Having Catalyst In Combustion Zone Patents (Class 60/723)
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Patent number: 12012918Abstract: A fuel supply component with coking mitigation includes a housing having a main fuel inlet and a main fuel outlet. The main fuel inlet and outlet define a main fuel flow path therebetween. The housing includes a de-oxygenated fuel inlet in fluid communication with the main fuel flow path downstream from the main fuel inlet. The de-oxygenated fuel inlet is configured and adapted to supply de-oxygenated fuel to the main fuel flow path to mitigate insoluble fuel elements from diffusing and adhering to a wall of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2023Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Murtuza Lokhandwalla
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Patent number: 11722092Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic generator incorporating a two-stage combustor for providing heat to a thermophotovoltaic cell. Combustor parts include a partial oxidation reactor, which functions catalytically to convert a hydrocarbon fuel and a first supply of an oxidant into a gaseous partial oxidation product; and further include downstream thereof, a deep oxidation reactor including a premixer plenum fluidly connected to a heat spreader comprising a porous matrix, such as a ceramic foam. Functionally, the deep oxidation reactor converts the gaseous partial oxidation product and a second supply of oxidant into complete combustion products. Heat produced by the two-stage combustor generates radiative energy from a photon emitter, which is directly converted to electricity in a photovoltaic diode cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Richard Mastanduno, Francesco Macri, Bruce Crowder
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Patent number: 11359541Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods wherein a dilute hydrocarbon stream can be oxidized to impart added energy to a power production system. The oxidation can be carried out without substantial combustion of the hydrocarbons. In this manner, dilute hydrocarbon streams that would otherwise be required to undergo costly separation processes can be efficiently utilized for improving the power production system and method. Such systems and methods particularly can utilize dilute hydrocarbon stream including a significant amount of carbon dioxide, such as may be produced in hydrocarbon recovery process, such as enhanced oil recovery or conventional hydrocarbon recovery processes.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: 8 RIVERS CAPITAL, LLCInventors: Brock Alan Forrest, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt, Peter Michael McGroddy
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Patent number: 11233255Abstract: The present invention concerns a starting burner (100a; 100b) for a fuel cell system (1000a; 1000b), having a catalyst (10) with a catalyst inlet (11) and a catalyst outlet (12), a catalyst area (13) being formed between the catalyst inlet (11) and the catalyst outlet (12), and the catalyst area (13) being surrounded by a catalyst wall (14) in a passage direction (D) from the catalyst inlet (11) to the catalyst outlet (12), and an operating fluid guide section (20) for supplying an operating fluid (F1) to the catalyst inlet (11), wherein the operating fluid guide section (20) is arranged outside the catalyst (10) at least in sections along the catalyst wall (14). The invention also concerns a fuel cell system (1000) with the starting burner (100a; 100b) and a method for heating a service fluid (F1) in the fuel cell system (1000a; 1000b).Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignees: AVL List GmbH, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jörg Mathé, Michael Reissig, Thomas Krauss, Julian Makinson, Bernd Reiter, Vincent Lawlor, Tatsuya Yaguchi, Tetsushi Noda, Takeshi Shiomi
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Patent number: 11156362Abstract: A combustor with axially staged fuel injection includes an endcover and a fuel injector that extends axially downstream from the endcover. The fuel injector includes a cylindrical shell formed by an outer wall and an inner wall. A first plurality of outlets is circumferentially spaced across the inner wall. A first plurality of premix channels is defined between the outer wall and the inner wall. Each premix channel of the first plurality of premix channels is in fluid communication with a fuel supply, a compressed air supply and a respective outlet of the first plurality of outlets.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jonathan Dwight Berry
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Patent number: 10865988Abstract: A plate for supporting a plurality of nozzle tubes in a combustion casing of a combustor stably supports the nozzle tubes and adsorbs displacement due to thermal expansion or natural vibrations, thereby reducing combustor maintenance and extending the lifetime of the combustor. The plate includes an inner frame having a plurality of through holes for respectively receiving the plurality of nozzle tubes; a fixing frame fixed on an inner circumferential surface of the combustion casing and configured to support the inner frame; and a mechanical buffer disposed between the fixing frame and the inner frame. The fixing frame has an inner circumferential surface in which a fixing recess having a U-shaped cross-section is formed to receive the mechanical buffer and an outer edge of the inner frame and to receive the mechanical buffer. A method of assembly the nozzle tube support plate facilitates its initial installation and subsequent maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., LtdInventors: Byeong Ha Jeon, Moon Soo Cho
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Patent number: 10087844Abstract: A bundled tube fuel nozzle assembly includes a fuel injector and a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes that provide for fluid communication through a forward plate, a fuel plenum and an aft plate of the bundled tube fuel nozzle assembly. Each tube includes an inlet defined at an upstream end of the tube and an outlet defined at a downstream end of the tube. The fuel injector is disposed upstream from the inlets of each of the tubes. The upstream end of each tube is noncircular and includes at least one side portion that abuts a complementary upstream end side portion of an immediately adjacent tube of the plurality of tubes. The downstream end of each tube may be circular and is spaced apart from the downstream ends of immediately adjacent tubes of the plurality of tubes.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael John Hughes, Stanley Kevin Widener, Jonathan Dwight Berry
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Patent number: 9644844Abstract: A multipoint fuel injection system includes a plurality of fuel manifolds. Each manifold is in fluid communication with a plurality of injectors arranged circumferentially about a longitudinal axis for multipoint fuel injection. The injectors of separate respective manifolds are spaced radially apart from one another for separate radial staging of fuel flow to each respective manifold.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Delavan Inc.Inventor: Lev Alexander Prociw
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Patent number: 9546789Abstract: A system including a plurality of multi-tube fuel nozzles each having a plurality of tubes extending in an axial direction, wherein each tube of the plurality of tubes includes an air inlet, a fuel inlet, and a fuel-air mixture outlet, a fuel nozzle housing including a first outer wall extending circumferentially about a central axis, wherein the plurality of multi-tube fuel nozzles are disposed in the fuel nozzle housing, an inlet flow conditioner removably coupled to a first end portion of the first outer wall, wherein the inlet flow conditioner includes a plurality of air openings, and an aft plate assembly removably coupled to a second end portion of the first outer wall, wherein the aft plate assembly includes an aft plate having a plurality of tube apertures, and the plurality of tubes extend to the plurality of tube apertures.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher Paul Keener, Jason Thurman Stewart
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Patent number: 9188285Abstract: A system in one embodiment includes a mixing module, an oxidation module, and a heat exchanger. The mixing module is configured to receive and mix a boil-off gas stream from a cryotank. The oxidation module is configured to receive the mixed stream, and to oxidize the boil-off gas in the mixed stream to produce an exhaust stream. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between streams passing through a first passage configured to receive at least a portion of the exhaust stream, and a second passage configured to receive a fluid including the boil-off gas. The heat exchanger is configured to heat the fluid including the boil-off gas and cool the at least a portion of the exhaust stream. The fluid including the boil-off gas is heated by the heat exchanger upstream of the oxidation module.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Chiranjeev Kalra, William Dwight Gerstler, Laura Michele Hudy, Michael Jay Epstein, Vaibhav Bahadur
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Patent number: 9035226Abstract: An exoatmospheric vehicle uses a control system that includes a thrust system to provide thrust to control flight of the vehicle. A regenerative heat system is used to preheat portions of the thrust system, prior to their use in control of the vehicle. The heat for preheating may be generated by consumption of a fuel of the vehicle, such as a monopropellant fuel. The fuel may be used to power a pump (among other possibilities), to pressurize the fuel for use by thrusters of the thrust system. The preheated portions of the thrust system may include one or more catalytic beds of the thrust system, which may be preheated using exhaust gasses from the pump. The preheating may reduce the response time of the thrusters that have their catalytic beds preheated. Other thrusters of the thrust system may not be preheated at all before operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Wayne C Jouse, Mark S Muktoyuk
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Publication number: 20150121891Abstract: A low-concentration methane gas oxidation system includes a single heat source device, and an oxidation device which catalytically oxides a low-concentration methane gas by using heat from the single heat source device. The oxidation device includes a plurality of oxidation lines each including each of a plurality of branching low-concentration gas supply passages which branch, in parallel, from a supply passage which supplies the low-concentration methane gas, and each of a plurality of catalyst oxidizers provided on each of the plurality of branching low-concentration gas supply passages.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinichi KAJITA, Yoshihiro YAMASAKI
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Patent number: 8984886Abstract: A method for operating a catalytic reforming assembly. The method includes injecting a quantity of oxidizer gas and a quantity of combustion gas into a reformer to form a mixture. The mixture is channeled across a catalyst bed to form a reformate gas stream. A temperature of the catalyst bed is measured using at least one temperature sensor. A level of the oxidizer gas in the reformate stream is measured using at least one oxidizer gas sensor. A health of the catalyst bed is determined based on at least one of a catalyst bed temperature measurement and an oxidizer gas level.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Chetan Babu Velkur, Hasan Karim
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Patent number: 8931283Abstract: A reformer for use in a gas turbine engine specially configured to treat a supplemental fuel feed to the combustor that includes a reformer core containing a catalyst composition and an inlet flow channel for transporting the reformer fuel mixture, air and steam (either saturated or superheated) into a reformer core. An outlet flow channel transports the resulting reformate stream containing reformed and thermally cracked hydrocarbons and substantial amounts of hydrogen out of the reformer core for later combination with the main combustor feed. Because the catalytic partial oxidation reaction in the reformer is highly exothermic, the additional heat is transferred (and thermally integrated) using one or more heat exchange units for a first and/or second auxiliary gas turbine fuel stream that undergo thermal cracking and vaporization before combining with the reformate. The combined, hydrogen-enriched feed significantly improves combustor performance.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Abdul Rafey Khan, Hasan Karim, Jonathan Dwight Berry
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Patent number: 8863530Abstract: A device comprising a combustion toroid for receiving combustion-induced centrifugal forces therein to continuously combust fluids located therein and an outlet for exhaust from said combustion toroid.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Power Generation Technologies Development Fund L.P.Inventor: Ernst Bergen
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Publication number: 20140260313Abstract: A micro-mixer/combustor to mix fuel and oxidant streams into combustible mixtures where flames resulting from combustion of the mixture can be sustained inside its combustion chamber is provided. The present design is particularly suitable for diffusion flames. In various aspects the present design mixes the fuel and oxidant streams prior to entering a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is designed to prevent excess pressure to build up within the combustion chamber, which build up can cause instabilities in the flame. A restriction in the inlet to the combustion chamber from the mixing chamber forces the incoming streams to converge while introducing minor pressure drop. In one or more aspects, heat from combustion products exhausted from the combustion chamber may be used to provide heat to at least one of fuel passing through the fuel inlet channel, oxidant passing through the oxidant inlet channel, the mixing chamber, or the combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Jihad A. Badra, Assaad R. Masri
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Patent number: 8820085Abstract: Provided is a lean fuel sucking gas turbine system including a compressor for compressing a mixed gas having a fuel and air mixed to a concentration of an inflammable limit or lower, thereby producing a compressed gas, a first catalyst combustor for burning the compressed gas by a catalyst reaction, a turbine adapted to be driven by a combustion gas from a second catalyst combustor, and a reproducer for heating the compressed gas to be introduced into the first catalyst combustor with an exhaust gas from the turbine. Between the turbine and the reproducer, there is arranged a duct burner for flame-burning a first auxiliary fuel in the exhaust gas. Thus, it is possible to attain efficient operation of the system while simplifying the entire constitution and to prevent the blow-by of the mixed gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichi Kajita
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Patent number: 8801428Abstract: A combustor includes an end cap having upstream and downstream surfaces and a cap shield surrounding the upstream and downstream surfaces. First and second sets of premixer tubes extend from the upstream surface through the downstream surface. A first fuel conduit supplies fuel to the first set of premixer tubes. A casing circumferentially surrounds the cap shield to define an annular passage, and a second fuel conduit supplies fuel through the annular passage to the second set of premixer tubes. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through first and second sets of premixer tubes, flowing a first fuel into the first set of premixer tubes, and flowing a second fuel through an annular passage surrounding the end cap and into the second set of premixer tubes.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Gregory Allen Boardman
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Patent number: 8755941Abstract: A method and system for controlling a temperature of an exhaust gas being introduced to a catalyst is provided. Using an adjustable flow controller, an adjustable amount of tempering fluid is provided to the exhaust gas prior to the exhaust gas proceeding to the catalyst. A sensor senses a parameter indicative of a temperature of the exhaust gas being introduced to the catalyst. A computer processor uses a relationship to relate the parameter to an adjustment of the adjustable flow controller that will adjust the amount of tempering fluid provided to the exhaust gas and change the temperature of the exhaust gas being introduced to the catalyst toward a target temperature. Adjustment of the adjustable flow controller is initiated by the computer processor to change the flow of the tempering fluid, and the relationship between the parameter and the adjustment of the adjustable flow controller is updated.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Larry William Swanson, Douglas Frank Beadie, Neil Colin Widmer, Hua Zhang, Gilbert Otto Kraemer
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Patent number: 8683804Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a fuel nozzle that includes a fuel injector that includes a fuel port and a premixer tube. The premixer tube includes a wall disposed about a central passage, multiple air ports extending through the wall into the central passage, and a catalytic region. The catalytic region includes a catalyst, disposed inside the wall along the central passage, configured to increase a reaction of fuel and air.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, David Martin Johnson, Ronald James Chila, Nishant Govindbhai Parsania, Hasan Karim, Joseph Citeno
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Patent number: 8678814Abstract: Control and regulation system of a combustion unit (10) of the type comprising a combustion chamber (11) and a catalyst (40), the control and regulation system comprising: -an acquisition device of signals proportional to functioning parameters characteristic of the functioning state of the combustion unit (10), an electronic data processing unit (30) connected to the signal acquisition device from which it receives signals, a control and regulation program associated with said electronic data processing unit (30), a first fuel distribution valve (20), a second air distribution valve (21), a data base associated with said electronic data processing unit (30), the electronic data processing unit (30) receives signals from the signal acquisition device, processes them and regulates the opening of the first valve (20) and second valve (21) to minimize the polluting emissions of CO and Nox of the combustion unit (10).Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Benoit Fecamp, Ever Avriel Fadlun, Stefano Groppi
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Patent number: 8636247Abstract: A gas generator assembly includes a propellant chamber housing an amine based propellant. A reaction chamber is coupled with the propellant chamber. The reaction chamber includes a reaction chamber housing, and a porous reaction matrix within the reaction chamber housing. The reaction matrix includes a catalyzing agent, and the catalyzing agent is configured to non-combustibly catalyze the amine based propellant into one or more pressurized gases. An injector is in communication with the propellant chamber. The injector is configured to deliver the amine based propellant to the porous reaction matrix. A discharge nozzle is coupled with the reaction chamber and is configured to accelerate and discharge the one or more pressurized gases. In one example, the gas generator is coupled with one or more of an impulse turbine assembly and an electric generator to form a micro power unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Jeremy C. Danforth, Richard D. Loehr, Kevin P. Murphy
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Patent number: 8540508Abstract: The invention relates to a method for burning a fluid fuel, in which fuel is reacted in a catalytic reaction, whereupon catalytically pre-reacted fuel continues to be burned in a secondary reaction. A swirling component is impressed onto the pre-reacted fuel, allowing the secondary reaction to be ignited in a spatially controlled manner, resulting in complete burnout. The invention further relates to a burner for burning a fluid fuel, in which the fuel outlet of a catalytic burner is disposed upstream of the fuel outlet of a primary burner in the direction of flow of the fuel within a flow channel such that the fuel is catalytically reacted. The catalytic burner is provided with a number of catalytically effective elements which are arranged such that a vortex is created in the flow channel. The invention can be applied particularly to combustion chambers of gas turbines.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Bernd Prade
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Patent number: 8528334Abstract: An injector for a gas turbine combustor including a catalyst coated surface forming a passage for feed gas flow and a channel for oxidant gas flow establishing an axial gas flow through a flow conditioner disposed at least partially within an inner wall of the injector. The flow conditioner includes a length with an interior passage opening into upstream and downstream ends for passage of the axial gas flow. An interior diameter of the interior passage smoothly reduces and then increases from upstream to downstream ends.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Solar Turbines Inc.Inventors: Partha Dutta, Kenneth O. Smith, Frank J. Ritz
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Patent number: 8516818Abstract: A combustion system for performing stable combustion and flame stabilization at high altitudes is described. A primary liquid hydrocarbon fuel is atomized and vaporized within the main combustor chamber to produce a primary fuel vapor. When the combustion system operates at a high altitude, a secondary gaseous fuel is fed into the inlet air port such that the secondary fuel mixes with air, thereby enabling the mixture of the air and the secondary fuel to combust in a catalytic reactor to produce high temperature, oxygen-rich gases that flow into the main combustor chamber. Proper proportional amounts of the two fuels are determined as a function of altitude.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences CorporationInventors: James Charles Sisco, Jack Kerrebrock, Jeremy Scott Hollman
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Publication number: 20130205754Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to a rocket propulsion oxidizer compound that is a solution, is a homogenous and stable liquid at room temperature and includes nitrous oxide and nitrogen tetroxide. In addition, an apparatus is provided for burning a fuel and nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide. The apparatus has a combustor, a catalyst, a nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide supply passage for directing the nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide to a contact position with the catalyst, and a fuel supply passage for supplying the fuel to the combustor. The catalyst acts to facilitate decomposition of the nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide, while the combustor burns the fuel, the decomposed nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide and/or nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide decomposed in the reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventors: Robert L. Sackheim, Joseph R. Herdy
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Patent number: 8495880Abstract: Embodiments of a system are disclosed that include a heat source, an endothermic process module, and a fuel source configured to supply fuel to the endothermic process module and to receive isomerized fuel from the endothermic process module. A controller includes logic instructions operable to receive information regarding temperature of fuel received by the endothermic process module, and regulate application of heat from the heat source to the fuel at the endothermic process module. The endothermic process module includes a catalyst that increases the thermal carrying capacity of the fuel by isomerizing fuel from the fuel source.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Edward H. Allen
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Publication number: 20130125548Abstract: An injector for a gas turbine combustor including a catalyst coated surface forming a passage for feed gas flow and a channel for oxidant gas flow establishing an axial gas flow through a flow conditioner disposed at least partially within an inner wall of the injector. The flow conditioner includes a length with an interior passage opening into upstream and downstream ends for passage of the axial gas flow. An interior diameter of the interior passage smoothly reduces and then increases from upstream to downstream ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2008Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INC.Inventors: Partha Dutta, Kenneth O. Smith, Frank J. Ritz
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Patent number: 8397509Abstract: A catalytic engine comprises a catalytic reformer and a turbine, and it employs the process steps of introducing a reactant mixture of fuel, air, water and recycled exhaust gas into a reaction zone, reacting said fuel mixture over oxidation catalysts in the reaction zone by adjusting the CO2/C, H2O/C, O2/C ratios and the % fuel of the reactant mixture to maintain the reactor at a temperature between 150-1100° C. and a pressure between 1 to 100 atmosphere, and feeding said refromate stream from said reaction zone to drive a downstream turbine, a turbocharger or any kind of gas turbine. This catalytic engine can be connected to an electrical generator to become a stationary or mobile power station, which can be used in transportation, industrial, utility and household applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Inventor: Herng Shinn Hwang
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Patent number: 8387389Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a first flow passage and a main combustion arrangement in the first flow passage. The engine further includes a second flow passage and a first catalytic combustion arrangement in the second flow passage, wherein the second flow passage can communicate with the first flow passage at at least one upstream passage junction upstream of the main combustion arrangement and upstream of the first catalytic combustion arrangement, and the second flow passage can communicate with the first flow passage at at least one downstream passage junction downstream of the main combustion arrangement and downstream of the first catalytic combustion arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Volvo Aero CorporationInventors: Richard Avellan, Tomas Grönstedt
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Publication number: 20130029236Abstract: A device used to provide hot exhaust gases for driving a turbine. The device includes a burner, the combustion zone of which is directly mounted on or integrated into the gas inlet (turbine housing) of the turbine. The burner is supplied with at least one combustible gas or gas mixture. The combustion zone includes a porous material with a large specific surface area.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2010Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: Daimler AGInventors: Holger Stark, Ulf-Michael Mex, Gerhard Konrad, Benjamin Steinhauser, Gert Hinsenkamp
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Patent number: 8356467Abstract: A system, such as a turbine power production system, including a plurality of combustion chambers. The combustion chamber may be provided with an ignition system that allows for substantially simultaneous ignition of each of the plurality of the combustors. Generally, a detonation wave may be provided to each of the combustion chambers substantially simultaneously from a single ignition combustion wave chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M Sprouse, Shahram Farhangi
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Patent number: 8316647Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for protecting a catalyst within a combustor. In one embodiment, a catalytic reactor includes a protective coating that may be chemically removed or mechanically removed while the catalytic reactor is disposed in a combustor.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Cristina Colindres Kraemer
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Patent number: 8307653Abstract: A catalytic oxidation module for a catalytic combustor of a gas turbine engine is provided. The catalytic oxidation module comprises a plurality of spaced apart catalytic elements for receiving a fuel-air mixture over a surface of the catalytic elements. The plurality of catalytic elements includes at least one primary catalytic element comprising a monometallic catalyst and secondary catalytic elements adjacent the primary catalytic element comprising a multi-component catalyst. Ignition of the monometallic catalyst of the primary catalytic element is effective to rapidly increase a temperature within the catalytic oxidation module to a degree sufficient to ignite the multi-component catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Elvira V. Anoshkina, Walter R. Laster
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Patent number: 8256221Abstract: An assembly (45) includes a plurality of separate pie-shaped segments (72) forming a disk (70) around a central region (48) for retaining a plurality of tubes (46) in a concentrically spaced apart configuration. Each segment includes a support member (94) radially extending along an upstream face (96) of the segment and a plurality of annularly curved support arms (98) transversely attached to the support member and radially spaced apart from one another away from the central region for receiving respective upstream end portions of the tubes in arc-shaped spaces (100) between the arms. Each segment also includes a radial passageway (102) formed in the support member for receiving a fluid segment portion (106) and a plurality of annular passageways (104) formed in the support arms for receiving respective arm portions (108) of the fluid segment portion from the radial passageway and for conducting the respective arm portions into corresponding annular spaces (47) formed between the tubes retained by the disk.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2007Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Mark F. Rubio, John C. Glessner
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Patent number: 8225613Abstract: A combustion system for performing stable combustion and flame stabilization at high altitudes is described. A primary liquid hydrocarbon fuel is atomized and vaporized within the main combustor chamber to produce a primary fuel vapor. When the combustion system operates at a high altitude, a secondary gaseous fuel is fed into the inlet air port such that the secondary fuel mixes with air, thereby enabling the mixture of the air and the secondary fuel to combust in a catalytic reactor to produce high temperature, oxygen-rich gases that flow into the main combustor chamber. Proper proportional amounts of the two fuels are determined as a function of altitude.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences CorporationInventors: James Charles Sisco, Jack Kerrebrock, Jeremy Scott Hollman
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Patent number: 8215117Abstract: A catalytic reactor for a gas turbine engine comprising an air inlet, a premixing zone, a reacting zone comprising a reactive portion and a nonreactive portion, a post reaction mixing zone, a first fuel injection system for introducing fuel into the reactive portion, and a second fuel injection system for introducing fuel into the nonreactive portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Meredith B. Colket, Alexander Chen
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Patent number: 8122719Abstract: Apparatus for combustion of a fuel-oxidizer mixture in a combustion chamber of a turbogroup, in particular of a power plant wherein total oxidizer flow is divided into a main oxidizer flow and a secondary oxidizer flow. The main oxidizer flow is lean mixed with a main fuel flow in a premix burner, and the mixture is fully oxidized in the combustion chamber. The secondary oxidizer flow is divided into a pilot oxidizer flow and a heat-exchanging oxidizer flow. The pilot oxidizer flow is rich mixed with a pilot fuel flow, and the mixture is partially oxidized in a catalyst, with hydrogen being formed. Downstream of the catalyst, the partially oxidized pilot fuel-oxidizer mixture and the heat-exchanging oxidizer flow are together introduced into at least one zone which is suitable for stabilizing the combustion of the main fuel-oxidizer mixture.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Alstom Technology LtdInventors: Timothy Griffin, Dieter Winkler
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Patent number: 8028528Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a convergent segment followed by a divergent segment to advantageously improve combustion. The combustor assembly includes a first segment beginning at a forward end that transitions to a second segment past a transition segment in a direction along a combustor axis toward an aft end. The reduction in cross-sectional area within the first segment provides desirable fuel and air mixing properties. The convergent first segment in combination with the divergent second segment decreases residence time of fuel-air mixture within the combustor chamber that decreases production of undesirable emissions from the combustor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Steven W. Burd, William Sowa, Albert K. Cheung, Stephen Karl Kramer, Reid Dyer Curtis Smith, James Hoke
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Patent number: 7997058Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas powered turbine includes a premix section to mix a first selected volume of fuel with a selected oxidizer. The premix section includes an injector plate that includes a porosity according to selected characteristics, such as pore size, pore density, pore distribution, and other selected characteristics. Therefore, the fuel may be provided through the porous plate to the premix area in a selected uniform flux.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Shahram Farhangi, David R. Matthews
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Patent number: 7988447Abstract: A formed sheet heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat between fluids is provided. The apparatus includes flow divider sheets that are positioned in a stacked configuration and extend in a longitudinal direction so that adjacent pairs of the sheets define flow passages therebetween for receiving first and second fluids. Each of the sheets is nonuniform in the longitudinal direction, having a manifold portion and a corrugated portion. The corrugated portions of each adjacent pair of sheets define a plurality of fluid channels therebetween that are connected to the portion of the flow passage defined between the manifold portions. The fluid channels are configured to receive the first or second fluids and transfer thermal energy therebetween through the flow divider sheets.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Scott W. Fowser, Mark D. Horn, Andreas C. Straub, Jon C. Wagner
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Patent number: 7975489Abstract: According to one aspect, a method of detecting catalyst module overheating in a catalytic combustion system is provided. In one example, the method includes detecting one or more signals from at least one probe adapted to obtain values associated with at least one of the outlet gas temperature of a catalyst module and the outlet face temperature of the catalyst module included in a catalytic combustor. The one or more signals are compared with a preselected value associated with catalyst overheating. The detected temperature may be detected over time to determine a rate of change in the temperature. The temperature may be detected with a UV sensor directed to the catalyst outlet face.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ajay Joshi, David Yee
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Publication number: 20110113783Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a fuel nozzle that includes a fuel injector that includes a fuel port and a premixer tube. The premixer tube includes a wall disposed about a central passage, multiple air ports extending through the wall into the central passage, and a catalytic region. The catalytic region includes a catalyst, disposed inside the wall along the central passage, configured to increase a reaction of fuel and air.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, David Martin Johnson, Ronald James Chila, Nishant Govindbhai Parsania, Hasan Karim, Joseph Citeno
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Publication number: 20110067401Abstract: Provided is a lean fuel sucking gas turbine system including a compressor for compressing a mixed gas having a fuel and air mixed to a concentration of an inflammable limit or lower, thereby producing a compressed gas, a first catalyst combustor for burning the compressed gas by a catalyst reaction, a turbine adapted to be driven by a combustion gas from a second catalyst combustor, and a reproducer for heating the compressed gas to be introduced into the first catalyst combustor with an exhaust gas from the turbine. Between the turbine and the reproducer, there is arranged a duct burner for flame-burning a first auxiliary fuel in the exhaust gas. Thus, it is possible to attain efficient operation of the system while simplifying the entire constitution and to prevent the blow-by of the mixed gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichi Kajita
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Patent number: 7841180Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes providing at least one combustor assembly defining a combustion chamber. At least one fuel nozzle is positioned at a forward end of the combustion chamber. The at least one fuel nozzle is configured to inject a premixed fuel/air mixture into the combustion chamber. A catalytic material is applied to at least a portion of the at least one fuel nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gilbert O. Kraemer, John Joseph Lipinski, Jonathan Lloyd Male
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Patent number: 7832210Abstract: System for controlling and optimizing the emissions of a catalytic combustor in a single-shaft gas turbine (10), comprising at least one calculation unit for implementing a mathematical model of the operation of the said gas turbine (10), on the basis of a set of predetermined parameters, by means of which the aforesaid emissions can be optimized during variations of the operating conditions of the turbine over a range of external environmental conditions from approximately ?29° C. to +49° C.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Holdings S.p.A.Inventors: Benoit Fecamp, Ever Avriel Fadlun, Stefano Groppi
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Patent number: 7765810Abstract: A method of lowered NOx combustion is taught wherein the kinetic rate of NOx formation is reduced for a given combustion temperature in a gas turbine combustor. A supply of fuel is provided along with a supply of ambient air in sufficient quantity to form a fuel/air mixture having an equivalence ratio greater than about 0.55 when mixed with the fuel. The fuel/air mixture is mixed with a supply of cooled combustion gases in sufficient quantity such that the oxygen content of the resulting air mixture is less than about 18 percent. The resulting air mixture is then passed into the combustor.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.Inventor: William C. Pfefferle
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Publication number: 20100180597Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for protecting a catalyst within a combustor. In one embodiment, a catalytic reactor includes a protective coating that may be chemically removed or mechanically removed while the catalytic reactor is disposed in a combustor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Cristina Colindres Kraemer
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Publication number: 20100175379Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a fuel reformer comprising: a fuel inlet; an oxygen inlet; a pre-mixing zone configured to mix the fuel and the oxygen in a pre-mixing device to form a gaseous pre-mix; wherein the pre-mixing device comprises a flow conditioning device configured to pre-condition the fuel stream, wherein the flow conditioning device is disposed upstream of the oxygen inlet; a diffuser disposed downstream of the flow conditioning device; a catalytic partial oxidation zone disposed downstream of the diffuser, wherein the catalytic partial oxidation zone comprises a catalyst composition configured to react the fuel and the oxygen to generate a syngas. The generated syngas is then mixed with rest of the fuel to form a hydrogen-enriched fuel mixture, which is then sent to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine to reduce the NOx emission and extend the lean blow out limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ke Liu, Joel Meier Haynes, Rick Bruce Watson
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Publication number: 20100176594Abstract: An auxiliary power generation apparatus for powering an ancillary electrical load comprises an apparatus comprising a combustor arranged for disposal in an exhaust conduit of a reciprocating engine, a compressor arranged in fluid communication with an inlet of the combustor for the supply of compressed air to the combustor, a turbogenerator arranged for converting combustion product from the combustor into electrical energy, and a controller for controlling the supply of electrical energy to the ancillary electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: July 15, 2010Inventor: Jonathan McGuire