US20100203460A1

US20100203460A1 - Process of extinction, expantion and controlling of fire flames thru acoustic

Info

Publication number: US20100203460A1
Application number: US12/693,440
Authority: US
Inventors: Paulo Orestes Formigoni
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-26
Filing date: 2010-01-25
Publication date: 2010-08-12

Abstract

Process of extinguishing, expansion, and controlling of the fire flames by acoustic action, where utilizes the pressure alteration causing rarefactions and compressions in the particles generated by the acoustic waves in a combustible, oxidizing, or mixed environment. The factors that influence the control of the flames intensity are: AMPLITUDE, the FREQUENCY and the STANDING WAVE MODE. The standing wave produces two effects: the node and the womb, so the position of the node we get the flame extinguished and the position of the womb to increase the flame. When the rarefactions frequency and amplitude are greater than the burning rate then the flame is diminished until it is off. When the resonance occurs (ω=ω₀) between the flame's natural frequency (ω₀) and the sound emitted (ω) there is the combustion extinguishing, when (ω) is close to (ω₀) there is an increase of flames (ω₀). By applying high amplitude and high frequency an acoustic current is created that increases the flame intensity, by means of turbulent combustion, where a better mixing of the components occurs not only in simple burners or complex burners. With the association of sources we obtain the phenomenon of interference which together with the acoustic current increases the efficiency of the mixing of the reactants, or focusing in the rarefaction for the production of the acoustic barrier against the flames.

Description

THE INVENTION

This invention introduces a process of extinction, expansion, and control of the intensity of flames by acoustics action, using the alteration of amplitude and frequency values producing rarefactions and compressions of the environment particles, created by the pressures and interferences of acoustic waves in a combustible, oxidant or mixed environment, produced by one or more associated sources and the resonance between the frequencies of the acoustic emissions with the natural frequency of the flames.

SUMMARY

Process of extinguishing, expansion, and controlling of the fire flames by acoustic action (FIG. 1 thru 4), where utilizes the pressure alteration causing rarefactions and compressions in the particles (FIG. 10) generated by the acoustic waves in a combustible, oxidizing, or mixed environment. The factors that influence the control of the flames intensity are: AMPLITUDE and the FREQUENCY. When the rarefactions frequency and amplitude are greater than the burning rate then the flame is diminished until it is off. When the resonance occurs (ω=ω₀) between the flame's natural frequency (ω₀) and the sound emitted (ω) there is the combustion extinguishing, when (ω) is close to (ω₀) there is an increase of flames (ω₀). By applying high amplitude and high frequency an acoustic current is created that increases the flame intensity, by means of turbulent combustion, where a better mixing of the components occurs not only in simple burners or complex burners (FIGS. 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14). With the association of sources (FIGS. 5 thru 8) we obtain the phenomenon of interference which together with the acoustic current increases the efficiency of the mixing of the reactants, or focusing in the rarefaction for the production of the acoustic barrier against the flames.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

We understand as an acoustic process every resonant, infrasonic, ultrasonic, and hypersonic process.
The devices used in the process consist of a mechanic sound generator that can be electric or electronic and a vibration generator that can be of any of these types: membranes, discs, ropes, air or pistons columns.
Both the extinction and the expansion of flames happens by controlling the flames intensity, that is, the extinction is the limit of the control of flames intensity when we desire to diminish the fire and the expansion is also the limit of the control of flames intensity when we desire to increase the flame.
The extinguishers are safe equipments that are able to extinct or control fires in case of emergency. In general it is a cylinder that can be taken to the fire location and it has an extinguishing agent under pressure. The extinguishing agent more appropriate for each type of fire depends on the materials that are in combustion, and so the extinguishers are classified, according to its best efficiency, in A, B, C, and D.
The known and used methods of control with intention to extinguish the flames are:

Cooling Method—This is the most used method. Consist of removing the heat from the material on fire until the fire is out. Water is the best means to accomplish this method. The efficiency of water in controlling fire is due to the refrigeration effect provoked by its vaporization heat (40.66 kJ/mol), which removes the heat from the process of combustion and cools the material that is burning. Another extinguishing property is related to the diminishing of the concentration of oxygen in the air due to the water vapor resulted from the fire fighting.
Smothering Method—This is one of the most difficult methods because, unless it is a small fire, it needs equipments and products specifics to obtain the suffocation of the flames. Consist in the elimination or reduction of the oxygen around the material in combustion.
Removal of the Material in Combustion Method—This is the simplest method, it does not require any specialized equipment. Consist in removal or interruption of the field of propagation of fire such as trenches in forest fires and the turning off the gas valves in fires due to gas leaks.
Chemical Extinguishing Method—The post chemicals used were classified in the suffocating method due to CO₂, but this was not a satisfactory classification because the post chemicals are more efficient than the CO₂. The mechanical foams are produced with water solutions and are used in the fire fighting because they have properties that along with the water properties become a more efficient agent to extinct fires. The foams were developed to obtain a better adherence to the material on fire being able to recover it continuously. Since it has a low density it spreads over the surface of the material in flames, suffocating and isolating it from contact with the oxygen in the air. The suppression of oxidant vapor and the cooling of the material in flames, by the liquid present in the foam, prevent the re-igniting of the fire.

The known methods of control with the intention of fire flames expansion are:

Registers and Valves—for the control of the quantity of combustible fuel and oxidant there are several types of Valves and Registers that can be mechanically controlled, electrically and electronically, with even computational interfaces. In industrial and residential burners, to better carry out the burning there are, thru sensors and actuators, electronic controllers and meters of the volumes of the combustible gases, the temperature and pressure.
Catalysts and Additives Dosers—The same as in Patent PI8802161-0 (Brazilian Patent). It is a doser to add additives or catalysts to combustible gases in order to improve its performance thus obtaining fuel saving, improvement of the wear and tear of the equipments, pipes, and other dispositive that are a part of the activated combustible gases.

In the industrial gas burners, compressed air is used to achieve a vortex which causes the total burning and a much more efficient mixing of the combustible gas and oxygen, the oxidant, in excess as in patent PI8206500-4 (Brazilian Patent).

Electronic Synchronization—As in Patent PI9307649-5 (Brazilian Patent), where a system of electronic synchronization to produce precise synchronizing controlling signals for fuel injectors and ignition coil for an internal combustion motor.

Technical Problems Found Today:

After a fire where the conventional methods have been used for the extinguishing, besides the final result, which is, the fire extinguishing there is also the destruction of personal belongings. Our method does not destroy or damage that that did not have contact with the fire. We should not use chemicals agents to extinguish or control forest or wooded areas fires, because of the contamination of the environment making it impossible for life to return. The acoustic is not a chemical product thus will not contaminate the environment.
The methods used in the technology of controlling flames with the intention to expand them is not an efficiently method because with the flame there is a loss of oxygen and fuel and the elimination of innumerous products, which is called incomplete combustion. In the incomplete combustion there is not enough oxygen for the combustion to be complete. The reactant will burn the oxygen, but could produce many other products. In the fuel burning in automobiles, these products can be very harmful for the environment and for our health.

General Solutions:

This invention refers to the acoustic process of extinguishing, expanding, and controlling flames intensity, utilizing the pressure alteration causing rarefactions and compressions in the particles, produced by the acoustic waves in a fluid environment, this fluid environment is the combustible material, the oxidant material (oxygen) or the combination of both.
The dispositive used in this acoustic process is composed of a mechanical sound generator which can be electric or electronic, and a vibration generator that can be of any of these types membranes, discs, ropes, air columns of air or pistons.
Utilizing the amplitude and frequency of the acoustic vibration we can control the intensity of the flames that is, with the rate and amplitude of rarefactions greater than the burn rate we can diminish the flame. With high amplitude and high frequency an acoustic current is created which is able to strengthen the flame's intensity by means of turbulent combustion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First of all we must clarify that this invention represents a total new concept. Up to now no one has utilized the phenomenon involving acoustic to control the intensity of flames in residential burners as well as industrials, from its expansion until its total extinguishing and also the ample technical affect reached, that is the fact of the invention and its industrial application.
It is understood as an acoustic process, every sound, infrasonic, ultrasonic and hypersonic process. The acoustics waves are longitudinal mechanic waves that are propagated in solids, liquids and gases. The physical factors that influence the controlling of flames intensity are AMPLITUDE and FREQUENCY that can be modified independently or in conjunction to obtain an objective. The action of the acoustics waves, produced by one or more acoustic sources, changes the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment particles that allows the combustion (picture 10) being the acoustic waves in the oxidant, in the combustible or in the mixed environment.
The vibration's amplitude is connected to the energy transported by the acoustic wave and the frequency is connected with the amount of disturbance occurring in the environment, thus modifying the amplitude values and frequency of the acoustic vibrations the intensity of the flames can be controlled.
When the frequency and amplitude of rarefactions becomes greater than the rate of the combustible burning (gas) and/or the oxidant the flame can be diminished until the point of desired extinction.
When the acoustic frequency (ω) enter in resonance with the natural frequency (ω₀) of the combustion (ω=ω₀) there is no more combustion, but when the frequency (ω) has a value closer but not equal to the natural frequency (ω₀) the flames will become higher.
With a high amplitude and a high frequency an acoustic current is created capable of intensify the flame through the turbulent combustion, where there is a more efficient mixture between the components of the combustion, which is the oxidant and the combustible, not only for gases but also for liquids.
The controls have two poles or extremes, one being for the diminishing of the flames intensity and the other for the increase of flames intensity; to obtain diminishing until the extinguish limit, for burners that act like sound tubes, that depending on the model may be open (FIG. 9) or closed, we must utilize the acoustic waves anti-nodes and nodes to separate the quantities of fuel and insufficient oxidant for a perfect combustion to be achieved and that this frequency isolation must be greater that the rate of the combustion itself.
To achieve increase of flames, better efficiency in the burning of the flame, and a more complete combustion, a turbulent combustion is produced thru acoustic turbulent fluxes, which helps the fuel to mix with the oxidant, and so the reactant will burn the oxygen producing a limited number of byproducts.
The turbulent combustion is used in industries (e.g. gas turbines, diesel motors, etc), but not by the use of acoustics.
To produce acoustics waves and its characteristics we may utilize more than one source (FIGS. 5 and 8), with sources association we obtain the interference phenomenon that along with the acoustic current is even better for the reactants mixture.
We know that it is normally impossible to attain a complete combustion, unless the reaction occurs in carefully controlled situations, for example in a laboratory, but we can obtain a very close result with associations of multiples acoustic sources.
The process of extinguishing, expanding and controlling the flames intensity uses high frequencies, such as the ultrasound which are frequencies above 20,000 Hertz for the production of acoustic current with the objective to achieve a complete mixing between the oxidant agent and the combustible creating a complete combustion, raising the flames size and better productivity in the burning of the gases.
When the frequencies used are in between the human audible and below it, then alterations in the size of the flames occurs not only in a simple burner (burner with one flame only) but also in a more complex burner (burner with several flames). The alterations in the diminishing of flames size are due to the controlled diminishing of the fuel and/or oxygen, all by acoustic isolation and smothering.
The potential of this control is made greater by the association of various sources that generate acoustics vibrations producing interferences, constructive and destructive, in the combustion's reactants changing the flames in a desirable way (FIGS. 5 and 8). The acoustics sources associations can be:

a) (FIG. 6) Linear—association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane of waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.
b) (FIG. 5) Curvilinear—association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.
c) (FIG. 7) Dihedral—association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.
d) Trihedral—association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion. Adaptation of the format of the array's construction in FIG. 8.
e) Cylindrical—association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion. Adaptation of the format of the array's construction in FIG. 8.
f) (FIG. 8) Array association for several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, by different intervals of acoustics waves, fronts of plane waves, convergent or divergent, which frequencies and amplitudes modify the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors combustion.

Our process of extinction, expansion, and control of flames by means of acoustic permits the construction and production of acoustics barriers against fire flames, being sufficient to maintain the controls permanently focus in the rarefaction of the waves fronts and its interferences.
FIG. 1 shows the generic scheme of the process: (1) acoustic source generators; (2) connector; (3) vibration source generators; (4) where the burning and combustion occurs; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.
FIG. 2 shows the total mechanical flame control process: (7) Supply valve with compressed air; (8) waves directional output; (9) compressed air cylinder; (10) system of mechanical whistle; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.
FIG. 3 shows the total electro mechanical control process: (11) air compressor; (12) waves directional output; (13) horn that function as an air column; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.
FIG. 4 shows the total electro mechanical control process: (14) audio generator; (17) waves directional output; (15) and (16) connecting wires; (18) electro magnet and membrane; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame. Item 18 can be substitute by a ceramic PZT ultra sonic transducer.
FIG. 5 shows the sources association process of flame control: (20) curvilinear association of acoustics sources; (21) front of total convergent wave; (22) direction of acoustic waves emitted by each source; (19) focus point of the convergent wave front; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.
FIG. 6 shows the sources association process of flame control: (23) association linear of acoustics sources; (24) front total plane wave; (25) alignment axle; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.
FIG. 7 shows the sources association process of flame control: (27) association dihedral of acoustics sources; (28) front of total convergent dihedral; (26) alignment axle; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.
FIG. 8 shows the sources association process of flame control: (29) bi-dimensional array association of acoustics sources; (30) directions of emitted waves; (31) total wave front where its shape depends on the interval of the source stimulus; (32) alignment axle; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.
FIG. 9 shows to the left a simple burner that has only one flame: (33) open tube where the combustible gas and the oxidant mix; (34) combustible gas tubulation; (36) combustible gas control flow valve; (35) air entrance (oxidizing agent); (37) base support; (39) acoustic transducer; (38) connector; (40) oblique angle of the transducer's positioning (acoustic source) with the main axle of the tube where the mixing is performed. It shows to the right the addition of the acoustic transducer (39) acoustic transducer aligned longitudinal to the principal axle and (38) connector cable.
In FIG. 10 there is the representation of the process of rarefaction and compression of the particles in a fluid environment: (43) particles distribution in a homogeneous manner before the influence of the acoustics disturbances; (41) area of compression where a higher flame is formed and (42) area of rarefaction where a smaller flame or no flame is formed.
In FIGS. 11 and 12 there is the same as for FIG. 9, but for complex burners: (44) tube where the oxidant and combustible gas are; (45) opening where the flame is produced and (46) a connection between the tube that has the entrances for combustible and oxidant with the tube with the openings that produce flames. In FIG. 11 the transducer is positioned aligned longitudinal to the main axle and in FIG. 12 is positioned oblique to the main axle. In both cases the objective is the mixing of the components of combustion.
In FIG. 13 the acoustic transducer (39) is positioned along the complex burner main tube, with the objective to control the intensity and efficiency of the flames in a different way, always utilizing the frequency and amplitude associated to the phenomenon of the stationary waves.
FIG. 14 shows an opening after the oblique positioning of the acoustic transducer permitting more oxidizing agent into the mixing chamber, thus working with the acoustic transducer as an injector pump and also as a producer of an acoustic current allowing for a maximum mixing between the combustion components and with an excess of oxidant. Even though FIG. 4 represents a complex burner the same opening can be put into a simple burner as in FIG. (9) obtaining the same final result.

Claims

1. Process of extinction, expansion, and control of the intensity of the fire flames, characterized by the action of acoustic waves produced by one or more acoustic sources, whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and particles compressions in the environment that causes combustion.

2. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the production of acoustic waves in a fluid environment, where the fluid environment consists of oxidant material (oxygen).

3. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the production of acoustic waves in a fluid environment, which can be liquid or gas of any combustible material.

4. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the production of acoustic waves in a solid environment of any combustible material.

5. Process according to claims 1 and 3, characterized by the production of acoustic waves in a fluid environment of mixed combustible material with oxidant material (oxygen).

6. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of high frequencies, that is, ultrasonic frequencies that are above 20,000 Hertz for the production of acoustic current with the objective of achieving a complete mixture of the oxidizing agent and fuel, producing a complete combustion, thereby increasing the size of the flames and greater efficiency of the burning of gases in burners with just one flame.

7. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of high frequencies, that is, ultrasonic frequencies that are above 20,000 Hertz for the production of acoustic current with the objective of achieving a complete mixture of the oxidizing agent and fuel, producing a complete combustion, thereby increasing the size of the flames and greater efficiency of the burning of gases in complex burners, that is burners with several flames.

8. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of frequencies in human audible range, producing alterations in the size and efficiency of the flames in simple burners, that is, burners with one flame only.

9. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of frequencies in human audible range, producing alterations in the size and efficiency of the flames in complex burners, that is, burners with several flames.

10. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of frequencies below 20 Hertz, producing alterations in the size and efficiency of the flames in simple burners, that is, burners with one flame only.

11. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of frequencies below 20 Hertz, producing alterations in the size and efficiency of the flames in complex burners, that is, burners with several flames.

12. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of appropriate frequencies and amplitudes, producing a decrease in the combustible burn rate within the combustion, thereby extinguishing the flame.

13. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of appropriate frequencies and amplitudes, producing a decrease in the oxidizing agent in the combustion, thereby extinguishing the flame.

14. Process according to claims 1 thru 12, characterized by the association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing interferences, constructive and destructive, in the combustion reactants changing the flames to what is desirable.

15. Process according to claim 14, characterized by the linear association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane of waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.

16. Process according to claim 14, characterized by the curvilinear association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane of convergent waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.

17. Process according to claim 14, characterized by the dihedral association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane of convergent waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.

18. Process according to claim 14, characterized by the trihedral association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane of convergent waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.

19. Process according to claim 14, characterized by the cylindrical association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane of convergent waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.

20. Process according to claim 14, characterized by the array association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations, by different intervals of acoustics waves, fronts of plane waves, convergent or divergent which frequencies and amplitudes modify the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environments' particles that favors the combustion.

21. Process according to claims 1 thru 20, characterized by the control of the resonance (w=w0) between the flame natural frequency (w0) and the sound given out (w) by the acoustic device obtaining the combustion extinguishing or when the acoustic frequency (w) is closer to the flame natural frequency (w0) obtaining the raising of the flames.

22. Process according to claims 12 thru 20, characterized by the construction and production of an acoustic barrier against the flames.

23. Simple Burner (one flame only) according to claims 6, 8, 10, 12, and 21, characterized by the longitudinal positioning of the transducer acoustic in relation to the main axle in the tube where the mixing of the oxidizing agent and the combustible material occurs.

24. Simple Burner (one flame only) according to claims 6, 8, 10, 12, and 21, characterized by the oblique positioning of the acoustic transducer in relation to the main axle in the tube where the mixing of oxidizing agent and the combustible material occurs.

25. Simple Burner (one flame only) according to claims 6, 8, 10, 12, 21, 23, and 24, characterized by the inclusion of air intake after the positioning of the acoustic transducer, also functioning as an air injection pump.

26. Complex Burner (more than one flame) according to claims 7, 9, 11, 12, and 21, characterized by the longitudinal positioning of the transducer acoustic in relation to the main axle in the tube where the mixing of the oxidizing agent and the combustible material occurs.

27. Complex Burner (more than one flame) according to claims 7, 9, 11, 12, and 21, characterized by the oblique positioning of the acoustic transducer in relation to the main axle in the tube where the mixing of oxidizing agent and the combustible material occurs.

28. Complex Burner (more than one flame) according to claims 7, 9, 11, 12, 21, 26, and 27, characterized by the inclusion of air intake after the positioning of the acoustic transducer, also functioning as an air injection pump.