Self-sustaining premixed pilot burner for liquid fuels

Abstract

A burner for liquid fuel comprises a mixture chamber for producing a liquid fuel air mixture. The mixture chamber has a heating element, an air inlet for receiving air, the air inlet being configured so as to facilitate air flow over at least a part of the heating element, and a liquid fuel inlet. An atomizer is mounted in a path of flow of the liquid fuel air mixture formed by the mixture chamber. A combustion chamber for combusting the liquid fuel air mixture is provided. The combustion chamber has a flame holder, an ignition source located proximal the flame holder, and a combustion zone located downstream of the flame holder.

1 . A burner for liquid fuel, the burner comprising: 
 a mixture chamber for producing a liquid fuel air mixture, the mixture chamber having a heating element means, an air receiving means for receiving air, the air receiving means configured so as to facilitate air flow over at least a part of the heating element, and a liquid fuel receiving means;    an atomizer mounted in a path of flow of the liquid fuel air mixture formed by the mixture chamber;    a combustion chamber for combusting the liquid fuel air mixture, the combustion chamber having a flame holder, an ignition source located proximal the flame holder, and a combustion zone located downstream of the flame holder.    
     
     
         2 . The burner for liquid fuel as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a means for preheating the air before its introduction to the air receiving means.  
     
     
         3 . The burner for liquid fuel as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the means for preheating the air comprises an external jacket formed about at least a portion of the combustion chamber.  
     
     
         4 . The burner for liquid fuel as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the means for preheating the air is a preheat coil located within the combustion chamber.  
     
     
         5 . The burner for liquid fuel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the heating element means comprises a glow plug connected by electrical leads to a power source.  
     
     
         6 . The burner for liquid fuel as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a catch tray for located between the heating element means and the for catching liquid fuel droplets.  
     
     
         7 . The burner for liquid fuel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the atomizer has an exit opening configured so as to produce a cone shaped liquid fuel air mixture stream.  
     
     
         8 . A burner for burning a low-volatility liquid fuel, the burner comprising: 
 an inlet air means through which burner air flows;    an inlet fuel means through which burner fuel flows;    a fuel air mixture preparation chamber downstream of the said inlet air means and said inlet fuel means and in which a fuel air mixture is mixed;    a combustion housing means for combusting a fuel air mixture that is in heat exchange relationship with the said burner air flow and in fluid connection with the said fuel air mixture preparation chamber.    
     
     
         9 . The burner of  claim 8  wherein the combustion housing means further comprises a flame holder and ignition source.  
     
     
         10 . The burner of  claim 8  wherein the fuel air mixture preparation chamber means further comprises a heating element to preheat the said burner air during start-up of the burner.  
     
     
         11 . The burner of  claim 8  wherein the fuel air mixture preparation chamber means further comprises a liquid fuel atomizer to enhance the vaporization of fuel in the fuel air mixture.  
     
     
         12 . A method for operating a self-sustaining liquid fueled burner comprising following the steps: 
 initiating air flow to the burner through the inlet air means;    initiating the electrical energy to the heating element to preheat the air flow to the burner;    initiating the fuel flow to the burner through the inlet fuel means to make a fuel air mixture;    initiating the electric energy to the ignition source to ignite the fuel air mixture;    monitoring the air preheat temperature prior to the heating element and once temperature greater than the lower volatility limit of the fuel is achieved turn off the energy to the heating element;    monitoring the combustion chamber temperature and turning off the ignition source when the combustion chamber temperature reaches 1200 F.