Abstract: The current invention discloses a method and apparatus for production of hot water or steam in a 4-pass firetube boiler. A waste heat stream is passed through the first and second passes of the boiler, and then routed into a furnace tube (which is the third pass of the boiler) to help suppress the flame temperature and NOx emissions from the burner. The flue gas from the third pass is then passed through the fourth pass of the boiler to transfer the heat energy to the water in the boiler.

Abstract: A flare tip for discharging and burning high pressure and low pressure flare gas is provided. A cover is positioned over the upper end of a first pipe through which a high pressure waste gas stream flows. The configuration of the cover allows the high pressure waste gas to burn smokelessly. The upper end of a second pipe that is concentrically positioned around the first pipe is positioned at a lower elevation than the upper end of the first pipe, and the outer edge of the second pipe is tangential to the flat bottom portion of the cover. When the waste gas exiting the upper end of the first pipe does not have sufficient force to raise the cover off the upper end of the first pipe, the flat bottom portion of the cover forms a cap over the upper end of the first pipe while the upper end of the second pipe remains open.

Abstract: The current invention disclose a method and apparatus for production of hot water or steam in a firetube boiler, said method comprising the steps of producing a first flue gas using a first stage of a burner in a first pass of a firetube boiler; passing at least a portion of said first flue gas through a second pass of said boiler, wherein said second pass comprises a plurality of firetubes; routing said portion of said first flue gas to a second stage of said burner to reduce NOx emissions from said second stage of said burner; producing a second flue gas from said second stage of said burner in a third pass of said boiler; passing said second flue gas through a fourth pass of said boiler, wherein said fourth pass comprises a plurality of firetubes.

Abstract: A flare tip for discharging and burning high pressure and low pressure flare gas is provided. A cover is positioned over the upper end of a first pipe through which a high pressure waste gas stream flows. The configuration of the cover allows the high pressure waste gas to burn smokelessly. The upper end of a second pipe that is concentrically positioned around the first pipe is positioned at a lower elevation than the upper end of the first pipe, and the outer edge of the second pipe is tangential to the flat bottom portion of the cover. When the waste gas exiting the upper end of the first pipe does not have sufficient force to raise the cover off the upper end of the first pipe, the flat bottom portion of the cover forms a cap over the upper end of the first pipe while the upper end of the second pipe remains open.

Abstract: The current invention disclose a method and apparatus for production of hot water or steam in a firetube boiler, said method comprising the steps of producing a first flue gas using a first stage of a burner in a first pass of a firetube boiler; passing at least a portion of said first flue gas through a second pass of said boiler, wherein said second pass comprises a plurality of firetubes; routing said portion of said first flue gas to a second stage of said burner to reduce NOx emissions from said second stage of said burner; producing a second flue gas from said second stage of said burner in a third pass of said boiler; passing said second flue gas through a fourth pass of said boiler, wherein said fourth pass comprises a plurality of firetubes.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a method and apparatus for production of hot water or steam in a 4-pass firetube boiler. A waste heat stream is passed through the first and second passes of the boiler, and then routed into a furnace tube (which is the third pass of the boiler) to help suppress the flame temperature and NOx emissions from the burner. The flue gas from the third pass is then passed through the fourth pass of the boiler to transfer the heat energy to the water in the boiler.

Abstract: An apparatus for burning of a gaseous fuel includes a gas manifold comprising a blast tube with an axis of rotation and an outer wall; a center bluff body disposed inside the blast tube; a plurality of aerodynamic blocks circumferentially distributed in the annular space between the blast tube and the center bluff body, creating passage channels for combustion air between the aerodynamic blocks; two injector nozzles located inside the wake zone of each of the aerodynamic block and are fluidically communicating to the gas manifold; an air control mechanism comprising a center hub and a plurality of air control modules. The control modules fit through the passage channels. Each air control module comprises an air deflector located at the outer edge of a passage channel.

Abstract: A process has been developed for producing diesel fuel or jet fuel from renewable feedstocks such as fats and oils from plants and animals. The process involves producing a hydrogen-rich mixture in a reformer, hydrolyzing a renewable feedstock to produce a free fatty acid stream and a glycerol-containing stream, catalytically treating the free fatty acid stream by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel fuel or jet fuel. A selective separation such as a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper may be used to remove at least the carbon oxides from the reaction zone effluent and provide a liquid recycle stream at pressure and temperature. A vapor stream is separated from the effluent and at least carbon dioxide is removed using at least one amine absorber. The resulting hydrogen-rich stream is recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a burner adapted to heat a furnace or other environment of use. In particular, a burner for providing a fuel gas in combination with an oxidant to effect controlled reaction of the fuel gas in a manner to reduce NOx emissions is described. Combustion of the fuel gas is shifted from the burner combustor to a location outside the burner once the temperature within the furnace/radiant tube has reached a sufficient level to complete combustion of the fuel gas.

Abstract: The current invention disclose a method and apparatus for production of hot water or steam in a firetube boiler, said method comprising the steps of producing a first flue gas using a first stage of a burner in a first pass of a firetube boiler; passing at least a portion of said first flue gas through a second pass of said boiler, wherein said second pass comprises a plurality of firetubes; routing said portion of said first flue gas to a second stage of said burner to reduce NOx emissions from said second stage of said burner; producing a second flue gas from said second stage of said burner in a third pass of said boiler; passing said second flue gas through a fourth pass of said boiler, wherein said fourth pass comprises a plurality of firetubes.

Abstract: The current invention discloses an apparatus for burning of a gaseous fuel, said apparatus comprising a gas manifold comprising a blast tube with an axis of rotation; a center bluff body; a plurality of aerodynamic blocks circumferentially distributed in the annular space between said blast tube and said center bluff body, creating passage channels for combustion air between said aerodynamic blocks; two injector nozzles located inside the wake zone of each of said aerodynamic block, said injector nozzles fluidically communicating to the gas manifold; an air control mechanism comprising a center hub and a plurality of air control modules, said air control modules fitting through said passage channels, wherein each air control module comprising an air deflector located at the outer edge of a passage channel, said deflector forming an angle theta equal to or greater than 30 degrees from said axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method for producing an activated carbon material comprises the steps of producing a hot flue gas stream from a combustion process in a first reactor; routing a first part of said flue gas stream to a second reactor that is substantially vertical; routing a second part of said flue gas stream to eventual venting; injecting and suspending a carbonaceous starting material into said second reactor to devolatilize and activate the carbonaceous starting material to produce an activated carbon material; separating the activated carbon material in a separating device; and routing the gas stream from said separating step to the first reactor for incineration of the volatile contents released from said injecting and suspending step. The activated carbon material is suited for the removal of vapor phase air toxics, such as mercury, from the flue gas of a coal fired power plant. An apparatus for producing the activated carbon material for the same purpose is also described.

Abstract: The current invention disclose a method and apparatus for production of hot water or steam in a firetube boiler and burner, said method comprising the steps of producing a first flue gas in a first stage of a burner associated with the firetube boiler, passing at least a portion of said first flue gas through a first pass and a second pass of the boiler, wherein each of said first and second passes comprises at least one firetube; routing said portion of said first flue gas to a second stage of said burner to reduce the flame temperature and NOx emissions of said second stage of said burner; producing a second flue gas in said second stage of said burner; passing said second flue gas through a third pass of the boiler, wherein said third pass comprises at least one firetube.

Abstract: A method for producing an activated carbon material comprises the steps of producing a hot flue gas stream from a combustion process in a first reactor; routing a first part of said flue gas stream to a second reactor that is substantially vertical; routing a second part of said flue gas stream to eventual venting; injecting and suspending a carbonaceous starting material into said second reactor to devolatilize and activate the carbonaceous starting material to produce an activated carbon material; separating the activated carbon material in a separating device; and routing the gas stream from said separating step to the first reactor for incineration of the volatile contents released from said injecting and suspending step. The activated carbon material is suited for the removal of vapor phase air toxics, such as mercury, from the flue gas of a coal fired power plant. An apparatus for producing the activated carbon material for the same purpose is also described.

Abstract: A method of operating a burner includes providing supplying a combustible mixture containing a ratio of fuel and air that is incapable of maintaining a stable flame to a combustion chamber. The combustible mixture is ignited by an igniter, and presence of a flame is sensed. The igniter is maintained active to sustain combustion of the combustible mixture within the combustion chamber so that a space exterior to the combustion chamber is heated to a temperature at or above an auto-ignition temperature of the combustible mixture. The temperature of the space exterior is monitored and the combustible mixture is provided at a second flow rate, which is higher than the first flow rate, to extinguish the flame in the combustion chamber such that combustion occurs in the space exterior to the combustion chamber. When combustion occurs in the space exterior to the combustion chamber, the igniter is deactivated.

Abstract: A method of operating a flare assembly is provided. If it is determined that the injection of primary steam into the combustion zone is necessary to achieve smokeless operation, primary steam is injected through a steam injector assembly into the combustion zone. If it is determined that steam is not necessary, an alternative gas is discharged though the steam injector assembly into the combustion zone. In one embodiment, the alternative gas is heated. In another embodiment, if it is determined that steam is necessary, a maximum allowable flow rate of steam is calculated, and the flow rate of steam is modulated to achieve smokeless operation and avoid a flow rate of steam in excess of the maximum allowable flow rate of steam. A flare assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a burner adapted to heat a furnace or other environment of use. In particular, a burner for providing a fuel gas in combination with an oxidant to effect controlled reaction of the fuel gas in a manner to reduce NOx emissions is described. Combustion of the fuel gas is shifted from the burner combustor to a location outside the burner once the temperature within the furnace/radiant tube has reached a sufficient level to complete combustion of the fuel gas.

Abstract: A rotor for use on an aircraft has a plurality (N) of rotor blades mounted on a plurality (N) of concentric masts. Each of the rotor blades has a rounded leading edge and a tapered trailing edge. The plurality (N) of concentric masts each operably mount one of the plurality of rotor blades at N different elevations. A locking element selectively locks or unlocks the concentric masts together in a plane of rotation, enabling the angle between any two rotor blades to be variable from 0-360 degrees during flight. A feathering hinge is operably attached to each blade for changing the pitch of each blade with respect to the plane of rotation as controlled by a pitch control mechanism.

Abstract: A method of operating a flare assembly is provided. If it is determined that the injection of primary steam into the combustion zone is necessary to achieve smokeless operation, primary steam is injected through a steam injector assembly into the combustion zone. If it is determined that steam is not necessary, an alternative gas is discharged though the steam injector assembly into the combustion zone. In one embodiment, the alternative gas is heated. In another embodiment, if it is determined that steam is necessary, a maximum allowable flow rate of steam is calculated, and the flow rate of steam is modulated to achieve smokeless operation and avoid a flow rate of steam in excess of the maximum allowable flow rate of steam. A flare assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A flare apparatus for burning combustible gases. A flare tip unit comprises an inner member and an outer member defining an annulus therebetween. The annulus defines an annular gas passage through which combustible gas passes. Air moved by a motive force, preferably steam, passes through the inner member and a steam/air mixture exits an outlet of the inner member. The combustible gas and an air/steam mixture mixes in a premix zone between the inner member outlet and the exit opening of the outer member. The combustible gas/air/steam mixture is ignited for burning in the atmosphere above the exit opening. The flare apparatus may include a plurality of flare tip units.