| 摘要 |
Production of heated and/or pressurized gaseous products from a source of principal gas in liquefied form which contains oxygen such as liquid air and a separate source of liquefied fuel gas which consists at least in part of hydrogen in free or combined form. The liquefied principal and fuel gases are pumped as liquids at predetermined volumetric rates into heat exchanging means where they are vaporized. The vaporized gases are mixed in the heat exchanger or, when separate heat exchangers are used, the vaporized gases are subsequently mixed and passed over a catalyst to cause all of the hydrogen to combine with at least some of the oxygen to form water, in the form of water vapor, and heat, the heat thus produced being effective to raise the temperature of the entire volume of the mixed gases. The amount of hydrogen, having regard for the amount of oxygen in the mixture is so regulated, by control of the relative rates of pumping of the liquefied materials, that the mixture of gases is not combustible in the ordinary sense, that is the mixture cannot be ignited and will not support a self perpetuating flame at normal temperatures or at the temperature to which the mixture is heated by catalytic reaction. The energy contained in heated and/or pressurized gaseous product is utilized in any desired way, such as driving suitable engines, turbines or the like, or it may be utilized for heating of enclosed spaces. |
