Abstract: A hybrid combustor, for providing stable high and low levels of operation while minimizing emissions of NOx, CO, and UHCs, includes a casing having a chamber, a catalytic combustor disposed in the chamber, and a non-premixed combustor disposed in the chamber. The hybrid combustor may comprise a fuel nozzle comprising a casing having a chamber, and a body supportable in the chamber to define a passageway between the body and the casing. The passageway has an inlet for receiving a stream of air and an outlet for discharging a stream of fuel and air, and the body includes a tapering downstream portion. Desirably, flow separation of the fuel and air mixture from the body (i.e., recirculation of the fuel and air mixture in the passageway and/or chamber) is inhibited whereby a generally uniform fuel and air mixture is provided.

Abstract: A support structure for securing a catalyst structure comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed channels for passage of a flowing gas mixture within a reactor, said support structure being comprised of a monolithic open celled or honeycomb-like structure formed by thin strips or ribs of high temperature resistant metal or ceramic which abuts against one end of the catalyst structure, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catalyst structure to essentially cover an end face (at either the inlet end or outlet end or both) of the catalyst structure with the support structure being secured on its periphery to the reactor wall. The strips or ribs making up the support structure are bonded together to form a unitary structure having cellular openings at least as large as the catalyst structure channel openings.