[0001] According to the science level, the solid biofuels combustion takes place in three basic styles. Firstly at the upper
combustion ( oberer Abbrand), in accordance with figure 1, the interjacent combustion
(Durchbrand), figure 3 and the down or reverse combustion (unterer Abbrand ), figure
6.
[0002] All combustion techniques can be implemented with natural or forced air adduction,
where in the figures, "P" is the primary (primar) air and "S» is the secondary (sekundar)
air. The forced air discharge provides better control and combustion stability and
is achieved either through an air supply fan or via a suction exhaust fan at the end
of the gas path.
[0003] Generally the combustion of solid biofuels is a heterogeneous process carried out
and separated into distinct stages. As to the venue of combustion, this is separated
into primary and secondary. The primary combustion takes place on grille and refers
directly to the solid biofuel. The rate of the primary combustion shall be determined
directly from the primary air supply, i.e. from the imported air in the primary combustion
chamber. The entry of the primary air is done either on the grille, cases of upper
combustion figure 1 and reverse combustion figure 6, or through the grille, case of
interjacent combustion figure 3.
[0004] The exhaust gases produced during the primary combustion mostly contain combustible
gases, such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. These exhaust gases need to be burned
further in the secondary combustion chamber by using the secondary air. Therefore
the secondary combustion refers to the exhaust gases, produced by the primary combustion
and not directly to the solid biofuel.
[0005] Generally the necessary and satisfactory conditions for a successful secondary combustion,
as defined in the international literature are as follows: Temperature, Turbulence
and Time, i.e. a high temperature is required in the secondary combustion chamber
(Temperature), sufficient exhaust turbulence for mixing them with the secondary air
(Turbulence) and sufficient delay time in the secondary combustion chamber (Time).
[0006] In figures 2, 4 and 7 representative boilers are presented, based on the three basic
styles of combustion as follows, in figure 2 a boiler of upper combustion, in figure
4 a boiler of interjacent combustion and in figure 7 a boiler of reverse combustion
All boilers, figures 2, 4, 7, are divided into three particular parts, the primary
combustion chamber (3), bounded by the space that includes the combusted material
along with the flaming exhaust, the secondary combustion chamber (2), bounded by the
area that receives the fuel combustion exhaust gases from the primary chamber and
running the ignition and combustion and the exhaust gas heat exchanger (1), bounded
by the area that receives the exhaust gases from the secondary chamber and which brings
them into contact with the surfaces of heat transaction of the boiler. The combusted
solid biofuel (4) is located in each case, within the primary combustion chamber,
where the already pyrolized biofuel (5) namely incandescent coals is located on the
base. The position of entering the primary air is marked with "P" and that of the
secondary air with "S." The upper combustion and the interjacent combustion boiler
are characterized, as it is obvious in the figures 2 and 4, by the lack of a well
framed secondary chamber. In that case the secondary combustion takes place in sequence
with the primary one, but at a higher level in the primary combustion chamber. The
unclear distinction between the two chambers is a disadvantage indeed, where the three
rules of successfully combustion, namely Temperature, Turbulence and Time would be
difficult to meet. The burning success considerably depends also on the type and quality
of the biofuel. So, biofuel free of moisture and in bulk form will burn more easily
and more efficiently than compact firewood. In the case of the use of compact firewood,
the reverse combustion style boiler with its independent secondary combustion chamber
shows better combustion and performance results, but it is not suitable for burning
biofuel in bulk form.
[0007] One form of an interjacent high powered biofuel boiler is shown in Figure 5, which
features also a separate secondary combustion chamber (2) and presents better combustion
results. Reference for the particular boiler is taken from the publication "Emissionsminderung
Maßnahmen zur feuerungsseitigen bei der gewerblichen Holzverbrennung in Feuerungsanlagen,
Bericht Nr. 50-2002, Universität Stuttgart, Institut fur Verfahrenstechnik und Dampfkesselwesen
Reinhaltung der Luft - '.The possibility of recirculation of the exhaust gases, which
potentially exists in the boiler of the figure 5, is not considered nor evaluated
in the context of this science level descriptor.
[0008] According to the invention, a solid biofuel boiler of upper or interjacent combustion type is used, with a secondary
combustion chamber located in the primary combustion chamber, consisting of a temperature
resistance non insulated tube, in which the primary combustion gases are compulsory
entering, as well as the secondary air, so ultimately takes place in the tube the
secondary combustion. Figure 8 shows a representative upper combustion type boiler
in accordance with the invention; while in figure 9 respectively an interjacent combustion
type boiler is presented, according again to the invention. In correspondence with
all boilers of this technical description, the parts of the boiler according to the
invention, are the same, namely the primary combustion chamber (3), bounded by the
space that includes the combusted material along with the flaming exhaust, the secondary
combustion chamber (2), bounded by the tube according to the invention, that receives
the fuel combustion exhaust gases from the primary chamber and running the ignition
and combustion, the exhaust gas heat exchanger (1), bounded by the area that receives
the exhaust gases from the secondary chamber and brings them into contact with the
surfaces of heat transaction of the boiler, the combusted solid biofuel material (4)
which is already within the primary combustion chamber and the already pyrolized biofuel
(5), namely incandescent coals.
[0009] The position of entry of the primary air is marked with "P" and that of the secondary
air with "S." The secondary tube combustion chamber is dimensioned in cross-section
and length according to the heat power and the solid biofuel type of each boiler.
The use of the secondary tube combustion chamber (2) rapidly improves the combustion
performance of an interjacent or upper brand boiler type, while simultaneously satisfies
the conditions of successful combustion, i.e.Temperature, since it's heated externally
by the pyrolized mass and the combustion gases, Turbulence, since passing the exhaust
gases within the narrow and long tube are compulsory mixed with the secondary combustion
air and finally Time, since the tube has adequate length to offer to the combustion
enough time. The secondary air should enter the tube as a jet at a high speed, or
as multiple jets, in order to achieve good mixing with the exhaust gases. The entry
of the secondary tube chamber (2), as shown in the figures 8 and 9, is close to the
walls of the primary combustion chamber and at a short distance from them so the incoming
secondary air "S" enters immediately and without losses in the tube. The exhaust gases,
after burning secondary in the tube chamber (2), are driven to the heat exchanger
of the boiler (1).
[0010] The secondary tube combustion chamber (2), within the primary combustion chamber
(3), must show the maximum outer surface, free and coming into contact with the hot
exhaust gas, the flames and the combusted biofuel (4) and (5) of the primary combustion.
Usually the required length of the tube (2) is greater than the length of the primary
combustion chamber (3), so it is extended within the primary combustion chamber in
every possible way and always under the criterion of maximum external surface for
heat transaction. According to figure 10, there is the possibility of placing part
of the tube on its finished edge, in an independent place within the primary combustion
chamber, point (6) of figure (10), servicing purposes of planning and mechanical protection
of the tube. The other parts of the boiler in figure (10) follow the same labels as
all other boilers of this description, i.e. position (1) exhaust gas exchanger, position
(2) secondary combustion chamber - tube according the invention, location (3) primary
combustion chamber, position (4) combusted solid biofuel, position (5) incandescent
coals.
[0011] The secondary tube combustion chamber which can bring internal layout to improve
exhaust turbulence is profiled to circular, rectangular or ellipsoid, orthogonal,
diamond or even can alter its cross-section in terms of shape and surface.
[0012] In a sufficiently large primary combustion chamber (3) many independent secondary
tube combustion chambers (2) could be supported, where many secondary combustions
would be held at the same time within the primary combustion chamber. Also, within
the primary combustion chamber (3), the secondary tube combustion chamber (2) could
be dichotomized, broke in parts and multi divaricated into smaller tubes, where each
one is located and is extended within the primary combustion chamber.
[0013] In each case, all placement conditions, in accordance with the preceding paragraphs,
are applying.
[0014] To get an idea about the size and position of a secondary tube combustion chamber,
and on the basis of preliminary research and experiments conducted on a solid fuel
boiler of upper combustion type, powered with 25 KW and length of primary combustion
chamber of 500 mm, a secondary tube combustion chamber of 100 mm diameter and 1500
mm length was needed. The tube initially came through the entire length of the primary
chamber and subsequently was placed spiraling at the end of this.
[0015] Alternatively you may enter only the secondary air "S» via a blower and the primary
"P" is sucked out naturally from the environment, due to the negative pressure (phenomenon
Injector) developed in the primary combustion chamber.
[0016] In this case, due to the negative pressure within the primary combustion chamber
(3), a controlled exhaust gas recirculation out of the secondary tube chamber to the
primary combustion chamber (3) may be created, a recirculation that under specific
terms and conditions may be desired.
[0017] Measurements taken from an experimental upper combustion boiler, according to the
invention, was CO2 = 16%, CO= 200ppm, 02 = 14.9%, which satisfy all the established
emissions in EU to take effect after 2017.
1. Solid biofuel boiler of upper type combustion (figure 8), or interjacent type combustion
(figure 9), with generally mechanical air intake, where "P" is the primary combustion
air and "S" the secondary, (1) the exhaust gas heat exchanger, (2) the secondary combustion
chamber, (3) the primary combustion chamber, (4) the combusted solid biofuel material
and (5) the active charcoal of the combusted material, aforesaid boiler is characterized by the placement within the primary combustion chamber (3), of a temperature resistance
tube (2), located throughout the length of the chamber (3), thus in order to achieve
the maximum transaction surface between the external surface of the located tube (2)
and the flame, exhaust gases and combusted biofuel (4), (5) of the primary combustion,
i.e. to show the tube (2) throughout its extended length within the primary combustion
chamber (3), the maximum free outer surface exposed and supplied from the hot exhaust
gases, the flames and the combusted biofuel mass (4), (5), where into the aforesaid
tube (2) the secondary combustion air "S" enters in the form of a high-speed jet,
while the primary combustion air "P" is inserted in the primary combustion chamber
(3) and where into the aforesaid tube (2) the combustion gases from the primary combustion
forcibly enter, so that ultimately the secondary combustion is conducted in the tube
(2) and further the tube (2) establishes an independent secondary combustion chamber
(2) within the primary combustion chamber (3), leading with its exit the produced
hot exhaust gases to the heat exchangers (1) of the boiler.
2. Solid biofuel boiler, according to claim 1, (figure 10) characterized by placing part of the secondary tube combustion chamber (2) within an independent space
(6) within the primary combustion chamber (3).
3. Solid biofuel boiler, according to claim 1, characterized by the natural unforced entry of the primary combustion air "P", due the negative pressure
created in the primary combustion chamber (3) by the injector (high speed air jet)
entry of the secondary combustion air "S" within the tube (2).
4. Solid biofuel boiler, according to claim 1, characterized by the entry of the secondary combustion air "S" through more than one air jets.
5. Solid biofuel boiler, according to claim 1, characterized by the change in the cross-section of the secondary tube combustion chamber (2) over
its length.
6. Solid biofuel boiler, according to claim 1, characterized by internal configuration in the secondary tube combustion chamber (2), for the augmentation
of the turbulence created.
7. Solid biofuel boiler, according to claim 1, characterized by a secondary tube combustion chamber (2) from a cross section of any geometrical shape.
8. Solid biofuel boiler, according to claim 1, characterized by the existence of more than one secondary tube combustion chambers (2).
9. Solid biofuel boiler, according to claim 1, characterized by the exhaust gases recirculation from the secondary tube combustion chamber (2) to
the primary combustion chamber (3), through appropriate openings in the tube (2),
provided that the primary combustion chamber (3) is in vacuum.
10. Solid biofuel boiler, according to claim 1, characterized by fragmentation and divarication of the secondary tube combustion chamber (2) in smaller
cross-section tubes within always the primary combustion chamber (3).