MULTISTAGE IONIZER FOR A COMBUSTION SYSTEM

摘要

A combustion reaction is supported. Charge carriers traveling in an ion flow path are ionized by a plurality of ionizer stages along the ion flow path. The ionized charge carriers are drawn from components of the combustion reaction, and are introduced to the combustion reaction. A charge is imparted to the combustion reaction by the ionized charge carriers. Electrical energy can then be applied to the combustion reaction, which responds according to the charge imparted by the ions.

主权项

1. A combustion system, comprising:
a burner configured to support a combustion reaction; a first electrode positioned and configured to apply electrical energy to a combustion reaction supported by the burner; an ionizer mechanism, including:
a first ionizer stage configured to ionize charge carriers travelling along an ion flow path;a second ionizer stage positioned downstream from the first ionizer stage along the ionizer flow path, configured to ionize additional charge carriers travelling along the ion flow path;an outlet positioned downstream from the second ionizer stage along the ionizer flow path; and a conduit operatively coupled to the outlet of the ionizer mechanism and configured to introduce charge carriers travelling along the ion flow path to the combustion reaction supported by the burner.