Solid Firelighters

Abstract

A firelighter comprising a solidified emulsion of a liquid hydrocarbon encapsulated in polymerised aqueous resin, wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is present in an amount of 30 to 75% by weight of the firelighter, and wherein the firelighter also contains starch.

1 . A firelighter comprising a solidified emulsion of a liquid hydrocarbon encapsulated in polymerised aqueous resin, wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is present in an amount of 30 to 75% by weight of the firelighter, and wherein the firelighter also contains starch in an amount of up to 40% by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         2 . A firelighter according to  claim 1 , in which the concentration of liquid hydrocarbon is from 40 to 65% by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         3 . A firelighter according to  claim 1 , in which the starch is added in an amount of 1% or more by weight of the firelight. 
     
     
         4 . A firelighter according to  claim 1 , in which the starch is added in an amount of 10 to 40% by weight. 
     
     
         5 . A firelighter according to  claim 1 , in which the concentration of the aqueous resin is from 10 to 30% by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         6 . A method of making a firelight according to  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
 forming an emulsion of a liquid hydrocarbon in an aqueous resin, wherein the emulsion additionally comprises starch in an amount of up to 40% by weight of the firelighter; and   polymerising the aqueous resin with an acid catalyst to generate a solidified emulsion to form a firelighter, wherein the firelighter comprises 30 to 75% by weight liquid hydrocarbon.   
     
     
         7 . The use of a firelighter according to  claim 1 , to initiate combustion of the primary fuel in a barbecue, domestic wood fire or domestic coal fire. 
     
     
         8 . A firelighter according to  claim 3 , in which the starch is added in an amount of 5% or more by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         9 . A firelighter according to  claim 2 , in which the starch is added in an amount of 1% or more by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         10 . A firelighter according to  claim 9 , in which the starch is added in an amount of 5% or more by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         11 . A firelighter according to  claim 4 , in which the starch is added in an amount of 15 to 30% by weight. 
     
     
         12 . A firelighter according to  claim 2 , in which the starch is added in an amount of 10 to 40% by weight. 
     
     
         13 . A firelighter according to  claim 12 , in which the starch is added in an amount of 15 to 30% by weight. 
     
     
         14 . A firelighter according to  claim 5 , in which the concentration of the aqueous resin is from 12 to 25% by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         15 . A firelighter according to  claim 2 , in which the concentration of the aqueous resin is from 10 to 30% by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         16 . A firelighter according to  claim 15 , in which the concentration of the aqueous resin is from 12 to 25% by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         17 . A firelighter according to  claim 3 , in which the concentration of the aqueous resin is from 10 to 30% by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         18 . A firelighter according to  claim 17 , in which the concentration of the aqueous resin is from 12 to 25% by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         19 . A firelighter according to  claim 4 , in which the concentration of the aqueous resin is from 10 to 30% by weight of the firelighter. 
     
     
         20 . A firelighter according to  claim 19 , in which the concentration of the aqueous resin is from 12 to 25% by weight of the firelighter.