Burner system and method of operation

Abstract

A burner system, preferably including input plumbing, a combustion region, and an exhaust section. In some embodiments, the burner system can include, be attached to, be configured to couple with, and/or be otherwise associated with a thermionic energy converter (TEC). A method of burner system operation, preferably including operating the burner system in a combustion mode and optionally including operating a TEC.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a first fluid conveyance element defining a first port, a second port, and a long axis extending from the first port to the second port, the first fluid conveyance element configured to convey a first fluid, the first fluid conveyance element comprising a fluid conveyance structure (FCS), the FCS extending between the first port and the second port and defining an FCS interior configured to convey the first fluid between the first and second ports along an FCS path;   a heat reception element arranged along the long axis, wherein the second port is arranged between the first port and the heat reception element, the burner system defining a combustion region between the second port and the heat reception element, the combustion region fluidly coupled to the FCS interior via the second port;   a second fluid conveyance element defining a second element interior fluidly coupled to the combustion region, the second element interior defining a second path, the second fluid conveyance element configured to convey a second fluid along the second path, the second fluid conveyance element thermally coupled to the FCS;   a first plurality of protrusive structures that protrude outward from the first fluid conveyance element into the second element interior, wherein the first plurality of protrusive structures are configured to thermally couple the first fluid conveyance element to the second fluid; and   a second plurality of protrusive structures that protrude inward from first fluid conveyance element into the FCS interior, wherein the second plurality of protrusive structures are configured to thermally couple the first fluid to the first fluid conveyance element, such that the first and second pluralities of protrusive structures cooperatively thermally couple the first fluid to the second fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the FCS interior defines a first cross-sectional area for fluid flow, the first cross-sectional area defined on a first plane normal to the first FCS path, the first plane arranged between the first port and the second port;   the first fluid conveyance element further comprises a flow restrictor fluidly coupled to the FCS interior, the flow restrictor defining a second cross-sectional area for fluid flow, the second cross-sectional area defined on a second plane normal to the first FCS path, wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than zero, wherein the second plane is arranged between the first plane and the second port; and   the combustion region is fluidly coupled to the FCS interior via the flow restrictor.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first fluid conveyance element further comprises a plurality of FCSs, the plurality comprising the FCS;   each FCS of the plurality extends from the first port to the second port; and   each FCS of the plurality defines a respective FCS interior configured to convey the first fluid between the first and second ports along a respective FCS path.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first plurality of protrusive structures comprises:
 a first protrusive structure that protrudes outward from the FCS; and   a second protrusive structure that protrudes outward from a second FCS of the plurality of FCSs, second protrusive structure mechanically connected to the first protrusive structure.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 each FCS of the plurality is arranged substantially parallel to the long axis;   the plurality of FCSs define an FCS density, defined as the number of FCSs within a unit area, that varies as a function of radial distance from the long axis, wherein:
 the plurality of FCSs define a maximum radial distance equal to the greatest distance between the long axis and any FCS of the plurality; and 
 the FCS density increases with increasing radial distance between zero and the maximum radial density. 
   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first fluid comprises fuel and an oxidant;   the second fluid comprises combustion exhaust;   the first port is an inlet; and   the second port is an outlet.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second fluid conveyance element encircles the first fluid conveyance element. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first fluid comprises combustion exhaust;   the second fluid comprises fuel and an oxidant;   the first port is an outlet; and   the second port is an inlet.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second fluid conveyance element encircles the first fluid conveyance element. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid comprises combustion exhaust;   at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid comprises fuel and an oxidant;   the system further comprises a third fluid conveyance element configured to convey a third fluid to the combustion region, the third fluid comprising at least one of the fuel or the oxidant.   
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a thermionic energy converter (TEC) comprising:
 a heat reception element; 
 a surface adjacent to and mechanically connected to the heat reception element; and 
 an electron emitter thermally coupled to the heat reception element; 
   a first fluid conveyance element defining a first port, a second port, and a long axis extending from the first port to the second port, wherein:
 the first fluid conveyance element is configured to convey a first fluid; 
 the first fluid conveyance element comprises a fluid conveyance structure (FCS), the FCS extending between the first port and the second port and defining an FCS interior configured to convey the first fluid between the first and second ports along an FCS path; and 
 the burner system defines a combustion region between the second port and the heat reception element; and 
   a second fluid conveyance element defining a second element interior fluidly coupled to the combustion region, the second element interior defining a second path, the second fluid conveyance element configured to convey a second fluid along the second path, the second fluid conveyance element thermally coupled to the FCS;   
       wherein:
 the heat reception element is arranged along the long axis; 
 the second port is arranged between the first port and the heat reception element; and 
 the combustion region is fluidly coupled to the FCS interior via the second port. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a set of one or more protrusive structures that mechanically and thermally connect the first fluid conveyance element to the surface. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein a first protrusive structure of the set is mechanically connected to the FCS, thereby thermally connecting the FCS to the surface. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the TEC further comprises a shell comprising the heat reception element and the surface, the shell defining a heating cavity bounded by the heat reception element and the surface; and   the combustion region is arranged within the heating cavity and bounded by the shell.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a set of one or more protrusive structures that mechanically and thermally connect the first fluid conveyance element to the shell. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein a first protrusive structure of the set is mechanically connected to the FCS, thereby thermally connecting the FCS to the shell. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first fluid conveyance element further comprises a second FCS, the second FCS extending between the first port and the second port and defining a second FCS interior configured to convey the first fluid between the first and second ports along a second FCS path;   a second protrusive of the set is mechanically connected to the second FCS, thereby thermally connecting the second FCS to the shell; and   the system further comprises a third protrusive structure that mechanically connects the FCS to the second FCS.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the second fluid conveyance element surrounds the first fluid conveyance element;   the first fluid conveyance element comprises a wall that fluidly separates the FCS interior from the second element interior; and   a first protrusive structure of the set mechanically and thermally connects the wall to the shell.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first fluid comprises fuel and an oxidant;   the second fluid comprises combustion exhaust;   the first port is an inlet; and   the second port is an outlet.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first fluid comprises combustion exhaust;   the second fluid comprises fuel and an oxidant;   the first port is an outlet; and   the second port is an inlet.