Burner with flow distribution member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing burners for water heaters and boilers face challenges in achieving balanced and uniform flow of fuel and air mixtures, leading to negative pressure zones that can cause flashback and uneven flame distribution, resulting in inefficient operation and noise.
Innovation Solution
A pre-mix burner apparatus with a flow distribution member featuring a closed axially central portion and radially extending vanes that create a swirling flow pattern, preventing axial central flow and ensuring uniform pressure distribution and flame exit velocities along the burner length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a premix blower supplies air and gas mixture to the cylindrical burner, then the burner can operate with high heat output, but negative pressure zones form in the burner causing flashback and uneven flame distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distribution member segments the axial flow into multiple radial flow paths through the vanes, creating numerous small flow channels that distribute the fuel-air mixture more uniformly across the burner perimeter, eliminating negative pressure zones while maintaining high heat output
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the flow direction from axial (one-dimensional) to radial (two-dimensional) by using vanes that redirect the fuel-air mixture outward perpendicular to the burner axis, creating a swirling pattern that distributes flow more evenly across the burner surface and prevents flashback
2Device complexity
If fuel and air mixture flows axially centrally into the burner, then the flow path is simple and direct, but negative pressure zones develop causing uneven flame distribution and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distribution member preliminarily redirects and distributes the fuel-air mixture into radial flow paths before the mixture enters the main burner body, pre-establishing uniform pressure distribution and preventing the formation of negative pressure zones that would cause uneven flame distribution and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The vanes are curved and arranged in a circular pattern around the burner axis, creating a swirling radial flow pattern that distributes the fuel-air mixture uniformly across the burner perimeter, transforming the simple axial flow path into a more complex but effective curved radial path
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 effectively prevents negative pressure zones and ensures uniform flame distribution, reducing the risk of flashback and noise, while maintaining high heat output and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The vanes are configured to generate a swirling flow of fuel and air mixture flowing past the vanes into the burner
Implementation Method 2
The flow distribution member includes a closed axially central portion configured to block flow of fuel and air mixture axially centrally into the burner
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-mix burner apparatus includes a burner having a generally cylindrical burner surface, the burner having a generally circular burner inlet at one end of the burner, the burner inlet having an inlet diameter. A flow distribution member is arranged to distribute flow of fuel and air mixture into the burner. The flow distribution member includes a closed axially central portion configured to block flow of fuel and air mixture axially centrally into the burner. The flow distribution member includes a plurality of vanes extending radially outward from the closed axially central portion. The vanes are configured to generate a swirling flow of fuel and air mixture flowing past the vanes into the burner.