Induction Heating Device for Steam Dissociation in Furnaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current heating technologies for industrial furnaces, such as natural gas and hydrogen burners, are inefficient, complex, and environmentally harmful, and existing methods like plasma heating and resistance heating suffer from high wear and energy loss, making it difficult to achieve high temperatures without significant emissions and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A heating device that uses an induction-capable element to heat water vapor to over 2000°C, causing it to dissociate into HHO, which releases heat efficiently within the furnace, eliminating the need for complex gas handling and reducing emissions by circulating water vapor and using a thermal insulation layer and liquid-cooled cooling circuit to protect the inductor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If natural gas burners are used to supply process heat, then the equipment is simple and cost-effective, but CO2 emissions increase and natural gas costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburner system complexityVSAvoidCO2 emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of the heating medium from natural gas to water/steam, fundamentally altering the combustion process to eliminate CO2 emissions while maintaining heating functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses oxygen-enriched atmosphere (up to 100% oxygen) instead of air for combustion, enabling complete oxidation of hydrogen to water and eliminating CO2 emissions while improving combustion efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If hydrogen burners are used to supply process heat, then CO2 emissions are eliminated, but the system becomes complex and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 emissionsVSAvoidgas handling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex gas handling, storage, and safety control systems required for hydrogen burners, replacing them with a simplified water/steam injection system that achieves the same emission-free heating goal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses water/steam as an intermediary substance that simplifies the system by eliminating the need for separate hydrogen and oxygen storage, handling, and mixing systems while still achieving clean combustion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If plasma heating is used to achieve high temperatures, then process heat is introduced effectively, but equipment wear increases and material degradation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefurnace temperatureVSAvoidequipment durability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the heating mechanism from plasma (electromagnetic field with temperatures >15,000°C) to controlled chemical combustion of hydrogen in oxygen-enriched atmosphere, achieving the required temperatures without the extreme conditions that cause equipment degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If resistance heating is used to heat water vapor, then heating is achieved, but thermal losses increase and energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater vapor temperatureVSAvoidthermal losses
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical/electrical resistance heating system with a chemical combustion system, eliminating the thermal losses associated with conducting current through resistance elements and their supporting infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution provides efficient, emission-free, and resource-saving high-temperature heat to industrial furnaces, reducing wear on components and eliminating the need for complex gas handling and safety risks, while maintaining high energy efficiency through waste heat reuse and optimized dissociation of water vapor.

Implementation Method 1

at least one inductor, for example designed as an electrically conductive coil, for heating the induction-capable element to the desired temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the heating device comprises at least one induction-capable element which faces the inside of the furnace and/or a supply for water, preferably in the form of steam, and which can be heated to a temperature of over 2000°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

a thermal insulation layer between the induction-capable element and the inductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

a preferably liquid-cooled cooling circuit for cooling the inductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 5

which can be heated to a temperature of over 2000°C, preferably from over 2500°C to about 4000°C, so that a proportion of the water vapor present in the interior of the furnace or in the supply dissociates into HHO

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Thermolysis

Implementation Method 6

As soon as the HHO cools down below the dissociation temperature within the furnace chamber, the hydrogen reacts with the oxygen to form H2O, releasing heat into the furnace chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentEP4425080A1Heating device for introducing process heat into a melting or heating furnace
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 BERN REINHOLD
  • EP4425080A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4425080A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4425080A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a heating device for introducing process heat into a melting or heating furnace in which water is introduced via a water supply (1), preferably in the form of steam, and/or is present in the furnace interior (2). The heating device comprises the following elements: - at least one induction-capable element (3) which faces the furnace interior and/or a steam supply (1) and can be heated to a temperature of over 2000°C, preferably over 2500°C up to approximately 4000°C, such that a portion of the existing steam in the furnace interior (2) or...in the feed (1) to HHO dissociates - at least one inductor (4), for example designed as an electrically conductive coil, for heating the inductive element (3) to the desired temperature, - a thermal insulation layer (5) between the inductive element (3) and the inductor (4) and - a preferably liquid-cooled cooling circuit (6) for cooling the inductor (4).