Adjustable Oxy-Fuel Burner Insert for Submerged Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxy-fuel burners for glass manufacturing are inflexible and inefficient, particularly in submerged combustion applications, as they are not easily modifiable to accommodate varying melter feeds, fuels, and oxidants, leading to high energy requirements and limited adaptability.
Innovation Solution
The development of a burner apparatus with adjustable components, including a removable insert that allows for tuning of geometric features to control the interaction depth of fuel and oxidant flows, enabling customizable combustion parameters and efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed design oxy-fuel burners are used for submerged combustion, then safety is improved by avoiding premixing, but adaptability deteriorates as they cannot be easily modified for varying melter feeds, fuels, and oxidants
Solution Approach 1:
The burner is divided into separate functional components: a fixed outer conduit system for safety and a removable insert with adjustable geometric features for adaptability. This segmentation allows the safe fixed structure to remain while the adjustable insert handles varying combustion requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable insert introduces dynamic adjustability to an otherwise fixed burner design. By allowing the insert to be removed, replaced, or adjusted, the burner can adapt to different fuels, oxidants, and melter feeds while maintaining the safety benefits of the fixed outer structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable components with removable inserts are added to enable tuning of burner parameters, then adaptability is improved for varying melter feeds, fuels, and oxidants, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex adjustable features are segmented into a separate removable insert rather than being integrated into the main burner body. This allows the insert to be manufactured, adjusted, and replaced independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable insert is designed as a universal component that can be used with different fuel types, oxidants, and melter feeds. By creating a multi-functional insert that fits into the standard outer conduit, the system achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Productivity
If geometric features of the insert are used to control the depth of fuel and oxidant interaction, then combustion efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than requiring high manufacturing precision for fixed geometric features, the insert allows dynamic adjustment of the interaction depth. This means that optimal combustion efficiency can be achieved through adjustment rather than through precisely manufactured fixed features, reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric features of the insert are designed to allow changing parameters such as interaction depth, passage configuration, and flow rates. By making these parameters adjustable rather than fixed, the system achieves high combustion efficiency without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances.
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
This solution reduces energy requirements in glass manufacturing by allowing for optimized combustion processes, making the technology more attractive for applications with changing melter feeds, fuels, and oxidants, and enhancing the efficiency of glass production.
Implementation Method 1
the non-central passages configured such that flow of a first fluid through the non-central passages causes the first fluid to intersect a flow of a second fluid in a mixing region above the upper surface of the body
Implementation Method 2
Burner apparatus, submerged combustion melters including the burner, and methods of use... for melting glass forming materials
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus includes a first and second conduits configured to form an annulus between them. An adjustable structure includes a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circumferential surface abutting a portion of the internal surface of the second conduit. The structure is adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to the first conduit via a hub. The hub defines a central passage for fuel or oxidant. The body has one or more non-central through passages configured such that flow of an oxidant or fuel therethrough causes the fuel or oxidant to intersect flow of fuel or oxidant exiting from the central passage in a region above the upper surface of the body.