HEATING DEVICE

Abstract

Generally described, a heating device, or heating tube, includes a combustive fluid inlet, respectively a combustible fluid inlet, is connected to a combustion head via a first pipe, respectively a second pipe, the second pipe being housed at least partially in the first pipe. In this heating device, the combustion head is distant of at least 50 cm from the combustible fluid inlet, which enables to create a “cold zone” between the two. The first and the second pipes enable to bring the combustible fluid and the combustive fluid separately to the combustion head, even if the latter is remote by at least 50 cm from the combustible fluid and combustive fluid inlets.

Claims

1. A heating device, comprising: a combustive fluid inlet; a combustible fluid inlet; a combustion head configured to emit a flame; a first fluid connection comprising a first pipe and connected fluidically to the combustive fluid inlet and to the combustion head; a second fluid connection comprising a second pipe connected fluidically to the combustible fluid inlet and to the combustion head, at least a section of the second pipe being housed in the first pipe, said section being flexible; a heat-emitting tube having a first part in fluid communication with the first fluid connection and configured to receive the combustion head and a flame emitted by the combustion head; a fluid outlet connected fluidically to the first part of the heat-emitting tube via a second part of the heat-emitting tube; and means for moving fluid configured to create a movement of fluid between: the combustive fluid inlet and the combustion head via the first fluid connection; and the first part of the heat-emitting tube and the second part of the heat-emitting tube, wherein the combustion head and the combustible fluid inlet are separated by a distance of at least 50 cm, and wherein that the combustion head and the combustive fluid inlet are separated by a distance of at least 50 cm, in such a way that the distance between the combustion head and the fluid inlets creates a non-heated zone.

2. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the combustion head comprises peripheral combustive fluid openings, a Venturi tube, an ionization electrode and an ignition electrode, the peripheral combustive fluid openings being located between the second pipe and the Venturi tube.

3. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the combustion head and the combustible fluid inlet are separated by a distance of at least 2 m.

4. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the combustion head and the combustive fluid inlet are separated by a distance of at least 2 m.

5. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the combustion head is mechanically coupled to the first part of the heat-emitting tube by coupling elements fixed to the combustion head and slidably arranged along one or more of an inner surface of the second pipe and an inner surface of the heat-emitting tube.

6. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the heat-emitting tube comprises a section configured for disassembly, said section configured for disassembly being fixed by flanges or straps to the remainder of the heat-emitting tube.

7. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the second pipe is configured to support a temperature of at least 300° C.

8. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the second pipe comprises a stainless steel.

9. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the second pipe is made of 316Ti steel.

10. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the first pipe is rigid.

11. The heating device of claim 10, wherein the first pipe has an angle, and wherein the second pipe is in a flexible material and is bent inside the angle of the first pipe.

12. An earth decontamination installation comprising a mass of earth and a heating device, the heating device comprising: a combustive fluid inlet; a combustible fluid inlet; a combustion head configured to emit a flame; a first fluid connection comprising a first pipe and connected fluidically to the combustive fluid inlet and to the combustion head; a second fluid connection comprising a second pipe connected fluidically to the combustible fluid inlet and to the combustion head, at least a section of the second pipe being housed in the first pipe, said section being flexible; a heat-emitting tube having a first part in fluid communication with the first fluid connection and configured to receive the combustion head and a flame emitted by the combustion head; a fluid outlet connected fluidically to the first part of the heat-emitting tube via a second part of the heat-emitting tube; and means for moving fluid configured to create a movement of fluid between: the combustive fluid inlet and the combustion head via the first fluid connection; and the first part of the heat-emitting tube and the second part of the heat-emitting tube, wherein the combustive fluid inlet, the combustible fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are located outside the mass of earth, and at least part of the heat-emitting tube is located within the mass of earth, wherein the combustion head and the combustible fluid inlet are separated by a distance of at least 50 cm, and wherein that the combustion head and the combustive fluid inlet are separated by a distance of at least 50 cm.

13. The earth decontamination installation of claim 12, wherein the heat-emitting tube is bent inside the mass of earth.

14. The earth decontamination installation of claim 12, wherein a vertical offset separates the heat-emitting tube and the combustive fluid inlet, said vertical offset being accommodated by an angle in the first pipe and a bent in the second pipe.

15. The earth decontamination installation of claim 14, wherein the vertical offset is at least 0.5 meters.

16. The earth decontamination installation of claim 12, wherein at least part of the combustion head is located within the mass of earth.

17. The earth decontamination installation of claim 12, wherein the first pipe has two bends, and wherein the second pipe is in a flexible material and is bent within the bends of the first pipe.

18. An earth decontamination installation comprising a mass of earth and a plurality of heating devices, each of the heating devices comprising: a combustive fluid inlet; a combustible fluid inlet; a combustion head configured to emit a flame; a first fluid connection comprising a first pipe and connected fluidically to the combustive fluid inlet and to the combustion head; a second fluid connection comprising a second pipe connected fluidically to the combustible fluid inlet and to the combustion head, at least a section of the second pipe being housed in the first pipe, said section being flexible; a heat-emitting tube having a first part in fluid communication with the first fluid connection and configured to receive the combustion head and a flame emitted by the combustion head; a fluid outlet connected fluidically to the first part of the heat-emitting tube via a second part of the heat-emitting tube; and means for moving fluid configured to create a movement of fluid between: the combustive fluid inlet and the combustion head via the first fluid connection; and the first part of the heat-emitting tube and the second part of the heat-emitting tube, wherein, for each of the heating devices, the combustive fluid inlet, the combustible fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are located outside the mass of earth, and at least part of the heat-emitting tube is located within the mass of earth, wherein, for each of the heating devices, the combustion head and the combustible fluid inlet are separated by a distance of at least 50 cm, and wherein that the combustion head and the combustive fluid inlet are separated by a distance of at least 50 cm.

19. The earth decontamination installation of claim 18, wherein the heat-emitting tubes of the various heating devices are at different height, and the combustible fluid inlets of the various heating devices are at the same height.

20. The earth decontamination installation of claim 18, wherein the plurality of heating devices comprises at least three heating devices of which the emitting tubes are distributed over the length, the width and/or the height of the mass of earth.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the present disclosure will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0068] FIG. 1 illustrates one representative embodiment of a heating device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0069] FIG. 2 illustrates one representative embodiment of three heating devices in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the three heating devices arranged to decontaminate a heap of earth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as precluding other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed.

[0071] In the following description, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without embodying all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.

[0072] The present application may include references to directions, such as “forward,” “rearward,” “front,” “rear,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” “right hand,” “left hand,” “lateral,” “medial,” “in,” “out,” “extended,” etc. These references, and other similar references in the present application, are only to assist in helping describe and to understand the particular embodiment and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these directions or locations.

[0073] The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.

[0074] In the context of the present document, the terms “first” and “second” are only used to differentiate the different elements and do not involve order between these elements.

[0075] FIG. 1 illustrates a heating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The heating device 1 comprises a combustion head 30 provided to emit a flame in the proximity of its downstream end 34. In some embodiments, the combustion head 30 comprises, in the proximity of its upstream end, a central combustible fluid inlet and peripheral combustive fluid inlets 31. In some embodiments, the combustion head 30 comprises an injector, calibrated to lead the combustible fluid at a certain pressure. A mixture between the combustion and combustible fluids is made in the combustion head 30. In some embodiments, the combustion head 30 also comprises a Venturi tube and a flame holder. In some embodiments, the combustion head 30 also comprises an ionization electrode 32. In some embodiments, the combustion head 30 also comprises an ignition electrode 33. Contrary to the illustration in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the combustion head 30 can have a mainly cylindrical shape.

[0076] The heating device 1 further comprises a combustive fluid inlet 11 and a first fluid connection, connecting fluidically the combustive fluid inlet 11 and the combustion head 30. The first fluid connection comprises a first pipe 13. The first fluid connection and the first pipe 13 are therefore intended to receive the combustive fluid. In some embodiments, the combustive fluid is air. The first pipe 13 is preferably rigid. The first pipe 13 can comprise several parts, in particular, straight-lined parts and at least one part enabling it to have at least one curved part. The first pipe 13 can, for example, comprise an angle, several angles, a bend, several bends, etc.

[0077] The first pipe 13 can comprise one or more section(s) provided to be easily removed or disassembled. Such a section can, for example, be fixed by flanges or straps to the remainder of the first pipe 13. This can be useful to access the inside of the first pipe 13 during the installation or for maintenance.

[0078] The first fluid connection can comprise one or more section(s) provided to be easily removed or disassembled.

[0079] The heating device 1 further comprises a combustible fluid inlet 21 and a second fluid connection connecting fluidically the combustible fluid inlet 21 and the combustion head 30. In some embodiments, the second fluid connection comprises a second pipe 23, which is at least partially housed in the first pipe 13. The first 13 and the second 23 pipes can be coaxial. The second fluid connection and the second pipe 23 are therefore intended to receive the combustible fluid. The combustible fluid can, for example, be natural gas, a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons, propane, butane or LPG.

[0080] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second pipe 23 is at least partially flexible. The second pipe 23 can thus be present in the first pipe 13, even if the first pipe 13 comprises an angle, several angles, a bend, several bends, etc. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second pipe 23 has at least one rigid part and at least one flexible part. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second pipe 23 is more flexible than the first pipe 13.

[0081] Whether it is flexible or rigid, in some embodiments, the second pipe 23 is capable of supporting a temperature of at least 300° C. Whether it is flexible or rigid, the second pipe 23 comprises a metal. Whether it is flexible or rigid, the second pipe 23 is flameproof. The stainless steel comprised in the second pipe 23 can for example be 316Ti steel. The stainless steel comprised in the second pipe 23 can for example comprise 16.5 to 18.5% of Cr, 10.5 to 13.5% of Ni, 2.0 to 2.5% of Mo, less than 0.7% of Ti and Fe.

[0082] If it is at least partially flexible, the second pipe 23 can comprise at least one rigid section and at least one flexible section.

[0083] The heating device 1 further comprises a heat-emitting tube 40. The heat-emitting tube 40 has a first part 41 in fluid communication with the first fluid connection, for example, to be in direct fluid communication with the first pipe 13. This first part 41 is provided to receive the combustion head 30 and a flame emitted by the combustion head 30. The heat-emitting tube 40 has a second part 42 connected fluidically to a fluid outlet 50. The fluid outlet 50 enables release of fluids from the heat-emitting tube 40.

[0084] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the downstream end of the first pipe 13 is joined to the downstream end of the heat-emitting tube 40. The downstream end of the second pipe 23 is connected with the combustible fluid inlet of the combustion head 30.

[0085] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the heat-emitting tube 40 and first pipe 13 form part of an integral piece which could be called “extended heat-emitting tube”. The heat-emitting tube 40 is thus the direct continuation of the first pipe 13. In other words, the first pipe 13 can thus be considered as forming part of the extended heat-emitting tube and the second pipe 23 as being at least partially housed in the extended heat-emitting tube.

[0086] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the combustion head 30 is mechanically coupled to the heat-emitting tube 40, for example to an inner surface of its first part 41. This mechanical coupling can be achieved by the coupling elements 35 fixed to the combustion head 35 and sliding over the inner surface of the heat-emitting tube 40. This can be, for example, three rigid radial rods spaced by 120°. This mechanical coupling can enable an approximate centering of the combustion head 30 in the heat-emitting tube 40. The slidability of the coupling elements 35 over the inner surface of the heat-emitting tube 40 enables an easier installation of the combustion head 30 and of these coupling elements 35 in the heat-emitting tube 40.

[0087] The heat-emitting tube 40 can comprise one or more section(s) provided to be easily removed or disassembled. Such a section can, for example, be fixed by flanges or straps to the remainder of the heat-emitting tube 40. This can be useful for accessing the inside of the heat-emitting tube 40 during installation or for maintenance.

[0088] Furthermore, the first part 41 of the heat-emitting tube 40 can comprise a refractory material. For example, the inner surface of the first part 41 of the heat-emitting tube 40 can be covered with a refractory material in a zone of the first part 41 of the heat-emitting tube 40 provided to receive the flame.

[0089] The heating device 1 further comprises means for moving fluid 60, enabling to create a movement of fluid between: the combustive fluid inlet 11 and the combustion head 30 via the first fluid connection; and the first part 41 of the heat-emitting tube 40 and the second part 42 of the heat-emitting tube 40.

[0090] The movement corresponds to an overall movement of fluid from the combustive fluid inlet 11 (upstream) towards the fluid outlet 50 (downstream). The means for moving fluid 60 can be present near the combustive fluid inlet 11 and/or near the fluid outlet 50. The means for moving fluid 60 enable to create an overpressure at the combustive fluid inlet 11 with respect to the fluid outlet 50. The means for moving fluid 60 enable to avoid a flashback.

[0091] A large amount of the combustive fluid passes into the heat-emitting tube 40 around the combustion head 30. The fluid circulating in the heat-emitting tube 40 is heated by the flame emitted by the combustion head. This heats the heat-emitting tube 40 itself, which thus emits heat by radiation, conduction and/or convection.

[0092] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the heating device 1 comprises a casing 70. The casing 70 groups together typically several elements which must be easily accessible by an operator and cannot be exposed to high temperatures. The casing 70 can comprise means for moving fluid 60. The casing 70 can comprise the upstream ends of the first 13 and of the second 23 pipes. In some embodiments, the combustion head 30 is neither partially nor fully in the casing 70.

[0093] The second pipe 23 can be housed in the first pipe 13 in the whole length of the second pipe 23 between the casing 70 and the combustion head 30.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first fluid connection comprises, between the combustive fluid inlet 11 and the first pipe 13, a first connection part 16. This first connection part 16 can be included in the casing 70, can be metallic and/or can be bent. This first connection part 16 can comprise several parts.

[0095] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a length 17 of the first pipe 13 between the first connection part 16 and the combustion head 30 is at least 50 cm, at least 2 m in other embodiments, and at least 10 m in further embodiments.

[0096] In some embodiments, the second fluid connection comprises, between the combustible fluid inlet 21 and the second pipe 23, a second connection part 26. This second connection part 26 can be included in the casing 70, can be metallic and/or can be bent. This second connection part 26 can comprise several parts.

[0097] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a length 27 of the second pipe 23 between the second connection part 26 and the combustion head 30 is at least 50 cm, at least 2 m in other embodiments, and at least 10 m in further embodiments.

[0098] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the ignition electrode 33 is connected to two ignition cables housed at least partially in the first pipe 13 and outside of the second pipe, and which are themselves connected to a device for actuating the remote ignition means present in the casing 70. The ignition electrode 33, the ignition cables and the device for actuating the remote ignition means form part of a remote ignition means enabling to ignite the flame remotely, for example from the casing 70.

[0099] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the ionization electrode 32 is connected to a verification cable housed at least partially in the first pipe 13 and outside of the second pipe, and which is itself connected to an outlet device of the remote flame verification means, present in the casing 70. The ionization electrode 32, the verification cable and the outlet device of the remote flame verification means form part of a remote flame verification means enabling to verify, remotely, the presence of the flame, for example, from the casing 70.

[0100] Due to the first 13 and second 23 pipes, the combustion head 30 and the combustible fluid inlet 21 can be separated by a distance of at least 50 cm, at least 2 m in other embodiments, and at least 10 m in further embodiments. Likewise, due to the first 13 and second 23 pipes, the combustion head 30 and the combustive fluid inlet 11 can be separated by a distance of at least 50 cm, at least 2 m in other embodiments, and at least 10 m in further embodiments. Likewise, thanks to the first 13 and second 23 pipes, the combustion head 30 and the casing 70 can be separated by a distance of at least 50 cm, at least 2 m in other embodiments, and at least 10 m in further embodiments.

[0101] FIG. 2 illustrates three heating devices 1 arranged to decontaminate a heap of earth 100 in an embodiment of the disclosure. For reasons of clarity, the elements illustrated in FIG. 2 are not to scale and certain elements of the heating devices 1 are not illustrated. Furthermore, the emitting tubes 40 being bent in the heap of earth 100 in the situation illustrated in FIG. 2, the fluid outlets 50 are not represented.

[0102] The heap of earth 100 must be decontaminated, in other words, that it must be heated so as to evaporate pollutants present inside. In some embodiments, the heating devices 1 according to the disclosure are installed such that the combustive fluid inlet 11, the combustible fluid inlet 21, the first connection part 16, the second connection part 26, the casing 70 (FIG. 1), the fluid outlet 50 (FIG. 1) and the means for moving fluid 60 (FIG. 1) are outside of the heap of earth 100. The heating devices 1 according to the disclosure are installed, preferably, such that at least one part of the heat-emitting tube 40 is in the heap of earth 100.

[0103] In each heating device 1, in some embodiments, the combustion head 30 is placed in the proximity of the place where the heating device 1 enters into the heap of earth 100, such that the flame emitted by the combustion head 30 is in the heap of earth 100. The combustion head 30 can therefore be placed in the heap of earth 100 or outside of it.

[0104] The heap of earth 100 can have a height of 6 m, a length of 40 m and a depth of 8 m. Although only three heating devices 1 are illustrated in FIG. 2, such a heap of earth 100 can be decontaminated by sixty heating devices 1, of which the emitting tubes 40 are distributed over the length, the width and the height of the heap of earth 100. The emitting tubes 40 are installed substantially horizontally in the situation illustrated in FIG. 2, but they could be installed substantially vertically or along whichever direction with respect to the vertical.

[0105] In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, in the first heating device 1a, which is installed in the proximity of the ground, the first pipe 13a, has no bend. However, in the second and third heating devices 1b, 1c, the first pipe 13b, 13c, has a first bend 14b, 14c and a second bend 15b, 15c. The whole of these two curves 14b, 15b or 14c, 15c enables the second and third heating devices 1b, 1c to have, from upstream to downstream, a first horizontal part, a vertical part and a second horizontal part. The first and second horizontal parts enable a horizontal movement between the inlets 11b, 21b, 11c, 21c and the combustion head 30b, 30c. This horizontal offset can, for example, be between 0.5 and 10 m, and in some embodiments around 3 m. The vertical part enables a vertical offset between the inlets 11b, 21b, 11c, 21c and the combustion head 30b, 30c. This vertical offset can, for example, be between 0.5 and 20 m in some embodiments, and around 1.2 m in other embodiments.

[0106] In an application of the heating device 1 to decontaminate a heap of earth 100, all the combustive fluid inlets 11a, 11b, 11c and all the combustible fluid inlets 21a, 21b, 21c are accessible by a user at the level of the ground, in other words, at the bottom of the heap of earth 100. In an application of the disclosure, to decontaminate a heap of earth 100, all the combustive fluid inlets 11a, 11b, 11c and all the combustible fluid inlets 21a, 21b, 21c are approximatively in one same horizontal plane.

[0107] A heating device 1 according to the disclosure can also be used for heating a sauna, so as to move the combustion head 30, in other words, the starting point of the heating, from the fluid inlets 11, 21 and potentially the casing 70.

[0108] A heating device 1 according to the disclosure can also be used for heating industrial installations, for example, for a furnace, a tunnel furnace or a chemical bath. In the case of a chemical bath, it is advantageous relative to the safety that operators have to approach from the fluid inlets 11, 21 and potentially the casing 70, but not be approached from the chemical bath.

[0109] In the case of a tunnel furnace, it is particularly interesting that the combustion head 30 and the heat-emitting tube 40 are in the tunnel furnace and parallel to the axis of the tunnel furnace to enable a heating of the whole of the tunnel furnace. It is also particularly interesting that the fluid inlets 11, 21 and potentially the casing 70 are outside of the tunnel furnace and protected by its heat, in order to not heat up. Using a bend in the first pipe 13 enables to place the fluid inlets 11, 21 and potentially the casing 70, just outside of the tunnel furnace, outside of its axis and protected by its walls, while placing the combustion head 30 and the heat-emitting tube 40 in the tunnel furnace and parallel to the axis of the tunnel furnace.

[0110] A heating device 1 according to the disclosure can also be used in a situation where the zone to be heated has risks for the fluid inlets 11, 21 and potentially the casing 70. This can be the case of a hall where the atmosphere is corrosive. It is thus interesting to place the fluid inlets 11, 21 and potentially the casing 70, outside of the hall and the combustion head 30 at the hall entrance.

[0111] In other words, the disclosure relates to a heating device 1, or heating tube, wherein a combustive fluid inlet 11, respectively the combustible fluid inlet 21, is connected to a combustion head 30 via a first pipe 13, respectively a second pipe 23, the second pipe 23 being housed at least partially in the first pipe 13. In this heating device 1, the combustion head 30 is remote by at least 50 cm from the combustible fluid inlet 21, which enables to create a “cold zone” between the two. The first 13 and the second 23 pipes enable to lead the combustible fluid and the combustive fluid separately to the combustion head 30, even if it is remote from the combustible fluid 21 and the combustive fluid 11 inlets.

[0112] The present disclosure has been described with respect to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value, and must not be considered as limiting. Generally, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples illustrated and/or defined above. The use of the verbs “comprise”, “include”, “involve”, or any other variant, as well as their conjugations, cannot in any way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article “a”, “an”, or the definite article “the”, to introduce an element, does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements. The reference numbers in the claims does not limit their scope.

[0113] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure, which are intended to be protected, are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed.