Abstract: A fluidized bed boiler, and a method of operating same in which air is passed through a grate to fluidize a bed of particulate material containing fossil fuel disposed on the grate. A raw acceptor for the sulfur produced as a result of the combustion of the fuel is introduced into the housing and confined within an area of the housing isolated from the bed of particulate material. The area containing the acceptor is maintained at conditions optimal for calcining the acceptor, after which the latter is introduced into the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A system for supporting a fluidized bed in a boiler in which a plurality of support frames are supported in an abutting relationship spanning the interior of the boiler. One or more of the support frames are connected or attached relative to each other and to their supports in a manner to permit limited relative movement between the frames and between each frame and its support. A grid is supported by each frame and is connected or attached thereto in a maner to permit limited movement of the grid relative to the frame.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor which is capable of burning material containing incombustible matter which during operation accumulates in the form of large particles in the lower part of the reactor, is provided. A discharge system which causes coarse particles to be discharged in a continuous manner without discharging fine particles or combustible matter is provided. The discharge means comprises a discharge compartment connected to an outlet of the distributor plate of the reactor. An upward flow pipe is centrally disposed in the discharge compartment. Air is supplied to the lower part of the discharge compartment. Coarse particles are withdrawn from the discharge compartment through a discharge pipe. Fine particles are blown back to the reactor through the upward flow pipe.

Abstract: A combustion furnace or reactor with a multi-stage fluidized bed system wherein upper and lower fluidized bed formation zones in which the fluidized beds of bed particles containing particles of lime stone are separated through a partition device. The partition device is provided with a plurality of exhaust gas distribution holes for distributing the exhaust gases produced in the lower fluidized bed into the upper fluidized bed and a plurality of nozzles through which issue the combustion air and/or recirculated exhaust gases into the upper fluidized bed. Combustion products such as NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x are desulfurized and denitrified respectively within the reactor by calcium compounds which absorb SO.sub.2 and act as catalysts for reducing NO.sub.x.

Abstract: A burner vessel or regenerator vessel is disclosed which has an elliptical bottom head which supports a particulate refractory fill which in turn supports and stabilizes an air distributor inlet manifold. The manifold is supported at radially arranged distribution pipes so that the main air header floats freely for expansion and contraction. A fluidized bed of particulate is combusted above the refractory fill layer. Other appropriate operation apparatus for the vessel are also disclosed. The burner vessel is used in a fluid coker apparatus and the regenerator vessel is used in a fluid catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor is provided with heat exchange coils for controlling the temperature of the fluidized bed, with only vertically oriented sections of the coils exposed to the erosive conditions in the fluidized bed. The vapor-liquid circuit, of which the heat exchanger coils are a part, is arranged to operate on the principle of natural circulation. At least some of the tuyere elements discharge fluidizing gas at a level substantially above the constriction plate and the bed solids below the level of the tuyere gas discharge constitute a static layer during fluidization in which the lower angle bends of the heat exchange coils are embedded and so shielded from erosion by the fluidized solids of the bed proper. The static layer of bed solids also accommodates thermal expansion of the lower angle bend due to elevated temperatures and insulates the constriction plate from the high temperatures in the reactor.

Abstract: A vertically-fired blast furnace stove includes a mixing bed comprised of a multitude of spheres, cylinders or berl saddles supported by a carrier having openings therein located in the bottom portion of a vertically-extending combustion chamber. The bed extends within the walls of the combustion chamber above the floor to form a chamber coupled to pipes for delivering fuel and air to pass in the inner space openings in the bed where mixing and heating of the fuel and air supplies occurs for combustion above the bed. The hot products of combustion are directed by a dome into a heat-storage chamber having a filling of checkerbrick and then into a flue pipe.

Abstract: A radiant surface combustor comprising a porous combustor element in close heat transfer relation with a heat transfer surface for absorbing radiant heat energy from the combustor element.

Abstract: A fluid-bed furnace has at least one combustion chamber, preferably two side-by-side, housing a bed of incombustible particulate material to be fluidized when burning fuel fed thereto. Bed fluidization is by forced release in the incombustible material of combustion promoting gas, normally air, from a plenum chamber arrangement externally of the bed proper at a side or end thereof to save overall height.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing fuel wherein a fuel is introduced and burned in a first fluidized bed and wherein a second fluidized bed is utilized to treat the products of combustion from the first fluidized bed.

Abstract: Fluidized bed combustors and provision for the operation of such combustors so that the fluidizing medium supplied to one part is at a velocity different from that at which air is supplied to an adjacent part.

Abstract: A catalyst mass for heterogeneous catalytic reactions, especially the flameless burning of hydrocarbons, comprises a support consisting of impurity-free silico-alumina fibers and a catalyzer which consists of at least one element (in elemental form) and at least one other oxide of an element from groups III, VI, VIIIb and VIIIc and the rare-earth elements of the periodic table.

Abstract: A catalyst system in which the catalytic composition comprises a catalytically active material which is homogeneously interspersed throughout a monolith structure of ceramic composition. The composition is shaped into a unitary monolith which is employed as the catalyst structure. In the method the active material or materials are admixed with a ceramic material, which can be either active or inactive, in finely divided form and then shaped into the monolith structure.

Abstract: The specification describes a method and means for controlling operation of a fluidized bed combustion apparatus. In the proposals embodied in the invention the supply of combustion air fed to the fluidized bed is augmented by inert gas (preferably waste gas taken from a low temperature outlet of the apparatus) and the proportion of inert gas used to augment the combustion supporting air is variable in dependence upon the temperature of the fluidized bed in the apparatus and/or the thermal demand placed upon the apparatus. In described embodiments of means enabling the invention to be effected arrangements are described including an induced draft fan, coupled to the outlet for waste gas of the apparatus, for feeding waste gas to a mixer and the use of a two input mixer fan coupled to both atmosphere and a waste gas supply line connected to a waste gas outlet.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for continuous autogenic incineration of high-moisture easily friable combustible agglomerates in a fluidized bed. The improvement comprises introducing the waste materials into the bed in a "tube" of air provided by supplemental air means which surrounds the in-bed feed means.

Abstract: An improved fluidized bed reactor of the type having dual shells spaced apart to define a gaseous fluid inlet passageway which is in communication with a source of gaseous fluid and a gaseous fluid distribution partition to form within the inner shell a reaction zone and having a heat exchange unit in the reaction zone for temperature control. The improvement comprises two manifolds which are disposed adjacent the gaseous fluid distribution partition and each in communication with the inlet passageway to receive gaseous fluid from the latter. One manifold communicates with the distribution partition passages while the other manifold communicates with the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: A reticulated element positioned in the oxidizing zone of a flame in a combustion chamber adjacent the interface between the oxidizing and reducing regions of the flame, the element comprising a high temperature alloy base metal coated with platinum or platinum alloy. The efficiency of combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel is increased without increasing the level of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A bed of solid particles on an air distributor of a fluidized-bed furnace is fluidized by upward currents of air fed through the distributor. A fuel to be burnt in the fluidized bed is premixed with carrying air, and the fuel-air mixture is fed into the bed from a burner extending upwardly through the distributor. For utmost combustion efficiency the ratio by mass of the feed rate of the fuel-carrying air to the sum of the feed rates of the fuel-carrying air and the bed-fluidizing air is adjusted by flow control valves so as to be in the range of from about 0.2 to 0.6. The head of the burner is of such construction that the fuel-air mixture is ejected therefrom in the form of swirling jets. The burner head is usually located about 50 millimeters above the distributor.

Abstract: A radiant surface combustor comprising a porous combustor element in close heat transfer relation with a heat transfer surface for absorbing radiant heat energy from the combustor element.

Abstract: A distributor for distributing a fluid into the volume of a fluidized bed contained in a vessel comprises a base member in which are mounted upstanding nozzles having outlets for directing the fluid horizontally away from the nozzles into the volume of the bed, the outlets of some nozzles being arranged at a lower level than the outlets from other nozzles so that fluidizable bed material will be fluidized above a contour substantially defined between the outlets of the nozzles. Thus, there will be a "well" or depression in the countour around each nozzle, and the countour will extend to just below the outlet of each nozzle. The contour may be formed by the upper surface of unfluidized fluidizable material (e.g., from the bed) or by the upper surface of non-fluidizable material (e.g. blocks of refractory cement or metal sheeting) which may constitute at least part of the base member.

Abstract: A radiant combustor assembly including a generally planar porous combustor element for burning an air-fuel mixture on the surface thereof without combustion flash back.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00945 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 5, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 5, 1979 PCT Filed Nov. 5, 1979A rotatable fluidizable bed (106) comprises means for rotating the bed chamber (112) slowly to cause the particles (114) to slowly tumble and mix. During tumbling, one or more burners (150, 160) extending into the chamber (112), heat the particles (114) until the desired operating or ignition temperature is reached. Temperature sensors (170) in thermal communication with the bed particles (114) sense the temperature and provide either an indication thereof or an initiating signal which, in the case of a rotating fluidized bed combustor (10), terminates preheating, accelerates the bed chamber (112) rotation to normal combustor (10) operating speed and/or introduces fluidizing air and/or fuel flow through the bed chamber (112).

Abstract: An incinerator including a first combustion chamber having a rotatable hearth for initially drying and partially burning waste materials and a second combustion chamber comprising a fluidized bed furnace for receiving the partially burnt materials from the first chamber and completing the burning thereof.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for use in a fluid bed furnace or the like of the type which includes a bed comprising a quantity of particles, which bed fluidizes in response to the flow of heated gases upwardly therethrough and a burner for burning a supplied fuel and providing the fluid bed with a sufficient gas mixture flow at an elevated temperature for heating and fluidizing the fluid bed.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for carrying out fluidized bed combustion and transferring heat produced thereby to a boiler includes providing a fluidized bed of particulate matter and introducing fuel particles thereinto, causing a portion of the fluidized bed constituents to flow upwardly through a heat exchanger which is essentially free of any obstructions to said flow, and reintroducing the portion of fluidized bed constituents which flow through the heat exchanger, back into the fluidized bed. As preferably embodied, the portion of fluidized bed constituents flows into an inlet at the bottom of the heat exchanger from a quiescent zone adjacent the combustion bed and a gas having a combustible component is introduced into the heat exchanger. Advantageously, additional fuel particles are also introduced into the heat exchanger to flow upwardly therethrough.

Abstract: An improved fluid bed furnace which includes a new and improved pilot light assembly and which is of the type having a fluid bed comprising material which fluidizes upon being subjected to a flow of gas mixture therethrough and a burner for burning a fuel mixture for providing the flow of gas mixture at an elevated temperature through the fluid bed material for fluidizing and agitating the fluid bed material. The pilot light assembly includes an ignition means for providing a pilot flame, pilot flame confining means for directing the pilot flame into the furnace fluid bed above the fluidizable material for causing the pilot flame to ignite the burner fuel mixture, and pilot flame detecting means for sensing the presence of the pilot flame and enabling the supply of the fuel mixture to the burner.

Abstract: A combustion method and apparatus for disposal of materials that release noxious, corrosive, and/or toxic gases when burned, particularly halogens and/or acidic gases, is disclosed herein. In the disclosed system, a waste material is burned, the gaseous products of that combustion are cooled, and the cooled gases are then contacted with an alkaline substance of a Periodic Table Group I.A or II.A element in a fluidized bed to scavenge the noxious, corrosive, and/or toxic components in the combustion products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and a reactor for conducting exothermal reactions, for instance combustion, between relatively heavy and relatively light phases in a circulating fluidized bed having vertical cooling surfaces for absorption of the reaction heat resulting from the reaction. The light phase is divided into a primary flow for maintaining a dense conventional part bed and a secondary flow for maintaining a less dense rapid part bed above the dense bed. Said rapid part bed is recycled outside the part beds to the dense part bed for producing the circulating bed. Solid phase is continuously supplied to and withdrawn from the circulating bed, and the secondary flow is supplied to the circulating bed mainly below the cooling surfaces.

Abstract: A vaporizing burner which includes a multi-portioned burner housing. The housing encompasses an inlet chamber, ahead of which there is located an antechamber which transitions into an annular passageway wherein heating oil is vaporized. The heating oil is admixed with preheated primary air and converted into a fuel gas in a catalyzer arrangement. Thereafter, the fuel gas is admixed with secondary air in a mixing chamber, ignited in an ignition chamber and conveyed into a further chamber. The last-mentioned chamber is closed off by a burner plate which is heated by the fuel gas and which transmits the usable heat to a suitable heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion or gasification unit in which a grate is disposed in a housing to divide the housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A bed of particulate material including burning fuel is supported by the grate and extends in the upper chamber. The lower chamber has an inlet for receiving pressurized air for passing through the lower chamber, the grate, and the bed of particulate material to fluidize the particulate material. A cooling device is provided for receiving the particulate material from the bed and cooling same prior to the material being discharged to external equipment.

Abstract: A process and system of apparatus for stoichiometrically combusting fuel and air reactants. A stream of the reactants is directed through an upstream zone for combustion about cylinders comprised of a catalytic material. A plurality of heat sink conduits are spaced about the cylinders for absorbing radiant energy from the cylinders, and a coolant medium is directed through the conduits for extracting thermal energy at a controlled rate. Products from the upstream zone are directed through a combustor in a downstream zone for adiabatic combustion, and products from the combustor are directed in heat exchange relationship with a coolant medium which extracts residual energy from the stream.

Abstract: A first mixture of carbonaceous fuel and air is passed into the presence of a catalyst for essentially adiabatic combustion at a temperature above the instantaneous auto-ignition temperature of the mixture but below about 3,000.degree. F., thus avoiding nitrogen-oxide-forming temperatures. The gaseous effluent of this combustion is mixed with an additional fuel-containing component, which differs from the first mixture and which may utilize a different fuel, and the resulting mixture is homogeneously combusted at a temperature above the catalyst temperature, and above about 2,500.degree. F., to produce a gaseous effluent for use as a source of heat or power.

Abstract: A flameless combustion burner and method for operating the device. The burner includes an ignition zone with a starting device, a catalyst zone, and a plenum. To obtain flameless combustion, a fuel and a combustion supporting gas is introducted into the ignition zone from the plenum and a flame is initiated by means of the starting device. The products of combustion flow over the catalyst to heat it to a temperature where it can initiate flameless combustion. Then the flow of either the fuel or the combustion supporting gas or both is momentarily stopped and the flame is extinguished. The flow is then resumed while the catalyst is still hot and flameless combustion will start in the catalyst zone. The products of combustion are withdrawn from the catalyst zone and the heat is utilized in the burner.

Abstract: A coal fired combustor for a gas turbine engine comprises a centrifugal fluidized bed where the coal particulate is introduced radially inwardly toward the axis of rotation through the bed. A centrally mounted pipe which may be rotatable at a different velocity collects and distributes the gases generated by the combustion process and also serves to filter out the elutriated particles. Additives to the fuel for minimizing sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.x) and nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x) may be added to the fuel prior to introduction to the bed so that the adverse effects of elutriation does not occur before sulfur adsorption.

Abstract: A process for treatment of antimony-containing materials in a fluidized bed by way of calcination of the materials at a temperature within the range of from 800.degree. to 1,100.degree. C. obtained by combusting a mixture of a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas in said fluidized bed. Said mixture of the gases is formed directly in said fluidized bed by supplying, thereinto, the fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas in separated streams uniformly distributed over the bottom cross-section of said fluidized bed so that the fuel gas stream is surrounded over the entire perimeter by the oxygen-containing gas streams.The process according to the present invention makes it possible to treat antimony-containing materials with a content of antimony ranging from 0.3 to 15% by weight and to obtain antimony-rich sublimates with a content of antimony as high as 40 to 75% by weight.

Abstract: A fluidized bed furnace for consuming a liquid fuel in which there is a fluidization zone of increasing cross-sectional area adjacent to and downstream of the liquid fuel injection nozzles. This arrangement allows better dispersion of the oil and bed material giving more efficient combustion.

Abstract: The incorporation into a catalyst bed for a catalytic combustion heater including carrier material and a platinum and/or palladium catalyst, of iron oxide in amounts sufficient to render the bed explosion-proof when operated in explosive and inflammable atmospheres. The ratio by weight of the iron oxide to the catalyst is at least 7:1 to provide a stable explosion-proof catalyst bed.

Abstract: A flameless catalytic combustion apparatus includes a combustion chamber with a hydrogenous fuel inlet and a mass of catalyst in the chamber between the inlet and an outlet. Preferably the catalyst mass comprises porous pellet bodies supporting varying high and low concentrations of platinum family metals dispersed therein. For spontaneous starting of combustion the fuel is one of the lower alcohols and the high catalyst concentration is at the fuel inlet. The fuel may be in a container pressurized by air, or a lower ether or lower hydrocarbon which is also a fuel. Preferably separate, valved conduits from the fuel container first supply either atomized fuel droplets or air and fuel vapor to the high catalyst concentration for spontaneous ignition of combustion and vaporized fuel for continued combustion throughout the catalyst mass. The catalytic combustion apparatus may include a heat exchanger for fluids such as air, water or personal care foams and creams, or may be used in heating and cooking apparatus.

Abstract: Carbonaceous material, preferably coal or like finely divided solids with a mean particle diameter of 30 to 250 microns, is burned to produce steam in a fluid-bed furnace having a lower free space without internal fixtures and provided above this free space with internal cooling surfaces. A secondary-gas inlet introduces the secondary gas so that the volume ratio of fluidizing gas to secondary gas ranges from 1:20 to 2:1 at a location above the fluidizing-gas and fuel inlets but below the internal cooling surfaces, the gas velocity of the several gases being adjusted so that the mean suspension density of the solids above the secondary-gas inlet is 15 to 100 kg/m.sup.3. Approximately stoidiometric conditions are maintained with respect to the oxygen in the gases introduced and the carbonaceous material and solids are recycled to the bed after being separated from the gases emanating therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coal-fired combustor having a centrifugal fluidized bed supported by a louvered constructed rotating drum. Fuel and air are admitted radially internally of the drum to form a fluidized bed from a fuel manifold mounted on the outside of the rotating drum. A steam cleansing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method is described for thermally bonding contacting pieces of a thermoplastic material provided in a variable volume confined space surrounded by a combustible gas. The combustible gas is ignited and explosion diffused externally of the pieces of thermoplastic material and thus heats the pieces without damage sufficiently to produce interbonding when the heated pieces are compacted in the confined space. The heated pieces are compacted isostatically or non-isostatically using various apparatus which reduce the volume of the confined space. Preferably a moveable piston is provided in a cylinder to form the confined space for the pieces. The driving means for the piston can be a combustible gas which is ignited or non-combustible gas under pressure or a resilient means or other mechanical means. The products of the method are in the form of a porous mass composed of the interbonded pieces which are undamaged by the explosion.

Abstract: Combustion process and apparatus which includes a monolith bed through which a mixture of fuel and oxidizer reactants is directed. The initial segment of the bed is formed with cells of an optimum size for causing the reactants to undergo heterogeneous combustion without blowout. One or more downstream segments of the bed are formed with cells of a size smaller than the upstream cells to achieve substantially complete combustion in a bed of relatively compact dimensions. High mass flow rates are obtained under stable combustion conditions with high combustion efficiency and low emissions.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a rotatable drum within which a bed of articles is supported. A compressor of the engine feeds compressed air into the drum to fluidize the bed. Powdered coal is fed into the drum to burn in the bed and the hot products of combustion pass through cyclones to the power turbine. The drum has a solids outlet through which excess particles are discharged from the bed.

Abstract: Catalysts having good high temperature stability which are particularly useful for selected high temperature reactions are disclosed as are methods for their preparation and use. The catalytically-active materials include platinum group metal deposited on a catalytic slip or composite which contains a mixture of alumina, selected VIB metal oxides, and a metallic oxide or oxide mixture wherein the metal or metals are selected IIA, IVA, and IIA-IVA mixtures, selected IIA and IVB mixtures and selected IVA and IVB mixtures. The slips or carrier compositions are calcined at a temperature of at least 500.degree. C. before deposition of platinum group metal and characterized by having a surface area of at least 20 m.sup.2 /g after calcination at a temperature of 1200.degree. C. for 2 hours.

Abstract: A direct heating surface combustor is provided that utilizes a non-adiabatic flame to provide a low-emission combustion for gas turbines. A fuel-air mixture is directed through a porous wall, the other side of which serves as a combustion surface. A radiant heat sink disposed adjacent to and spaced from the combustion surface controls the combustor flame temperature in order to prevent the formation of oxides of nitrogen. A secondary air flow cools the heat sink. Additionally, up to 100% of secondary air flow is mixed with the combustion products at the direct heating surface combustor to dilute such products thereby reducing exit temperature. However, if less than 100% secondary air is mixed at the combustor, the remainder may be added to the combustion products further downstream.

Abstract: Primary air to the fuel-air mixing chamber of a gas turbine engine is cooled to reduce generation of nitrous oxides. A porous disc separates the fuel-air mixture chamber from the combustion chamber and serves to uniformly mix the fuel and air to reduce the reaction temperature. A catalyst is sprayed on the disc surface in the combustion chamber to speed combustion. A heater embedded in the disc heats the disc and prevents excessive generation of nitrous oxides during the engine start-up. A metering valve can be used to regulate the temperature of the primary air by supplying heated secondary air to the primary air.

Abstract: A hot gas is generated by passing the gas to be heated through a fluidized heating bed to fluidize the bed and to receive heat from the bed to which hot bed material is circulated from an adjacent fluidized combustion bed. An intermediate combustion bed may be interposed between the heating and combustion beds to burn any burnt matter prior to its passage to the heating bed thereby avoiding or reducing contamination of the gas to be heated.

Abstract: A flameless catalytic combustion apparatus includes a combustion chamber with a hydrogenous fuel inlet and a mass of catalyst in the chamber between the inlet and an outlet. Preferably the catalyst mass comprises porous pellet bodies supporting varying high and low concentrations of platinum family metals dispersed therein. For spontaneous starting of combustion the fuel is one of the lower alcohols and the high catalyst concentration is at the fuel inlet. The fuel may be in a container pressurized by air, or a lower ether or lower hydrocarbon which is also a fuel. Preferably separate, valved conduits from the fuel container first supply either atomized fuel droplets or air and fuel vapor to the high catalyst concentration for spontaneous ignition of combustion and vaporized fuel for continued combustion throughout the catalyst mass. The catalytic combustion apparatus may include a heat exchanger for fluids such as air, water or personal care foams and creams, or may be used in heating and cooking apparatus.

Abstract: Combustion of the carbonaceous fuels such as fuel oil may be carried out advantageously in the presence of an oxidation catalyst body. Under suitable operating conditions the combustion can be effected at high rates of energy release for a catalyst and combustor of a given size, producing an effluent substantially free of pollutants. However, for a given combustor installation it may be desirable at times to utilize a thermal burner, associated with the catalyst arrangement, which is disposed for directing jets of burning gaseous fuel such as natural gas from a multiplicity of points just down-stream of the catalyst. Thus combustion of the gaseous fuel in such jets is obtained substantially throughout a cross section of the downstream zone through which catalyst effluent passes.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out a reaction in a fluidized bed comprises a rotatable drum with a circumferential wall which is permeable to gases. A bed of particles is supported on the circumferential wall of the rotating drum during operation and the reactants are fed into the bed, at least a fluidizing gas through the circumferential wall. A receiver is provided to retain during operation small particles carried from the bed by the fluidizing gas. The small particles are returned to the bed when operation ceases. A reservoir for discharging larger particles into the bed after operation has commenced may be provided.