Supported Continuous Fiber Burner

A new form of supported continuous fiber configuration that preserves the radiant advantages of fibrous emitters in radiant burners of arbitrary size is disclosed. A large class of low defect-density, durable, ceramic fibers, which are fabricated by means of a cellulosic support process, is available for specialized emission characteristics. For example, broad-band highly-emissive (black body), selective IR emissive , visible light generating, and gray body fibers are readily incorporated into robust support structures. The fibers may be chosen specifically for emissive and thermal properties while the support system is chosen generally for mechanical and cost considerations. The fabrication process for these structures is described. The properties of two radiant burners are covered. One is a very selective IR emitter, and the other is a broad-band, very emissive system, which exhibits a high radiation efficiency along with low NOx emission. Spectral properties, radiation efficiency, thermal time response, NOx emission, and other relevant operational data a represented.