Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to devices and methods for improving operation of a combustion system. According to various embodiments disclosed herein, a prefabricated integrated combustion assembly is disclosed that may be installed into a combustion chamber of a combustion system. The combustion system may be a new combustion system that is being manufactured or a conventional combustion system that is being retrofitted.

Abstract: A burner includes a flame sensor configured to detect at least one of permittivity, capacitance, or resistance across a flame region. The permittivity, capacitance, or resistance is used to determine the presence or absence of the flame in a combustion system. A combustion system supports a combustion reaction. The combustion system utilizes a combustion sensor, and optionally a plasma generator to stabilize the combustion reaction. A controller receives sensor signals from the combustion sensor and controls the plasma generator to stabilize the combustion reaction responsive to the sensor signals. The plasma generator stabilizes the combustion reaction by generating a plasma.

Abstract: A system for measuring a fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio includes at least one wall defining a gas volume including fuel and air. A gas ionization source is configured to cause a formation of ions in the gas. A power supply is configured to output a time-varying voltage. A first electrode is disposed in the gas volume, operatively coupled to the power supply, and configured to carry the time-varying voltage. A second electrode is arranged to operatively couple to a signal output by the first electrode after the signal passes through the gas volume. Characteristics of the received signal indicate the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a distal flame holder, a pilot fuel distributor, a main fuel distributor, an oxidant source, an array of sensors, and a controller. The oxidant source outputs an oxidant. The pilot fuel distributor supports a pilot flame configured to preheat the distal flame holder by outputting a pilot fuel at least when the combustion system is in a preheating state. The main fuel source outputs a main fuel in the standard operating state. The distal flame holder is configured to support a combustion reaction of the main fuel and the oxidant in the standard operating state. The sensors are configured to sense parameters of the pilot flame and the distal flame holder and to output sensor signals to the controller. The controller executes software instructions that include adjusting the flow of the main fuel, the pilot fuel, and the oxidant responsive to the sensor signals.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a fuel distributor configured to output a fuel, an oxidant source configured to output an oxidant, and a mixing tube defining a mixing volume aligned to receive the fuel and oxidant. The mixing tube is shaped to convey the fuel and the oxidant through the mixing volume at a bulk velocity higher than a flame propagation speed. The combustion system includes a flame holder aligned to receive the mixed fuel and oxidant and to support a combustion reaction of the fuel and the oxidant.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods of upgrading a conventional combustion system into an upgraded combustion system that includes a perforated flame holder. For example, the perforated flame holder may improve operational efficiency of the combustion system and/or reduce pollutants such as NOx output by the upgraded combustion system.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a fired heater includes a fuel and combustion air source configured to output fuel and combustion air into a combustion volume, the combustion volume including a combustion volume wall defining a lateral extent separate from an exterior volume. According to an embodiment, the fired heater includes a boiler heater and the combustion volume wall comprises a combustion pipe defining a lateral extent of the combustion volume, the combustion pipe being disposed to separate the combustion volume from a water and steam volume. The fired heater includes a mixing tube aligned to receive the fuel and combustion air from the fuel and combustion air source. The mixing tube may be separated from the combustion volume wall by a separation volume. The fired heater includes a bluff body flame holder aligned to receive a fuel and combustion air mixture from an outlet end of the mixing tube.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a fuel and oxidant source and a flame holder. The flame holder includes a plurality of discrete slats arranged in parallel defining combustion channels between adjacent slats. The fuel and oxidant source outputs fuel and oxidant into the combustion channels. The flame holder holds a combustion reaction of the fuel and oxidant in the combustion channels.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a fuel and oxidant source that outputs fuel and oxidant, a first perforated flame holder, and a second perforated flame holder separated from the first perforated flame holder by a gap. The first and second perforated flame holders sustain a combustion reaction of the fuel and oxidant within the first and second perforated flame holders.

Abstract: A method for a combustion system includes outputting fuel from an adjustable-position fuel nozzle onto a perforated flame holder, the fuel being directed for mixture with an oxidant en route to the perforated flame holder. A combustion reaction of the fuel and the oxidant is supported within the perforated flame holder. A position of the adjustable-position fuel nozzle may be changed relative to the flame holder. A first flow of fuel may be output when the adjustable position fuel nozzle is in an extended state, and a second flow of fuel may be output when the adjustable-position fuel nozzle is in a retracted state.

Abstract: A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a perforated reaction holder configured to hold a combustion reaction that produces very low oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Abstract: A burner system and a retrofit flame control system for an existing burner system are disclosed. The burner system may include burner components, electrodynamic components, and a data interface. The data interface may receive a command for controlling the burner components and prepare a command for controlling the electrodynamic components at least partially based on the command for controlling the burner components.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a perforated flame holder, a fuel nozzle configured to output fuel toward the perforated flame holder, and a plasma ignition device configured to output a plasma during a preheating state of the combustion system and to cease outputting the plasma to transition from the preheating state to the standard operating state. In the preheating state the plasma ignition device causes a preheating flame of the fuel stream at a position between the fuel nozzle and the perforated flame holder. In the standard operating condition, the plasma is not present and the fuel stream impinges on the perforated flame holder. The perforated flame holder supports a combustion reaction of the fuel stream within the perforated flame holder when in the standard operating state.

Abstract: A burner includes a porous flame holder configured to support a combustion reaction to achieve a very low output of oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Abstract: A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a non-planar perforated flame holder configured to hold a combustion reaction.

Abstract: A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a perforated reaction holder configured to hold a combustion reaction that produces very low oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Abstract: A combustion fluid flow barrier includes an aperture to control combustion fluid flow. The combustion fluid is charged by a charge generator. The combustion fluid flow barrier includes at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the aperture and configured to selectively allow, attract, or resist passage of the charged combustion fluid through the aperture, depending on voltage applied to the flow control electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to devices and methods for improving operation of a combustion system. According to various embodiments disclosed herein, a prefabricated integrated combustion assembly is disclosed that may be installed into a combustion chamber of a combustion system. The combustion system may be a new combustion system that is being manufactured or a conventional combustion system that is being retrofitted.

Abstract: A perforated flame holder and burner including a perforated flame holder provides reduced oxides of nitrogen (NOx) during operation. The perforated flame holder includes a pattern of elongated apertures extending between a proximal and a distal surface of the flame holder relative to a fuel nozzle. The perforated flame holder can provide a significantly reduced flame height while maintaining heat output from the burner.

Abstract: A low NOx burner is configured to support a combustion reaction at a selected fuel mixture by anchoring a flame at a conductive flame anchor responsive to current flow between charges carried by the flame and the conductive flame anchor.