IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESSES OF AND MEANS FOR MIXING HYDRO CARBONS OR HYDRO CARBON VAPORS WITH SUPERHEATED STEAM, AND WITH AIR PREPARATORY TO IGNITION AND IN BURNING THE SAME IN CONNECTION WITH [HEATED] OPEN BRICK WORK OR OTHER SOLID MATTER
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Benjamin Avery at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th December 1883.
RICHARD BENJAMIN AVERY of the city of Washington in the District of
Columbia and United States of America, manufacturer "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROCESSES OF AND MEANS FOR MIXING HYDRO CARBONS OR HYDRO CARBON
VAPORS WITH SUPERHEATED STEAM, AND WITH AIR PREPARATORY TO IGNITION
AND IN BURNING THE SAME IN CONNECTION WITH [HEATED] OPEN BRICK WORK
OR OTHER SOLID MATTER.
My invention consists, in a novel process and apparatus for generating hydro-
carbon vapor and mixing the same with super-heated steam and air, preparatory
to igniting the same, and then burning said mixture in connection with a novel
regenerator consisting of open brick work, or its equivalent in a furnace, stove or
other heating device.
Heretofore all hydrocarbon vapor burners have used a mixing chamber into
which the gaseous fuel passes after ignition, which chamber thus becomes filled
with flame or incandescent floating particles of carbon. But my aim is to avoid
flame as much as may be, and to bring the heated gaseous fuel in contact with hot,
solid materials, which induce destructive decomposition and new chemical
combinations, and thus produce the wonderful intense heat of flameless combustion,
which is capable of melting iron in a few minutes.
My Invention further consists in various modifications of apparatus for burning
a mixture of superheated steam and hydrocarbon vapor, in connection with my
mixing tubes and numerous jets, as a substitute for a mixing chamber; and also in
various modifications of my improved regenerator or concentrating radiator for the
better combustion of said mixture or mixtures and the production of intense heat.
In carrying out my invention I introduce into the hydrocarbon jet or supply
pipe a series of perforated diaphragms, preferably of gradually decreasing mesb,
and insert the jet pipe or nozzle for a portion of its length in the superheated
steam pipe, so that the hydrocarbon shall not only be atomized but in a measure
highly heated and vaporized before it mingles with the main body of super-heated
steam, and that the gas may be rendered still more uniform in character I insert
in the gas or vapor pipe, or what is the same-the continuation of the superheated
ID 171

page_text: steam pipe-between the hydrocarbon jet and the place of ignition of the gas, a
second series of perforated diaphragms, and these, also, are preferably of decreasing
mesh.
Besides the foregoing there are several other novel features of construction, as
will hereinafter more fully appear.
As a means for carrying out my processes I employ a superheater for superheating
the steam to be used in conjunction with the hydrocarbon.
This superheater may be of any desired form or construction, and from the
same leads a valved pipe for conducting the steam to the place of consumption of
the fuel.
I also employ a valved oil supply pipe leading from the source of oil supply,
which pipe pierces the walls of the superheated steam pipe and extends within
the same for a certain distance. If desired, this latter pipe may terminate as it
enters the steam pipe.
A short valved branch pipe connects the superheated steam pipe with the oil 1
supply pipe, so that a portion of superheated steam may be admitted thereto.
This can be utilized first to produce a vacuum in the oil jet and induce a flow of
oil, secondly to assist in heating the oil and forcing it through the first atomizing
diaphragm, and finally when the oil is cut off entirely a current of free steam may
be forced through the oil pipe or jet to clear out any residuum or carbon which
may be deposited or formed therein.
Within the oil pipe at suitable intervals are arranged a series of perforated
diaphragms, preferably of decreasing mesh so as to successively break up the oil
and vapors, and in the gas conduit or continuation of the superheated steam pipe
are also arranged perforated diaphragms, in any desired number, and preferably of
decreasing mesh as they approach the place where the gas is consumed.
The diaphragms may be introduced by using sections of pipe and inserting
the diaphragms at the junctions of the sections, or by any other of the well known
methods.
For purposes of illustration, these devices are applied to a metallurgic furnace,
though I do not propose to limit them to such use.
The gas conduit may enter the fire chamber through the crown, head or side, of
the furnace, as found most convenient, and there terminate in a suitable burner,
in the present instance shown as a series of perforated jet pipes or nipples
connected by short intermediate sections; but whatever form of burner desired
may be used, though burners which deliver the gas in fine jets or streams are
recommended, and preferred by me.
The air supply pipe may be connected, if desired, to a hot blast pipe leading
from a regenerator or hot blast oven, and it terminates in a fan or fish-tail, having
its mouth covered by a fine wire gauze, which will divide the air blast into a series
of fine jets,
The air may also be forced into combination with the vapor and superheated
steam, and be thoroughly mixed by means of the diaphragms before ignition.
This fan or fish-tail is arranged in the fire chamber of the furnace just back of,
and preferably in line with, the gas burner, so that the fine jets of air shall be
distributed among, and thoroughly intermingled with, the fine jets of gas at the
point of ignition. Such an arrangement insures such a relative admixture of the
air and gas as facilitates the prompt combustion of the elements.
My furnace regenerator for burning gaseous fuel is of open brick work, though
it may be of other forms to answer the same purpose of presenting hot, solid
substances to promote the destructive decomposition of the fuel and the formation
of new chemical combination of the elements therein.
The device being substantially such as specified will operate as follows:
A limited amount of superheated steam is first permitted to pass into the oil
pipe, the valve of the latter being opened to afford the desired supply of bydro-
carbon oil. The jet of superheated steam admitted to the oil pipe seizes upon the
oil and forces it through the first diaphragm, thereby atomizing it and in a measure

page_text: vaporizing it; thence it is forced through the successive perforated diaphragms
until it is finally delivered into the body of superheated steam in a comminuted
and vaporized condition due to the action of said perforated diaphragms and the
high temperature of the superheated steam which surrounds the section of the
oil pipe.
The volume of superheated steam and vaporized oil then passes along the gas
pipe and through the successive perforated diaphragms thereof being continuously
subdivided until a homogeneous mixture of superheated steam and oil vapors is
obtained, that finally issues in minute jets or streains from the gas burner.
The air blast, which is also broken up into fine jets or atoms by the fan-shaped
or fish-tail blast nozzle is projected into there, finely divided jets of gas, and
perfect combustion results.
Instead of this arrangement a furnace with a water jacket therein, may be used,
the outer wall of which is made of masonry and lined with iron. This furnace
has a series of pipes to introduce the mixture of hydrocarbon vapor, superheated
steam and air, the same as used in the above described furnace. These pipes are
made tapering and provided with internal projections to give the current of gaseous
fuel, a zigzag or tortuous course through the same.
The mixed vapor, and superheated steam pipe and air tube may be also applied
to a portable furnace, having an annular chamber provided with a series of
perforated diaphragms.
Other forms of my furnace regenerators may be employed as for instance a
regenerator having perforated disks or constructed of open brick work, and the air
may be admitted in jets from perforated tubes.
After ignition of the mixed gaseous fuel, and when the ore or the regenerator
are once heated, the current of fuel may be for a moment cut off, and the flame
thus extinguished when the stop cocks may be promptly opened. Now the
regenerator produces a flameless combustion and the heat is very intense-sufficient
to melt iron in a few minutes.
The advantages of my invention are the simplicity, durability and effectiveness
of the generating and burning devices.
I wish it to be understood however that I do not broadly claim the use of
perforated diaphragms or like devices for breaking up air, vapors or gases into
fine jets.