Combined Solid and Fluid Fuel Burner Ignition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combustion devices for internal heating in buildings using solid fuels face challenges such as delayed ignition of solid fuels, production of harmful gases, high electrical energy consumption, and frequent reloading needs, leading to inefficiencies and interruptions in heat supply.

Innovation Solution

A burner unit combining a solid fuel burner and a fluid fuel burner sharing a common combustion chamber, where the fluid fuel burner's flames rapidly ignite the solid fuel, reducing ignition time, minimizing harmful gas production, and using less energy, while maintaining stable thermal output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If electrical resistances are used to heat the support grid or air flow to ignite pellets, then ignition temperature is achieved, but ignition time is delayed by several minutes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition temperatureVSAvoidignition time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A fluid fuel burner acts as an intermediary device to provide a preliminary flame that directly contacts the solid fuel pellets, enabling rapid ignition without the time-consuming process of heating the support grid or air flow to ignition temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid fuel burner performs preliminary ignition action before the solid fuel combustion begins, creating a flame environment that immediately ignites the pellets when they contact the flame, thus eliminating the delay associated with gradual heating methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If electrical resistances are used for heating during the ignition period, then pellets reach ignition temperature, but harmful gases such as unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon monoxides are produced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition temperatureVSAvoidharmful gases
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid fuel burner serves as a clean intermediary ignition source that produces a flame without generating harmful gases, allowing the solid fuel to ignite rapidly while minimizing the production of unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon monoxides that would otherwise be produced during prolonged heating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system rushes through the ignition phase by using direct flame contact, thereby minimizing the time the solid fuel spends in the incomplete combustion state where harmful gases are generated, and quickly transitions to complete combustion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Temperature

If electrical resistances are used to provide continuous heating, then ignition is achieved, but considerable electrical energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition temperatureVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical resistance heating system is replaced with a fluid fuel combustion system that converts chemical energy directly into thermal energy through flame, eliminating the need for considerable electrical energy input while achieving the same ignition temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy source parameter is changed from electrical energy to chemical energy (fluid fuel), fundamentally altering the energy input mechanism to reduce electrical consumption while maintaining effective ignition capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If regular pellet reloading is required, then fuel supply is maintained, but delays in reloading cause lack of pellets and interrupt heat supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepellet supplyVSAvoidheat supply continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid fuel burner provides continuous combustion action that can operate independently of solid fuel availability, ensuring uninterrupted heat supply during reloading delays or temporary fuel shortages, thereby maintaining continuous useful thermal output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution achieves significantly shorter ignition times, reduced harmful gas production, lower energy costs, and continuous heat supply, even during temporary fuel shortages, by using the fluid fuel burner to quickly ignite solid fuels and stabilize thermal power.

Implementation Method 1

the flames of the second fluid fuel burner 4 provoke the ignition of the solid fuel 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

the flames of the fluid fuel burner are directed against the solid fuel burner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

wherein the flames of both fuels are generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

The hot fumes generated in the combustion chamber are conveyed into a heat exchange unit wherein they yield their heat to a thermal carrier fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2087283B1Burner unit and combustion device using said burner unit
Publication Date: 2013.09.18 ECOFLAM BRUCIATORI
  • EP2087283B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2087283B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2087283B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A burner unit (1) comprising a first solid fuel (3) burner (2) and a second fluid fuel burner (4) operating in a combined manner and both connected to the exterior by means of a comburent air feeder circuit (6). The first burner (2) and the second burner (4) share a single common combustion chamber (7) wherein the flames of both burners are generated.