Current gated electrode for applying an electric field to a flame

A system for electrically controlling a combustion reaction, comprising:

• a burner configured to support a combustion reaction,
• wherein the combustion reaction is characterized by a resistance and a capacitance;
• a flame holder positioned proximate to the burner to at least partially carry the combustion reaction,
• wherein the flame holder is electrically conductive;
• and
• a flame controller operable to electrically charge the combustion reaction and to apply a flame holder voltage to the flame holder to attract the combustion reaction to the flame holder,
• wherein the flame controller includes:
• an electrode positioned proximate to the flame holder to enable the electrode to supply the combustion reaction with charged particles;
• a power supply operably coupled to the electrode to excite the electrode to generate the charged particles;
• and
• a voltage divider operably coupled to the flame holder to provide the flame holder voltage;
• wherein the voltage divider includes a first resistor electrically connected to the flame holder and a second resistor electrically connected between the first resistor and a ground reference;
• and
• wherein a sense voltage is a voltage across the second resistor, wherein the power supply selectively excites the electrode based on the sense voltage to maintain the flame holder voltage above a predetermined threshold.