Abstract: The control of emissions from fossil-fired boilers wherein an injection of substances above the primary combustion zone employs multi-layer feedforward artificial neural networks for modeling static nonlinear relationships between the distribution of injected substances into the upper region of the furnace and the emissions exiting the furnace. Multivariable nonlinear constrained optimization algorithms use the mathematical expressions from the artificial neural networks to provide the optimal substance distribution that minimizes emission levels for a given total substance injection rate.

Abstract: In a method of reducing NO.sub.x a water-fixed nitrogen solution is injected into a furnace near the exit from the furnace where the temperatures exceed 2000.degree. F. and combustion is occurring. Preferably the solution is injected through a combination of atomizing nozzles and spray jets into a region of the furnace which does not exceed 2700.degree. F. A calcium compound to react with sulfur dioxide may also be added.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method to improve the performance of a variety of particulate collection devices. Gaseous ammonia is injected by one or more injectors into a waste gas upstream from a particulate collection device. The amount of ammonia injected from each injector is controlled so that the local concentration of ammonia in the waste gas is approximately the same as the corresponding local concentration of sulfur trioxide in the waste gas. The flow of ammonia from each injector is controlled by measuring several local sulfur trioxide concentrations in the waste stream after the ammonia has been injected. The sulfur trioxide can occur naturally or result from injection. By keeping the concentration of ammonia approximately equal to the concentration of sulfur trioxide, ammonia and sulfur trioxide react to form a liquid product. This liquid reaction product coats the surfaces of particles entrained in the gas stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the formation of nitrogen oxides during combustion in a roof-fired furnace is disclosed. By blocking at least some of the fuel nozzles associated with a roof-fired burner while leaving open the secondary air openings associated with the blocked fuel nozzles, reduction in NOX emissions from roof-fired furnaces is accomplished. This blocking results in the creation of a localized fuel-rich or just slightly fuel-lean environment near open fuel nozzles because part of the secondary air needed for combustion is being added at a location distant from where the initial combustion occurs. By creating a localized fuel-rich or slightly fuel-lean environment near the open fuel nozzles, the initial stages of combustion occur with little or no excess oxygen present. Because much of the fuel-bound nitrogen is liberated during the initial stages of combustion, it will preferentially react to form molecular nitrogen rather than nitrogen oxides because of the lack of available oxygen.

Abstract: An improved method for burning carbonaceous material containing sulfur to reduce emissions of SO.sub.2 is disclosed wherein the carbonaceous material is projected into a furnace as one or more streams and each stream is continuously ignited with a volatile fuel such as natural gas, oil, liquefied petroleum gas or naptha. The volatile fuel is supplied separately from the carbonaceous material and is directed into each stream of the carbonaceous material as it enters the furnace so as to cause the material to be enveloped in a reducing atmosphere during its volatilization. In consequence, at least a portion of the sulfur contained in the carbonaceous material is retained within the ash slag in its reduced or sulfide form.