Fireplace intended for solid fuels with multi-fuel device arranged into its burning place
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fireplaces and burning devices have limited flexibility in using different solid fuels, as they are not designed to accommodate various fuels efficiently, leading to suboptimal burning conditions and increased particulate emissions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-fuel device with an adjustable grate pair and removable perforated cylinder, positioned mostly below the fireplace door, allows for the use of multiple fuels like wood chips, briquettes, and biofuels, with controlled air flow and burning points to minimize particulate emissions and sootiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed burning device structure is used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but it has limited flexibility in using different solid fuels
Solution Approach 1:
The burning device is divided into separate functional modules: a removable grate pair for supporting fuel, a removable perforated cylinder for air distribution, and a fixed fireplace structure. This segmentation allows users to reconfigure or remove components based on the specific fuel type being burned, thereby improving fuel flexibility without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grate pair and perforated cylinder are designed to be adjustable and removable rather than fixed. The grate pair can be repositioned vertically along guide rails, and the perforated cylinder can be removed entirely for certain fuel types. This dynamic configurability enables the device to adapt to different fuel requirements while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional burning devices are used, then the structure is simple, but particulate emissions and sootiness increase due to suboptimal burning conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides localized primary air supply through the perforated cylinder positioned directly among the fuel beds, and secondary air supply through the grate structure. This localized air distribution ensures optimal combustion conditions at each burning zone, reducing incomplete combustion and thereby minimizing particulate emissions and soot formation without requiring complex centralized air control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The perforated cylinder acts as an intermediary air distribution device between the fireplace air supply and the fuel. It distributes primary air evenly through its perforated walls to support complete combustion. The grate pair serves as another intermediary structure that supports fuel while allowing secondary air to reach the burning material from below, working together to reduce harmful emissions.
3Ease of operation
If the multi-fuel device is positioned above the door level, then fuel access is easier, but the device structure becomes more complex and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-fuel device is positioned to extend primarily in the vertical dimension below the door level, utilizing the vertical space within the fireplace structure. The grate pair can be moved vertically along guide rails, and the overall device footprint is minimized by arranging components vertically rather than horizontally. This dimensional arrangement keeps the device compact while maintaining ease of fuel access through the door opening.
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 clean burning of various solid fuels with minimal particulate emissions, supporting the use of different fuels without electricity or mechanical blowing, ensuring efficient combustion and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a fire tube and a control system for conducting primary and secondary air into burning
Implementation Method 2
heat is conveyed to a room from openings 4 by means of air flows
Implementation Method 3
control system for conducting primary and secondary air into burning
Implementation Method 4
air flows, such as is shown in Fig. 1. Also via side surfaces and an air distributor 3 on top of the fireplace
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fireplace (1) intended for solid fuels, into the burning space of which fireplace is arranged a multi-fuel device (10-13) for burning several solid fuels, such as chopped wood, briquettes or biomasses, said multi-fuel device comprising a grate pair which consists of a bottom grate (15) and a top grate (14), a burning cylinder (10), a perforated cylinder (12), a fire tube (11) and a control system for conducting primary and secondary air into burning. The grate pair is adjustable and the perforated cylinder (12) is replaceable when changing the used fuel into another one and the multi-fuel device is located at least for its most part below the bottom-edge level of a fireplace door (2).