Continuous hot rod

Abstract

A continuous hot rod ( 10, 30 ) for removing portions of a target material ( 20, 40 ), comprises: an elongated lance formed of a fuel material ( 15, 35 ); a reel for providing a continuous source of fuel material ( 13, 33 ); a source of oxidizer ( 11, 31 ); a conduit ( 16, 36 ) for establishing a controllable flow of oxidizer from the source through the lance; and a sleeve ( 14, 34 ) with a layer formed of a material containing chlorine and/or fluorine, and/or a second layer formed of carbon and/or Grafoil® which contribute to focus a flame; whereby, when the hot rod is ignited and used to remove portions of a target material, the chlorine and/or fluorine in the sleeve material will react chemically with the target material to form gaseous reaction products, and the reel will provide a continuous source of fuel material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A continuous hot rod for removing portions of a target material, comprising: 
 an elongated lance formed of a fuel material;    a reel for providing a continuous source of said fuel material;    a source of oxidizer;    a conduit for establishing a controllable flow of oxidizer from said source through said lance; and    a sleeve mounted on said lance wherein said sleeve comprises material containing chlorine and/or fluorine;    whereby, when said hot rod is ignited and used to remove portions of a target material, the chlorine and/or fluorine in said sleeve material will react chemically with the target material to form gaseous reaction products, and said reel will provide a continuous source of said fuel material.    
     
     
         2 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is mounted on the outer surface of said lance.  
     
     
         3 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  and further comprising a plurality of wires in said lance.  
     
     
         4 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  and further comprising a plurality of rods in said lance.  
     
     
         5 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve material contains polyvinyl chlorine.  
     
     
         6 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve material contains polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         7 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve material contains chlorinated polyvinyl chlorine.  
     
     
         8 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve comprises an inner cylindrical layer, and an outer cylindrical layer generally concentric with said inner cylindrical layer.  
     
     
         9 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said inner cylindrical layer contains carbon, whereby said carbon contributes to focus a flame on said target material.  
     
     
         10 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said inner cylindrical layer contains Grafoil®, whereby said Grafoil® contributes to focus a flame on said target material.  
     
     
         11 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said outer cylindrical layer contains chlorine and/or fluorine.  
     
     
         12 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said outer cylindrical layer contains polyvinyl chlorine.  
     
     
         13 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said outer cylindrical layer contains polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         14 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said outer cylindrical layer contains chlorinated polyvinyl chlorine.  
     
     
         15 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said target material contains a ferrous alloy.  
     
     
         16 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said target material contains an alloy having an element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium, a transition metal, tungsten, nickel, cobalt and chromium.  
     
     
         17 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said target material is selected from the group consisting of concrete, reinforced concrete, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, calcium oxide, and brick.  
     
     
         18 . A continuous hot rod as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said target material includes a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, zirconia, magnesia, silicon carbide and silicon nitride.