Adjustable Burner Nozzle for Stable Oxy-Fuel Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing burners struggle with maintaining stable flame geometry and performance over a wide range of oxygen concentrations in the oxidizing agent, leading to instability and limited operational flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A burner design featuring a burner nozzle with adjustable flow cross-section for the oxidizing agent, allowing for continuous adjustment of oxygen content without changing the flow rate, and an axially displaceable nozzle to alter flame geometry, along with multiple fuel feeds for flexible fuel supply, enabling stable combustion across varying oxygen ratios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the oxidizing agent supply line uses a fixed geometry design, then the burner structure is simple, but the flame stability and geometry cannot be maintained over a wide range of oxygen concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational range with varying oxygen concentrationsVSAvoidburner structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the oxidizing agent supply line geometrically variable through an axially displaceable burner nozzle. The nozzle can be positioned at different axial locations to change the flow cross-section and outlet geometry, allowing the burner to adapt to varying oxygen concentrations while maintaining flame stability. This dynamic adjustment capability enables versatile operation across different oxidizing conditions without requiring multiple fixed-geometry burners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the oxidizing agent outflow speed is increased to compensate for lower oxygen content, then the flame stability is maintained, but the burner cannot operate stably with air or low oxygen mixtures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame stabilityVSAvoidoperational range with different oxidizing agents
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the geometric parameters of the oxidizing agent supply line, specifically the flow cross-section and outlet geometry, through axial displacement of the burner nozzle. This allows the system to maintain appropriate flow characteristics and flame stability across different oxidizing conditions without relying solely on increasing outflow speed. The geometric parameter adjustment compensates for variations in oxygen content, enabling stable operation with both pure oxygen and air mixtures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If different burners are used for oxy-fuel and air-fuel operations, then the burner performance is optimized for each mode, but the system complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburner performance and melting capacityVSAvoidnumber of burners required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single burner system with a geometrically variable oxidizing agent supply line that can perform both oxy-fuel and air-fuel operations. The axially displaceable burner nozzle allows the same physical burner to be adapted for different operating modes by adjusting its geometry, eliminating the need for separate dedicated burners for oxygen and air operations while maintaining optimized performance for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Power

If the flow rate in the oxidant supply lines is increased to compensate for higher proportion of incombustible gases, then the burner output is maintained, but flame instability occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburner outputVSAvoidflame stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the geometric parameters of the oxidizing agent supply line, specifically the flow cross-section, to maintain appropriate flow rates without increasing them excessively. By varying the geometry through axial nozzle displacement, the system can compensate for higher proportions of incombustible gases in air mixtures while maintaining stable flame conditions and adequate burner output, avoiding the flame instability that would result from simply increasing flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables stable and adjustable flame geometry and performance over a wide range of oxygen concentrations, reducing the need for swirl adjustment and maintaining stable combustion conditions, even with low oxygen content, while allowing for flexible operation between oxy-fuel and air-fuel modes.

Implementation Method 1

The feed for the oxidizing agent is equipped with means for changing the flow cross-section of the feed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow cross-section adjustment:

Implementation Method 2

the burner nozzle is designed to be axially displaceable relative to the burner mount

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAxial displacement: Displacement

Implementation Method 3

The burner nozzle is equipped with at least one fuel feed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFuel feed:

Data Source

PatentEP2118565B2Burner
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 MESSER AUSTRIA
  • EP2118565B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2118565B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a burner (1) which comprises an oxidant feed line (15, 16) the free cross-section (20) of which can be varied. The free cross-section (20) can be adjusted according to the oxygen content of the oxidant. The burner comprises at least one fuel feed (9). The burner according to the invention allows the ratio of air and oxygen to be adjusted over a wide range without impairing the stability of the flame or the combustion conditions in the treatment chamber. Optionally, the burner is designed in such a way as to be suitable for a flameless combustion.