Patent Application
20210041103
The present invention relates to vaporizing liquid-phase fuels. In particular, the present invention relates to vaporizing liquid propane to gaseous propane to be used in a portable torch especially during cold temperatures.
Many gas-operated tools require an ample amount of gas under a certain pressure to function properly. One such tool is a portable propane torch used to produce a flame at the end of the torch and apply heat to a surface. The necessary pressure required will be determined by the heat output requirements of the torch for a specified use.
The pressure of the gaseous propane within a tank is a function of the ambient temperature surrounding the tank. Therefore, when the ambient temperature drops below a certain temperature, the pressure of the gas within the tank will be insufficient to provide the torch with the necessary amount of gas to produce the necessary heat.
Using liquid propane can reduce the inconveniences of using gaseous propane because liquid propane vaporizes at approximately −45 Fahrenheit whereas gaseous propane at −45 Fahrenheit will provide little pressure. Conventional liquid vaporizers are meant to be stationary and are not adapted to be portable or used over a large range of ambient temperatures.
Therefore, there is a need for a portable device which can vaporize liquid-phase fuels to be used under ambient conditions.
One object of the present is to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences of the prior art.
One aspect of the present invention provides a vaporizer for heating a liquid-phase fuel, the vaporizer comprising a reservoir having a least one wall for containing a liquid; a heat-conducting fluid within the reservoir; a heating core extending into the reservoir such that the heating core is in fluid contact with the heat-conducting fluid, the heating core having and inlet through which the liquid-phase fuel will flow and an outlet through which the vaporized liquid-phase fuel will flow; a heating passage having at least one open end, the heating passage extending at least partially within the reservoir such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the heating passage is in fluid contact with the heat-conducting fluid; a heat source, the heat source communicating with the open end of the heating passage to heat the heating passage, the heat conducting fluid and the liquid-phase fuel within the heating core to vaporize the liquid-phase fuel within the heating core.
In some implementations, the heating passage further comprises a thin-walled hollow tube.
In some implementations, the heat source is a burner producing a flame, wherein the flame is directed into the heating passage.
In some implementations, the heating passage further comprises a first end having a first opening, the flame being directed into the first opening of the heating passage.
In some implementations, the burner is placed adjacent the first opening of the heating passage such that the flame is completely surrounded by heating passage.
In some implementations, the heating passage further comprises a second end having a second opening, the second opening passing through the reservoir such that exhaust created by the flame is exhaust to the atmosphere.
In some implementations, the heating core further comprises a thin-walled tube, the first end fluidly connected to a liquid-phase fuel source and the second end fluidly connected to a utility tool.
In some implementations, wherein the thin-walled tube of the heating core extends into the reservoir in the shape of a spiral.
In some implementations, the heating core further comprises a flange connected to the reservoir, the first and second ends of the heating core connected to the flange such that the liquid-phase fuel passes through the flange into the heating core.
In some implementations, the heating core flange further comprises an aperture through which the heat-conducting fluid is poured into the reservoir.
In some implementations, the vaporizer further comprises a first hose, the first hose having a first end fluidly connected to the second end of the heating core and a second end connected to the burner.
In some implementations, the vaporizer further comprises a second hose, the second hose having a first end connected to the second end of the heating core and a second end connected to the utility tool.
In some implementations, the vaporizer further comprises a splitter, the splitter having at least one inlet and at least two outlets, the at least one inlet fluidly connected to the second end of the heating core and a first one of the at least two outlets fluidly connected to the burner and a second one of the at least two outlets connected to the utility tool.
In some implementations, the splitter further comprised a third outlet, the third outlet fluidly connected to a second utility tool.
In some implementations, the heating core is removably fixed to the reservoir.
For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
Although the present technology is described below with respect to a utility torch using a portable liquid propane vaporizer it is contemplated that aspects of the present technology could be applied to vaporize other natural gases to supply other tools including, but not limited to boilers and grills.
With reference to
Hose 14 connects splitter 8 to a burner 18 to provide burner 18 with gas to produce a flame 20 which will be described in more detail below.
To provide burner 18 with the gas under the necessary pressure, a regulator 16 is provided between the splitter 8 and the burner 18. In the present implementation, regulator 16 will regulate the flow of gas to 0.5 PSI (pounds per square inch) to the burner 18.
To supply liquid-phase fuel to vaporizer 2, a tank 26 of the liquid-phase fuel is connected to the vaporizer 2 via hose 24. A regulator 28 regulates the pressure of the liquid-phase fuel from the tank 26 to obtain the desired pressure for which the vaporizer 2 is designed. In the present implementation, regulator 28 will regulate the pressure between 40 PSI to 100 PSI to correspond to the operating pressures of the utility torches 4. To prevent any reverse flow of liquid or gaseous phase fuel toward the tank 26, a one-way valve or check valve 25 can be added to the hose 24. Such a valve can be obtained from RegO® Product Manufacturing. Valve 25 could be placed upstream or downstream of the regulator 28. Downstream from valve 25 is a security valve 27. Security valve 27 ensures that the pressure or the flow amount of the liquid-phase fuel within the hose 24 does not exceed a predetermined value. The predetermined value could be a function of one of the components of the vaporizer 2 such as hoses 6, 14 or 24 or reservoir 30 for example. In the present implementation, security valve 27 is set to limit the amount of liquid-phase fuel through the security valve to approximately 25 GPM (gallons per minute) but other limitations are contemplated. It is also contemplated that valve 27 could be used to open and expel liquid or gaseous fuel within the hose 24 to the atmosphere when the pressure reaches approximately 350 PSI, but other limits are contemplated. It is further contemplated that the order of the regulator 28, check valve 25 and security valve 27 along hose 14 could be other than that shown in
With reference to
Reservoir 30 is filled with a fluid such as water or a water and propylene glycol mixture. It is contemplated that any material suitable for transferring heat could be used such as liquids, gels, fibers and the like. In the present implementation, reservoir 30 is filled with 50-50 mixture of water and propylene glycol which is suitable for using the vaporizer in ambient temperatures below the freezing temperature of water.
Passing through and within reservoir 30 is a heating passage 40. Heating passage 40 has a first opening or inlet 42 and a second opening or outlet 44. Between first and second openings 42 and 44, heating passage 40 extends inside the reservoir 30 such that a surface 46 of the heating passage 40 is in contact with the water-glycol mixture 32 or its equivalent.
In the present implementation, heating passage 40 is a metallic u-shaped thin-walled tube inserted into reservoir 30 such that first end 50 and second end 52 of the heating passage 40 pass through openings 48 in the reservoir 30 and can be surrounded by the water-glycol mixture 32 within the reservoir 30. To prevent any liquid from leaking between reservoir 30 and heating passage 40, heating passage 40 is sealed to reservoir 30 by welding or any suitable manner. Where a solid material is used for the heat transfer material, it is contemplated that reservoir 30 and heating passage 40 may not need to be sealed together.
While the present implementation uses a heating passage 40 inserted within reservoir 30, it is contemplated that heating passage 40 could be integrally made via extensions of, or integral with, the wall(s) of the reservoir 30. It is also contemplated that heating passage 40 could have ends that extend outside the reservoir 30 or be flush with the walls of the reservoir 30.
Placed near the first opening 42 of the heating passage 40 is the burner 18 used to create a flame 20. A pilot flame 19 is placed near the burner 18 which serves as an ignition source for burner 18. Pilot flame 19 can be kept permanently alight to ignite burner 18 whenever the gas source through hose 14 is opened. Flame 20 is directed into the heating passage 40 and generates heat which flows through heating passage 40 which in turn heats the walls of heating passage 40. As mentioned above, heating passage 40 is constructed of metal such as carbon steel, stainless steel or aluminum which will allow an efficient heat transfer into the water-glycol liquid or other heating material. Introducing heat directly into the reservoir 30 through the heating passage 40 increases the efficiency of the heat transfer to the water-glycol mixture 32 surrounding the heating passage 40 which maintains the temperature of the water-glycol mixture 32 at the desired temperature using the minimum amount of gas for the burner 18. The present implementation also has flame 20 within the heating passage 40 and as such is not in contact with the exterior surface of the reservoir 30 thus there is no open flame as is found in many conventional vaporizers. Burner 18 is oriented such that flame 20 shoots into heating passage 40 and heating passage 40 substantially completely surrounds flame 20 and a portion of the burner 18 in a radial direction of the heating passage 40.
Because of the portable nature of the present implementation, it is beneficial that no open flame is exposed to the surrounding components such as tank 26 if placed near vaporizer 2. The exterior surface 46 of the heating passage 40 creates a very large contact area for the water-glycol mixture 32 to receive heat from a single concentrated burner creating a very efficient and safe heat transfer system.
Although the present implementation illustrates a u-shaped heat passage 40, it is contemplated that heating passage 40 could be of any size and shape. It is further contemplated that heating passage 40 could have a spiral shape such as that of the heating core 38, to increase its surface area in contact with the water-glycol mixture to further enhance the heat transfer and ensure a maximum use of the heat generated by the burner 18. It is also contemplated that the cross section between inlet 42 and outlet 44 could vary.
Exhaust such as carbon monoxide created by burner 18 are expelled to the atmosphere through second opening 44. To further increase the efficiency of the heating passage 40, it is contemplated that interior surface 87 of heating passage 40 could include protrusions 88 or dimple-like formations, which effectively increase the surface area of the heating passage 40 thus increases the heat transfer between the heat generated by burner 18 and the water-glycol mixture 32.
To further increase the efficiency of the vaporizer 2 when used in ambient temperatures near or below freezing, the reservoir 30 is surrounded by the insulation material 5 such as a fireproof insulation from Rockwool®. Insulating material 5 is held in place between the protective housing 3 and the reservoir 30. Protective housing 3 of the present implementation is constructed of aluminum to prevent against corrosion because the vaporizer 2 will be used outside thus exposed to many different forms of precipitation during its use. Because of the portability of vaporizer 2, protective housing 3 also serves to protect the internal components of vaporizer 2.
Burner 18 receives gas from splitter 8 through hose 14. To reduce the pressure of the gas received at burner 18, a regulator 16 is placed along hose 14 which reduces the pressure of the gas to a suitable pressure for burner 18, which, in the present implementation is approximately 0.5 psi.
While the present implementation illustrates burner 18 receiving gas from tank 26 including a liquid-phase fuel which will be vaporized through vaporizer 2, it is contemplated that a separate tank of gaseous fuel could be connected directly to burner 18 and pilot flame 19. With reference to
With reference to
Heating core 38 further includes an inner core 56 extending from flange 54 which provides support for the spiral-shaped heating tube 58. Inner core 56 includes several apertures 71 such that the water glycol mixture 32 can easily flow around the heating core 38. In the present implementation, inner core 56 is hollow and cylindrical in cross section, it is contemplated that the inner core 56 could be any suitable cross section or even omitted in the case heating tube 58 does not need supporting.
Heating tube 58 is constructed of a thin-walled tube, preferably of a material which efficiently allows the heat from the water-glycol mixture to pass therethrough into the liquid-phase fuel passing within. Metals such as steel and aluminum are suitable, but others are contemplated.
Heating tube 58 has a first inlet end 60 passing through flange 54 through which the liquid-phase fuel enters the heating tube 58. Heating tube 58 extends into reservoir 30 by spiraling around the inner core 56 then returns toward flange 54 to an outlet end 62 through flange 54. The length of heating tube 58 will be determined by the heat transfer necessary for the liquid-phase fuel to be vaporized into a gaseous fuel. A person skilled in the art would recognize that the rating of the burner, the heating passage shape and material, the heating liquid, and the size and shape of the heating tube will all influence the amount of liquid-phase fuel which can be effectively vaporized through vaporizer 2. Such a person skilled in the art would recognize which materials to use and in which portions in order to obtain desired results with respect to the exterior ambient temperature.
Best seen in
To determine the level of the water-glycol within reservoir 30, a liquid level sight glass 72 is placed within an upper portion of the reservoir 30. To fill or remove the water-glycol mixture from the reservoir 30, a cap 74 is inserted into aperture 64, best shown in
A second security valve 76 is sealing inserted through the wall of the reservoir 30. Security valve 76 is calibrated to open when the pressure or temperature within reservoir 30 exceeds predetermined amounts. In the present implementation, valve 76 is set to open at a pressure of 5 psi or a water-glycol temperature of 210 degrees Fahrenheit.
To visually see the temperature of the water-glycol mixture 32 while using the vaporizer 2, a dial-type temperature gauge 78 is installed to reservoir 30. The temperature gauge 78 has a probe 80 that extends within the reservoir 30 and in contact with the water-glycol mixture 32. In the present implementation, probe 80 passes through an opening (not shown) within flange 54 and is sealed such that no liquids will escape. It is contemplated that temperature gauge 78 could be installed elsewhere on reservoir 30. It is also contemplated that a digital gauge could be used thus probe 80 and the digital gauge could be provided at different places for convenience.
Burner 18 is equipped with a dial 86 which allows the user to determine at what temperature the water-glycol mixture 32 is to be maintained. A temperature sensor 84 is connected to the burner 18 so that the temperature of the water-glycol mixture 32 is supplied to the burner 18.
As mentioned above, the pressure of a liquid-phase fuel or a gaseous fuel within a tank such as tank 26, will depend on the ambient temperature surrounding the tank. As the ambient temperature drops, so does the pressure of the fuel within the tank. If the ambient temperature surrounding tank 26 drops below a predetermined temperature, the pressure of the liquid-phase fuel will not be enough to operate torches 4 once the liquid-phase fuel has been vaporized by the vaporizer 2. At or below this temperature, a heating element 89 is placed around the tank 26 to increase the temperature surrounding the tank 26 thus maintain a certain pressure within the tank 26. In the present implementation, a minimum of 45 PSI to 65 PSI is desired for the torches 4 to function properly.
Heating element 89 is shown as an electric tank heater such as a Powerblanket® GCW420. It is contemplated that any suitable tank heater could be used which includes electric or otherwise.
Turning now to
Also shown in
With respect to
Heating passage 40 is seen extending into reservoir 30 in a u-shaped structure which will partially surround the heating core 38 once installed into the reservoir 30. As described above with respect to vaporizer 2, surface 46 of the heating passage 40 will be in contact with the water-glycol mixture that will fill reservoir 30 during operation. The thin-walled structure of the heating passage 40 allows an efficient heat transfer from the flame 20 to the water-glycol mixture such as to transfer the heat to the heating tube 58 thus to the liquid-phase fuel therein.
Modifications and improvements to the above-described implementations of the present may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
