Dual Fuel Burner Flame Shape Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art burners for drying cylinders are unable to adjust the shape of the flame, leading to suboptimal heat exchange and efficiency, and have limited combustion efficiency and high emissions across various operating conditions.

Innovation Solution

A burner design with independent adjusting mechanisms for primary and secondary air flows, allowing for the adjustment of flame shape and size, featuring a central unit with a fuel/air mixture emission and an auxiliary pipe with separate air flow control, enabled by servomotors and a single fan with adjustable direction, which enhances mixing and reduces emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If prior art burners use fixed flame configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but heat exchange efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidburner structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the flame shape adjustable through movable deflectors that can change the direction of fuel and air flows. This allows the burner to adapt its flame configuration dynamically to optimize heat exchange efficiency for different operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed structure simplicity and variable efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing independent adjustment of fuel flow rate, primary air flow rate, and secondary air flow rate. These parameter changes enable optimization of combustion efficiency and heat exchange under varying operating conditions, addressing the energy loss issue without requiring complex structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If prior art burners lack independent air flow control, then device complexity is reduced, but combustion efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidair flow control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the air supply into two independent channels: primary air fed to the central pipe and secondary air fed to the auxiliary pipe. Each channel has its own flow control, allowing independent adjustment of air-fuel ratios to optimize combustion efficiency across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control through adjustable deflectors in both primary and secondary air channels, enabling real-time optimization of air flow distribution. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain high combustion efficiency despite variations in fuel type and operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If prior art burners use single fan with fixed direction, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to operating conditionsVSAvoidfan control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by incorporating adjustable deflectors that can change the direction of air flows from the fan. This allows a single fan to serve multiple functions by directing air to different channels (central pipe or auxiliary pipe) depending on operating requirements, achieving adaptability without needing multiple fixed-direction fans.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the fan system to serve both primary and secondary air channels through adjustable deflectors. A single fan unit can provide airflow to different parts of the burner system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility across operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of energy

If prior art burners cannot adjust flame shape, then ease of operation is improved, but heat exchange efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidburner adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing independent adjustment of four key parameters: fuel flow rate, primary air flow rate, secondary air flow rate, and deflector positions. These parameter adjustments enable optimization of flame shape and size to match different heat exchange requirements, improving efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized controls.

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 burner achieves efficient heat exchange and high combustion efficiency with adjustable flame shape and size, reducing emissions and improving system performance across different operating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

all of the various pipes are generally fed upstream by one or more fans by means of suitable piping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the fuel is released in liquid form from a suitable pipe and is struck by one or more air currents directed in such a way as to create a predetermined turbulence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNebulisation:

Implementation Method 3

create a predetermined turbulence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 4

a burner which generates the heat necessary for drying. Both the flame generated by the burner and the combustion fumes extend inside the cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 5

Advantageously, a Venturi effect air intake device is also mounted on the auxiliary pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2378196B1Dual fuel burner for drying cylinders and method for using it
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 AMMANN ITAL SPA
  • EP2378196B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2378196B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2378196B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A burner for drying cylinders comprising a central unit (4) which can be fed with at least one fuel and with at least a first primary air flow for combustion, at least one auxiliary pipe (6) mounted around the central unit (4) and which can be fed with a secondary air flow for combustion, and air feed means (9) connected to the central unit (4) and to a first inlet section (8) of the auxiliary pipe (6). The air feed means (9) comprise first adjusting means (10) for the primary air flow fed to the central unit (4) and second adjusting means (11) for the secondary air flow fed to the auxiliary pipe (6), the first and second adjusting means (10), (11) being adjustable independently of each other. Also claimed is a method for using a burner comprising separate and independent adjustment of the two air flows.