Turbulence Inducer for Natural Gas Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inefficient combustion of natural gas results in a significant fraction of un-combusted gas, leading to wasted resources, environmental hazards, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, as only a portion of the natural gas combusts when fed into a combustion element.
Innovation Solution
A fluid turbulence inducement apparatus with a housing having an angled inlet and outlet, featuring a plate with multiple holes to create turbulence, which enhances combustion efficiency by increasing the combusted fraction of natural gas through the induction of turbulent flow and electrical charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If natural gas flows through a pipe to a combustion element, then the gas can be combusted for heating and energy generation, but only a portion of the natural gas combusts efficiently, resulting in un-combusted gas being lost to the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) with turbulence-inducing elements in each. This segmentation allows the natural gas stream to be progressively disrupted and mixed with air at different stages, enhancing combustion efficiency and reducing un-combusted gas losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus introduces dynamic turbulence into the natural gas stream using angled plates, protrusions, and holes that create chaotic flow patterns. This dynamic disruption of laminar flow enhances mixing between natural gas and air, allowing more complete combustion and reducing wasted un-combusted gas.
2Temperature
If more natural gas is fed into combustion flames to produce heat, then heating and energy generation requirements are met, but more un-combusted gas is released into the atmosphere, increasing environmental hazards and greenhouse gas emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus provides immediate feedback mixing by introducing air at multiple points along the gas flow path and using turbulence elements to ensure thorough mixing before combustion. This feedback mechanism ensures that natural gas is properly mixed and combusted, maximizing heat production while minimizing harmful hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere.
3Speed
If the pipe is narrowed immediately prior to exiting to speed up the gas and drop pressure, then the gas velocity increases and prevents ignition within the pipe, but the combustion efficiency at the burner decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary mixing and turbulence induction before the gas reaches the combustion point. By introducing air and creating turbulent flow patterns in advance, the apparatus ensures that when high-velocity gas exits the narrowed pipe section, it is already optimally mixed and ready for efficient combustion, counteracting the negative effects of velocity-induced poor mixing.
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 apparatus significantly increases the combustion efficiency of natural gas, reducing un-combusted gas emissions, saving resources, and minimizing environmental impact by ensuring more complete combustion and reducing hydrocarbon contributions to climate change.
Implementation Method 1
an element for inducing turbulence disposed on an end of the angled outlet comprising a plate having a plurality of holes therein
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid turbulence inducement apparatus and systems comprise a housing that is disposed in-line in a pipe through which natural gas flows toward a combustion element. Specifically, the pipe provides a source of natural gas for combustion of the same. The housing comprises an angled inlet and angled outlet, and further comprises an atomizer disposed on an end of the angled outlet comprising a plate having a plurality of holes therein.