Suspended Solid Fuel Particles in Gaseous Hydrocarbon Feedstock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combustible gaseous fuels like natural gas have a lower energy density compared to liquid and solid fuels, requiring larger storage volumes and higher transportation costs per unit of energy.
Innovation Solution
Suspension of finely divided solid fuel particles, such as coal-derived carbonaceous matter, in gaseous hydrocarbon fuels to enhance energy density, with particle sizes less than 250 μm and dispersants like citric acid to prevent agglomeration, creating a multi-phase fuel composition that increases volumetric energy density by up to 500%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If solid fuel particles are suspended in gaseous fuel, then energy density is enhanced, but particle settling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A dispersant is introduced as an intermediary substance between the solid fuel particles and gaseous fuel. The dispersant adsorbs onto particle surfaces, providing steric or electrostatic repulsion that prevents agglomeration and settling, thereby maintaining stable suspension while preserving the high energy density benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The particle size is reduced to the fine particle range (typically less than 10 micrometers), which fundamentally changes the sedimentation dynamics by reducing gravitational settling velocity while increasing surface area for dispersant adsorption, thus maintaining suspension stability without compromising energy density
2Stability of the object's composition
If particle size is reduced to prevent settling, then suspension stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel processing and particle size reduction operations are merged with existing fuel preparation infrastructure. Fine particle generation is integrated into the fuel mixing system, utilizing modified versions of conventional fuel injection or mixing equipment rather than requiring entirely new particle processing facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to generate fine particles on-demand through mechanical comminution or attrition processes that occur during normal fuel handling operations. The fuel system itself provides the energy and mechanical action needed to maintain particle fineness, eliminating the need for separate external particle size control systems
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 modified fuel composition significantly increases energy density, reducing storage volume requirements and transportation costs while maintaining particle suspension during transport and use, with 99% of particles remaining suspended for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size to remain suspended during transport and use
Implementation Method 2
dispersants like citric acid to prevent agglomeration
Data Source
AI summary
A gaseous combustible fuel includes a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock and solid fuel particles suspended in the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The hydrocarbon fuel feedstock may include natural gas, ethane, propane, butane, and gaseous derivatives and mixtures thereof. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The gaseous combustible fuel has an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is at least 25% greater than the volumetric energy density of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock. Improvements in volumetric energy density of 50%, 100%, and even 500% are disclosed. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.