Abstract: Disclosed is a combustor including a baffle plate having at least one through baffle hole and at least one fuel nozzle extending through the at least one baffle hole. A plurality of injection holes extend through the at least one fuel nozzle and are configured to meter a flow of diluent into the combustor. Further disclosed is a method for providing diluent to a combustor including providing a plurality of openings located at at least one fuel nozzle extending through a through hole in a baffle plate. The diluent is flowed through the plurality of openings toward at least one airflow opening in the at least one fuel nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combustor including a baffle plate having at least one through baffle hole and at least one fuel nozzle extending through the at least one baffle hole. At least one shroud is secured to the baffle plate and includes at least one piston ring disposed at the shroud. The at least one piston ring is configured to meter a flow of diluent between the at least one shroud and the at least one fuel nozzle. Further disclosed is a method for providing diluent to a combustor including providing a piston ring gap defined by at least one piston ring disposed at a baffle plate and a fuel nozzle extending through a through hole in the baffle plate. The diluent is flowed through the piston ring gap toward at least one airflow hole in the fuel nozzle.

Abstract: A combustion method and burner system are disclosed herein. The burner system comprises: a fuel manifold comprising a housing, the housing defining an interior area comprising a chamber. The burner system comprises a set of injectors for injecting a fuel from the chamber into a stream of air to pre-mix the fuel and the air, the set of injectors disposed radially inward from the fuel manifold. The system includes a refractory located downstream of the fuel manifold, the refractory to shape a flame and the refractory comprising a plurality of channels for at least one of introducing air and combustion product into a combustion chamber, the combustion chamber located downstream of the refractory. The system can also include steam and/or water injection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing emissions in combustion systems, particularly gas turbines. A mixture of diluent and fuel is created, wherein the diluent and the fuel are at a predetermined diluent-to-fuel ratio. The mixture is homogenized to create a homogenized mixture having a uniform concentration distribution of the diluent and the fuel at the predetermined diluent-fuel ratio. Thereafter, the homogenized mixture is introduced into a flame zone and the homogenized mixture is combusted.

Abstract: A system for providing heated fluidized bed gasification of a residual waste liquor provides a bed of granular material and a source of liquor provided to the material bed. An injector is situated in the material bed and communicates with an air source, a fuel source and a steam source. Fuel and air are combusted in the injector and mixed with the steam which forms a combustion product and steam mixture which is in turn injected into the material bed. The combustion and mixing is separated from the bed material by being confined within the injector. The injector is a bubble cap having at least one hole or an injector made of a porous ceramic material.

Abstract: A system for providing heated fluidized bed gasification of a residual waste liquor provides a bed of granular material and a source of liquor provided to the material bed. An injector is situated in the material bed and communicates with an air source, a fuel source and a steam source. Fuel and air are combusted in the injector and mixed with the steam which forms a combustion product and steam mixture which is in turn injected into the material bed. The combustion and mixing is separated from the bed material by being confined within the injector. The injector is a bubble cap having at least one hole or an injector made of a porous ceramic material.

Abstract: The vapor pump constituted by a mass and heat exchanger comprises an outer enclosure, a set of exchanger tubes disposed inside the enclosure and extending lengthwise therein, opening out at one of the ends in a first radial plane and at their other ends in a second radial plane, which radial planes include means for positioning and supporting the tubes and for closing the empty spaces in the section of the enclosure situated outside the tubes, thereby defining between said radial planes both a first gaseous fluid flow circuit inside the tubes, and a distinct counterflow second fluid flow circuit inside the enclosure but outside the tubes. One of the first and second gaseous fluids constituted by moist hot combustion products from a thermal process while the other gaseous fluid is constituted by new combustion air. Humidifier means are provided for humidifying the air inserted into the enclosure.

Abstract: A downhole gas generator can be ignited downhole by an ignitor mixture combining with an oxidant. The ignitor mixture is provided by an ignitor subsystem. In one embodiment, the ignitor subsystem bubbles gaseous fuel through a chamber of liquid pyrophoric. The chamber is heated, wherein the fuel obtains a vapor content of the pyrophoric, forming a gaseous ignitor mixture. In another embodiment, gaseous fuel is turbulently injected into a chamber. Liquid pyrophoric enters the chamber through an orifice. The fuel passes through a nozzle wherein its pressure is reduced. This pressure drop is imposed on the pyrophoric, wherein the pyrophoric is drawn into the chamber. The fuel mixes with and atomizes the pyrophoric to form an ignitor mixture.

Abstract: A purge valve assembly for purging the burner of a large scale power boiler of fuel oil has an air driven rotary actuator with a rotor coupled to two three-way valves such that when the actuator is in a first position, the burner is shut down, in a second position, the burner is purged of oil, and in a third position both steam and oil pass to the burner for combustion. The second or purge position is maintained by impressing air under pressure at equal pressures on both sides of the rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons in which a first torroidal vortex of fuel and a combustion supporting gas is created with its center adjacent the axis of an elongated combustor; a second torroidal vortex of combustion supporting gas is generated between the first torroidal vortex; the fuel is burned in the presence of the combustion supporting gas to produce a flue gas at the downstream end of the combustor; water is introduced into the flue gas adjacent the downstream end of the combustor to produce a mixture of flue gas and water; a major portion of the water is vaporized in a vaporizor to produce a mixture of flue gas and steam; and the mixture of flue gas and steam is injected into a hydrocarbon bearing formation.

Abstract: A method and burner tip for suppressing the production of oxides of nitrogen when burning a fuel in a combustion chamber containing a flame zone are described. The burner tip comprises at least one port for introducing fuel into the combustion zone and at least one port for introducing a control gas into the combustion zone, where both the fuel and control gas are introduced substantially perpendicular to the direction of introduction of combustion gas into the combustion zone. The ports are laterally spaced apart from each other. The control gas is used for controlled localized quenching of the flame zone and/or for controlled atomization of the fuel in the case of the liquid fuel to reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). By proper selection of the size and location of the fuel and control gas ports, and the quantity and velocity of the fuel and control gas introduced into the combustion zone, a stable flame with minimal emission of oxides of nitrogen can be obtained.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an improved liquid fuel atomizing gun and method is disclosed wherein optimal efficiency atomization is accomplished by introducing liquid fuel under pressure in a first swirling spiral direction into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber also includes means for introducing steam through a plurality of inclined orifices to introduce the steam and impact the sprayed liquid fuel in a contra-rotational swirl direction. This arrangement of opposite swirling directions of the injected fuel and steam in the gun mixing chamber produces maximum turbulence between the two fluids as each impinge upon the other in relative close proximity so that the kinetic energy of each stream, both oil and steam, is released as the opposing streams meet. The impact of such opposed liquid fuel and steam streams produces higher Reynolds numbers which result in additional turbulence for enhanced mixing.

Abstract: A steam generator for burning a normally-solid fuel which produces non-combustible solid residues, including, an elongated combustion chamber, a fuel introduction means to introduce fuel adjacent the axis of the combustion chamber as a centrally-disposed stream moving in a downstream direction, a combustion-supporting gas introduction means for introducing the gas as an annular, rotating stream about the fuel stream and which, together with the fuel introduction means forms a rotating, toroidal vortex of the fuel and the combustion-supporting gas moving in a downstream direction. The combustion chamber has a volume sufficient to burn all of the fuel and, together with the fuel introduction means and the combustion-supporting gas introduction means, cause the vortex to collapse and form plug flow thereafter. Water introduction means introduces water into the flue gas at the downstream end of the combustion chamber as a plurality of peripherally-arranged jets.

Abstract: A method for generating steam by a high pressure, high intensity, or high heat release method of combustion in an elongated combustion zone having upstream and downstream ends and an intermediate location and utilizing a normally-solid fuel which produces non-combustible solid residues in which the fuel is introduced axially and a volume of air, at least equal to the stoichiometric amount, is introduced as an annular, rotating stream to produce a rotating vortex of fuel and air, such introduction and flow through the combustion zone being carried out in a manner to collapse the vortex and create plug flow at the intermediate location, burning the fuel and air to produce flue gas at a heat release rate of at least 7 MM Btu/hr, abruptly terminating combustion by the introduction of water, vaporizing the water to produce a mixture of flue gas and steam, and separating solid residues therefrom.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating aggregate in a system which includes a unit for mixing a stream of fuel and a stream of forced air to form a gaseous combustible fuel mixture, and a blower coupled to the unit for supplying it with forced air. The apparatus includes a water-spray device for injecting a fine-particle spray, at an adjustable water-volume rate, into the air-intake opening of the blower. In the method of the invention, the temperature of the heated aggregate is monitored under conditions where the fuel mixture is characterized by a substantially constant fuel-flow rate. The water-volume rate of atomized water spray introduced into the blower is adjusted until a maximum monitored aggregate temperature is observed. The amount of fuel in the moisture-containing fuel mixture is then adjusted to effect heating of the aggregate to a desired temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for the vaporization of liquid fuel oils to produce a gaseous mixture suitable for burning in a burner normally designed for operation utilizing natural gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for burning combustible gases at very low pressure, in combination with a combustion chamber having an opening through one wall. The burner system comprises a burner tube for supplying the low pressure gas, comprising a tube of selected diameter and length, with an annular flange extending inwardly at the end inserted into the opening in the wall. A steam tube of smaller diameter than the burner tube, is mounted axially inside of the burner tube, and has a closed end in the plane of the inwardly extending flange. A plurality of orifices are drilled through the closed end of the steam tube at a selected angle to the axis, whereby when steam is supplied to the steam tube, at 5# gauge or more, high velocity jets of steam will flow outwardly through the orifices along the surface of a cone, and will aspirate into the steam streams the low pressure gas, which will be mixed with the steam, and will flow as a conical wall of steam and gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for burning gaseous and liquid fuels in a furnace, to retard formation of NO.sub.x, comprising a fuel tube of selected length and diameter, closed at the end which is inserted into a combustion zone. There are a plurality of ports drilled in the closed end of the fuel tube, the axes of which lie on a conical surface coaxial with the fuel tube. The fuel tube is inserted coaxially into a burner tube of selected larger diameter, and the distant ends are substantially coplanar. A plurality of jets of low pressure steam are injected through a plurality of ports into the annular space between the fuel tube and the burner tube at the outer end of the burner tube. The steam jets flowing through the ports induce a flow of primary combustion air, which mixes with the steam and flows down the annular space to mix with the high velocity jets of fuel as they emerge from the ports on the fuel tube. The fuel, air, and steam mix together prior to entering the combustion reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oil burner system for burning residual type fuel oils in a high temperature combustion zone or chamber, which includes a method and apparatus for operating the system to maintain the fuel oil at a low viscosity while preventing thermal failure by destruction of the burner which protrudes into the combustion zone or chamber. The fuel oil is preheated and introduced into an oil tube extending through a high temperature furnace wall into the combustion zone or chamber, and also a heated fluid is introduced into the oil tube for passage therethrough with the fuel oil, while the outer periphery of the oil tube is cooled where it passes through the furnace wall and into the high temperature combustion zone or chamber, as well as fabricating the oil tube from a material having a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An air powered flare in which the blower or fan which provides the primary combustion air, is driven by a steam turbine, and the exhaust steam from the turbine is inserted into the stack to be mixed with the compressed primary air moving upwardly to a burner at the top of the flare stack. The mixture of low pressure steam and condensate in the exhaust from the turbine with the primary air serves to chemically improve the combustion of the fuel issuing from the burner, so as to facilitate its complete and smokeless combustion. Alternatively, it is possible to inject live steam into the column of primary combustion air in addition to or in place of the exhaust steam. Further, the live steam, and/or the exhaust steam can be ejected from nozzles surrounding the top of the flare stack and injected directly into the flame above the burner at the top of the flare stack.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for producing a hydrogen rich gas by introducing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel in the form of a spray into a partial oxidation region and mixing with a mixture of steam and air that is preheated by indirect heat exchange with the formed hydrogen rich gas, igniting the hydrocarbon fuel spray mixed with the preheated mixture of steam and air within the partial oxidation region to form a hydrogen rich gas. The apparatus for performing the process is in the form of a bell-shaped chamber which consists of an open cylinder wherein a partial oxidation reaction takes place. An air pasageway and a pipe for injecting water into the passageway are provided for forming a steam-air mixture. The air is preheated indirectly by the heat generated as a result of igniting a hydrocarbon fuel spray and thus the water is converted into steam when injected into the preheated air.

Abstract: A duct burner primarily for use in raising the temperature of turbine exhaust gas (TEG) to a usable temperature to operate a steam generator or the like. The burner comprises an array of downstream facing burners capable of burning low grade fuel oil in a low oxygen environment, each burner being provided with gas burning backup and individual flame scan capabilities.