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  Furnace for heating particlesUSPTO Application #: 20070275335Title: Furnace for heating particles Abstract: A bottom-up cocurrent combustion furnace for the production of synthetic microspheres by thermal expansion of glass particles is provided having improved characteristics with regard to anti-fouling, process efficiency, and yield. The disclosed furnace uses preheated combustion air to preheat the feed material and to convey the feed material in a dilute phase transport regime to a burner. The combustion air, fuel, and feed material are premixed prior to being injected though the burner. The feed material rapidly expands as it is ejected through the burner and through a flame and then rapidly cools to solidify the microspheres. Additional features are provided to prevent the furnace from fouling by keeping the feed material away from the furnace walls, removing feed material that adheres to the furnace walls, and collecting feed material that agglomerates or does not expand. (end of abstract)
Agent: Gardere / James Hardie Gardere Wynne Sewell, LLP - Dallas, TX, US Inventors: Giang Biscan, Charles D. Blake, Ronald W. Cresswell, Robert E. Everhart, Hamid Hojaji, Thinh Pham, Mark G. Stevens USPTO Applicaton #: 20070275335 - Class: 431160 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070275335. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/648,480, filed May 25, 2005. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates generally to the processing of particles and, more particularly, to a furnace for heating particles. [0003]Current furnaces for heating particles operate with a sufficient amount of heat loss and are often energy inefficient. Therefore, there remains a need to provide improved furnaces for heating particles that reduce heat loss and are energy efficient. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004]The present invention solves problems found with many current furnaces for heating particles and are configured to reduce heat loss and provide an energy efficient system. Furnaces of the present invention also provide improved characteristics with regard to anti-fouling, process efficiency, and yield. [0005]The present invention includes a furnace configured to process particles. The particles generally comprise one or more of the following, such as powders, microspheres, solid particles, hollow particles, solids, and/or other suitable precursors. Such particles may include one or more precursors that are fed into the furnace for heat treatment. Optionally or in addition, additives, such as blowing agents, may be mixed with one or more precursors to cause expansion of the precursor. Such additives may be mixed with the precursor to achieve a desired output from the furnace. [0006]Generally, a furnace of the present invention includes a body comprising an inner cylinder defining a combustion chamber therein, and a coaxial outer cylinder spaced apart from the inner cylinder to define an annular chamber therebetween; a delivery system in communication with the combustion chamber; and a burner assembly disposed within the combustion chamber and in communication with the delivery system The delivery system may further comprise one or more conduits configured to deliver feed material, fuel, air, and an anti-fouling additive to the combustion chamber. The burner assembly may be further configured to inject the feed material, fuel, air; and the anti-fouling additive into the combustion chamber. The anti-fouling additive is typically selected to inhibit the feed material from adhering to the inner cylinder. [0007]The present invention also includes a furnace having a body with one or more walls defining a combustion chamber therein, a delivery system having one or more conduits, a burner assembly positioned within the combustion chamber, a cooling system in communication with the one or more walls, and an anti-fouling system configured to keep feed material from adhering to the walls. The conduits may be configured to convey fuel and feed material to the body, and further configured to convey feed material in a dilute phase transport regime such that the solids content is less than about 1% by volume. The burner assembly typically has one or more injectors in communication with the delivery system, the injectors further configured to inject the fuel and feed material into the combustion chamber. The cooling system in typically configured to maintain the walls below a pre-selected temperature. The anti-fouling system is typically configured to also remove feed material that contacts the walls. A portion of the anti-fouling system may comprise a vibrator configured to impart a vibration to the body at variable frequencies to dislodge particles adhered thereto. [0008]Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the above-noted features and advantages of the invention together with other important aspects thereof upon reading the detailed description that follows in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009]For more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures, wherein: [0010]FIG. 1A depicts a schematic view of a vertical transport furnace with cooled walls; [0011]FIG. 1B depicts a schematic top view of the frame structure, wherein a fabric material is attached to the frame structure; [0012]FIG. 1C depicts a schematic view of a frame structure of FIG. 1B for holding material and forming a wall of a furnace; [0013]FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of a vertical transport furnace with an air buffer; [0014]FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of another embodiment of a vertical transport furnace with an air buffer; [0015]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a non-vertical transport furnace; [0016]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an inclined furnace; [0017]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a furnace employing radiant energy; [0018]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a vortex type furnace; [0019]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a recirculating load type furnace; [0020]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an annular recirculating load type furnace; Continue reading... Full patent description for Furnace for heating particles Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Furnace for heating particles patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Furnace for heating particles or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Gas regulating fitting Next Patent Application: Candle holder Industry Class: Combustion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Furnace for heating particles patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 5.10434 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m |
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