Electrically Started Catalytic Burner Wick Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing burners with porous ceramic bodies and catalysts face issues such as wick degradation, clogging, and safety concerns due to large flames, leading to inefficient fuel combustion and irreversible failure.
Innovation Solution
An electrically started catalytic burner system that preheats combustion air and fuel gas to achieve flameless combustion without a catalyst surface, using a non-porous catalyst and absorbent wick to sustain combustion efficiently, reducing wick degradation and eliminating the need for a large flame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a porous ceramic body with embedded catalyst is used, then fuel combustion is enabled, but wick degradation and clogging occur leading to irreversible failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the porous ceramic body and embedded catalyst from the system, extracting the problematic components that cause wick degradation and clogging. The invention uses a simple metal mesh support with catalyst applied to its surface, eliminating the porous structure that absorbs fragrance and causes operational failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies catalyst to the surface of a metal mesh support rather than embedding it in porous ceramic. This localized application on a non-porous surface prevents the catalyst from interacting with and degrading the wick, while still enabling effective catalytic combustion of fuel vapors.
2Temperature
If a large open flame is applied for ignition, then the catalyst is heated to operating temperature, but safety risks increase due to potential ignition of surrounding materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electric heating element to preheat the catalyst and burner assembly to the required operating temperature before fuel combustion begins. This preliminary heating action eliminates the need for a large open flame, as the catalyst is already activated when fuel is introduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical ignition method (open flame) with an electrical heating system. The electric heating element provides controlled, localized heat to activate the catalyst without producing the uncontrolled large flame that poses fire hazards.
3Productivity
If the burner operates at high temperature to sustain combustion, then fuel is efficiently combusted, but wick degradation accelerates due to exposure to temperatures exceeding 250°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional zones of the burner: the electric heating element and catalyst are positioned above the wick level, creating a thermal barrier. This segmentation allows the combustion zone to operate at high temperature for efficient fuel consumption while the wick remains in a lower temperature zone, preserving its structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal mesh support acts as an intermediary between the wick and the high-temperature catalyst zone. It supports the catalyst and conducts heat away from the wick, mediating the thermal interaction to protect the wick from direct exposure to temperatures that would cause rapid degradation.
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 enables continuous operation for extended periods with reduced wick degradation, efficient fuel combustion, and emission of volatile substances, while minimizing safety risks associated with large flames.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically activated catalyst that provides flameless combustion of fuels
Implementation Method 2
catalyst that is embedded in the porous ceramic body
Implementation Method 3
The fuel/fragrance mixture travels up the wick and into the pores of the porous ceramic body
Implementation Method 4
the heated ceramic body vaporizes the fuel in the wick
Implementation Method 5
the vaporized fuel passes over the catalyst and is combusted, and the catalytic combustion process provides heat back to the ceramic body
Data Source
AI summary
A catalytic burner with electric start. The method of using the catalytic burner comprises an electric-start device that may actuated via a switch or remotely via radio signal.