Apparatus and method for initiating a combustion reaction with slurry fuel

Abstract

A method and apparatus for initiating a combustive reaction in a slurry fuel. A transfer device optically interconnects an optical energy source with a combustion chamber containing slurry fuel and air. The optical energy source generates an output for interacting with the slurry fuel and air mixture to create a combustive reaction. In a first preferred embodiment, the optical energy source generates an excitation pulse having a high power leading edge and low power trailing edge. In a second preferred embodiment the optical energy source generates a first and second excitation pulse, the first excitation pulse having higher power than the second excitation pulse.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for optically initiating a combustive reaction with a slurry fuel and air mixture, said device comprising: 
 an optical energy source;    a combustion chamber containing the slurry fuel and air mixture therewithin;    a transfer device for optically interconnecting said optical energy source with said combustion chamber; and    wherein said optical energy source generates an output for interacting with the slurry fuel and air mixture to create a combustive reaction.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said output includes a pulse having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said leading edge having higher power than said trailing edge.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said output includes a first and second pulse, said first pulse having higher power than said second pulse.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein said first pulse is injected a predetermined time prior to said second pulse.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein said predetermined time is less than ten (10) nanoseconds.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said optical energy source includes a laser.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said delivery device includes a fiber optic.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to claim  21 , wherein said fiber optic includes a fiber optic bundle.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said output includes light.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said light includes a laser beam.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said light comprises wavelengths less than 300 Nanometers.  
     
     
         12  The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said output is greater than one (1) Megawatt.  
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said combustive reaction yields a dissociated mixture.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said combustive reaction yields a mixture of molecular and atomic oxygen and chemically cracked fuel.