Thermal cracker for combustible and flammable liquids for engines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combination of components suitable to break down liquid fuels into short chain molecules and gaseous states of matter by heating and pressurizing the combustible/flammable liquids to the point where they phase change into a supercritical fluid, then releasing some fluid as needed into a vapor accumulation tank that has a lower pressure. This subsequent drop in pressure phase changes the fluid from a supercritical state into a consistent and safe gaseous state. From there, the fuel can be delivered to the engine via direct injectors, gaseous fuel carburetors, or a regulating valve such as a needle valve. Because gaseous fuels readily homogenize with intake air and oxidizers, the present invention allows any engine to cleanly, reliably, and consistent use any fuel without adjustment. This allows any engine to run off any combustible liquid, in effect creating the ultimate multifuel system.

Claims

1. A thermal cracker comprising: a high pressure fuel pump; a chamber configured to receive fuel from said high pressure fuel pump; a heat source configured to heat said fuel to produce a supercritical fluid formed in said chamber; and a vapor accumulation tank, to receive said supercritical fluid from said chamber via a pressure reducing regulator, the vapor accumulation tank configured to store said supercritical fluid therein in gaseous form at a consistent pressure for eventual delivery to a downstream component.

2. The thermal cracker of claim 1, further comprising a safety check valve.

3. The thermal cracker of claim 2, wherein said safety check valve is one way.

4. The thermal cracker of claim 1, wherein an engine draws gaseous fuel from said vapor accumulation tank.

5. The thermal cracker of claim 1, wherein said heat source is waste heat.

6. The thermal cracker of claim 1, further comprising at least one catalyst.

7. The thermal cracker of claim 1, wherein said chamber is a tube.

8. The thermal cracker of claim 1, wherein said downstream component is selected from the group consisting of an engine fuel delivery system, a generator, a grill, a heater, a Bunsen burner, and a torch.

9. The thermal cracker of claim 1, wherein said vapor accumulation tank contains at least one catalyst.

10. The thermal cracker of claim 1, wherein said pressure reducing regulator causes said supercritical fluid to convert to said gaseous form in said vapor accumulation tank.

11. The thermal cracker of claim 3, wherein said heat source is waste heat.

12. The thermal cracker of claim 3, further comprising at least one catalyst.

13. The thermal cracker of claim 4, wherein said heat source is waste heat.

14. The thermal cracker of claim 4, further comprising at least one catalyst.

15. The thermal cracker of claim 5, further comprising at least one catalyst.

16. The thermal cracker of claim 1, further comprising a fuel preheater.

17. The thermal cracker of claim 1, further comprising a hydrosonic bubble cavitation pump configured to pressurize and heat said fuel into said supercritical fluid.

18. The thermal cracker of claim 1, wherein said pressure reducing regulator is configured to consistently feed said supercritical fluid to said vapor accumulation tank.

19. The thermal cracker of claim 1, further comprising a safety check valve; wherein said safety check valve is one way; wherein said chamber is a tube; wherein said heat source is waste heat; further comprising at least one catalyst; further comprising a fuel preheater; further comprising a hydrosonic bubble cavitation pump configured to pressurize and heat said fuel into said supercritical fluid; and wherein said pressure reducing regulator is configured to consistently feed said supercritical fluid to said vapor accumulation tank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 exhibits a flowchart of the various components and parts of the present invention and the stages and phases by which the present invention operates and functions by.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENT'S

(2) There are several stages to the present invention. The first stage is an optional solids grinder (1). This grinder can be installed behind or in front of the filler neck of the fuel tank to grind solid fuel into fine dust suitable for chemical breakdown. Solids such as coal, charcoal, pulp, sawdust, feces, plastics, and various other waste matter can be ground and mixed with liquid fuels. The second stage is the fuel tank (2), where fuel is stored. The third stage is an optional bulk low pressure fuel pump (3) that delivers fuel to the fourth stage. The fourth stage is a high pressure fuel pump (4). It is recommended to pressurize the fuel to at least 1500 PSIG so that any combustible liquid may be used. This fourth stage increases fuel pressure to prepare the fuel to be phase changed during the sixth and seventh stage. The fifth stage is a one way check valve (5) for safety, to prevent thermal energy from the heated supercritical fluid from backing into the fuel pump (4). The sixth stage is an optional fuel preheater (6) that uses waste heat such as coolant, exhaust gases, or other heat sources to preheat the fuel and reduce the required load of the active fuel heater (7). The seventh stage is the supercritical fluid chamber (7), which heats the pressurized liquid to temperatures above that required to phase change the liquid fuel into a supercritical fluid. It is recommended to heat the liquid to 1000 F. so that any combustible liquid can be used. Pressures and temperatures lower than this may limit the fuel versatility of the system. Heating of the liquid can be achieved using active heating such as induction and resistance heating, and a fuel pump may also be used to heat the fluid if a hydrosonic bubble cavitation pump is used. A hydrosonic bubble cavitation pump can in some alternative embodiment's serve to both pressurize and heat the fuel into a supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid line/tank (7) can be packed with catalysts to increase efficiency and fuel versatility. The 8.sup.th stage is a pressure reducing regulator (8). The pressure reducing regulator (8) can be actively controlled by electronic means, or can be passively controlled by using a mechanical pressure reducing regulator valve. The pressure reducing regulator (8) serves to consistently feed supercritical fluid into the ninth stage according to the load of the engine and demand of fuel consumption of the auxiliary accessory's. The ninth stage is the vapor accumulation tank (9). This tank ensures a consistent pressure is fed to the injectors, carburetor(s), or control valve(s), and also serves the same function for fuel consuming auxiliary accessory's. In this respect the vapor accumulation tank can be likened to how a capacitor is used in many electronic circuits. The vapor accumulation tank can also be packed with catalysts to further increase efficiency and break down the fuel. The 10.sup.th and final stage is delivery of gaseous fuel to the engines fuel delivery system (10), which can be a simple valve, fuel injectors, a gaseous fuel carburetor, etc. and auxiliary accessory's if applicable.