Fishtail Flame Burner Assembly

Abstract

A burner assembly comprising a body portion including a gas inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a gas source and a first cavity in fluid communication with the gas inlet. A gas nozzle extends between a first end coupled to the body portion and a second end. The gas nozzle has a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity of the body portion, the second cavity including a tapered conical portion and a trapezoidal portion extending from within the conical portion to an outlet of the gas nozzle. A fuel tube is at least partially disposed within the first cavity of the body portion and within the second cavity of the gas nozzle. The fuel tube has a fuel inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a fuel source and a fuel nozzle disposed within a throughbore of the gas nozzle. The fuel nozzle has a fuel outlet disposed near the second end of the gas nozzle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to gas-fired burners, and more particularly to a fishtail flame burner assembly with a gas nozzle that provides internal combustion and a shaped flame. [Background technology]

[0002] Oxy-fuel combustion is a process in which fuel is burned using oxygen instead of air as the primary oxidizer. The use of oxy-fuel combustion results in fewer harmful environmental emissions, reduced NOx emissions, and reduced fuel consumption because the nitrogen component of the air oxidizer is not heated. Burner assemblies typically feature cylindrical gas nozzles for ease of construction. However, some applications require a flame shape different from that produced by a cylindrical gas nozzle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to a burner assembly for oxy-fuel combustion. Embodiments of the burner assembly described herein include an internal fishtail gas nozzle for advantageously shaping the flame produced by the burner assembly.

[0004] One aspect of the present technology relates to a burner assembly including a body portion including a gas inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a gas source and a cavity in fluid communication with the gas inlet. A gas nozzle extends between a first end coupled to the body portion and a second end. The gas nozzle has a throughbore in fluid communication with the cavity of the body portion, the throughbore including a tapered conical portion and a trapezoidal portion extending from within the conical portion to an outlet of the gas nozzle. The fuel tube is at least partially disposed within the cavity of the body portion and the throughbore of the gas nozzle, the fuel tube having a fuel inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a fuel source and a fuel nozzle housed within the throughbore of the gas nozzle, the fuel nozzle having a fuel outlet disposed near the second end of the gas nozzle.

[0005] In one aspect, the trapezoidal portion has a first width within the conical portion and a second width at the outlet, the second width being greater than the first width.

[0006] In one embodiment, the ratio of the first width to the second width is about 0.60.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first width ranges from about 0.85 inches to about 1.41 inches, and the second width ranges from about 1.39 inches to about 2.31 inches.

[0008] In one embodiment, the trapezoidal portion extends at an angle between the first width and the second width in a range of approximately 10 degrees to 30 degrees.

[0009] In one embodiment, the tapered conical portion extends from a first height equal to a diameter of the second cavity to a second height at the trapezoidal portion, the second height being less than the first height.

[0010] In one embodiment, the tapered conical portion extends at an angle between the first diameter and the second diameter of about 10 to 35 degrees.

[0011] In one embodiment, the ratio of the second diameter to the first diameter is about 0.25.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first height ranges from about 1.13 inches to about 1.90 inches, and the second height ranges from about 0.37 inches to about 0.63 inches.

[0013] In one embodiment, the height of the outlet ranges from about 0.37 inches to about 0.63 inches.

[0014] In one embodiment, the ratio of the first width to the height of the outlet is in the range of about 1.5 to 3.0.

[0015] In one aspect, the burner assembly is a submerged combustion burner.

[0016] In one aspect, the burner assembly further includes a water jacket surrounding the gas nozzle and at least a portion of the body portion, the water jacket providing a water passage between an inner wall of the water jacket and an outer wall of the gas nozzle and at least a portion of the body portion.

[0017] In one embodiment, the water jacket further comprises one or more water inlets for introducing water into the water passage.

[0018] According to another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a burner assembly is disclosed. A body is provided including a gas inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a gas source and a first cavity in fluid communication with the gas inlet. A first end of a gas nozzle is coupled to the body. The gas nozzle has a second cavity extending between the first end and a second end and in fluid communication with the first cavity of the body. The second cavity includes a tapered conical portion and a trapezoidal portion extending from within the conical portion to an outlet of the gas nozzle. A fuel tube is at least partially disposed within the first cavity of the body and within the second cavity of the gas nozzle. The fuel tube has a fuel inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a fuel source and a fuel nozzle disposed within the second cavity of the gas nozzle. The fuel nozzle has a fuel outlet disposed near the second end of the gas nozzle.

[0019] It can be understood that all combinations of the above concepts and additional concepts (unless such concepts are mutually inconsistent) are considered to be part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter described at the end of this disclosure are considered to be part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be understood that terms used explicitly herein and that may also be described in disclosures incorporated by reference should be given the meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] The foregoing will become apparent from the following more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a burner assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic side view and block diagram of the burner assembly shown in FIG. 1 operatively coupled to a gas source and a fuel source according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the burner assembly shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the burner assembly shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an end of the burner assembly shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] 6 is a schematic top cross-sectional view of an end of the burner assembly shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] 7A and 7B are schematic side and top views of a gas nozzle of a burner assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The dimensions shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B are exemplary and not limiting.

[0028] [Figure 8A] and [Figure 8B] 2 is an exemplary image of a flame produced by the burner assembly shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective end view of another burner assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having a water jacket surrounding the gas nozzle.

[0030] 10 is a schematic side view of an end of the burner assembly shown in FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of an end of the burner assembly shown in FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] [Figure 12] 1 is an example process for manufacturing a burner assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to a burner assembly for oxy-fuel combustion. Embodiments of the burner assembly described herein include an internal fishtail configuration gas nozzle for advantageously shaping the flame produced by the burner assembly.

[0034] A description of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure follows: Although the burner assembly shown in the figures is shown in an upward orientation, the description of the assembly shown in the figures is not intended to be limited to any particular orientation.

[0035] 1-7B illustrate a burner assembly 100 according to the present disclosure. Burner assembly 100 includes a first body portion 102, a second body portion 104, a gas nozzle 106, a fuel tube 108, and a fuel nozzle 110; however, burner assembly 100 may include other types and / or numbers of elements in other combinations or configurations, such as flanges configured to couple the various elements of burner assembly 100 together. While first body portion 102 and second body portion 104 are shown and described, it should be understood that burner assembly 100 may have other body configurations, including other numbers of body portions or a single, integral body. Burner assembly 100 advantageously provides a gas nozzle with an internal fishtail-like shape that shapes the generated flame, providing a narrower flame than a cylindrical burner along the vertical axis of the burner assembly, while simultaneously providing a wider, flatter flame along the horizontal axis of the burner assembly. Burner assembly 100 may be utilized, for example, as a submerged combustion burner; however, burner assembly 100 may also be used in other burner applications.

[0036] 2 , the first body portion 102 includes a gas inlet 112 that is configured to be in fluid communication with a gas source 114 to supply gas 116 to the burner assembly 100. In one example, the first body portion 102 is made of stainless steel and is substantially hollow. While shown as an opening in the body 102, it should be understood that the gas inlet 112 can take any shape sufficient to supply an appropriate amount of gas 116 to the first body portion 102 and thereafter to the gas nozzle 106. In one example, the gas is oxygen or a gas mixture that includes a substantial amount of oxygen. It should be understood that other gas mixtures, such as gas mixtures that include oxygen or other gas oxidizers that support the combustion process, can also be utilized.

[0037] The second body portion 104 is coupled to the first body portion 102 by a first flange 118, although in other examples, the burner assembly may be comprised of a single, unitary body. In one embodiment, the second body portion 102 is made of stainless steel and is substantially hollow. In this example, the first body portion 102 and the second body portion 104 define a first cavity 120 (shown in FIG. 4), which is in fluid communication with the gas inlet 112 to receive gas 116 from the gas source 114 (shown in FIG. 2). The second body portion 104 is coupled to the gas nozzle 106 by a second flange 122, and during operation, the gas 116 is supplied from the gas inlet 112 through the first cavity 120 to the gas nozzle 106.

[0038] 4-6 , the gas nozzle 106 extends between a first end 124 and a second end 126. The first end 124 is coupled to the second body portion 104 via a second flange 122. The gas nozzle 106 further includes a second cavity 128 disposed to extend along the length of the gas nozzle 106 from the first end 124 to the second end 126. The second cavity 128 is in fluid communication with the first cavity 120, such that during operation, the gas 116 is supplied from the gas inlet 112 through the first cavity 120 and into the second cavity 128.

[0039] 4-7B, the second cavity 128 includes a cylindrical portion 130 having a diameter 134 that extends between the first end 124 of the gas nozzle 106 and a cylindrical end 132 (as shown in FIG. 7A). At the cylindrical end 132, the cylindrical portion 130 extends into a tapered conical portion 136 of the second cavity 128. The tapered portion 136 forms a cone within the gas nozzle 106 and has a reduced diameter relative to the diameter 134 of the cylindrical portion 130. The reduced diameter constricts the gas 116 flowing through the cylindrical portion 130 of the cavity 128 into a narrow conical region, providing a narrow flow of the gas 116. The tapered portion 136 extends between the cylindrical end 132 and the tapered end 138. In one example, tapered portion 136 extends from cylindrical end 132 at an angle of approximately 20 degrees, although the angle at which tapered portion 136 extends from cylindrical end 132 may range from approximately 10 degrees to approximately 45 degrees. As shown in FIG. 7A , tapered portion 136 has a first height (FH) at cylindrical end 132 equal to diameter 134 of cylindrical portion 130 and a second height (SH) at tapered end 138, where SH is less than FH. In one example, the ratio of SH to FH is approximately 0.25, although in other examples, the ratio of SH to FH may be approximately 0.15 to approximately 0.45. In one example, FH is approximately 1.51 inches and SD is approximately 0.5 inches. In other examples, FH ranges from approximately 1.13 inches to approximately 1.90 inches, and SH ranges from approximately 0.37 inches to approximately 0.63 inches.

[0040] 4-7B, second cavity 128 further includes a trapezoidal portion 140 between a first trapezoidal end 142 located within tapered section 136 of burner assembly 100 and an outlet 144. As shown in FIG. 7B, trapezoidal portion 140 has a first width (FW) at first trapezoidal end 142 within tapered section 136 and a second width (SW) at outlet 144. In one example, trapezoidal portion 140 extends at an angle of approximately 15 degrees between first trapezoidal end 142 and outlet 144, although in other examples, the angle may range from approximately 10 degrees to approximately 30 degrees. The angle depends on the length of trapezoidal portion 142. In this example, SW is greater than FW, and therefore trapezoidal portion 140 is advantageously configured to provide a wider, flatter flame generated by burner assembly 100. In one example, FW is approximately 1.13 inches and SW is approximately 1.85 inches. In another example, the FW ranges from about 0.85 inches to about 1.41 inches, and the SW ranges from about 1.39 inches to about 2.31 inches. In this example, the height of the outlet 144 is about 0.5 inches, while in other examples, the height of the outlet 144 ranges from about 0.37 inches to about 0.63 inches. The ratio of the FW to the height of the outlet 144 advantageously provides the flame configurations described below. In this example, the ratio of the FW (1.13 inches) to the height of the outlet 144 (0.5 inches) is about 2.26, while in other examples, the ratio may be between 1.5 and 3.0.

[0041] Referring now more specifically to FIG. 4 , the fuel tube 108 includes a first end 146 and a second end 148. The fuel tube 108 further includes a through-hole 150 disposed within the fuel tube 108 and extending between the first end 146 and the second end 148 of the fuel tube 108. The fuel tube 108 includes a fuel inlet 152 located near the first end 146 thereof. The fuel inlet 152 is configured to be in fluid communication with a fuel source 154, such as fuel 156 (shown in FIG. 2 ). The fuel 156 can be selected from methane, propane, butane, hydrogen, natural gas, carbon monoxide, or other gaseous fuel capable of spontaneously igniting at elevated temperatures. The through-hole 150 is positioned such that the fuel 156 flows through the through-hole 150 and out the second end 148. The fuel tube 108 is at least partially disposed within the first cavity 120 of the first body portion 102 and the second body portion 104, and extends within the first cavity 120 from the first body portion 102 to the second body portion 104 to a second cavity 128 of the gas nozzle 106. The fuel tube 108 is concentric with the first cavity 120 and the second cavity 128.

[0042] Additionally, the second end 148 of the fuel tube 108 is configured to receive the fuel nozzle 110. In this example, the fuel nozzle 110 is disposed completely within the second cavity 128 of the gas nozzle 106. The fuel nozzle 110 is positioned to engage and removably securely engage the second end 148 of the fuel tube 108. The fuel nozzle 110 also includes a throughbore 158 that is substantially concentric with the throughbore 150 of the fuel tube 108. The throughbore 158 terminates in a fuel outlet 160 and has a nozzle diameter. The nozzle diameter is selected such that fuel 156 (see FIG. 2 ) flows through the throughbore 150 of the fuel tube 108 and the throughbore 158 of the fuel nozzle 110 and out the fuel outlet 160. A fuel outlet 160 is located near the cylindrical end 132 and directs fuel 156 into the tapered section 136 where the gas 116 flow is squeezed or compressed by the reduced diameter between FH and SH as shown in Figures 7A and 7B. In this example, combustion occurs within the gas nozzle 106, so the flow rate of fuel 156 (see Figure 2) must be sufficient to avoid flashback by the burner assembly 100.

[0043] An exemplary operation of burner assembly 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1-8. During operation, gas source 114 connected to gas inlet 112 provides gas 116 that flows through gas inlet 112 into first cavity 120 of first body portion 102 and second body portion 104 of burner assembly 100. First cavity 120 has sufficient volume to receive gas 116 and redirect it around the volume occupied by fuel tube 108 and fuel nozzle 110 to flow to first end 124 of gas nozzle 106, along second cavity 128 of gas nozzle 106, and out second end 126 of gas nozzle 106 at outlet 144. Tapered section 136 compresses the flow of gas 116 near fuel outlet 160 of fuel nozzle 110.

[0044] Simultaneously, a fuel source 154 connected to the fuel tube 108 provides fuel 156, which flows from the first end 146 of the fuel tube 108 to the second end 148 of the fuel tube 108 through the through-hole 150, into the through-hole 158 of the fuel nozzle 110, and out the tapered section 136 of the gas nozzle 106. When the gas 116 and fuel 156 mix, the temperature in the tapered section 136 is sufficient to auto-ignite the gas-fuel mixture, resulting in combustion of the burner assembly 100. The tapered section 136 advantageously compresses the gas 116 around the fuel outlet 160, creating a narrower flame. The gas-fuel mixture flow is then introduced into the trapezoidal section 140, creating a wider, flatter flame at the outlet 144. Figures 8A and 8B show images of the flame generated by the burner assembly 100. Because combustion occurs within the burner assembly 100, the flow rate of fuel 156 must be sufficient to avoid flashback. In this example, the gas nozzle 106 is air-cooled, although in other examples, a water jacket may be used to reduce operating temperatures, as described below. Although not shown, it is understood that an ignition device may be provided such that combustion does not rely on auto-ignition as described herein.

[0045] As previously mentioned, the burner assembly is intended to operate using oxy-combustion with a gas to fuel ratio of approximately 1.5 to 3 (gas):1 (fuel). Additionally, the burner assembly 100 is intended to operate from 1 / 4 million btu / hour to approximately 20 million btu / hour.

[0046] 9-11 show an end view of another exemplary embodiment of a burner assembly according to the present disclosure. Burner assembly 200 is identical in structure and operation to burner assembly 100, except as described below, and like elements are identified using like reference numerals. Burner assembly 200 provides a water-cooled version of the air-cooled burner assembly 100, although other fluids can be used in burner assembly 200 to provide cooling. Burner assembly 200 has the advantage of enhanced cooling to reduce operating temperatures as combustion occurs within gas nozzle 106.

[0047] 9-11 , the burner assembly 200 further includes a water jacket 162 disposed around the gas nozzle 106 and at least a portion of the second body portion 104. The water jacket 162 includes a water passage 164 disposed between an inner wall 166 of the water jacket 162 and an outer wall 168 formed by the gas nozzle 106 and a portion of the second body portion 104. In this example, the second body portion 104 includes water inlets 169A, 169B in fluid communication with a water source (not shown) and the water passage 164, which supply water around the gas nozzle 106. During operation of the burner assembly 200, a cooling fluid is supplied from the water source through the water inlets 169A, 169B to the water passage 164 and circulated. Gas is charged around the gas nozzle 106 to reduce the operating temperature of the burner assembly 200.

[0048] FIG. 12 illustrates an example method for manufacturing a burner assembly 1200 in accordance with one aspect of the present technology. First, in step 1202, a body portion is provided, the body portion including a gas inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a gas source and a first cavity in fluid communication with the gas inlet. In step 1204, a first end of a gas nozzle is coupled to the body portion. Once coupled, the gas nozzle has a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity of the body portion. The second cavity of the gas nozzle includes a tapered conical portion and a trapezoidal portion extending from within the conical portion to an outlet of the gas nozzle. Next, in step 1206, a fuel tube is at least partially disposed within the first cavity of the body portion and the second cavity of the gas nozzle. The fuel tube has a fuel inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a fuel source and a fuel nozzle disposed within the second cavity of the gas nozzle. The fuel nozzle has a fuel outlet disposed near the second end of the gas nozzle. In optional step 1208, a water jacket is provided surrounding the gas nozzle and at least a portion of the body portion, the water jacket providing a water passage between an inner wall of the water jacket and an outer wall of the gas nozzle and at least a portion of the body portion.

[0049] While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of numerous other means and / or structures for performing the functions and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more advantages described herein, and each such variation and / or modification is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are intended to be exemplary, and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the particular application or applications in which the teachings of the present invention are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only, and it will be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and / or method described herein. Furthermore, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods is within the inventive scope of the present disclosure, unless such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods are mutually inconsistent.

Claims

1. a body portion including a gas inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a gas source and a first cavity in fluid communication with the gas inlet; a gas nozzle extending between a first end coupled to the body portion and a second end, the gas nozzle having a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity of the body portion; a fuel tube disposed at least partially within the first cavity of the body portion and within the second cavity of the gas nozzle, the fuel tube having a fuel inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a fuel source and a fuel nozzle disposed within the second cavity of the gas nozzle; and the second cavity has a tapered conical portion and a trapezoidal portion extending from within the conical portion to an outlet of the gas nozzle; The burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fuel nozzle has a fuel outlet located near the second end of the gas nozzle.

2. In claim 1, 10. The burner assembly of claim 9, wherein said trapezoidal portion has a first width within said conical portion and a second width at said outlet, said second width being greater than said first width.

3. In claim 2, A burner assembly, wherein a ratio of said first width to said second width is about 0.

60.

4. In claim 2, 10. A burner assembly, wherein the first width is in the range of about 0.85 inches to about 1.41 inches and the second width is in the range of about 1.39 inches to about 2.31 inches.

5. In claim 1, the tapered conical portion extends from a first height equal to a diameter of the second cavity to a second height at the trapezoidal portion, the second height being less than the first height.

6. In claim 4, The burner assembly, wherein the first height is in the range of about 1.13 inches to about 1.90 inches, and the second height is in the range of about 0.37 inches to about 0.63 inches.

7. In claim 1, The burner assembly, wherein the outlet has a height ranging from about 0.37 inches to about 0.63 inches.

8. In claim 1, A burner assembly wherein a ratio of said first width to said outlet height is in the range of about 1.5 to 3.

0.

9. In claim 1, a water jacket surrounding the gas nozzle and at least a portion of the body portion; The burner assembly according to claim 1, wherein the water jacket provides a water passage between an inner wall of the water jacket and an outer wall of the gas nozzle and at least a portion of the body portion.

10. In claim 9, 10. The burner assembly of claim 9, wherein the water jacket further includes one or more water inlets for introducing water into the water passage.

11. providing a body portion including a gas inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a gas source and a first cavity in fluid communication with the gas inlet; coupling a first end of a gas nozzle extending between a first end and a second end to the body portion; disposing a fuel tube at least partially within a first cavity of the body portion and a second cavity of the gas nozzle; and the gas nozzle having the second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity of the body portion; the second cavity has a tapered conical portion and a trapezoidal portion extending from within the conical portion to an outlet of the gas nozzle; the fuel tube having a fuel inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a fuel source and a fuel nozzle disposed within the second cavity of the gas nozzle; the fuel nozzle having a fuel outlet located near the second end of the gas nozzle.

12. In claim 11, 10. A method of manufacturing a burner assembly, comprising: a first width within the conical portion; and a second width at the outlet, the second width being greater than the first width.

13. In claim 12, The method of manufacturing a burner assembly, wherein the ratio of the first width to the second width is about 0.

60.

14. In claim 12, The method of manufacturing a burner assembly, wherein the first width ranges from about 0.85 inches to about 1.41 inches and the second width ranges from about 1.39 inches to 2.31 inches.

15. In claim 11, the tapered conical portion extends from a first height equal to a diameter of the second cavity to a second height at the trapezoidal portion; The method of manufacturing a burner assembly, wherein the second height is less than the first height.

16. In claim 15, the first height is in the range of about 1.13 inches to about 1.90 inches; The method of manufacturing a burner assembly, wherein the second height is in the range of about 0.37 inches to about 0.63 inches.

17. In claim 11, The method of manufacturing a burner assembly, wherein the outlet has a height ranging from about 0.37 inches to about 0.63 inches.

18. In claim 11, A method for manufacturing a burner assembly, wherein a ratio of said first width to said outlet height is in the range of about 1.5 to 3.

0.

19. In claim 11, providing a water jacket surrounding the gas nozzle and at least a portion of the body portion; The method of manufacturing a burner assembly, wherein the water jacket provides a water passage between an inner wall of the water jacket, an outer wall of the gas nozzle, and at least a portion of the body portion.

20. In claim 19, The method for manufacturing a burner assembly, wherein the water jacket further includes one or more water inlets for introducing water into the water passage.

Images