Hollow Flame Burner with Envelope Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing burner technologies face challenges in reducing NOx emissions and achieving efficient heat transfer while managing fuel costs, often requiring complex designs and recirculation systems that can be costly and pose safety risks, especially when dealing with special substances that do not burn easily.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating an overall flame with internal exhaust gas recirculation within a cup-shaped cavity, eliminating the need for a central flame kernel and allowing for easy modulation of burner output, using basic and additional nozzles with controlled combustion air to achieve NOx reduction and efficient heat transfer without external recirculation devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct convection of a hot flame on the boiler wall is used for heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but NOx emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flame is segmented into multiple individual flames arranged in a circle, which form an envelope flame structure. This segmentation allows the flame to be divided into zones with different temperatures and functions, enabling efficient heat transfer from the outer envelope while protecting the inner core
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested flame structure where individual flames form an outer envelope that contains and protects an inner core flame. The envelope flame acts as a protective layer that enables efficient heat transfer to the boiler wall while shielding the core flame, creating a nested configuration that resolves the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and NOx emissions
2Reliability
If a central core flame is used for reliable combustion, then combustion stability is improved, but internal exhaust gas recirculation increases NOx reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion system is segmented into multiple individual nozzles spaced apart from the center, each producing individual flames. This segmentation eliminates the need for a central core flame while maintaining combustion stability through the distributed arrangement of flames that collectively provide reliable combustion
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the ignition and stability function in the center (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by spacing nozzles apart from the center and using the envelope flame structure to provide stability. The individual flames collectively ensure reliable combustion without requiring a central core, and the envelope structure naturally creates external recirculation that reduces NOx
3Object-generated harmful factors
If external exhaust gas recirculation is used for NOx reduction, then NOx emissions are reduced, but device complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flame structure itself automatically creates the exhaust gas recirculation through its geometry and flow dynamics. The envelope flame configuration naturally induces external recirculation of exhaust gases around the individual flames, eliminating the need for separate recirculation devices. The system serves itself by using the flame structure to generate the recirculation needed for NOx reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the recirculation function from separate external devices and integrates it directly into the flame structure itself. The envelope flame configuration inherently creates the recirculation flow, removing the need for complex external recirculation systems and their associated safety risks
4Productivity
If individual flames are spaced apart to form an envelope flame, then heat transfer is improved, but flame stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual flames into a unified envelope flame structure. While the individual nozzles are spaced apart to enable heat transfer, their combined effect creates a cohesive envelope that provides stability. The individual flames work together as a integrated system, merging their effects to achieve both heat transfer efficiency and stability
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 approach significantly reduces NOx emissions, increases efficiency, and lowers manufacturing and operating costs, while enabling flexible fuel management and safe combustion of difficult-to-burn substances, without compromising exhaust gas detoxification.
Implementation Method 1
the radiation of a flame is of course also important for the heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
the direct convection of a hot flame on the boiler wall is particularly favorable for heat transfer to the heat transfer material
Implementation Method 3
internal exhaust gas recirculation with the individual flames of the envelope flame
Implementation Method 4
an overall flame with internal exhaust gas recirculation within a cup-shaped cavity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and an burner apparatus for burning oil and/or gas as fuel. In said method and apparatus, a combined flame (16,3) is generated by means of individual flames (16.1 and 16.2), and a hollow flame is formed within the combined flame, downstream of a fire tube (1) and upstream of the combustion process. In a separate embodiment, exhaust gas can recirculate within said hollow flame. A baffle plate (3) that is disposed inside the air flow is an important structural element for forming the hollow flame.