Method and device for influencing combution processes of fuels

Abstract

An electrical device is used for guiding and/or altering a flame. The flame is subjected to the action of an electric field. Further, an insulating material enclosure made of ion-conducting material prevents charge transfer between the flame and the field-generating electrode.

1 . A method for influencing combustion processes of fuels, comprising: 
 using at least one electric device for at least one of guiding and changing a flame, the flame being subjected to action of an electric field; and    limiting charge carrier transport, from at least one of the flame and at least one of the field-producing electrodes to at least the other of the flame and at least one of the field-producing electrodes, by the fact that the flame and the electrode are separated from each other using an ion-conducting material.    
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein material and geometry of the ion-conducting material are chosen such that a temperature-dependent transition from the insulating to the conductive state takes place as a result of ion conduction, the conductivity remaining limited to permissible values in the conductive state.  
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the conductivity is limited in such a way that the charge carrier transport is low and the current through the flame does not exceed permissible values.  
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the charge carrier transport is kept so low that, during the combustion process, the occurrence of independent discharges is prevented.  
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the charge carrier transport is limited in such a way that thermo-acoustic emissions are reduced.  
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fuel used is a pre-mixed gas.  
   
   
       7 . A device, comprising: 
 at least one of stabilizing and pollutant-reducing device for influencing the flame during the combustion process, the device including field-producing electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being separated from the flame by an insulating material enclosure including an ion-conducting material which prevents charge carriers from the flame striking the electrode.    
   
   
       8 . The device has claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the material changes to the conductive state as a result of the ion conduction at temperatures of a few 100 K.  
   
   
       9 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the ion-conducting material is aluminum oxide.  
   
   
       10 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the ion-conducting material is a zirconium oxide stabilized with additives.  
   
   
       11 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the additives are yttrium oxide.  
   
   
       12 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the insulating material enclosure surrounds the flame in such a way that the fuel enters at its one end and the combustion waste gas emerges at the other end.  
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein there is at least one further electrode which is not surrounded by an insulating material enclosure.  
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the further electrode is located inside the insulating material enclosure.  
   
   
       15 . The device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the electrode arranged inside the insulating material enclosure is formed by at least one of a housing and another electrically conductive part of the burner.  
   
   
       16 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the electrodes are at a potential different from that of the first electrode.  
   
   
       17 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the electrodes rests in a positive manner from the insulating material enclosure.  
   
   
       18 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the electrodes of different potential are separated electrically from the insulating material enclosure.  
   
   
       19 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the insulating material enclosure has electrically insulating leadthroughs.  
   
   
       20 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the electrodes form toroidal annular electrodes.  
   
   
       21 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the electrodes form cylindrical electrodes.  
   
   
       22 . The device has claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the electrodes are formed by at least one of films applied to the outside of the insulating material enclosure and layers produced by at least one of vapor deposition and spraying on.  
   
   
       23 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the electrodes are connected by feed lines to a power supply unit.  
   
   
       24 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the power supply unit supplies a direct voltage.  
   
   
       25 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the power supply unit supplies at least one of a clocked direct voltage, an alternating voltage and a pulsed voltage.  
   
   
       26 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the power supply unit supplies at least one of a clocked direct voltage, an alternating voltage and a pulsed voltage which are superimposed on a constant direct voltage.  
   
   
       27 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein there are sensors for at least one of the frequency and amplitude of combustion oscillations and the pollutant concentration in the waste gas stream, the frequency, amplitude and phase of the voltage applied to the electrode being controlled or regulated by at least one of a control and regulating device such that the combustion oscillations and the pollutant concentration are minimized.