Abstract: A fluidized bed combustor is utilized as a source of drains, including spent calcium-based sorbent. The reacted sorbent is broken to expose unreacted portions which can be recycled to capture additional sulfur compounds. A separation is provided by a magnetic separator and an electrophoretic separator in order to obviate the load of recycling reacted sorbent and other waste material having no calorific value.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the distribution of secondary air (30) between at least two fuel burners (14,16) in a multiple fuel combustor (16). Total chemical energies of the individual fuel streams (44,60) are determined and compared (64,66) with the total combustor chemical energy input (62) for controlling biasing means (32,34). The determination of at least one individual fuel total chemical energy content (60) may optionally include a prompt neutron activation type analyzer (48) for on-line measurement of specific fuel chemical energy (59).

Abstract: The seed, in the form of K.sub.2 SO.sub.4, is fed into an MHD combustor, mechanically recovered, and recycled. Sulfur dioxide in the discharge of the MHD channel is recovered downstream by a fluidized bed of lime/limestone.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic topping unit is added to a pre-existing fossil fuel steam generating plant by a system of conduits and a chamber which show the high velocity output gas of the generator, attenuate oxides of nitrogen, reduce the temperature of the channel output gas, and initiate recovery of seed material. The connecting system is arranged to recover heat from the output gas of the MHD channel by absorbing this heat in the feed water system of the steam generator. The addition of the MHD channel to the existing steam generator provides an alternate source of heat for the steam generator.

Abstract: A fossil fuel is burned substoichiometrically in the combustor (10) of a MHD power plant to produce a high temperature, fuel-rich product gas (7). The product gas is passed through a MHD channel (12) to generate electricity. A reducing agent (9), preferably natural gas or hydrocarbon, is injected into the fuel-rich product gas (7) leaving the MHD generator (14); and the resulting mixture is held at a temperature in the range of 950.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C. for about 1 second to permit the reducing agent to decompose a portion of the nitrogen oxides formed in the combustor. The fuel-rich product gas (11) then passes thru an afterburner (18) wherein combustion is completed and any excess reducing agent is consumed.