Concentric Burner Ejection Elements for Flexible Oxy-Fuel Combustion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing burners face challenges in controlling NOx emissions and flexibility in operation modes, particularly when transitioning between air-fuel and oxy-fuel combustion, which affects process efficiency and emission levels.
Innovation Solution
A burner design featuring an inner and outer fluid supply unit with multiple concentrically arranged ejection elements allows for flexible operation between air-fuel, oxy-fuel, and air-oxy-fuel modes by controlling the ratios of oxidants and fuel, minimizing NOx emissions through high-velocity jets and mixed combustion streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pure oxygen is added to the combustion process to increase flame temperature and process efficiency, then production rates and heat transfer improve, but NOx emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The oxidant supply is segmented into multiple ejection elements (first, second, third inner fluid ejection elements and outer fluid ejection elements) that can independently control oxygen and air injection. This segmentation allows staged combustion where fuel reacts with oxygen in the inner elements first, then mixes with air from outer elements, reducing peak temperatures and NOx formation while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the burner are assigned different oxidant qualities: the inner fluid ejection elements provide high-purity oxygen for intense localized combustion, while outer fluid ejection elements provide air for diluted combustion. This local quality differentiation enables high temperature zones to be confined and quickly mixed with cooler gases, reducing overall NOx emissions while maintaining production efficiency
2Use of energy by stationary object
If pure oxygen is added to the combustion process to increase flame temperature, then heat transfer and process efficiency improve, but control of NOx emissions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The burner incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the ratios of oxidants and fuel can be adjusted in real-time through the multiple ejection elements. The system can transition between different operating modes (air-fuel, oxy-fuel, air-oxy-fuel) by dynamically controlling which ejection elements are active and their flow rates, enabling flexible NOx control while maintaining efficient heat transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by varying the composition and flow rates of gases from different ejection elements. By adjusting the oxygen-to-air ratio and fuel distribution across the concentric ejection elements, the system can optimize heat transfer efficiency while controlling combustion temperature to minimize NOx formation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple oxidants are supplied through multiple ejection elements to enable flexible operation modes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection elements are arranged in a nested, concentric configuration where the second inner fluid ejection element encompasses the first, and the third encompasses the second. The outer fluid ejection elements are positioned at a radial distance from the center. This nested structure allows multiple oxidant streams to be delivered through a compact, integrated assembly, reducing structural complexity despite the multi-mode operational capability
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 burner provides maximized flexibility and efficiency in industrial processes, reducing NOx emissions and energy consumption by optimizing combustion parameters and allowing seamless transitions between different operating modes without hardware changes, enhancing melting capacity and temperature distribution.
Implementation Method 1
minimizing NOx emissions through high-velocity jets and mixed combustion streams
Implementation Method 2
combustion of a fuel, particularly natural gas or methane, and at least one oxidant, particularly air and/or oxygen
Implementation Method 3
increase in flame temperature and heat transfer and consequent production rates and process efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Burner comprising an inner fluid supply unit and an outer fluid supply unit, wherein the inner fluid supply unit comprises a first inner fluid ejection element, a second inner fluid ejection element encompassing the first inner fluid ejection element and a third inner fluid ejection element encompassing the second inner fluid ejection element and wherein the inner fluid supply unit is configured for ejecting a first oxidant, a second oxidant and a fuel. The outer fluid supply unit comprises at least two outer fluid ejection elements, arranged at a specific radial distance from the inner fluid supply unit, wherein each individual outer fluid ejection element is configured for ejecting the first oxidant and the second oxidant by means of a central fluid ejection element and an encompassing fluid ejection element encompassing the central fluid ejection element.