The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 26, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 26, 1996
Scott Lee Wellington, Houston, TX (US);
Thomas Mikus, Houston, TX (US);
Harold J Vinegar, Houston, TX (US);
John Michael Karanikas, Houston, TX (US);
Shell Oil Company, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A combustor method and apparatus is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion. The absence of a flame eliminates the flame as a radiant heat source and results in a more even temperature distribution throughout the length of the burner. Flameless combustion is accomplished by preheating the fuel and the combustion air to a temperature above the autoignition temperature of the mixture. The present invention lowers the autoignition temperature by placing a catalytic surface within the desired combustion chamber. Temperatures are maintained above the catalyzed autoignition temperature but less than the noncatalyzed autoignition temperatures for noncatalyzed reaction. Thus, the amount and location of reaction can be controlled by varying the amount and distribution of catalyst within the burner. Removing heat from the combustion chamber in amounts that correspond to the oxidation of fuel within different segments of the combustion chamber can result in low temperatures and relatively even distribution of heat from the burner.