A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a perforated reaction holder configured to hold a combustion reaction that produces very low oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Described herein are catalytic heating systems, comprising catalytic reactors and dual-mode fuel evaporators, and methods of operating such systems. A dual-mode fuel evaporator is thermally coupled to a catalytic reactor and comprises an electric heater used for preheating the evaporator to at least a fuel-flow threshold temperature. Upon reaching this threshold, the liquid fuel, such as ethanol or methanol, is flown into the evaporator and evaporates therein, forming vaporized fuel. The vaporized fuel is mixed with oxidant, and the mixture is flown into the catalytic reactor where the vaporized fuel undergoes catalytic exothermic oxidation. At least some heat, generated in the catalytic reactor, is transferred to the evaporator and used for the evaporation of additional fuel. When the evaporator reaches or exceeds its operating threshold, the electric heater can be turned off and all heat is supplied to the evaporator from the catalytic reactor.

A thermophotovoltaic generator uses conveniently available liquid hydrocarbon fuels. The fuels are controllably heated and vaporized before ignition to avoid residue and deposits as a result of liquid fuel being prematurely exposed to high temperatures of combustion causing unwanted breakdowns, producing power robbing residues and deposits. Heating fuel and air to right temperatures for ignition is accomplished by drawing combustion air over an exhaust chamber, through a regenerator and through a passage surrounding an IR filter. A separate cooling fan drives air through photovoltaic cell array fins over the recuperator and the exhaust in counterflow to the combustion air.

A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a perforated reaction holder configured to hold a combustion reaction that produces very low oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

A method for controlling a catalytic combustion apparatus having a heater capable of heating fuel to be supplied to a catalyst includes a step of supplying oxidant gas to the catalytic combustion apparatus, and an injection step of injecting the fuel into the catalytic combustion apparatus. The injection step also includes an electric power feeding step of supplying electric power to the heater, and a setting step of setting an injection amount of the fuel to be injected into the catalytic combustion apparatus in response to output of the heater.

A heater having a planar metal sheet with a first and second surface. A metal oxide layer is formed on the first surface of the sheet and a combustion catalyst is impregnated into the metal oxide layer. A source of fuel and air is then supplied to the first side of the metal sheet resulting in catalytic combustion which heats the metal sheet. The metal sheet can serve as a cooking stove.

A method for controlling a catalytic combustion apparatus having a heater capable of heating fuel to be supplied to a catalyst includes a step of supplying oxidant gas to the catalytic combustion apparatus, and an injection step of injecting the fuel into the catalytic combustion apparatus. The injection step also includes an electric power feeding step of supplying electric power to the heater, and a setting step of setting an injection amount of the fuel to be injected into the catalytic combustion apparatus in response to output of the heater.

A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a perforated reaction holder configured to hold a combustion reaction that produces very low oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a perforated reaction holder configured to hold a combustion reaction that produces very low oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

In a fuel and oxidant combustion system, a flame holder support structure includes a heating element that receives electrical energy from an electrical power source. The heating element is raised to an auto-ignition temperature of a fuel and oxidant mixture directed, along an axis proximate the flame holder support structure, to a flame holder for combustion thereof.