Improvements in the Combustion of Gaseous Fuel and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1895

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Combustion of Gaseous Fuel and Apparatus
therefor.
We, PAUL DOUIN, of Beuvrages near Valenciennes, Nord, Engineer, and
PAUL KESTNER, of 40 Boulevard Vauban, Lille, France, Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to an improved method of effecting the combustion of
gaseous fuel, whereby two or more separate quantities of combustible gas are
consecutively brought in contact with the air supply so as to enter into combustion
therewith, thus effecting a very perfect combustion which enables gases of inferior
quality to be used with advantage, the method being applicable for steam generators,
heating furnaces and the like.
The principle upon which this method of operating and the construction of the
combustion apparatus is founded is as tollows. When burning combustible gases
of inferior quality, the best heating effect can only be attained if the excess of air
supplied for combustion be reduced to the smallest possible extent. In order to
attain this end, the gas and the air must be heated to the highest possible
degree and must be intimately mixed together. Furthermore, they must only
be brought in contact with the comparatively cold surfaces of the boiler &c. to
be heated after they have almost completely entered into combination with each
other.
As the air for combustion is supplied cold, it is according to the present invention
gradually mixed in such manner with successive definite quantities of the com
bustible gases and burnt with the same, that the final combustion shall consume
nearly the whole of the excess of oxygen remaining from the preceding
combustion.
On the accompanying drawing is shown a combustion apparatus operating
according to the above described method.
The combustible gas generated in the producer a, of any suitable construction,
from coal, petroleum or other mineral oils, coke, or other carbonaceous material,
passes through the channel b into the chamber c, from which it flows consecutively
through the channels d, f, g, in varying quantities into the mixing and combustion
chamber.
The gas entering through channel d into the front part of the combustion
chamber there comes in contact with regulatable quantities of cold air entering
through the opening h. The gas mixes intimately with this air on passing between
the columns ii and over the fire bridge k, and a complete combustion of the gas
entering through the channel d is thereby effected, whereby the excess of air
contained in the mixture becomes highly heated.
The hot mixture of air and combustion gases thus produced then meets the
gas entering through the channel f, and in passing between the columns becomes
intimately mixed therewith, whereby a second combustion and consequently a
corresponding farther heating of the remaining excess of air mixed with the gases
will be effected.
This mixture, which is divided into separate jets on issuing from between the
columns, now mixes with the gas flowing through the channel g, and enters into

page_text: combustion therewith on passing through the columns m, whereby the remaining
excess of air is entirely consumed, or, there is only a very small residue thereof
left.
The flames and hot combustion gases resulting from this last intense combustion
then pass under the boiler n or are otherwise used for heating purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for the combustion of gaseous fuel, the method of bringing
the air supply for combustion successively in contact with separate quantities
of the combustible gas in such manner that one such quantity of gas in entering
into combustion with a portion of the air supply, will effect the heating of the
remainder thereof before this enters into combustion with another quantity of
the gas.
2. Apparatus for effecting the combustion of gaseous fuel, wherein the combustible
gas is led through two or more separate channels into a combustion chamber into
which the air supply enters at one end, so that the gas issuing through one such
channel enters into combustion with a portion of the air supply and thereby heats
the remainder thereof, which then enters into combustion with the gas issuing
through a second channel, this operation being repeated until the whole of the air
is consumed or nearly so, substantially as herein described.
Dated this 30th day of March 1895.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants