Conical flame waste gas combustion reactor

Abstract

A reactor is provided which produces a hollow cone flame jet. The reactor is formed from a plurality of concentric casings, the inner casing defining a combustion chamber having a converging-diverging nozzle. A primary air chamber is axially positioned within the combustion chamber and has a second end having a substantially divergent conical shape.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reactor comprising: 
 an outer casing with first and second ends;    an inner casing with first and second ends wherein the second end forms a converging-diverging nozzle;    an annulus formed between the outer and inner casings;    a reaction chamber formed within the inner casing;    an air inlet assembly with first and second ends, wherein the air inlet assembly is substantially concentric with the inner and outer casings; wherein the second end of the air inlet assembly has a substantially divergent conical shape.    
     
     
         2 . The reactor of  claim 1  further comprising an annulus divider forming an upper annulus and a lower annulus.  
     
     
         3 . The reactor of  claim 2  wherein the upper annulus comprises a waste gas header.  
     
     
         4 . The reactor of  claim 2  wherein the lower annulus comprises a secondary air header.  
     
     
         5 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the air inlet assembly further comprises an inner pipe with first and second ends and an outer pipe.  
     
     
         6 . The reactor of  claim 6  wherein the second end of the inner pipe comprises a ring plate positioned within the second end of the air inlet assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The reactor of  claim 5  further comprising an air passageway defined by an annulus between the inner and outer pipes of the air inlet assembly.  
     
     
         8 . The reactor of  claim 5  further comprising a plurality of air inlet orifices in the outer pipe facilitating fluid communication between the air inlet assembly and the reaction chamber.  
     
     
         9 . The reactor of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of air inlet orifices are angled toward the second end of the air inlet assembly.  
     
     
         10 . The reactor of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of air inlet orifices are angled at approximately 45° with respect to the axis of the outer pipe.  
     
     
         11 . The reactor of claim I further comprising a plurality of orifices in the inner casing facilitating fluid communication between the annulus between the inner and outer casings and the reaction chamber.  
     
     
         12 . The reactor of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of orifices in the inner casing are angled toward the second end of the inner casing.  
     
     
         13 . The reactor of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of orifices are angled at approximately 45° with respect to the axis of the inner casing.  
     
     
         14 . The reactor of  claim 1  further comprising an orifice plate forming a clean gas header adjacent the first end of the inner casing.  
     
     
         15 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the combination of the converging-diverging nozzle and the substantially conical-shaped second end of the air inlet assembly provide a hollow cone resultant flame jet.  
     
     
         16 . A reactor comprising a plurality of concentric casings defining a plurality of concentric chambers including: 
 a combustion chamber defined by concentric casings and a back wall wherein the combustion chamber includes a converging-diverging nozzle;    a primary air chamber axially positioned within the combustion chamber, the primary air chamber including a plurality of orifices facilitating communication between the primary air chamber and the combustion chamber and wherein a portion of the primary air chamber extends into the nozzle;    a secondary air chamber surrounding a first portion of the combustion chamber, the secondary air chamber including a plurality of orifices facilitating communication between the secondary air chamber and the combustion chamber;    a waste gas chamber surrounding a second portion of the combustion chamber, the waste gas chamber including a plurality of orifices facilitating communication between the waste gas chamber and the combustion chamber; and    a clean gas chamber adjacent to the first portion of combustion chamber, the clean gas chamber including at least one orifice facilitating communication between the clean gas chamber and the combustion chamber.    
     
     
         17 . The reactor of  claim 16  wherein the primary air chamber further comprises an inner pipe and an outer pipe, each with first and second ends, wherein the second end of the outer pipe has a substantially divergent conical shape.  
     
     
         18 . The reactor of  claim 17  wherein the second end of the inner pipe further comprises a ring plate.  
     
     
         19 . The reactor of  claim 17  wherein an annulus between the inner and outer pipes defines a primary air passageway.  
     
     
         20 . The reactor of  claim 17  wherein the combination of the converging-diverging nozzle and the substantially conical-shaped air inlet assembly provide a hollow cone resultant flame jet.