What is the catalytic
reaction of a thermoreactor ?
 |
|
Chart
of heterogeneous general catalysis
|
A thermoreactor is a gas fueled device that
uses a catalytic reaction of fuel, oxygen and heat to generate
Infrared.
The catalytic reaction is created by the use of a substance (catalyst)
which creates a thermodynamic reaction between the substance and
heat. Simply stated, "The changes and increases in the rate
of a chemical reaction brought about by a substance (catalyst)
that is itself unchanged at the end.
A reaction can happen at different speeds. Explosion is very fast
and rust is very slow. A catalytic thermoreactor is somewhere
between rust and flame and exhibits heat, yet is absent of a flame.
Ignition starts at approximately 932°F. When a catalyst is
added, the reaction happens faster and at a lower temperature.
At temperatures of 482°F. Oxidation may take place with all
other conditions being equal. Thus, oxidation without ignition
and without flame.
What is a catalytic thermoreactor?
 |
|
How
the SUNKISS THERMOREACTOR® works
|
The heat of the unit is the catalytic pad The system
is started by the preheating element which is embedded in the
cell (pad). At the point of the venturi gas and air which contains
the oxygen content, are injected in the cell (pad). When the temperature
is correct for oxidation the gas solenoid is opened, permitting
gas to flow in the proper proportions. Primary air is used for
the main reaction at the venturi. However, secondary air is forced
into the face of the cell causing an even reaction (throughout)
the cell.
The cell is started by bringing the catalytic pad (cell) to a
temperature of 428°F to 572°F, using an armored electrical
heating element. The reaction takes place when gas, catalyse,
and oxygen are brought together at these temperatures. This takes
place at the cell and depending on the gas flow, the reaction
goes on and raises temperature to 662°F to 8420°F.
With the addition of forced air, the gas flow can be increased
and in such cases temperatures of about 1832°F can be reached.
This reveals the main advantages of the catalytic system.
"Although ignition temperature is largely suppressed, no
flame appears and the temperature can be regulated by the gas
flow over a broad range, which is normally impossible without
a catalyst, since beyond 932°F, a flame temperature is immediately
reached."
Safety
aspect :
Enamelling ovens nearly
always involve emissions of flammable solvent vapors, which makes
safety a prime consideration of such installations.
A major advantage of catalytic radiant panels is that they will
not ignite the solvent vapors commonly found in paint and varnish
applications.
As a result, in France, radiant panels have been exempted since
1973 from two regulatory requirements based on a 1917 law prohibiting
the presence of a flame or hot points above 350°F in workshops,
ovens and other enclosed premises containing flammable vapors
like those occurring in the treatment of paints and varnishes.
The radiant panel oxidises the solvents (hydrocarbons) coming
into contact with its emitting surface by the same token as it
oxidises the natural gas fuel of the system.
Thus a solvent concentration gradient is established, having a
null value at the panel surface.
Consequently, the solvent concentration throughout the area where
the temperature is higher than the self-ignition temperature is
less than the lower flammability limit and ignition cannot occur.
With a conventional infrared heater raised to the same temperature
on the other hand, ignition will take place if the solvent concentration
exceeds the lower flammability limit.
|
|
|
Chart
of solvent concentration
|
