Catalytic heater

Abstract

A catalytic heating system comprising a main catalyst ( 20, 50 ) for flameless catalytic burning of fuel gas and a triggering system for initiating the catalytic burning, the triggering system comprising an electrical power source electrically connected to a metallic catalyst portion ( 104 ). As electric current flows through the metallic catalyst portion, it is in itself heated as an electric resistance heater to a temperature necessary for triggering the catalytic burning. By using electrical current for direct heating of a catalyst portion, reaction starts as soon as the resistance heating achieves the temperature for initiating the catalytic reaction. As soon as the reaction starts, it is transferred to the main catalyst.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A catalytic heating system ( 1 ) comprising a main catalyst ( 20 ,  50 ) for flameless catalytic burning of fuel gas and a triggering system for initiating the catalytic burning, the triggering system comprising an electrical power source electrically connected to an electrically conducting, separate metallic catalyst portion ( 104 ) for causing electrical current to flow through the catalytic portion ( 104 ) and thereby heating the catalyst portion to a temperature necessary for triggering the catalytic burning at the catalyst portion. 
   
   
       24 . A catalytic heating system according to  claim 23 , wherein the metallic catalyst portion ( 104 ) is substantially smaller than the main catalyst ( 50 ). 
   
   
       25 . A catalytic heating system according to  claim 24 , wherein the metallic catalyst portion ( 104 ) through which current flows has a width and a height and a length, each of which is smaller than 1 mm. 
   
   
       26 . A catalytic heating system according to  claim 23 , wherein the main catalyst ( 20 ,  50 ) is a metallic mesh. 
   
   
       27 . A catalytic heating system according to  claim 26 , wherein the main catalyst ( 50 ) is a tubular mesh with varying diameter. 
   
   
       28 . A catalytic heating system according to  claim 27 , wherein the main catalyst is a tubular mesh ( 50 ) in the shape of a truncated cone. 
   
   
       29 . A catalytic heating system according to  claim 23 , wherein a venturi system ( 17 ,  55 ) is provided for mix of fuel gas and oxygen, the venturi system comprising a venturi nozzle ( 16 ,  44 ) with a nozzle exit ( 49 ), through which fuel gas is provided, and a channel ( 45 ) around the venturi nozzle, the channel being formed between the outer wall ( 75 ) of the venturi nozzle and a pipe portion ( 47 ) surrounding the nozzle, the outer wall of the venturi nozzle being concave and the surrounding pipe portion being convex to form a smoothly bending channel towards the venturi nozzle exit. 
   
   
       30 . A catalytic heating system according  claim 23 , wherein the system is a portable system with integrated fuel tank ( 162 ) and comprising a handle ( 4 ) and an in extension hereof arranged heating pipe ( 5 ) containing the catalyst ( 20 ,  50 ), where the heating pipe is produced in a material that is transparent for infra-red radiation and fluid-proof for immersion in liquids. 
   
   
       31 . A catalytic heating system according to  claim 23 , further comprising a heat exchanger ( 171 ) between a fuel tank ( 162 ) and an exhaust pipe system for heat exchange between emission gas from the catalytic burning and a wall of the fuel tank, the heat exchanger comprising a flow path for leading the burned gas from the catalyst past the fuel tank. 
   
   
       32 . A catalytic heating system according to  claim 23 , wherein the catalyst ( 20 ,  50 ) is surrounded by a fluid-proof, infra-red transparent enclosure ( 5 ) immersed in a liquid tank for heating of liquid in the liquid tank ( 3 ) by the infrared radiation from the catalytic burning by the catalyst. 
   
   
       33 . A catalytic system according to  claim 32 , wherein the catalyst is elongate and extends horizontally or substantially horizontally in a bottom area of the tank. 
   
   
       34 . A catalytic system according to  claim 32 , wherein the main catalyst is a conical metallic mesh with a large end towards a bottom of the enclosure ( 5 ) and a narrow end of the cone arranged towards a gas exhaust. 
   
   
       35 . A catalytic system according to  claim 32 , further comprising a flow path for intake air and a heat exchanger for heat exchange between hot, burned gas from the catalyst and intake air for the catalyst. 
   
   
       36 . A catalytic system according to  claim 28 , wherein at a lower, wide part of the catalyst mesh there is provided a curved surface  105  for change of direction of fuel gas mixture. 
   
   
       37 . A catalytic heating system according  claim 23 , further comprising a cartridge containing gas with or without aerosols, the cartridge ( 14 ) comprising a container ( 162 ) for containing the gas and comprising a valve arrangement ( 164 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  127 ,  117   a,    117   b,    117   c ) with a tube member ( 164 ) for release of gas with or without aerosols from the container ( 162 ) through a channel in the tube member, the valve arrangement comprising and a resilient member ( 127 ) providing a resilient force against the tube member ( 164 ) directed away from the container, the tube member ( 164 ) having an inner channel ( 113 ) for release of gas from the container ( 162 ,  163 ) through the channel ( 113 ) when the tube member ( 164 ) is pressed against the resilient force a distance along a pressing direction towards the inside of the container.