Methods of combustion of powdered fuels and powdered fuel dispersions

A method of safely harnessing explosibility properties of dust capable of producing dust explosions comprising the steps of:

• selecting an explosible powder consisting of a plurality of solid particles, having a size distribution substantially in an explosible size range;
• metering the explosible powder, using a positive displacement powder dispersion device, into a gas stream comprising an oxidizing gas;
• suspending the explosible powder in the gas stream to form a moving explosible dispersion;
• directing the explosible powder in the gas stream with a nozzle into a confining structure to form a controlled flowing stream of the moving explosible powder dispersion;
• and
• igniting the moving explosible powder dispersion in the controlled flowing stream to produce a single stationary deflagrating combustion flame wave propagating on the controlled flowing stream at a flame speed of the moving explosible powder dispersion such that a conductive heat transfer from combustion continues to bring the moving explosible powder dispersion to combustion temperature as the moving explosible powder dispersion arrives at a controlled location of the single stationary deflagrating combustion flame wave.

A method of combustion comprising the steps of:

• metering an explosible powder consisting of a plurality of solid particles, having a size distribution substantially in an explosible size range, using a positive displacement powder dispersion device, into a gas stream comprising an oxidizing gas, to suspend the explosible powder in the gas stream;
• directing the explosible powder in the gas stream with a nozzle into a burner chamber and controlling a nozzle velocity of an explosible powder dispersion of the explosible powder in the gas stream exiting from the nozzle to reflect explosibility properties of the explosible powder dispersion to form a controlled flowing stream of a moving explosible powder dispersion;
• igniting the controlled flowing stream of the moving explosible powder dispersion, thereby starting the combustion and producing a single stationary deflagrating combustion flame wave propagating on the controlled flowing stream as a single stationary and sustainable flame front in the burner chamber;
• and
• sustaining combustion as a singular wave process by continuing to meter the explosible powder into the gas stream, direct the controlled flowing stream of the moving explosible powder dispersion to the single stationary and sustainable flame front for heating and thereby ignition of the moving explosible powder dispersion, and control the nozzle velocity of the explosible powder dispersion exiting from the nozzle, substantially consuming the explosible powder within the burner chamber, thereby sustaining the single stationary deflagrating combustion flame wave to produce energy.