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: 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 an embodiment, a combustion system is provided, which includes a nozzle configured to emit a diverging fuel flow, a flame holder positioned in the path of the fuel flow and that includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and a preheat mechanism configured to heat the flame to a temperature exceeding a startup temperature threshold.

Abstract: An oscillating combustor may support a time-sequenced combustion reaction having rich and lean phases. The rich and lean phases may be determined according to a flame position relative to a diverging fuel jet. The flame location may be modulated responsive to an interaction between applying a constant voltage or charge rate to a fuel stream or flame, and modulating continuity between a conductive or semiconductive flame holder and an activation voltage.

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: According to an embodiment, a combustion system is provided, which includes a nozzle configured to emit a diverging fuel flow, a flame holder positioned in the path of the fuel flow and that includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and a preheat mechanism configured to heat the flame to a temperature exceeding a startup temperature threshold.

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: A combustor may include a nonmetallic combustor body configured to hold a combustion reaction and one or more electrodes disposed outside the nonmetallic combustor body and configured to apply electrical energy to the combustion reaction.

Abstract: A burner includes a flame position actuator configured to control a location at which a flame is held. Combustion supported at a first location corresponds to high fuel dilution. An electric charge is applied to the fuel stream. If electrical power is lost or removed, the flame is shifted to a location corresponding to a lower fuel dilution.

Abstract: A combustion system may include one or more electrodes configured for the application of a charge, voltage, and/or electric field to a flame. Combustion system may include a burner, combustion chamber, and ancillary equipment. In order to avoid high voltage discharges from the charged flame to ancillary equipment, combustion system may employ an insulating material between burner and flame, as well as safety insulation subsystems that may eliminate electrical path to ground. These safety insulation subsystems may include a battery or a motor-generator power conversion system, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrofitting a coal-fueled burner of, e.g., a furnace, with a gas-fueled burner system for enhancing flame radiation of a gas flame. The gas-fueled burner system includes a flame charging system and an electrically isolated electrode. A time-varying voltage is applied to the flame charging system and the flame charging system imparts a corresponding time-varying charge onto the flame. The flame responds to the time-varying charge by increasing its luminosity and emissivity.

Abstract: A system and method for electrically controlling a position of a combustion reaction and/or for protecting a flame controller by decoupling an ionizer from a power supply.

Abstract: An electrostatic air conditioner having at least one ion emitting member (i.e., corona frame) and at least one ion collecting member (i.e., collecting cartridge) is provided. The corona frame and collecting cartridge are configured to have active and passive areas and be removable from the housing within which they are positioned. The passive areas provide additional spacing between the active area and the side walls of the housing, and provide several advantages over existing electrostatic air conditioners, e.g., eliminates barriers between active corona wires and the housing walls, which prevents any settling of chemically active or electrically active matter (vapor or particles) on such barriers and/or housing walls (due to air flow).

Abstract: A swirl-stabilized burner includes a charge source configured to apply a majority charge to a combustion reaction and at least one stabilization electrode configured to apply electrical attraction or repulsion to the majority charge to control position or stability of the swirl-stabilized combustion reaction.

Abstract: A burner system includes a fuel nozzle, an electrode configured to apply electrical energy to a combustion reaction supported by the fuel nozzle, a high-voltage converter configured to receive electrical energy from a low-voltage power supply and to provide high-voltage power to the electrode, a battery charger, and a switch module coupled to the battery charger, the converter, and first and second batteries. The switch module is selectively switchable between first and second conditions. In the first condition, the first battery is coupled to the battery charger and decoupled from the high-voltage converter, while the second battery is coupled to the high-voltage converter and decoupled from the battery charger. In the second condition, the first battery is coupled to the high-voltage converter and decoupled from the battery charger, while the second battery is coupled to the battery charger and decoupled from the converter.

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: According to an embodiment, a combustion system is provided, which includes a nozzle configured to emit a diverging fuel flow, a flame holder positioned in the path of the fuel flow and that includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and a preheat mechanism configured to heat the flame to a temperature exceeding a startup temperature threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing a flame in a combustion volume is disclosed. The present method and device may include a burner nozzle configured to support the flame, a halo electrode configured to anchor the flame, and electrodes disposed in top and bottom regions of the flame configured to apply voltage difference above or below the halo electrode that may assist in anchoring of the flame to the halo electrode while also controlling a shape and position of the flame. Effects of different electrical configurations within the combustion volume for stabilizing the flame are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing flame radiation includes a flame charging system and an electrically isolated electrode. A time-varying voltage is applied to the flame charging system and the flame charging system imparts a corresponding time-varying charge or time-varying voltage onto the flame. The flame responds to the time-varying charge or voltage by increasing its luminosity.

Abstract: A high voltage can be applied to a combustion reaction to enhance or otherwise control the combustion reaction. The high voltage is switched on or off by a grid electrode interposed between a high voltage electrode assembly and the combustion reaction.