Co2 generator and dehydrator

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for improving plant growing conditions, the apparatus in one form comprising: a housing; a carbon dioxide (CO2) producing section; and an exhaust section. The CO2 producing section in form comprises: an inlet through the housing for ambient air, an inlet through the housing for fuel gas, a burner for oxidizing the fuel gas; an oxidized gas outlet flue, and a dehydrator for removing the water vapor from the oxidized gas produced in the CO2 producing section. The dehydrator section may in turn comprise: a cooling water inlet through the housing; a plurality of heat exchangers in fluid communication with the cooling water inlet and in fluid communication with the oxidized gas outlet flue; and at least one condensate trap in fluid communication with a condensate outlet. The dehydrator section may comprise a cooling water outlet through the housing in fluid communication with the heat exchangers.

1 . An apparatus for improving plant growing conditions, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a housing;   b. a carbon dioxide (CO2) producing section which in turn comprises:
 i. an inlet through the housing for ambient air, 
 ii. an inlet through the housing for fuel gas, 
 iii. a burner for oxidizing the fuel gas, 
 iv. an oxidized gas outlet flue, 
   c. a dehydrator for removing the water vapor from the oxidized gas produced in the CO2 producing section, the dehydrator section comprising:
 i. a cooling water inlet through the housing; 
 ii. a plurality of heat exchangers in fluid communication with the cooling water inlet and in fluid communication with the oxidized gas outlet flue; 
 iii. at least one condensate trap in fluid communication with a condensate outlet through the housing; 
 iv. a cooling water outlet through the housing in fluid communication with the heat exchangers; 
   d. an exhaust section downstream of the heat exchangers, the exhaust section comprising a flue gas exhaust releasing the oxidized fuel/air mixture into the atmosphere.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the condensate trap comprises:
 a. a water collecting and diverting trough; 
 b. a fluid drain in the lowermost portion of the trough; 
 c. a plurality of angled wings positioned above and outward of the trough; and 
 d. the angled wings are angled so as to direct rising oxidized gas away from the center of the trough and direct water dripping thereupon into the trough. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the cooling water enters the uppermost heat exchanger and then enters lower heat exchangers in series. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  further comprising;
 a. sensors to monitor the temperature and/or water vapor content of the oxidized fuel/air mixture in the exhaust section; and 
 b. control devices which adjust the flow rate of the cooling water flow rate and/or fuel gas flow rate in relation to the temperature and/or water vapor content of the oxidized fuel/air mixture in the exhaust section.