Burner system including a plurality of perforated flame holders

A method, comprising:

• outputting a flow of fuel and oxidant along an axis;
• receiving at least a portion of the flow of fuel and oxidant at a first distal flame holder body aligned relative to the axis;
• supporting a first combustion reaction of the fuel and oxidant within or adjacent to the first distal flame holder body;
• heating a second distal flame holder body, positioned downstream from the first distal flame holder body, with the first combustion reaction;
• receiving, at the second distal flame holder body, at least one of the flow of fuel and oxidant received at the first distal flame holder body and a flow including a mixture of fuel and oxidant and combustion products;
• heating a thermal load with the first combustion reaction supported within or adjacent to the first distal flame holder body;
• and
• supporting, within or adjacent to the second distal flame holder body, a second combustion reaction of at least one of the flow of fuel and oxidant and a flow including a mixture of fuel and oxidant and combustion products.

A combustion system, comprising:

• a fuel and oxidant source configured to output a flow of fuel and oxidant;
• at least one first distal flame holder body aligned to receive at least a portion of the flow of fuel and oxidant from the fuel and oxidant source and to hold a first portion of a combustion reaction of the fuel and oxidant within or adjacent to the at least one first distal flame holder body;
• at least one second distal flame holder body positioned downstream from the at least one first distal flame holder body relative to the fuel and oxidant source and aligned to receive a fluid flow from one or both of the fuel and oxidant source and the at least one first distal flame holder body, the at least one second distal flame holder body being configured to hold a second portion of the combustion reaction supported by the fluid flow within or adjacent to the at least one second distal flame holder body;
• and
• a thermal load disposed peripherally to the first and second distal flame holder bodies and to receive heat from the respective first and second combustion reaction portions.

A method comprising:

• outputting a flow of fuel and oxidant;
• passing the flow of fuel and oxidant through or adjacent to a first distal flame holder body;
• receiving the flow of fuel and oxidant at a second distal flame holder body positioned downstream from the first distal flame holder body;
• supporting a combustion reaction of the fuel and oxidant within or adjacent to the second distal flame holder body;
• heating the first distal flame holder body with the combustion reaction supported by the second distal flame holder body;
• and
• preheating the flow of fuel and oxidant with the first distal flame holder body.