difusioonipõleti

A difusioonipõleti, or diffusion burner in English, is a type of combustion device where fuel and oxidant mix during the combustion process. Unlike premixed burners, where fuel and air are mixed before entering the combustion zone, diffusion burners rely on the natural diffusion of gases to achieve mixing. This mixing process is typically slower and occurs directly within the flame front.

In a diffusion burner, fuel is introduced into an area containing the oxidant, and combustion occurs at the interface where these two streams meet and mix. The rate of combustion is limited by the rate at which the fuel and oxidant can diffuse and mix. This characteristic makes diffusion flames more stable but often less efficient and can lead to higher emissions of pollutants like soot and carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion.

Common examples of diffusion burners include simple gas stoves and Bunsen burners operating in a diffusion mode. In these applications, the fuel gas exits from an orifice and mixes with the surrounding air as it burns. The visible flame of a diffusion burner is a result of the incandescent soot particles formed within the flame, which emit light as they are heated. The color and shape of the flame can vary depending on the fuel, the rate of fuel supply, and the availability of oxygen. While diffusion burners are often simpler in design and more robust, their reliance on diffusion for mixing makes them less suitable for applications requiring precise control of the combustion process or high levels of efficiency.