Abstract: An ionizer mechanism includes a corona electrode and a counter electrode positioned with respect to one another. The counter electrode includes a first layer of a porous, open cell foam material with a medium-to-high intrinsic resistance. The counter electrode has a point contact resistance that is at least two orders of magnitude greater than a broad contact resistance of the counter electrode. Charged particles produced by the ionizer mechanism are introduced to a combustion reaction to impart an electrical charge onto the combustion reaction.

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: A flare stack may be equipped with an electrical energy application system configured to apply electrical energy to a flare stack combustor. The applied electrical energy may be selected to affect flare flame length, flare flame containment, and/or flare flame exhaust gas composition.

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 multijet burner system includes a plurality of fuel nozzles, each configured to support a respective flame, a plurality of charge electrodes, each positioned and configured to apply a charge potential to a fluid flow corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of fuel nozzles, and a charge controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of charge electrodes and configured to control a voltage potential applied to each respective charge electrode. By selecting the magnitude and polarity of a charge potential applied to individual ones of the flames of the plurality of burners, the flames can be made to change positions, move to selected positions, and redistribute themselves within a volume.

Abstract: A combustion reaction is supported. Charge carriers traveling in an ion flow path are ionized by a plurality of ionizer stages along the ion flow path. The ionized charge carriers are drawn from components of the combustion reaction, and are introduced to the combustion reaction. A charge is imparted to the combustion reaction by the ionized charge carriers. Electrical energy can then be applied to the combustion reaction, which responds according to the charge imparted by the ions.

Abstract: A system may be configured to modify one or more combustion parameters responsive to a loss of application of electrical energy to the combustion reaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a combustion product stream includes a burner assembly configured to support one or more flames, the burner assembly having at least a portion configured to be driven to or held at one or more first voltages. A collection surface is held at a voltage different than the one or more first voltages to attract particulates charged by the burner assembly.

Abstract: A high voltage signal is output to an electrode, which applies electrical energy to a combustion reaction. The high voltage signal can be output by a step-up voltage converter to the electrode via a close electrical coupling. The close electrical coupling is configured to electrically isolate the high voltage signal from a human-accessible volume.

Abstract: An electrically stabilized burner is configured to support a combustion reaction such as a combustion reaction substantially at a selected fuel dilution and with a mixing rate selected to maximize the reaction rate without quenching the combustion reaction.

Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) or selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system include a reagent charging apparatus configured to apply one or more electrical charges to a NOx reducing reagent. The electrical charges enhance mixing of the reagent with fluids carrying NOx and/or enhance reactivity of the reagent with NOx.

Abstract: A sacrificial electrode and sacrificial electrode feeder are configured to apply electricity to a combustion reaction. The electricity can be applied as a voltage, charge, and/or electric field. The sacrificial electrode may be consumed by the combustion reaction. The sacrificial electrode can optionally include a reactant or catalyst selected to interact with the combustion reaction.

Abstract: A system is configured to apply a voltage, charge, and/or an electric field to a combustion reaction responsive to acoustic feedback from the combustion reaction.

Abstract: A rotary kiln includes a stationary burner and at least one electrode configured to apply an electric field and/or voltage to a flame supported by the stationary burner. The electric field may contain the flame and/or accelerate combustion to shift most heat transfer from the flame from radiation heat transfer to convective heat transfer.

Abstract: A flame used to heat a process material may be extended or otherwise shaped by the application of voltages using electrodes.

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.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a co-fired or multiple fuel combustion system is configured to apply an electric field to a combustion region corresponding to a second fuel that normally suffers from poor combustion and/or high sooting. Application of an AC voltage to the combustion region was found to increase the extent of combustion and significantly reduce soot evolved from the second fuel.

Abstract: According to embodiments, an electrode configured to provide an electric field to a flame or combustion gas produced by a flame may receive heat from the flame or the combustion gas. The electrode may be cooled to remove the heat received from the flame or combustion gas.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a subsystem for electrically biasing or charging a flame and a virtual electrode launcher configured to launch a virtual electrode in proximity to the flame or combustion gas produced by the flame.

Abstract: An inertial electrode launcher may be configured to project charged particles or a voltage comprising an inertial electrode proximate a flame or combustion gas produced by the flame.