Solid fuel burner with electrodynamic homogenization
AssigneeClearsign Combustion Corporation
InventorsTim W. Sonnichsen, Joseph Colannino, David B. Goodson, Tracy A. Prevo, Christopher A. Wiklof
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solid fuel burner may include a system for electrodynamic homogenization. One or more electrodes may apply an electric field to burning solid fuel or a region proximate the burning solid fuel. The electric field causes mixing and homogenization of volatilized fractions of the solid fuel, combustion gases, and air. The improved mixing and homogenization may reduce emission of carbon monoxide (CO), reduce emission of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), reduce oxygen in flue gas, increase temperature of flue gas, and/or allow for a larger grate surface.
Claims58
A solid fuel burner with electrodynamic homogenization, comprising:
- a grate configured to support a burning solid fuel;
- an underfire air source configured to deliver underfire air to the burning solid fuel from below the grate;
- an electrode configured to apply an electric field to the burning solid fuel or a region proximate the burning solid fuel;
- a fuel cache operatively coupled to a fuel stoker;
- and electrical insulation between the fuel cache and a support structure;
- wherein the fuel cache and the electrical insulation are configured to reduce or eliminate current leakage from the electric field through the fuel stoker and fuel positioned near a fuel stoker intake;
- and
- wherein the electric field is selected to cause mixing and homogenization of volatilized fractions of the solid fuel, combustion gases, and air.
A method for operating a solid fuel burner, comprising:
- delivering underfire combustion air below a grate;
- burning a solid fuel on the grate with the combustion air in a combustion reaction;
- homogenizing a mixture of volatilized solid fuel and underfire combustion air in the combustion reaction by applying an electric field with at least one electrode;
- delivering the solid fuel to the grate with a stoker;
- and reducing or eliminating current leakage from the electric field through the fuel by:
- delivering electrically isolated fuel to a fuel cache;
- and maintaining electrical insulation between the fuel cache and a support structure and between the stoker and the support structure;
- wherein delivering solid fuel to the grate with the stoker includes delivering solid fuel from the fuel cache.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.