Catalytic heater

Abstract

A catalytic heating system comprising a main catalyst (20, 50) for flameless catalytic burning of fuel gas and a triggering system for initiating the catalytic burning, the triggering system comprising an electrical power source electrically connected to a metallic catalyst portion (104). As electric current flows through the metallic catalyst portion, it is in itself heated as an electric resistance heater to a temperature necessary for triggering the catalytic burning. By using electrical current for direct heating of a catalyst portion, reaction starts as soon as the resistance heating achieves the temperature for initiating the catalytic reaction. As soon as the reaction starts, it is transferred to the main catalyst.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a catalytic heating system comprising a primary catalyst for flameless catalytic ignition of a combustible gas and a trigger system for initiating catalytic ignition, said triggering system comprising electrical connection to a resistive heater to partially heat the catalyst to the power supply at the temperature required to trigger the catalytic ignition. Background technique [0002] Catalytic heating for hot water supply is well known in the art and is described in US patents such as 4,510,890 to Cowan, 4,886,017 to Viani and 5,709,174 to Ledjeff, among others. Ignition of the fuel by combustion can be easily initiated by a piezoelectric spark, but it is very difficult to initiate ignition of the fuel by such simple means, especially when the size of the system is small. In order to start the flameless catalytic oxidation of fuel, a temperature of typically 150° C. for said catalytic ignition must first be achieved....

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

But the need to heat the ceramic-based catalyst means a fairly strong power source

Heavy battery limits utility if used in portable systems that are good for hikers and military purposes

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