Exhaust Gas; E.g., Pollution Control, Etc. Patents (Class 110/345)
  • Patent number: 7621154
    Abstract: A method for supplying heat to a melting furnace for forming a molten product using ash-containing fuels. A fuel having an ash component is introduced into a slagging chamber of a slagging combustor and at least partially combusted with a first oxidant mixture and a second oxidant mixture within the slagging chamber. Ash component is collected as a layer of molten slag in the slagging chamber. Slagging combustor gas effluent is passed from the slagging chamber of the slagging combustor into the combustion space of the melting furnace at high temperature to supply heat to form the molten product. Molten slag is withdrawn from the slagging chamber of the slagging combustor and may be selectively introduced into the melting furnace or not introduced into the melting furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Daniel D'Agostini
  • Publication number: 20090277363
    Abstract: An oxyfuel boiler system, comprising: an oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air; a coal supply unit to dry and pulverize coal; a burner having a fuel feed path for feeding pulverized coal supplied from the coal supply unit and an oxidizer feed path for feeding oxidizer; a boiler provided with the burner; an exhaust gas discharge line to discharge exhaust gas generated in the boiler into environment; an exhaust gas treatment apparatus provided in the exhaust gas discharge line, a CO2 separator provided downstream of the exhaust gas treatment apparatus in the exhaust gas discharge line to separate CO2 from the exhaust gas; an exhaust gas recirculation line including an exhaust gas tapping port provided in the exhaust gas discharge line to extract a part of the exhaust gas; and an oxygen supply line to supply the oxygen generated at the oxygen generator to the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas recirculation line, wherein the exhaust gas treatment apparatus is provided with at least an SO3 removin
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi SHIBATA, Masayuki TANIGUCHI, Hisayuki ORITA, Osamu ITO
  • Patent number: 7615101
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling mercury emissions in the gas stream from a fuel fired system includes a chamber for creating dissociated halogen to be supplied to the gas stream, with or without carbonaceous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael J. Holmes, John H Pavlish, Edwin S. Olson, Ye Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20090255450
    Abstract: A new and unique boiler and method of transition between air and Oxy-combustion in a coal fired combustion process wherein near pure oxygen may be introduced to the boiler furnace in several locations including directly into the flame through the burner and/or directly into the furnace as nearly pure oxygen, and/or into the recycle flue gas streams to the burners, including both primary and secondary streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Bryan B. Stone, Denny K. McDonald, Allan J. Zadiraka
  • Patent number: 7600479
    Abstract: A method to reduce mercury in gas emissions from the combustion of coal is disclosed. Mercury emissions can be reduced by staging combustion process and/or reducing boiler excess oxygen. Fly ash formed under combustion staging conditions is more reactive towards mercury than fly ash formed under typical combustion conditions. Reducing boiler excess oxygen can also improve ability of fly ash to adsorb mercury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vitali Victor Lissianski, Peter Martin Maly, William Randall Seeker, Roy Payne, Vladimir M. Zamansky, Loc Ho
  • Publication number: 20090249988
    Abstract: An oxycombustion apparatus comprising an air separation unit (2) in which oxygen (10) is produced optionally by cryogenic distillation, an oxycombustion boiler (1), means for sending the oxygen and a fuel (14) to the oxycombustion boiler, means (19) for recovering carbon dioxide-containing flue gases from the oxycombustion boiler, and means (7) for purifying the flue gases in order to extract carbon dioxide therefrom, the air separation unit being provided for producing oxygen to be sent to the boiler having a purity not exceeding 95 mol %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude et l'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Benoit Davidian
  • Publication number: 20090252665
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving increased NOx removal efficiency from an emissions control portion of a fossil fuel fired boiler while controlling ammonia slip provides excess levels of ammonia above those levels conventionally employed in SCR and/or SNCR applications. The apparatus and methods comprise, in part, use of a NOx reduction system comprising at least one selective catalytic reduction system which receives ammonia in higher amounts than conventional practice from an upstream ammonia injection point, and an ammonia reduction system positioned downstream of one or more ammonia injection points and the NOx reduction system. The excess ammonia achieves increased NOx removal, while the ammonia reduction system contains at least one ammonia destruction catalyst which permits the NOx reduction system to be operated at an increased NOx removal efficiency without a corresponding increase in ammonia slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: William Downs, Larry A. Hiner, Xiaoyu Guo
  • Patent number: 7597743
    Abstract: A plant includes an adsorber in which a metal is plated onto a non-metallic sacrificial materials from a metal carbonyl at a predetermined temperature. Particularly preferred adsorbers include two sections, wherein a first metal (e.g., nickel) is plated onto graphite in the first section, and wherein a second metal (e.g., iron) is plated onto graphite in the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Ravi Ravikumar
  • Patent number: 7597864
    Abstract: Ammonia and optionally carbon monoxide are injected into the flue gas containing metals such as mercury in a manner so that there are sufficient amounts of these materials in the flue gas when the flue gas is at a temperature of from 900° F. to 1,450° F. to oxidize the metals within the flue gas. The oxidized metals are then attracted to particulates present in the flue gas. Oxidation is facilitated by a reaction zone stabilizer through which the flue gas flows. The stabilizer provides a stable continuous ignition front. These particulates bound with oxidized metals are removed from the flue gas by a particulate removal device such as an electrostatic precipitator or baghouse. After the ammonia is injected, the flue gas can be rapidly cooled to a temperature below 500° F. to minimize decomposition of oxidized metals in the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Breen Energy Solutions
    Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, Robert A. Schrecengost
  • Patent number: 7596952
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for recycling carbon dioxide emissions from a fossil-fuel power plant into useful carbonated species The process primarily comprises the steps of: a) burning the fossil fuel, thereby generating heat and a hot exhaust gas containing CO2; and b) converting the heat into energy. The process is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: c) cooling the exhaust gas; and d) biologically transforming the CO2 contained in the cooled exhaust gas into carbonated species, thereby obtaining a low CO2 exhaust gas and producing useful carbonated species. The low CO2 exhaust gas obtained in step d) can be released in the atmosphere without increasing the problem of greenhouse effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: CO2 Solution Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvie Fradette, Jean Ruel
  • Publication number: 20090241814
    Abstract: Heat can be recovered from hot gas produced in a thermal reactor (1), by injecting water into the gas at one or more injection zones (4) in such an amount and in such a way that the gas temperature due to water evaporation is reduced to below 400° C., preferably below 300° C., possibly below 150-200° C., and the gas dew point becomes at least 60° C., preferably at least 70° C., possibly 80 or 85° C. The gas can then be led through a condensing heat exchanger unit (8), where at least some of the gas contents of water vapour are condensed, and the condensing heat can be utilized for heating of a stream of fluid, mainly water. Hereby, a method for production of hot water is obtained, which is cheap and simple and has low maintenance costs, and which moreover has a high efficiency degree and good environmental qualities The method can be used for a broad spectrum of fuels and conversion technologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Dall Energy Holding ApS
    Inventor: Jens Dall Bentzen
  • Publication number: 20090235848
    Abstract: A method of reducing particulate matter and mercury emissions in a combustion flue gas includes, in an exemplary embodiment, combusting a fuel resulting in generation a flue gas flow, cooling the flue gas flow within a duct, positioning a flow conditioning apparatus within the duct, enhancing a reaction rate of the mercury and carbon-containing fly ash particles by directing the flue gas flow through the flow conditioning apparatus to mix the carbon-containing fly ash particles and mercury within the flue gas flow and to facilitate at least one of oxidation of the mercury and binding the mercury to the carbon-containing fly ash particles, collecting a portion of the carbon-containing fly ash particles in the flow conditioning apparatus, and directing the flue gas flow to a particulate collection device to remove the remaining portion of the fly ash particles from flue gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Boris Nikolaevich Eiteneer, Robert Warren Taylor, Vitali Lissianski, James Easel Roberts
  • Patent number: 7581945
    Abstract: A system, a method, and an article of manufacture for adjusting CO emission levels in predetermined locations in a boiler system are provided. The boiler system has a plurality of burners and a plurality of CO sensors disposed therein. The system determines locations within the boiler system that have relatively high CO levels utilizing the plurality of CO sensors and then adjusts A/F ratios of burners affecting those locations to decrease the CO levels at the locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Neil Colin Widmer, Avinash Vinayak Taware, Ivy Wai Man Chong
  • Publication number: 20090211503
    Abstract: A combustor 110 is operative to effect therewith the combustion of fossil fuel 114? in order to thereby both heat to a working fluid 102 and generate a flue gas 104. An air preheater 144 receives the flue gas 104 generated in the combustor 110. A blower 180 causes air 188 to flow to the air preheater 144 when operating in an air fired mode, and causes both O2 and recycled flue gas 188? to flow when operating in the O2 firing mode. The air preheater 144 is operative to transfer heat from the flue gas 150 received thereby to the air 188 that is received when operating in an air fired mode or to both the received O2 and the recycled flue gas 188? that is received when operating in the O2 firing mode in order to thereby effect a preheating of the air 188 or of both the O2 and recycled flue gas, 188? depending upon the specific nature of the mode of operation thereof, and to thereby effect therewith a cooling of the flue gas received thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Herbert E. Andrus, JR., Gregory N. Liljedahl, John L. Marion, Nsakala Ya Nsakala
  • Patent number: 7574968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in combustion system for capturing gas phase pollutants such as SO3. In one example, the invention uses a computer model to model the combustion system. Particles are injected into the combustion system to capture the gas phase pollutants. The model is used to determine the injection location, as well as the size and amount of the particles to be injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignees: Energy & Environmental Research Center, Marsulex Environmental Technologies Corporation, Alstom Technolog Ltd
    Inventors: Donald McCollor, Steven Benson, Bernard Hamel, Robin Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20090199749
    Abstract: An installation for combustion (1) of carbon-containing solids includes an oxide reducing reactor (2), a first cyclone (5), a recuperator (6), an oxidation reactor (3), a second cyclone (4), wherein flows an oxide which is reduced then oxidized in each of the two reactors (2 and 3). In the installation, the fuel is ground before being introduced into the reduction reactor (3). The reduced size of the solid fuel particles enables more complete and faster combustion and enables almost 100% production of fly ashes which are separated from the circulating oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Xavier Morin, Corinne Beal
  • Patent number: 7569096
    Abstract: A plant (100) includes a gas turbine (110) that receives a feed gas (130), wherein a metal plates from a metal carbonyl contained in the feed gas onto a sacrificial metal (152A) in an adsorber (150A), and wherein the feed gas in the adsorber has a temperature sufficient for plating the metal onto the sacrificial metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Ravi Ravikumar
  • Patent number: 7563309
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine exhaust filter devices and the like are regenerated by placement in a reclamation or burn-off furnace, raising the temperature to at least about 800° F. to 900° F. and conducting relatively low volumes of low pressure air through the filter media to combust entrapped particulates and other materials residing on the filter media. The reclamation furnace includes an afterburner for combusting materials discharged from the filter devices into the furnace chamber so that complete combustion of materials is accomplished before discharge from the furnace. The flow of combustion air for the filter devices is controlled by manifolding and valving connected to a source and the oxygen content of combustion air may be enhanced by a separate source of oxygen injected into the combustion air flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Pollution Control Products Co.
    Inventor: Peyton G. Simpson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7559977
    Abstract: A method for separation of CO2 from the combustion gas from a thermal power plant fired with fossil fuel, wherein the combustion gas from the thermal power plant is used as cooled, compressed and reheated by combustion of natural gas in a combustion chamber to form an exhaust gas, where the exhaust gas is cooled an brought in contact with an absorbent absorbing CO2 from the exhaust gas to form a low CO2 stream and an absorbent with absorbed CO2, and where the low CO2 stream is heated by means of heat exchanges against the hot exhaust gas leaving the combustion chamber before it is expanded in turbines, is described. A plant for performing the method and a combined plant is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sargas AS
    Inventors: Henrik Fleischer, Tor Christensen, Knut Borseth
  • Patent number: 7553463
    Abstract: Methods by which new or used boilers or furnaces ranging from small industrial to the largest utility units that are designed for coal or oil or natural gas or shredded waste or shredded biomass firing can substantially improve their technical operation and sharply reduce their capital and operating costs by implementing component modifications and process steps that (a) minimize the adverse impacts of coal ash and slag on boiler surfaces and particulate emissions thereby also facilitating the use of oil or gas designed boilers for coal firing, (b) drastically reduce the loss of water used to transport coal in slurry form to power plants, (c) essentially eliminate the combined total nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), mercury (Hg), trace metals, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, (d) separate and permanently sequester carbon dioxide released during combustion and (e) improve the coal and solid fuel combustion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Bert Zauderer
  • Publication number: 20090158978
    Abstract: A method of controlling a process of generating power in a power plant with a boiler by combusting carbonaceous fuel with substantially pure oxygen. At full load conditions, the method includes introducing a first carbonaceous fuel feed stream into a furnace, introducing a first substantially pure oxygen feed stream into the furnace for combusting the first carbonaceous fuel feed stream with the oxygen, and recirculating a portion of the exhaust gas discharged from the furnace at a first recirculation flow rate to the furnace, to form, together with the first substantially pure oxygen feed stream, a first inlet gas stream having a predetermined average oxygen content, thereby discharging exhaust gas from the furnace at a first discharge flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Seltzer, Zhen Fan, Horst Hack, Archibald Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090130615
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calcination of a material in which said material is heated by contact with a heat source essentially generated by means of a flame produced with at least one flow of fuel and primary air and a flow of secondary air, the flame comprising a first combustion zone with a temperature below 1500° C. and a second combustion zone with a temperature above 1500° C., where at least one flow of at least one inert gas is injected into the flame at the beginning of the second combustion zone and/or at least one flow of oxygen or a gas enriched in oxygen is injected into the second combustion zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Erwin Penfornis, Maguelonne Hammel, Pascal Duperray, Xavier Paubel
  • Publication number: 20090120338
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for low-NOx combustion with at least one burner (5) using fuel and oxidizing agent and/or furnace off-gases and/or carbon dioxide and/or steam. The low-NOx combustion according to the invention can be used in conventional melting and holding furnaces, in particular in aluminum holding furnaces or rotary drum furnaces and glass-melting furnaces, with the potential for considerable economies to be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude ET L 'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Martin Adendorff, Lothar Backes, Horst Koder
  • Patent number: 7531153
    Abstract: A method for reducing an amount of mercury in flue gases generated by the combustion of coal is provided. The method includes combusting a quantity of coal and a quantity of air within a primary combustion area such that a fly ash containing carbon and elemental mercury is formed within the flue gases, supplying air to the primary combustion area such that a portion of the air is channeled to an overfire air burnout area downstream from the primary combustion area to facilitate increasing an amount of the carbon content in the fly ash, cooling the flue gases to facilitate oxidizing the elemental mercury using the carbon content in the fly ash, and injecting sorbent into the flue gases to facilitate further reducing the amount of mercury in the flue gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vitali Victor Lissianski, Peter Martin Maly, William Randall Seeker
  • Publication number: 20090084294
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing NOx emissions in a coal burning furnace of a power plant without utilizing techniques downstream of the furnace, such as SCR and SNCR, is provided. In a primary combustion zone, a fuel is combusted in the presence of a first oxidant gas comprised substantially of N2, to produce a first effluent gas that include one or more NOx species. Downstream a re-burn zone is operated in a sub-stoichiometric manner, combusting a second fuel in presence of the first effluent gas and a second oxidant wherein the second oxidant gas comprises a stream of oxygen. The effluent gas from the re-burn zone is introduced to overfire airflow so as to establish a super-stoichiometric zone prior to discharged from the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Hamid Sarv
  • Publication number: 20090078175
    Abstract: A fuel flexible furnace, including a main combustion zone, a reburn zone downstream from the main combustion zone, and a delivery system operably coupled to supplies of biomass and coal and configured to deliver the biomass and the coal as ingredients of first and reburn fuels to the main combustion zone and the reburn zone, with each fuel including flexible quantities of the biomass and/or the coal. The flexible quantities are variable with the furnace in an operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Boris Nikolaevich Eiteneer, William Randall Seeker, Roy Payne
  • Publication number: 20090078177
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pollution control which are well suited for use in a coal power plant are described. Ash is collected and injected into the flue gas stream at a location upstream of a cooling module. The ash acts as an absorbent and/or reactant material onto which condensate may condense. By re-introducing ash to keep the condensation forming wet areas within the system, lower cost materials which are less corrosion resistant than needed for wet operating conditions can be used. Mercury recovery and SO3 removal is facilitated by the cooling process and re-introduction of collected ash. Activated carbon and/or an alkali absorbent material may be added. Use of a dry ESP and/or fabric filter as opposed to a wet ESP for particulate collection leads to cost benefits. Energy recovered by the cooling of the flue gas may be re-used to heat turbine condensate leading to improved energy efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Song Wu, Takanori Nakamoto, Takashi Muramoto, Udo Zirn, Toshio Katsube, Hirofumi Kikkawa
  • Patent number: 7507083
    Abstract: Processes and compositions are provided for decreasing emissions of mercury upon combustion of fuels such as coal. Various sorbent compositions are provided that contain components that reduce the level of mercury and/or sulfur emitted into the atmosphere upon burning of coal. In various embodiments, the sorbent compositions are added directly to the fuel before combustion; are added partially to the fuel before combustion and partially into the flue gas post combustion zone; or are added completely into the flue gas post combustion zone. In preferred embodiments, the sorbent compositions comprise a source of halogen and preferably a source of calcium. Among the halogens, iodine and bromine are preferred. In various embodiments, inorganic bromides make up a part of the sorbent compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Douglas C Comrie
  • Patent number: 7504081
    Abstract: A method for reducing an amount of mercury in flue gas is provided. The method includes injecting a quantity of coal having a fineness of less than 70%<200 mesh and greater than or equal to 50%<200 mesh. The quantity of coal is combusted in a quantity of air such that at least carbon-containing fly ash and mercury are formed. Mercury is oxidized using at least the carbon-contain fly ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vitali Victor Lissianski, Peter Martin Maly, William Randall Seeker
  • Patent number: 7497172
    Abstract: In a method for removing NOx from the flue gas using a coal water slurry, other carbon containing fuel and water, or unburned carbon existing in the furnace itself due to continuing combustion, the ratio of carbon to water is adjusted so that a portion of the carbon forms activated carbon after injection of the fuel slurry into the flue gas. The activated carbon is then available to collect mercury chloride from the flue gas which has been formed through the enhancement of the mercury and chlorine oxidation reaction, enhanced through the heterogeneous reaction mechanism of this same activated carbon in the primary combustion fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Breen Energy Solutions
    Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, Robert A. Schrecengost
  • Patent number: 7497682
    Abstract: Emissions of NOx and CO are reduced from combustion devices such as coal-fired furnaces by increasing the stoichiometric ratio of burner(s) having a lower average temperature and increasing the stoichiometric ratio of burner(s) having a higher average temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Kaczenski, Lawrence E. Bool, III, Hisashi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20090044737
    Abstract: A method for extracting energy from biomass depleted of at least some carbohydrate, at least some oil, or both by a) introducing the biomass into a vertically elongated combustion chamber having i) at least one suspension burner at the top of the combustion chamber which is capable of projecting a flame down the axis of the combustion chamber, ii) a heat transfer apparatus having at least a portion of a heat collection surface located radially from the flame and below the burner, and iii) an exhaust opening located below the flame and below at least a portion of the heat collection surface; b) combusting the biomass to yield a mixture containing hot flue gas and molten ash above the exhaust opening; c) transferring heat from the hot flue gas to at least a portion of the heat collection surface substantially by radiation prior to any substantial contact of ash to a surface of the combustion chamber, to yield a mixture containing warm flue gas and non-molten ash and having a lower molten ash content than the mi
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Raymond C. Ganga, Greg Imig, Blake McBurney, Robert Jansen, John Kerr, Steven J. Reust
  • Publication number: 20090031929
    Abstract: A method of decreasing pollutants produced in a combustion process. The method comprises combusting coal in a combustion chamber to produce at least one pollutant selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen-containing pollutant, sulfuric acid, sulfur trioxide, carbonyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, chlorine, hydroiodic acid, iodine, hydrofluoric acid, fluorine, hydrobromic acid, bromine, phosphoric acid, phosphorous pentaoxide, elemental mercury, and mercuric chloride. Oil shale particles are introduced into the combustion chamber and are combusted to produce sorbent particulates and a reductant. The at least one pollutant is contacted with at least one of the sorbent particulates and the reductant to decrease an amount of the at least one pollutant in the combustion chamber. The reductant may chemically reduce the at least one pollutant to a benign species. The sorbent particulates may adsorb or absorb the at least one pollutant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Richard D. Boardman, Robert A. Carrington
  • Publication number: 20090031933
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide in combustion exhaust gas can be effectively separated and the combustion exhaust gas including the other exhaust gas components condensed through the separation of carbon dioxide can be discharged to the atmosphere. Air 7 is separated by an air separation unit 8 into oxygen 9 and other nitrogen-prevailing gas 10a. The obtained oxygen 9 and coal 1 are burned by a burner 5a of a combustion furnace 4. Exhaust gas treatment is conducted for the resultant combustion exhaust gas from the furnace 4. Then, part of the combustion exhaust gas is recirculated to the burner 5a and the remaining unrecirculated combustion exhaust gas is compressed to take out liquefied carbon dioxide 29. The other exhaust gas components 31 unliquefied through the compression is mixed and diluted with the other nitrogen-prevailing gas 10a in the separation of the oxygen 9 from the air 7 in the air separation unit 8 and is discharged to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masafumi Ookawa, Toshiro Fujimori, Shinichi Takano, Toshihiko Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090020048
    Abstract: Method of reducing the nitrogen oxide formation (NOx) on the primary side and of at the same time avoiding the formation of nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia slip (NH3) in the exhaust gas of a two-stage combustion process and of improving the slag balance, comprising a fixed-bed burn-out zone, through which an oxygenous primary gas flows, above a fuel bed and a downstream exhaust-gas burn-out zone into which oxygenous secondary gas is additionally introduced. The object is to propose a simple and reliably controllable method for reducing nitrogen oxide formation on the primary side in combustion plants, for example grate combustion plants, with considerably higher efficiency, wherein no additional pollutants are produced or the utilization of the energy of the heat content of the combustion gases is only marginally impaired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM KARLSRUHE GMBH
    Inventor: Hans Hunsinger
  • Patent number: 7476372
    Abstract: A method for reducing acid gases in a flue gas, the method comprising reacting biosolids comprising a scrubbing agent with a flue gas comprising an acid gas, thereby reducing the amount of acid gas in the flue gas is disclosed. Also disclosed is a flue gas scrubbing process comprising: combusting a fossil fuel and biosolids comprising a scrubbing agent, thereby producing a flue gas comprising an acid gas, wherein the flue gas has a reduced amount of acid gas compared with flue gas produced from the combustion of the fossil filet alone. A flue gas scrubbing process comprising providing a stream of biosolids that includes a hydroxide or an oxide of a Group IA or IIA element, providing a flue gas comprising an acid gas, and reacting the biosolids stream with the flue gas so as to reduce the amount of acid gas in the flue gas is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Holloman Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Publication number: 20090007825
    Abstract: A thermal postcombustion device includes, in a conventional manner per se, a housing, having an inlet for the exhaust air that is to be purified and an outlet for clean air. A combustion chamber is located inside the housing, and inside this combustion chamber, a heating device generates a temperature at which the pollutants carried by the exhaust air burn. In order to reduce the energy requirement, a heat exchanger is provided over which the exhaust air coming from the inlet is guided to the combustion chamber, and the clean air coming from the combustion chamber is guided to the outlet. In order to also be able to process exhaust air, which is loaded with adherent residues, for example, pitch vapors, a device is provided with which, during a purification mode, at least a portion of the clean air can be optionally fed past a section of the heat exchanger located closer to the combustion chamber and into another section of the heat exchanger located further from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Apostolos Katefidis
  • Publication number: 20090007827
    Abstract: A combustion system equipped with one or more carbonaceous fuel burning combustors (e.g., slagging Cyclone combustor) and adapted to minimize nitrogen oxide (NOx) formation during staged combustion operation by selective introduction of oxygen through at least one of the combustors to create a hot sub-stoichiometric combustion zone by reducing the diluent effect of nitrogen and other inert gases present in the oxidizer/air. A method of operating the combustion system of the invention with reduced NOx emissions is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Hamid Sarv, Gerald J. Maringo, Alan Neal Sayre, Rajani Kanth Varagani
  • Patent number: 7473095
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for afterburning of hydrocarbon with air. Exhaust gas from a process in which hydrocarbon has been evolved is combusted with air to produce reduced NOX emissions. Hydrocarbon fuel is burned in an air mixture at an equivalence ratio of less than 1 oxygen to 1 hydrocarbon fuel (ER<1:1) above a temperature of about 900° C. in a burning zone for a sufficient time to combine substantially all of the oxygen in the fuel/air mixture with disassociated carbon and hydrogen components of the hydrocarbon fuel and to produce carbon dioxide, water, and a portion of unburned light hydrocarbons. The unburned light hydrocarbon gas is cooled in a cooling zone to below a relatively lower temperature of about 800° C. The unburned light hydrocarbon gas is oxidized substantially completely at less than a temperature of about 800° C. so that a reduced amount of thermal NOX results from the combustion and oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Inventors: Siddhartha Gaur, Vibha Bansal
  • Patent number: 7469647
    Abstract: A system, a method, and an article of manufacture for adjusting temperature levels in predetermined locations in a boiler system are provided. The boiler system has a plurality of burners and a plurality of temperature sensors and CO sensors disposed therein. The system determines locations within the boiler system that have relatively high temperature levels utilizing the plurality of temperature sensors and then adjusts A/F ratios of burners affecting those locations to decrease the temperature levels at the locations while maintaining CO levels at or below a threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Neil Colin Widmer, Avinash Vinayak Taware
  • Patent number: 7468170
    Abstract: Sorbent compositions for coal contain nitrogenous components that reduce the level of mercury and/or sulfur emitted into the atmosphere upon combustion. The sorbent compositions are added directly to the fuel before combustion; directly into the fireball during combustion; are added to the fuel before combustion and into the flue gas post combustion zone; or are added completely into the flue gas post combustion zone, preferably where the flue gas temperature is at least 500° C. The sorbent compositions comprise a source of nitrate ions, a source of nitrite ions, or a combination of nitrate and nitrite sources. The sorbents are added as solids or as solutions in water. In various embodiments, the sorbent compositions further comprise a source of halogen such as bromide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventor: Douglas C Comrie
  • Publication number: 20080292512
    Abstract: A method for removing mercury from flue gas comprises: applying a precursor of a sticky substance to surfaces of carbonaceous sorbent particles; injecting the carbonaceous sorbent particles into contact with flue gas, wherein the carbonaceous sorbent particles adsorb mercury from the flue gas and at least one of a temperature of the flue gas and a component of the flue gas changes the precursor into the sticky substance that increases the stickiness of the carbonaceous sorbent particles; and removing the carbonaceous sorbent particles having mercury adsorbed thereon from the flue gas. In one embodiment, the precursor is ammonia or an ammonia compound and the sticky substance is ammonium sulfate. The method may further comprise applying bromine or a bromine compound to the carbonaceous sorbent particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Shin G. Kang
  • Patent number: 7452517
    Abstract: Method for reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired combustion comprising staging of a combustion unit to remove mercury with fly ash from the flue gas, introducing activated carbon to remove mercury from the flue gas, and collecting the fly ash, activated carbon, and associated mercury in a particulate control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vitali Lissianski, Randy Seeker, Peter M. Maly
  • Publication number: 20080276844
    Abstract: Disclosed is a coal boiler that makes it possible to reduce the height of the boiler and shorten the period of construction. The coal boiler includes a first furnace in which a combustion gas generated by burning coal and air ascends; a second furnace in which the combustion gas supplied from the first furnace flows downward; and a heat recovery area in which the combustion gas supplied from the second furnace flows upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Kenji YAMAMOTO, Masato Handa, Teruyuki Okazaki, Kazumi Yasuda, Osamu Ito
  • Publication number: 20080267838
    Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor device for sequestering flue gas CO2 from a flue gas source is provided. The fluidized bed reactor device comprises an operating portion having a first end and a second end. A flue gas inlet is formed at the first end of the operating portion with the flue gas inlet receiving flue gas from the flue gas source. A flue gas outlet formed at the second end of the operating portion. A distributor plate is mounted within the operating portion adjacent the first end of the operating portion. A volume of fly ash is encased within the operating portion between the second end and the distributor plate with the flue gas traveling through the distributor plate and the fly ash creating reacted flue gas wherein the reacted flue gas exits the operating portion through the flue gas outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Katta J. Reddy, Morris D. Argyle
  • Patent number: 7438005
    Abstract: Combustion of hydrocarbon liquids and solids is achieved with less formation of NOx by feeding a small amount of oxygen into the fuel stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hisashi Kobayashi, Lawrence E. Bool, III
  • Publication number: 20080250780
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide emissions from a hydrocarbon combustor are discharged into a large aquatic body, which acts as a CO2 sink. The aquatic capture of the CO2 prevents that CO2 from entering the atmosphere. In addition, the captured CO2 participates in a photosynthesis process for growing a plant bloom which can be harvested, and converted into a fuel for reuse in the combustion unit. The combustion in fossil fueled power plants yields two products: the thermal energy for power, and waste CO2, which can be a raw material for growing an aquatic biomass. When the exhaust gases are discharged to the atmosphere, this raw material is lost, but by capturing this raw material in a highly efficient manner it can be converted to a usable form. An additional benefit of this efficient capture is that the adverse environmental effects of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere are avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Howard A. Fromson
  • Patent number: 7435286
    Abstract: A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish
  • Patent number: 7435400
    Abstract: A method for increasing the nitrogen oxide emissions by either removing or modifying fuel rich nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction processes thereby improving combustion efficiencies especially with low volatile low sulfur coals, and remove unburned carbon, reduce sulfur dioxide and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, while using post-primary combustion urea or ammonia injection with or without a reburn fuel NOx reducing process to restore NOx to regulated emission levels. Furthermore, adding lime or limestone to the urea or ammonia solution to further reduce SO2 and to increase the concentration of the carbon free fly ash to cementitious concentrations. Furthermore, by proper number and disposition of the injectors in the post combustion zone and by further water diluting the mixture, this NOx reduction process is effective at substantially higher gas temperatures than conventional Selective Non-Catalytic NOx Reduction and with no ammonia slip. This method significantly increases the profitability of power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Bert Zauderer
  • Patent number: 7430969
    Abstract: A process for removal of sulfur dioxide from a flue gas. An alkaline admixture is coated with a coating agent that improves dispersability and delays calcination of the alkaline admixture within a combustion zone and results in a coated alkaline admixture. The coated alkaline admixture is introduced to the boiler to create a reaction that reduces the amount of sulfur dioxide from the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Omni Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald H. Stowe, Jr., Ward S. Blakefield