Glow Ignition Burner for Slag-Resistant Metallurgical Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing burners with external-mixing designs face challenges in precise positioning of spark-based igniters due to high temperature differences and slag spatters, requiring complex maintenance and affecting gas flow, especially in fuel-oxygen burners with slim designs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a glow ignition system using a heating element, where a partial flow of oxidizing agent is heated to a high temperature and mixed with a fuel medium, exceeding the ignition temperature to form a flame, eliminating the need for precise electrode positioning and reducing maintenance efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spark-based igniter is positioned in the mixing area of fuel and oxidant, then ignition can be achieved, but precise positioning is required and maintenance becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition function is extracted from the spark-based electrode system and transferred to a heating element that preheats the oxidizing agent. This eliminates the need for precise electrode positioning and spark generation, simplifying the ignition device structure and reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable ignition.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical/electrical spark generation system is replaced with a thermal heating system. Instead of using electrodes to generate sparks, a heating element raises the temperature of the oxidizing agent to enable autoignition, substituting a thermal field for an electrical field and eliminating positioning precision requirements.
2Reliability
If the ignition device is positioned in front of the burner mouth, then ignition can be achieved, but the area is exposed to high temperature differences and slag spatters
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element preheats the oxidizing agent before it reaches the combustion zone. By performing the heating action in advance within the burner body, the system avoids exposing the ignition device to harmful conditions at the burner mouth, while still achieving reliable ignition when the heated oxidizing agent mixes with fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element acts as an intermediary that transfers thermal energy to the oxidizing agent without being exposed to the harsh conditions at the burner mouth. This intermediary approach allows the ignition function to be performed remotely from the harmful environment, protecting the ignition device from temperature extremes and slag spatters.
3Reliability
If the ignition equipment is arranged at the burner mouth, then ignition can be achieved, but gas flow of fuel and/or oxidizing agent is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition function is extracted from the gas flow path at the burner mouth and relocated to a separate heating element positioned within the burner body. This extraction eliminates the obstruction caused by ignition equipment in the gas flow, maintaining full gas flow efficiency while preserving reliable ignition performance through thermal preheating of the oxidizing agent.
4Reliability
If a spark-based igniter is used, then ignition can be achieved, but electrode positioning must be maintained precisely with 1-2 mm distance
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical spark generation system requiring precise mechanical positioning is replaced with a thermal heating system. The heating element can be positioned flexibly within the burner body without requiring sub-millimeter precision, as thermal diffusion and convection ensure the heated oxidizing agent reaches the combustion zone reliably, eliminating stringent manufacturing precision requirements.
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 solution provides reliable ignition without the need for precise electrode placement, reduces maintenance complexity, and maintains efficient gas flow, suitable for both gaseous and liquid fuels, with oxidizing agents like air or oxygen, particularly effective in fuel-oxygen burners.
Implementation Method 1
The heating surface is, for example, a glow plug or a heating coil that is heated and heated by current flow thereby is made to glow
Implementation Method 2
a partial flow of at least one oxidizing agent is brought into thermal contact with a heating surface heated to a high temperature, thereby in turn heated
Implementation Method 3
At the points where the ignition temperature is exceeded, the media react with each other to form a flame or individual flames, which are then carried out under the pressure of the subsequent partial flows in the form of strands of flame to the burner mouth
Data Source
AI summary
A burner without premixing, featuring a glow ignition (12), is shown, in particular an oxygen burner for metallurgical applications. To reduce the maintenance required for the ignition device, the ignition unit (12) is arranged within a fuel supply (4) of the burner and has a feed channel (13) for oxidizer and a preferably electrically operated heating element (12). For ignition, a partial stream of the oxidizer used for operating the burner is directed to the heating element (12), heated to a high temperature, and mixed with a partial stream of the fuel in the fuel supply (4) to form a partial stream mixture, which then ignites, producing flames. The flames are carried to the burner mouth (3) and ignite the main streams of fuel and oxidizer there. This prevents or reduces contamination from slag splashes and the like.