Abstract:
The method of combusting lean fuel-air mixtures comprising the steps of:a. obtaining a gaseous admixture of fuel and air, said admixture having an adiabatic flame temperature below a temperature which would result in any substantial formation of nitrogen oxides but above about 800.degree. Kelvin,b. contacting at least a portion of said admixture with a catalytic surface and producing reaction products,c. passing said reaction products to a thermal reaction chamber, thereby igniting and stabilizing combustion in said thermal reaction chamber.
Abstract:
A catalytic article for use in catalytic chemical conversions, which comprises; a metal monolith catalyst support and a catalytically active surfacey layer bonded to the support by sputtering, said catalytically active layer comprising an admixture of a precious metal and a base metal oxide.
Abstract:
A catalytic reactor for oxidation of carbonaceous fuels comprising an assembly of minilith catalytic elements having flow channels no longer than about three millimeters in length and spaced apart by monolith elements of greater channel diameter.
Abstract:
A catalytic reactor for oxidation of carbonaceous fuels comprising at least one microlith catalytic element having flow channels with a flow path length no longer than about two times the diameter of the largest flow channel. The initial catalyst element is advantageouly electrically conductive to permit electrical heating.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for the destruction of hazardous carbonaceous wastes by the plug flow, thermal combustion of said wastes comprising (a) obtaining an intimate admixture of vaporized fuel and air, said admixture containing at least a stoichiometric amount of air, (b) passing said admixture to a plug flow combustion zone, and (c) effecting sustained and essentially complete combustion of said fuel under essentially adiabatic conditions to destroy said wastes and to form a combustion effluent of high thermal energy; said combustion being characterized by said fuel-air admixture having an adiabatic flame temperature such that that actual flame temperature in the combustion zone is greater than about 1350K.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of operating a catalytic ignition internal combustion engine wherein the fuel is injected into a combustion chamber at a time near maximum compression such that at least part of the fuel impinges upon an oxidation catalyst surface comprising a portion of the wall of said combustion chamber, said catalytic surface being insulated from the surroundings external to the combustion chamber by a low thermal conductivity material, said catalytic surface preferably comprising platinum. Also disclosed are combustion chambers constructed specially for the use of this method and the methods of constructing them.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of operating a catalytic ignition internal combustion engine wherein the fuel is injected into a combustion chamber at a time near maximum compression such that at least a part of the fuel impinges upon an oxidation catalyst surface comprising a portion of the wall of said combustion chamber, said catalytic surface being insulated from the surroundings external to the combustion chamber by a low thermal conductivity material, said catalytic surface preferably comprising platinum. Also disclosed are combustion chambers constructed specially for the use of this method and the methods of constructing them.
Abstract:
A construction of a gas turbine combustion chamber which facilitates relighting the fuel immediately after flame-out. The construction comprises a catalytic coating on the combustor wall, preferably with areas left uncoated to allow the flame to propagate away from the combustor wall and into the bulk gas flow.
Abstract:
Thermal shock resistant catalytic monolithic structures are described comprising curved-surface plates with flow-through passages. Such structures are especially useful as combustor catalysts and their use in catalytic combustors permits much more rapid start-up and cool down than with conventional monolithic catalysts.
Abstract:
A thermal shock resistant catalytic combustor has a plurality of catalytic tubes of a high temperature catalytically active ceramic mounted such that the ceramic is free to expand or contract. Ends of the tubes can be maintained at any desired temperature below combustion temperatures.