Aspects of the invention are directed to systems and apparatuses for efficiently burning fuels. According to one aspect of the invention, apparatus for efficiently burning hydrocarbons includes a housing having a first opening for receiving a fuel, a second opening for expelling the fuel, and a tubular passageway extending between the first opening and the second opening. The tubular passageway includes a central region and an outer region surrounding the central region. The apparatus also includes a plurality of magnets disposed within the passageway. Each of the magnets has a spherical or an ovoid shape. The plurality of magnets define void spaces for passing the fuel such that a central flow rate of the fuel in the central region of the passageway is equivalent to the an outer flow rate of the fuel in an outer region of the passageway.

A system and method for generating microwaves for microwave enhanced combustion (MEC) input to an MEC antenna of an internal combustion engine. The system uses a directional coupler to deliver the MEC input signal to the MEC antenna and to receive a reflected power signal from the MEC antenna. A feedback path determines a desired frequency, based on the reflected power and using an impedance-matching controller that matches the reflected power to a desired frequency value. Additional inputs, such as various engine conditions, can also be used to determine the desired frequency.

Technologies are provided for a method and an adaptor for introducing electricity into a combustion chamber, for the purpose of electrical flame or combustion control. The adaptor may be placed between a conventional burner assembly and a conventional combustion chamber wall. The adaptor includes an aperture for admitting electricity into the combustion chamber.

A high voltage can be applied to a combustion reaction to enhance or otherwise control the combustion reaction. The high voltage is switched on or off by a grid electrode interposed between a high voltage electrode assembly and the combustion reaction.

A combustion system includes a burner assembly, an electrode positioned within a combustion volume and configured to apply electrical energy to a flame supported by the burner assembly, and a dielectric electrode support extending through a furnace wall into the combustion volume and configured to support the electrode and further configured to be cooled by a coolant fluid circulated therethrough. The electrode support has coolant ports in fluid communication with a coolant channel extending within electrode support. During operation of the combustion system, a fluid coolant flows through the electrode support, holding a temperature of the electrode to within a selected range.

A method of controlling fuel injection into a combustor of a gas turbine engine including: applying a first electrical charge to fuel such that the fuel becomes a charged fuel; and applying a second electrical charge to a component of the combustor, wherein the first electrical charge is applied to the fuel at a first frequency and the second electrical charge is applied to the component at a second frequency such that at least one of a selected tone, a selected screech, and a selected noise is produced by spraying the charged fuel through the component and into a combustion chamber of the combustor from a fuel nozzle.

A combustion system includes an ionizer configured to eject charges (or accept charges) for uptake by a combustion reaction to cause a combustion reaction to carry a majority charge or voltage. The ionizer includes an inner electrode, a dielectric body surrounding the inner electrode, and one or more conductive or semi-conductive inner electrodes disposed on the surface of the dielectric body. The inner and outer electrodes are configured to be in a capacitive relationship.

A method of controlling fuel injection into a combustor of a gas turbine engine including: applying a first electrical charge to fuel such that the fuel becomes a charged fuel; and applying a second electrical charge to a component of the combustor, wherein the first electrical charge is applied to the fuel at a first frequency and the second electrical charge is applied to the component at a second frequency such that at least one of a selected tone, a selected screech, and a selected noise is produced by spraying the charged fuel through the component and into a combustion chamber of the combustor from a fuel nozzle.

A method for operating a combustion system includes outputting fuel and oxidant from a fuel and oxidant source onto a flame holder. The method further includes sustaining a combustion reaction of the fuel and the oxidant within the perforated flame holder.

A burner system that employs a perforated flame holder and is configured to combust a powdered solid fuel includes a structure configured to protect the perforated flame holder from erosion caused by particles of the solid fuel.