Combustion Tube Temperature Gradient Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combustion experimental apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring ignition temperatures due to uneven temperature gradients in test tubes, which are difficult to adjust, especially in high-pressure environments.

Innovation Solution

A combustion experimental apparatus with a temperature-adjusting fluid supply device that controls the flow volume, temperature, and flow rate of a temperature-adjusting fluid to create a customizable temperature gradient along a straight, vertically oriented test tube, allowing for precise adjustment and measurement of flame positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heat source is disposed at one end of the tube to create a temperature gradient, then the tube can be heated with a temperature gradient in the longitudinal direction, but the temperature distribution becomes uneven and difficult to adjust accurately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature gradient distributionVSAvoidadjustability of temperature gradient

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating sections along the tube length. Each section can be controlled separately to create a customizable temperature gradient, replacing the single heat source approach and enabling precise temperature distribution control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature gradient is made dynamically adjustable through independent control of multiple heating sections. The system can adapt the temperature distribution in real-time based on experimental requirements, transforming a static temperature profile into a dynamic, controllable gradient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a large combustion space is used (ASTM method), then the measurement can be performed with standard procedures, but measurement errors become large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition temperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidcombustion space volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a large standard combustion chamber, the invention employs a scaled-down micro-combustion tube that replicates the essential combustion processes. This miniaturized model maintains the fundamental combustion characteristics while reducing the volume that causes measurement errors in traditional large-scale systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the scale parameter of the combustion space from macro (ASTM standard) to micro scale. By reducing the combustion tube diameter and volume, the system achieves better temperature control and reduced heat loss, thereby improving ignition temperature measurement precision while maintaining representative combustion behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the temperature gradient is fixed by the heater position, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the experimenter cannot adjust the temperature gradient according to experimental needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature gradient adjustabilityVSAvoidtemperature control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple heating sections are pre-configured along the tube at predetermined positions. This preliminary arrangement of heating elements allows flexible temperature gradient creation without requiring complex real-time repositioning mechanisms, balancing adaptability with system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple heating sections serve multiple functions: they can create different temperature gradients, maintain uniform temperature zones, or provide localized heating as needed. This multi-functionality allows a single apparatus configuration to accommodate various experimental requirements without increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables accurate measurement of ignition temperatures by adjusting the temperature gradient in the test tube, facilitating combustion experiments in high-pressure environments with reduced energy consumption and minimal heat radiation, thus improving experimental precision and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature-adjusting fluid supply device capable of causing a temperature-adjusting fluid to flow along a test tube (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the heater (2b) is adapted to adjust the temperature of the fluid produced by the fluid-producing part (2a) and to change the fluid into the temperature-adjusting fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

by changing a flow volume, a temperature, a flow rate or the like of the temperature-adjusting fluid, it is possible to change the state of heating the test tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2642280B1Combustion experimental device

Publication Date: 2019.01.16 IHI CORP

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

In a combustion experimental apparatus to obtain the positions of flames formed inside a tube (1), it is possible to adjust a temperature gradient in a longitudinal direction applied to the tube, by including a temperature-adjusting fluid supply device (2) to cause a temperature-adjusting fluid to flow along the tube.