Combustion System with Thermal Zoning for Pitch Fuel
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of petroleum pitch with a low softening point in conventional coal burning boilers leads to adhesion and solidification issues within the burner, causing operational disruptions and requiring frequent boiler shutdowns for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A combustion system design featuring a burner with a flame stabilizing plate and a high-temperature maintaining unit that keeps the atmosphere temperature above the petroleum pitch's softening point, combined with a cooling unit to maintain the fuel supply pipe's temperature below the softening point, preventing adhesion and ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If petroleum pitch fuel is used in a conventional coal burning boiler, then the fuel can be supplied via compressed air similarly to pulverized coal, but the petroleum pitch softens and adheres to burner structures when temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different temperature control strategies to different parts of the burner system. The fuel supply pipe is cooled to maintain temperature below the softening point, while the combustion zone and flame stabilizing plate are heated to maintain temperature above the softening point. This localized quality differentiation resolves the adhesion problem by creating appropriate thermal environments in different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling unit preemptively cools the fuel supply pipe before petroleum pitch enters it, preventing the pitch from softening and adhering to the pipe walls. This preliminary action of cooling prevents the harmful adhesion effect before it can occur.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the flame stabilizing plate temperature is maintained above the softening point to prevent adhesion, then continuous operation is enabled, but the fuel supply pipe must be cooled to prevent softening
Solution Approach 1:
The burner system is segmented into distinct thermal zones: the fuel supply pipe is cooled separately from the combustion zone. The flame stabilizing plate is heated by the combustion process itself, while the fuel supply pipe has its own cooling unit. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of each component, enabling continuous operation without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling unit acts as an intermediary between the petroleum pitch fuel and the fuel supply pipe, preventing direct thermal interaction that would cause softening and adhesion. The cooling unit mediates the temperature difference between the ambient environment and the fuel pipe, protecting the pipe from heat radiation in the combustion zone.
3Reliability
If cooling units are added to prevent petroleum pitch softening in the fuel supply pipe, then adhesion is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the fuel supply pipe by introducing a cooling unit, maintaining the pipe temperature below the softening point of petroleum pitch. This parameter change (temperature control) directly prevents adhesion and improves reliability, with the cooling system designed to be as simple as possible while achieving the temperature control objective.
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 system prevents petroleum pitch adhesion and solidification, allowing for prolonged and uninterrupted boiler operation by maintaining the flame stabilizing plate temperature above the petroleum pitch's softening point and cooling the fuel supply pipe to prevent softening, thus avoiding burner clogging.
Implementation Method 1
the petroleum pitch fuel flowing toward a end exit of the fuel supply pipe is increased in temperature receiving radiation heat from the combustion furnace as approaching the tip end exit
Implementation Method 2
a high temperature maintaining unit configured to maintain an atmosphere temperature at a vicinity of the flame stabilizing plate during an operation higher than a softening point of the petroleum pitch fuel
Implementation Method 3
a cooling unit configured to maintain a temperature of an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical main body portion lower than the softening point of the petroleum pitch fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A combustion system is capable of using a petroleum pitch fuel, and is provided with a burner having a fuel supply pipe where a flame stabilizing plate is formed in a tip end of the same, and a high temperature maintaining unit for maintaining an atmosphere temperature at a vicinity of the flame stabilizing plate during operation higher than a softening point of the petroleum pitch fuel. Thus, even when the petroleum pitch is used as fuel, the burner does not become unusable due to adhesion/solidification of the petroleum pitch inside the burner and combustion operation can be continued for a long time.