Pulse combustor apparatus

A pulse combustor apparatus adapted for burning solid fuel, comprising:

• a combustor tube having a generally circular interior cross-section and open ends and defining at least one combustion zone for burning solid fuel, said combustion zone being positioned to excite a standing acoustic wave in said combustor tube;
• air inlet means for supplying combustion air to said combustion zone of said combustor tube;
• fuel inlet means for feeding solid fuel to said combustion zone;
• fuel support means adjacent said combustion zone for supporting the solid fuel adjacent said combustion zone, said fuel support means having a generally circular periphery and being essentially coextensive with said generally circular interior cross-section of said combuster tube and comprising a grate having at least one opening therethrough located interiorly of said periphery, said at least one opening allowing ash produced as the solid fuel burns to fall therethrough yet preventing the majority of the unburned solid fuel from falling therethrough, said fuel support means being rotatably mounted within said combustor tube;
• and
• means for driving said grate in rotation;
• wherein the configuration of the grate allows the combustion air to travel therethrough and through the solid fuel, thereby providing efficient combustion of the solid fuel, and further allows the ash produced as the fuel burns to fall therethrough, thereby avoiding excessive accumulation of ash on the fuel support means.