US 6,183,241 B2 · Uniform-burning matrix burner

Abstract

Computer simulation was used in the development of an inward-burning, radial matrix gas burner and heat pipe heat exchanger. The burner and exchanger can be used to heat a Stirling engine on cloudy days when a solar dish, the normal source of heat, cannot be used. Geometrical requirements of the application forced the use of the inward burning approach, which presents difficulty in achieving a good flow distribution and air/fuel mixing. The present invention solved the problem by providing a plenum with just the right properties, which include good flow distribution and good air/fuel mixing with minimum residence time. CFD simulations were also used to help design the primary heat exchanger needed for this application which includes a plurality of pins emanating from the heat pipe. The system uses multiple inlet ports, an extended distance from the fuel inlet to the burner matrix, flow divider vanes, and a ring-shaped, porous grid to obtain a high-temperature uniform-heat radial burner. Ideal applications include dish/Stirling engines, steam reforming of hydrocarbons, glass working, and any process requiring high temperature heating of the outside surface of a cylindrical surface.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A heating apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical annulus forming an outer plenum;
said outer plenum having an inside diameter comprising a burner sheet;
a uniform flow mesh located inside the outer plenum to provide a uniform delivery of an air/fuel mixture circumferentially around said burner sheet;
a pipe to conduct said air/fuel mixture to said outer plenum;
an igniter to ignite said fuel mixture on said burner sheet;
said outer plenum having a continuous curved bell shape without any right angles distal from a connection from the pipe to the outer plenum, thereby preventing a pre-ignition of the air/fuel mixture, and causing a uniform burning in the burner sheet.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Uniform-burning matrix burner

Life of this patent

Uniform-burning matrix burner

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24