Ethanol Combustion with Hydroxy-Alkyl-Cellulose for Controlled Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pure ethanol with high alcohol volume ignites quickly and completely at room temperature but dilutes rapidly with water or humidity, making it difficult to control and maintain ignition, especially in environments where simultaneous ignition for multiple dishes is desired, such as in restaurant settings.
Innovation Solution
Formulating ethanol with an alcohol volume between 85% and 99% and adding a small amount of Hydroxy-Alkyl-Cellulose (HAC), specifically Hydroxy-Propyl-Cellulose, to reduce dilution and maintain viscosity below 100 Pa·s, allowing for delayed ignition and complete combustion without water extinguishing the flame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pure ethanol with high alcohol volume (above 80%) is used, then ignition is achieved quickly and completely at room temperature, but the ethanol dilutes rapidly with water or humidity in the air
Solution Approach 1:
Hydroxy-alkyl cellulose acts as an intermediary substance that modifies the ethanol's interaction with water and air humidity. The HAC forms a protective matrix around the ethanol molecules, reducing their direct contact and mixing with water, thereby slowing dilution while preserving the ethanol's ignitable properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of ethanol by adding HAC, which modifies its viscosity and surface properties. This parameter change reduces the rate of diffusion and mixing with water molecules in the air, thereby stabilizing the ethanol concentration over time while maintaining ignition capability.
2Loss of time
If ethanol is left with air and on the surface of the dish for more than a few minutes, then it allows time for preparation and simultaneous ignition of multiple dishes, but the ethanol dilutes with water in the dish or humidity in ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
Hydroxy-alkyl cellulose serves as a protective intermediary that maintains ethanol integrity during the time delay period. It prevents premature dilution and evaporation, ensuring that when ignition occurs after several minutes, the ethanol concentration remains sufficient for reliable combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The HAC is pre-added to the ethanol formulation to create a stabilized mixture that resists dilution during the waiting period. This preliminary protective action ensures the ethanol remains ignitable throughout the time delay, enabling reliable simultaneous ignition of multiple dishes regardless of preparation time variations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ethanol concentration is reduced to between 80-85% alcohol by volume, then dilution is slower, but the ethanol is not completely consumed at room temperature and leaves water residue
Solution Approach 1:
Hydroxy-alkyl cellulose acts as a mediator that allows the ethanol to maintain higher concentration (85-99%) while still achieving controlled release and complete combustion. The HAC protects the high-concentration ethanol from rapid dilution, eliminating the need to reduce ethanol content, thereby ensuring complete combustion without water residue.
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 ethanol to be safely and uniformly applied to food surfaces, allowing for controlled ignition and complete combustion, even on wet dishes, with a thin, impermeable cellulose layer protecting the food from humidity, maintaining crunchiness and flavor, and allowing for delayed ignition and simultaneous lighting of multiple dishes.
Implementation Method 1
by adding a small amount of hydroxy-alkyl cellulose to the ethanol, it diluted much less quickly in the surrounding water
Implementation Method 2
When a pure ethanol is ignited, particularly one with alcohol by volume above 80%, it first ignites at room temperature, without the need for preheating, and then burns completely
Implementation Method 3
said HAC being dosed to obtain a viscosity lower than 100 Pa·s
Implementation Method 4
a thin, impermeable cellulose layer protecting the food from humidity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns an ethanol with an alcohol by volume between 85% and 99%, and comprising a Hydroxy-Alkyl-Cellulose, the dosage of Hydroxy-Alkyl-Cellulose being limited so as to obtain a dynamic viscosity of less than 100 Pa·s.This invention also concerns the use of such ethanol as combustible for cooking a foodstuff, or part of a foodstuff, in particular for safely cooking in the immediate vicinity of the person for whom the food is intended, so as to use cooking as a show.