Abstract: A NOx reduction burner system and process. Fuel modification and fuel rich reactor zone gases are brought together with products from a fuel lean reactor zone in a low temperature burnout and NOx reduction reactor zone. The fuel modification fuel rich reactor stabilizes combustion through recirculation of hot gases to the reactants. Nitrogenous species decay reactions in the fuel rich zone controls the production of NOx. The nitrogenous species from the fuel rich zone and the NOx from the fuel lean zone then react in the burnout zone at an optimal temperature and nitrogenous species mix where NOx is minimized. Temperature in all zones, and in particular the burnout zone, can be controlled by furnace gas entrainment, induced flue gas recirculation, forced flue gas recirculation and active cooling by radiative and/or convective heat transfer. NOx can be even further reduced by introducing ammonia, or a like amine species, into the low temperature burnout zone.

Abstract: A low NOx combustion process and burner apparatus in which a mixture of a primary fuel and air, with the air in excess of the stoichiometric requirement, is passed to a surface burner element. The mixture is distributed over the downstream side of the element where it is combusted in a primary combustion zone. Secondary fuel is mixed with surface combustion products from the primary zone and then combusted in a secondary combustion zone with a portion of excess oxygen from the surface combustion products. In certain embodiments the temperature of surface combustion products is reduced by heat transfer to the surface burner element, and in another embodiment by heat transfer to a screen or other element placed within the primary combustion zone, from which the heat is then extracted to a load, and in another embodiment by mixing the additional fuel or combustion products with cooled furnace gases. In other embodiments the placement of the secondary fuel jets is varied to achieve different combustion results.

Abstract: A lime regeneration method and system of apparatus which compacts lime mud into agglomerates of predetermined configurations for improved handling and processing in a subsequent compact, efficient, minimally polluting and low cost reactor vessel in which the mud is dried, heated, calcined and cooled to form a reactive lime product.

Abstract: An industrial process burner which operates with optimal control of fuel/air mixing and reduced NO.sub.x emissions. The burner has a body formed with a primary fuel jet which is surrounded by inner and outer sets of air jets. The inner set of air jets directs air for mixing with the primary fuel jet. The outer set of air jets directs air which entrains a portion of combustion products for diluting the pre-combustion air/fuel mixture to lower the flame temperature and reduce NO.sub.x emissions. A secondary set of fuel jets directs fuel along a path apart from the primary fuel jet, and a set of additional air jets merges into and deflects air flow from the secondary jets inwardly to the base of the primary fuel jet for establishing a local combustion zone to promote ignition of the flame.

Abstract: Pulse combustors and associated air mixers are used to process fuel and calcium based sorbent outside of a furnace or boiler. liquid or solid fuel is rapidly volatilized in the air mixer of the first pulse combustor, producing high gaseous fuel content and a highly reactive char or soot. This material is then injected into the upper part of the furnace, above the conventional burners, to create a fuel rich zone which reduces previously formed nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollutants. The calcium based sorbent is injected into a second pulse combustor, located higher in the furnace. The sorbent is flash calcined in the air mixer of the pulse combustor yielding a high surface area sorbent. This material is then injected into the furnace above the first pulse combustor to reduce previously formed sulfur oxide (SO2) pollutants. In addition, the stream from this combustor and air mixer provides the air needed to completely burn out the coal fuel from the first pulse combustor.