Abstract: A combustion system includes a fuel nozzle, a charge source, a discharge electrode, and a voltage supply coupled to the charge source and discharge electrode. The charge source is configured to apply a polarized charge to a flame supported by the nozzle, and the discharge electrode is configured to attract a flame-front portion of the flame to hold the flame for flame stability. The discharge electrode can be toroidal in shape, positioned coaxially with the nozzle downstream from the nozzle. The voltage supply is configured to hold the charge source at a charge potential and the discharge electrode at the discharge potential. The nozzle can be configured to apply the polarized charge to a fuel stream emitted by the nozzle, whereafter the charge is passed to the flame upon combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: A flame may be selectively shaped by application of one or more electric fields, charge, or voltage proximate the flame.

Abstract: A burner system includes a nozzle configured to emit a fuel stream for the support of a flame, and first and second electrodes, each configured to apply electrical energy to a flame supported by the nozzle. The first electrode is positioned in a momentum-dominated fluid dynamics region of the flame, while the second electrode is positioned in a buoyancy-dominated fluid dynamics region. Application of charges to the flame via the electrodes can be employed to control flame characteristics in the buoyancy-dominated fluid dynamics region, such as shape and position.

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: 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 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 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: 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.

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 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 charge electrode configured to impart a time-varying majority charge on a flame and a shape electrode located outside the flame may be driven synchronously by a voltage source through time varying voltage(s). The flame may be flattened or compressed responsive to an electric field produced by the shape electrode acting on the charges imparted on the flame.

Abstract: Gaseous particles or gas-entrained particles may be conveyed by electric fields acting on charged species included in the gaseous or gas-entrained particles.