Induction heater
A heating system and method for heating fluids are provided. The heating system includes an enclosure with an inlet and outlet for fluid flow, an induction coil, thermal transmitters placed in the enclosure, and a power source for the induction coil. In one preferred embodiment, the fuel processing system includes a heating system that is at least partially filled with thermal transmitters which receive electromagnetic energy and generate heat within the heating system.
1 . A heating system comprising:
an enclosure having an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for fluid to exit said enclosure;
at least one induction coil at least partially surrounding said enclosure;
at least one thermal transmitter placed within said enclosure wherein said at least one thermal transmitter receives electromagnetic energy from said at least one induction coil; and
at least one power supply for supplying current to said at least one induction coil to heat said at least one thermal transmitter wherein said heating system is used for heating fluids.
2 . The heating system of claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises a substantially non-electrically conductive material.
3 . The heating system of claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises a ceramic material or a composite thereof.
4 . The heating system of claim 1 wherein said at least one thermal transmitter comprises a material having an electrical resistance higher than about 100 μohm-cm at 1800° F.
5 . The heating system of claim 4 wherein said thermal transmitter is comprised of a non-magnetizable material.
6 . The heating system of claim 1 wherein said thermal transmitter comprises silicon carbide or a composite thereof.
7 . The heating system of claim 1 further comprising a filter installed within said enclosure but of a location at about said outlet of said enclosure.
8 . A heating system comprising:
an enclosure having an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for fluid to exit said enclosure wherein said enclosure is comprised of a substantially non-electrically conductive material;
at least one induction coil at least partially surrounding said enclosure;
at least one thermal transmitter placed within said enclosure wherein said at least one thermal transmitter receives electromagnetic energy from said at least one induction coil and wherein said thermal transmitter is comprised of a material having an electrical resistance higher than about 100 μohm-cm at 1800° F. wherein said material is also non-magnetizable; and
at least one power supply for supplying current to said at least one induction coil to heat said at least one thermal transmitter; wherein said heating system is used for heating fluid streams.
9 . A heating system comprising:
an enclosure having an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for fluid to exit said enclosure wherein said enclosure is comprised of a substantially non-electrically conductive material;
at least one induction coil at least partially surrounding said enclosure;
at least one thermal transmitter placed within said enclosure wherein said at least one thermal transmitter receives electromagnetic energy from said at least one induction coil and wherein said thermal transmitter is comprised of a material having an electrical resistance higher than about 100 μohm-cm at 1800° F. wherein said material is also non-magnetizable and wherein said thermal transmitters are coated or impregnated with a catalyst; and
at least one power supply for supplying current to said at least one induction coil to heat said at least one thermal transmitter; wherein said heating system is used for heating fluid streams.
10 . A method of heating fluids comprising the steps of:
a) charging fluid into an enclosure wherein said enclosure is made of substantially non-electrically conductive material;
b) heating said fluid in said enclosure to a desired temperature;
c) providing at least one thermal transmitter within said enclosure wherein said thermal transmitter is made of a substantially non-magnetizable material; and
d) heating said enclosure with said at least one induction coil.
11 . The method of claim 9 wherein said enclosure is made of a ceramic material or a composite thereof.
12 . The method of claim 9 wherein said thermal transmitter is made of silicon carbide or a composite thereof.