Catalytic fuel-air injector with bluff-body flame stabilization

Abstract

A method is provided for expanding a non-swirling gaseous flow exiting a conduit into a larger chamber. The flow conduit exhibits a curved flare exiting into the chamber and a gaseous flow is passed through the conduit along with a separate pilot flow centrally located within the conduit. The pilot flow is expanded by heating thus forcing the gaseous flow outward along the flared exit.

1 . A method of expanding a non-swirling gaseous flow exiting a conduit into a larger chamber comprising: 
 a) providing the flow conduit with a curved flare exit into the chamber;    b) passing a gaseous flow through the conduit;    c) providing a separate pilot flow centrally located within the conduit; and    d) expanding the pilot flow by heating thus forcing the gaseous flow outward along the flared exit.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flows comprise a lean mixture of fuel and air entering a combustion chamber.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the conduit flow expands to fill the combustion chamber and creates a central recirculation zone.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the pilot flow is heated by dump stabilized combustion.  
   
   
       5 . A method of expanding a non-swirling gaseous flow exiting a conduit into a larger chamber comprising: 
 a) providing the flow conduit with a curved flare exit into the chamber;    b) passing a gaseous flow through the conduit; and    c) providing a separate pilot flow centrally located within the conduit.