Advanced emissive matrix combustion

A superemissive combustion device comprising:

• a porous distributive layer;
• means for introducing a combustible fuel/oxidizer mixture at sufficient velocity that the fuel/oxidizer mixture passes through the porous distributive layer to a downstream face of the distributive layer;
• a three dimensional matrix of actively radiating bodies disposed downstream from the porous distributive layer and within an active flame zone of the device, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of open spaces positioned through a substantial portion of the active flame zone, the matrix comprising a superemissive material that emits photons within a defined wavelength range when thermally stimulated, and wherein the matrix dissipates the energy of combustion of the fuel/air mixture and maintains the following conditions within the active flame zone:
• a range of combustible mixture velocities that is wider than the range of flame propagation velocities;
• multiple vortex zones of varying intensity within the combustible mixture;
• and
• combinations thereof, thereby stabilizing the active flame zone within the open spaces of the matrix.

A combustion process for reducing the NO.sub.x emissions of a combustion device and emitting photons within a predetermined wavelength range comprising the steps of:

• delivering a combustible mixture to a combustion device;
• passing the combustible mixture through a plurality of openings within a three-dimensional emissive matrix disposed substantially alone an active flame zone in the device, the matrix creating a range of combustible mixture velocities in the flame zone that is wider than the range of the flame propagation velocities in the combustible mixture;
• creating and maintaining multiple vortex zones of varying intensity within the combustible mixture;
• dissipating combustion energy away from the flame zone in the form of electromagnetic radiation by way of radiating bodies in the matrix that are optically thin to electromagnetic radiation;
• and
• emitting photons within a predetermined wavelength range from the radiating bodies by way of thermally stimulating a superemissive material used to form the matrix.

A combustion process for reducing NO.sub.x emission from a fuel/oxidizer combustion device and emitting photons within a predetermined wavelength range comprising the steps of:

• passing a fuel/oxidizer mixture through a porous distributive layer;
• combusting the mixture within open spaces of a three dimensional matrix made of actively cooling bodies, the matrix being positioned along an active flame zone and comprising a superemissive material;
• cooling the active flame zone so that the temperature of the active flame zone is in the range of from 800.degree. C. to 150.degree. C.;
• and
• emitting photons within a predetermined wavelength range upon thermally stimulating the superemissive material.

A superemissive combustion device comprising:

• a porous distributive layer;
• means for introducing a fuel/oxidizer mixture at sufficient velocity that the fuel/oxidizer mixture passes through the porous distributive layer to a downstream face of the distributive layer;
• and
• a three dimensional matrix of actively radiating bodies positioned within an active flame zone of the device downstream from the porous distributive layer, the radiating bodies having an open matrix structure that extends along a substantial portion of the active flame zone for dissipating sufficient energy of combustion to maintain the temperature of the active flame zone between 800.degree. C. and 1500.degree. C., wherein the matrix comprises superemissive material for emitting photons within a predetermined wavelength range.