METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BURNING AND ATOMIZING LIQUIDS

Abstract

 According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for atomizing liquids and burning liquid fuels, comprising a body (1), a longitudinal cavity (2) within the body (1), having a first end (3) and second end (4), a longitudinal tube (5) within the longitudinal cavity (2), having a first end (6) and a second end (7). There is a gas needle (8) in flow connection with the longitudinal tube (5) and extending from the second end (7) of the longitudinal tube (5) and ending to a tip (9). A liquid channel (10) is formed between the longitudinal cavity (2) and the longitudinal tube (5), a nozzle hole (11) is extending from the second end (7) of the longitudinal cavity (2) and ending as a nozzle tip (12). The liquid channel (10) opens behind the tip (9) of the gas needle (8) without extending past the tip (9) in direction towards the nozzle hole (11) and the nozzle hole (11) is configured to produce a spray cone having at least 24° angle between the central axis of the nozzle tip (12) and the mantle of the cone.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to atomizing liquids, for example for burning liquid fuels for various needs for producing energy. In particular, the invention relates to burning liquid fuels that are difficult to handle and burn, for example very viscous combustible liquids.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A great variety of liquid fuels are used for producing heat, electricity and mechanical energy. As concerns of global warming increase and sources of traditional fuels are getting scarce, here is a drive to find new resources and new fuels. Simultaneously, the existing resources should be used more effectively and burning fuels presently widely available should be done as efficiently as possible. Fuels can be used in variety of apparatuses, for example in boilers using burners and in combustion engines like OTTO - and DIESEL-engines. Usually the fuel is mixed with air. This can be done in nozzles or ejectors wherein the fuel is mechanically atomized to a spray that is injected to a combustion space or mixed with air injected through the nozzle. As there is indefinite number of combustion apparatuses and different types and grades of fuel, one understands that the amount of nozzle types is numerous. Usually the nozzle is optimized for the fuel used and the apparatus wherein the combustion occurs.

[0003] One type of mixing nozzles is air atomizing nozzle wherein fuel is fed through a central feeding tube through a nozzle orifice having a hole. Atomizing air is fed to an annular space in front of the feeding tube and behind the nozzle hole. The flow of air pushes the fuel through the nozzle hole and breaks it to droplets, which are mixed with air. Air/fuel flow through the nozzle hole causes drop of pressure that sucks liquid fuel from a flue line, or a pump can be used for feeding fuel. This type of nozzle may be efficient for some types of fuel, but its capacity to handle heavier and more viscous fuel grades, especially if they can't be preheated, is limited. One such nozzle is SIPHON TYPE SNA^™ nozzle by Hagon Manufacturing Co.

[0004] Diesel or gasoline driven engines use generally nozzles wherein the fuel is pumped on high pressure through a nozzle orifice. Fuel is atomized when it exits the nozzle, whereafter it is mixed with air and combusted. The nozzles are generally optimized for the type of fuel and engine.

[0005] Even though a variety of methods and apparatuses for feeding liquid fuels for combustion are known, there is a need for an apparatus capable of handling a variety of different fuel types and qualities with good efficiency. Likewise, there is a need for an apparatus capable of atomizing liquids using gaseous media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for atomizing liquids and burning liquid fuels, comprising a body, and a longitudinal cavity within the body, having a first end and second end. There is a longitudinal tube within the longitudinal cavity, having a first end and a second end and an gas needle being in flow connection with the longitudinal tube and extending from the second end of the longitudinal tube and ending to a tip. A liquid channel is formed between the longitudinal cavity and the longitudinal tube. A nozzle hole extends from the second end of the longitudinal cavity and ends as a nozzle tip. In the apparatus the liquid channel opens behind the tip of the gas needle without extending past the tip in direction towards the nozzle hole, and the nozzle hole is configured to produce a spray cone having at least 24° angle between the central axis of the nozzle tip and the mantle of the cone.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for atomizing liquid, comprising the steps of

• ejecting compressed gas from an gas needle to a nozzle hole,
• feeding liquid fuel behind the tip of the gas needle in the flow direction of the compressed_gas,
• setting the speed of the compressed gas and the liquid so that the flow of compressed gas forms an area of reduced pressure behind the tip of the gas needle producing an ejector effect,
• feeding the mixture of gas and liquid through the nozzle hole to a space as a cone having an exit angle of at least 24 ° between the central axis of the nozzle tip and the mantle of the cone.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for burning liquid fuels, comprising the steps of:

• ejecting compressed air from an gas needle to a nozzle hole,
• feeding liquid fuel behind the tip of the gas needle in the flow direction of the compressed air,
• setting the speed of the compressed air and the fuel so that the flow of compressed air forms an area of reduced pressure behind the tip of the gas needle producing an ejector effect,
• feeding the mixture of air and fuel through the nozzle hole to a space to be burned as a cone having an exit angle of at least 24° between the central axis of the nozzle tip and the mantle of the cone.

[0010] According to fourth aspect of the invention the spray cone is configured to be 24 - 90° between the central axis of the nozzle tip and the mantle of the cone.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a burner tube having a base wall and tube wall extending from the base wall and forming an open tube having a non-circular cross section, wherein the nozzle tip is mounted to open from the base wall into the burner tube.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the space for burning the fuel is a combustion space of a burner tube having a closed end and an open end.

[0013] According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the burner tube comprises straight walls joined together on their edges to form an angular cross section.

[0014] According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the cross section has at least three angles to provide the cross section, preferably four angles to provide a quadrangular cross section.

[0015] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the space for burning the fuel is a combustion chamber of a combustion engine.

[0016] According to an tenth aspect of the invention the apparatus and method is used for burning one of the fuels in the group of pine oil, fish oil, heavy fuel oil, biofuels and in general high viscous fuels and pre-mixed fuel mixtures of two or more fuels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] 

FIGURE 1 illustrates an apparatus for burning liquid fuels in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 illustrates an enlarged detail of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a frontal view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention in side view; and

FIGURE 5 illustrates and example apparatus of FIGURE 3 in front view.

EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The invention is described and illustrated below with reference to a nozzle and burner presented here as examples of the embodiments of the invention. For use as atomizing nozzle, compressed air may be replaced with any gas that one desires to use for atomization and the fuel is replace with the liquid or mixture of liquids to be atomized.

[0019] The nozzle and burner assembly described below operate according to the ejector principle. The pressure side drives the process that creates negative pressure on the suction side, mixes the media and atomizes the mixture to e.g. the combustion space. This method creates a significantly higher atomization of the mixture (tens of times higher atomization compared to pressure atomization). The method and apparatus operating according to the principle atomize the mixture of fuel and air so that an almost permanent fog is created.

[0020] The burner can flexibly perform physical work, where the ratio of the work performed out of the same unit can be scaled from approximately 1 to 40 times. This means that one and the same unit can be used for several different sizes of e.g. boilers. The output power change can be made by adjustment on the injecting pressure side, but it is also possible to increase the flow on the pressure side with unchanged flow on the suction side and vice versa. The higher the pressure on the pressure side, the higher the atomization of the mixture between pressure and suction side. This also means that higher pressure on the pressure side enables suction of liquids with higher viscosity. This in turn means a reduced preheating demands requirement of e.g. viscous fuels, which reduces the total energy consumption.

[0021] The apparatus has no moving parts that are in contact with the fuel, which enables the use of acidic, basic and non-lubricating fuels such as e.g. pyrolysis produced oils. Some oils also become corrosive at temperatures above about 70°C, but given the ability of this apparatus to operate with high viscosity fuels, such fuels can be used at temperature levels below that where they become corrosive. This lowers the material requirements, for example, use of acid-resistant materials can be excluded.

[0022] In the following, an apparatus for atomizing and burning fuel is described. Therefore, only air and fuel are referred to and corresponding nominations of the parts are used. For general use for atomization, air is replaced with any gas or mixture of gases and fuel with any liquid or mixture of liquids. Same applies to nominations of the parts.

[0023] FIGURES 1-3 illustrate a nozzle assembly in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. This nozzle assembly can be used in an apparatus for burning liquid fuels, for example in burners or in an internal combustion engine. The nozzle assembly comprises a body 1 on which the components of the nozzle assembly are mounted. The body 1 has a central longitudinal cavity 2 within the body 1, having a first end 3 and a second end 4. A longitudinal tube 5 within the longitudinal cavity 2 forms an air passage. The longitudinal tube 5 has a boring 14 running along its central axis and the longitudinal tube 5 has a first end 6 and a second end 7. At the second end 7 of the longitudinal tube 5 is an air needle 8 in flow connection with the boring 14 of the longitudinal tube 5. The air needle 8 extends from the second end 7 of the longitudinal tube 5 and ends to a tip 9. The longitudinal tube 5 is fitted in the longitudinal cavity 2 so that the contact surface between the outer surface of the longitudinal tube 5 and the inner surface of the longitudinal cavity 2 is fluid tight at the first end of the longitudinal cavity 2. This prevents passage of air or fuel between the longitudinal cavity 2 and the longitudinal tube 5 at the first end 5, 6. The seal is made by using a thread and O-rings 15. At the second end of the longitudinal tube 5, the diameter of the tube is smaller than the diameter of the longitudinal cavity 2. This forms a free space around the longitudinal tube 5 that forms a first fuel passage 16. The first fuel passage is connected to a first fuel inlet 17 in the body 1. A second fuel inlet 18 in the body 1 is connected to a second fuel passage 19.

[0024] At the second end 7 of the longitudinal tube is an ejector arrangement. The ejector arrangement includes an air tube 20 extending from the first end of the longitudinal channel 5 to the second of it. At the second end of the longitudinal channel 5 the air tube 20 ends to an air needle 8. The air tube 20 is connected to an air inlet 21. The air tube 20 and the air needle 8 for a passage for feeding air from the air inlet 21 and out of the tip of the air needle 8. At the second end 7 of the longitudinal channel 5 the outer surface of it is formed as a cone 22 that ends to the air needle 8 that extends to the tip of the cone 22. The inner surface of the longitudinal cavity 2 is formed to envelope the cone as a similar shape.

[0025] A nozzle hole 9 extends from the second end of the longitudinal cavity 2 and ends as a nozzle tip 12. The tip of the air needle 8 extends to the nozzle hole 9. The position of the air needle 8 within the nozzle hole and in longitudinal direction of the nozzle assembly is adjustable. In this example, the air tube 20 is connected to a power adjustment knob that is configured to move the air tube 20, the cone 22 and the air needle 8 along their central axis, i.e. in longitudinal direction of the apparatus. This provides adjustment of the clearance between the cone and the second end 4 of the longitudinal cavity 2. This adjustment throttles the passage of fuel around the cone. The adjustment mechanism can be constructed in various ways, for example using a threaded adjustment knob, threads, slides and similar components that can be actuated manually or by electric, magnetic, pneumatic or other actuators.

[0026] The fuel channel 10 is generally formed between the longitudinal tube 5 and the longitudinal cavity 2. The fuel channel 10 opens behind the tip of the air needle 8 without extending past the tip in direction towards the nozzle hole 9. In the example of FIGURE 1, there are two fuel passages. This enables use of different fuels without removing and assembling the fuel inlets. Even use of two different fuels simultaneously can be contemplated as well as use of premixed fuels or more than one or two fuels fed sequentially. However, dimensional considerations limit the number of physical fuel passages. One possibility is to use the nozzle for mixing liquids that not easily mix, for example water to diesel oil or alcohols to other liquids. Mixing can be used even to provide new types of fuels. The first fuel passage 16 runs around the longitudinal tube 5 and exits to the space between the cone 22 and the second end 4 of the longitudinal cavity 2. The second fuel passage 19 runs within the body 1 and exits in the space around the tip of the cone 22 and the incoming side of the nozzle hole 11. The air needle 8 extends inside the nozzle hole 11. In this way the fuel is conducted behind the tip of the air needle 8 and behind the exit point of air in flow direction. Now, when air is injected from the air needle 8, an ejector effect is created and pressure in the space behind (in flow direction) the tip of the air needle drops. The falling pressure sucks fuel from one or both fuel passages starting to atomize it. When the fuel and air mixture exit from the nozzle tip 9, a fine mist is formed. The dimensions of the ejector and specially the nozzle hole is configured to produce a spray cone having at least 24° angle between the central axis of the nozzle tip and the mantle of the cone.

[0027] FIGURE 4 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus in FIGURE 4 is a burner for burning liquid fuels. Even though it is suitable for a variety of fuels, it is especially beneficial for burning viscous or harmful fuels as it is capable of handling such liquids. The burner comprises a nozzle described above and a burner tube. The burner tube is formed of a base plate 23 on which the nozzle is attached. If one nozzle is used, it is positioned centrally on the base plate 23. One can contemplate that multiple nozzles are used in same burner. In such case the placement on the base plate must be arranged accordingly. However, the high performance of the burner and large adjustable power range make using multiple nozzles unnecessary. The burner tube is formed by side walls 24 extending from the base plate 23 and forming a square cross section. There may be auxiliary devices like ignition device (only a socket 25 shown in FIGURE 5).

[0028] The cross section of the burner tube is non-circular, in the examples of FIGURES 4 and 5 the burner tube is quadrangular having four side walls having equal width and forming a square cross section. Now, the nozzle produces a spray or mist cone having circular cross section. The length or the burner tube and the cross section at the open exit end are dimensioned so that the cone produced by the nozzle exits from the burner tube close to the side walls but makes no contact or minimal contact with the edges of the walls. This prevents contamination of the side walls. Since the cone has a cicular cross section and he burner tube quadrangular, the cone covers the opening of he burner tube only partially. The corners of the exit remain open. The speed of the material in the cone and burning of the flame (heat and oxygen consumption) push material from the burner tube and lowers the pressure therein. This causes air to flow through the open areas on the corners into the burner tube. This air flow provides secondary air. The secondary ir flow enters the burner tube, flows towards the base plate and turns into the cone and flame exiting with the flame. The secondary air flow is preheated in the burner tube, whereby the cooling effect is minimal and the flame is securely maintained. When the partially burned fuel/air mixture exits the burner tube, it enters to a larger space, for example to a combustion chamber or a furnace. Now the mixture and the flame expands rapidly, whereby its speed is quickly reduces causing a cleanly burning flame.

[0029] The cross section of the burner tube must be such that the circular cross section of the air/fuel cone doesn't close the exit of the burner tube. For example, an oval or even clover like cross section can be contemplated. However, a tube with straight sidewalls is easy to construct. A quadrangular form is preferred as it provides four evenly spaces return air flow sites around the fuel/air cone combined with a simple construction. A triangular cross section may be useful as well as a pentagonal or across section having even more angles. However, if the number of the angles are increased, the cross section is closer to a circle and the effect obtained by return air is eventually reduced or lost.

[0030] Injection angle is about a quarter of the ones used in known technology, around 24° For example, when the invention is applied to a burner technology, air and fuel are injected into the combustion chamber already fully mixed together. This does not happen in a conventional burner, where liquid fuel is injected directly in the combustion chamber and air and fuel are mixed inside the combustion chamber. The design and the relationship between the different parts is important to effectively achieve as large a difference between pressure (infeed air) and suction side (infeed fuel) as possible. This is a matter of optimization, operational ranges are wider that optimum setup, understandably. It is possible to create a suction pressure of 0.03 MPa - 0.018 MPa (0.3 to 0 .18 bar(a)) on the fuel on the suction side with a pressure (air pressure) on the pressure side between 0.3 MPa - 0.5 MPa (3 to 5 bar(a)).

[0031] Igniting the air/fuel mixture exiting the fuel nozzle may be difficult, because the angle of the injection cone creates such a high injection rate that spark ignition is not possible in close proximity to the nozzle. A burner tube described above can avoid this. The combustion starts inside the burner tube, which surrounds the ejector nozzle tip 12. The burner tube is a partially closed tube having a closed bottom and closed side walls and opening opposite to the base wall and the nozzle. The closed space of the burner tube forms the first stage of combustion. No additional air is added at the first stage, i.e. combustion begins with the atomization air only. Additional air as secondary air is taken in from the outside from the side of the end of the burner tube. This way the secondary air neither cools down the injected mixture nor affects a possible flame, nor the ejector body. In a conventional burner, the air cools the incoming fuel, which reduces the combustion efficiency. The exit velocity of the mixture from nozzle can be 10-40 m/s, where the velocity makes this mixture complicated to ignite. In this case, ignition is possible due to the high atomization of the fuel particles.

[0032] It can be mentioned as an example that when the air speed inside the ejector just after the tip of the air needle, with air needle diameter = 1mm, with an air pressure of 0.3 MPa (3.0 bar(a)) achieves a speed of ~29.5m/s and with 0.4 MPa (4bar(a)) the same air needle the speed is 33.8m/s. This air velocity creates a "battle" between the fast moving air and the more slowly moving viscous fuel, which tears the fuel apart.

[0033] With the herein described burner, a slower flame speed is obtained and the burning parameters can be varied. The ejector effect causes the speed of the fuel cone after the nozzle tip to have a high speed, but when the fuel cone exits the burner tube having a larger diameter and more space, the speed is brought down and a slower mist/flame speed result. With lowered temperature NoX emissions will be reduced as a result. That is, you can influence/control the flame depending on the properties of the fuel and external factors. The principle of the burner is that a large part of the air is mixed with the fuel in the burner nozzle, the rest of the combustion air (secondary air) comes in from the combustion chamber on the side of the burner tube and have negligible affect on the flame or cool down the fuel/flame mixture. The atomizing compressed air is automatically heated by the air compressor and can be further preheated if necessary. Fuel and the compressed air flows coming out of the ejector nozzle tip can be regulated separately, increasing the air pressure while maintaining the amount of fuel and vice versa.

[0034] The ejector's air needle and nozzle require a certain relationship to each other in order to achieve high vacuum with as low air pressure as possible, 0,35 MPa (3.5 bar(a)) pressure, vacuum 0,025 MPa (0.25 bar(a)), both the hole diameter in the air needle and the nozzle hole and the length of these holes are important. The higher the atomization is , the better it contributes to a better air and fuel mixture and a good combustion ratio. It is also possible to mix two or more fuels while in the ejector from e.g. two different inlets as in FIGURE 1. The ready air and fuel mix is brought into the combustion chamber.

[0035] The design of the fire pipe is adapted to the injection cone in terms of length and diameter and this ratio is decisive for e.g. combustion. If this ratio is not correct, "silent flames" occur. The design of the burner duct shall be such that the circular cross sectional area of the fuel cone is close to the inner walls of the non-circular shaped burner tube when the fuel/air mixture exits the burner duct.

[0036] As it is possible with this method to mix different media (air and fuel) in the unit (nozzle) itself, it is possible to change mixing ratios rapidly and momentarily. The external dimensions of the different power ratios of the burners does not change much between 4kW - several hundred kW. The burner is preferably equipped with automation for automatic start and stop and with valid safety protection. The equipment needed, however, are dependent on local legislation and rules regarding safety, environmental factors, etc.

[0037] In such conditons where heating of the body 1 might be needed, the body 1 can be equipped with a heating resistor or similar to heat up or maintain the temperature of the body 1.

[0038] The burner can continuously vary its power output, e.g. from 4kW- several hundered kW. If larger burners are required, there are several other possibilities to scale, i.e. the variety is large and versatile. The burner has no moving parts that are in contact with the fuel, whereby it can use acidic fuels. No pumps for pressurizing and feeding the fuel are needed. The burner can handle intake of fuel by suction with its ejector. Also non-lubricating fuels such as pyrolysis oil can be used as there are no moving parts. The nozzle and burner are not sensitive to congestion due to fuel impurity. In trials, for example IFO180, pitch oil preheated to approx. 55-70°C has been burned as well as rapeseed oil that came from the Taffel Chips potato chips factory including a lot of impurities such as barbecue seasoning in it could be well burned, using only "mosquito net" for pre-strainer before putting in a storage tank.

[0039] The burner's operation as a normal boiler regarding starts and stops as well as power adjustment can be automatic, e.g. temperature in the system and applicable safety equipment are included as needed. The boiler is controlled by standard electronics.

[0040] The fuel nozzle described above can be used as a fuel injector for OTTO- and DIESEL-engines.

[0041] The fuel nozzle can be somewhat simplified when it is used for direct injection when injecting via the intake port or directly into the cylinder, possibly already on the intake stroke. Basically, the nozzle comprises a fuel valve body, air feeding tube ending to an air needle and an air channel. The fuel nozzle can be used for direct injection into the cylinder or injection via the intake port. For example, the nozzle can be operated with petrol or diesel, whereby an engine can run on any fuel depending on the driving conditions. At lower loads engine is run on diesel fuel and at higher loads with petrol. The change can be done electronically at the injection valve. This possibility means that engines can be simpler, cheaper, and lighter. This is achieved because the fuel nozzle creates such a fine atomization of the fuels that can be compared to tobacco smoke or like gas. No high fuel pressure is needed, maximally 4 bar, regardless of which application the fuel nozzle is used (Otto/diesel). The fuel nozzle can be adapted to existing engines.

[0042] The origin of this innovation is the fuel nozzle which made it possible for the nozzle to be installed in an internal combustion engine and utilize the atomization of the fuel.
The benefits of the fuel nozzle include:

1. The high atomization

2. High reliability

3. Not so viscosity dependent because of point 1.

4. Easy to manufacture.

5. Cheap to manufacture

6. Can be adapted to existing Otto/diesel engines

7. Less particle emissions in diesel engine operation.

8. In a Diesel or Otto engine, the injection into the cylinder can be already on the intake stroke with the consequence of cleaner exhaust gases and better utilization rate of the fuel.

9. The compressed air is taken from the turbocharger or a compressed air compressor driven by the engine shaft, the pressure needed is a fraction of the day's high fuel pressure of several hundreds MPa ( several thousand bars).

10. The established diesel principle is the only one today and no other principle is available with liquid fuels. With the fuel nozzle described herein, it is possible to use liquid fuels as atomized fuel and run the OTTO/Diesel cycle as a gas engine.

[0043] The difference between a standard fuel valve for diesel operation and the fuel nozzle is: With a normal fuel valve, only fuel/diesel is injected into the cylinder and the air is injected via the intake port. With this fuel nozzle, both fuel and air are injected simultaneously through the fuel nozzle into the cylinder and the secondary air is injected via the intake port. The air/fuel mixture can be injected during the intake stroke. It can also be injected later depending on fuel type. The fuel cone is 24°-90°. The fuel/air mixture can also be injected via the intake port at the intake stroke since the atomized fuel is resistant to compression. With this principle, the air/fuel has time to mix in the cylinder before combustion. The infeed point can be approximately 170° angular degrees before top dead centre (in comparison with existing diesel engines with a maximum of around 3° angular degrees). So a diesel engine can be run like an Otto engine.

[0044] The fuel nozzle can be compared to throttle operation of diesel engines with a pilot valve/spark plug to initiate the ignition moment. This has been tested with an 8hp "Petter pre-chamber diesel" with injection of diesel fuel into the intake port controlled by pulse sensors and electronics to control fuel quantity and rpm.

[0045] The fuel nozzle can be inserted directly into the cylinder as an existing fuel valve. Then check valves are needed on fuel and compressed air so that the cylinder pressure does not push fuel and compressed air backwards and prevents fuel and air from entering the cylinder.

[0046] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant fields. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0047] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0048] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0049] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0050] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0051] The verbs "to comprise" and "to include" are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", i.e. a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0052] The invention can be used to atomize liquids and mix those with gas. As an example fuel can be atomized and mixed with air for combustion and water can be mixed with gas for atomization of water.

ACRONYMS LIST

[0053] IFO180 Intermediate Fuel Oil 180 CSt

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0054] 

1

body

2

longitudinal cavity

3

first end of the longitudinal cavity

4

second end of the longitudinal cavity

5

longitudinal tube

6

first end of the longitudinal tube

7

second end of the longitudinal tube

8

air needle

9

tip

10

fuel channel

11

nozzle hole

12

nozzle tip

13

combustion space

14

boring

15

O-ring

16

first fuel passage

17

fist fuel inlet

18

second fuel inlet

19

second fuel passage

20

air tube

21

air inlet

22

cone

23

base plate

24

side wall

25

socket

Claims

1. An apparatus for atomizing liquids and burning liquid fuels, comprising:

- a body (1);

- a longitudinal cavity (2) within the body (1), having a first end (3) and second end (4);

- a longitudinal tube (5) within the longitudinal cavity (2), having a first end (6) and a second end (7),

- an gas needle (8) being in flow connection with the longitudinal tube (5) and extending from the second end (7) of the longitudinal tube (5) and ending to a tip (9),

- a liquid channel (10) formed between the longitudinal cavity (2) and the longitudinal tube (5),

- a nozzle hole (11) extending from the second end (7) of the longitudinal cavity (2) and ending as a nozzle tip (12),

- characterized in that

- the liquid channel (10) opens behind the tip (9) of the gas needle (8) without extending past the tip (9) in direction towards the nozzle hole (11), and

- the nozzle hole (11) is configured to produce a spray cone having at least 24° angle between the central axis of the nozzle tip (12) and the mantle of the cone.

2. An apparatus according to the claim 1, wherein the spray cone is configured to be 24° - 90° between the central axis of the nozzle tip (12) and the mantle of the cone.

3. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 - 2, comprising a burner tube having a base plate (23) and side walls (24) extending from the base wall (23) and forming an open tube having a non-circular cross section, wherein the nozzle tip (12) is mounted to open from the base wall (23) into the burner tube.

4. An apparatus according to the claim 3, wherein the burner tube comprises straight walls joined together on their edges to form an angular cross section.

5. An apparatus according to the claim 4, wherein the cross section has at least three angles to provide the cross section, preferably four angles to provide a quadrangular cross section.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cross section is oval.

7. Method for atomizing liquid fuels, comprising the steps of:

- ejecting compressed gas from an gas needle (8) to a nozzle hole (11),

- feeding liquid fuel behind the tip (9) of the gas needle (8) in the flow direction of the compressed gas,

- setting the speed of the compressed gas and the liquid so that the flow of compressed gas forms an area of reduced pressure behind the tip (9) of the gas needle (8) producing an ejector effect,

- feeding the mixture of gas and liquid through the nozzle hole to a space to be burned as a cone having an exit angle of at least 24 ° between the central axis of the nozzle tip and the mantle of the cone.

8. A method for atomizing and burning liquid fuels, comprising:

- ejecting compressed air from an air needle (8) to a nozzle hole (11),

- feeding liquid fuel behind the tip (9) of the air needle (8) in the flow direction of the compressed air,

- setting the speed of the compressed air and the fuel so that the flow of compressed air forms an area of reduced pressure behind the tip (9) of the air needle (8) producing an ejector effect,

- feeding the mixture of air and fuel through the nozzle hole (11) to a space to be burned as a spray cone having an exit angle of at least 24 ° between the central axis of the nozzle tip (12) and the mantle of the cone.

9. A method according to the claim 8, wherein the space for burning the fuel is a burner tube having a closed end and an open end.

10. A method according to the claim 8, wherein the space for burning the fuel is a combustion chamber of a combustion engine.

11. A method according to the claim 8, wherein the fuel to be burned is pine oil, fish oil, heavy fuel oil, biofuel and in general high viscous fuel and pre-mixed fuel mixtures of two or more fuels.

12. Use of the apparatus according to the claim 1 for burning one of the fuels in the group of pine oil, fish oil, heavy fuel oil, biofuel and in general high viscous fuel and pre-mixed fuel mixtures of two or more fuels.

Drawing