Abstract:
A combustion system is provided that includes a fuel nozzle configured to support a combustion reaction, and an electrode positioned to apply an electrical charge to the combustion reaction. A power converter is positioned to receive heat produced by the combustion reaction and to convert a portion of the received heat to electrical energy. A combustion system controller is configured to provide the electrical charge to the electrode, using energy drawn either from the power converter or from a power storage element, depending on an amount of power being produced by the power converter and on a state-of-charge of the power storage element. The controller is further configured to use surplus energy generated by the power converter to recharge the power storage element.
Abstract:
A premixed combustion system includes a charge electrode, and an anchoring electrode positioned adjacent to a fuel nozzle. A charge having a first polarity is applied to the flame via the charge electrode and an electrical potential having a polarity opposite the first polarity is applied to the anchoring electrode. The oppositely-charged flame is attracted to the anchoring electrode, thereby anchoring the flame.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a combustion system includes a burner, at least one charging electrode, flame anchoring electrode(s), and at least one voltage power supply. The burner is configured to discharge fuel into a combustion volume in which the fuel and an oxidizer are ignited to generate a flame. The charging electrode is positioned proximate to the flame. The charging electrode provides charges to the flame to generate a charged flame. The flame anchoring electrode(s) are disposed adjacent to the burner and proximate to a base portion of the charged flame. The voltage power supply is electrically coupled to each of the flame anchoring electrode(s) and the charging electrode. The at least one voltage power supply applies one or more electrical potentials to each of the flame anchoring electrode(s) so that the charged flame is anchored at a predetermined location.
Abstract:
A pulsed electrical charge or voltage may be applied to a pulsed fuel stream or combustion reaction supported by the fuel stream. The pulsed charge or voltage may be used to affect fuel mixing, flame trajectory, heat transfer, emissivity, reaction product mix, or other physical property of the combustion reaction.
Abstract:
An ionizer mechanism includes a corona electrode and a counter electrode positioned with respect to one another. The counter electrode includes a first layer of a porous, open cell foam material with a medium-to-high intrinsic resistance. The counter electrode has a point contact resistance that is at least two orders of magnitude greater than a broad contact resistance of the counter electrode. Charged particles produced by the ionizer mechanism are introduced to a combustion reaction to impart an electrical charge onto the combustion reaction.
Abstract:
A multijet burner system includes a plurality of fuel nozzles, each configured to support a respective flame, a plurality of charge electrodes, each positioned and configured to apply a charge potential to a fluid flow corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of fuel nozzles, and a charge controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of charge electrodes and configured to control a voltage potential applied to each respective charge electrode. By selecting the magnitude and polarity of a charge potential applied to individual ones of the flames of the plurality of burners, the flames can be made to change positions, move to selected positions, and redistribute themselves within a volume.
Abstract:
A perforated flame holder and burner including a perforated flame holder provides reduced oxides of nitrogen (NOx) during operation. The perforated flame holder includes a pattern of elongated apertures extending between a proximal and a distal surface of the flame holder relative to a fuel nozzle. The perforated flame holder can provide a significantly reduced flame height while maintaining heat output from the burner.
Abstract:
An electrically stabilized burner is configured to support a combustion reaction such as a combustion reaction substantially at a selected fuel dilution and with a mixing rate selected to maximize the reaction rate without quenching the combustion reaction.
Abstract:
According to embodiments, a co-fired or multiple fuel combustion system is configured to apply an electric field to a combustion region corresponding to a second fuel that normally suffers from poor combustion and/or high sooting. Application of an AC voltage to the combustion region was found to increase the extent of combustion and significantly reduce soot evolved from the second fuel.
Abstract:
A down-fired flame burner includes a flame holder positioned below the burner. The flame holder includes a plurality of perforations that collectively confine a combustion reaction of the burner to the flame holder.