Abstract: A catalytic combustor (14) includes a first catalytic stage (30), a second catalytic stage (40), and an oxidation completion stage (49). The first catalytic stage receives an oxidizer (e.g., 20) and a fuel (26) and discharges a partially oxidized fuel/oxidizer mixture (36). The second catalytic stage receives the partially oxidized fuel/oxidizer mixture and further oxidizes the mixture. The second catalytic stage may include a passageway (47) for conducting a bypass portion (46) of the mixture past a catalyst (e.g., 41) disposed therein. The second catalytic stage may have an outlet temperature elevated sufficiently to complete oxidation of the mixture without using a separate ignition source. The oxidation completion stage is disposed downstream of the second catalytic stage and may recombine the bypass portion with a catalyst exposed portion (48) of the mixture and complete oxidation of the mixture.

Abstract: A gasification power plant 10 includes a compressor 32 producing a compressed air flow 36, an air separation unit 22 producing a nitrogen flow 44, a gasifier 14 producing a primary fuel flow 28 and a secondary fuel source 60 providing a secondary fuel flow 62 The plant also includes a catalytic combustor 12 combining the nitrogen flow and a combustor portion 38 of the compressed air flow to form a diluted air flow 39 and combining at least one of the primary fuel flow and secondary fuel flow and a mixer portion 78 of the diluted air flow to produce a combustible mixture 80. A catalytic element 64 of the combustor 12 separately receives the combustible mixture and a backside cooling portion 84 of the diluted air flow and allows the mixture and the heated flow to produce a hot combustion gas 46 provided to a turbine 48. When fueled with the secondary fuel flow, nitrogen is not combined with the combustor portion.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor (26) including a primary combustion chamber (28), a mixer element (34), a mixing chamber (46) and a secondary combustion chamber (48). The primary combustion chamber receives a fuel oxidizer mixture flow (22) and discharges a partially oxidized mixture flow (32). The mixer element includes a plurality of flow channels (36, 38) for separating the partially oxidized mixture from a flow of an oxidizer (24) and producing a plurality of partially oxidized mixture flows interspersed with a plurality of oxidizer fluid flows. The mixer element may include a plurality of tubes (62) retained by an upstream tubesheet (70) and a downstream tubesheet (76). The mixer element may function as a heat exchanger to heat the oxidizer fluid flow and to cool the partially oxidized mixture flow upstream of the post-mixing chamber.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) includes a catalytic oxidation module (28). The catalytic oxidation module includes a pressure boundary element (30); a catalytic surface (32); and an opening (34) in the pressure boundary element to allow premixing of the fluids before the fluids enter a downstream plenum. In an embodiment, the pressure boundary element includes a catalyst-coated tube (58) having holes (68) formed therein to allow mixing across the tube. In another embodiment, the pressure boundary element includes a tubesheet (44) having a first fluid passageway intersecting a second fluid passageway to premix the fluids upstream of the outlet end of the tubesheet. In yet another embodiment, the catalytic oxidation module includes an upstream tubesheet (86) for mounting a tube inlet end (73) and a downstream tubesheet (78) for mounting a tube outlet end (72) so that the tube is slidably contained there between.

Abstract: A catalytic section of a combustor is formed from a spaced tandem array of corrugated panels. The exterior top and bottom surfaces of the panels are coated with a catalyst and the space between panels defines a passage for a fuel-rich/air mixture. The interior of the corrugated panels define cooling air passages for maintaining the catalyst and substrate on which it is formed, at acceptable temperatures.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustion system and method used for generating electrical power includes a compressor that receives and compresses air. A first stage turbine nozzle is flowise connected to the compressor and receives a portion of the compressed air from the compressor within a first air flow. A torus configured combustion chamber is positioned around the first stage turbine nozzle and receives a portion of the compressed air from the compressor within a second air flow that is passed through the combustion chamber where air and fuel are mixed and combusted. The air is discharged at the first stage turbine nozzle to mix with the first air while achieving a dry low NOx combustion.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) includes a catalytic oxidation module (28). The catalytic oxidation module includes a pressure boundary element (30); a catalytic surface (32); and an opening (34) in the pressure boundary element to allow premixing of the fluids before the fluids enter a downstream plenum. In an embodiment, the pressure boundary element includes a catalyst-coated tube (58) having holes (68) formed therein to allow mixing across the tube. In another embodiment, the pressure boundary element includes a tubesheet (44) having a first fluid passageway intersecting a second fluid passageway to premix the fluids upstream of the outlet end of the tubesheet. In yet another embodiment, the catalytic oxidation module includes an upstream tubesheet (86) for mounting a tube inlet end (73) and a downstream tubesheet (78) for mounting a tube outlet end (72) so that the tube is slidably contained there between.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustion system and method used for generating electrical power includes a compressor that receives and compresses air. A first stage turbine nozzle is flowise connected to the compressor and receives a portion of the compressed air from the compressor within a first air flow. A torus configured combustion chamber is positioned around the first stage turbine nozzle and receives a portion of the compressed air from the compressor within a second air flow that is passed through the combustion chamber where air and fuel are mixed and combusted. The air is discharged at the first stage turbine nozzle to mix with the first air while achieving a dry low NOx combustion.

Abstract: A catalytic section of a combustor is formed from a spaced tandem array of corrugated panels. The exterior top and bottom surfaces of the panels are coated with a catalyst and the space between panels defines a passage for a fuel-rich/air mixture. The interior of the corrugated panels define cooling air passages for maintaining the catalyst and substrate on which it is formed, at acceptable temperatures.

Abstract: A dampening device for suppressing vibrations of a tube assembly in a catalytic combustor which includes, a plurality of closely oriented, parallel tubes with each tube having at least one expanded region and at least one narrow region. The expanded regions being structured to contact at least one adjacent tube, thus providing support and minimizing degradation of the joint connecting the tubes to the tube sheet, and degradation of the tubes themselves. Such degradation can result from vibration due to flow of cooling air inside of the tubes, flow of the fuel/air mixture passing over the tubes transverse and longitudinal to the tube bundle, and/or other system/engine vibrations.

Abstract: A combustion turbine with a secondary combustor is provided. The secondary combustor is disposed within the turbine assembly of the combustion turbine. The secondary combustor assembly is structured to maintain the working gas at a working temperature within the turbine assembly. The secondary combustor assembly re-heats the working gas by injecting a combustible gas into the working gas. The secondary combustor assembly includes a plurality of openings disposed among the vanes and/or blades in the turbine assembly which are coupled to a combustible gas source. As the combustible gas is injected into the working gas, the combustible gas will auto-ignite. That is, the combustible gas will combust without the need for an igniter or pre-existing flame. Combustion of the combustible gas in the turbine assembly re-heats the working gas.

Abstract: A combined hot gas cleanup system and gas separation unit is contained within a single pressure vessel. Preferably, the combined unit is an integral structure that is retrofittable to replace existing candle filters in their installed holders. The integral unit can be replaced to adapt the combined system for different applications.

Abstract: A dampening device for suppressing vibrations of a tube assembly in a catalytic combustor which includes, a plurality of closely oriented, parallel tubes with each tube having at least one expanded region and at least one narrow region. The expanded regions being structured to contact at least one adjacent tube, thus providing support and minimizing degradation of the joint connecting the tubes to the tube sheet, and degradation of the tubes themselves. Such degradation can result from vibration due to flow of cooling air inside of the tubes, flow of the fuel/air mixture passing over the tubes transverse and longitudinal to the tube bundle, and/or other system/engine vibrations.

Abstract: A combined hot gas cleanup system and gas separation unit is contained within a single pressure vessel. Preferably, the combined unit is an integral structure that is retrofittable to replace existing candle filters in their installed holders. The integral unit can be replaced to adapt the combined system for different applications.

Abstract: A combustion turbine with a secondary combustor is provided. The secondary combustor is disposed within the turbine assembly of the combustion turbine. The secondary combustor assembly is structured to maintain the working gas at a working temperature within the turbine assembly. The secondary combustor assembly re-heats the working gas by injecting a combustible gas into the working gas. The secondary combustor assembly includes a plurality of openings disposed among the vanes and/or blades in the turbine assembly which are coupled to a combustible gas source. As the combustible gas is injected into the working gas, the combustible gas will auto-ignite. That is, the combustible gas will combust without the need for an igniter or pre-existing flame. Combustion of the combustible gas in the turbine assembly re-heats the working gas.

Abstract: A combustion turbine which produces a reduced amount of NOx is provided. The combustion turbine reduces the amount of NOx produced by utilizing a secondary combustor. By using a secondary combustor the working gas of the combustion turbine does not need to be heated above 2500° F., the temperature at which a substantial amount of NOx begins to form, until the working gas is entering the turbine assembly. The secondary combustor assembly heats the working gas by injecting a combustible gas, or compressed air if the primary combustor produces a fuel rich working gas, into the elevated temperature working gas. This gas combusts and heats the working gas adjacent to the beginning of the turbine assembly. Because the working gas is not raised above 2500° F. until it is about to enter the turbine assembly, the time during which NOx is formed is reduced.

Abstract: A fail-safe/regenerator device (68), for use within a filter assembly (60) also containing a main filter element (28), contains a top main support (90), and a bottom main support (82), where a rigid, static bed of needles, fibers or wires (92), having an aspect ratio of 30 to 2000 and having crossover points (94), are effective to trap contacting contaminating particulates permanently, and may have an associated safety filter 99.

Abstract: A filter assembly is made for filtering hot gas within a cleanup system pressure vessel (22), where the filter assembly (60) contains a filter housing (62) having an interior chamber (66), and a filter element (28) attached to the bottom of a fail-safe/regenerator filter device (129) which contains a plurality of elongated passageway members either of a porous metal media tube type (120) or of a porous metal media honeycomb cartridge member type (130), where the passageway members are effective to facilitate enhanced capture of particulates in the event of filter element (28) failure.

Abstract: A filter assembly (60) for holding a filter element (28) within a hot gas cleanup system pressure vessel is provided, containing: a filter housing (62), said filter housing having a certain axial length and having a peripheral sidewall, said sidewall defining an interior chamber (66); a one piece, all metal, fail-safe/regenerator device (68) within the interior chamber (66) of the filter housing (62) and/or extending beyond the axial length of the filter housing, said device containing an outward extending radial flange (71) within the filter housing for seating an essential seal (70), the device also having heat transfer media (72) disposed inside and screens (80) for particulate removal; one compliant gasket (70) positioned next to and above the outward extending radial flange of the fail-safe/regenerator device; and a porous metallic corrosion resistant superalloy type filter element body welded at the bottom of the metal fail-safe/regenerator device.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus for separating particulate matter from a gas stream. The filtering apparatus has a pressure vessel defining an interior chamber having a dirty gas inlet opening and a clean gas exit opening. A tubesheet is coupled within the pressure vessel thereby dividing said pressure vessel into a dirty gas side and a clean gas side. A support pipe for supporting a plenum chamber within the pressure vessel dirty gas side is securely coupled with the tubesheet. The plenum chamber for supporting a plurality of filter elements is coupled to the support pipe. The plenum chamber has a side wall having at least one dirty gas port and clean gas exit formed therein. The side wall further defines a clean gas chamber. A plurality of filter element guides are securely coupled within the clean gas chamber for supporting at least one filter element and preventing filter elements from moving laterally.