Method for Manufacturing a Gelled Fuel Heat Source

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a stable gelled fuel composition of diethylene glycol and fumed silica. Polyethylene glycol may also be added to improve burning. Previous related compositions (U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,003) provided methods of making a polymer hydrogel without chemical cross links. The modifications herein create optimal methods for mixing that enhance the range of applications. The gelation process is further modulated by controlling the air entraining of the resultant mixture producing a gellant complex while at the same time reducing the gelling media. The method includes the steps of providing a polymer solution of silicone dioxide (SiO 2 ) wetted into diethylene glycol (DEG) in a first solution. The method further provides physically cross-linked hydrogels produced by controlled gelation of viscoelastic mixture wherein workability is maintained. In a further aspect, the invention provides methodology for mixing other forms of the gelation of polymer hydrogel solutions.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing a gelled fuel heat source comprising the steps of:
 providing a first ingredient diethylene glycol (DEG) in an amount in the range of 93%-97.5% by weight;   providing a second ingredient silica dioxide in an amount in the range of 2.5%-7% by weight;   introducing the first and second ingredients into a bulk mixer, the bulk mixer comprising a Cowles Blade operable in both an angular rotational manner and in an axially longitudinal manner;   operating the bulk mixer through a homogenizing cycle by cycling the Cowles Blade through angular rotation and axial longitudinal movement;   operating the bulk mixer through an activation cycle comprising operating the Cowles Blade through an angular rotation and axial longitudinal motion;   settling the mixer and the suspension mixture and dispensing the batch mixture from the bulk mixer; and   packaging the dispensed mixture into individual portion containers for storage, sale, and use.   
     
     
         2 . A method for manufacturing a gelled fuel and a gelled fuel heat source, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing predetermined quantities of at least two bulk ingredients into a closed mixing system, the closed mixing system comprising a bulk mixer, the bulk mixer having a modified Cowles blade, the step of providing at least two bulk ingredients comprising:
 (i) providing a quantity of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) at a rate in the range of 93.0% to 97.5% by weight; 
 (ii) providing a quantity of Silica Dioxide ( ) at a rate in the range of 2.5% to  7 . 0 % by weight; and 
 (iii) providing a quantity of salt (NaCl) to provide the color yellow or a quantity of boric acid ( ) to provide the color green; 
   (b) programming the bulk mixer to run at a sequence of predetermined RPMs over predetermined periods of time and through a sequence of predetermined strata mix times;   (c) operating the bulk mixer according to the programmed RPMs and strata mix times, the step of operating the bulk mixer comprising:
 (i) rotating the Cowles blade at a predetermined RPM for a predetermined period of time; and 
 (ii) elevating and lowering the Cowles blade through a series of predetermined strata levels with the bulk mixer, mixing at each level for a predetermined period of time; 
   (d) removing the bulk hydrogel product produced from the bulk mixer;   (e) providing a plurality of individual portion containers;   (f) dividing the bulk hydrogel product into the plurality of individual portion containers; and   (g) sealing the plurality of individual portion containers with a removable seal.