Abstract: Lean fuel--air mixtures having an adiabatic flame above about 900.degree. Kelvin are combusted by passing at least a portion of the admixture into contact with a mesolith combustion catalyst operating at a temperature below the adiabatic flame temperature, to produce reaction products of incomplete combustion. The incomplete combustion products are then ignited in a reaction chamber, thereby stabilizing combustion.

Abstract: In the operation of gas turbine engines, it is an ever increasing goal to reduce the amount of harmful elements contained within the emissions of the engine. In particular, it is of primary importance to reduce the amounts of nitrogen oxides contained within the emissions. The use of a catalytic combustor is one known means by which the formation of nitrogen oxides may be controlled. However, the use of a catalytic combustor in a gas turbine engine has been known to be effective primarily in the upper ranges of engine operation. The present invention provides a combustor arrangement for a gas turbine engine that employs a first combustor means that utilizes a catalytic bed to react a mixture of fuel and air during an upper range of engine operation and a second combustor means that utilizes a plurality of premixed fuel injectors to ignite a mixture of fuel and air during a lower range of engine operation.

Abstract: A low emissions combustor for use in gas turbines which operate at turbine inlet temperatures below about 1250 degrees Kelvin, which comprises;a multiplicity of microlith catalyst elements; andmeans for providing an admixture of fuel and air having an adiabatic flame temperature within the range of 600 to 1250 degrees Kelvin.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine utilizing a catalytic combustion system comprises a cylindrical outer casing, a combustion cylinder concentrically disposed inside the outer casing with an annular space between an outer periphery of the combustion cylinder and an inner periphery of the outer casing as a combustion air supply passage, the combustion cylinder having one end facing the closed one end of the casing with a space therebetween, and a catalyst unit disposed inside the combustion cylinder, the air for combustion being supplied to the catalyst unit. A heat exchanging device is formed in the air supply passage for heating the combustion air passing the air supply passage to a temperature more than a catalytic combustion starting temperature through a heat exchanging operation by a thermal energy of a combustion gas in the combustion cylinder.

Abstract: A combination of pre-mixing burners and catalytic supported and preferably gas-operated burners is disposed in a combustion chamber for gas turbines, wherein the main combustion is performed by the pre-mixing burners. The pre-mixing burners and the catalytic burners are embodied to be interchangeable. The catalytic burners are provided with an exhaust gas return, wherein the exhaust gas is preferably taken from the combustion chamber. The inlet for the combustion air for the catalytic burners is embodied as a jet pump, which aspirates the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a catalytic preburner for heating the pair from compressor discharge temperatures to above the light-off or extinction temperatures of a catalytic combustor. Such structures of this type, generally, eliminate the diffusion flame during steady-state operation and produce a preburner/catalytic combustor system capable of achieving less than 1 ppm NO.sub.x.

Abstract: A catalyst composition containing one or more binary oxides of palladium and rare earth metal such as Ce, La, Nd, Pr and/or Sm. The catalyst composition is used for the catalytic combustion of gaseous combustion mixtures of oxygen and carbonaceous fuels such as methane, e.g., a natural gas/air combustion mixture. Specific preferred binary oxides may be, for example, M.sub.2 O.sub.3.sup.. PdO (e.g., La.sub.2 O.sub.3.sup.. PdO) or 2M.sub.2 O.sub.3.sup.. PdO, wherein in each case M Is La, Nd or Sm. A process of combusting gaseous carbonaceous fuels includes contacting a catalyst as described above under combustion conditions, e.g., 925.degree. C. to 1650.degree. C. and 1 to 20 atmospheres pressure, to carry out sustained combustion of the combustion mixture, including catalytically supported thermal combustion. Regeneration of over-temperatured M.sub.2 O.sub.3.sup.. PdO catalyst is also provided for.

Abstract: A catalyst-bearing component of a gas turbine engine is provided. Catalytic materials are provided on components defining the gas flow path of the engine, so that emissions of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons are reduced. The catalytic materials are selected from the group consisting of noble metals and transition metal oxides. The portions of the gas flow path where such materials are advantageously applied include the combustor, the turbine and the exhaust system. The catalytic coating is preferably applied in conjunction with a thermal barrier coating system interposed between a substrate component and the catalytic coating.

Abstract: An engine is provided which, in at least one cylinder or combustion area, is provided with a hydrocarbon rich fuel which produces upon combustion an exhaust gas containing unburned hydrocarbons, water vapor and carbon monoxide. The exhaust gas is treated in a catalytic converter and the reaction process that occurs therein produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide which is mixed with air to form a hydrocarbon lean, hydrogen enriched mixture. The mixture is subsequently ignited in other cylinders or combustion areas of the engine to produce power.

Abstract: A device operates a swirling device which controls the flow rate of combustion air of a burner for gas turbine engines. At the head end of a combustion chamber, a ring body which is arranged coaxially with respect to the fuel nozzle is to have swirling ducts whose cross-sections are controllable by duct walls of a ring which is axially displaceable on the ring body. The axial displacement of the ring is to take place by means of a control piston which is axially displaceable in a housing, is spring-loaded on one side, is also actuated by a valve-controlled pressure difference existing on the spring side between an ambient pressure and a primary air pressure, controls openings communicating with the valve and the head end of the combustion chamber, and is acted upon on piston surfaces, which are free with respect to the housing, on the one side, by a pressure of supplied primary air existing at the head end and, on the other side, by the chamber pressure existing at the burner.

Abstract: This invention is a graded catalyst comprising palladium and also a partial combustion process in which the fuel is partially combusted using that catalyst. The catalyst utilizes a catalytic support structure suitable for high flow rates of combustible gas mixtures through it. The catalyst is situated on the support so that in the flowing gas stream a leading portion of the support has a higher combustion activity, such as by a higher concentration of catalytic metal, than has the trailing portion. The combination of graded catalyst and support provides a low "light off" temperature for the combustible gas (only a low preheat temperature is needed to cause the combustion reaction to begin) and yet does not cause "hot spots" to occur because of excess activity. The combustion gas produced by the catalytic process may be at a temperature below the adiabatic combustive temperature, may be used at that temperature, or fed to other combustion stages for further use in a gas turbine, furnace, boiler, or the like.

Abstract: A method of combusting a hydrocarbon fuel includes mixing the fuel with a first air stream to form a fuel/air mixture having an equivalence ratio of greater than 1 and partially oxidizing the fuel by contacting it with an oxidation catalyst to generate a heat of reaction and a partial oxidation product stream. The partial oxidation product stream is mixed with a second air stream and completely combusted in a main combustor at a condition at which appreciable quantities of thermal NO.sub.x are not formed to generate an effluent gas stream, thereby generating an effluent gas stream containing decreased amounts of thermal and prompt NO.sub.x. A system for combusting a hydrocarbon fuel includes, in combination, means for mixing the fuel with a first air stream, a catalytic oxidation stage containing an oxidation catalyst, means for mixing the partial oxidation product stream with a second air stream, and a main combustor capable of completely combusting the partial oxidation product stream.

Abstract: This invention is a combustion process having a series of stages in which the fuel is combusted stepwise using specific catalysts (desirably palladium-bearing catalysts in the first two zones and metal and oxygen-bearing catalysts in the hot catalytic zone) and catalytic structures and, optionally, a final homogeneous combustion zone. The choice of catalysts and the use of specific structures, including those employing integral heat exchange, results in a catalyst support which is stable due to its comparatively low temperature and yet the product combustion gas is at a temperature suitable for use in a gas turbine, furnace, boiler, or the like, but has low NO.sub.x content.

Abstract: A process for operating a palladium oxide-containing catalytic combustor is useful, e.g., for powering a gas turbine. The palladium oxide is supported on a metal oxide such as alumina, lanthanide metal oxide-modified alumina, ceria, titania or tantalum oxide. The method involves maintaining control of the temperature within the combustor in such a manner as to insure the presence of palladium oxide. By maintaining the temperature below the decomposition onset temperature of palladium oxide (which is catalytically active for catalytic combustion) into metallic palladium (which is catalytically inactive) deactivation of the catalyst is avoided and high catalytic activity is retained. Regeneration of catalyst following inactivation resulting from an over-temperature is accomplished by using a heat soak in a regeneration temperature range which varies depending on the particular metal oxide used to support the palladium oxide.

Abstract: A method for operating a palladium oxide containing catalytic combustor useful, e.g., for powering a gas turbine, wherein the palladium oxide is supported on a metal oxide such as alumina, ceria, titania or tantalum oxide. The method involves maintaining control of the temperature within the combustor in such a manner as to insure the presence of palladium oxide. By maintaining the temperature below about 800.degree. C. decomposition of palladium oxide into metallic palladium is avoided and high catalytic activity is retained. Regeneration of catalyst following inactivation resulting from an over-temperature is accomplished by using a heat soak in a temperature range which varies depending on the metal oxide used to support the palladium oxide.

Abstract: A method of combusting an endothermic fuel with staged rich/lean combustion includes transferring thermal energy from a heat source, such as the wall of a rich combustor, to an endothermic fuel decomposition catalyst to cool the heat source and heat the fuel and catalyst to a temperature sufficient to endothermically decompose an endothermic fuel. The catalyst is contacted with the fuel to cause the fuel to decompose into a reaction product stream. The reaction product stream is mixed with a first air stream to form a first fuel/air mixture having an equivalence ratio greater than 1 and the first fuel/air mixture is combusted in a rich combustion stage to produce a combustion product stream. The combustion product stream is mixed with a second air stream to form a second fuel/air mixture having an equivalence ratio less than 1 and the second fuel/air mixture is combusted in a lean combustion stage to produce an exhaust gas stream containing decreased amounts of NO.sub.x.

Abstract: This invention is a comparatively high pressure combustion process having a two stages in which a fuel is stepwise combusted using specific catalysts and catalytic structures and, optionally, having a final homogeneous combustion zone. The choice of catalysts and the use of specific structures, including those employing integral heat exchange, results in an overall catalyst structure which is stable due to its comparatively low temperature. The product combustion gas is at a temperature suitable for use in a gas turbine, furnace, boiler, or the like, but has low NO.sub.x content.

Abstract: A method of combusting an endothermic fuel in a lean premixed/prevaporized combustion system includes transferring thermal energy from a combustion air stream to an endothermic fuel decomposition catalyst to cool the combustion air stream and heat the fuel and catalyst to a temperature sufficient to endothermically decompose an endothermic fuel. The catalyst is contacted with fuel to cause the fuel to endothermically decompose into a reaction product stream. The reaction product stream is mixed with the cooled combustion air stream to form a well-mixed, uniformly lean fuel/air mixture and the fuel/air mixture is combusted at an equivalence ratio of less than 1 to produce a combustion product stream. The invention also includes a system for practicing the method.

Abstract: During low-load operating conditions, preburner combustion products are supplied with a chemical reactant to reduce NO.sub.x. The preburner products of combustion are mixed with a hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of a combustion catalyst to ignite and initiate a catalytic combustion reaction. The preburner is then shut down. The fuel/air mixture supplied the catalytic reactor bed during the mid-load operating range of the turbine is sufficiently lean to produce a combustion reaction temperature too low to produce thermal NO.sub.x. Thus, at low-load conditions, preburner combustion occurs with NO.sub.x reduction by chemical reactant, while the catalytic combustion occurs at mid-range operating conditions at temperatures too low to produce NO.sub.x. For high-load operating conditions, the catalytic combustion occurs as previously described and additional lean fuel/air mixture is supplied the reaction zone whereby thermal NO.sub.x is likewise avoided.

Abstract: There has thus been provided a highly efficient metal-ceramic catalytic combustor for a gas turbine/catalytic combustor assembly. The catalyst zone is formed of a high temperature resistant metal wire mesh, e.g., palladium coated tungsten or ferritic stainless steel screen, e.g., 40 mesh, which is aluminized with metallic aluminum, and heated to convert the outermost layer of aluminum to aluminum oxide and encourage the diffusion of the inner layer of aluminum into the body of the metal wire, desirably forming a thin metal/aluminum alloy layer. The outer surface because of the Kerkendall Effect is porous and readily accepts and strongly bonds to a metal oxide coat, e.g., a magnesia/alumina, or magnesia/alumina/yttria, or barium oxide/alumina, or barium oxide/alumina/yttria wash coat. There may also be included a catalyst deposited on the ceramic outer coat, e.g., a noble metal catalyst, for enhancement of the combustion of an air/fuel mixture.

Abstract: In order to achieve in connection with gas turbine installations which are to be used preferably as motor vehicle drive, a combustion low in harmful components, a two-stage combustion chamber with catalytic combustion in the first stage is proposed. The second stage has the task to ready the necessary additional energy during acceleration- and full-load operation.

Abstract: A gas trubine combustor includes a main body with a combustion portion into which mixture of fuel and air is supplied. The gas mixture is burned through a catalytic reaction at a catalyst body arranged in the main body. The gas mixture passed through the catalyst body is introduced into a gas phase combustion portion provided in the main body. Between the catalyst body and the gas phase combustion portion is arranged a dividing unit which has a plurality of branch passages. The gas mixture passed through the catalyst body is divided by the dividing unit into a plurality of gas streams flowing through the branch passages. Each of the gas streams is mixed with fuel supplied from a fuel supply tube.

Abstract: A fuel gas injector for a gas turbine engine employs a plurality of closely spaced parallel venturi tubes disposed in a pair of spaced-apart header plates. The venturi tubes are brazed to the header plates and the perimeters of the header plates are sealed to form a plenum into which pressurized gaseous fuel is supplied. Orifices lead from the plenum to throats of the venturi tubes thereby injecting the gaseous fuel at right angles into the high-velocity air stream existing at the the throats of the venturi tubes. High shear is imposed on the injected fuel for providing complete mixing with the air. The high air velocity in the throats of the venturi tubes avoids flashback and flameholding. The combined flow from the plurality of venturi tubes mixes downstream thereof to provide a uniform velocity and fuel-air mixture across the flow field. This flow field is suitable for use in a catalyst bed which may be disposed downstream of the venturi tubes.

Abstract: A monolithic catalyst bed for use in a catalytic gas generator includes catalytically-active metal screens having central openings and being composed of fine particles of catalyst supported by wires arranged in grid-like fashion. The bed also includes an injector tube having an end portion disposed through the central openings of the metal screens for mounting the metal screens in closely spaced side-by-side, stack-like relation extending outwardly from and radially about the tube end portion. The injector tube end portion is closed at its outer end and defines a passage for receiving an axial inflow of liquid propellant. The bed also includes an injector body supporting the injector tube and disposed at one end of the stack of metal screens, and a base plate mounted about the injector tube end portion adjacent to the closed outer end thereof and disposed at an opposite end of the stack of metal screens so as to define an annular space therebetween and about the injector tube end portion.

Abstract: A process for low NOX cogeneration to produce electricity and heat which involves combusting fuel to produce a gaseous stream of combustion products, passing the gaseous stream through a turbine to generate electricity, and to produce a gaseous exhaust stream, adding additional fuel to the exhaust stream, to provide a fuel-rich gas stream having fuel in excess of the oxygen in the combustible gas stream, treating the fuel-rich gas stream in a reducing atmosphere to produce a heated oxygen-depleted gaseous stream, converting at least a portion of the heat in the oxygen depleted stream into steam, adding air to the oxygen-depleted stream to produce a stoichiometric excess of oxygen in the resultant stream relative to fuel present in the resultant stream, passing the resultant stream over an oxidizing catalyst to produce an oxidized gaseous stream, removing heat from the oxidized stream, and venting the resultant cooled stream, the process further providing for cycling to the combusting step at least some of the

Abstract: A process for low NOX cogeneration to produce electricity and heat which involves combusting fuel to produce a gaseous stream of combustion products, passing the gaseous stream through a turbine to generate electricity, and to produce a gaseous exhaust stream, adding additional fuel to the exhaust stream, to provide a gas stream having fuel in excess of the oxygen in the fuel-rich gas stream, catalytically treating the gas stream in a reducing atmosphere to produce a treated gaseous stream, converting at least a portion of the heat in the treated stream into steam, adding air to the treated stream to produce a stoichiometric excess of oxygen in the resultant stream relative to fuel present in the resultant stream, passing the resultant stream over an oxidizing catalyst to produce an oxidized gaseous stream, removing heat from the oxidized stream, and venting the resultant cooled stream. An apparatus system for carrying out this process is also provided.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor for a gas turbine comprises catalyst layers arranged in two stages in a direction of gas flow. Fuel supply nozzles are disposed close to and upstream of the downstream catalyst layer. A substantially constant amount of fuel is supplied from the fuel supply nozzles to form pilot flames by the downstream catalyst layer, which are above 1000 degrees C. and below 1500 degrees C. Combustible component having passed through the upstream catalyst layer is burned by the pilot flames.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the destruction of hazardous carbonaceous wastes comprising solids which comprises the steps of (a) gasifying said wastes and producing an intimate admixture of the gaseous products of said gasification with air, said admixture containing at least a stoichiometric amount of air, (b) passing said admixture to a plug flow combustion zone, and (c) effecting sustained and essentially complete combustion of said admixture under essentially adiabatic conditions to destroy said gaseous products and to form a combustion effluent of high thermal energy; said combustion being characterized by said admixture having an adiabatic flame temperature such that that actual flame temperature in the combustion zone is greater than about 1350 K.

Abstract: The injection element comprises a fuel inlet, an oxidant inlet, a mixing mber for fuel and oxidant, and an ignition device for a mixture of fuel and oxidant. To ensure optimum mixing of the reaction components and efficient ignition even in the case of small reactors, the fuel inlet opens into an ignition chamber having a widened flow cross-section, the ignition chamber has an outlet having a cross-section smaller than the flow cross-section of the ignition chamber, the outlet of the ignition chamber and the oxidant inlet open into the mixing chamber, an ignition oxidant inlet opens into the ignition chamber and the ignition device is disposed in the ignition chamber immediately upstream of its outlet.

Abstract: A method for operating a palladium oxide containing catalytic combustor useful, e.g., for powering a gas turbine. The method involves maintaining control of the temperature within the combustor in such a manner as to insure the presence of palladium oxide. By maintaining the temperature below about 800.degree. C. decomposition of palladium oxide into metallic palladium is avoided and high catalytic activity is retained. Regeneration of catalyst following inactivation resulting from an over-temperature is accomplished by using a heat soak in the temperature range of about 530.degree. C.-650.degree. C.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor unit for a stationary combustion turbine includes a substrate composed of a plurality of intersecting walls defining a series of generally parallel passages aligned in rows and columns, open at their opposite ends and exposed to a heated flow of fuel and air mixture therethrough. The walls have sections which border and define the respective passages. Each wall section is in common with two adjacent passages and has a pair of oppositely-facing surface regions, one of which is exposed to one of the two adjacent passages and the other exposed to the other of the two adjacent passages. A catalyst coating is applied on selected ones of the wall surface regions exposed to certain ones of the passages, whereas selected others of the wall surfaces exposed to certain others of the passages are free of the catalyst coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the destruction of hazardous carbonaceous wastes by the plug flow, thermal combustion of said wastes comprising (a) obtaining an intimate admixture of vaporized fuel and air, said admixture containing at least a stoichiometric amount of air, (b) passing said admixture to a plug flow combustion zone, and (c) effecting sustained and essentially complete combustion of said fuel under essentially adiabatic conditions to destroy said wastes and to form a combustion effluent of high thermal energy; said combustion being characterized by said fuel-air admixture having an adiabatic flame temperature such that that actual flame temperature in the combustion zone is greater than about 1350K.

Abstract: A propulsive power-producing system has a vessel defining a pressure chamber and an injector and a thrust-producing nozzle communicating with the chamber at respective upstream and downstream ends of the vessel. A dual catalytic/thermal gas generator housed in the vessel chamber includes a catalyst bed enclosed by a sleeve, a bedplate and the upstream vessel end. The sleeve is spaced inwardly from the side of the vessel to define an annulus therebetween. When a propellant liquid is injected under pressure through the injector into the catalyst bed, a first fraction of the liquid flows along a first path which leads through the bed and concurrently is catalytically decomposed into a first fraction of propellant gas which exits through openings in the bedplate into a mixing passage which leads to the nozzle.

Abstract: A fuel gas injector for a gas turbine engine employs a plurality of closely spaced parallel venturi tubes disposed in a pair of spaced-apart header plates. The venturi tubes are brazed to the header plates and the perimeters of the header plates are sealed to form a plenum into which pressurized gaseous fuel is supplied. Orifices lead from the plenum to throats of the venturi tubes thereby injecting the gaseous fuel at right angles into the high-velocity air stream existing at the throats of the venturi tubes. High shear is imposed on the injected fuel for providing complete mixing with the air. The high air velocity in the throats of the venturi tubes avoids flashback and flameholding. The combined flow from the plurality of venturi tubes mixes downstream thereof to provide a uniform velocity and fuel-air mixture across the flow field. This flow field is suitable for use in a catalyst bed which may be disposed downstream of the venturi tubes.

Abstract: A process for low NOX cogeneration to produce electricity and heat which involves combusting fuel to produce a gaseous stream of combustion products, passing the gaseous stream through a turbine to generate electricity, and to produce a gaseous exhaust stream, adding additional fuel to the exhaust stream, to provide a combustible gas stream having fuel in excess of the oxygen in the combustible gas stream, combusting the combustible gas stream in a reducing atmosphere to produce a heated oxygen-depleted gaseous stream, converting at least a portion of the heat in the oxygen depleted stream into steam, adding air to the oxygen-depleted stream to produce a stoichiometric excess of oxygen in the resultant stream relative to fuel present in the resultant stream, passing the resultant stream over an oxidizing catalyst to produce an oxidized gaseous stream, removing heat from the oxidized stream, and venting the resultant cooled stream. An apparatus system for carrying out this process is also provided.

Abstract: The trend toward improving air quality has caused manufacturers of gas turbines to implement direct catalytic reaction of carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons in the gas turbine combustion path. This requires mounting a catalytic reactor directly in the combustion path of the gas turbine which subjects the reactor to shock and thermal loadings, relative thermal displacements between different materials and leakage of combustion products around the catalytic reactor. A catalytic reactor is mounted within an outer structural lines, whereas a compliant and inflatable inner liner is included to support the reactor bed in the radial direction on a cushion of air derived from the compressor discharge air through an air inlet in the outer liner.

Abstract: A low-NO.sub.x combustor is provided with a rich, primary burn zone and a lean, secondary burn zone. NO.sub.x formation is inhibited in the rich burn zone by an oxygen deficiency and in the lean burn zone by a low combustion reaction temperature.

Abstract: A gas turbine driven power generating system to convert fuel to power, both mechanical and electrical, and heat.

Abstract: A nitrogen oxides decreasing combustion method which comprises; a first step of mixing a fuel and air with each other; a second step of bringing the mixture obtained in the first step, into contact with a packed catalyst so as to cause a portion of the mixture to burn only through a catalytic reaction; and a third step of adding a fresh supply of the fuel to a stream obtained from the second step to form a mixed gas and causing the mixed gas to undergo non-catalytic thermal combustion; the temperature of said packed catalyst being lower than the ignition temperature of the mixture and the adiabatic flame temperature of said mixed gas being lower than a temperature at which the nitrogen oxides occur.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon fuel is combusted in a combustion turbine by a method which produces NO.sub.x emmissions below an ultra-low standard. In the method, first, a mix of hydrocarbon fuel and air in a primary flow thereof is burned in a primary combustion zone so as to produce a flow of hot gas of a temperature above that required for an efficient catalytic reaction and which contains NO.sub.x at levels below a low standard but above the ultra-low standard. Next, the hot gas is mixed with hydrocarbon fuel in a secondary flow thereof in a mixing and vaporization zone to provide a flow of heated fuel mixture of a temperature above that required for an efficient catalytic reaction. Thereafter, the heated fuel mixture is inefficiently catalytically reacted in a first catalytic element fuel to provide a flow of effluent gas of a temperature above that required for an efficient catalytic reaction and which contains NO.sub.

Abstract: Combustion equipment for a gas turbine engine operating on the pre-mix lean combustion bases comprises a flame tube having a plurality of alternately arranged main and pilot air ducts each having a respective fuel injector and receiving axially directed air from downstream of part span outlet guide vanes. The fuel and air in each duct are substantially pre-mixed before entry into the flame tube and the outlets of the pilot ducts direct the fuel and air mixture into the recirculation zone in a single vortex. At engine idle the air fuel ratio (AFR) is substantially stoichiometric to prevent the formation of unburnt hydrocarbons (UHC) and carbon monoxide (CO). As the engine accelerates the fuel flow to the pilot air ducts remains near constant so that the AFR in the re-circulation zone progressively weakens, and fuel is introduced into the main air ducts, the outlets of which direct the air fuel mixture into the flame tube with a substantial downstream component.

Abstract: A construction of a gas turbine combustion chamber which facilitates relighting the fuel immediately after flame-out. The construction comprises a catalytic coating on the combustor wall, preferably with areas left uncoated to allow the flame to propagate away from the combustor wall and into the bulk gas flow.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for the co-generation of steam and electricity from a gaseous fuel. A Brayton cycle turbine drives first and second fuel and air compressors as well as an electric generator. Steam is also produced by the system for direct utilization or to drive a steam turbine which also drives the generator.

Abstract: An emergency power unit method and apparatus with means for inhibiting vibration of the catalyst bed while permitting spring loading thereof, and for automatically compensating for movement of the catalyst bed caused by the spring loading.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor comprises a pilot zone having means to introduce fuel therein; upstream of said pilot zone and communicating therewith a catalytically supported thermal combustion zone comprising a plurality of catalytically supported thermal combustion sections each comprising a solid oxidation catalyst, means for introducing air into said section and means to introduce fuel into said section; and means to control the rate of fuel flow in each of the means to introduce fuel into a catalytically supported thermal combustion section and the means to introduce fuel into the pilot zone. The combustor is operated by staging the fuel supply in order to maximize the amount of combustion in the catalytically supported thermal combustion zone and minimize NOx emissions under all load conditions.

Abstract: A gas generator for passing pressurized liquid monopropellants therethrough or causing exothermic decomposition of the monopropellants. A porous catalytic metal plate is used as the degeneration bed. The monopropellant decomposes exothermically upon contact with the catalytic plate. The porosity is obtained by making the plate from an alloy of the catalyst metal and one other metal, the other metal is then etched away by an acid that does not attack the catalyst metal. The porosity is controlled by the amount of other metal used. Surface areas of several hundred times the original plate surface area are obtainable. The mechanical characteristics of the metal plate allow for greater design flexibility than was available with decomposition beds made of refractory material.

Abstract: A heating chamber for supplying heated air in a Brayton engine or gas turbine plant including a compressor and turbine. The heating chamber includes a solar energy receiver that receives solar energy, converts it to heat, and heats air from the compressor. To supply additional energy that may be required for the turbine, fuel is injected into the air stream and a catalyst downstream of the solar receiver reacts the fuel with the air to provide additional energy.

Abstract: Disclosed are an engine system suitable for use with methyl alcohol and hydrogen and a rotary engine particularly suited for use in the engine system. The rotary engine comprises a stator housing having a plurality of radially directed chamber dividers, a principal rotor, a plurality of subordinate rotors each having an involute gear in its periphery mounted on the principal rotor, and means for rotating the subordinate rotors so that their involute gears accept the radially directed dividers as the subordinate rotors move past them.

Abstract: A gas generator having a one-way ratchet assembly is disclosed which compensates for compaction and degradation in the catalyst bed to reduce destructive oscillatory vibration in the gas generator, thereby substantially extending the life and assuring dependable performance of the gas generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the utilization of energy in gas of low heating value. The low heating value gas is preheated, mixed with an amount of air that will provide oxygen in an amount that will limit the maximum temperature rise in a catalytic combustion chamber to avoid excessive temperatures, and delivered into the catalytic combustion chamber at a temperature exceeding about 400.degree. F. that will cause ignition of the combustibles on contact with the catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, combustion is accomplished in two combustion chambers connected in series with a heat exchanger between the combustion chambers for cooling the combustion products discharged from the first combustion chamber before they are delivered to the next combustion chamber. Approximately fifty percent of the total combustion air is mixed with the combustible gas before delivery into each of the combustion chambers.