Air flow control system and uses thereof in apparatus for combustion of solid fuels

Abstract

Air flow control systems for use in the combustion of solid fuel are provided. Such air flow control systems may be used in a combustion apparatus, such as a cook stove. The use of such air flow control systems in the combustion apparatus can efficiently combust solid fuels with low emission of particulate matter and harmful gases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air flow control system, comprising:
 an air source configured to output pressurized air; and   an air flow housing unit having an interior, and a top surface with at least one air outlet, and wherein the air flow housing unit is configured to (i) receive pressurized air from the air source, and (ii) release air from the interior to exterior of the air flow housing unit through the at least one air outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow housing unit is connected to the air source by a connector, wherein the connector is rigidly or flexibly attached to the air flow housing unit, wherein the connector is optionally a hose or a joint. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air source is a fan, a compressed air container, a pump, or an air bag, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow housing unit is configured to control velocity, flow rate, direction and location of air flow out of the air flow housing unit. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each outlet is a hole, an air nozzle, an air jet, or a slot, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air source and the air flow housing unit form a single module within the system or are separate, detachable modules. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source, wherein the air source and the power source form an air-power unit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the air-power unit and the air flow housing unit are separate, detachable modules. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the power source is a battery, rechargeable battery, grid power, or solar power, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow housing unit receives pressurized air at the top surface of the air flow housing unit. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow housing unit has a bottom surface, and wherein the air flow housing unit receives pressurized air at the bottom surface of the air flow housing unit. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow housing unit has one or more side surfaces, and wherein the air flow housing unit receives pressurized air at the one or more side surfaces of the air flow housing unit. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each air outlet has a diameter between 0.05 mm and 20 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system outputs air at:
 (a) an air flow rate between 0.01 m 3 /min and 100 m 3 /min;   (b) an air pressure between 1 mm-H 2 O and 1000 mm-H 2 O; or   (c) an outlet air velocity between 0.1 m/s and 10 m/s, or any combination of (a)-(c).   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow housing unit is configured to hold solid fuel on the top surface of the air flow housing unit, above at least a portion of the at least one air outlet, wherein the solid fuel comprises biomass, wood, charcoal, urban waste, or agricultural waste, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A combustion apparatus, comprising:
 a combustion chamber; and   an air flow control system, comprising:
 an air source configured to output pressurized air; and 
 an air flow housing unit having an interior, and a top surface with at least one air outlet, and wherein the air flow housing unit is configured to (i) receive pressurized air from the air source, and (ii) release air from the interior to exterior of the air flow housing unit through the at least one air outlet, 
   wherein at least a portion of the air flow housing unit in the air flow control system is positioned inside, below, or near the combustion chamber, and the air flow housing unit holds solid fuel on the top surface of the air flow housing unit.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is a cooking apparatus, a cook stove, a manufactured stove, a traditional mud and ceramic stove, or a three stones fire, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus has:
 (a) an average high power thermal efficiency of at least 30%;   (b) an average high power carbon monoxide level of less than 2.5 g/MJd; or   (c) an average high power particulate matter level of less than 250 mg/ML;   
       or any combination of (a) to (c). 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus has:
 (a) an average high power thermal efficiency at least 40% higher;   (b) an average high power carbon monoxide level at least 50% lower; or   (c) an average high power particulate matter level at least 70% lower;   
       than when using the combustion apparatus without the air flow control system. 
     
     
         20 . A method for burning solid fuel using a combustion apparatus of  claim 16 , comprising:
 placing solid fuel on the air flow housing unit of the air flow control system in the combustion apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the solid fuel is placed over at least a portion of the air outlets on the air flow housing unit;   igniting at least a portion of the solid fuel;   turning on the air source to (i) provide air through the air flow housing unit, and (ii) output the air through the plurality of air outlets on the air flow housing unit; and   creating a fire from burning of the solid fuel.