Refractory burner tiles having improved emissivity and combustion apparatus employing the same

Abstract

The performance of a combustion apparatus is improved by providing a burner tile therein which includes a coating of a high-emissivity (high-E) material. Preferably, the high-E material has an emissivity of greater than about 0.80, usually between about 0.85 to about 0.98. In some embodiments, the high-E material has an emissivity of about 0.92. The coating thickness on of the high-E material on the burner tile can be between about 0.0005 to about 0.025 inch, preferably between about 0.001 to about 0.002 inch. In especially preferred embodiments, the high-E material is ceramic. A burner tile comprising a coating layer of the high-emissivity material may therefore be incorporated into a combustion apparatus so as to improve its combustion performance.

1 . A method of improving performance of a combustion apparatus comprising providing a burner tile in the combustion apparatus which includes a coating of a high-emissivity (high-E) material. 
   
   
       2 . Method as in  claim 1 , wherein the high-E material has an emissivity of greater than about 0.80. 
   
   
       3 . Method as in  claim 1 , wherein the high-E material has an emissivity of between about 0.85 to about 0.98. 
   
   
       4 . Method as in  claim 1 , wherein the high-E material has an emissivity of about 0.92. 
   
   
       5 . Method as in  claim 1 , wherein the coating has a thickness of between about 0.0005 to about 0.025 inch. 
   
   
       6 . Method as in  claim 1 , wherein the coating has a thickness of between about 0.001 to about 0.002 inch. 
   
   
       7 . Method as in  claim 1 , wherein the high-E material is ceramic. 
   
   
       8 . A burner tile for a combustion apparatus comprising a coating layer of a high-emissivity material. 
   
   
       9 . Burner tile as in  claim 8 , wherein the high-E material has an emissivity of greater than about 0.80. 
   
   
       10 . Burner tile as in  claim 9 , wherein the high-E material has an emissivity of between about 0.85 to about 0.98. 
   
   
       11 . Burner tile as in  claim 9 , wherein the high-E material has an emissivity of about 0.92. 
   
   
       12 . Burner tile as in  claim 9 , wherein the coating has a thickness of between about 0.0005 to about 0.025 inch. 
   
   
       13 . Burner tile as in  claim 9 , wherein the coating has a thickness of between about 0.001 to about 0.002 inch. 
   
   
       14 . A combustion apparatus comprising a burner tile as in any one of  claims 8 - 13 .