Biomass Heating Apparatus with Segmented Brazier and Oxygen Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biomass-fueled heating apparatuses suffer from poor performance, limited versatility, difficult management of gas production, discontinuous operation, and high pollutant emissions due to inefficient combustion processes.

Innovation Solution

A heating apparatus with a brazier that receives biomass and a controlled first comburent, allowing for continuous, automatic, and adjustable introduction of biomass and comburent, with a combustion chamber for complete gas combustion, and recirculation means to reduce pollutant emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If ambient air is introduced into the brazier to fuel combustion, then the combustion process can be sustained, but nitrogen oxides are produced which are very polluting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion sustainabilityVSAvoidnitrogen oxides emission
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful nitrogen component from the combustion process by using pure oxygen instead of ambient air. This eliminates nitrogen oxides formation while maintaining combustion sustainability, as the oxygen is introduced separately without nitrogen contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert environment by replacing ambient air with pure oxygen in the combustion zone. This inert atmosphere (free from nitrogen) prevents the formation of nitrogen oxides while still supporting complete combustion of the combustible gases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Ease of manufacture

If biomass is loaded in batches into the brazier, then the pyrolysis process can be initiated, but the operation becomes discontinuous and requires frequent operator intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepyrolysis initiationVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous operation by maintaining a constant supply of biomass to the pyrolysis zone and continuously extracting combustible gases for combustion. This eliminates batch loading requirements and enables uninterrupted operation, improving productivity while maintaining easy pyrolysis initiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the biomass continuously as it feeds into the pyrolysis zone, ensuring consistent pyrolysis initiation without requiring manual intervention. The system prepares the biomass in advance through continuous heating, maintaining steady-state operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the brazier is designed for simple biomass loading, then the structure remains simple, but the management of gas production speed and calorific power becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrazier structureVSAvoidgas production management
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the brazier into distinct functional zones: a pyrolysis zone for biomass decomposition and a separate combustion zone for gas combustion. This segmentation allows independent control of gas production and combustion rates, improving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control elements including adjustable biomass feed rates and controllable gas extraction mechanisms. These dynamic features enable precise management of gas production speed and calorific power output without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus achieves continuous operation, reduced pollutant emissions, improved management of gas production and heat generation, and enhanced automation, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

the brazier (11) is suitable to receive a biomass (C) and a first comburent (F1) and to thermally decompose the biomass (C) and produce at least one combustible gas (S)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a combustion chamber (20) which is suitable to receive a second comburent (A) and the combustible gases (S) and to develop heat by means of a flame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP4314647B1Heating apparatus and method of using the latter
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 PALAZZETTI LELIO
  • EP4314647B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4314647B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4314647B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

Heating apparatus (10, 100, 200, 300), comprising a brazier (11) configured to receive a biomass (C) which functions as fuel and a first comburent (F1) and suitable to thermally decompose said biomass (C) and produce at least one combustible gas (S).