least one ignition source connected to said at least one igniter for providing power to said at least one igniter,
- (d) activation means for activating power from said at least one ignition source to said at least one igniter before said flammable mixture forms,
- whereby said flammable mixture can be removed by controlled combustion from said vacuum furnace.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.