Applications of Pulse Combustion in Industry

This paper discusses past and potential industrial applications of pulse combustion. The advantages in utilizing pulse combustors in industrial processes are related to the unique characteristics of these combustors and the presence of pulsations in their exhaust flows. Specific advantages of pulse combustors include: ability to burn various fuels; high combustion intensities; low NOx formation; low excess air requirements and self aspiration which eliminates the need for compressors or fans to pump the air and combustion products through the system. Additionally, the presence of pulsations in the exhaust flow enhances the rates of mass, momentum and heat transfer in the process under consideration; improvements which result in increased output and reduced operational costs. To date, pulse combustors have been utilized in such applications as drying, steam raising, heating and so on. In these applications it has been demonstrated that the use of pulse combustors has resulted in capital investment and operational cost savings. Finally, potential applications of pulse combustion in chemical processing, catalytic combustion, gasification and so on are discussed in the paper.