Method and apparatus for diffuse combustion of premix
AssigneeFives North American Combustion, Inc.
InventorThomas F. Robertson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method directs fuel-oxidant premix into a reaction zone through a first total premix inlet flow area, and causes the premix to combust and form a stable flame projecting into a process chamber through an outlet from the reaction zone. At a time when the process chamber has a temperature at or above an auto-ignition temperature of the fuel, the flame is blown off to initiate diffuse combustion in the process chamber without a stable flame. The flame is blown off by directing the premix into the reaction zone through a second total premix inlet flow area greater than the first total premix inlet flow area.
Claims17
A method comprising:
- directing fuel-oxidant premix into a reaction zone through a first total premix inlet flow area;
- causing the premix to combust and form a stable flame projecting into a process chamber through an outlet from the reaction zone;
- and
- blowing off the flame at a time when the process chamber has a temperature at or above an auto-ignition temperature of the fuel, and thereby initiating diffuse combustion in the process chamber, by directing the premix into the reaction zone through a second total premix inlet flow area greater than the first total premix inlet flow area.
A method comprising:
- directing fuel-oxidant premix into a reaction zone at a total flow rate through a first total premix inlet flow area;
- causing the premix to combust and form a stable flame projecting into a process chamber through an outlet from the reaction zone;
- and
- while maintaining the total flow rate constant, and at a time when the process chamber has a temperature at or above an auto-ignition temperature of the fuel, initiating diffuse combustion in the process chamber by increasing the total premix inlet flow area sufficiently to blow off the flame.
An apparatus comprising:
- means for directing fuel-oxidant premix into a reaction zone through a first total premix inlet flow area;
- means for causing the premix to combust and form a stable flame projecting into a process chamber through an outlet from the reaction zone;
- and
- means for blowing off the flame at a time when the process chamber has a temperature at or above an auto-ignition temperature of the fuel, and thereby initiating diffuse combustion in the process chamber, by directing the premix into the reaction zone through a second total premix inlet flow area greater than the first total premix inlet flow area.
An apparatus comprising:
- a burner having a reaction zone with an outlet structure configured for flame stabilization, first inlet ports having first flow areas, and a second inlet port having a second flow area greater a sum of the first flow areas;
- and
- a reactant supply and control system that directs fuel-oxidant premix into the reaction zone in a first mode through the first inlet ports but not through the second inlet port, and alternatively in a second mode through the second inlet port but not through the first inlet ports;
- wherein the reaction zone has a tile-stable limit of premix inlet flow area, the sum of the first flow areas is less than the tile-stable limit, and the second flow area is greater that the tile stable limit.
An apparatus comprising:
- a burner having a reaction zone with an outlet structure configured for flame stabilization;
- the reaction zone further having inlet ports, the inlet ports consisting of first inlet ports having first flow areas and a second inlet port having a second flow area greater than a sum of the first flow areas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.