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 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 burner includes a distal flame holder, first and second fuel nozzles, a fuel and oxidant source, and a mixing tube disposed upstream from the distal flame holder. Fuel emitted from the first fuel nozzle mixes with oxidant from the oxidant source to form a fuel and oxidant mixture to support combustion in the distal flame holder. A non-reactive fluid source such as recirculated flue gas provides a non-reactive fluid for dilution of the fuel and oxidant mixture to prevent flashback.

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 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 includes a perforated flame holder, an oxidant source, and an adjustable fuel nozzle. The oxidant source outputs oxidant. The adjustable fuel nozzle outputs fuel onto the perforated flame holder. The perforated flame holder supports a combustion reaction of the fuel and oxidant within the perforated flame holder. The position of the adjustable nozzle relative to the perforated flame holder can be adjusted to achieve selected characteristics of the combustion reaction within the perforated flame holder.

Abstract: A burner supporting primary and secondary combustion reactions may include a primary combustion reaction actuator configured to select a location of the secondary combustion reaction. A burner may include a perforated flame holder structure configured to support a secondary combustion reaction above a partial premixing region. The secondary flame support location may be selected as a function of a turndown parameter. Selection logic may be of arbitrary complexity.

Abstract: A flame holder system includes a support structure configured to support a plurality of burner tiles within a furnace volume. The support structure includes a frame supporting a support lattice. A number of burner tiles are arranged in an array on the support lattice. The support structure is configured to be assemblable without tools inside the furnace volume, using components that are sized to fit through an access port in a wall of the furnace.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a perforated reaction holder having perforations defined to compensate for a non-uniform velocity of fuel and/or oxidant received across an input face of the perforated reaction holder.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a perforated flame holder and a plurality of bluff body members positioned between the perforated flame holder and a fuel source. The fuel source outputs a fuel stream through gaps between the bluff body members toward the perforated flame holder. The perforated flame holder and the bluff body members collectively hold a combustion reaction supported by the fuel stream.

Abstract: A method for operating a combustion system includes outputting fuel and oxidant from a fuel and oxidant source onto a flame holder. The method further includes sustaining a combustion reaction of the fuel and the oxidant within the perforated flame holder.

Abstract: A burner system that employs a perforated flame holder and is configured to combust a powdered solid fuel includes a structure configured to protect the perforated flame holder from erosion caused by particles of the solid fuel.

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 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 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 furnace includes a perforated flame holder formed from an array of tiles. The perforated flame holder is stabilized by a support member extending between at least adjacent tiles. Elongated support members may be positioned to extend through each of the tiles in a respective column of the array of tiles.

Abstract: A method for operating a combustion system includes outputting fuel and oxidant from a fuel and oxidant source onto a perforated flame holder. The method further includes sustaining a combustion reaction of the fuel and oxidant within the perforated flame holder.

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: 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: In a fuel and oxidant combustion system, a flame holder support structure includes a heating element that receives electrical energy from an electrical power source. The heating element is raised to an auto-ignition temperature of a fuel and oxidant mixture directed, along an axis proximate the flame holder support structure, to a flame holder for combustion thereof.