Method and device to improve the ratio of oxygen mass versus fuel mass during ignition in combustion mechanisms operating with fluid hydrocarbon fuels

Abstract

A method and device for changing the rate of density between fluid hydrocarbon fuels and combustion air prior to ignition and combustion in residential, commercial and industrial combustion mechanisms, by extracting heat from the mechanism's combustion zone or flue area to reduce the density of the fuel prior to delivery to the mechanism burner at a constant, pre-set operating temperature of between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the fuel's flash point temperature, while at the same time providing means to control combustion air temperature to a level such as to increase air density and significantly changing the mass ratio of fuel mass versus combustion air mass, hence oxygen mass, without increasing combustion air volume or fuel volume, thereby improving combustion efficiency, heat transfer efficiency and reduction in harmful stack emissions.

I claim:  
     
         1 - 26 . CANCELLED  
     
     
         27 . A method for reducing fuel density while increasing combustion air density, without effecting their specified volume, thereby significantly changing the ratio of fuel mass versus combustion air mass, hence oxygen mass, during the process of ignition and combustion of conventional fluid hydrocarbon fuel such as natural gas, propane gas, fuel oil, coal dust slurry or the like, in combustion mechanisms having a combustion area and burners therein for converting said fuel into energy, such as heat, thrust or torque, comprising: 
 a) providing fluid hydrocarbon fuel as fuel for said combustion mechanism;    b) directing said fuel through the fuel supply conduit functioning as the mechanism's manifold, extending between the fuel delivery valve, being the fuel inlet, and the mechanism's burner arrangement, being the fuel outlet, defining a heat exchanger assembly that extends through a heating zone related to the combustion mechanism;    c) reducing the fuel density in said fuel delivery manifold by heating the fuel as it flows through said heat exchanger assembly to an optimal fuel operating temperature level ranging between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the fuel's flash point level;    c) reducing fuel density in order to improve the ratio of fuel mass versus oxygen mass available in the combustion air volume prior to ignition without increasing combustion air volume;    e) maintaining a continuous supply of density reduced fuel mass of similar delivery volume to the burners in the combustion area of said combustion mechanism.    f) maintaining a preselected constant supply of combustion air mass to said combustion area at an increased or at least maintained density level and optimal temperature range of between plus 50 and minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit.    
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the density reduction of the fuel is stabilized with an insulating or heat storage material forming part of the heat exchanger assembly.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein said heating zone is located adjacent the exhaust gas vent area of the combustion mechanism.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein said heating zone is located adjacent the combustion area of the combustion mechanism.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein said heating zone is located adjacent a heat source other than the combustion or exhaust gas vent area of the combustion mechanism.  
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein said preselected optimal fuel operating temperature range is within the preselected general fuel operating temperature range from 125 degrees to 900 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the combustion air is routed through a contained duct system which provides temperature control and the means for air density increase through cooling within a preselected operating temperature range below ambient.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the combustion mechanism converts an oxidation mixture of fuel and air into high temperature high velocity combustion products for the purpose of operating an attached heat transfer system.  
     
     
         35 . A device for reducing fuel density while increasing combustion air density, without effecting their specified volume, thereby significantly changing the ratio of fuel mass versus combustion air mass, hence oxygen mass, during the process of ignition and combustion of conventional fluid hydrocarbon fuel, such as natural gas, propane gas, fuel oil or the like, in combustion mechanisms having a combustion area and burners therein for converting said fuel into energy, such as heat, thrust or torque, comprising: 
 a) a heat exchanger assembly defining a heating zone;    b) a fuel supply conduit defining a heat exchanger assembly located in a heating zone related to the combustion area of the equipment, between the mechanism's fuel inlet valve and the burner arrangement, being the fuel outlet area, said heat exchanger assembly providing the conveyance of fluid hydrocarbon fuel to the equipment burner;    c) means to maintain a continuous supply of fluid hydrocarbon fuel to the burner in the combustion area of said mechanism at a preselected optimal operating temperature level ranging between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the fuel's flash point level.    d) means to provide a preselected constant supply of combustion air volume at an increased or at least maintained density level to said combustion area at an optimal operating temperature range of between plus 50 and minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit.    
     
     
         36 . A device according to  claim 35 , wherein the insulating material forming part of said heat exchanger assembly balances any temperature fluctuations occurring in the heating zone.  
     
     
         37 . A device according to  claim 35 , wherein said heating zone is located adjacent the exhaust gas vent area of the combustion mechanism.  
     
     
         38 . A device according to  claim 35 , wherein said heating zone is located adjacent the combustion area of the combustion mechanism.  
     
     
         39 . A device according to  claim 35 , wherein said heating zone is located adjacent a heat source other than the combustion or exhaust gas vent area of the combustion mechanism.  
     
     
         40 . A device according to  claim 35 , wherein said means to maintain a continuous supply of fuel to the burners in the combustion area of the mechanism at said optimal fuel temperature level operates within a preselected operating temperature range from above 125 degrees and 900 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         41 . A device according to  claim 35 , wherein a preselected volume of combustion air is routed through a contained duct system which provides temperature control and the means for density increase of said combustion air volume at a preselected temperature range below ambient prior to combustion.  
     
     
         42 . A device according to  claim 35 , wherein the combustion mechanism converts an oxidation mixture of fuel and air into high temperature high velocity combustion products for the purpose of operating an attached heat transfer system.