Abstract:
A combustion system includes, burner, a camera, and a control circuit. The burner initiates a combustion reaction. The camera takes a plurality of images of the combustion reaction. The control circuit produces from the images an averaged image and adjusts the combustion reaction based on the adjusted image.
Abstract:
Technologies are provided for applying energy to a combustion reaction. For example, a method may include supporting a combustion reaction; applying energy to the combustion reaction via one or more control signals; detecting a change in one or more parameters associated with the combustion reaction; comparing the change in the one or more parameters to a database; determining whether the change in the one or more parameters corresponds to a change in the combustion reaction; selecting a change in the one or more control signals from the database; and applying the change in the one or more control signals to change the a value of the energy applied to the combustion reaction responsive to changes in the one or more parameters associated with in the combustion reaction.
Abstract:
A combustion fluid flow barrier includes an aperture to control combustion fluid flow. The combustion fluid is charged by a charge generator. The combustion fluid flow barrier includes at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the aperture and configured to selectively allow, attract, or resist passage of the charged combustion fluid through the aperture, depending on voltage applied to the flow control electrode.
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:
A burner supporting primary and secondary combustion reactions may include a primary combustion reaction actuator configured to select a location of the secondary combustion reaction. A burner may include a lifted flame holder structure configured to support a secondary combustion reaction above a partial premixing region. The secondary flame support location may be selected as a function of a turndown parameter. Selection logic may be of arbitrary complexity.
Abstract:
Two or more unipolar voltage generation systems may apply respective voltages to separate but complementary electrodes. The complementary electrodes may be disposed substantially congruently or analogously to one another to provide bipolar electrical effects on a combustion reaction.
Abstract:
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) generated by a fuel burner is reduced by anchoring the flame to a conductive anchor disposed a lift distance from a fuel nozzle, using a voltage applied to the flame.
Abstract:
A combustor provides reaction anchoring by injecting a voltage or charge into an exothermic reaction such as aflame, and anchoring the exothermic reaction to a conductive surface positioned adjacent to a fuel jet nozzle.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprises a reaction volume, a reactant or fuel nozzle, an oxidizer introducer, a sensor, a controller, and electrodes. The controller may comprise a power controller, a microcontroller, a sensor interface, a waveform generator, and amplifiers connected to the electrodes. The controller may control an electric current to the electrodes and produce an electric field proximate to a combustion boundary. The electric field may influence the movement of charged species in the reaction volume. The sensors may provide information to the controller, which information the controller may use to change parameters such as the rate of introduction of the reactant and/or oxidizer and/or of parameters of the electric current and electric field, such as the waveform of the electric current, the voltage of the electric current, the location of the electric field within the reaction volume. Reduction in undesirable reaction products may thereby be achieved.
Abstract:
A burner system includes a perforated flame holder configured to hold a combustion reaction and a plurality of fuel nozzles aligned to deliver respective fuel streams to the perforated flame holder. According to an embodiment, a burner system includes a perforated flame holder and a plurality of fuel and oxidant sources configured to collectively provide a fuel and oxidant mixture to the perforated flame holder. The perforated flame holder is configured to hold a combustion reaction supported by the fuel and oxidant mixture.