Oxygen enriched combustion

Claim 2

In a process for combustion of hydrocarbon fuel, the steps comprising: introducing a first portion of about 5 to about 40 percent of the total said fuel to be cracked and combusted to a cracking chamber; introducing to said cracking chamber oxygen-rich gas in an amount about 5 to about 50 percent of the stoichiometric requirement for complete combustion of said first portion of fuel, said oxygen-rich gas comprising greater than about 30 volume percent oxygen; combusting and cracking said first portion of fuel with said oxygen-rich gas in said cracking combustion chamber at a temperature below about 2200°F producing a cracked products mixture; passing and introducing said cracked products mixture to a combustion chamber; introducing to said combustion chamber a second remaining portion of said fuel and oxidizer comprising sufficient oxygen for substantially complete combustion of all of said fuel in said combustion chamber; and combusting the combustible portion of said cracked products mixture and said fuel in said combustin chamber.

Claim 3

A process for combustion in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said first portion of fuel is about 20 to about 40 percent of said total fuel.

Claim 4

A process for combustion in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said oxygen-rich gas comprises about 70 to 100 volume percent oxygen.

Claim 5

A process for combustion in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said oxygen-rich gas is introduced to said cracking chamber in an amount of about 10 to about 20 percent of said stoichiometric requirement.

Claim 6

A process for combustion in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said cracking chamber is maintained at about 1400° to about 2200°F.

Claim 7

A process for combustion in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said cracked products mixture is cooled to below 800°F prior to introduction to said combustion chamber.

Claim 8

A process for combustion in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said combustion is carried out in a regenerative furnace and conducting said combustion and cracking in said combustion chamber substantially continuously throughout reversals of exhaust gas flow to alternating regenerators.

Claim 9

A process according to Claim 7 wherein said first portion of said fuel is maintained during said reversals at about 25 to about 100 percent of its normal flow and said second remaining portion of said fuel is maintained during said reversals at about 25 to about 100 percent of its normal flow.

Claim 10

A process according to Claim 7 wherein said first portion of said fuel is maintained during said reversals at about 45 to about 85 percent of its normal flow and said second remaining portion of said fuel is maintained during said reversals at about 45 to about 85 percent of its normal flow.

Claim 11

A process for continuous operating a hydrocarbon fuel cracking chamber during reversals of exhaust gas flow from a regenerative furnace and for combustion in a regenerative furnace combustion chamber which is continuously fed cracked products mixture and fresh fuel, said process comprising the steps: partially closing a first valve reducing supply of first oxidizer to a first regenerator; supplying said cracked products mixture, said fresh fuel and second oxidizer to the region of entrance from said first regenerator to said combustion chamber; partially opening a first gate permitting flow of said first oxidizer to said first regenerator to a flue; partially closing a second gate restricting flow of flue gases from a second regenerator; partially opening a second valve permitting flow of said first oxidizer to said second regenerator to a flue; switching supply of said cracked products mixture, said fresh fuel and said second oxidizer from said region of entrance from said first regenerator to the region of entrance from said second regenerator to said combustion chamber; fully opening said first gate and closing said second gate permitting flow of flue gases only from said first regenerator to said flue; fully closing said first valve and fully opening said second valve increasing supply of said first oxidizer to said second regenerator; and discontinuing supply of said second oxidizer, all while providing continuous combustion of said cracked products mixture and fresh fuel in said combustion chamber during said reversal of exhaust gas flow from said second to said first regenerator.

Claim 12

A process for continuous operating a hydrocarbon fuel cracking chamber during reversals of exhaust gas flow from a regenerative furnace and for combustion in a regenerative furnace combustion chamber which is continuously fed cracked products mixture and fresh fuel, said process comprising the steps: partially closing a first valve reducing supply of first oxidizer to a first regenerator; supplying said cracked products mixture, said fresh fuel and second oxidizer to the region of entrance from said first regenerator to said combustion chamber; partially opening a first gate permitting flow of said first oxidizer to said first regenerator to a flue; partially closing a second gate restricting flow of flue gases from a second regenerator; partially opening a second valve permitting flow of said first oxidizer to said second regenerator to a flue; switching supply of said cracked products mixture, said fresh fuel and said second oxidizer from said region of entrance from said first regenerator to the region of entrance from said second regenerator to said combustion chamber; fully opening said first gate and closing said second gate permitting flow of flue gases only from said first regenerator to said flue; fully closing said first valve and fully opening said second valve increasing supply of said first oxidizer to said second regenerator; and discontinuing supply of said second oxidizer, all while providing continuous combustion of said cracked products mixture and fresh fuel in said combustion chamber during said reversal of exhaust gas flow from said second to said first regenerator.