Combustion heating system

Abstract

A porous ceramic heating reactor is positioned within a tubular casing to contain the flame and the end products of combustion. A flattened portion of the casing extends substantially past the reactor to provide for further transfer of heat through the casing wall from the hot exhaust gases and to carry those exhaust gases to a safe point of exhaustion. The unit is essentially modular so that any number can be selected for an installation. The casing configuration enhances turbulent flow of the hot gaseous products of combustion. Turbulent flow increases heat transfer to and through the walls of the casing to the boiler or other area to be heated. The size and shape of the tubular casing provides an explosion proof, leak proof, efficient heat transfer device. Each reactor has a spark plug one of whose elements is a bi-metallic strip. In a multi-unit installation the spark plugs are connected in parallel across a spark generator. As the spark seeks the smallest gap, one will spark first, initiate combustion, and in response to the heat expand its gap and the spark will shift to the next smallest gap. The sequence will continue for as many reactors as are in the system. A normally open pressure responsive switch is connected to sense the difference in pressure between the fuel inlet line to the reactor and the combustion chamber within the casing. If the pressure differential is not maintained, the switch opens and shuts down the system. However, a slow blow fuse connected across the contacts of the pressure responsive switch prevents shutdown for a short 15 second time period sufficient to permit the initiation of ignition.