A LANTERN OPERABLE ON ETHANOL

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a lantern operable on low concentration of ethanol.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ethanol can be produced from any sugary crop like sugarcane, sweet sorghum etc and also from grains and corn. High concentration ethanol is quite suitable for combustion in automobiles. However, it is highly inflammable and therefore hitherto dangerous for household uses. Further, it requires a substantial amount of energy to distill 95% (v/v) ethanol from 7% fermented mesh.

PRIOR ART

Ethanol lanterns are known in the art.

Such, lanterns are costly and produce less light (equivalent to that from a 40 W electric bulb). Besides they require frequent lead acid battery

maintenance which cannot be done easily by households. Lead acid batteries are non-renewable, an environmental hazard (both lead and sulfuric acid are toxic).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to propose a lantern operable on low concentration of ethanol.

Another object of this invention is to propose a lantern operable on low concentration of ethanol, which can operate on atleast 50% (w/w) ethanol /water mixture.

Further object of this invention is to propose a lantern operable on low concentration of ethanol, wherein the fuel used is a very safe mixture to be used for households because of its low concentration.

Still another object of this invention is to propose a lantern operable on low concentration of ethanol wherein the said mixture can be easily

distilled in any backyard still, which requires much less energy to distill than 95% (v/v) mixture.

Yet another object of this invention is to propose a lantern operable on low concentration of ethanol which serves dual purpose of producing light and cooking food, for which a potholder is attached at its top.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to this invention there is provided a lantern operable on low concentration ethanol comprising a fuel tank provided with a pressure pump and a fuel inlet port having a pressure release key characterized in an evaporator tube having an air-fuel mixing chamber and heat transfer fin for better heat transfer, and a preheater above the fuel tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and wherein:

Fig. 1 shows: front elevation of lantern of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

Reference may be made to fig 1 wherein the lantern comprises a fuel tank (5) containing 50% (w/w) ethanol mixture made of suitable material so as to avoid corrosion. The fuel tank is provided with an inlet (10) for filling the tank with fuel and a pressure release key (11). Further, the tank is having a pressure pump (6) made of suitable non-corrosive material. The pump is used to increase pressure inside the fuel tank so that the alcohol mixture goes up through an evaporator tube (8) for combustion. The tube is positioned inside the tank and made of suitable non-corrosive material, which can withstand high temperature. The tube is provided with suitable filter material to filter the ethanol mixture so as to avoid clogging of the nozzle, which further helps in better heat transfer so as to cause evaporation of mixture. The top portion of the evaporation tube has high temperature heat transfer fin (4) for better heat transfer from the radiation of a mantle (9) provided at the farther end of said tube to the tube itself.

Further, the tube comprises a suitably designed air-fuel mixing chamber (3) for mixing of evaporated ethanol mixture with air, which results in high temperature flame.

Thereafter, the air/ fuel mixture is combusted inside the mantle (9) to light the thermoluminescent mantle.

The lantern is operated by preheating the evaporator tube with the help of a preheater (12) containing a small amount of ethanol, which is located below the mantle. The mixture lights up the mantle followed by pressurization of the whole lantern by the pressure pump for continuation.

The lantern is further provided with a cooking arrangement, which uses flue gases of the combustion. The arrangement is effected by removing top cover (1) and providing a suitable size pot on pot holder (2). Thus, this lantern can serve both purposes simultaneously i.e. cooking and lighting. The lantern can be taken around with the help of its handle (13) and is provided with glass cover as shown in the figure.

It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims: -