Method device and system for heating
A method for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, wherein the steam is mixed with exhaust gas from combustion of said gaseous medium; and wherein said mixture is used for heating purposes. The invention also relates to a device and a system for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam. The invention further relates to a method and system for purifying gases. The invention also relates to a method, system and device for extinguishing fires in oil bore holes.
The present invention relates to a method for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention also relates to another method for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, according to the preamble of claim 8. The present invention further relates to a method for purifying gases according to the preamble of claim 14. The present invention still further relates to a method for extinguishing fires according to the preamble of claim 17. The present invention further relates to a device for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, according to the preamble of claim 19. The present invention still further relates to a system for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, according to the preamble of claim 31. The present invention further relates to a system for purifying gases according to the preamble of claim 46. The present invention also relates to a system for extinguishing fires according to the preamble of claim 52. The present invention finally relates to a device for extinguishing fires according to the preamble of claim 56.
BACKGROUNDIn boiler houses sulphur coating is formed on the inside of the boilers, i.e. extremely hard slag which is very difficult to remove. By conventional methods water is flushed in the boiler in order to unlace the slag, which is then scraped off. This is done by chimney cleaners and is very time consuming and does not provide a very good result. It is further a physically demanding task and expose the workers to hazards.
In exhaust air ducts, such as e.g. kitchen ducts, fat originating from food products and the like gets stuck on the inside of the ducts, on the bottom part and on the walls. The fat gets extremely hard and is very difficult to remove. The cleaning of the ducts is performed manually by conventional methods. The workers have to crawl inside the duct and scrape off the fat and collect it in buckets or the like. In buildings with several floors a narrow elevator is constructed where the worker sits and performs the cleaning. Also this does not give a satisfactory result and is a quite difficult task for the workers.
In the food industry, i.e. by chocolate manufacturing, slag is formed in the chocolate channels. In order to remove the slag products heating pistols are used, but they do not supply enough energy and are thus inefficient and do not give a satisfactory result. By releasing steam from boilers into the room attempts are made to clean the channels, but as the steam has to travel a long way it is not efficient at all.
In industrial chimneys the soot gets stuck on the inside of the chimney. The chimneys are cleaned by conventional cleaning, performed by chimney cleaners. This is a quite tricky and time consuming task, which can be physically demanding and hazardous for the workers. Another way of removing soot is to use ultrasonic sound, which, however, is not an efficient method.
In drainage systems today, all cast iron systems are cleaned by high pressure flushing with water using a pressure greater than 100 bar. As a consequence they tend to break in joints, sealing joints etc. on occasions. In apartments the remains are discharged into the sewer systems, which is a problem.
The marine industry suffers from basically the above problems. They have kitchen ducts, drainage systems, chimneys etc.
By manufacturing of medicine in large tanks, the tanks are afterwards cleaned by means of hot water under high pressure. A very large amount of water is consumed and the result is not particularly good.
In the paper pulp industry the paper pulp gets stuck in e.g. the tanks, the conveyor belt where the pulp is dried, actually basically the whole line of production. The paper pulp becomes so hard that iron bars are needed to remove the pulp. The same type of problem also occurs by filter manufacturing.
Cleaning of oil in pipelines which gets stuck therein is currently done by using a sleigh or the like which cuts away the slag from the inner walls. By this method only a certain amount is removed due to e.g. the pipes not having an exactly circular shape. In developing countries the removing is done manually, which is very hazardous from an occupational point of view. In some cases the pipelines are simply replaced.
A problem by drilling in oil wells is that the boring bars tend to get stuck by the oil flowing down in the bore holes. There is a thermal rising force from the ground heat (hot air) rising in the holes. The rising air has a certain speed, which results in a cooling effect, cooling down the oil in the bore holes, making the oil sticky, resulting in the boring bars getting stuck. There are no efficient methods to solve this problem.
Shale oil lies under ground as bitumen. There are two known ways of extracting the oil. Either by open cut mine or by heating up the oil sand or by heating up or diluting the oil sand so that it becomes sufficiently fluid to be pumped up.
Both methods have major environmental disadvantages. Open cut mines require that two tons of tar sand is dug up for each barrel (159 litre) of oil produced. Only one fifth of the reserves of oil shale can be extracted with this technique. An army of trucks, trenching machines and bulldozers, which themselves require a lot of energy, are needed in order to excavate an area of the size of a large football ground every second day. After having extracted the shale oil the same operation is needed to fill up the open cut mine and restore nature. By using steam or chemicals for making the bitumen fluid, large risks for damaging the ground water appear. In order to extract shale oil in shale oil reserves using steam, steam is inserted into the ground in order to heat up the bitumen, which then becomes fairly liquid and can be retrieved. The steam is produced by large generators, which require a lot of electrical power, making the oil very expensive.
When an oil tanker sinks, the water is often so cold that oil spill sinks and eventually lies on the bottom. This makes it very difficult to collect the oil.
It is also quite difficult to collect the oil in an oilslick. One way of preventing the oilslicks from drifting away is to provide a barrier around the oilslick, which has a certain depth, e.g. 2 meters. The problem of removing the oil in an efficient way still remains.
By fire fighting, the fires are mostly put out with water. A problem is that after the fire is put out the facility is soaked with water leading to large water damages. Another problem e.g. in large buildings such as skyscrapers the water is flushed from above as the ladders will not reach. This is not very efficient as the water turns into steam and is pushed away before reaching the core of the fire.
Another problem by oil drilling is that fires occasionally occur in the bore holes, which fires are difficult to extinguish. A solution to this problem is to blow up the bore hole to extinguish the fire. A disadvantage with this solution is that the bore hole is destroyed.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONOne object of the present invention is to provide a method for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, such that heating becomes more efficient.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, such that heating becomes more efficient.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the Water being provided by burning a fuel, such that heating becomes more efficient.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for purification of gases, said gases being exhaust gases, non-combusted gases or the like, such that said gases are substantially reduced.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a system for purification of gases, said gases being exhaust gases, non-combusted gases or the like, such that said gases are substantially reduced
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for extinguishing fires in oil bore holes without destroying said bore holes.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system intended for extinguishing fires in oil bore holes without destroying said bore holes.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device intended for extinguishing fires in oil bore holes without destroying said bore holes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThese and other objects, apparent from the following description, are achieved by methods, a device and a system for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam which is of the type stated by way of introduction and which in addition exhibits the features recited in the characterising clause of the appended claims 1, 8, 19 and 31, a method and system for purifying gases which is of the type stated by way of introduction and which in addition exhibits the features recited in the characterising clause of the appended claims 14 and 46, a method, system and device for extinguishing fires which is of the type stated by way of introduction and which in addition exhibits the features recited in the characterising clause of the appended claims 17, 52 and 56. Preferred embodiments of the inventive methods, devices and systems are defined in appended sub claims 2-7, 9-13, 18, 20-30, 32-43, 47-51, 53-55 and 57-58.
One advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing slag from the inside of the boilers in boiler houses or the like which is quick, efficient and does not lead to any occupational hazards.
Another advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing fat from the inside of exhaust air ducts, such as kitchen ducts or the like, which is quick, efficient and does not lead to any occupational hazards.
Yet another advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing slag from the inside of channels by food manufacturing, such as chocolate channels by chocolate manufacturing or the like, which is quick and efficient.
A further advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing soot from the inside of industrial chimneys or the like which is quick, efficient and does not lead to any occupational hazards.
A still further advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing slag from the inside of containers by medicine manufacturing or the like which is quick and efficient.
Another advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing hard paper pulp from the inside of containers by paper pulp manufacturing or the like which is quick, efficient and does not lead to any occupational hazards.
Yet another advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of cleaning drainage systems such as cast iron systems or the like in apartment facilities or the like which is quick and efficient and at the same time eliminates the risk of damaging the pipes.
A further advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of clearing oil stuck in pipelines, which is quick and efficient.
A still further advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of preventing boring bars to get stuck by drilling in oil wells.
Another advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of extracting shale oil in shale oil reserves in an efficient and power saving way.
Yet another advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of collecting leaking oil from a sunk or sinking oil tanker in an efficient way.
A further advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of collecting the oil from an oilslick in an efficient way.
A further advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-7 is that it facilitates a way of heating up rooms such as e.g. house trailers which is very efficient and environmental friendly.
A still further advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is that it facilitates a way of putting out fires which is efficient and avoids water damages in the facility where the fire has been put out.
Advantages offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of claim 8 is that it facilitates a way of heating which is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which leads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment.
An advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of claim 9 is that filtering of said steam and exhaust gas mixture offers a controlled way of purifying said mixture such that pure water is reused, which means that the process can be repeated without adding any impurities.
Advantages offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of claims 10 or 11 is that it facilitates a way of heating buildings which is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which leads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment.
Advantages offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of claim 12 or 13 is that it facilitates a way of producing electricity by means of steam turbines which is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which leads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment.
Advantages offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of claims 14 or 15 is that it facilitates a way of purifying gases, where said gases may comprise exhaust gases and hot and cold non-combusted gases, which is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which offers a controlled way of collecting impurities from said gases, which leads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment, and such that pure water may be reused.
An advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 17-18 is that it facilitates a way of extinguishing fires in oil bore holes, which way is efficient and avoids damaging said bore holes.
An advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing slag from the inside of the boilers in boiler houses or the like.
Another advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing fat from the inside of exhaust air ducts such as kitchen ducts or the like.
Yet another advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick and efficient way, removing slag from the inside of channels by food manufacturing such as chocolate channels by chocolate manufacturing or the like.
A further advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing soot from the inside of industrial chimneys or the like.
A still further advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick and efficient way, removing slag from the inside of containers by medicine manufacturing or the like.
Another advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing hard paper pulp from the inside of containers by paper pulp manufacturing or the like.
Yet another advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick and efficient way, without damaging the pipes, cleaning drainage systems such as cast iron systems or the like in apartment facilities or the like.
A further advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick and efficient way clearing oil stuck in pipelines.
A still further advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it facilitates a way of preventing boring bars to get stuck by drilling in oil wells.
Another advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for in an efficient and power saving way extracting shale oil in shale oil reserves.
Yet another advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for in an efficient way collecting leaking oil from a damaged oil tanker.
A further advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for in an efficient way collecting the oil from an oilslick.
A further advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it can be used for in an efficient and environment friendly way, heating up rooms such as e.g. a house trailers.
A further advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is that it facilitates a way of putting out fires, which way is efficient and avoids water damages in the facility where the fire has been put out.
Advantages offered by the system according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of claim 31-39 is that it facilitates a way of heating, which is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which leads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment.
An advantage offered by the method according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of claims 35 or 37 is that filtering of said steam and exhaust gas mixture offers a controlled way of purifying said mixture such that pure water is reused, which means that the process can be repeated without adding any impurities.
Advantages offered by the system according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of claims 40 or 41 is that it facilitates a way of heating buildings, which is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which leads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment
Advantages offered by the system according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of claims 42 or 43 is that it facilitates a way of producing electricity by means of steam turbines, which is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which leads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment.
Advantages offered by the system according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 46-51 is that it facilitates a way of purifying gases, where said gases may comprise exhaust gases and hot and cold non-combusted gases, which is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which offers a controlled way of collecting impurities from said gases, which leads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment, and such that pure water may be reused.
An advantage offered by the system according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 52-55 is that it facilitates a way of extinguishing fires in oil bore holes, which way is efficient and avoids damaging said bore holes.
An advantage offered by the device according to the present invention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 56-58 is that it facilitates a way of extinguishing fires in oil bore holes, which way is efficient and avoids damaging said bore holes.
These and other advantages of the present invention will be further elucidated in the following description.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA better understanding of the present invention will be had upon the reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
Water is introduced via the reducing valve 5 and then reaches the burner 3. It flows in the helical pipe and is pre-heated and then continues to the steam pressure chamber 6 where the water starts to boil and reaches a high pressure. The steam created continues to the safety valve 9, where the steam goes right through if not, for some reason a stop has occurred. If that is the case an overflow pipe 11 leading down to the burner 3 turns it out. The burner 3 is designed in such a way that if the flame goes out a small heat sensor automatically turns off the gas or the corresponding. If the safety valve is not triggered the steam continues to a vent passage 10 which functions in such a way that as soon as the steam has entered and reached a certain temperature, at 8 bar it is approximately 180°, it opens automatically and lets the steam pass through. If, by any circumstance, the burner 3 would not react properly the vent passage closes. This is however highly unlikely considering the capacity of the burner 3. The pipe coming from the vent passage 10 enters directly into the injection chamber 8, which consists of an inner chamber where the steam is injected and an outer chamber surrounding the inner, where the exhaust gas is introduced. The exhaust gases keep the steam heated already at this stage. The steam rises to the mixing chamber 13, where steam and exhaust gases are mixed. The injection chamber can as an alternative consist of two hoses having a certain desired length depending on the application, one hose surrounding the other (steam-jacketed) and be injected just before it enters the mixture chamber 8. Condensation can be achieved in such a way that water flows which the steam can carry flowing down in a drainage pipe 15 and further down in the sink. If the burner 3 would go out the water is prevented from rising and flowing in to the burner 3. At the top of the steam generator a flame guard, designed as a perforated plate, is arranged, as a safety precaution, in such a way that the flames will not be able to rise higher. In addition there is a valve 16 located downstream of valve 10 for evacuating steam, so that the device can be used for example for cleaning of tanks for medicine manufacturing, at the end of the cleaning process, when it is desired to get the tank disinfected, by only injecting steam in the tank. Alternatively a two-way valve (not shown) could be connected to the injection chamber in such a way that the exhaust gas could be evacuated via this valve so that only steam is used in the end of a process as described above. In this way hotter steam can be achieved. There is also a steam heating hose 14, connected to the opening 17, provided for transporting the steam and exhaust gas mixture.
When the exhaust gases are injected into the steam they are intended for heating up desired cavities whereas the steam in the mixture is intended to loosen up the slag or the like on the surfaces in the cavity. During the process the steam, as it is mixed with the exhaust gases, prevents from fire due to heating by the exhaust gases. When the exhaust gases in the mixture have heated the cavity to the desired operating temperature, the steam in the mixture starts loosening up the slag on the surfaces while at the same time the exhaust gases keep the surfaces heated. Thus, the exhaust gases transports the steam and keeps it warm in an efficient way. This results in a very high efficiency, with practically no loss of energy.
Steam, which is cooled in the process, reverts, i.e. is condensed to water and flows back in the lowest part of the ventilating duct and is collected in the collecting vessel 33 ready to be removed after having finalised the cleaning of the ventilating duct.
During the process the mixture is risingly led to the top of the channel where preferably a temperature regulated valve 31 is located. The valve 31 is arranged to be controlled by temperature in such a way that the inner sides of the ventilating duct 30 are supplied with a proper amount of exhaust gas and steam for reaching a temperature for melting the impurities consisting of fat, oils mixed with dust, soot and slag particles, which are stuck on the inner sides of the ventilating duct 30. The control of the valve 31 is designed in such a way that the gas and steam mixture is maximally used for the cleaning of the channel regarding supplied energy.
As implied above the exhaust channel can be a ventilating duct such as a kitchen duct, or a chimney or the like. The device according to the invention, however, facilitates introducing the mixture into any kind of cavity, where the cavity apart from an exhaust channel can be e.g. a tank; drainage system; chimney; boiler; pipeline; oil container; oil well; oil shale; oilslick or the like. Different applications of the invention will be further elucidated below.
The device according to the present invention can thus in another application be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing slag from the inside of the boilers in boiler houses or the like.
The device can in a further application as mentioned above be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing fat from the inside of exhaust air ducts such as kitchen ducts or the like. By introducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture into the channel the fat becomes as loose as cooking oil, floats down and is collected in a container at the bottom. The fat is then preferably cooled down and becomes hard, and can easily be removed. This is explained further above.
The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick and efficient way, removing slag from the inside of channels by food manufacturing such as chocolate channels by chocolate manufacturing or the like. By introducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture into the channel the slag products are liquefied and can be removed. This is by way of example. The invention can of course be used in any cavity where fat, for example vegetable fat, is present.
The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing soot from the inside of industrial chimneys or the like. The top of the chimney is sealed. The mixture with a suitable temperature is then introduced. By the heat the soot becomes heavy and falls down, is shoved together and can then easily be removed by transport.
The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick and efficient way, removing slag from the inside of tanks by medicine manufacturing or the like which is quick and efficient. By introducing the mixture at preferably 125-140° the slag products are removed and the tank is disinfected and ready for use. In order to get the tank fully disinfected only steam is injected at the end, or alternatively the exhaust gases are diverted at the end such that only steam is released. This can also be done with a petroleum tank, which then eliminates the risk of fire.
The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing hard paper pulp from the inside of containers by paper pulp manufacturing or the like. By introducing the mixture in the container the hard paper pulp stuck on walls is loosened up by the heat and can easily be removed such that the container again is ready for use.
The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick and efficient way, without damaging the pipes, cleaning drainage systems such as cast iron systems or the like in apartment buildings or the like. By introducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture into the pipes they are cleaned very efficiently without any risk of being damaged in the process. One way of doing this is to attach a pipe tee to the outgoing pipes, presumably located in the basement, then connecting the device for producing the mixture, and then, using the temperature regulator on the roof, introducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture, heating the drainage and consequently the fat without pressure floats down into a collecting barrel or the like.
The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick and efficient way clearing oil stuck in pipelines. By introducing the mixture in the pipelines the oil stuck in the pipelines is cleared. How big a section of the pipeline that can be cleared depends on the size of the gas burner or the like. Theoretically a section of up to one kilometre could be cleared. One way of practically doing this is to use trucks for accessing the pipelines, onto which trucks the mixture device and a water container are arranged.
The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick and efficient way preventing boring bars to get stuck by drilling in oil wells. The boring bars get stuck because of the oil being cooled down due to the thermal rising force from the geothermal heat, i.e. hot air, which when moving at high speed gives a cooling effect. By introducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture into the ground the oil is prevented from being cooled down and thus the risk of the boring bars getting stuck is eliminated.
The device can in a further application be used for in an efficient and power saving way extracting shale oil in shale oil reserves. The shale oil lies under ground as bitumen. Instead of introducing steam in order to liquefy the bitumen, requiring a lot of power, the steam and exhaust gas mixture is introduced, requiring much less power. The presence of bitumen lies in many cases under natural gas reserves, and thus in these cases by combusting the natural gas, it can then be mixed with steam for producing the steam and exhaust gas mixture. The combustion gas is thus in these cases “free of charge”.
The device can in a further application be used for in an efficient way collecting the oil from a sunk or sinking oil tanker. In the case of sinking oil tankers the water is usually so cold that the oil starts sinking to the bottom. By introducing the mixture into the oil compartment in the sinking oil tanker via hoses and heat up the oil, it can easily be retrieved.
The device can in a further application be used for in an efficient way collecting the oil from an oilslick. By covering the oilslick with a blanket or the like, and the introducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture under the blanket and into the oilslick, the oil is heated and becomes more liquid. The temperature of the oil is preserved by the blanket, and thus the liquid oil can easily be sucked up.
When operated tap water of a temperature of e.g. 6° C. is introduced into the arrangement 200 through the pipe 4 and the water is heated to a desired steam temperature and the achieved steam is mixed with the exhaust gases for example in a manner as described above in conjunction with
In this way a closed system is achieved, which reuses the water, collects light impurities, for example CO2, and heavy impurities so that there is no release to the environment, and which has a very high efficiency. Through the outlet 55 of the heat exchanger 51 hot water or steam of a desired temperature, the outlet temperature of the hot water or steam depending on the temperature of the steam and exhaust gas mixture, can be retrieved, which can be used for heating purposes as described below.
Instead of applying the system to a central boiler plant it could be applied to each separate building, or to a number of buildings, such that each building or number of buildings has its own system for heating. In this case devices requiring less power are needed, and the heat does not have to be transported such a long way as in the example above.
The above system can consequently be used for, in an efficient way, heating up rooms such as e.g. house trailers. As described above the steam and exhaust mixture is introduced into a heat exchanger. The steam rises and heats the water in the heat exchanger until the steam has been cooled down to the temperature where condensation occurs. The steam flows down again and the process starts all over. By cooling the exhaust gases in the form of accumulated water below the dew point it flows down again. The old exhaust gases are filtered via water filters such that they can be re-used, i.e. no exhaust opening such as a chimney or the like is needed, and consequently no exhaust gases are released to the environment. Instead of using e.g. water with a temperature of e.g. 6° C., water with a temperature of e.g. 20° C. is received. Therefore, as it is a closed system, the heating process becomes faster. A very high temperature difference (ΔT) is achieved. By filtering in e.g. normal active coal pure water is provided again.
In this way chimneys in factories or the like become obsolete and practically no exhaust gases or non-combusted gases are discharged into the environment. Light impurities, for example CO2 is further taken care of in a controlled manner.
The heat exchanger 87 further comprises an inlet 98 and an outlet 99, into which inlet 98 tap water is intended to be introduced. The hot water or steam leaving the outlet 99 can be used for heating purposes according to for example the examples shown in
The system 80 may of course be used for purifying only exhaust gases which for example can be achieved if the unit 85 constitutes any kind of device, system, process plant, factory or the like discharging exhaust gases of any kind, or simply by disconnecting the unit 85. In these cases the mixture in the chamber 96 is constituted by the steam and exhaust gas mixture 100.
The device can in a further application be used for in an efficient way put out fires. The device facilitates, by mixing steam with exhaust gas, achieving dry, saturated steam/exhaust gas mixture having a low pressure and a temperature of e.g. 300-400° C., which gives ideal characteristics for extinguishing fires. By introducing the steam from the device from underneath, the core of the fire is reached without getting in contact with the flames. The fire is then put out from underneath and the oxygen is taken away at the same time as it moistens all the surfaces. Either a perforated hose is used which is unrolled in the floor underneath, or alternatively a hose is harpooned or similar into the floor being on fire.
When there is a fire in the bore hole a steam and exhaust gas mixture 100 is, by means of pressure, introduced into said cavity from the top of said pipe configuration, said pressure being achieved by means of for example a fan or the like, where said pressure is higher than the pressure of the inflammable gas coming up through the bore hole, such that said mixture 100 enters, through the openings 117, each chamber 114, in which chambers the steam binds said inflammable gas. Due to the dry, saturated steam and exhaust gas mixture the fire is then extinguished and the mixture also prevents a new fire to begin. In this way no damage to the bore hole is caused. The pressure of the inflammable gas coming up through the bore hole can easily be measured with any kind of suitable pressure detecting means.
Above the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments. Of course further embodiments as well as minor changes and additions may be imagined without deserting the basic inventive idea.
The above mentioned applications of the invention are only examples. There are of course other areas where the invention offers advantages. In the oil industry, apart from what is mentioned above, also, for example, cleaning of oil tanks and cleaning of the ventilating ducts leading the oil mist away for the refining. In the marine industry, cleaning of heat exchange systems, cleaning of exhaust gas channels/chimneys from engines etc., cleaning of drainage systems in there entire length, cleaning of tanks from oil, disposals and night soil, and cleaning of kitchen ducts from restaurant kitchens, are examples of applications. In the food industry cleaning and disinfection of preparation vessels, cleaning of ducts, and cleaning of production lines etc. Manufacturing of medicine is as mentioned cleaning and disinfection of preparation tanks. In building facilities for example, thawing of down pipes and spouts during winter season and as mentioned cleaning of drainage pipes. In paper pulp industry, cleaning of exhaust air duct systems is another application. In areas where today conventional steam engines are used, as e.g. thawing of road culverts, street gullies, water and drainage pipes, bore holes, casting moulds etc. Other areas are hardening of concrete during the winter season, heating of large PVC pipes and many others.
Where temperatures, pressures, efficiencies are mentioned they have been included for the purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the application and are only examples and do consequently not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
Claims
1. A method for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, the method comprising the steps of:
- mixing the steam with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel; and
- using said mixture for heating purposes.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said fuel is a gaseous medium, for example butane, propane, natural gas or the like, or a liquid medium, for example diesel, oil or the like, or a solid medium, for example coal, pellets, peat, oilshale, coke, wood or the like.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of introducing said mixture into a cavity for heating.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said cavity constitutes anyone of the following: exhaust channel; tank; drainage system; chimney; boiler; pipeline; oil container; oil well; oil shale; oilslick, oil tanks, ventilating duct, heat exchanger system, preparation vessels, down pipe and spout, exhaust air system, cavity on fire, road culverts, street gullies, water and drainage pipes, bore holes, casting moulds, PVC pipes or the like.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of regulating the temperature of said mixture.
6. A method according to claim 1, further comprises the steps of:
- exchanging heat between said mixture and cool water, such that the water is heated to a desired water or steam temperature and said mixture is cooled to the condensing temperature;
- using the heated water for heating purposes; and
- reusing the condensed mixture to repeat the above steps.
7. A method according to claim 6, further comprises the step of filtering the condensed mixture prior to reusing it;
8. A method for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, comprising the steps of:
- mixing the steam with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel;
- exchanging heat between said mixture and cool water, such that the water is heated to a desired water or steam temperature and said mixture is cooled to the condensing temperature;
- using the heated water for heating purposes; and
- reusing the condensed mixture to repeat the above steps.
9. A method according to claim 8, comprising the further step of filtering the condensed mixture prior to reusing it.
10. A method according to claim 8, comprising the further step of supplying said hot water to buildings or the like for heating purposes.
11. A method according to claim 8, comprising the further steps of:
- prior to supplying said heated water to buildings exchanging heat between the heated water and cool water such that the cool water is heated up to a desired tap water temperature for hot water and the heated water is cooled down slightly to a desired temperature for supplying radiator systems;
- supplying said hot tap water to the tap water system of buildings or the like and supplying said hot radiator water to the radiator system of said buildings; and
- retrieving the cool return water from said buildings for exchanging of heat with the hot steam and exhaust gas mixture.
12. A method according to claim 8, comprising the further step of introducing said steam into a steam turbine for the production of electricity;
13. A method according to claim 8, comprising the further step of exchanging heat between steam from said turbine and cool water such that the steam is condensed to water and returning the water for exchanging of heat with the hot steam and exhaust gas mixture.
14. A method for purifying gases, said gases comprising non-combusted gases and/or exhaust gases, comprising the steps of:
- producing steam by heating water by means of burning a fuel;
- mixing the steam with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel;
- mixing said gases with the steam and exhaust gas mixture;
- cooling the mixture to the condensation temperature; and
- filtering the liquid mixture.
15. A method according to claim 14, comprising the further step of collecting light impurities, for example CO2.
16. A process for using steam produced according to claim 1, for fire fighting.
17. A method for extinguishing fires in oil bore holes, comprising the steps of:
- producing steam by heating water by means of burning a fuel;
- mixing the steam with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel, said mixture preferably being dry and saturated and having a low pressure and a temperature of preferably 300-400° C.;
- introducing the mixture into the bore hole to be mixed with inflammable gas;
18. A method according to claim 17, comprising the further step of introducing said mixture into the inflammable gas in a pulsed way
19. A device for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, wherein an arrangement (1, 1′, 200) for mixing the steam with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel.
20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said fuel is a gaseous medium, for example butane, propane, natural gas or the like, or a liquid medium, for example diesel, oil or the like, or a solid medium, for example coal, pellets, peat, oilshale, coke, wood or the like.
21. A device according to claim 19, comprising a cavity for introducing said mixture into for heating.
22. A device according to claim 19, wherein said cavity constitutes any one of the following: exhaust channel; tank; drainage system; chimney; boiler; pipeline; oil container; oil well; oil shale; oilslick, oil tanks, ventilating duct, heat exchanger system, preparation vessels, down pipe and spout, exhaust air system, cavity on fire, road culverts, street gullies, water and drainage pipes, bore holes, casting moulds, and PVC pipes or the like.
23. A device according to claim 21, wherein the device comprises a container (2, 20), at least one pipe system (4, 23) arranged in said container (2, 20) for introducing water and for extracting steam from said container (2, 20) and a burner (3) for heating water and steam in said pipe system and means for extracting exhaust gases from combustion by means of said burner (3) and means for mixing said steam and said exhaust gases.
24. A device according to claim 23, wherein a pressure chamber is provided from which steam is extracted.
25. A device according to claim 23, wherein said steam and said exhaust gases are mixed in said cavity.
26. A device according to claim 23, wherein an injection chamber is arranged upstream in relation to the mixing chamber comprising a separate cavity for said steam and a separate cavity for said exhaust gases, said steam being heatable by said exhaust gases in said injection chamber.
27. A device according to claim 26, wherein the injection chamber having an inner cavity for said steam and an outer cavity for said exhaust gases, said cavities preferably being concentrically arranged.
28. A device according to claim 26, wherein said injection chamber comprises means for extracting steam unmixed with exhaust gases.
29. A device according to claim 23, wherein steam is extracted via a safety valve and a vent passage.
30. A device according to claim 19, wherein means for regulating the temperature of the mixture.
31. A system for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, wherein said system (50) comprises an arrangement (1, 1′, 200) for mixing the steam with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel, a heat exchanging means (51), for example a heat exchanger, into which said mixture is arranged to be introduced, condensation means for condensing the mixture, and means for re-using the liquid mixture.
32. A system according to claim 31, wherein said means for re-using the liquid mixture comprises a pipe configuration (59) for transporting the liquid mixture back to said arrangement (1, 1′, 200).
33. A system according to claim 31, wherein the system further comprises circulation means (63) for example a circulation pump connected to said pipe configuration (59).
34. A system according to claim 31, wherein said fuel is a gaseous medium, for example butane, propane, natural gas or the like, or a liquid medium, for example diesel, oil or the like, or a solid medium, for example coal, pellets, peat, oilshale, coke, wood or the like.
35. A system according to claim 31, wherein said system further comprises filtering means (60, 61) for filtering said mixture arranged downstream of said condensation means
36. A system according to claim 35, wherein said system further comprises an accumulator tank (62) for accumulating the filtered water arranged downstream of the filtering means (61).
37. A system according to claim 35, wherein said filtering means comprises a water filter (61), for example active coal, for filtering heavy impurities in the liquid mixture arranged in said pipe configuration (59) downstream of said condensation means, and a collecting vessel (60) for collecting light impurities, for example CO2.
38. A system according to claim 31, wherein said heat exchanging means (51) comprises an opening (52a) connected to the opening (17) of said arrangement, an inlet (54) for introducing tap water, an outlet (55) for extracting hot water or steam and a drainage opening (58a) for draining the condensed mixture, connected to a condensation pipe (57b) and preferably an opening (52b) for extracting light impurities.
39. A system according to claim 31, wherein said arrangement (1, 1′, 200) is intended to comprise any kind of unit, device, system, process plant, factory, engine or the like intended for burning a fuel, for example a gas burner, an oil burner, a turbine, a combustion engine, piston engine, an incinerator or the like.
40. A system according to claim 31, wherein said system further comprises at least one second heat exchanging means (64), for example a central boiler plant or a heat exchanger, into which hot water from the outlet (55) of the heat exchanger (51) is arranged to be introduced and exchange of heat between said hot water and cool water is arranged to be achieved.
41. A system according to claim 40, wherein said second heat exchanging means (64) comprises a first opening (55b) connected to the outlet (55) of said heat exchanger (51) intended for receiving hot water from said outlet (55), an inlet (65) intended for introducing cool tap water, an outlet (66) intended for extracting hot water, said outlet preferably being connected to the tap water system of at least one building via a pipe configuration (66b) intended for transporting hot tap water to said system, and a second opening (68) intended for extracting said received hot water, said second opening (68) preferably being connected to the radiator system (68b) of said at least one building
42. A system according to claim 31, wherein said system further comprises at least one steam turbine (70) into which hot steam from the outlet (55) of the heat exchanger (51) is arranged to be introduced, said turbine (70) being intended for the production of electricity (72).
43. A system according to claim 42, wherein said system further comprises a third heat exchanging means (71), for example a heat exchanger, into which steam from the turbine (70) is arranged to be introduced and exchange of heat between said steam and cool water is arranged to be achieved, such that said steam is cooled down to water, and is arranged to be returned to the first heat exchanger (51).
44. The system according to claim 31, implemented for use in heating up buildings
45. The system according to claim 31, implemented for use in supplying steam to a steam turbine for the production of electricity.
46. A system for purifying gases, said gases comprising non-combusted gases and/or exhaust gases, wherein said system comprises; an arrangement (1, 1′, 200) for mixing steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being intended to be provided by burning a fuel, with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel; means (96) for mixing said gases with the steam and exhaust gas mixture (100); condensation means (87) for condensing the mixture (150), filtering means (90, 91) arranged downstream of said condensation means for filtering said liquid mixture; means for re-using the purified water.
47. A system according to claim 46, wherein said means for re-using the liquid mixture comprises a pipe configuration (93) for transporting said mixture, connected to said arrangement (1, 1′, 200).
48. A system according to claim 46, wherein the system further comprises circulation means (92), for example a circulation pump, connected to said pipe configuration.
49. A system according to claim 47, wherein said filtering means comprises a water filter (91), for example active coal, for filtering heavy impurities in the liquid mixture arranged in said pipe configuration (93) downstream of said condensation means (87), and a collecting vessel (90) for collecting light impurities, for example CO2, preferably arranged above the level of the condensation means.
50. A system according to claim 46, wherein said arrangement (1, 1′, 200) is intended to comprise any kind of unit, device, system, process plant, factory, engine or the like (81) intended for burning a fuel, for example a gas burner, an oil burner, a turbine, a combustion engine, piston engine, an incinerator or the like.
51. A system according to claim 46, wherein said system comprises a unit (85) which is intended to comprise any kind of device, system, process plant, factory, engine or the like discharging non-combusted hot or cold gases, said gases being arranged to be introduced into a chamber (96) in which they are arranged to be mixed with said steam and exhaust gas mixture (100).
52. A system for extinguishing fires in oil bore holes or the like, said holes being created with oil bores by oil drilling, wherein said system (110) comprises; an arrangement (1, 1′, 200) for mixing steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being intended to be provided by burning a fuel, with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel, said mixture (100) being intended to be introduced into said oil bore hole when a fire occurs in said hole.
53. A system according to claim 52, wherein said system further comprises a pipe configuration (111) intended to be closely received in an oil bore hole, said pipe configuration (111) comprising a substantially cylindrical outer casing (113) and an inner casing (112), between which casings a cavity (116) is formed, into which cavity (116) the mixture (100) is intended to be introduced by means of pressure, said inner casing (112) comprising openings (117) axially provided along the pipe configuration (111).
54. A system according to claims 52, wherein the inner casing (112) of the pipe configuration (111) form chambers (114) axially provided along the pipe configuration (111), said chambers (114) being axially connected to each other via openings (115).
55. A system according to claim 52, wherein said arrangement (1, 1′, 200) is intended to comprise any kind of unit, device, system, process plant, factory, engine or the like intended for burning a fuel, for example a gas burner, an oil burner, a turbine, a combustion engine, piston engine, an incinerator or the like,.
56. A device for improving the handling by extinguishing fires in oil bore holes or the like, wherein a pipe configuration (111) is provided to be closely received in an oil bore hole, said pipe configuration (111) comprising a substantially cylindrical outer casing (113) and an inner casing (112), between which casings a cavity (116) is formed, into which cavity (116) a gaseous medium is intended to be introduced, said inner casing (112) comprising openings (117) axially provided along the pipe configuration (111).
57. A device according to claim 56, wherein the inner casing (112) of the pipe configuration (111) form chambers (114) axially provided along the pipe configuration (111), said chambers (114) being axially connected to each other via openings (115).
58. A device according to claim 56, wherein the gaseous medium is a mixture of steam and exhaust gas from combustion of a fuel.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 8, 2004
Publication Date: Dec 21, 2006
Inventor: Michael Abrahamsson (Vaxholm)
Application Number: 10/565,275
International Classification: C10L 10/00 (20060101);