Means For Pulverizing Solid Fuel Patents (Class 110/232)
  • Patent number: 10502415
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing emissions from a boiler. A boiler generally has a combustion area. The system further includes a fuel pipe for delivering fuel. The system further includes a conduit. A bore extends through the conduit. The bore of the conduit is in fluid communication with the fuel pipe and the combustion area of the boiler. A pre-ignition source is positioned in the conduit. The pre-ignition source operates to pre-ignite at least a portion of the fuel flowing through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Shin Gyoo Kang, Armand Alfred Levasseur, Robert A. Schrecengost
  • Patent number: 10030870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to burners and boiler structures of heating systems which work with solid fuel or which work especially with wood pellets, olive stones and other similar propellants. The burner has a “C”-shaped grate structure comprising a grate mount (4.2) for opening and closing an ash discharging mouth, and the top grate made up by the following components: Grate arms (4.1.2) that can move at a horizontal angle over connecting grate shafts (4.1.3) independent from each other; grate shims (4.1.4) located on the grate shafts (4.1.3) and between the grate arms (4.1.2); a shank (4.1.5) connecting the grate arms (4.1.2) to a grate frame (4.1.1), and the top grate to the grate mount (4.2), thus enabling the top grate to move in an upwards or downwards motion limited by supports (4.1.7, 4.1.8). Furthermore, the burner comprises uneven rails on which the top grate moves guided by guide pins (4.1.6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Zeki Arikan
  • Patent number: 9989251
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for reducing the volume of bulk material, comprising a transportable container; a single chamber adapted to receive said transportable container; a means for establishing a plurality of controlled atmospheres within said chamber; a plurality of electrically-charged heating elements capable of heating said chamber to at least 1200 F; and an waste heat generator in fluid communication with the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew J Tummillo, Peter J Schubert, Johnny R Chapman, Peter T Caine, Harley S Melbye, Jr., Richard L Natwora, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9360211
    Abstract: Coal is properly dried and the efficiency of a boiler is increased while suppressing any reduction in efficiency of the boiler and the generation of hydrocarbon gas components. Employed are a coal dryer that dries coal, a boiler in which the coal that is dried in the coal dryer is mixed with air for combustion and burned, an air heater that heats the air for combustion that is supplied to the boiler using combustion exhaust gas discharged from the boiler, a precipitator that collects dust included in the combustion exhaust gas, a desulfurization plant that performs a desulfurization process on the combustion exhaust gas, and heat recovery equipment that heats a heating medium using the combustion exhaust gas. The coal dryer dries the coal using the heat energy of the heating medium that has been heated in the heat recovery equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Sugita, Shintaro Honjo, Takuya Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20150107496
    Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide an improved biomass based down draft gasifier for producing electrical energy. The gasifier comprises a reactor with double walled construction having an annular space between outer and inner shells. The annular space houses multiple helical guide vanes welded to the inner shell. The reactor is covered with a top cover assembly. An air inlet manifold is provided for directing the controlled air into the reactor through the air inlet nozzles. An automatic start system is provided for controlling the combustion of inlet fuel done with a spark plug. The gasifier comprises a throat which permits the ashes and charcoal of burnt fuel to drop into the bottom of the reactor. The gas separation holes are provided at the bottom of the reactor to separate the product gas from the charcoal. The product gas is taken out from an output pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: KRISHNA KUMAR BINDINGNAVALE RANGA
  • Patent number: 8899163
    Abstract: A biomass pulverizing apparatus includes a pulverizing apparatus body including a feedstock supply pipe, the pulverizing apparatus body for supplying biomass feedstock from above in a vertical axial direction, a pulverizing table for placing the biomass feedstock, a drive section for rotationally driving the pulverizing table, a pulverizing roller for pulverizing the biomass feedstock by a pressing force, the pulverizing roller being operated in conjunction with the rotation of the pulverizing table, a blower unit for forming an upward flow upward from below on the outer peripheral side of the pulverizing table so as to jet conveying gas for conveying the pulverized biomass powder in an air stream, a classifier, the classifier for classifying the biomass powder accompanied with the conveying gas, and a blowing gas introduction section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeuchi, Takuichiro Daimaru, Masaaki Kinoshita, Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Norichika Kai
  • Publication number: 20140290540
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the production of energy and the reclamation of carpet waste material. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for storing and using post industrial and post consumer carpet as fuel in an energy generation process and for producing at least one recyclable carpet waste material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: JOHN DANIEL HALL, REESE EDWARD GRAVES, GARRETT TOWNSEND HICKS, GREGORY GLENN WIMPY
  • Patent number: 8656846
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuous real time heating value/coal flow balancing of coal from a coal feeder to a burner. The apparatus includes a Dual-energy Gamma Attenuation (DGA)/Multi-energy Gamma Attenuation (MGA) device for measuring coal quality at a specific location between the coal silo/bunker and the coal feeder in a coal fired plant in order to control the individual burner stoichiometries according to the measured coal quality. By strategically placing the DGA/MGA device, continuous accurate real-time coal quality information is accomplished for making individual adjustments in order to improve stoichiometry to optimize performance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Osucha, David K. Swindell, Jack R. Lee
  • Patent number: 8651032
    Abstract: To provide a classification device in which product fine powder little in mixture ratio of coarse particles can be obtained. A classification device characterized in that a setting pitch P between stationary fins 13 and a width L of each stationary fin 13 are combined so that a value of P/L is in a range between 0.042×(??50)+0.64 and 0.019×(??50)+0.22 in 50°???70° when ? is an inclination angle of each stationary fin 13, P is the setting pitch, and L is the width in a direction of circulation of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock-Hitachi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Otani, Hiroaki Kanemoto, Shinichiro Nomura, Hideo Mitsui, Yutaka Takeno
  • Patent number: 8601957
    Abstract: A device and method for controlling fuel-air ratio during combustion of ground in a coal power plant, including pneumatic delivery of ground coal to the burners and feeding combustion air to burners while controlling the combustion air and the amount of carrier air. A high reliability of control combined with low maintenance of the air mass measurement devices is achieved. This is achieved by a measurement device for measuring the amount of combustion air which, according to correlation measurement, evaluates the triboelectric effects on sensors. Between 0.1 mg and 10 mg of fine-grained particles of a diameter between 20 ?m and 200 ?m are introduced per m3 air into suctioned fresh air, which is carried out during the starting of the firing system. This is done by correlation measurement that evaluates triboelectric effects on sensors, arranged in series in carrier air stream in direction of flow of the carrier air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Promecon Prozess-und Messtechnik Conrads GmbH
    Inventors: Hans George Conrads, Alexander Halm
  • Publication number: 20130319300
    Abstract: This gasification melting facility includes: a fluidized bed gasification furnace that generates pyrolysis gas by thermally decomposing waste and discharges incombustibles; a vertical cyclone melting furnace that includes a pyrolysis gas duct through which the pyrolysis gas is introduced; a pyrolysis gas passage that connects the fluidized bed gasification furnace with the pyrolysis gas duct of the vertical cyclone melting furnace; pulverizer that pulverize the incombustibles into pulverized incombustibles so that the particle size of the incombustibles becomes fine; and airflow transporter that puts the pulverized incombustibles in the pyrolysis gas passage, and separating metal contained in the pulverized incombustibles by a difference in specific gravity while conveying the pulverized incombustibles together with airflow. The pyrolysis gas and the pulverized incombustibles are melted in the vertical cyclone melting furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENVIROMENTAL & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jun Sato, Toshimasa Shirai, Yoshihisa Saito, Norio Yoshimitsu, Yasunori Terabe
  • Publication number: 20130221754
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature storing excess energy from solar, wind, wave, tidal and geothermal energy sources and combinations thereof in the form of upgraded fossil fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Ben Zion LIVNEH
  • Publication number: 20130061787
    Abstract: A biomass pulverizing apparatus includes a pulverizing apparatus body having a feedstock supply pipe, a pulverizing table for placing the supplied biomass feedstock thereon, a drive section for rotationally driving the pulverizing table, a pulverizing roller for pulverizing the biomass feedstock by a pressing force, and a blower unit for forming an upward flow upward from below on the outer peripheral side of the pulverizing table so as to jet conveying gas, and the pulverizing apparatus further includes an erected weir that is provided around the pulverizing table, and a first extending weir that extends from the pulverizing apparatus body side at lower portions of the pulverizing rollers and is formed with a plurality of slits that forms a predetermined gap with the upper surface of the erected weir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Yutaka Iida, Tsugio Yamamoto, Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Masaaki Kinoshita, Yoshishige Uematsu
  • Publication number: 20130055935
    Abstract: A biomass pulverizing apparatus includes a pulverizing apparatus body including a feedstock supply pipe for supplying biomass feedstock from above in a vertical axial direction, a pulverizing table for placing the biomass feedstock, a drive section for rotationally driving the pulverizing table, a pulverizing roller for pulverizing the biomass feedstock by a pressing force, the pulverizing roller being operated in conjunction with the rotation of the pulverizing table, a blower means for forming an upward flow upward from below on the outer peripheral side of the pulverizing table so as to jet conveying gas for conveying the biomass powder in an air stream, and a classifier for classifying the biomass powder accompanied with the conveying gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeuchi, Takuichiro Daimaru, Masaaki Kinoshita, Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Norichika Kai
  • Patent number: 8104412
    Abstract: A deflector device for improving particle distribution within a coal piping system includes a base defining an outer circumference. The base is configured to be mounted inside a pipe such that the base extends partially around the inner circumference of the pipe with the circumferences of the pipe and base being substantially aligned concentrically. A deflector extends radially inward from the base. The deflector is configured to direct a concentrated flow of coal particles toward the center of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Riley Power Inc.
    Inventors: Vlad Zarnescu, Craig A. Penterson
  • Patent number: 8091491
    Abstract: The present invention is about a process for treating all the ashes produced by a coal dust boiler (1), able to reduce the total unburnt matter content, to increase the combustion efficiency of the boiler (1), and to have the light ashes as the only waste arising from the coal combustion. In particular, said process provides for the extraction of the heavy ashes (4) from the boiler bottom (23), the ashes coming from the hoppers of the economizers (5) and the fraction of light ash richer of unburnt matter coming from the filters (11) used to collect the dust from the flue gas; said ashes are mixed in a silo (15), proportioned and transferred in one or more feeders (17) of the coal mills (18), and reintroduced in the boiler (1) after being mixed with the coal through the burners (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Magaldi Power S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Magaldi, Rocco Sorrenti
  • Patent number: 8082860
    Abstract: An orifice plate for improving particle distribution within a coal piping system includes a plate body defining a central orifice therethrough bounded by an inner periphery of the plate body. The plate body is configured and adapted to be affixed between end flanges of adjacent pipes in a coal piping system so as to generally align the central orifice with an internal flow passage through the coal piping system. Flow disruption features are defined in the inner periphery of the plate body. The flow disruption features are configured and adapted to disrupt a flow of air and particles flowing through the central orifice to provide a more uniform distribution of particles downstream of the plate body than upstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Babcock Power Services Inc.
    Inventors: Bonnie Courtemanche, Vlad Zarnescu, Craig A. Penterson
  • Publication number: 20110308437
    Abstract: An axial classifier for separating the particles of a fluid flow based on the size of the particles. The classifier includes an inlet pipe having a first end and a second end wherein the first end receives the fluid flow from another device and the second end outputs the fluid flow, a reclaim pipe having an opening configured to receive the particles separated from the fluid flow, a reflecting cover provided above the inlet pipe for redirecting the fluid flow exiting the inlet pipe toward the reclaim pipe, and a housing forming a chamber for the fluid flow to flow therein, wherein the housing includes an opening for the fluid flow to exit the classifier. The second end of the inlet pipe is provided above the opening of the reclaim pipe, wherein the particles of the fluid flow are separated in the chamber after existing the reflecting cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: William Latta, Scott Vierstra
  • Publication number: 20110259250
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices convert biomass from the field to provide heat, motive working gas, electrical energy, or fuel such that the biomass directly replaces or supplements liquid fossil fuels wherever these fuels may be used. The methods include procedures for harvesting the biomass, reducing it to a transportable form, purifying it and blending additives as necessary, and finally reducing the refined biomass to an explosible particle size distribution generally finer than 80 mesh for heating applications or 200 mesh for application in internal or external combustion engines. The present invention preferably includes transportation of the finished powder to storage units at the end user site, where the fuel is used by continuous delivery, metering, and dispersal in air to produce a continuous supply of an explosible fluid dispersion for direct energy conversion. Systems of automatic production for a variety of applications are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: James T. McKnight, Ken W. White
  • Publication number: 20110192329
    Abstract: With a method and a system for interruption-free fuel supply to a gasification system for the production of crude synthesis gas, whereby the fuel is passed from a fuel reservoir to a grinding/drying system, subsequently the resulting fuel dust is passed to a fuel storage container, from there to a dust feed container, and finally, to the gasifier, by way of transport means, the system availability is supposed to be increased, and, at the same time, the storage capacities are supposed to be minimized, in order to thereby particularly achieve a cost reduction. This is achieved in that the fuel in the form of dust is passed to the storage container from at least two grinding/drying systems, by way of transport means, whereby at least one of the transport means, as a dust transport device, is acted on by at least two grinding/drying systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: UHDE Gmbh
    Inventors: Stefan Hamel, Eberhard Kuske
  • Publication number: 20110126744
    Abstract: An explosive combustion device for biological materials such as husks, cores, and chaff includes a feed unit having from upstream to downstream a pulverizer, a hopper, and a pneumatic conveyor; an air delivery unit having from upstream to downstream a vortex blower, an air tank, and an air volume regulator; a heating unit having from upstream to downstream a fuel source, a fuel flow control, and a heater; a combustion unit heated by the heater, the combustion unit being adapted to receive particles from the pneumatic conveyor and the compressed air from the air volume regulator; and a nozzle at an outlet of the combustion unit. The particles and the compressed air are mixed in the combustion unit turbulently to fully combust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Jincong Xu
  • Publication number: 20110126743
    Abstract: Provided is a gasification furnace apparatus equipped with a supply source of low-oxygen-concentration drying gas that does not require fuel. A coal pulverizer that produces pulverized coal by pulverizing coal, an air separator that separates air into oxygen gas and nitrogen gas, and a gasification furnace that produces product gas by introducing thereinto the pulverized coal and the oxygen gas, are included. By receiving a supply of excess nitrogen gas from the air separator, the air diluted with nitrogen is used as a source of low-oxygen-concentration gas for drying the pulverized coal, and an air heater that heats the source of low-oxygen-concentration gas to a temperature at which drying can be performed is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Soken Takase, Katsuhiro Ota, Hiromi Ishii, Takashi Kijima
  • Publication number: 20110107948
    Abstract: A biomass-mixed-firing pulverized coal fired boiler includes: a furnace for burning biomass fuel together with pulverized coal in a mixed state; a pulverized coal burner for supplying the pulverized coal into the furnace; a biomass burner for supplying the biomass fuel into the furnace; a biomass mill for milling the biomass fuel to be supplied to the biomass burner; a dry clinker processing unit provided below the furnace and including a clinker conveyor for carrying ashes discharged from the furnace at a furnace bottom; and a combustion-air supply unit for supplying combustion air toward the ashes discharged at the furnace bottom on the clinker conveyor, thereby to burn an unburned component of the biomass fuel contained in the ashes discharged at the furnace bottom on the clinker conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Chikatoshi Kurata, Kazuhito Yoshikawa, Kazuyoshi Kaizuka, Koji Taniguchi, Takaharu Asakawa, Noriaki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7849805
    Abstract: A primary air system for a combustion plant provides a flow of primary air to at least one coal pulverizer, which emits pulverized coal in a downstream direction to a furnace. The primary air system includes a first primary air line for feeding hot primary air to the coal pulverizer and a second primary air line for admixing of cold primary air into the hot primary air line at a mixing location positioned upstream of the coal pulverizer. A control system shuts off the flow of primary air to the coal pulverizer, when the coal pulverizer is being repaired or serviced while the furnace is in operation. The control system includes a first flow control butterfly valve disposed in the first primary air line at a position upstream of the mixing location and a second flow control butterfly valve disposed in the second primary air line at a position upstream of the mixing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Hellmuth Brüggemann, Frank Rauch, Hasthika Weerasinghe
  • Publication number: 20100251946
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for the combustion of metals and other fuels are provided. The system can include a fuel combustion apparatus including a combustor having a combustion chamber for burning ground particles from a fuel charge, and a fuel supply apparatus for supplying the ground particles. The fuel supply system can include a fuel charge holder assembly to house and store the fuel charge, a grinder assembly including a grinder configured to pulverize the fuel charge to produce a combustible fuel, and a fuel charge linear feed assembly including a piston in contact with the fuel charge to selectively bias the fuel charge into the grinder to control the consumption rate. Exhaust from the combustion chamber can be used in the incineration of radioactive, chemical and mixed hazardous materials, and in the propulsion of a vehicle in both an air or water environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL VORTEX ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Anatoli Borissov, Alexander Borissov, Michael Jirnov
  • Publication number: 20100236458
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a classification device in which product fine powder little in mixture ratio of coarse particles can be obtained. [Means] for Resolution A classification device characterized in that a setting pitch P between stationary fins 13 and a width L of each stationary fin 13 are combined so that a value of P/L is in a range between 0.042×(??50)+0.64 and 0.019×(??50)+0.22 in 50°???70° when ? is an inclination angle of each stationary fin 13, P is the setting pitch, and L is the width in a direction of circulation of particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Babock-Hitachi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Otani, Hiroaki Kanemoto, Shinichiro Nomura, Hideo Mitsui, Yutaka Takeno
  • Patent number: 7739968
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for the combustion of metals and other fuels are provided. The system can include: a fuel combustion apparatus including a combustor having a combustion chamber for burning ground particles from a fuel charge, and a fuel supply apparatus for supplying the ground particles of fuel from the fuel charge to the combustor. The fuel supply system can include a fuel charge holder assembly to house and store the fuel charge, a grinder assembly including a grinder housed within the charge holder assembly and configured to pulverize the fuel charge to produce a combustible fuel to be consumed in the combustion chamber, and a fuel charge linear feed assembly including a piston in contact with the fuel charge within the charge holder assembly to selectively bias the fuel charge into the grinder to thereby a control consumption rate of the fuel charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: General Vortex Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoli Borissov, Alexander Borissov, Alexei Jirnov, Michael Jirnov, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7717046
    Abstract: A system for providing highly pressurized raw fuel to a pressure reactor. The system includes an inlet for receiving the raw fuel and a roller system communicating with the inlet. The roller system includes a plurality of independent rollers arranged in two converging planes. The rollers of the roller system successively compress the raw fuel as the raw fuel passes through the roller system between the rollers, such that the fuel is highly pressurized when it reaches an output end of the roller system. An outlet is located adjacent the output end of the roller system to dispense the pressurized raw fuel to the pressure reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M Sprouse, David R Matthews
  • Publication number: 20100116181
    Abstract: Method of making cellulose/plastic pellets in which a particulate cellulose/plastic mixture comprising more than 60 to 95 weight % of cellulosic material and 5 to less than 40 weight % of thermoplastic material, based on the total dry weight of cellulosic and thermoplastic materials, and 1 to 15 weight % of moisture, based on the total weight of the mixture, is supplied at a temperature T1 of at most 90° C. to a pelletizing device comprising an annular mould with holes having a diameter D of at most 8 mm and an effective hole length L to hole diameter D ratio R of at least 7, the values of R and T1 being chosen in relation to one another so that the temperature T2 of the pellets leaving the annular mould is between 80 and 125° C. and the T2-T1 rise in temperature is at least 10° C., and cellulose/plastic pellets obtainable by said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Anton Rudolf Christoffel, Ralph Koekkoek, Alfons Matheas Gertrudes Van Der Linden, Mohammed Nafid, Löwhardt Adolf Albert Schoen
  • Publication number: 20090241816
    Abstract: The invention provides a combustion process using comminuted fuel solids from a steam-driven shear field, with controlled water content and optionally coated with a combustion catalyst. The method allows fuel solids to burn for energy production at low temperatures. The lower temperatures avoid emissions of nitrogen oxides, and the process also yields a clean, friable ash that has economic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: David W. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090126608
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for the combustion of metals and other fuels are provided. The system can include: a fuel combustion apparatus including a combustor having a combustion chamber for burning ground particles from a fuel charge, and a fuel supply apparatus for supplying the ground particles of fuel from the fuel charge to the combustor. The fuel supply system can include a fuel charge holder assembly to house and store the fuel charge, a grinder assembly including a grinder housed within the charge holder assembly and configured to pulverize the fuel charge to produce a combustible fuel to be consumed in the combustion chamber, and a fuel charge linear feed assembly including a piston in contact with the fuel charge within the charge holder assembly to selectively bias the fuel charge into the grinder to thereby a control consumption rate of the fuel charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: General Vortex Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoli Borissov, Alexander Borissov, Alexei Jirnov, Michael Jirnov
  • Patent number: 7341007
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a furnace system to facilitate efficient and complete combustion of coal streams in a carrier gas. The apparatus, capable of being positioned horizontally or vertically in the coal pipes between the grinding mills and the furnace burner, contains a plurality of adjustable blades that are movable between an open and closed position. The position of the adjustable blades and the differing geometric shapes of the apparatus housing manipulate the amount and direction of coal streams in a carrier gas. This design reduces the amount of turbulent eddies in the pipe system, which helps to achieve a more homogenous flow of coal in a carrier gas and the efficient and complete combustion of coal in a carrier gas within the furnace burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Joel Vatsky
  • Patent number: 7271201
    Abstract: A method and a system for drying a biomass, wet pulverized coal or combinations thereof, using heat from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a heat exchanger to heat a nitrogen gas, using a flue gas in a heater to heat the heated nitrogen gas to a higher temperature, passing the twice heated nitrogen gas through apparatus to pulverize the fuel source of coal, biomass or both, forming a gas/particulate stream, filtering the gas/particulate stream in a filter to remove dried fuel feed stocks and using a blower to form a first steam and nitrogen mixture for discharge, and a second steam and nitrogen mixture for mixing with additional dry nitrogen gas for introduction to the first step of the method, at the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: James Francis Leahy, Robert L. Freerks
  • Patent number: 6871604
    Abstract: Solid combustible waste materials are converted into highly efficient fuel by subjecting such materials to size reduction in suitable size-reducing equipment. The last piece of the equipment is a mill which pulverizes the waste materials into fine particles having a high surface to mass ratio and forming a highly efficient fuel when these particles are directly injected into a combustion reactor operating at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignees: Pyrogenesis, Inc., The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Theodora Alexakis, Jon Williams Cofield, Platon Manoliadis, Eugene Ellis Nolting, Peter George Tsantrizos, Roy V. Richard
  • Patent number: 6638396
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a waste product and producing a synthesis gas is provided. The system includes a sealed, heated rotatable drum for preheating and preparing the waste material suitable for a plasma reactor, and processing the material in the reactor. The synthesis gas created by the reactor is used to preheat the waste material by circulating the hot synthesis gas around the drum. In an alternative embodiment, the hot synthesis gas flows through the drum to preheat the waste material and to clean the synthesis gas. Different methods of cooling and cleaning the synthesis gas are used. The system may comprise two plasma reactors in combination with a rotating desorber drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Jim Smith Hogan
  • Patent number: 6564727
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting a solid fuel pulverizer and exhauster system includes replacing the bowl drive motor 38 with a new drive motor which is operable to drivingly rotate the bowl 12 at the pre-retrofit speed but which provides relatively more horsepower than the replaced bowl drive motor 38 and replacing the original exhauster fan coupling with a new exhauster fan gear set 46, 48 which effects rotation of the exhauster fan 30 at a relatively higher rotational speed than the pre-retrofit speed. A solid fuel pulverizer and exhauster system of the present invention acting in cooperative association with a fuel-fired steam generating power plant includes an exhauster fan transmission assembly 50, 52 operable to translate the rotation of the drive shaft 54 of the exhauster fan drive motor 44 through ninety (90) degrees to thereby effect rotation of the fan by the exhauster fan drive motor 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom Ltd.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Kmiotek, Gregory R. Strich
  • Publication number: 20020078868
    Abstract: With the system of the present invention, high sulfur content coal—a mixture of coal, sulfur compounds and ash (e.g., stone and slate)—is crushed, and a proportion of the higher density sulfur compounds and ash are separated from the lower density coal. The result of the separation process, the continuous supply of the separated coal mixture, is then continuously monitored for sulfur content. The system uses electronic controls to vary the proportion of sulfur compounds and ash which are separated out and removed from the coal mixture so as to maximize the economics of reducing the sulfur content, and of generating power. A centrifugal separator is used for continuously separating the relatively dense high sulfur content coal and ash from the coal mixture. This separator preferably has a substantially rotationally symmetric drum element which rotates about a horizontal central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: H. Thomas McHenry, Alan N. Alpern
  • Patent number: 6338305
    Abstract: The present invention makes possible the economic and environmental use of high sulfur coal by removing the sulfur at the power generating plant. This process reduces the risk of fire, explosion, and freezing in storing and transporting reclaimed, ground coal, and moves the reclamation process to the site of the power plant, while providing electronic controls to monitor and adjust the reclamation process to produce controlled feedstock for the power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventors: H. Thomas McHenry, Alan N. Alpern
  • Patent number: 6325001
    Abstract: The invention described is a process for improving the performance of a commercial coal or lignite fired boiler system by supplementing its normal coal supply with a controlled quantity of thermally beneficiated low rank coal, (TBLRC). This supplemental TBLRC can be delivered either to the solid fuel mill (pulverizer) or directly to the coal burner feed pipe. Specific benefits are supplied based on knowledge of equipment types that may be employed on a commercial scale to complete the process. The thermally beneficiated low rank coal can be delivered along with regular coal or intermittently with regular coal as the needs require.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Western Syncoal, LLC
    Inventor: Ray W. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 6234093
    Abstract: A furnace is provided for burning soila organic fuels including highly volatile organic fuels. A combustion chamber with an ash hopper has a slot mouth opening defined by slopes of the walls of the combustion chamber. A burner is disposed beneath the ash hopper mouth opening and extends across its entire width. A bottom blast inlet device generates a turbulent zone in the lower region of the combustion chamber. A duct is further provided for injecting a sulfur-absorbent material into the furnace chamber. The duct is disposed between the burner and the ash chamber and defines a longitudinal axis which traverses the turbulent zone. Preferably, the burner is tilted downwardly and is disposed on a wall in common with the sulfur-absorbent induction duct. The proportion of the sulfur-absorbent materials in the fuel mixture is in the range of 10% to 100% by mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Polytechenergo
    Inventors: Felix Zalmanovich Finker, Igor Borisovich Kubishkin, Vitali Yurievich Zakharov, Czeslaw Sobczuk, Jan Swirski
  • Patent number: 6202574
    Abstract: A fossil fuel fired combustion apparatus and a method for operating the fossil fuel fired combustion apparatus are provided which offer the flexibility to use carbon dioxide (CO2) both as a desirable end product and as support to the combustion process. The method includes the step of introducing a substantially pure oxygen feed stream into the fossil fuel fired combustion apparatus and the step of combusting a fossil fuel in the presence of the substantially pure oxygen feed stream to produce a flue gas having carbon dioxide and water vapor as its two largest constituent elements by volume. The method also includes the step of passing the flue gas through an oxygen feed stream pre-heater at which heat from the flue gas is transferred to the oxygen feed stream. Furthermore, the method includes the step of separating the flue gas into an end product portion and a recycling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Alstom Power Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory N. Liljedahl, Mark Palkes
  • Patent number: 5884776
    Abstract: A dynamic classifier for a coal pulverizer has an improved drive mechanism which is mounted on top of a pulverizer and concentric with the classifier axis of rotation and is directly controllable. The drive mechanism is a variable-speed DC or AC electric motor having a hollow motor shaft. The motor can produce classifier rotor rotational speeds of between 50 and 200 rpm. The classifier rotor is supported from the hollow motor shaft. A coal feed pipe passes through the hollow motor shaft and classifier rotor shaft into the pulverizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Piepho, Donald R. Dougan
  • Patent number: 5799592
    Abstract: An exhauster assembly for a solid fuel pulverizer has an exhauster housing defining an inlet opening. A fan rotatably mounts in the exhauster housing and a duct defining an air stream flow path is in fluid connection with the inlet opening. An inlet guide vane assembly is positioned in the duct adjacent the inlet opening. The inlet guide vane assembly has a plurality of first and second guide vanes defining a plurality of the flow channels generally parallel the air stream flow path. The first and second guide vanes are generally planar and arranged generally orthogonally to each other in cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Kmiotek, Gregory R. Strich
  • Patent number: 5687658
    Abstract: A method of burning coal with less than 10% volatiles in a burner supported by air. The coal is pulverized in a pulverizer and supplied to the burner mixed with a vehicle in the form of air. The object is more reliable ignition. The coal is separated from the air before it enters the burner and is combined into a new mixture with heated air. The second mixture is forwarded at a higher temperature and with a lower level of coal. The coal is separated from the second mixture and combined into a third mixture with heated air. The third mixture is forwarded at a higher temperature and with a higher level of coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Babcock Lentjes Kraftwerstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Streffing, Alfons Leisse
  • Patent number: 5580005
    Abstract: Arrangement for crushing and cooling the material passing out of a firing oven, wherein the crusher is arranged in the hot region, preferably immediately following the oven, in the path of the material upstream of the cooler. According to the invention the crusher comprises a plurality of roll-like crushing elements which are mounted overhung and which project into the path of the material from outside said path and for maintenance purposes are retractable therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Claudius Peters Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hartmut Meyer, Gunther Koeberer
  • Patent number: 5421274
    Abstract: Apparatus for installation in an associated coal pipe for directing pulverized coal to an associated furnace assembly that includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an access port intermediate the inlet and the outlet. The apparatus also includes a generally circular orifice, a tray dimensioned and configured for carrying and engaging the orifice and apparatus. The chamber is generally aligned with the access port and is dimensioned and configured for receiving the tray with the orifice carried thereon. The apparatus in the housing defining a chamber allows sliding movement of the tray with the orifice carried thereon into and out of the chamber through the access port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Everton S. Gordon, John A. Mazeika
  • Patent number: 5363776
    Abstract: An inlet venturi for coal-side exhauster fan structure used to deliver pulverized coal to a combustion chamber. Generally, the inlet venturi has an axial length comparable to that of the exhauster fan inlet, resulting in a shallow, smooth transition angle from the venturi to whizzer ring or similar structure for guiding the coal flow into the center of the fan assembly. The inlet venturi includes a back plate or collar portion which prevents eddy effects and pressure drop between the venturi throat and the exhauster fan inlet, and further serves to accurately position the venturi in the exhauster fan inlet. The inventive inlet venturi structure additionally permits the removal of some or all of the "whizzer" structure commonly used on such fans, resulting in substantial savings in power needed to drive the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Sure Alloy Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Rickey E. Wark
  • Patent number: 5363778
    Abstract: A high efficiency exhauster which is capable of attaining operating efficiencies of up to 70% when employed in a solid fuel pulverizer firing system that includes a pulverizer which is operative to effect the pulverization therewithin of the solid fuel supplied thereto and a furnace into which the pulverized solid fuel is injected for combustion therewithin. The high efficiency exhauster includes a casing, an inlet ring supported on the casing, a rotor mounted on the casing for rotation therewithin, a multiplicity of blades, each of a preestablished length and width, mounted in spaced relation one to another on the circumference of the rotor so as to extend at a preestablished angle, and an outlet formed in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Kmiotek, Peter L. Stanwicks
  • Patent number: 5315939
    Abstract: An integrated low NO.sub.x tangential firing system (12) that is particularly suited for use with pulverized solid fuel-fired furnaces (10), and a method of operating a pulverized solid fuel-fired furnace (10) equipped with an integrated low NO.sub.x tangential firing system (12). The integrated low NO.sub.x tangential firing system (12) when so employed with a pulverized solid fuel-fired furnace (10) is capable of limiting NO.sub.x emissions therefrom to less than 0.15 lb./10.sup. 6 BTU, while yet maintaining carbon-in-flyash to less than 5% and CO emissions to less than 50 ppm. The integrated low NO.sub.x tangential firing system (12) includes pulverized solid fuel supply means (62), flame attachment pulverized solid fuel nozzle tips (60), concentric firing nozzles, close-coupled overfire air (98,100), and multi-staged separate overfire air (104,106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Rini, Todd D. Hellewell, David P. Towle, Patrick L. Jennings, Richard C. LaFlesh, David K. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5277134
    Abstract: The temperatures of the primary carrier gas supplied to a coal pulverizer and the fuel stream discharged from the pulverizer are controlled to keep the fuel stream temperature within a predetermined safe and efficient operating range regardless of the rate at which coal is fed to the pulverizer. A carrier gas temperature versus coal feed schedule is established and used for temperature control. If fuel stream temperature departs from the predetermined operating range, the established schedule is automatically corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: EVT Energie- und Verfahrenstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Schlessing, Gunter Klotz