Systems and methods for flame stabilization and heat-release modulation

Abstract

An apparatus includes a burner, a first conductive element positioned across the face of the burner, a second conductive element positioned within the flame from the burner, and positive and negative electrodes coupled with a power source. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are configured to generate an electric field between the first and second conductive elements affecting the flame, and the electric field is operable to form at least one flame root defined by the flame. The power source is configured to selectively modify the electric field to increase or decrease a quantity of the at least one flame root.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a combustion burner configured to output a flame and a gas flow from a face of the burner, wherein the gas flow defines a gas flow path in a direction away from the burner;   (b) a first conductive element positioned within the flame;   (c) a second conductive element positioned across the face of the burner; and   (d) a positive electrode and a negative electrode each coupled with a power source, wherein the positive electrode is electrically coupled with the first conductive element and the negative electrode is electrically coupled with the second conductive element, wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode are configured to generate an electric field oriented parallel to the gas flow path, wherein the electric field is oriented in an opposite direction to the gas flow path;   wherein the power source is configured to generate the electric field to form at least one flame root defined by the flame, wherein the power source is configured to selectively modify the electric field to increase or decrease a quantity of the at least one flame root.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second conductive element includes a plurality of element portions, wherein a maximum quantity of the at least one flame root correlates to the plurality of portions. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second conductive element includes at least one wire positioned across the face of the burner. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second conductive element includes a multi-element feature arranged across the face of the burner, wherein the multi-element feature includes a plurality of openings arranged therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , where in the multi-element feature defines a honeycomb-like structure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second conductive element includes a multi-element feature arranged around a circumference of the face of the burner. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the multi-element feature includes a plurality of panels each having a two-dimensional linear body aimed toward a central position defined by the burner face. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) a sensor configured to determine an acoustic characteristic of the combustion burner and output a data signal based upon the acoustic characteristic; and   (b) a data processor communicatively coupled with the sensor and the power source, wherein the data processor is configured to receive the data signal and selectively operate the power source to modify the electric field based upon the data signal.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the data processor is configured to compare the acoustic characteristic to a pre-determined acoustic characteristic, wherein the data processor is configured to modify the electric field to thereby achieve an improved acoustic characteristic. 
     
     
         10 . A method of operating a combustion burner to affect a heat-release of the combustion burner, wherein the combustion burner is configured to output a flame and a gas flow from a face of the burner defining a gas flow path in a direction away from the burner, wherein a conductive element is positioned across the face of the burner, a positive electrode is positioned within the flame, and a negative electrode is coupled with the conductive element, the method comprising:
 (a) generating a flame from the burner;   (b) generating an electric field between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;   (c) forming an electrohydrodynamic bluff-body via the conductive element based upon the electric field;   (d) generating a first flame root based upon the electrohydrodynamic bluff-body; and   (e) increasing a strength of the electric field to generate a second flame root based upon the electrohydrodynamic bluff-body.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein generating the electric field between the positive electrode and the negative electrode includes generating the electric field in an orientation parallel to the gas flow path and in an opposite direction relative to the flow path. 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a combustion burner, wherein the combustion burner is configured to output a flame and a gas flow from a face of the burner defining a gas flow path in a direction away from the burner, wherein a conductive element is positioned across the face of the burner, a positive electrode is positioned within the flame, and a negative electrode is coupled with the conductive element, the method comprising:
 (a) generating a flame from the burner;   (b) measuring an acoustic characteristic of the burner;   (c) comparing the acoustic characteristic to a pre-determined acoustic characteristic; and   (d) based upon the comparison, selectively modifying an electric field induced between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to modify a heat-release of the flame.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein selectively modifying the electric field induced between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to modify the heat-release of the flame includes:
 (a) forming an electrohydrodynamic bluff-body via the conductive element based upon the electric field;   (b) generating a first flame root based upon the electrohydrodynamic bluff-body; and   (c) increasing a strength of the electric field to generate a second flame root based upon the electrohydrodynamic bluff-body.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the acoustic characteristic includes an acoustic pressure. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising applying generating the electric field between the positive and negative electrodes, wherein the electric field is oriented parallel to flow path and in an opposite direction relative to the flow path.