초록 ▼

This invention discloses a portable catalytic combustion heater. Fuel vapor and air are supplied to a catalyst which promotes the flameless combustion of the fuel, releasing heat. The fuel is supplied as a liquid, passes through a selectively permeable membrane such that fuel vapor exits the membran

This invention discloses a portable catalytic combustion heater. Fuel vapor and air are supplied to a catalyst which promotes the flameless combustion of the fuel, releasing heat. The fuel is supplied as a liquid, passes through a selectively permeable membrane such that fuel vapor exits the membrane and is fed to the catalyst. Additional features such as porous supports and means of enhancing and diminishing the catalytic rate of combustion and controlling the heat output are also shown. This invention can be used to heat apparel, blankets, food, dwellings, containers, machinery, insect attractants, humidifiers, and perfume generators.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A heat-generating device comprising a fuel source, a fuel delivery connected to the fuel source, a catalyst dispersed over a porous substrate, the catalyst being in diffusive contact with an oxidizing gas, and a molecular selectively permeable membrane for selective molecular delivery

We claim: 1. A heat-generating device comprising a fuel source, a fuel delivery connected to the fuel source, a catalyst dispersed over a porous substrate, the catalyst being in diffusive contact with an oxidizing gas, and a molecular selectively permeable membrane for selective molecular delivery of fuel by diffusion to the catalyst, wherein the fuel diffuses to the catalyst through the molecular selectively permeable membrane and the oxidizing gas diffuses to the catalyst through a different membrane or mechanical mechanism, further comprising an upper temperature limit setting on a thermal output caused by boiling the fuel. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises a coating of a material, wherein the material permits fuel and oxidant to reach the catalyst and allows products to leave. 3. The device of claim 2, further comprising enhancement of a performance of the catalyst with the catalyst coating. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the enhancement of the performance comprises enhancing properties selected from the group consisting of surface protection, adhesion, filtration of external contaminates, varying affinity for fuel, varying affinity for oxidizing gas, diffusion rate limits of reactants to a surface of the catalyst, temperature dependency, regulation of diffusion rates of reactants to the surface of the catalyst, acidifying the surface, alkalizing the surface, and combinations thereof. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises a coating of a selectively permeable material. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the selectively permeable material is selectively permeable to the fuel and the oxidizing gas. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises a coating of a selectively permeable material selected from the group consisting of rubbers, silicone rubbers, polymers, ionic polymers, Nafion, sulfonated butyl rubber, polystyrene, and combinations thereof. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the porous substrate is selected from the group of materials consisting of polybenzoxazoles (PBOs), polybenzimidazoles (PBIs), para-aramids, polyimides, silicon carbide, alumina, carbon, fiber glass, zirconia, quartz and combinations thereof. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the catalyst enables catalytic combustion of fuels. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of highly dispersed platinum, palladium, nickel, ruthenium, iron, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, and combinations thereof. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the fuel is a compound comprising hydrogen. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, 1,3,5-trioxane, di-methyl-ether, and combinations thereof. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the fuel is a liquid fuel, and wherein the fuel is removed from a catalytic reaction area by boiling. 14. The device of claim 13, further comprising valves, flow restrictions, or pressure reliefs for regulating a boiling temperature of the fuel. 15. The device of claim 1, further comprising optimal conditions in the device for catalytic combustion of vented gases from the selective membrane container. 16. The device of claim 1, further comprising regulation of fuel delivery rate with self pressurization of the fuel. 17. The device of claim 1, further comprising water produced from fuel combustion. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the device is adapted for condensation of the water and comprising an exhaust for collecting the water after condensation. 19. The device of claim 1, further comprising means for pumping fuel towards an area of the catalyst. 20. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a portable catalytic combustion heater. 21. The device of claim 20, further comprising a fuel and air delivery for supplying the fuel and the oxidant or air to the catalyst and for flameless combustion of the fuel for releasing heat. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the fuel is a liquid fuel passing through the molecular selectively permeable membrane such that fuel vapor exits the membrane and is fed to the catalyst. 23. The device of claim 1, wherein the fuel is delivered through the molecular selectively permeable membrane. 24. The device of claim 23, wherein the molecular selectively permeable membrane allows fuel to be delivered therethrough and prevents back dilution with byproducts of combustion. 25. The device of claim 24, wherein the byproducts comprise water. 26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the molecular selectively permeable membrane allows oxygen therethrough and comprises reduced permeability to retain the fuel. 27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein carbon dioxide and other gasses diffuse into the molecular selectively permeable membrane and vent and circulate through the fuel with the fuel boiling in the device. 28. The device of claim 1, further comprising a porous material substrate, wherein the catalyst is dispersed over the porous material substrate. 29. The device of claim 28, wherein the molecular selectively permeable membrane is a fuel and oxidizer permeable protective coating over the catalyst. 30. The device of claim 28, wherein the molecular selectively permeable membrane is a selectively permeable coating over the catalyst. 31. The device of claim 28, further comprising a fuel retaining coating over the catalyst. 32. The device of claim 28, further comprising a coating over the catalyst for enhancing a performance of the catalyst. 33. The device of claim 28, further comprising a coating over the catalyst, wherein the coating is selected from the group consisting of electrolytic, acidic, basic substances, and combinations thereof. 34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein vapors of the fuel depart from the molecular selectively permeable membrane to reaction areas of the catalyst and form a thermostat providing an upper temperature limit for catalytic reactions. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising valves or flow restrictors for regulating boiling of the fuel and filling of the fuel and for regulating temperature and/or heating rates. 36. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising fuel additives for adjusting catalytic burning temperatures. 37. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising fuel additives. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the fuel additives include hydrocarbons with different boiling points. 39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the fuel additives include water.