Heat-Storing Fireplace Flue Jacket for Cleaner Long-Lasting Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stove-type fireplaces face issues with low heating efficiency due to flameless combustion, leading to excessive smoke emissions and inefficient heat transfer, while quick combustion results in rapid heat loss through the flue, failing to meet emission regulations and posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A fireplace design featuring a fire box with a grate and combustion air supply, surrounded by a metal jacket with a vertical heat-storing mass and flue gas ducts that guide hot gases evenly around the heat-storing material, ensuring efficient heat transfer and storage, and a structure that allows for even distribution of heat across the metal jacket and exterior stone mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If flameless combustion is used to achieve low heating efficiency, then smoke emissions increase and combustion temperature decreases, but heating efficiency remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The firebox is segmented into multiple combustion zones with different air supply rates. Primary combustion occurs with limited air (incomplete combustion) and secondary combustion occurs with additional air (complete combustion), allowing efficient energy utilization while minimizing harmful emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion process parameters are changed by controlling air supply in two stages. The first stage uses restricted air supply to create specific combustion conditions, while the second stage introduces additional air to complete combustion, transforming the combustion efficiency and emission characteristics
2Use of energy by moving object
If quick combustion is used to achieve efficient and pure combustion, then heating efficiency improves, but heat loss through flue increases and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
Heat-storing masses are pre-positioned in the firebox to receive and store thermal energy during the combustion phase. These masses act as thermal batteries, accumulating heat when combustion is intense and releasing it during the decay phase, thereby reducing heat loss through the flue
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-storing masses ensure continuous heat release even after the fire has burned out. The stored thermal energy is gradually released to the surrounding environment, extending the useful heating action beyond the active combustion period and reducing overall energy waste
3Duration of action of stationary object
If heat-storing mass is added to enhance heat-storing capacity, then heat-release time increases, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-storing masses serve dual functions: they store thermal energy during combustion and automatically release it during the decay phase. The system is self-regulating, with the heat release rate determined by the thermal properties of the masses themselves rather than requiring active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-storing masses perform multiple functions simultaneously: thermal energy storage, heat release extension, and structural support within the firebox. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure despite the added thermal mass
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 efficient and prolonged heat storage and release, allowing for high combustion temperatures with pure flue gases, addressing the limitations of conventional stoves by maintaining heat output and safety while meeting modern emission standards.
Implementation Method 1
the hot gases rise along the ducts and release the heat partially to the metal jacket and partially to the heat-storing mass
Implementation Method 2
the flue gases around the heat-storing mass are equally hot and that the flue gas flows around the heat-storing mass have an equal volume
Implementation Method 3
the hot gases rise along the ducts and release the heat partially to the metal jacket and partially to the heat-storing mass
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a fireplace including a fire box (2) provided with a grate (1) and a door, surrounded by a fire box jacket (3) and having a combustion air supply and a throat (4) to remove the flue gases. According to the invention, after the throat (4) above the fire box (2) there is a vertical metal jacket (5) leading the flue gases upwards and having inside of it a substantially continuous heat-storing mass (7) of a well heat-storing material. In this case, flue gas ducts (8) are formed between the metal jacket and the heat-storing mass, extending substantially for their entire width and entire height. In addition, the metal jacket (5) and the fire box jacket (3) are surrounded by the exterior jacket (9) of the fireplace.