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US 11,906,160 B2Granted
Combustion system including a mixing tube and a flame holder
AssigneeClearsign Technologies Corporation
InventorDonald Kendrick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combustion system includes a fuel distributor configured to output a fuel, an oxidant source configured to output an oxidant, and a mixing tube defining a mixing volume aligned to receive the fuel and oxidant. The mixing tube is shaped to convey the fuel and the oxidant through the mixing volume at a bulk velocity higher than a flame propagation speed. The combustion system includes a flame holder aligned to receive the mixed fuel and oxidant and to support a combustion reaction of the fuel and the oxidant.
Claims43
A combustion system, comprising:
- a fuel distributor configured to output a fuel;
- an oxidant source configured to output an oxidant;
- a mixing tube defining a mixing volume aligned to receive the fuel and the oxidant, the mixing tube being shaped to convey the fuel and the oxidant through the mixing volume at a bulk velocity higher than a flame propagation speed, the mixing tube further being sized for a residence time shorter than a chemical ignition delay time of the fuel and the oxidant traversing the mixing volume;
- and
- a perforated flame holder aligned to receive a mixture of the fuel and the oxidant from the mixing tube, the flame holder being configured to support a combustion reaction of the mixture of the fuel and the oxidant within or adjacent to the flame holder.
2 more elements
A method, comprising:
- introducing an oxidant into a mixing tube;
- introducing a fuel into a mixing tube;
- mixing the fuel and the oxidant by passing the fuel and the oxidant through the mixing tube at a bulk velocity higher than a flame propagation speed and with a residence time shorter than a chemical ignition delay time of the fuel and the oxidant traversing;
- outputting the mixed fuel and oxidant from an output end of the mixing tube;
- receiving the mixed fuel and oxidant at a perforated flame holder;
- and
- supporting a combustion reaction within or adjacent to the flame holder.
4 more elements
A combustion system, comprising:
- a fuel distributor configured to output a fuel;
- an oxidant source configured to output an oxidant;
- a mixing tube defining a mixing volume and being aligned to receive the fuel and the oxidant through an input opening thereof, the mixing tube being shaped to convey the fuel and the oxidant to an output opening thereof located at an output end of the mixing tube;
- and
- a flame holder including:
- a central portion facing the output end of the mixing tube;
- and
- a peripheral flame holding portion at least partially surrounding the mixing tube and being positioned, outside of the mixing tube, along a non-zero length of the output end of the mixing tube from the output opening of the mixing tube and spaced a non-zero lateral distance away from an outer wall of the mixing tube about the non-zero length, the central portion and the peripheral flame-holding portion each being aligned to receive respective portions of a mixture of the fuel and the oxidant and to support a combustion reaction of the mixture of the fuel and the oxidant within or adjacent to the flame holder.
5 more elements
A combustion system, comprising:
- a fuel distributor configured to output a fuel;
- an oxidant source configured to output an oxidant;
- a mixing tube defining a mixing volume and being aligned to receive the fuel and the oxidant through an input opening thereof, the mixing tube being shaped to convey the fuel and the oxidant to an output opening thereof located at an output end of the mixing tube;
- and
- a flame holder including:
- a central portion facing the output end of the mixing tube;
- and
- a peripheral portion at least partially surrounding the mixing lube and being positioned, outside of the mixing tube, at a level lower than, and spaced away from the output opening of the mixing tube, the central portion and the peroheal portion each being aligned to receive respective portions of a mixture of the fuel and the oxidant and to support a combustion reaction of the mixture of the fuel and the oxidant within or adjacent to the flame holder;
- wherein the mixing tube includes a plurality of axially aligned tube segments each including a diverting portion configured to divert a respective portion of the mixed fuel and oxidant to a respective portion of the flame holder.
6 more elements
A combustion system, comprising:
- a fuel distributor configured to output a fuel;
- an oxidant source configured to output an oxidant;
- a mixing tube defining a mixing volume and being aligned to receive the fuel and the oxidant, the mixing tube being shaped to convey the fuel and the oxidant through the mixing volume at a bulk velocity higher than a flame propagation speed;
- and a mixing tube defining a mixing volume and being aligned to receive the fuel and
- a perforated flame holder aligned to receive a mixture of the fuel and the oxidant from the mixing tube, the flame holder being configured to support a combustion reaction of the mixture of the fuel and the oxidant within or adjacent to the flame holder.
2 more elements
A combustion system, comprising:
- a fuel distributor configured to output a fuel;
- an oxidant source configured to output an oxidant;
- a mixing tube defining a mixing volume and being aligned to receive the fuel and the oxidant, the mixing tube being sized for a residence time shorter than a chemical ignition delay time of the fuel and the oxidant traversing the mixing volume;
- a flow diverter that includes a flat plate and a coanda surface;
- and
- a flame holder aligned to receive a mixture of the fuel and the oxidant from the mixing tube, the flame holder being configured to support a combustion reaction of the mixture of the fuel and the oxidant within or adjacent to the flame holder.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.