WO1997001702A1

WO1997001702A1 - A device for conditioning fuel

Info

Publication number: WO1997001702A1
Application number: PCT/IT1995/000109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adriano Zuliani; Fabio Zuliani
Original assignee: Rem 95 Di Deiana M.L. & C. S.A.S.
Priority date: 1995-06-28
Filing date: 1995-06-28
Publication date: 1997-01-16
Also published as: AU2897795A

Abstract

This invention relates to a device and a method for conditioning a fuel to be fired, which provide for subjecting the fuel to a magnetic field and to orient it in such a manner that the magnetic field can act upon it so as to reduce its turbulence. The fuel is driven along a labyrinth path through the magnetic field so as to achieve substantial reduction of the potential energy of the fuel molecules. This result is achieved by orienting the magnetic dipole moments of the fuel molecules along the lines of force of the magnetic field, without creating a moment in said fuel molecules. Further energy savings can be obtained when the turbulence is reduced and the magnetized fuel is supplied in the form of a laminar stream. A laminar stream of the fuel flowing through the magnetic field is obtained by driving the fuel along a labyrinth path and by directing it through thin flow gaps. The magnetic field is generated by a plurality of ring or toroidally shaped magnets (18), each of which has a central aperture (20), said magnets being coaxially arranged and spaced apart from one another by means of ring shaped washers (24). The magnets and the washers are coaxially arranged and cooperate in defining a central flow passageway (28) into which the fuel is introduced through an inlet port of the device. Each washer has a plurality of radial grooves (30) through which the fuel flows past the surfaces of the magnets to enter into a first annular flow gap (22). The fuel flows in said first annular flow gap in a direction opposite to the direction of the flow in said central flow passageway (28), thereafter it flows, in the same direction of the current in said central flow passageway, in a second thin annular flow gap (15) coaxial with respect to said first annular flow gap (22).

Description

A DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING FUEL

Background of the invention

This invention relates to a device and a method for conditioning fuel, by subjecting the fuel to be conditioned to the actions of a magnetic field.

The combustion efficiency of a fuel subjected to the action of a magnetic field has been analyzed in order to achieve a reduction of the energy consumption as well as a decrease of the environmental atmosphere pollution. For instance, Italian Patent No. 1,145,811, granted in 1981, discloses a device designed to reduce the fuel consumption, wherein a turbulence condition is mechanically introduced into the concerned fuel and the fluid is driven through a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet. This magnetic field, that can be considered as constant, is also believed to act as an amplifier for the turbulence condition in the fuel.

The same above mentioned objects are subject- matter of U.S. Patent No. 4,716,024 (Pera) issued in 1986. This patent discloses a process wherein the fuel is subjected to a magnetic field, that can be considered as constant, generated by permanent magnets in a container. According to the contents of said patent, a moment is created within the fuel through said magnetic field by motion of the external electrons of the hydrocarbons chains.

The following U.S. patents also disclose devices designed for conditioning a fluid by subjecting it to a magnetic field: 2,926,276 (Ref. 25.201, Moriya et al.); 3,060,339 (Moriya); 3,349,354 (Miyata) ; 5,055,188 (Johnston et al. ) and 5,248,437 (Forrest) . Objects and Summary of the Invention It is an object of this invention to increase the combustion efficiency of a f el, thereby achieving an energy consumption reduction as well as a decrease in the environmental atmosphere pollution. This invention provides for subjecting a fuel to be fired to a magnetic field and for driving it therethrough in such a manner that the magnetic field can act upon it while in the same time any turbulence condition is reduced. The turbulence of the fuel can be reduced while the fuel is being subjected to the magnetic field by forcing the fuel to flow along a labyrinth path through said magnetic field.

The magnetic field is generated and the fuel is subjected to the action of the magnetic field in such a manner as to consistently reduce the potential energy of the fuel molecules. According to this invention, this object can be achieved by orienting the magnetic molecular dipole moments of the fuel molecules along the force lines of the magnetic field, without creating a moment in the fuel molecules.

According to this invention, the fuel is subjected to the action of a magnetic field without generating a moment. The magnetic field acts in such a manner that the magnetic molecular dipole moments are oriented along the force lines of the magnetic field. The magnetic dipole moment, also called intrinsic angular moment, is intrinsic to the sub-atomic particle or to the nucleus, namely it is not due to motion - as the orbital angular moment - but it can be observed also in particles at rest. Such an orientation promoted by the magnetic field results into the effect that the potential energy levels of the fuel to be fired are minimized. Any potential energy associated with the fuel is almost totally converted into internal energy in the form of thermal agitation of the molecules. The potential energy available for said conversion is proportional to the sine of the angle formed by the vector of the magnetic molecular dipole moment and by the vector the magnetic field through which the concerned fuel is driven. As a consequence hereof, it tends to taking a minimum value when the above mentioned two vectors are parallel and the magnetic field tends to achieving this result by accordingly orienting the fuel molecules. The fuel to be conditioned typically exhibits a certain turbulence degree caused by the fuel supply pump and directing the fuel along a labyrinth path tends to eliminating or reducing the random movements of the fuel molecules, and this action reduces the turbulent condition of the fluid fuel as it is driven through the magnetic field. Even if an increase in turbulence as caused by a magnetic field in the fuel achieves significant results from an energy saving point of view, much higher savings can be achieved if provisions are adopted to reduce the turbulence level and the magnetized fluid stream is maintained in laminar conditions.

A laminar stream condition of the fluid passing through a magnetic field is obtained by letting the liquid fuel flow along a labyrinth path which noticeably reduces its turbulence and drives it through thin flow gaps as provided in this device.

The effect of the magnetic field upon the fuel can be enhanced by increasing the exposition time of the fuel to the magnetic field or, preferably, by increasing the number of passes of the fuel between the pole shoes of the magnet by which the field is generated, thereby obtaining a substantial uniformity of the energy transformation phenomena at a molecular level. This results into a greater capability of the fuel to overcome the limits determined by the surface tension and consequently enables a finer atomization (at a molecular level) to be realized by means of a laminar fuel film of molecular thickness in a combustion chamber. If the fuel to be conditioned is admixed with a gaseous combustion supporter or comburant (air) which contacts the molecular external surface of the fuel (oxidation) , the greater is the nu ber of laminate films and the larger is the contact surface, the greater will be the number of the molecules of the combustion supporter substance that are bound to the f el molecules.

In brief, this invention is based upon a conditioned mixture of fuel and air, that can be supplied into a combustion chamber and fired therein with a faster inflammability, thanks to the above explained reasons, thereby achieving an improvement in the engine efficiency.

In an ideal embodiment of the device according to this invention, the desired magnetic field is generated by a plurality of annularly or toroidally shaped, coaxially arranged and axially spaced apart magnets, each of which has a central aperture.

The fuel to be conditioned is driven along a labyrinth path past the magnets by a least one ring shaped spacer provided with a central aperture positioned between adjacent magnets and coaxial thereto. The coaxially arranged magnets together with said spacer elements cooperate to define a central passageway through the magnets and the spacer elements. The fuel to be conditioned is admitted into the central passageway and flows therewithin in the current direction. Each spacer element has a plurality of flow passages, for instance radial grooves, communicating the central aperture thereof with the periphery of the spacer elements. The device additionally has a first thin annular flow passage and a second thin annular flow passage coaxial to the first one, extending beyond the peripheries of the magnets and of each spacer element. The first annular passage drives the fuel to flow in countercurrent direction, the second annular passage drives it to flow in co-current direction. The second annular flow passage communicates with the outlet of the device.

The fuel is driven through the central aperture of a first ring shaped magnet; subsequently a first portion of the fuel is driven in a path radially adjacent to the first magnet toward the periphery thereof and a second portion is directed to the central aperture of at least a further ring shaped magnet coaxial to the first one; subsequently at least a portion of the fuel passing through the central aperture of at least another magnet is driven in a path radially adjacent thereto toward the periphery thereof: the fuel that reaches the peripheries of the magnets is then driven in a first annular flow gap in opposite direction with respect to the fuel flowing in the central aperture of the magnets; and the fuel driven in a second annular flow gap coaxial to said first annular flow gap flows in opposite direction with respect to the fuel flowing in said first annular flow gap. The first annular flow gap is defined by a first hollow cylinder wherein the magnets and each spacer element are positioned coaxially to an annular gap formed between the peripheries of the magnets and each spacer element and the internal diameter of said first cylinder. The second annular flow gap is defined by a second hollow cylinder, for instance consisting of the casing of the device, having an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of said first cylinder. The first cylinder is closed at its end in the current direction thereof with respect to the fuel flowing in the central aperture and it is in communication with the second hollow cylinder at its end that is in countercurrent position with respect to the fuel flowing in said central aperture. The end of said second cylinder that is in co-current position (with respect to the fuel flowing in said central aperture) communicates with the outlet of the device. The magnetic field can be constant or variable and the magnets can be permanent or adjustable magnets, for instance solenoids, electromagnets, and like, adapted to generate a constant or variable magnet field.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnets have opposite poles at their opposite surfaces and they are arranged in such a manner that adjacent magnets have opposite poles facing to one another. Said spacer elements are ferromagnetic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention is shown in the Figures of the annexed drawings, but it should be understood that they should be construed only by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, similar reference numerals being used to designate similar or corresponding parts, and wherei :

Figure 1 is an axial cross-section view of a device for conditioning fuel according to this invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation view on the major side of the linked flow washer for use in the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an elevation view on the minor side of the linked flow washer shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-section view of a magnet for use in the device illustrated in Figure 1, showing the magnetic field generated by magnets;

Figure 6 is a cross-section view taken through two adjacent magnets of the device shown in Figure 1 to illustrate the magnetic field generated by magnets;

Figure 7 is a schematic side elevation view of the device of Figure 1 illustrating the orientation of the fuel molecules at the inlet and at the outlet of the device; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the orientation of the fuel molecules as conditioned by the device of Figure 1 and the molecules of the combustion supporting substance; Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the device of Figure 1 as employed in the fuel supply system of a gasoline or diesel engine. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS By referring now to figures 1 and 2, the device 10 for conditioning a fuel by means of the fuel conditioning method according to this invention comprises a cylindrical casing or housing 12 wherein a hollow cylinder 12 is coaxially mounted by interposition of suitable washers or gaskets, for instance 11, 13 and of a radially bored spacer ring 19. The external diameter of said hollow cylinder 14 is smaller than the internal diameter of casing 12, so as to define an annular gap 15 therebetween. The hollow cylinder 14 is closed at its end in the direction of the flow, namely its downstream end 16, and it is open at its front end in countercurrent direction, namely its upstream end 17. A set of ring or toroidally shaped magnets 18, each having a central aperture 20, are coaxially positioned and are axially spaced apart from one another within the hollow cylinder 14 , an annular gap 22 being left between the external peripheries of said magnets 18 and the internal surface of said hollow cylinder 14. Magnets 18 are arranged in contiguous and facing relationship and are spaced apart from one another by means of ring shaped ferromagnetic washers 24 acting as spacer elements, which provide a magnetic flux linked with the magnetic field generated by said ring magnets 18. Washers 24 are provided with a central aperture 26 and have an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of said hollow cylinder 14. Washers 24 are coaxially arranged with respect to magnets 18 so as to define a central flow passageway 28 and to define, in cooperation with the external peripheries of magnets 18, a thin annular flow passageway through gap 22. In addition, washers 24

(Figures 3 and 4) are provided with radially extending grooves 30, by means of which the central aperture of each washer 24 is communicated with said annular gap 22

(Figure 1) , in order to let the fuel pass from the central passageway 28 past the surfaces of adjacent magnets to said annular gap 22. Casing 12 is sealed at its opposite ends by an inlet header 36 provided with an inlet duct 37 and by an outlet header 38 provided with an outlet duct 39. The inlet duct 37 communicates with the central flow passageway 28 and the outlet duct 39 communicates with said annular gap 15, formed between said casing 12 and said hollow cylinder 14 , by means of a manifold passageway 40 formed through spacer ring 19. Annular gaps 15 and 22 communicate with one another at the countercurrent end of the device (right side on Figure 1) .

The flow path through device 10 is as follows. The fuel to be conditioned is introduced in the inlet duct 37 and therefrom it is introduced into central flow passageway 28. Upon passing through central aperture 20 of the first upstream or countercurrent magnet 14 , the fuel to be conditioned enters within the central aperture 26 of the first upstream or countercurrent washer 24. A first portion of the fuel passes through said radial grooves 30 of said upstream washer 24 then it passes between the facing surfaces of said upstream ring magnet and of the subsequent magnet in the flow direction and reaches the annular gap 22 existing between the internal surface of the hollow cylinder 14 and the external peripheries of the ring magnets 18. A second portion of the fuel being conditioned continues flowing within said central flow passageway 28 entering in and passing through the central aperture 20 of the subsequent magnet 18 in the current direction. Thereafter, the fuel being conditioned enters into the central aperture 26 of the subsequent washer 24 in the current direction, where it is again divided, with a portion flowing through the radial grooves of the washer, past the facing surfaces of adjacent magnets to flow into annular gap 22 and a portion flowing to the subsequent magnet in the current direction. This flow pattern continuous up to the fuel reaching the central aperture of the end washer 24 in the current direction, namely the downstream end washer, where all residual fuel passes through its radial grooves 30 in order to flow into annular gap 22. In any case, it is to be underlined that the fuel flowing through the radial grooves 30 of washers 24 passes past the poles of the magnets 18 where it is subjected to the action of the magnetic field generated by the magnets, without any turbulence being created therewithin but, in addition, reducing or even eliminating any residual turbulence still existing there.

The fuel driven through said grooves 30 of washers 24 flows into said thin annular gap 22 and then it is driven in countercurrent direction toward the inlet header 36 of device 10, wherefrom it flows into said thin annular gap 15. The fuel being conditioned is then driven in the current direction toward said outlet header 38, where it passes through said spacer ring 19 in order to flow into said outlet duct 39.

The concerned magnets 18 (refer to Figures 5 and 6) have opposite poles on facing surfaces and are so arranged that their opposite poles are facing to one another, in order to generate magnetic field as it is shown in Figures 5 and 6.

A flow adjusting device, for instance a butterfly valve 42 can be inserted in outlet header 38 in order to adjust the amount of magnetized fuel supplied as a laminar stream by device 10 to a carburetor or injector. The flow adjusting device 42 can adjust the flow according to the speed of the engine (for instance responsive to a speed sensor for the concerned engine, not shown in Figure 1) or according to the efficiency to be reached in any apparatus supplied with the conditioned fuel.

The above described molecular orientation and reduction of the turbulence level are performed while the fuel is flowing through the magnetic field. By referring to Figure 7, it can be seen that the fuel molecules are introduced into device 10 as not oriented and typically turbulent molecules and are emitted from device 10 as oriented molecules .

As far as Figure 8 is concerned, when a combustion supporting substance, such as air, is admixed to the fuel, the molecules of the combustion supporting substance are oriented and aligned with the fuel molecules, and, due to the increased area promoted by the laminar stream thereof, a greater number of said combustion supporting substance molecules can react with the fuel molecules. The annular gaps 15 and 22 are thin and so arranged as to enable the fuel to flow twice through the device according to this invention, a first time in the current direction through the central passageway 28 and in countercurrent direction in thin annular gap 22 and a second time in the current direction in thin annular gap 15. Magnets 18 can be formed by permanent magnets or by technologically equivalent means, such as solenoids, electromagnets, inductors and like, adapted to generate a magnetic field of constant or variable strength, with predetermined limits and frequencies. Casing 12 and hollow internal cylinder 14 can be made of any not ferromagnetic material and an internal shield member of not magnetic material, such as Mumetal (Trademark) , can be employed in order to eliminate any field leakage.

As far as Figure 9 is concerned, the fuel conditioning device 10 according to this invention is arranged in the fuel feed line of an engine (not shown) between the carburetor or injector 50 and the fuel pump

52 which is connected to the fuel tank 54.

Upon considering the above description, it can be concluded that a number of advantages can be obtained by means of a fuel conditioning device according to this invention, such as: (1) a higher efficiency of the engine; (2) a higher ease of cold start; (3) a decrease of unfired exhaust gases, in view of the noticeable net reduction of the exhaust gases as a whole, since the fuel is fired in almost ideal conditions (see following Examples 1-3 hereinafter; (4) a longer use life of the engine components, for instance the spark plugs, the combustion chambers, the exhaust manifolds, the muffler and in particular the catalytic converters, thanks to the fact that a reduction of the unfired or partially fired component deposits is obtained, as it can be observed from the results of tests carried out on a number of cars and commercial vehicles. As far as the reduction of the fuel consumption is concerned, the tests performed have evidenced a noticeable fuel saving in gasoline and diesel engines.

Even if this invention has been herein before described and illustrated in its preferred embodiment, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make changes and modifications therein without departing from its spirit and from the scope of the invention.

For instance, multiple toroidally shaped permanent magnets could be employed, by arranging them in adjacent relationship with their opposite poles, separated by a corresponding number of washers of ferromagnetic material.

Besides fuels, also other fluids can be conditioned, as well. This invention as set forth in the annexed claims, should not be limited, therefore, to the above disclosed structural details, since any changes and modifications thereof should be understood as comprised within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the annexed claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device (10) for conditioning a fuel to be fired comprising

- means (18) to generate a magnetic field; and - means (12, 14, 15, 22, 24, 19) to drive the fuel to be conditioned in such a manner that said magnetic field can act upon it in order to supply said fuel in the form of a laminar, substantially not turbulent stream.

2. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said fuel driving means (12, 14, 15, 22, 24, 19) direct said fuel along a labyrinth path (28, 22, 15, 40) through said magnetic field.

3. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 2 , characterized in that said means to generate a magnetic field comprise a plurality of ring shaped magnets (18) each having a central aperture (20) , said magnets (18) being coaxially arranged and axially spaced apart from one another, and said means (12, 14, 15, 22, 24, 19) to drive the fuel comprise at least a ring shaped spacer element (24) having a central aperture (26) , each ring shaped spacer element (24) being positioned between adjacent magnets (18) and coaxially with respect to them, said coaxially arranged magnets (18) and said spacer elements (24) defining a central flow passageway (28) , means (36, 37) to introduce the fuel to be conditioned into said central passageway (28) in order to flow therein in a first direction, said introduction means being in communication with an inlet port of said device (10) , each spacer element (24) having a plurality of flow passage grooves (30) in communication with its central aperture (26) and the periphery of said spacer element (24) , means (18, 24, 14, 16, 12) to define a first annular flow gap (22) and a second annular flow gap (15) beyond the peripheries of said magnets (18) and of said spacer elements (24) , said first annular flow gap (22) directing the fuel in opposite direction to said first direction and said second annular flow gap (15) directing the fuel parallel to said first direction, as well as means (19) to communicate said second annular flow gap (15) with outlet means (38, 39) of said device (10) .

4. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said means defining said first annular flow gap (22) comprise a first hollow cylinder (14) wherein said magnets (18) are coaxially arranged together with said ring shaped spacer elements (24) so as to form an annular gap (22) between the peripheries of said magnets (18) and of said spacer elements (24) and the internal diameter of said first hollow cylinder (14) and in that said means defining said second annular flow gap (15) comprise a second hollow cylinder (12) having an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of said first hollow cylinder (14) , said first hollow cylinder (14) being closed at its downstream end in the current direction with respect to the flow occurring in said central flow passageway (28) and in communication (17) with said second hollow cylinder (12) at its countercurrent end with respect to the flow occurring in said central flow passageway (28) , as well as communication means (19) to communicate said second annular flow gap (15) at the downstream end in the current direction of said second hollow cylinder (12) with the outlet port of said outlet means (38, 39) of said device.

5. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said magnets (18) are permanent magnets.

6. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said magnets (18) have opposite poles at their facing surfaces and are arranged in such a manner that adjacent magnets (18) have opposite poles facing to one another.

7. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that said spacer elements

(24) are ferromagnetic.

8. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said magnets (18) is adjustable so as to generate a variable magnetic field.

9. A fuel conditioning device (10) having an inlet port and an outlet port, for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, comprising:

- a plurality of ring shaped magnets (18) each having a central aperture (20) , said magnets (18) being coaxially arranged and axially spaced apart from one another;

- at least a ring shaped spacer element (24) having a central aperture (26) , each ring shaped spacer element (24) being positioned between adjacent ring shaped magnets (18) and coaxially thereto, said coaxially arranged magnets (18) and spacer elements (24) cooperating to define a central flow passageway (28) ; - means (36, 37) to introduce the fuel to be conditioned into said central passageway (28) in order to flow therein in a first direction, said introduction means being in communication with an inlet port of said device (10) ; - each spacer element (24) having a plurality of flow passage grooves (30) in communication with its central aperture (26) and with the periphery of said spacer element (24) ;

- means (18, 24, 14, 16) to define a first annular flow gap (22) beyond the peripheries of said magnets (18) and of said spacer elements (24) , said first annular flow gap (22) directing the fuel to be 16 conditioned in opposite direction with respect to said first direction;

- means (14, 16, 12) to define a second annular flow gap (15) coaxial to and beyond said first annular flow gap (22) in order to direct the fuel to be conditioned parallel but opposite to said first direction; and

- means (19, 38, 39) to communicate said second annular flow gap (15) with the outlet port of said device (10) .

10. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said magnets are permanent magnets (18) .

11. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that said magnets (18) have opposite poles on their opposite surfaces and are arranged in such a manner that adjacent magnets (18) have opposite poles facing to one another.

12. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that said spacer elements

(24) are ferromagnetic.

13. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of said magnets (18) is adjustable so as to generate a variable magnetic field, said device (10) having means to adjust the strength of the magnetic field generated by at least one adjustable magnet.

14. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises a sensor for sensing the speed of the engine, connected to said adjusting means for adjusting the strength of the magnetic field generated by said at least one adjustable magnets as a function of said speed.

15. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a flow adjusting device (42) in communication with said outlet port in order to adjust the flow of fuel supplied by said conditioning device (10) according to determined parameters.

16. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 9 in combination with a fuel pump (52) , an injector or carburetor (50) for diesel or gasoline engines, characterized in that said fuel conditioning device (10) is connected between said fuel pump (52) and said carburetor or injector (50) .

17. A device (10) for conditioning a fuel to be fired, characterized in that it comprises means (18) to generate a magnetic field and means (24, 14, 22, 12, 15) to drive the fuel to be conditioned in such a manner that said magnetic field can act upon it so as to supply a conditioned fuel having a noticeably decreased potential energy of the fuel molecules.

18. A fuel conditioning device (10) according to claim 17, characterized in that said magnetic field generating means and said fuel driving means cooperate to orient the magnetic dipole moments of the fuel molecules along the force lines of the magnetic field, thereby noticeably reducing the potential energy of the fuel molecules.

19. A method for conditioning a fuel to be fired, including the following steps: - generating a magnetic field; and

- directing the fuel in such a manner that said magnetic field can act thereupon so as to supply the fuel in the form of a substantially not turbulent laminar stream.

20. A method for conditioning a fuel to be fired, including the following steps:

- generating a magnetic field and orienting the fuel in such a manner that said magnetic field can act upon it and contribute in supplying the fuel with a noticeable reduction of the potential energy of its molecules. 18

21. A method for conditioning a fuel according to claim 20, characterized in that the step of supplying the fuel with a reduction of the potential energy of its molecules is based upon orienting the magnetic dipole moments of the fuel molecules along the force lines of the magnetic field.

22. A method for conditioning a fuel flow to be fired, comprising the following steps:

- directing the fuel flow to be conditioned through the central aperture of a first ring shaped magnet;

- subsequently directing a first portion of the fuel flow in a path radially adjacent to said first magnet to the periphery thereof and a second portion of the fuel flow through the central aperture of at least another ring shaped magnet coaxial to said first magnet;

- directing at least a portion of the fuel flow passing through the central aperture of at least another magnet radially adjacent thereto to its periphery; directing the fuel arriving to the peripheries of said magnets in a first annular flow path in a direction opposite to the fuel flowing in said central apertures of said magnets; and

- directing subsequently the fuel flow in a second annular flow path coaxial with respect to said first annular flow path and in a direction opposite to the flow direction in said first annular flow path.

23. A method for conditioning a fuel according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises the steps of arranging ring shaped magnets with opposite poles on opposite surfaces and arranging said magnets with opposite poles facing to one another.