Combustion apparatus and method for making and using same

Abstract

A combustion apparatus is disclosed that improves oxidation efficiency without increasing either combustion apparatus size or residence time, where the apparatus includes a combustion zone having a static mixing zone along a length of the combustion zone.

1 . A combustion apparatus comprising
 an inlet   an outlet   a combustion zone including:
 a mixing zone comprising a static mixer disposed along a length of the combustion zone downstream of the inlet, 
   where the combustion apparatus is adapted to substantially completely convert all oxidizable components in a fuel or a sample into their corresponding oxides.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fuel or sample supply unit connected to the inlet, and   an oxidizing agent supply unit connected to the inlet.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the combustion zone further includes a plurality of spaced apart static mixers disposed along a length of the combustion zone downstream of the inlet. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising.
 a heater adapted to maintain the combustion zone at an elevated temperature, where the elevated temperature is sufficient to substantially completely convert all oxidizable components in the fuel or the sample into their corresponding oxides.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the elevate temperature is above about 300° C. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the elevate temperature is between about 300° C. and about 200° C. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the elevated temperature is between about 600° C. and about 1500° C. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the elevated temperature is between about 800° C. and about 1300° C. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises a nebulizer. 
   
   
       10 . A combustion apparatus comprising
 a fuel or sample supply unit,   an oxidizing agent supply unit,   an inlet connected to the fuel or sample supply unit and the oxidizing agent supply unit,   an outlet, and   a combustion zone including:   a mixing zone comprising a static mixer disposed along a length of the combustion zone downstream of the inlet,   where the combustion apparatus is adapted to substantially completely convert all oxidizable components in a fuel or a sample into their corresponding oxides.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the combustion zone further includes a plurality of spaced apart static mixers disposed along a length of the combustion zone downstream of the inlet. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the combustion zone is at ambient pressure, at a lower than ambient pressure or at a higher than ambient pressure. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising;
 a heater adapted to maintain the combustion zone at an elevated temperature, where the elevated temperature is sufficient to substantially completely convert oxidizable components in the fuel or sample into their corresponding oxides.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the elevate temperature is above about 300° C. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the elevate temperature is between about 300° C. and about 2000° C. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the elevated temperature is between about 600° C. and about 1500° C. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the elevated temperature is between about 800° C. and about 1300° C. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the inlet comprises a nebulizer. 
   
   
       19 . A combustion apparatus comprising:
 a fuel or sample supply unit,   an oxidizing agent supply unit,   an inlet,   an outlet,   a combustion zone including:   a mixing zone disposed along a length of the combustion zone, and   a heater,   where the heater adapted to maintain the combustion zone at an elevated temperature, where the elevated temperature is sufficient to substantially completely convert oxidizable components in the fuel or sample into their corresponding oxides.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the elevate temperature is above about 300° C. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the elevate temperature is between about 300° C. and about 2000° C. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the elevated temperature is between about 600° C. and about 1500° C. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the elevated temperature is between about 800° C. and about 1300° C. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the inlet comprises a nebulizer. 
   
   
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       49 . An energy extraction apparatus comprising a fuel and oxidizer supply unit, a combustion or furnace apparatus comprising an inlet, an outlet, a combustion zone including a mixing zone disposed along a length of the combustion zone, and a heater and an energy conversion unit for converting a portion of the thermal energy of the oxidized fuel to a more useful form of energy. 
   
   
       50 . An internal combustion apparatus comprising an internal combustion engine and a catalytic converting including a combustion or furnace apparatus an inlet, an outlet, a combustion zone including a mixing zone disposed along a length of the combustion zone, and a heater. 
   
   
       51 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the combustion zone is at ambient pressure, at a lower than ambient pressure or at a higher than ambient pressure. 
   
   
       52 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the combustion zone is at ambient pressure, at a lower than ambient pressure or at a higher than ambient pressure. 
   
   
       53 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the combustion zone further includes a plurality of spaced apart static mixers disposed along a length of the combustion zone downstream of the inlet.