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: 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: 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 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 system includes a perforated flame holder configured to hold a combustion reaction and a plurality of fuel nozzles aligned to deliver respective fuel streams to the perforated flame holder.

Abstract: A rotary kiln includes a stationary fuel nozzle and a perforated flame holder positioned within an inclined rotating shell. The flame holder includes a plurality of perforations that collectively confine a combustion reaction of the burner to the flame holder to shift most heat transfer from the combustion reaction from radiation heat transfer to convective heat transfer.

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 lifted 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 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 water heater includes a water tank having an inlet and an outlet, and a flue extending through the tank. A nozzle is positioned near a first end of the flue, arranged so as to emit a fuel stream into the flue, and a flame holder is located within the flue in a position to receive the fuel stream and to hold a flame entirely within the flue. A controller variably controls a flow of fuel to the nozzle according to a temperature of water in the tank.

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: 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: 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: 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 flame holder assembly includes a flame holder element and a flame shield element. The flame holder element has a first plurality of apertures extending through the flame holder element. The flame shield element has a second plurality of apertures extending through the flame shield element. Each of the second plurality of apertures has a lateral dimension that is no greater than a flame quenching distance. The flame shield element is positioned facing the flame holder element, and the flame holder assembly is configured such that fuel is supplied to the flame holder element via the second plurality of apertures of the flame shield element.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a combustion system includes a burner, at least one charging electrode, flame anchoring electrode(s), and at least one voltage power supply. The burner is configured to discharge fuel into a combustion volume in which the fuel and an oxidizer are ignited to generate a flame. The charging electrode is positioned proximate to the flame. The charging electrode provides charges to the flame to generate a charged flame. The flame anchoring electrode(s) are disposed adjacent to the burner and proximate to a base portion of the charged flame. The voltage power supply is electrically coupled to each of the flame anchoring electrode(s) and the charging electrode. The at least one voltage power supply applies one or more electrical potentials to each of the flame anchoring electrode(s) so that the charged flame is anchored at a predetermined location.

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: A cracking furnace includes a combustion volume defined in part by a burner wall having a refractory lining. A plurality of perforated flame holders is arranged in an array that is spaced away from the wall, with fuel input faces facing the wall. Each of a plurality of fuel nozzles is positioned and configured to emit a fuel stream toward the input face of a respective one of the plurality of perforated flame holders. Combustion reactions, supported by the fuel streams emitted by the fuel nozzles, and held by the flame holders, release heat, which is emitted by the flame holders as thermal (blackbody) radiation, a portion of which impinges upon, and heats the inner face of the refractory lining. Thermal radiation from the flame holders and the wall impinges upon a load positioned in the approximate center of the combustion volume, between burner walls.

Abstract: A burner includes a perforated flame holder configured to be disposed at a plurality of locations relative to a fuel and air source.

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.