Hydrogen Heater Flow Resistance Control for Quiet Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen combustion in heating appliances often results in noise due to flame instability and increased probability of flashbacks, making noise-free operation challenging, especially during ignition.
Innovation Solution
A heater designed to burn a combustion mixture with at least 80% hydrogen content, equipped with a device for selectively adjusting flow resistance in the mixture channel or burner cavity, which can increase or reduce pressure drop to prevent noise by altering the flow geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hydrogen combustion is used in heating appliances, then energy efficiency and environmental benefits are improved, but noise is generated due to flame instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the flow resistance of the combustion mixture through a throttle device. By changing the flow resistance parameter, the combustion mixture flow rate is regulated to optimize the combustion process and reduce flame instability that causes noise. This allows the system to maintain efficient hydrogen combustion while minimizing harmful noise emissions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If flow resistance is increased to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but combustion efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the flow resistance adjustable rather than fixed. The throttle device can be positioned at different locations within the combustion system and adjusted to provide optimal flow resistance at different operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to reduce noise when needed while maintaining combustion efficiency during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by varying the flow resistance parameter through the throttle device. By adjusting the opening degree or position of the throttle, the system can control the combustion mixture flow rate to balance between noise reduction and combustion efficiency. This parameter adjustment enables the system to adapt to different operating conditions and maintain optimal performance.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a throttle device is added to adjust flow resistance, then noise control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the throttle device to serve multiple functions: it controls flow resistance for noise reduction, regulates combustion mixture composition, and can be positioned to optimize combustion efficiency. By making this single component multi-functional, the system achieves noise control without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Enables noise-free operation across all operating conditions with minimal structural modifications, suitable for retrofitting existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The combustion mixture is conveyed by means of a conveying device through a mixture channel into a burner cavity
Implementation Method 2
The device for targeted adjustment of the flow resistance can generate a flow resistance in the mixture channel and/or in the burner cavity and thus cause a pressure drop
Implementation Method 3
the combustion mixture can be fed to a burner via a mixture duct, where it can flow into a burner cavity, then exit through a burner outlet element into a combustion chamber and be combusted there
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
Proposed is a heater (10) configured to combust a combustion mixture comprising a fuel gas with a hydrogen content of at least 80 percent and combustion air. The combustion mixture is conveyed by means of a conveying device (6) through a mixture channel (7) into a burner cavity (23) of a burner (1) and exits through a burner outlet element (4) into a combustion chamber (3) where it burns. A device for selectively adjusting the flow resistance (5) is arranged in the mixture channel (7) or in the burner cavity (23). The heater (10) enables noise-free operation of the heater (10) in all operating ranges.