Patent ID: 8540508

Claim:
A method of combusting a fuel in a catalytic combustion system, comprising: providing a primary burner having a primary flow channel, the primary flow channel comprises a longitudinal axis and a primary flow channel outlet; and providing a catalytic burner comprising at least a first catalytically effective element disposed in a first catalytic flow path having a first catalytic flow path outlet, the first catalytic flow path predeterminedly arranged to face into the primary flow channel in a approximately circumference direction of the primary flow channel, the first catalytic flow path in fluid communication with the primary flow channel and disposed upstream of the primary flow channel outlet; pre-reacting fuel supplied by a burner fuel supply in a catalytic pre-reaction by exposing the fuel to the at least first catalytic element; directing the pre-reacted fuel from the at least first catalytic flow path onto an inner surface of an outer wall that defines an outer perimeter of the primary flow channel such that inner surface of the primary flow channel outer wall is effective to impart a circumferential motion to the pre-reacted fuel in the primary flow channel, causing the pre-reacted fuel to flow in a helical flow path in the primary flow channel; and continuing to burn the pre-reacted fuel in a secondary reaction located in downstream of the pre-reaction and the primary flow channel outlet.