Flat Plate Combustion Substrate for Flashback Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing premix fuel combustion systems face issues with incomplete combustion, large temperature gradients, and flashback, leading to reduced efficiency and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A compact premix fuel combustion system utilizing a flat plate combustion substrate with a baffle for directing the fuel-air mixture, which enhances thermal efficiency and prevents flashback by controlling flame front equilibrium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional premix fuel combustion systems are used, then they can provide heated thermal transfer fluid, but they suffer from incomplete combustion and large temperature gradients leading to decreased system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous combustion substrate (permeable wall) through which the fuel-air mixture flows and burns. This porous structure increases the combustion surface area and improves mixing, leading to more complete combustion and reduced energy losses while maintaining system productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion system creates local variations in flow velocity and temperature distribution through the porous substrate, ensuring more uniform combustion across different regions. This addresses the temperature gradient issue by distributing heat more evenly throughout the combustion chamber
2Volume of moving object
If compact premix fuel combustion systems are designed, then size and volume are reduced, but thermal efficiency and combustion loading may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional three-dimensional combustion chambers to a two-dimensional flat plate combustion substrate. This dimensional change allows for more efficient heat transfer surfaces in a compact footprint, maintaining thermal efficiency while reducing overall system volume
Solution Approach 2:
The porous combustion substrate enables high combustion loading density within a compact volume by providing extensive surface area for fuel-air mixing and combustion reactions, thus maintaining thermal efficiency in a reduced-size system
3Volume of moving object
If premix fuel and air combinations are used to reduce size, then compactness is achieved, but flashback and reliability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The porous combustion substrate acts as a flame holder and stabilizer, preventing flashback by maintaining a stable combustion zone at the substrate surface. The porous structure allows controlled fuel-air mixing and combustion while the substrate itself serves as a physical barrier that prevents flame propagation back into the fuel supply lines
Solution Approach 2:
The permeable wall acts as an intermediary between the fuel-air mixture supply and the combustion chamber, controlling the flow and mixing processes to prevent flashback while maintaining compact system design
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 achieves improved thermal efficiency, reduced size, and increased combustion loading, while effectively inhibiting flashback and promoting complete combustion, thereby enhancing overall system performance and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
Premix fuel combustion systems are used to provide a heated thermal transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
provide a heated thermal transfer fluid for a variety of commercial, industrial, and domestic applications
Implementation Method 3
a baffle for directing the fuel-air mixture
Implementation Method 4
flat plate combustion substrate...enhances thermal efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A burner combustion system comprising: a burner casing comprising a first inlet and a first outlet; a combustion substrate disposed in the burner casing, wherein the combustion substrate is porous, and wherein the burner casing first outlet is disposed on an exterior of the combustion substrate; an inlet conduit disposed in the burner casing, the conduit comprising a second inlet and second outlet, wherein the second inlet of the conduit is outside the burner casing, and, wherein the second outlet of the conduit is connected to the burner casing first inlet, and wherein the combustion substrate may have a flat shape and wherein the burner combustion system may further comprise a baffle.