Abstract: An open ended enclosure has a tubular conduit extending axially within it d is provided with both an electric spark plug and a catalytic ignition member in the annular region of the enclosure outside the tubular conduit.

Abstract: A combustor for generating a mixture of steam and combustion gas is located downhole in an oil well, so that the mixture can be injected directly into the reservoir, to displace heavy oil from the reservoir. The combustion is built up in stages, with each stage supplying hot air to the following stage. The first stage comprises a catalytic heat exchanger, which preheats the incoming air. One side of the exchanger is coated with catalyst. On this side of the exchanger the preheated air burns a clean fuel, so that heat flows through the metal wall of the exchanger to preheat the incoming air. The heated air from the first stage is used to ignite and burn a heavy fuel such as crude oil, which is burned in the second stage and following stages.

Abstract: A low emission combustor assembly particularly suited for an automotive gas turbine engine has an inlet plenum supplied with regenerated compressor discharge, an exhaust plenum, a diffusion flame combustion chamber disposed between the inlet and exhaust plenums, and a catalytic combustion chamber also disposed between the inlet and exhaust plenums so that parallel flow paths are established between the inlet and exhaust plenums. During engine start-up, fuel is supplied only to the diffusion flame combustion chamber and regenerated compressor discharge simultaneously flowing through the catalytic combustion chamber heats the catalyst to operating temperature and cools and dilutes exhaust from the diffusion flame combustion chamber.

Abstract: A modular catalytic combustor for a gas turbine has a plurality of individual, non-metallic cylindrical catalyst beds, and a support structure for each of the individual catalyst beds. Each catalyst bed together with its support structure forms an individual catalyst module. Each support structure includes an outer cooled support cylinder, with the individual support cylinders of the various modules interconnected in spaced relationship with cooling air passageways between. There are means for supplying compressed air, such as from a gas turbine compressor, into the space surrounding the support cylinders. The outer cooled support cylinders are provided with apertures for entry of cooling and purge air from the surrounding space. Each of the catalyst beds has an integral, cylindrical, outer ceramic shell, and is positioned within a corresponding outer support cylinder. A sheet metal heat shield is interposed between and concentric with each of the outer support cylinders and the catalyst bed within.

Abstract: A catalytic combustion system includes a combustor having a diffuser end portion supported for sliding thermal growth by a catalytic unit through a spring clip ring assembly. The catalytic unit includes two shell portions which are secured together to support a catalytic element within the shell. A ring supports the catalytic unit on the transition duct for sliding thermal axial growth through a spring ring and receives catalytic element thrust. The parts are structurally arranged for installation and maintenance through an opening in the turbine casing.

Abstract: Thermal shock resistant catalytic monolithic structures are described comprising split-cylinders with flow-through passages. Such structures are especially useful as combustor catalysts and their use in catalytic combustors permits much more rapid start-up and cool down than with conventional monolithic catalysts.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor for generating a mixture of steam and combustion gas is located downhole in an oil well, so that the gas mixture can be injected directly into the oil reservoir to displace heavy oils from the reservoir. There can be a single stage of catalytic combustion, or there can be a stage of thermal combustion followed by a catalytic stage. In either case the purpose of the catalyst is to drive the combustion to completion so that the gas mixture contains no soot that would plug the face of the reservoir.

Abstract: The combustible component of a stream of low heating value gas comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane is combusted using less than a stoichiometric amount of air in the presence of an oxygenation catalyst and the heat energy in the combusted gas is utilized, for example, by expansion in a gas turbine.

Abstract: The combustible component of a gas stream of low heating value is combusted using less than a stoichiometric amount of oxygen in the presence of an oxygenation catalyst and the heat energy in the combusted gas is utilized, for example, by expansion in a gas turbine.

Abstract: This invention relates to Rankine cycle engines and to improved methods of operation whereby catalytic oxidation of a major proportion of the fuel takes place in the boiler section of the engine.In order to improve the operation of a Rankine engine, the engine is modified to include a combustor having a thermally stable and oxidation resistant monolith containing a multiplicity of flow paths or channels, the monolith being made from a catalyst material or supporting a catalyst material for the catalytic combustion of the combustible gases and injected fuel.

Abstract: A novel method for operating gas turbine combustors while minimizing the formation and discharge of pollutants such as NO.sub.x is described. In one embodiment, the use of more than one catalyst in series is employed to effect fuel oxidation at temperatures below flame temperature, thereby minimizing NO.sub.x formation.In another embodiment, a staged catalytic combustor is employed comprising a two zone combustion chamber involving a noncatalytic zone in which fuel is partially combusted under fuel rich conditions and combustion is completed in the second zone, utilizing catalytic oxidation with excess air to complete the combustion and minimize NO.sub.x formation.Still another embodiment concerns the use of a novel design for the primary combustion zone by which fuel is partially burned with substoichiometric amounts of air and, thereafter, the partially burned primary zone effluent is mixed into the secondary air stream where continued combustion proceeds at a temperature below that needed for NO.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a process for improving the efficiency which may be obtained in the operation of power generation systems which utilize the combustion of fuel.

Abstract: An integrated in situ combustion process for producing subterranean carbonaceous deposits in which the resulting flue gas of low heating value is combusted over an oxidation catalyst at substoichiometric conditions and is expanded in a gas turbine which drives the air compressor for injecting the combustion air into the underground carbonaceous deposit. An oxidation catalyst is provided for reducing carbon monoxide in the combusted flue gas comprising platinum and palladium.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the utilization of energy in gas of low heating value discharged from a production well of an in-situ combustion process for the production of oil. The low heating value gas is 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 regardless of changes in composition of the low heating value gas. The mixture is preheated 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.

Abstract: A gas turbine system for the recovery of power from fuel gases having a low heating value, i.e., below about 80 Btu/scf, and usually in the range of 35 to 70 Btu/scf, has an external catalytic combustor. The catalytic combustor is divided into a primary and a secondary catalytic combustion chamber with a heat exchanger between the two combustion chambers. In the preheater the low heating value gas mixed with combustion air is passed in indirect heat exchange with products of combustion from the first combustion chamber before the low heating value gas is delivered to the first combustion chamber. The turbine system is particularly advantageous in recovering power from low heating value gas in which the combustibles are hydrocarbons, primarily methane.

Abstract: An expansion turbine is used to develop power, wherein combustion of fuel is carried out within the turbine. Increments of fuel are added to two or more points in the presence of a catalyst whereby temperature of the gas or equipment is controlled at substantially isothermal conditions.