Fire constructions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fire constructions, particularly those burning solid fuels like coal, often fail to achieve satisfactory combustion levels and emit high amounts of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and particulates due to insufficient air supply configurations.

Innovation Solution

A fire construction design featuring a second air supply system with flared supply conduits that increase in cross-section as they enter the combustion chamber, providing additional air to enhance combustion efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions, including the use of multiple conduits aligned linearly through the rear and side walls to ensure effective air distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional air supply configurations are used in fire constructions, then the device complexity is low, but combustion efficiency is insufficient and pollutant emissions are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidair supply configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is segmented into multiple separate conduits (first air supply means and second air supply means) with different functions and positions. The second air supply means includes multiple supply conduits distributed across rear and side walls, each delivering air to specific regions of the combustion chamber to optimize combustion at different locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different air supply regions are provided with different air characteristics. The first air supply means delivers primary air from beneath the fuel, while the second air supply means delivers secondary air from above the fuel through flared conduits. Each region receives air tailored to its specific combustion needs, improving overall combustion efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If air supply is increased to improve combustion, then combustion efficiency improves, but the dwell time of air and fuel gases decreases leading to incomplete combustion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoiddwell time of air and fuel gases

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flared supply conduits are designed to expand the cross-sectional area before air enters the combustion chamber. This preliminary expansion action reduces air velocity and increases dwell time, allowing sufficient mixing and combustion time while still providing adequate air supply for efficient combustion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-sectional area parameter of the supply conduits is changed along their length, increasing from the wall opening toward the combustion chamber. This parameter change optimizes the balance between air supply rate and dwell time, ensuring both sufficient oxygen for combustion and adequate residence time for complete burning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If secondary air supply is used to provide air wash over glass door, then glass door clarity is improved, but combustion support is insufficient leading to high pollutant emissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoot deposition on glass doorVSAvoidcarbon monoxide and particulate emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second air supply means is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides air wash over the glass door to maintain clarity, supplies additional oxygen to support complete combustion of fuel and particulates, and reduces pollutant emissions through improved combustion. The flared conduits distribute air to achieve both cleaning and combustion support functions

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

The design achieves improved combustion efficiency and reduced pollutant emissions by increasing the dwell time of air and fuel gases, promoting better mixing and prolonged combustion, thereby decreasing the amount of particulates and carbon monoxide exhausted.

Implementation Method 1

the supply conduit having a cross section that increases as the supply conduit opens into the combustion chamber... increasing the dwell time of air and fuel gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDwell time increase through geometric expansion:

Implementation Method 2

promoting better mixing and prolonged combustion, thereby decreasing the amount of particulates and carbon monoxide exhausted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas mixing through extended dwell time:

Implementation Method 3

combustion of solid fuels within the enclosed combustion chambers... combustion of fuel therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS10480782B2Fire constructions

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 CHARLTON & JENRICK

AI summary

A fire construction (10) comprising a firebox (12) defining a combustion chamber (14) in which fuel (not shown) can be burnt, a first air supply means (16) for delivering air into the combustion chamber (14) to support combustion of fuel therein, and a second air supply means (18) for supplying additional air to support combustion of fuel within the combustion chamber (14), the second air supply means (18) comprising a supply conduit (20) connecting the combustion chamber (14) with an air supply (22), the supply conduit (20) having a cross section (24) that increases as the supply conduit (20) opens into the combustion chamber (14).