A Process for the Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbons.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Process for the Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbons.
I, OTTO MEURER, of 54/56, Mühlenbach, Cologne, on the Rhine, in the Empire
of Germany, Works Owner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a process for the combustion of liquid hydrocarbons.
Liquid hydrocarbons such as naphtha, etc., have hitherto only been successfully
burnt when pulverized by injected air or steam, the spray formed being heated to
a certain temperature. The flame developed thereby is, therefore, more or less
a thin flame of great intensity which even the best chamotte stone can withstand
for a short time only.
This
This invention dispenses with the pulverization of the liquid fuel and thereby
obviates the disadvantages attending this method of firing. It is based upon the
principle that the hydrocarbon instead of being pulverized or vaporized is de-
composed in such a manner that it is for the most part converted into soot.
is effected by igniting the liquid hydrocarbon and allowing it to burn with a small
flame so that a large quantity of soot is formed. This soot then forms an excellent
combustible material containing a high percentage of carbon in an exceedingly
fine state of division.
A furnace constructed upon this principle is illustrated in the accompanying
drawing, in which :-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the furnace :
Figure 2 is a transverse section of the furnace; and
Figure 3 is a sectional plan.
In front of the heating chamber proper a, which is to be heated, there is
arranged a fore-chamber 6 of fire-proof material which is heated by means of an
auxiliary grate through the medium of ordinary solid fuel. In front of this fire-
place which is at once put out of operation when it has fulfilled its purpose of
heating the brickwork, there is arranged a tray c which is preferably made of
cast iron, the said tray being advantageously built in an opening in the brickwork,
or in the case of ships is mounted on a double suspension. This tray is in con-
nection with the heated fore-chamber and the liquid fuel to be burnt flows into
the said tray from a vessel standing near the oven, boiler, etc. The shape of the
tray is such that it is directed towards the liquid fuel which flows laterally into
it, through the pipe d, not into the middle but into the outer end thereof. When
the tray is full or practically so, the liquid fuel ignites and a considerable forma-
tion of soot takes place. This soot is, by means of a steam jet g which is fitted
in the space above the tray, blown into the hot fore-chamber 6 for combustion.
The steam jet must be so directed that it does not enter the tray and disturb the
liquid fuel. As soon as the soot passes into the hot chamber b it is burnt, as the air
necessary for its combustion is introduced into the combustion chamber simul-
taneously with the steam. The quantity of air drawn in can be easily adjusted
by regulating the pressure at which the steam is injected.

page_text: With this arrangement, therefore, the hydrocarbon is not pulverized or vaporized
but is decomposed so as to form soot, carbon monoxide and water. The soot and
the carbon monoxide are then conveyed by the steam jet into the chamber 6 where
they are heated and completely burnt with the aid of the air drawn in without
the formation of an intense thin flame. The combustion is so complete that no
smoke issues from the chimney.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;-
:-
A process for burning liquid hydrocarbons such as petroleum residue, tar,
naphtha, etc., such process consisting in converting the hydrocarbon into soot, in
mixing the soot with air and steam and in conveying the mixture into a red hot
chamber, substantially as described.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicant.