Abstract: A method for reducing the emission of contaminants by a furnace is provided. The method includes forming a bed from a stream of fuel within the furnace; fluidizing the bed with flue gas from the furnace; and heating the fuel within the bed so as to generate char, ash and contaminants. The method further includes capturing the contaminants via the ash.

Abstract: A method for reducing the emission of contaminants by a furnace is provided. The method includes forming a bed from a stream of fuel within the furnace; fluidizing the bed with flue gas from the furnace; and heating the fuel within the bed so as to generate char, ash and contaminants. The method further includes capturing the contaminants via the ash.

Abstract: A system for regulating the viscosity of a fluid prior to atomization includes a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of a fluid flowing in a conduit prior to atomization of the fluid by an atomizer fluidly connected to the conduit and a sensor in communication with the temperature controller such that the sensor can provide an indicator to the temperature controller of a viscosity of the fluid flowing in the conduit prior to atomization. An adjustment to the temperature of the fluid by the temperature controller is based at least in part on the measured viscosity indicator of the fluid, a target atomization-viscosity of the fluid, and a coking temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: A system for regulating the viscosity of a fluid prior to atomization includes a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of a fluid flowing in a conduit prior to atomization of the fluid by an atomizer fluidly connected to the conduit and a sensor in communication with the temperature controller such that the sensor can provide an indicator to the temperature controller of a viscosity of the fluid flowing in the conduit prior to atomization. An adjustment to the temperature of the fluid by the temperature controller is based at least in part on the measured viscosity indicator of the fluid, a target atomization-viscosity of the fluid, and a coking temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of an oxy-fired boiler includes combusting a fuel that comprises oil heavy residues in a boiler, the oil heavy residues including hydrocarbon molecules having a number average molecular weight from approximately 200 to approximately 3000 grams per mole, discharging flue gas from the boiler, recycling a portion of the flue gas to the boiler, combining a first oxidant stream with the recycled flue gas to form a combined stream, splitting the combined stream into a plurality of independent split streams, introducing each independent split stream at a different elevation of the boiler, and controlling independently a parameter of each of the independent split streams to adjust the heat release at each respective elevation of the boiler to vary the heat release profile of the boiler by adding a second oxidant stream to each respective independent split stream to form respective independent oxygen enriched split streams.