Vortex driven passive hydrogen recombiner and igniter
US11923099B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2020 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An igniter apparatus which generates a high speed buoyancy induced vortex to funnel hydrogen and air from the surrounding onto the “igniter core” where an “igniter core” heats up to the auto ignition temperature by the exothermic catalytic oxidation of hydrogen on its surface. Water (vapor) is formed as the product, which inhibits the oxidation reaction, if not stripped away from the catalyst surface. The high velocity of the vortex ensures the stripping of the boundary layer of steam that is formed by the reaction, thus ensuring more active sites are available for hydrogen oxidation. The vortex is formed by channeling an upward draft into a vortex by guided fins. The upward draft is formed by a plate, which is also coated with a hydrogen recombination catalyst. The plate becomes hot by the same catalytic oxidation reaction in the presence of air containing hydrogen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.