Hydrogen combustion unit using catalyst

Abstract

A combustion unit (1) for generating a hot air flow (WLS) by flameless catalytic combustion, comprising: an air guide channel (2) through which an air flow (LS) flows in a flow direction during normal use of the combustion unit (1); the catalyst (3) is arranged in the air guide channel (2); and a hydrogen gas inlet (4) for introducing hydrogen gas into the air guide channel (2) in order to form an air-hydrogen gas mixture with the air flow (LS), which air-hydrogen gas mixture can be catalytically combusted by means of the catalyst (3). The invention further relates to the use of the vehicle exhaust gas catalyst. A use of a catalyst (3); a device (26) for heating food, in particular a barbecue oven and / or hob, and / or a device for dissipating heat into a space and / or environment, in particular a heating device; and a use of the combustion unit (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combustion unit for generating a hot air flow through flameless catalytic combustion, the combustion unit comprising: an air guide channel through which the air flow flows in a flow direction when the combustion unit is in normal use; a catalyst disposed within the air guide channel; and a hydrogen inlet for introducing hydrogen into the air guide channel so that the hydrogen and the air flow form an air-hydrogen mixture that can be catalytically combusted by the catalyst. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a vehicle exhaust catalytic converter; the use of a catalyst; a device for heating food, in particular a barbecue grill and / or stove, and / or a device for dissipating heat into a space and / or an environment, in particular a heating device; and the use of a combustion unit. Background Art

[0002] Combustion devices for generating hot air streams are well known in the prior art. These devices are typically powered by fossil fuels, such as propane gas or heating oil. The combustion process typically involves an open flame, posing safety risks such as explosions. While devices that generate hot air streams using flameless catalytic combustion exist, these devices are expensive to manufacture and complex in structure. Furthermore, installing these combustion devices as retrofits into existing equipment used for heating food (particularly barbecue grills and / or stoves) and dissipating heat to a room or environment (particularly heating equipment) is cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the present invention is to provide a combustion unit, the use of a motor vehicle exhaust catalytic converter, the use of a catalytic converter, a combustion device and the use of a combustion unit, which are capable of generating a hot air flow in a cost-effective, efficient and / or safe manner.

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is achieved by the technical features in the independent claims. Other preferred embodiments are further embodied in the dependent claims and the accompanying drawings.

[0005] The present invention provides a combustion unit for generating a hot air flow through flameless catalytic combustion, the combustion unit comprising: an air guide channel, through which the air flow flows in a flow direction when the combustion unit is operating normally; a catalyst arranged in the air guide channel; and a hydrogen inlet for introducing hydrogen into the air guide channel so that the hydrogen and the air flow form an air-hydrogen mixture, and the air-hydrogen mixture can be catalytically combusted by the catalyst.

[0006] In the air guide channel, an air flow from, for example, the surrounding environment and / or upstream components (especially heat exchangers) can be introduced. The air flow entering the air guide channel is heated and / or humidified when passing through the catalyst, thereby forming the required hot air flow.

[0007] Hydrogen is introduced into the catalyst together with an air stream or oxygen contained in the air stream as a reaction gas mixture. In this case, the reaction gas mixture is an air-hydrogen mixture. To generate the heat energy required to heat the air stream, the hydrogen reacts with the air or oxygen in the catalyst. This catalytic reaction of the air-hydrogen mixture generates heat energy. The air stream exiting the catalyst is called the hot air stream. In addition to heating the air stream, the catalytic reaction of the air-hydrogen mixture also helps to increase the humidity of the hot air stream.

[0008] Because the air-hydrogen mixture generates heat through a catalytic reaction in the catalyst, flameless heating can be achieved. In this case, the hydrogen content of the introduced air-hydrogen mixture is preferably below the explosion limit, particularly below 4 vol%, and more preferably below 3.5 vol%. This prevents explosion of the air-hydrogen mixture.

[0009] Preferably, the catalyst is an exhaust gas catalyst for a motor vehicle, particularly an automobile. Exhaust gas catalysts are widely used in vehicle production and offer the advantage of large-scale manufacturing, resulting in low procurement costs and easy availability as spare parts for vehicles, significantly reducing the overall cost of the combustion unit. In this case, the structural design of the catalyst and the chemical properties of its catalytically active coating can both be used to generate the hot air flow.

[0010] Furthermore, the catalyst advantageously includes a substrate with tubular and / or honeycomb-shaped reaction channels. Preferably, the reaction channels are separated from each other by partitions in the substrate. Thus, the catalyst structure is similar to that of automotive catalysts, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the combustion unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the catalyst can advantageously have a permeable structure, so that the air flow and / or the air-hydrogen mixture can flow through the catalyst in the flow direction. Preferably, the catalyst is a grid structure that can be flowed through.

[0012] Preferably, the reaction channels and / or the partitions separating the reaction channels from each other are arranged evenly, wherein the thickness of the partitions is preferably 0.1-0.5 mm. Thus, the matrix structure is as compact as possible and / or can accommodate a large number of reaction channels.

[0013] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the substrate is preferably made of a monolith and / or ceramic, in particular cordierite and / or magnesium aluminum silicate. In this case, the metal oxide coating is designed as a porous coating to increase the surface area. Due to the structural design of the substrate, the catalyst exhibits good high-temperature stability.

[0014] It is also advantageous if the catalytic converter comprises a metal oxide coating for increasing the surface area and / or a platinum, rhodium, iridium and / or palladium coating as a catalytically active layer. In this case, these platinum, rhodium, iridium and / or palladium coatings are catalytically active substances.

[0015] It is also advantageous if the catalytic converter comprises a wire sheath which preferably completely surrounds the base body and / or completely fits over the air-guiding ducts. This wire sheath can stabilize the base body and / or make it easier to connect the base body to the air-guiding ducts.

[0016] It is also advantageous if the combustion unit includes a mixing section arranged upstream of the catalyst in the direction of flow. Hydrogen and air flows can be introduced into the mixing section and mixed to form an air-hydrogen mixture. In this case, the mixing section is preferably integrated into and / or part of the air-guiding duct.

[0017] It is also advantageous if the combustion unit comprises a bypass channel, wherein the air-guiding channel is preferably arranged in the bypass channel so that the air flow can be heated in the air-guiding channel to form a hot air flow and / or a fresh air flow can be guided in the bypass channel from outside the air-guiding channel. If the combustion unit comprises a bypass channel, the mixing section can also be arranged in this bypass channel and / or upstream of the air-guiding channel in the direction of flow.

[0018] Advantageously, the air-guiding channel and / or the bypass channel have a circular cross section, wherein the air-guiding channel is preferably arranged concentrically within the bypass channel and / or the bypass channel is annular.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the hydrogen inlet extends as a hydrogen line into the mixing section and / or through the air-conducting channel and / or the bypass channel.

[0020] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the air-guiding channel and / or the bypass channel are constructed as a Venturi tube structure, and / or the hydrogen inlet is arranged at the throat of the air-guiding channel and / or the bypass channel. This design employing a Venturi tube structure or a similar structure has the advantage that the air flow, hot air flow, and / or fresh air flow entering the air-guiding channel and / or the bypass channel can be accelerated due to the pressure difference along the flow direction.

[0021] It is also advantageous if the air guide channel and / or the bypass channel comprises a first section that is particularly conically tapered, a second section that is particularly cylindrical and / or of constant diameter, and / or a third section that is particularly conically widened, wherein the first section, the second section, and / or the third section are preferably arranged one after another and / or are tangentially connected to one another. As an alternative, the second section can be tangentially connected to the first section and the third section as a throat. This ensures that the hydrogen flowing into the mixing section is reliably mixed with the air flow that is also flowing in. This technical solution is essentially equivalent to being designed as a Venturi tube structure. The first section and the third section preferably have different lengths, wherein the length of the first section in the flow direction is preferably smaller than that of the third section.

[0022] It is also advantageous if the hydrogen inlet, in particular designed as a hydrogen line, comprises an outflow opening which is preferably arranged centrally relative to the catalytic converter and / or from which the outflow direction of the hydrogen flows in the same direction as the flow direction of the air flow.

[0023] It is further advantageous if the combustion unit comprises at least one impeller, in particular a fan impeller and / or a turbine, for accelerating and / or compressing an air flow, a hot air flow and / or a fresh air flow, wherein the impeller is preferably arranged in the region of an air inlet and / or an air outlet of the air guide channel.

[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the at least one impeller is arranged in the flow direction inside and / or outside the air-guiding duct, in particular in front of and / or behind the air-guiding duct.

[0025] It is also advantageous if the impeller, when arranged within the air-guiding channel, is smaller than the cross section of the air-guiding channel and / or, when arranged outside the air-guiding channel, is smaller than the cross section of the bypass channel.

[0026] It is equally advantageous that the impeller is equipped with a drive for continuous and / or short-term driving. In this case, this drive can be designed as a short-term starter.

[0027] It is also advantageous that the combustion unit comprises at least two impellers. Preferably, the impellers are spaced apart from each other and / or are transmission-connected to each other via a shaft.

[0028] It is also advantageous if the catalytic converter has a through-hole that passes through the shaft. Preferably, the through-hole is arranged coaxially with the shaft, and a sealing section and / or a bearing device is preferably provided at the through-hole.

[0029] As a supplement or alternative, the combustion unit has a control device, which preferably obtains the actual temperature through at least one temperature sensor and / or indoor air sensor, and controls the actual temperature to a target temperature set by the user by adjusting at least one impeller and / or hydrogen valve.

[0030] The control device preferably obtains actual humidity through at least one humidity sensor and / or indoor air sensor, and controls the actual humidity to the target humidity set by the user by adjusting at least one impeller and / or hydrogen valve accordingly.

[0031] Additionally or alternatively, the control device may calculate a target mixture ratio of air and hydrogen based on a set target temperature and / or target humidity. Additionally or alternatively, the target mixture ratio may be directly pre-set for the control device. Additionally or alternatively, the control device's memory may also store a target mixture ratio associated with the target temperature and / or target humidity, calculated based on a mathematical model and / or empirical method. The control device is preferably configured to adjust the actual air-hydrogen mixture ratio detected by at least one sensor (particularly a gas sensor) to a target value based on the target mixture ratio.

[0032] Furthermore, a method for using an exhaust gas catalytic converter from a motor vehicle, particularly an automobile (e.g., a passenger car), in a combustion unit is provided. Because the exhaust gas catalytic converter is mass-produced, procurement costs are very low. Furthermore, it is easily available as a spare part for the motor vehicle, significantly reducing the cost of the combustion device. In this process, both the structural design of the catalytic converter and the chemical properties of its catalytically active coating are utilized to generate a warm air flow.

[0033] The combustion device is preferably constructed according to the above description, wherein the mentioned features may be present individually or in combination.

[0034] Furthermore, a use of a catalyst in a combustion unit is provided. The catalyst comprises a substrate having tubular and / or honeycomb-shaped reaction channels.

[0035] The combustion device is preferably constructed according to the above description, wherein the mentioned features may be present individually or in combination.

[0036] Advantageously, the catalytic converter has one or more of the features described above, wherein the features mentioned can be present individually or in combination.

[0037] Furthermore, a device for heating food, in particular a barbecue and / or a stove, and / or a device for emitting heat into a room and its surroundings, in particular a heating device, is provided. The device comprises a combustion unit according to the above description for generating a hot air flow by flameless catalytic combustion, wherein the features mentioned can be present individually or in combination.

[0038] Devices for heating food may be understood, for example, as cooking devices, stoves, barbecue grills, and / or cooktops, particularly for outdoor and / or indoor use. Devices for distributing heat, particularly radiant heat and / or a stream of hot air, to the surrounding environment may be understood, for example, as heating devices, space heaters, fan heaters, fireplaces, heating poles, heating umbrellas, and / or open fireplaces, particularly for outdoor and / or indoor use. In this context, outdoor and / or indoor refer to locations where the device can be operated. Thus, outdoor refers to locations where the device is outdoors and / or in the open air. Indoor refers to locations where the device is located in a building, house, tent, boat, RV, and / or campervan.

[0039] Advantageously, the device comprises a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy of the hot air flow to the working medium and / or for preheating the air flow.

[0040] Furthermore, a use of the combustion unit described above in an apparatus for heating food, in particular a barbecue and / or a cooktop and / or an apparatus for distributing heat to a room and / or an environment is proposed. The aforementioned features of the combustion unit can be present individually or in combination.

[0041] Advantageously, the device has one or more of the features described above, wherein the features mentioned can be present individually or in combination.

[0042] Component number description

[0043] 1. Combustion unit; 2. Air guide channel; 3. Catalyst; 4. Hydrogen inlet; 5. Matrix; 6. Reaction channel; 7. Partition; 8. Wire sheath; 9. Mixing section; 10. Bypass channel; 11. Air gap; 12. Hydrogen pipeline; 13. Throat; 14. First section; 15. Second section; 16. Third section; 17. Outlet; 18a, 18b, 18c, Impeller; 19. Air inlet; 20. Air outlet; 21. Drive; 22. Shaft; 23. Through hole; 24. Sealing section; 25. Bearing structure; 26. Device; 27. Heat exchanger; 28. Control device; 29. ​​Sensor; 30. Hydrogen valve; LS, air flow; WLS, hot air flow; FLS, fresh air flow; AR, outlet direction BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Other advantages of the present invention are described in the following examples.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a combustion unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 2 This is a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a combustion unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3 is a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a combustion unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and

[0048] Figure 4 2 is a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus provided with a combustion unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In the following descriptions of the figures, identical and / or at least similar features are designated by the same reference numerals across the various figures. The specific structure and / or mode of operation of each feature is generally described in detail only upon its first mention. If a feature is not described in detail, its structure and / or mode of operation should be considered identical to the previously described feature having the same function or the same name.

[0050] In addition, it should be noted that Figures 1 to 3 All the following embodiments of the combustion unit 1 shown can be arranged, for example, in particular Figure 4 In the device 26 shown, this device is used for heating food (in particular a barbecue and / or a stove) and / or for dissipating heat into a room and / or an environment (in particular a heating device).

[0051] Figure 1 This is a simplified cross-sectional view of a combustion unit 1 for generating a hot air flow WLS by flameless catalytic combustion in a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The combustion unit 1 includes an air-guiding channel 2, through which an air flow LS flows during normal operation. Furthermore, the combustion unit 1 includes a hydrogen inlet 4, which introduces hydrogen into the air-guiding channel 2, mixing the hydrogen with the air flow LS and forming an air-hydrogen mixture. The air flow LS can be heated to form a hot air flow WLS by means of a catalyst 3 disposed within the air-guiding channel 2. To this end, the catalyst 3 can be used to perform flameless catalytic combustion of the air-hydrogen mixture.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the catalytic converter 3 is preferably an exhaust gas catalytic converter of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle (e.g., a passenger car). This simplifies the design of the combustion unit 1 and offers cost advantages. A corresponding exhaust gas catalytic converter can be ordered, for example, as a spare part and used in the combustion unit 1.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the catalyst 3, in particular as an exhaust gas catalyst, comprises a base body 5 with tubular or honeycomb-shaped reaction channels 6. The reaction channels 6 are separated from one another by partitions 7. The reaction channels 6 and / or the partitions 7 are preferably spaced uniformly apart from one another, the thickness of the partitions 7 preferably being 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0055] The substrate 5 can be composed, for example, of a monolith and / or ceramic, in particular cordierite and / or aluminum magnesium silicate. This type of substrate 5 is common in exhaust gas catalytic converters installed in vehicles. The catalyst 3 also includes a metal oxide coating to increase the surface area and / or a platinum, rhodium, iridium, and / or palladium coating as a catalytically active layer.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the catalytic converter 3 has a wire sheath 8 for structural stability and / or a close fit with the air-guiding duct 2. The base body 5 of the catalytic converter 3 is enclosed, in particular completely covered, by the wire sheath 8.

[0057] To provide the catalytic converter 3 with a mixed air-hydrogen mixture, the combustion unit 1 includes a mixing section 9. In this mixing section 9, hydrogen can be combined and / or mixed with the air flow LS to form an air-hydrogen mixture. In this case, the hydrogen inlet 4 preferably extends into the mixing section 9 as a hydrogen line 12. Hydrogen can flow out of the hydrogen line 12 via an outflow opening 17. The hydrogen inlet 4, designed as a hydrogen line 12, passes through the air-conducting duct 2 and the bypass duct 10.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the combustion unit 1 includes a bypass channel 10 to guide a fresh air flow FLS outside the air-guiding channel 2. In this case, the air-guiding channel 2 is preferably arranged within the bypass channel 10. Within the air-guiding channel 2, the air flow LS is heated to form a hot air flow WLS. Outside the air-guiding channel 2, in an air gap 11 between the air-guiding channel 2 and the bypass channel 10, the air flow LS is guided as the fresh air flow FLS. In this case, the air-guiding channel 2 and / or the bypass channel 10 can have a circular cross-section, allowing the air-guiding channel 2 to be arranged concentrically within the bypass channel 10.

[0059] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the combustion unit 1 advantageously includes at least one impeller 18 to accelerate and / or compress the air flow LS, the hot air flow WLS, and / or the fresh air flow FLS. In the illustrated embodiment, a first impeller 18a is arranged at or in the region of an air inlet 19 of the air-guiding duct 2. The air flow LS is introduced into the air-guiding duct 2 via the air inlet 19. After flowing through the mixing section 9 and the catalyst 3, the air flow LS can be discharged from an air outlet 20 of the air-guiding duct 2 as a hot air flow WLS.

[0060] The second impeller 18b is located upstream of the air-guiding duct 2 in the flow direction of the air flow LS. In the illustrated embodiment, the first impeller 18a accelerates the air in the air-guiding duct 2, thereby accelerating the hot air flow WLS. The second impeller 18b, located upstream, accelerates the air flow LS, thereby accelerating the flow rate in the bypass duct 10 and the air-guiding duct 2. Therefore, the second impeller 18b determines the flow rate of the air flow LS, the fresh air flow FLS, and the hot air flow WLS. In this case, the first impeller 18a is preferably used to ensure air supply to the catalytic converter 3 and regulate the resulting hot air flow WLS.

[0061] Figure 2 This is a simplified cross-sectional view of a combustion unit 1 for generating a hot air flow WLS by flameless catalytic combustion in a second embodiment of the present invention. Although the catalyst 3 is designed as a partition plate that facilitates gas flow, such as a grid, it should be noted that according to Figures 2 to 4 In each embodiment shown, the catalyst 3 in the combustion unit 1 can be similar to Figure 1 Structural design in.

[0062] Different from Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, at least one impeller 18 is arranged in the area of ​​both the air inlet 19 and the air outlet 20 of the air-guiding channel 2. A first impeller 18a is arranged in the area of ​​the air inlet 19. A third impeller 18c is arranged in the area of ​​the air outlet 20. A second impeller 18b is positioned downstream of the air-guiding channel 2 in the direction of flow. Therefore, the second impeller 18b can be larger than the first impeller 18a and / or the third impeller 18c, as it can extend into the bypass channel 10. In this case, the first impeller 18a and the third impeller 18c can accelerate and / or compress the hot air flow WLS. Additionally or alternatively, the second impeller 18b can accelerate and / or compress the fresh air flow FLS.

[0063] The impellers 18 are spaced apart from one another and connected to one another via a shaft 22. In this case, the shaft 22 can securely connect the impellers 18 together, thereby rotating synchronously. It is also conceivable that the shaft 22 includes a transmission mechanism, allowing the impellers 18 to rotate at different speeds. To guide the shaft 22 through the catalyst 3, a preferably concentrically arranged through-hole 23 is provided in the catalyst 3. To support the shaft 22, a bearing arrangement 25, in particular a rolling bearing and / or a sliding bearing, can be arranged in the through-hole 23. Additionally or alternatively, a sealing section 24 can be arranged in the through-hole 23 to seal the shaft 22 from the catalyst 3.

[0064] To be able to drive the impeller 18, the combustion unit 1 has at least one drive 21. In the embodiment shown, the drive 21 is connected to a shaft 22. In this case, the drive 21 can drive the impeller 18 continuously or only briefly. If the drive 21 is only required briefly, it can also be referred to as a starter.

[0065] As a supplementary solution, in the illustrated embodiment, the air-guiding channel 2 is constructed as a Venturi tube. Hydrogen is introduced through the hydrogen inlet 4 at the throat 13 of the air-guiding channel 2. In this case, the air-guiding channel 2 can be essentially divided into three sections. The first section 14 is a converging structure. The second section 15 forms the throat 13. The third section 16 is a diverging structure. By designing the air-guiding channel 2 as a Venturi tube, the mixing effect of the air-hydrogen mixture can be improved. It is also conceivable that after flameless combustion is initiated by the catalyst 3, the hot air flow WLS drives at least one impeller 18, thereby shutting down the drive 21. In this regard, the drive 21 can be designed as a starter, as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the bypass channel 10 can also include a throat and / or be constructed in a manner corresponding to the air-guiding channel 2.

[0066] Figure 3 This is a simplified cross-sectional view of a combustion unit 1 for generating a hot air flow WLS by flameless catalytic combustion in a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Unlike the previous embodiment, the bypass channel 10 is not shown here. It is conceivable that Figure 3 The combustion unit 1 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a bypass channel 10 , in particular according to the preceding embodiments. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The combustion unit 1 of the illustrated embodiment may also be designed without the bypass channel 10 .

[0068] In addition, Figure 3 The control device 28 is shown by way of example in the illustrated embodiment. The control device 28 is operatively connected to at least one sensor 29, at least one hydrogen valve 30 and / or at least one impeller 18, in particular by means of a control line. In this way, the amount of hydrogen flowing in, the flow rate of at least one of the air flows LS, WLS, FLS and / or the temperature and / or humidity of the hot air flow WLS can be controlled. At the same time, the composition and / or the mixing ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture can also be determined. In this case, the sensor 29 can be constructed as a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor and / or a gas sensor. The control device 28 and / or the sensor 29 and / or the hydrogen valve 30 can also be arranged in a similar technical solution. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 On or within the combustion unit 1 and / or device 26 of the illustrated embodiment.

[0069] Figure 4 This is a simplified cross-sectional view of an apparatus 26 for heating food (in particular a barbecue and / or a stove) and / or dissipating heat into a room and / or the environment (in particular a heating device). This apparatus comprises a combustion unit 1 for generating a hot air flow WLS by flameless catalytic combustion according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this case, it is conceivable that the apparatus 26 comprises a combustion unit according to Figure 1-3 The combustion unit 1 of any of the embodiments shown. It is also conceivable that Figure 4 The combustion unit 1 shown is constructed in a stand-alone manner.

[0070] Similar to Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the combustion unit 1 has an air-guiding duct 2 configured as a Venturi tube. However, in this case, the air-guiding duct 2 is not provided with an impeller 18. Only the bypass duct 10 has an impeller 18. Furthermore, the combustion unit 1 differs from the previous embodiments in that the hydrogen flows out from the center of the catalyst 3 in an outlet direction AR in the direction of air flow. This facilitates better mixing of the air-hydrogen mixture and / or improves the flow characteristics of the air-guiding duct 2.

[0071] To transfer thermal energy, the device 26 has a heat exchanger 27. The hot air flow WLS can release its thermal energy to a working medium, typically a liquid, via the heat exchanger 27. This working medium, typically a liquid, can be used to dissipate heat into the room and / or the surroundings and / or heat food. For example, such a working medium can be used to operate a building's hot water tank.

[0072] The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification. All technical variations, feature combinations, or equivalent replacements within the scope of the claims shall be included in the scope of protection of the present invention, regardless of whether such technical features appear alone or in combination in different embodiments.

Claims

1. A combustion unit (1) for producing a hot air stream (WLS) by flameless catalytic combustion, comprising: an air guide channel (2), through which an air flow (LS) flows in a flow direction when the combustion unit (1) operates normally; a catalyst (3) disposed in the air guide passage (2); and A hydrogen inlet (4) is used to introduce hydrogen into the air guide channel (2) so that the hydrogen and the air flow (LS) form an air-hydrogen mixture, and the air-hydrogen mixture can be catalytically burned by the catalyst (3).

2. The combustion unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The catalyst (4) is an exhaust gas catalyst structure of an automobile.

3. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The catalyst (3) comprises a substrate (5) having tubular and / or honeycomb-shaped reaction channels (6), wherein the reaction channels (6) are separated from each other by partitions (7) in the substrate (5).

4. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The reaction channels (6) and / or the partitions (7) are evenly spaced from each other, and the thickness of the partitions (7) is 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

5. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The base body (5) is made of a monolithic structure and / or ceramic, preferably made of cordierite and / or aluminum magnesium silicate.

6. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The catalyst (3) comprises a metal oxide coating for increasing the surface area and / or a platinum, rhodium, iridium and / or palladium coating as a catalytically active layer.

7. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The catalyst (3) comprises a wire sheath (8), which completely covers the substrate (5) and / or completely adheres to the air guide channel (2).

8. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The combustion unit (1) comprises a mixing section (9) which is arranged upstream of the catalyst (3) along the flow direction and is used for introducing the hydrogen and the air flow (LS) and mixing the two to form the air-hydrogen mixture.

9. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The combustion unit (1) comprises a bypass channel (10), wherein the air guide channel (2) is arranged in the bypass channel (10) so that an air flow (LS) in the air guide channel (2) can be heated to form a hot air flow (WLS) and / or so that a fresh air flow (FLS) is guided in the bypass channel (10) to flow out of the air guide channel (2).

10. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The air guide channel (2) and / or the bypass channel (10) have a circular cross section, The air guide channel (2) is preferably arranged concentrically within the bypass channel (10), and / or an air gap (11) for the fresh air flow (FLS) to pass through is formed between the bypass channel (10) and the air guide channel (2).

11. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The hydrogen inlet (4) is a hydrogen pipeline (12), which extends into the mixing section (9) and / or passes through the air guide channel (2) and / or the bypass channel (10).

12. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The air guide channel (2) and / or the bypass channel (10) are constructed as a Venturi tube structure, and / or the hydrogen inlet (4) is arranged at the throat (13) of the air guide channel (2) and / or the bypass channel (10).

13. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The hydrogen inlet (4) includes an outlet (17), the outlet (17) is arranged at the center of the catalyst (3), and / or the outlet direction (AR) of the outlet (17) is consistent with the flow direction of the air flow (LS).

14. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The combustion unit (1) comprises at least one impeller (18) for accelerating and / or compressing the air flow (LS), the hot air flow (WLS) and / or the fresh air flow (FLS), wherein the at least one impeller (18) is arranged in the region of an air inlet (19) and / or an air outlet (20) of the air guide channel (2).

15. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one impeller (18) is arranged inside and / or outside the air guide channel (2) along the flow direction, and in front of and / or behind the air guide channel (2).

16. Combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The impeller (18) is equipped with a drive (21) for continuous drive and / or short-term drive.

17. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The combustion unit (1) comprises at least two impellers (18a, 18b, 18c), which are preferably spaced apart from each other and / or linked to each other via a shaft (22).

18. The combustion unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The catalyst (3) further comprises a through hole (23) arranged at the center for accommodating the shaft (22), wherein a sealing section (24) and / or a bearing structure (25) for the shaft (22) is arranged on the through hole (23).

19. Use of an exhaust gas catalytic converter for a motor vehicle in a combustion unit (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

20. Use of a catalyst (3) comprising a substrate (5) having tubular and / or honeycomb-shaped reaction channels (6) for a combustion unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. Use according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The catalytic converter (3) has one or more of the features of claims 1 to 20.

22. A device (26) for heating food and / or for emitting heat into a space and / or an environment, characterized in that Comprising a combustion unit (1) for producing a hot air stream (WLS) by flameless catalytic combustion according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

23. The device (26) according to claim 22, characterized in that The device (26) comprises a heat exchanger (27) for transferring the thermal energy of the hot air flow (WLS) to the working medium and / or for preheating the air flow (LS).

24. A combustion unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, used in a device (26) according to claim 22 or 23 for heating food and / or distributing heat to a room and its surroundings.

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