Flammable Gas Concentration Reducer and Inert Gas Generator

Abstract

A remediation method and device for combustible gas in a room is disclosed. An inlet and outlet opening between ambient room air and the interior of a device are used with a sensor. Flame arrestor quench screens are used to control a fire within a chamber having an impeller causing air flow. A pilot flame situated within the combustion chamber burns combustible gas while temperature, pressure, and oxygen sensor devices are used to modify air flow as necessary for optimum combustion within the device.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of leak detection and/or remediation of combustible gas in a room, comprising the steps of:
 maintaining a first flow rate of ambient air from said room into an interior of a device;   maintaining a pilot flame within said interior of said device;   detecting a rise in temperature as a result of said pilot flame increasing in size due to combustion of gases in said ambient air;   based on said detecting, increasing said flow rate to a second rate above said first flow rate;   burning said combustible gas within said interior of said device;   exhausting a resultant gaseous product.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said exhausting is to said room by way of a filter which is part of a central air system for a building which comprises said room. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step, while carrying out said step of burning, of detecting oxygen levels within said interior of said device. and adjusting flow rate to provide oxygen levels between a desired threshold for optimal combustion within said interior of said device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting a rise in pressure and oxygen concentration of air passing through said device and lowering said flow rate based on a rise in pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said gas is rendered inert by a catalytic converter simultaneous to said burning. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein after said second flow rate is carried out for a pre-determined period of time and said temperature remains above a pre-determined amount within said device a further step of introducing water into said device is carried out. 
     
     
         7 . A device for remediation of gases in a room, comprising:
 an inlet open to ambient air within a room and a first interior space of said device with at least one sensor;   an outlet open to outside of said device;   a first flame arrestor quench screen situated between said first interior space and an impeller and a second flame arrestor quench screen between a combustion chamber and said outlet, said impeller causing air flow in a direction from said inlet to said outlet;   a pilot flame situated within said combustion chamber.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said outlet is open to said ambient air within said room. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one sensor comprising at least two of a pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and oxygen concentration sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein a catalytic converter is situated downstream from said impeller. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein a pressure release valve is situated downstream from said impeller. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein upon detection of one of an increase in pressure, an increase in temperature, or a decrease in oxygen concentration by a respective at least one sensor, a rotation rate of said impeller is increased. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a water inlet which is opened upon detection of a temperature above a pre-defined threshold for a pre-defined period of time, wherein said detection is based on output from said temperature sensor. 
     
     
         14 . A kit comprising the device of  claim 8  and a central air system of a building in which said device is situated, wherein said central air system comprises a filter through which air from said central air system passes and, in addition, air from said outlet passes before reaching said room. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein ducts extend from said central air system to said room and said output of said device connects to said ducts.