Application of Radiant Burner Technology to Hybrid Dish/Stirling Systems

Metal and ceramic matrix burners have recieved a great deal of attention recently primarily because of their ability to burn fossil fuels with very low emissions of nitrogen oxides. In this paper we examine the application of these burners to hybrid dish/Stirling systems. This application is challenging because available heat transfer area is limited and high sink temperatures make it difficultto achieve high burner system efficiencies. Experimental data and modeling are used to determine how the burner operating variables affect burner performance factors critical to the dish/Stirling application. Burner operating variables include fire rate, combustion air preheat temperature, heat sink temperature and air/fuel ratio. Key performance factors include net radiation heat transfer,emissions of nitrogen oxides, and burner matrix temperature. Results are presented in the form of tradeoffs among the operating variables and performance factors and allow one to assess the feasibility of radiant burner technology for the dish/Stirling application. An important conclusion of the work is that for this application the burner matrix will likely operate at or above themanufacturer's maximum recommended temperature,