Homogenous Cerium Catalyst for LPG Flame Temperature and Fuel Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catalysts for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) combustion fail to significantly improve flame temperature and reduce fuel consumption, as they cannot modulate the theoretical calorific output or influence the thermodynamics of the combustion process effectively, leading to inefficient cooking and higher LPG consumption due to soot and deposit formation in burners.
Innovation Solution
A homogenous cerium (Ce) catalyst composition comprising Ce(IV) complex alone or in combination with Ce(III) complex, specifically cerium(III) 2-ethylhexanoate and aqua(2-N-(2-hydroxyethylimino)-4-pentanoate)dinitrocerium (IV), is used to enhance LPG combustion, improving soot combustion and increasing oxygen availability, thereby achieving higher flame temperatures and reduced fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional catalysts are used for LPG combustion, then combustion process occurs, but flame temperature is not significantly improved and fuel consumption remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a homogenous cerium catalyst composition with specific Ce(III) to Ce(IV) weight ratios (1:4 to 4:1) and concentrations (5-50 ppm) to modify the combustion parameters. This homogeneous catalytic system changes the chemical parameters of the combustion process, achieving up to 10% increase in flame temperature and significant reduction in fuel consumption compared to conventional catalysts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by formulating a homogenous catalyst composition containing both Ce(III) and Ce(IV) complexes in specific ratios. This composite catalytic system combines the benefits of both oxidation states of cerium, creating a synergistic effect that significantly improves flame temperature and reduces fuel consumption beyond what single-state cerium compounds or conventional catalysts can achieve.
2Productivity
If combustion improvers are added to LPG, then combustion kinetics are improved, but theoretical calorific output cannot be modulated
Solution Approach 1:
The homogenous cerium catalyst composition changes the kinetic parameters of combustion through catalytic action, accelerating the combustion rate and improving flame characteristics. Simultaneously, it enables modulation of calorific output by promoting more complete combustion, thereby increasing the effective energy utilization from the same fuel quantity, which conventional improvers cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical mixing or physical combustion enhancement methods with a chemical catalytic mechanism. The cerium-based homogenous catalyst provides a chemical pathway to improve both combustion kinetics and calorific output, substituting physical approaches with chemical catalysis that can simultaneously address both parameters.
3Quantity of substance
If LPG burns with soot formation, then combustion occurs, but oxygen availability is reduced and flame temperature decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of soot formation into a beneficial process by using the homogenous cerium catalyst to promote complete combustion. The catalyst transforms incomplete combustion products (soot) into complete combustion products (CO2 and H2O), thereby converting the harmful soot formation into an opportunity for improved combustion efficiency and higher flame temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The cerium catalyst acts as a strong oxidizing agent that accelerates the oxidation of carbonaceous soot particles during combustion. This enhanced oxidation process converts soot into CO2, increasing oxygen availability and releasing additional heat energy, thereby increasing flame temperature and improving overall combustion efficiency.
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 cerium catalyst composition increases flame temperature by up to 10% and reduces cooking time and LPG fuel consumption by improving soot combustion and oxygen access, with optimal performance at a 2:1 weight ratio of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) complexes and 12.5 ppm concentration, demonstrating enhanced catalytic efficiency and fuel economy.
Implementation Method 1
A homogenous cerium (Ce) catalyst composition comprising Ce(IV) complex alone or in combination with Ce(III) complex, specifically cerium(III) 2-ethylhexanoate and aqua(2-N-(2-hydroxyethylimino)-4-pentanoate)dinitrocerium (IV), is used to enhance LPG combustion
Implementation Method 2
improving soot combustion and increasing oxygen availability, thereby achieving higher flame temperatures and reduced fuel consumption
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a homogenous cerium (Ce) catalyst composition comprising Ce(IV) complex alone, or Ce(IV) complex in a mixture with Ce(III) complex, that can significantly improve both LPG and soot combustion, resulting in higher flame temperatures, faster heating, reduced cooking time and reduced fuel consumption. The cerium(III) complex is cerium(III) 2-ethylhexanoate and the cerium(IV) complex is aqua(2-N-(2-hydroxyethylimino)-4-pentanoate) dinitrocerium(IV) [Ce(L1)(H2O)(NO3)2], wherein L1 is 2-N-(2-hydroxyethylimino)-4-pentanone.