Gas Burner Segmented Mixing for Flashback Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas burners face challenges in achieving homogeneous flame distribution and preventing flame flashback, which affects the efficiency and safety of combustion processes.

Innovation Solution

The gas burner design includes a structure with gas distribution means and air distribution means, where combustible gas and air are directed to a mixing area through independent and fragmented pathways, ensuring the right amount of air reaches each mixing point, preventing flashback, and utilizing a distribution plate with passage openings to focus air flow, and a constricted area to regulate gas flow, resulting in uniform flame distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If gas and air are mixed before ignition in a premix burner, then combustion efficiency is improved, but flame flashback risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidflame flashback prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The burner divides the combustion process into separate zones: a premixing zone where gas and air are mixed for efficient combustion, and a diffusion zone where additional air mixes with the flame front. This segmentation allows the benefits of premixing while preventing flashback by creating a diffusion barrier zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary diffusion zone between the premixing area and the combustion chamber. This intermediate zone acts as a buffer that prevents the flame from propagating back into the premixing zone, thereby preventing flashback while maintaining combustion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If complex distribution systems are used to achieve homogeneous flame distribution, then flame uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame distribution uniformityVSAvoiddistribution system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution system is segmented into multiple independent channels, each with its own gas inlet and air inlet. This segmentation allows for simplified individual channel design while achieving homogeneous overall flame distribution through the combined output of multiple uniform channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design ensures efficient and safe combustion by achieving homogeneous flame distribution throughout the burner, preventing flashback, and ensuring consistent air-gas mixture quality, leading to improved heat distribution and burner reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a constricted area (4a) disposed between said main chamber (4) and each main conduit (4b), said main conduit (4b) being communicated with said main chamber (4) through said respective constricted area (4a)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

a distribution plate (5') arranged in said mixing area (7) comprising a plurality of passage openings (5a), each passage opening (5a) being configured for directing air to at least one mixing point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 3

a mixing area (7) arranged above said distribution plate (5'), said passage openings (5a) being directed towards said mixing area (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3336427B1Gas burner
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 IKERLAN
  • EP3336427B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3336427B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Gas burner comprising a structure (1A) with gas distribution means configured for directing gas to a mixing area and air distribution means configured for directing air to said mixing area. The gas and air distribution means are communicated with a gas inlet conduit (2) and an air inlet conduit (3), respectively. The gas distribution means comprise a plurality of main conduits (4b) providing a mixing point at the outlet of each main conduit (4b). The air distribution means comprise a chamber (5) communicated with the air inlet conduit (3), and a distributor plate (5') arranged in the mixing area comprising a plurality of passage openings, each passage opening being configured for directing air to at least one mixing point.