US3820320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combustion method with controlled fuel mixing
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1971-12-15
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1991-12-15
Abstract
Abstract New combustors, and methods of operating same, which produce lower emissions, particularly lower emissions of nitrogen oxides.
Inventors
- 👤 R Schirmer
- 👤 E Fromm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:54
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23R; F23R3/00; F23R3/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for reducing the amount of nitrogen oxides formed in the combustion of a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: introducing a swirling stream of air into the upstream end portion of a combustion zone as the sole stream of primary air introduced into said combustion zone; forming and introducing an annular stratum of said fuel around said stream of air by introducing said fuel in a direction toward and which is from tangent to less than perpendicular, but non-parallel, to the periphery of said stream of air so as to effect controlled mixing of said fuel and air at the interface therebetween to produce an annular fuel-air mixture; passing said fuel-air mixture into said combustion zone as the sole fuel and air supplied to the upstream portion of said combustion zone; and burning said fuel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for reducing the amount of nitrogen oxides formed in the combustion of a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: introducing a swirling stream of air into the upstream end portion of a combustion zone as the sole stream of primary air introduced into said combustion zone; forming and introducing an annular stratum of said fuel around said stream of air by introducing said fuel in a direction toward and which is from tangent to less than perpendicular, but non-parallel, to the periphery of said stream of air so as to effect controlled mixing of said fuel and air at the interface therebetween to produce an annular fuel-air mixture; passing said fuel-air mixture into said combustion zone as the sole fuel and air supplied to the upstream portion of said combustion zone; and burning said fuel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the combustion gases produced in said combustion zone by burning the thus mixed fuel and air and exiting from said combustion zone have a nitrogen oxides content, calculated as NO, of not more than 5 pounds per 1000 pounds of said fuel burned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said fuel and said air are expanded during at least a portion of said mixing thereof, and said expansion of said fuel and said air is initiated immediately after the initial contact at said interface therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein: said stream of air is initially introduced into a swirl zone having a diameter less than the diameter of said combustion zone; said initial contact between said fuel and said air occurs upon the exit of said air from said swirl zone; and said expansion of said fuel and said air occurs in a uniform and graduated manner from the volume thereof in the region of said initial contact to the volume of said combustion chamber at a point in said combustion chamber downstream from said initial contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein a second stream of air comprising quench air is introduced into said combustion zone downstream from the point of introduction of said swirling stream of air.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |