Multi-head burner

Abstract

A burner (100) comprises a combustion unit (20) configured to receive a comburent fluid and a combustible fluid, and to convey them towards a combustion head (21) in order to mix them with each other so as to generate a flame. The combustion unit (20) comprises a plurality of combustion heads (21) independent from each other and supplied individually by means respectively of a first and a second supply conduit (30a, 30b) of the combustible fluid separate from each other; and configured to convey towards each combustion head (21) respectively a first and a second combustible fluid different to each other, so as to obtain controlled combustion in the same burner (100) of a plurality of combustible fluids different to each other.

Description

[0001] “MULTI-HEAD BURNER”

[0002] * * * * *

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to a burner, in particular intended to be operatively and mechanically associated with a combustion chamber so as to generate a flame inside it.

[0005] In more detail, the burner according to the invention falls within the sector of production and marketing of burners and more generally of machines, apparatuses and / or systems for the generation of thermal energy (i.e. heat) by means of controlled combustion of one or more combustible fluids, for example gaseous (methane, propane, butane, natural gas, biogas, and still others), with a comburent fluid.

[0006] The burner according to the invention has a specific application in the technical sector of industrial type burners, in particular intended for industrial process systems, such as, for example, furnaces for the metallurgy and / or ceramic and / or glass-making sector, as well as for the production of steam in boilers installed, for example, in electric power plants, commercial or residential buildings, and more generally in industrial processes of various types (e.g. burning of gas or industrial waste products).

[0007] In addition, the burner according to the invention has a further application also in the civil sector of district heating, in particular when installed in thermal power plants for the production of thermal energy (i.e. heat) intended for the heating of buildings in residential districts.

[0008] PRIOR ART

[0009] In the aforementioned technical sector, it is known to use burners for the generation of thermal energy (i.e. heat) or for other industrial purposes by means of controlled combustion of a combustible fluid with a comburent fluid, in particular intended for industrial applications such as the ones briefly described above by way of example. Burners for industrial applications can typically by classified into two macrocategories or groups, and specifically into burners with an integrated fan and burners with a separate fan.

[0010] This latter type of burners is also defined in the technical jargon of the sector with the term “dual block”, and used for heavy-duty industrial applications, i.e. when a high power (for example, in the order of 30000 kW) is required, or at least one that is higher than a pre-established specific value typical of the sector of application.

[0011] The result is that the known burners of the “dual block” type have dimensions, and therefore weight of the burner, that are considerable, and such as to separate the blower from the burner, in order to reduce, or at least to limit, its overall weight.

[0012] In more detail, a burner of the known “dual block” type typically comprises a combustion unit configured to receive a combustible fluid and a comburent fluid coming from a blower (or a fan) that is separate and placed in fluid communication with said combustion unit.

[0013] In detail, the combustion unit comprises a combustion head mounted, during use, on a wall of a combustion chamber, and configured to receive the comburent fluid and the combustible fluid and to mix them with one another, so as to generate a flame by means of a controlled combustion between the aforesaid fluids.

[0014] There is currently a growing demand on the market (particularly from companies using the aforesaid burners) for recovery of the combustible fluid waste exiting from a production cycle performed at an industrial plant (such as, for example, those previously mentioned).

[0015] The purpose of this need for recovery is to increase the efficiency of the plant in which the burner of known type is installed, and therefore the overall production output of said plant.

[0016] An example of such energy recovery occurs in industrial plants intended for the production of food products of various kind or in the chemicals industry. In fact, these plants produce waste fluids, such as hydrogen, ammonia, biogas.

[0017] Rather than being discarded, these fluids could be recovered by reintroducing them into the plant cycle, burning them using the aforementioned burners. The heat produced by their combustion can be used to produce in a boiler steam that can be reintroduced into the plant cycle.

[0018] However, the burners of known type briefly described so far have proved to be not without drawbacks in practice.

[0019] In particular, the main drawback lies in the fact that the burners of known type are not very efficient and are operatively inflexible. In fact, these burners do not allow the multiple types of waste combustible fluids exiting from an industrial plant (e.g. such as those mentioned above) to be burned efficiently. Thus, these burners of known type are not capable of performing an optimal, or at least satisfactory, combustion of each of the aforementioned waste combustible fluids.

[0020] In fact, the burners of known type are usually designed and optimised to bum a specific combustible fluid. The result is that the burners of known type are not very versatile and sometimes not capable of processing the aforementioned various types of combustible fluids.

[0021] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An object of the present invention is to provide a burner that allows the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art to be overcome.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide a burner that is thermally efficient, i.e. that has an overall production output that is higher than for the burners commonly available on the market.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to provide an operatively flexible burner, i.e. one that allows a plurality of waste combustible fluids to be processed in the same burner, without having to use specific burners for each type of the aforesaid fluids. A further object of the present invention is to provide a burner that is an alternative and / or an improvement with respect to the solutions of the prior art.

[0025] A further object of the present invention is to provide a burner that has an alternative and / or improved configuration, both in construction terms and functional terms, with respect to the solutions of the prior art.

[0026] SUMMARY

[0027] All the objects, both individually and in any combination thereof, and others that will result from the detailed description that follows are reached, according to the invention, with a burner having the characteristics indicated in independent claim 1.

[0028] The dependent claims outline particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a burner as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

[0031] - Figures 1A-1 B show, according to a respective perspective front view, a burner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] - Figure 2A shows, according to a perspective view, the burner illustrated in Figures 1A-1 B with some parts removed to better highlight others;

[0033] - Figure 2B shows, according to a front plan view, the burner illustrated in Figure 2A;

[0034] - Figure 3 shows, according to a longitudinal sectional view, the burner illustrated in Figures 1A-1 B;

[0035] - Figure 4 shows, according to a further longitudinal sectional view, the burner illustrated in Figures 1A-1 B;

[0036] - Figure 5A shows, according to a perspective rear view from below, the burner illustrated in Figures 1A-1 B; - Figures 5B-5C show, according to a respective partial perspective view, a detail of the burner illustrated in Figures 1A-1 B;

[0037] With reference to the drawings, they serve solely to illustrate embodiments of the invention with the aim of better clarifying, in combination with the description, the inventive principles at the basis of the invention.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] With reference to the appended figures, a burner according to the present invention is indicated in its entirety with reference number 10.

[0040] More specifically, the burner 10 according to the invention is particularly intended to be operatively installed in an industrial plant, and adapted to produce a predefined thermal power intended to be used in the cycle performed by said plant (for example, such as those mentioned here above).

[0041] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, the burner 100 comprises a combustion unit 20 configured to receive a comburent fluid and a combustible fluid, and to convey them towards a combustion head in order to mix them with each other so as to generate a flame by means of controlled combustion between the fluids themselves.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the burner 100 comprises a support body 110, extending between a first end 110a and a second end 110b, and is configured to support the combustion unit 20.

[0043] In particular, the combustion head 20 is mechanically connected to the support body 110 at the first end 110a.

[0044] As illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the support body 110 is internally hollow, so as to allow the comburent fluid to cross it, i.e. to flow inside said support body 110, and is preferably made of a metallic material, in particular steel or aluminium, so as to give robustness, stability and rigidity to the burner 100 during the functioning thereof.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the burner 100 further comprises a blower (not illustrated in the appended figures), or preferably a fan or a compressor or similar, operatively associated with the combustion unit and, in particular, in fluid connection with the support body 110 at the second end 110b. More specifically, the blower is configured to generate a predefined flow of comburent fluid, preferably atmospheric air, which crosses the support body 110 and arrives at the combustion unit 20.

[0046] In this manner, the combustion unit 20 is correctly supplied with a predefined flow of comburent fluid (i.e. air) suitable for obtaining a controlled combustion.

[0047] Preferably, the comburent air can be preheated, for example by a crossing thereof of heating elements (e.g. by means of heat exchangers with recovery of energy from the fumes), or can be at ambient temperature.

[0048] As illustrated in detail in Figures 1A-1 B, the combustion unit 20 comprises a plurality of combustion heads 21a, 21 b independent from each other and supplied individually by means respectively of a first and a second supply conduit 30a, 30b of the combustible fluid separate from each other.

[0049] Advantageously, the plurality of combustion heads 21 a, 21 b are manageable independently from each other.

[0050] In more detail, the first and the second supply conduit 30a, 30b are configured to convey towards each combustion head respectively a first and a second combustible fluid different to each other, so as to obtain controlled combustion in the same burner 100 of a plurality of combustible fluids different to each other.

[0051] Advantageously, the burner 100 is capable of burning the different combustible fluids efficiently and simultaneously with each other, without these combustible fluids needing to be combusted in specific burners 100 dedicated to the specific type of combustible fluid.

[0052] In this manner, the burner 100 according to the invention is efficient and versatile, since it is capable of burning completely and optimally combustible fluids that are different to each other and in various different combinations, for example it is capable of burning natural gas with biogas, but also many other combinations of combustible and gaseous liquids, such as, for example, gasoil, fuel oil, LPG, hydrogen. According to one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of combustion heads 21a, 21 b comprises a main head 21 a and one or more (preferably a plurality of) secondary heads 21 b.

[0053] Preferably, said main head is a central head 21 a (and will be referred to thus below) extending along a first axis Y-Y substantially parallel to a generation direction of the flame, and in fluid connection with the first supply conduit 30a.

[0054] Preferably, the first axis Y-Y is arranged preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of a combustion chamber (introduced and described in greater detail below), so that the burner 100 generates a flame along an extension direction along which the aforesaid combustion chamber extends. For example, the first axis Y-Y can be arranged parallel to the ground, i.e. horizontal, so that the burner 100 generates a flame along a substantially horizontal direction.

[0055] Preferably, as illustrated in the appended figures, the central combustion head 21a is arranged substantially in a central zone of the combustion unit 20.

[0056] Furthermore, preferably, said secondary head is a peripheral head 21 b (and will be referred to thus below). Said one peripheral head 21 b is distanced from the central head 21 a, and extends along a second axis Z-Z preferably parallel to the first axis Y-Y, and in fluid connection with the second fuel supply conduit 30b.

[0057] In other words, the peripheral head 21 b is arranged offset relative to the central combustion head 21 a, and supplied independently from it.

[0058] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, a plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b is present, arranged along respective extension axes substantially parallel to each other, and positioned in an area around the central combustion head 21a.

[0059] In other words, each peripheral head 21 b is arranged oriented substantially horizontal and parallel to the central combustion head 21 a. Preferably, the central combustion head 21 a has an overall dimension that is greater than the one of each peripheral combustion head 21 b. The result is that the central combustion head 21 a is capable of processing a flow of combustible fluid and comburent fluid that is greater than the one of each peripheral head 21 b. However, the peripheral combustion heads 21 b, since they are present in the burner 100 in a higher number than the central head 21 a, are capable of compensating for the aforesaid gap in generated power. In other words, the sum of thermal power generated by each peripheral combustion head 21 b is preferably equal to (but could also be lower or high than) the thermal power generated by the central combustion head 21 a.

[0060] In this manner, the burner 100 can advantageously be modulated in power (as described in greater detail in the following description).

[0061] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of peripheral heads 21 b has a substantially circular external overall dimension, and each peripheral head 21 b is positioned equally spaced with respect to the other peripheral heads 21 b.

[0062] In particular, as illustrated in Figure 2, the peripheral heads 21 b have respective centres positioned on a circumference having as its centre a centre of the central combustion head 21 a.

[0063] In other words, the plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b is distributed in a circular manner, and preferably uniformly spaced from each other, around the central combustion head 21 b.

[0064] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, different to what has just been described, in particular illustrated in Figure 2A-2B, the plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b has its own substantially circular external overall dimension, and is arranged around the central combustion head 21 a so as to define an arrangement of the quadrangular or rectangular grid type, having the central combustion head 21a as the centre of such arrangement. In more detail, the combustion unit 20 comprises a front anchoring plate 25 for anchoring to a wall of a combustion chamber, and each peripheral combustion head 21 b is arranged at a vertex position of the front plate 25. Preferably, the aforesaid front plate 25 has a substantially square or rectangular shape.

[0065] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the appended figures, the plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b comprises four peripheral combustion heads 21 b grouped with each other so as to form a first and a second pair of peripheral combustion heads 21 b. In particular, the first and second pair of peripheral combustion heads 21 b define the sides of the aforesaid quadrangular or rectangular grid arrangement.

[0066] In other words, the first pair of peripheral heads 21 b is arranged on one side of the central head 21a, whereas the second pair of peripheral heads 21 b is arranged on the opposite side, so that the central combustion head 21a is comprised in between the first and second pair of peripheral heads 21 b. According to one aspect of the invention, the first supply conduit 30a is connected to the central combustion head 21a and the second supply conduit 30b is connected to the plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b.

[0067] In particular, the second supply conduit 30b is configured to supply simultaneously each peripheral head 21 b.

[0068] More specifically, the second supply conduit 30b comprises a first and a second supply branch 310, 320, symmetrical to each other, each configured to supply the first and second pair of peripheral combustion heads 21 b.

[0069] In other words, the second supply conduit 30b has a bifurcation corresponding with the first and second branch 310, 320, each extending, symmetrically, towards the corresponding first and second pair of peripheral combustion heads 21 b.

[0070] As illustrated in the aforesaid Figures 2A-2B, the first and second branch 310, 320 extend and are arranged respectively at the sides of each pair of peripheral combustion heads 21 b, so as to substantially embrace them laterally.

[0071] In addition, in order to supply each peripheral combustion head 21 b singly, the first and second branch 310, 320 comprise respective sub-branches 330 each in fluid connection with a corresponding peripheral combustion head 21 b and configured to supply each peripheral combustion head 21 b itself.

[0072] In other words, the sub-branches 330 are further piping branches of the first and second branch 310, 320, adapted to fluidly connect individually, and with a predefined combustible fluid, each specific peripheral combustion head 21 b.

[0073] According to one aspect of the invention, the burner 100 comprises a main channelling 40a in fluid communication with the central combustion head 21 a, and configured to convey the comburent fluid towards it.

[0074] Preferably, as mentioned above, such main channelling 40a is defined by the inner cavity of the support body 110.

[0075] In addition, the burner 100 comprises a secondary channelling 40b (separate from the main channelling 40a at least starting from the common channelling 40c) configured to convey the comburent fluid towards the plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b.

[0076] In more detail, such secondary channelling 40b and such main channelling 40a are a by-pass of a common inlet channelling 40c.

[0077] In other words, the main and secondary channelling 40a, 40b are a bifurcation of the flow of comburent fluid, each of them intended to be placed in fluid connection respectively with the main head 21 a and each peripheral combustion head 21 b. In particular, such bifurcation defines a circuit diagram defined with the term “Y” in the technical jargon of the sector.

[0078] In this manner, the aforesaid main and secondary channellings 40a, 40b each create a respective closed and independent path of the comburent fluid.

[0079] According to one aspect of the invention, the burner 100 comprises a distribution box 50 for the comburent fluid, interposed and in fluid communication with the secondary channelling 40b and the plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b.

[0080] In more detail, the distribution box 50 is configured to collect the comburent fluid coming from the secondary channelling 40b and to convey it simultaneously towards each peripheral combustion head 21 b.

[0081] In other words, the distribution box 50 defines a buffer of the comburent fluid coming from the secondary channelling 40b; such buffer is configured to distribute and / or divide the comburent fluid in a substantially homogeneous manner towards each peripheral combustion head 21 b.

[0082] Advantageously, each peripheral combustion head 21 b is continually supplied with a predefined flow of comburent fluid, thus guaranteeing the correct and reliable functioning thereof, and avoiding arrests or malfunctions thereof.

[0083] Preferably, the central head 21 a and the peripheral heads 21 b project beyond the distribution box 50 along the first axis Y towards the interior of a combustion chamber associated with the burner 100.

[0084] According to one aspect of the invention, the burner 100 comprises shut-off means 60a, 60b for a flow of the first and second combustible fluid, arranged mounted in respective sections of the first and second supply conduit 30a, 30b.

[0085] In more detail, the aforesaid shut-off means 60a, 60b are selectively controllable independently from each other by means of an electronic control unit.

[0086] In particular, the shut-off means 60a, 60b are the servo-controlled type, i.e. they comprise a servomotor connected to a shut-off member (for example, a butterfly valve) to move it from a closed configuration, in which it obstructs the section of the first and second supply conduit 30a, 30b, towards an open configuration, in which it frees, at least partially, the aforesaid passage sections.

[0087] Preferably, the electronic control unit comprises at least one receiving module, configured to receive a signal; at least one processing module, configured to process the signals received; and at least one sending module, configured to send the processed signals.

[0088] According to one aspect of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to control individually one each servomotor of the shut-off means 60a, 60b, so as to regulate a corresponding flow of the first and the second combustible fluid that flows respectively through the first and the second supply conduit 30a, 30b.

[0089] In other words, the shut-off means 60a, 60b each preferably comprise servo-controlled butterfly valves; these valves are well-known to a person skilled in the art and therefore not further described.

[0090] According to one aspect of the invention, the burner 100 comprises regulation means 70a, 70b mounted at respective sections of the main channelling 40a and the secondary channelling 40b.

[0091] In other words, the regulation means 70a, 70b are substantially similar to shutter or rolling shutter devices.

[0092] In more detail, the regulation means 70a, 70b are controllable independently from each other by means of an electronic control unit, which is configured to regulate individually a flow of comburent fluid respectively towards the central combustion head 21a and the plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b.

[0093] In other words, the regulation means 70a, 70b (in a substantially similar manner to what is described for the shut-off means 60a, 60b) each comprise a valve, preferably of the servo-controlled type, and arranged mounted at respective transverse sections of the main and secondary channelling 40a, 40b of the combustible fluid.

[0094] Preferably, the regulations means 70a, 70b comprise a servo-motor configured to receive an activation signal from the electronic control unit and move a butterfly or shutter member between an obstruction configuration, in which it occludes, at least partially, the section of the main and secondary channelling 40a, 40b; and an open configuration, in which it frees, at least partially, said sections. Advantageously, the regulation means 70a, 70b are capable of regulating the flow of comburent fluid that crosses them independently and in a modulated manner to each other.

[0095] The result is that the regulation means 70a, 70b are capable of supplying to the central head 21 a and to the peripheral combustion heads 21 b the flow of correct comburent fluid and the one specifically required for each type of combustible fluid to be burned.

[0096] In this manner, the burner 100 is capable of advantageously burning efficiently and optimally different types of combustible fluid; in fact, as is known, different combustible fluids require different quantities of comburent fluid, in particular air, in order to obtain their complete combustion.

[0097] In this manner, the burner 100 is capable of generating a flame that is substantially stable and constant over time, i.e. substantially without vibrations that cause an interruption or detachment thereof or, more generally, a malfunctioning thereof. In addition, the burner 100 produces a reduced quantity, or at least a lower quantity than the burners of the prior art, of polluting products deriving from combustion, since it is capable of supplying the correct quantity of comburent fluid necessary for complete combustion of each different combustible fluid.

[0098] Advantageously, the burner 100 according to the present invention has an efficiency and therefore a high overall production output, or at least one that is higher than the burners of the prior art.

[0099] According to one aspect of the invention, the main channelling 40a and the secondary channelling 40b have respective end portions shaped so as to define a tubular body configured to wrap respectively around the central head 21a and each peripheral combustion head 21 b.

[0100] In other words, the tubular body is a shell around each combustion head 21 a, 21 b, so as to obtain a conveying mouthpiece within which each of the aforesaid combustion heads 21a, 21 b is housed.

[0101] Preferably, as illustrated in the appended figures, the conveying mouthpiece can comprise a flared section configured to facilitate a diffusion of comburent fluid and a change in a power ratio of the combustion heads 21 a, 21 b.

[0102] Otherwise, the aforesaid conveying mouthpiece can have a profile with an outer overall dimension that is substantially constant (i.e. substantially cylindrical) and without one or more flared sections.

[0103] According to one aspect of the invention, in particular illustrated in the appended figures, inside each tubular body an interspace is present, defined between an outer overall dimension of the central head 21 a and each peripheral combustion head 21 b, and the inner walls of the tubular body itself. In particular, said interspace defines a passage volume within which the comburent fluid flows towards the aforesaid combustion heads.

[0104] According to one aspect of the invention, the tubular body that wraps around the central combustion head 21 a is mechanically connected to the support body 110, whereas the tubular bodies that wrap around each peripheral combustion head 21 b are connected to the distribution box 50.

[0105] Preferably, each tubular body is made of a metallic material, in particular calendered sheet metal.

[0106] According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second combustible fluid can be selected from among: methane, natural gas, hydrogen, biogas, gasoil, liquid gas, LPG, oils or others not expressly indicated here.

[0107] In particular, the first and second combustible fluid are combinable with each other in the same burner 100 to produce a combustion flame.

[0108] For example, the central combustion head 21 a is configured to preferably be supplied with natural gas, whereas each peripheral combustion head 21 b is configured to preferably be supplied with biogas.

[0109] However, as mentioned above, the central head 21 a and each peripheral combustion head 21 b can be supplied with a different combination of different combustible fluids to each other (e.g. natural gas and methane, or methane and biogas, and still others) without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present description. Advantageously, the burner 100 is versatile and capable of operating efficiently with different combustible fluids.

[0110] More specifically, the burner 100 can implement the following operating work combinations:

[0111] - central combustion head 21 a supplied with natural gas;

[0112] - each peripheral combustion head 21 b supplied with biogas.

[0113] In particular, the burner 100 can activate only the central combustion head 21 a and therefore obtain a 100% combustion of natural gas. Otherwise, the burner 100 can activate only the peripheral combustion heads 21 b and obtain a 100% combustion of biogas.

[0114] Yet otherwise, the burner can implement a plurality of combustion combinations between natural gas and biogas, for example selectable from the following percentage ratios and vice versa: 50-50%, 60-40%, 70-30%, 80-20%, 90-10% (and still others).

[0115] According to one aspect of the invention, the burner 100 can operate with three combustible fluids, for example two gaseous combustible fluids and one liquid combustible fluid.

[0116] In this case, one or more nozzles are preferably arranged, each in a respective side or central combustion head 21 a, 21 b dedicated to the third (or more) combustible fluid, for example liquid.

[0117] However, the ratios just briefly mentioned are only several operating examples and representative of working conditions in which the burner 100 can operate. Other combinations can be envisaged without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present description.

[0118] According to one aspect of the invention, in particular illustrated in Figure 2B, the burner 100 preferably comprises a first and a second cooling conduit 80a, 80b, each in fluid communication with the main channelling 40a, or secondary channelling 40b, and a respective pair of peripheral combustion heads 21 b.

[0119] In particular, the first and second cooling conduits 80a, 80b are configured to convey a flow of air towards each peripheral combustion head 21 b so as to cool it, for example during an interval of time in which said head is not operating.

[0120] A further object of the present invention is also a method for the controlled combustion of a plurality of combustible fluids with a comburent fluid in a burner 100, the numerical references of which will be retained for the sake of descriptive simplicity.

[0121] The method according to the invention comprises a combustion unit 20 configured to receive a comburent fluid and a combustible fluid, and to convey them towards a central combustion head 21a and a plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b, independent from each other, in order to mix them so as to generate a flame.

[0122] The method comprises the following operating steps:

[0123] - conveying a comburent fluid towards the combustion unit 20;

[0124] - conveying a first combustible fluid towards the central combustion head 21 a by means of a first supply conduit 30a;

[0125] - conveying a second combustible fluid, different from the first combustible fluid, towards the plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b by means of a second supply conduit 30b;

[0126] - mixing the comburent fluid with the first and the second combustible fluid respectively in each combustion head;

[0127] - generating a flame by means of a controlled combustion between the comburent fluid and the first and the second combustible fluid in the respective burner 100.

[0128] The method further comprises a step of providing said main channelling 40a in fluid communication with said central combustion head 21a, and configured to convey the comburent fluid towards the latter; and a step of providing said secondary channelling 40b in fluid communication with one or more peripheral combustion heads 21 b, and configured to convey the comburent fluid towards said one or more peripheral combustion heads 21 b. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of activating shut-off means 60a, 60b arranged mounted on the first and second supply conduit 30a, 30b, so as to regulate respectively and independently a flow of the first and the second combustible fluid.

[0129] According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of activating regulation means 70a, 70b arranged mounted on the main channelling 40a and the secondary channelling 40b, so as to regulate respectively and independently a flow of the comburent fluid towards respectively the central head 21 a and the plurality of peripheral combustion heads 21 b.

[0130] From what has been described, the burner 100, according to the invention, is particularly advantageous in that:

[0131] - it is functionally flexible and thermally efficient, since it is capable of burning, in a single combustion unit, different types of combustible fluids to each other, without having to use specific combustion units for each type of combustible fluid;

[0132] - it has a high overall production output, or at least higher than the burners of the prior art, based on what has just been described above;

[0133] - it can be modulated, since it allows the burning of multiple combinations of combustible fluids in multiple combinations of quantities or percentage ratios to each other (for example, such as those described above);

[0134] - it has a plurality of combustion heads manageable independently from each other.

[0135] It is clear from the description above how the burner of the present invention allows the intended objects to be achieved.

[0136] The present invention has been illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment thereof, but it is understood that embodiment variations can be made thereto in practice, without thus departing from the scope of protection of the present description.

Claims

C L A I M S1. A burner (100), comprising a combustion unit (20) configured to receive a comburent fluid and a combustible fluid, and to convey them towards a combustion head in order to mix them with each other so as to generate a flame by means of controlled combustion between the fluids themselves; characterised in that said combustion unit (20) comprises a plurality of combustion heads (21a, 21b) independent from each other and supplied individually by means respectively of a first and a second supply conduit (30a, 30b) of the combustible fluid separate from each other; said first and second supply conduit (30a, 30b) being configured to convey towards each combustion head (21 ) respectively a first and a second combustible fluid different to each other, so as to obtain controlled combustion in the same burner (100) of a plurality of combustible fluids different to each other; wherein said burner (100) comprises a main channelling (40a) in fluid communication with a main combustion head (21 a), and configured to convey the comburent fluid towards the latter; said burner (10) also comprising a secondary channelling (40b) in fluid communication with one or more secondary combustion heads (21 b), and configured to convey the comburent fluid towards said one or more secondary combustion heads (21 b).

2. The burner (100) according to claim 1 , wherein:- said main head (21 a) is defined by a central head (21a) extending along a first axis (Y-Y) substantially parallel to a generation direction of the flame, and in fluid connection with said first supply conduit (30a); and- said one or more secondary heads (21 b) are defined by at least one peripheral head (21 b), distanced from said central head (21a), and extending along a second axis (Z-Z) preferably parallel to saidfirst axis (Y-Y), and in fluid connection with said second supply conduit (30b).

3. The burner (100) according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of combustion heads (21 a, 21 b) comprises a plurality of peripheral combustion heads (21 b) arranged along a respective axis substantially parallel to each other, and positioned in an area around said central combustion head (21 a).

4. The burner (100) according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of peripheral heads (21 b) has a substantially circular external overall dimension, and wherein each peripheral head (21 b) is positioned equally spaced with respect to the other peripheral heads (21 b); said peripheral heads (21 b) having respective centres positioned on a circumference having as its centre a centre of said central combustion head (21 a).

5. The burner (100) according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of peripheral combustion heads (21 b) has its own substantially circular external overall dimension, and is arranged around the central combustion head (21 a) so as to define an arrangement of the quadrangular or rectangular grid type, having said central combustion head (21 a) as the centre of such arrangement.

6. The burner (100) according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of peripheral combustion heads (21 b) comprises four peripheral combustion heads (21 b) grouped with each other so as to form a first and a second pair of peripheral combustion heads (21 b); said first and second pair of peripheral combustion heads (21 b) defining the sides of said quadrangular or rectangular grid arrangement.

7. The burner (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first supply conduit (30a) is connected to said central combustion head (21 a) and said second supply conduit (30b) is connected to said plurality of peripheral combustion heads (21 b); said second supply conduit (30b) being configured to supply simultaneously each peripheral head (21 b).

8. The burner (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second supply conduit (30b) comprises a first and a second supply branch (310, 320), symmetrical to each other, each configured to supply said first and second pair of peripheral combustion heads (21 b).

9. The burner (100) according to claim 8, wherein said first and second branch (310, 320) comprise respective sub-branches (330) each in fluid connection with a corresponding secondary combustion head (21 b) and configured to supply each secondary combustion head (21 b) itself.

10. The burner (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said secondary channelling (40b) and said main channelling (40a) are obtained as a by-pass of a common inlet channelling (40c).

11. The burner (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a distribution box (50) for the comburent fluid, interposed and in fluid communication with said secondary channelling (40b) and a plurality of secondary combustion heads (21 b); said distribution box (50) being configured to collect the comburent fluid coming from the secondary channelling (40b) and to convey it simultaneously towards each secondary combustion head (21 b).

12. The burner (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising shut-off means (60) for a flow of combustible fluid arrangedmounted in respective sections of said first and second supply conduit (30a, 30b); said shut-off means (60a, 60b) being selectively controllable independently from each other by means of an electronic control unit, which is configured to control individually a flow of the first and of the second combustible fluid that flows respectively through the first and second supply conduit (30a, 30b) themselves.

13. The burner (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising regulation means (70a, 70b) mounted at respective sections of said main channelling (40a) and said secondary channelling (40b); said regulation means (70) being controllable independently from each other by means of an electronic control unit, which is configured to regulate individually a flow of comburent fluid respectively towards said main combustion head (21a) and said plurality of secondary combustion heads (21 b).

14. The burner (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said main channelling (40a) and said secondary channelling (40b) have respective end portions shaped so as to define a tubular body configured to wrap respectively around said main head (21 a) and each secondary combustion head (21 b).

15. The burner (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second combustible fluid are selectable between: methane, natural gas, hydrogen, biogas, diesel, liquid gas, LPG, oils; said first and second combustible fluid being combinable with each other in the same burner (100) to produce a combustion flame.

16. A method for the controlled combustion of a plurality of combustion fluids with a comburent fluid in a burner (100) comprising the following operating steps:- providing a combustion unit (20) configured to receive a comburent fluid and a combustible fluid, and to convey them towards a main combustion head (21 a) and one or more secondary combustion heads (21 b), independent from each other, in order to mix them so as to generate a flame;- conveying a comburent fluid towards said combustion unit (20);- conveying a first combustible fluid towards said main combustion head (21 a) by means of a first supply conduit (30a);- conveying a second combustible fluid, different from the first combustible fluid, towards said one or more secondary combustion heads (21 b) by means of a second supply conduit (30b);- mixing the comburent fluid with the first and the second combustible fluid respectively in each combustion head;- generating a flame by means of a controlled combustion between the comburent fluid and the first and the second combustible fluid in the respective burner (100); wherein said method comprises a step of providing a main channelling (40a) in fluid communication with said main combustion head (21 a), and configured to convey the comburent fluid towards the latter; and a step of providing a secondary channelling (40b) in fluid communication with one or more secondary combustion heads (21 b), and configured to convey the comburent fluid towards said one or more secondary combustion heads (21 b).

17. The method according to claim 16, comprising the further step of activating shut-off means (60) arranged mounted on said first and second supply conduit (30a, 30b), so as to regulate respectively and independently a flow of the first and the second combustible fluid.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, comprising the further step of operating regulations means (70) arranged mounted on said main channelling (40a) and said secondary channelling (40b) so as to regulate respectively and independently a flow of the comburent fluid towards respectively the main head (21a) and one or more of said secondary combustion heads (21 b).

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