Hydrogen Dark Radiator Combustion Layout for Low-Emission Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiant heaters emit pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons due to incomplete combustion, despite efforts to achieve optimal stoichiometric ratios.

Innovation Solution

The use of hydrogen as the exclusive fuel source in a dark radiator, combined with a high air-fuel ratio and controlled mixing outside the blower, minimizes pollutant emissions by ensuring complete combustion and reducing flame temperature below nitrogen oxide formation limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If natural gas or LPG is used as fuel, then the heater can achieve efficient combustion, but carbon-containing pollutants (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons) are emitted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidpollutant emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the fuel from carbon-containing gases (natural gas, LPG) to hydrogen, which contains no carbon. This fundamental parameter change eliminates the source of carbon-containing pollutants while maintaining combustion efficiency, as hydrogen burns to produce only water vapor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the flame temperature is increased to improve heating efficiency, then more nitrogen oxides are formed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidnitrogen oxide emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fuel type from carbon-containing gases to hydrogen, which has a different combustion temperature profile. Hydrogen combustion can be controlled to operate below the threshold temperature for significant nitrogen oxide formation (typically below 1500°C), thereby eliminating this harmful byproduct while maintaining effective heating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a mixing chamber is used to premix fuel gas and combustion air, then complete combustion is achieved, but flame flashback into the blower can occur

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the mixing function from the blower assembly by using a separate ejector device positioned downstream. The ejector mixes hydrogen with combustion air after the air has been supplied by the blower, eliminating the risk of flame flashback into the blower while still achieving complete combustion through proper mixing in the ejector

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If hydrogen is mixed with combustion air inside the blower, then a defined mixing ratio is achieved, but the blower material requirements increase due to flame exposure risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing ratio controlVSAvoidblower material requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the mixing process from the blower by positioning the ejector downstream where hydrogen mixes with combustion air after the blower has delivered the air. This separation ensures the blower never contacts the hydrogen-fuel mixture or exposed flame, maintaining standard material requirements while achieving precise mixing ratios through the ejector's design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 achieves reduced pollutant emissions while maintaining efficiency by utilizing hydrogen's high reactivity and controlled mixing, eliminating the need for flame flashback prevention mechanisms and minimizing thermal impairment.

Implementation Method 1

The blower is connected to an ejector whose suction port is connected to the hydrogen supply. The combustion air drawn in by the blower serves as the motive medium, so that a hydrogen-combustion air mixture is supplied to the burner by the blower.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEjector effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

A flame is generated by burning a mixture of fuel gas and air within the burner, and this flame can be distributed along the entire length of the radiant tube by means of a fan.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

The flame heats the radiant tube uniformly, generating thermal radiation that is emitted onto the area to be heated.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 4

The exhaust gases produced by combustion are removed from the radiant tube by a fan and, for example, vented to the outside air via exhaust pipes.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4726258A2Dark emitters
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SCHWANK GMBH
  • EP4726258A2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4726258A2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4726258A2 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a dark radiator, comprising a burner (1, 5, 6, 7), a blower (2) and a radiant tube (3) connected to an exhaust gas discharge line, wherein the burner (1) is connected to a fuel gas supply, wherein the blower (2) is configured to supply combustion air to the burner (1), wherein the burner (1) is configured to emit a flame into the radiant tube (3, 3'), and wherein the fuel gas supply is connected to a hydrogen source.