Burner Gas Distribution Structure for Stable Oxidant Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas distribution components for burners in metallurgical or glass industrial melting furnaces face high operation difficulty and cost due to complex regulating valves, and require frequent adjustments in oxidant flow rates, especially in conditions where precise regulation is not necessary.

Innovation Solution

A gas distribution component with a diffusion/buffering chamber and non-uniformly distributed through-holes, along with baffles at the junctions, controls oxidant flow speed and distribution, eliminating the need for complex valves, and allowing easy operation and adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a complex regulating valve structure is used to control oxidant flow rate, then the precision of oxidant flow regulation is improved, but the operation difficulty and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidant flow rate regulation precisionVSAvoidoperation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gas distribution component uses a self-regulating structure where the diffusion/buffering chamber and through-holes automatically control oxidant flow distribution without requiring external regulating valves. The system serves itself by using the chamber volume and hole geometry to inherently manage flow rates, eliminating the need for complex manual or automated valve systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the complex regulating valve from the system entirely. Instead of using a valve to control oxidant flow, the design takes out the valuation function and integrates it directly into the chamber and hole structure, simplifying the overall system while maintaining flow control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If a complex regulating valve structure is used to control oxidant flow rate, then the precision of oxidant flow regulation is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidant flow rate regulation precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex regulating valve from the system entirely. Instead of using a valve to control oxidant flow, the design takes out the valuation function and integrates it directly into the chamber and hole structure, simplifying the overall system while maintaining flow control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas distribution component uses simple, easily manufacturable structures (chamber with holes) instead of expensive, complex valve mechanisms. The design prioritizes low-cost materials and fabrication methods, accepting that the component may need replacement or adjustment rather than using durable, expensive valve systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If multiple through-holes with non-uniform diameters are used in the oxidant inlet channel, then the oxidant flow distribution is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidant distribution stabilityVSAvoidthrough-hole diameter uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform through-holes with different diameters at different locations in the oxidant inlet channel. This local variation in hole size is strategically designed to achieve uniform oxidant distribution across the diffusion chamber, compensating for natural flow patterns and ensuring each region receives appropriate oxidant flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Loss of energy

If the diffusion/buffering chamber volume is increased to reduce oxidant flow speed, then the pressure loss is reduced, but the device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidant pressure lossVSAvoiddiffusion/buffering chamber volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by optimizing the chamber volume and through-hole dimensions to achieve the desired flow reduction and pressure loss minimization. By carefully selecting specific parameter values (chamber volume, hole diameters, hole locations), the system achieves efficient oxidant distribution without requiring excessive chamber size.

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

The component achieves stable oxidant flow and reduced pressure loss, enabling efficient oxidant distribution with lower manufacturing and operation costs, and adapts to varying fuel and oxidant conditions without complex valve structures.

Implementation Method 1

a diffusion/buffering chamber providing a space for diffusion of the oxidant after the oxidant flows out of the oxidant inlet channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

multiple through-holes are provided in a wall of the oxidant inlet channel that is adjacent to the diffusion/buffering chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through porous structure: Porosity

Implementation Method 3

a baffle may be provided at a junction of the diffusion/buffering chamber and each oxidant delivery component, the baffle partially blocking an inlet of the oxidant delivery component. These baffles can limit the flow rate of oxidant conveyed to each oxidant delivery component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow restriction:

Data Source

PatentEP4484822B1Gas distribution component for burner
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP4484822B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4484822B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4484822B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5b

AI summary

Gas distribution component for a burner, comprising an oxidant inlet 102, for introducing an oxidant flow into the burner; an oxidant inlet channel 101, in fluid connection with the oxidant inlet 102; a diffusion/buffering chamber 401, providing a space for buffering and diffusion of the oxidant after the oxidant flows out of the oxidant inlet channel 101, and connected to oxidant delivery components 302, 303, 304, wherein multiple through-holes 305 are provided on a wall of the oxidant inlet channel 101 that is adjacent to the diffusion/buffering chamber 401, the gas distribution component being easy to operate, with no need to configure a complex valve structure, thereby greatly reducing manufacturing costs, and also achieving the effects of being convenient to use and maintain, reducing the pressure value requirement for an upstream gas source, and reducing the impact of gas source fluctuation on the combustion effect.