Hydrogen Boiler Burner Seal Layout for Lower Thermal Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen gas boilers face challenges in maintaining a reliable and long-lasting seal due to higher combustion temperatures and smaller molecule size, leading to increased wear and loosening of fastening means and burner seals, especially when combusting fuel gases with at least 20 mol-% hydrogen.
Innovation Solution
The combustion device features a burner seal arranged on the outer surface of the mounting wall, reducing thermal stress and using materials like chloroprene rubber and polytetrafluoroethylene to ensure a durable seal, along with a manifold and burner deck design that simplifies installation and reduces the risk of flashback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the burner seal is arranged on the inner surface of the mounting wall (conventional design), then the sealing function is provided, but the thermal stress on the burner seal increases leading to reduced durability and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The burner seal is inverted from its conventional position on the inner surface of the mounting wall to the outer surface. This inversion places the seal away from the high-temperature combustion chamber environment, reducing thermal stress and wear while maintaining the sealing function between the combustion chamber and external components.
2Use of energy by moving object
If hydrogen gas is combusted in the boiler, then the boiler can operate with higher energy content fuel, but the combustion temperature increases causing faster degradation of fastening means and burner seals
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting wall acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the high-temperature combustion chamber and the burner seal. By positioning the seal on the outer surface, the mounting wall mediates the thermal exposure, allowing hydrogen combustion while protecting the seal from excessive heat that would cause rapid degradation.
3Reliability
If the burner seal is positioned to seal against the inner surface of the mounting wall, then the sealing effectiveness is maximized, but the wear from high temperature and hydrogen exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing interface is moved from the inner surface dimension (exposed to combustion gases) to the outer surface dimension (protected from direct thermal exposure). This dimensional relocation maintains the sealing function while eliminating the harmful thermal wear associated with the inner surface position.
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 solution provides a sufficient sealing of the combustion chamber over a longer operating time, reducing thermal stress on the burner seal and minimizing the risk of flashbacks, while allowing easy retrofitting from natural gas to hydrogen gas boilers with improved safety and reduced human error.
Implementation Method 1
a burner seal for sealing the manifold against the mounting wall
Implementation Method 2
Combustion appliances, in particular gas boilers, combust gas fuel to heat water for domestic use and/or central heating systems in buildings
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a combustion device for a hydrogen gas boiler configured for the combustion of a fuel gas which comprises at least 20 mol-% of hydrogen, comprising a mounting wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface facing a combustion chamber of the hydrogen gas boiler, a through hole formed by the mounting wall, a manifold for introducing a gas mixture into the combustion chamber via the through hole and mountable on the mounting wall, and a burner seal for sealing the manifold against the mounting wall, wherein the burner seal is arranged on the outer surface of the mounting wall.