Abstract: A down-fired flame burner includes a flame holder positioned below the burner. The flame holder includes a plurality of perforations that collectively confine a combustion reaction of the burner to the flame holder.

Abstract: A burner may include a dielectric body configured to hold one or more electrodes in proximity to a combustion reaction. The dielectric body may be cast from a refractory material. The one or more electrodes may be cast into the dielectric body. The dielectric body and the electrodes may be configured for installation, removal, and replacement as a unit.

Abstract: Electronic air cleaners for use in heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems and associated methods and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic air cleaner includes one or more collecting electrodes having a collection material with a porous, open-cell structure and a conductive internal portion. The collection material can be configured to collect and receive charged particulate matter in an airflow path. After a period of time, used collection material can be removed from individual collecting electrodes and replaced with new collection material.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for employing an ion flow to control a combustion reaction. A combustion reaction is supported at a burner or fuel source. One or more electrical signals are applied to an ionizer to generate an ion flow having a first polarity. The ion flow is introduced to the combustion reaction or a reactant at a first location, imparting a corresponding charge to the combustion reaction. The first location is at least intermittently upstream with respect to a reaction front of the combustion reaction. One or more of the electrical signals are applied to a first electrode at a second location downstream of the first location, which provokes a response by the combustion reaction according to the applied charge. The combustion reaction is controlled by selection of the one or more electrical signals.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for employing an ion flow to control a combustion reaction. A combustion reaction is supported at a burner or fuel source. One or more electrical signals are applied to an ionizer to generate an ion flow having a first polarity. The ion flow is introduced to the combustion reaction or a reactant at a first location, imparting a corresponding charge to the combustion reaction. The first location is at least intermittently upstream with respect to a reaction front of the combustion reaction. One or more of the electrical signals are applied to a first electrode at a second location downstream of the first location, which provokes a response by the combustion reaction according to the applied charge. The combustion reaction is controlled by selection of the one or more electrical signals.

Abstract: A fire tube boiler includes a perforated flame holder configured to hold a combustion reaction that produces very low oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Abstract: An ionizer provides charged particles to charge a combustion reaction. A conductive flame holder cooperates with the charged combustion reaction to hold the combustion reaction away from a fuel nozzle. Dilution and/or premixing of the fuel in the region between the fuel nozzle and the conductive flame holder results in a reduced flame temperature. The reduced flame temperature results in a reduced output of oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Abstract: An ionizer provides charged particles to charge a combustion reaction. A conductive flame holder cooperates with the charged combustion reaction to hold the combustion reaction away from a fuel nozzle. Dilution and/or premixing of the fuel in the region between the fuel nozzle and the conductive flame holder results in a reduced flame temperature. The reduced flame temperature results in a reduced output of oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Abstract: Technologies are provided for employing an ion flow to control a combustion reaction. A combustion reaction is supported at a burner or fuel source. One or more electrical signals are applied to an ionizer to generate an ion flow having a first polarity. The ion flow is introduced to the combustion reaction or a reactant at a first location, imparting a corresponding charge to the combustion reaction. The first location is at least intermittently upstream with respect to a reaction front of the combustion reaction. One or more of the electrical signals are applied to a first electrode at a second location downstream of the first location, which provokes a response by the combustion reaction according to the applied charge. The combustion reaction is controlled by selection of the one or more electrical signals.

Abstract: An charge element disposed proximate to a combustion reaction is caused to carry a voltage while also being prevented from arc-discharging or arc-charging to or from the combustion reaction, by a current limiting element in electrical continuity with the charge element.

Abstract: Electronic air cleaners for use in heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems and associated methods and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic air cleaner (100, 200, 300) includes one or more collecting electrodes (122, 322) having a collection material with a porous, open-cell structure and a conductive internal portion (125, 325). The collection material can be configured to collect and receive charged particulate matter in an airflow path. After a period of time, used collection material can be removed from individual collecting electrodes (122, 322) and replaced with new collection material.

Abstract: A horizontally-fired flame burner includes a flame holder positioned laterally from the burner. The flame holder includes a plurality of perforations that collectively confine a combustion reaction of the burner to the flame holder.

Abstract: A combustion system includes an electrically actuated flame location control mechanism.

Abstract: An electrically enhanced combustor includes bilayer insulation. A thermal insulator protects an electrical insulator from high temperatures that could cause the electrical insulator to become at least somewhat electrically conductive.

Abstract: A premixed fuel and air combustion system includes an anti-flashback electrode configured to repel a charge concentration in a combustion fluid and reduce or prevent the flame from flashing back into a mixer.

Abstract: Technologies are described for applying electrical energy according to a physical extent of a combustion reaction, which may include: supporting a combustion reaction at a fuel source; sensing a physical extent of the combustion reaction with respect to a plurality of different locations of a plurality of electrodes; and applying electrical energy to the combustion reaction via at least one of the plurality of electrodes responsive to the physical extent of the combustion reaction. Sensing the physical extent of the combustion reaction may include receiving a sensor signal corresponding to the physical extent of the combustion reaction.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for applying energy to a combustion reaction. For example, a method may include supporting a combustion reaction; applying energy to the combustion reaction via one or more control signals; detecting a change in one or more parameters associated with the combustion reaction; comparing the change in the one or more parameters to a database; determining whether the change in the one or more parameters corresponds to a change in the combustion reaction; selecting a change in the one or more control signals from the database; and applying the change in the one or more control signals to change the a value of the energy applied to the combustion reaction responsive to changes in the one or more parameters associated with in the combustion reaction.

Abstract: In a combustion system, a charge source is configured to cooperate with a collection plate and a director conduit to cause at least one particle charge-to-mass classification to be reintroduced to a flame for further reaction.

Abstract: An oscillating combustor can support a time-sequenced combustion reaction having rich and lean phases by applying a variable voltage charge to a fuel stream or flame that flows adjacent to a conductive or semiconductive flame holder held in electrical continuity with an activation voltage.

Abstract: A combustion system includes an electrodynamic combustion control system that provided for electrical control of a combustion reaction. Energy is received wirelessly, and electrical energy is generated from the wirelessly received energy. The electrical energy is applied to the combustion reaction in order to control or regulate operation of first and/or second electrodes configured to apply the energy to the combustion reaction.