Expansion of the Stable Surface Combustion Region in an IR Burner Device

A method for expanding the region of stable surface combustion in an IR burner by regulating the matrix surface temperature was proposed. The control system with an electronic unit provided almost constant temperature of the radiating matrix surface at an excess air coefficient intermittently changed from 1.05 to 1.8. For a corrugated metal foil matrix, stable surface combustion of a natural gas–air mixture was ensured without any flashback or blow-off in the range of parameters where normal combustion was impossible. Stable surface combustion in the IR mode was achieved at a specific power w of up to 80 W/cm 2 and emitting matrix surface temperature of ~1000°C. The stationary and controlled nonstationary combustion modes on a foamed-metal matrix with a mesh radiation screen were compared. At a specific combustion power of less than 80 W/cm 2 , the average values ​​of radiation flux and effective emitter temperature, equivalent to the parameters under the stationary mode of operation, lie in the control range. At w > 80 W/cm 2 , the indicated parameters are above the control range; therefore, to achieve the optimum nonstationary combustion mode at increased specific combustion power, it is necessary to increase the relative pulse duration of control pulses.