Electric Field Flame Stabilization and Heat-Release Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combustion technologies face challenges in reducing NOX emissions and suppressing thermoacoustic instabilities, particularly in lean combustion conditions, where existing actuation methods are expensive, unreliable, or difficult to scale.
Innovation Solution
Applying an electric field to the combustion process using electrodes and conductive elements within a combustion burner to create an electrohydrodynamic bluff-body, which modifies the flame shape and heat-release, thereby stabilizing the flame and reducing thermoacoustic instabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If lean combustion conditions are used to reduce NOX emissions, then harmful emissions are reduced, but thermoacoustic instabilities occur
Solution Approach 1:
An electric field is introduced as an intermediary to interact with the combustion process. The electric field modifies charge distribution and ion transport in the flame, stabilizing the combustion process and suppressing thermoacoustic instabilities while maintaining lean combustion conditions for low NOX emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion process parameters are modified by applying an electric field that changes the electrical properties of the flame. This alters ion transport, charge distribution, and flame chemistry kinetics, enabling stable combustion at lean conditions without thermoacoustic oscillations
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional actuation methods (loudspeaker forcing, pulsed fuel injection) are used to suppress instabilities, then combustion stability can be improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems (loudspeakers, fuel injection systems) with an electrical field-based actuation system. This substitution eliminates moving parts, reduces mechanical complexity, and enables more reliable and scalable combustion control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and utilizes the electrical properties inherent in the combustion process itself. By focusing on the electrochemical reactions and ion transport already present in flames, the system avoids introducing complex external mechanical actuation mechanisms
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 electric field manipulation allows for real-time control of flame shape and heat-release, effectively suppressing thermoacoustic instabilities and improving combustion efficiency while being cost-effective and scalable.
Implementation Method 1
Applying an electric field to the flame accelerates these particles. Their resulting collisions with the bulk gas molecules create appreciable pressure and velocity effects, commonly referred to as the 'ionic wind.'
Implementation Method 2
generating an electric field between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, forming an electrohydrodynamic bluff-body via the conductive element based upon the electric field
Implementation Method 3
Fossil fuel combustion is currently the largest source of energy
Implementation Method 4
Many fuel-air chemistries produce charged particles during combustion
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a burner, a first conductive element positioned across the face of the burner, a second conductive element positioned within the flame from the burner, and positive and negative electrodes coupled with a power source. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are configured to generate an electric field between the first and second conductive elements affecting the flame, and the electric field is operable to form at least one flame root defined by the flame. The power source is configured to selectively modify the electric field to increase or decrease a quantity of the at least one flame root.