US3826077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of introducing three streams of air into a combustor with selective heating
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1972-03-27
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1992-03-27
Abstract
Abstract New combustors, and methods of operating same, which produce lower emissions, particularly lower emissions of nitrogen oxides. Methods and means are provided for supplying separate streams of air to primary and secondary combustion zones of a combustor, for removing heat from said primary combustion zone, and reintroducing said heat into the combustor at a region spaced apart and downstream from said primary and secondary combustion zones.
Inventors
- 👤 H Quigg
- 👤 R Schirmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:02
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23R; F23R3/00; F23R3/005; F23R3/02; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: establishing separate streams of air as a first stream of air, a second stream of air, and a third stream of air; introducing said first stream of air into a primary combustion zone of said combustor; introducing a fuel into said primary combustion zone; burning said fuel; introducing said second stream of air, maintained separate from said first stream of air, into a secondary combustion zone of said combustor located downstream from said primary combustion zone; flowing said third stream of air, maintained separate from said first and second streams of air, in a downstream direction over and in heat exchange with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into a third zone of said combustor located downstream from said second zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: establishing separate streams of air as a first stream of air, a second stream of air, and a third stream of air; introducing said first stream of air into a primary combustion zone of said combustor; introducing a fuel into said primary combustion zone; burning said fuel; introducing said second stream of air, maintained separate from said first stream of air, into a secondary combustion zone of said combustor located downstream from said primary combustion zone; flowing said third stream of air, maintained separate from said first and second streams of air, in a downstream direction over and in heat exchange with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into a third zone of said combustor located downstream from said second zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first stream of air comprising primary air is not more than about 25 percent of the total air introduced into said combustor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first streAm of air comprising primary air is not more than about 5.6 percent of the total air introduced into said combustor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein both said first and said second streams of air are relatively hot and have a temperature of at least about 900* F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said fuel has a hydrogen content of less than about 13.5 weight percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: the temperature of the inlet air to said primary combustion zone is not greater than about 1,200* F. to about 1,500* F.; and the equivalence ratio in said primary combustion zone is greater than stoichiometric and has a value such that the NOx value in the exhaust gases from said combustor is not greater than about 5 pounds per 1,000 pounds of fuel burned in said combustor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the CO value in said exhaust gases is not greater than about 25 pounds per 1,000 pounds of fuel burned in said combustor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said equivalence ratio is at least 1.5.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said equivalence ratio is at least 3.5.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
265 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustion zone having a primary combustion zone, a secondary combustion zone located downstream from said primary combustion zone, and a quench zone located downstream from said secondary combustion zone, which method comprises: establishing separate streams of air as a first stream of air comprising primary air, a second stream of air comprising secondary air, and a third stream of air comprising quench air; introducing a stream of fuel into said primary combustion zone; introducing said first stream of air comprising primary air into said primary combustion zone in an amount relative to said fuel sufficient to provide a fuel-rich mixture having an equivalence ratio in said primary combustion zone greater than stoichiometric; burning said fuel; introducing said second stream of air comprising secondary air, maintained separate from said first stream of air, into said secondary zone, in an amount sufficient to provide a fuel-lean mixture in said secondary zone with respect to any unburned fuel entering said secondary zone from said primary zone, and at a temperature at least 100*F. greater than the temperature of said introduced primary air; flowing said third stream of air, maintained separate from said first and second streams of air, in a downstream direction over and in heat exchange relationship with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said third stream of air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into said quench zone at a temperature greater than the temperature of said secondary air.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
265 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustion zone having a primary combustion zone, a secondary combustion zone located downstream from said primary combustion zone, and a quench zone located downstream from said secondary combustion zone, which method comprises: establishing separate streams of air as a first stream of air comprising primary air, a second stream of air comprising secondary air, and a third stream of air comprising quench air; introducing a stream of fuel into said primary combustion zone; introducing said first stream of air comprising primary air into said primary combustion zone in an amount relative to said fuel sufficient to provide a fuel-rich mixture having an equivalence ratio in said primary combustion zone greater than stoichiometric; burning said fuel; introducing said second stream of air comprising secondary air, maintained separate from said first stream of air, into said secondary zone, in an amount sufficient to provide a fuel-lean mixture in said secondary zone with respect to any unburned fuel entering said secondary zone from said primary zone, and at a temperature at least 100*F. greater than the temperature of said introduced primary air; flowing said third stream of air, maintained separate from said first and second streams of air, in a downstream direction over and in heat exchange relationship with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said third stream of air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into said quench zone at a temperature greater than the temperature of said secondary air.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: introducing a first stream of air into a primary combustion zone of said combustor; introducing a fuel into said primary combustion zone; burning said fuel; introducing a second stream of air, separate from said first stream of air, and at a temperature at least 100*F. greater than the temperature of said first stream of air, into a secondary combustion zone of said combustor located downstream from said primary combustion zone; passing a third stream of air, separate from said first and second streams of air, in heat exchange with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into a third zone of said combustor located downstream from said second zone.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: introducing a first stream of air into a primary combustion zone of said combustor; introducing a fuel into said primary combustion zone; burning said fuel; introducing a second stream of air, separate from said first stream of air, and at a temperature at least 100*F. greater than the temperature of said first stream of air, into a secondary combustion zone of said combustor located downstream from said primary combustion zone; passing a third stream of air, separate from said first and second streams of air, in heat exchange with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into a third zone of said combustor located downstream from said second zone.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: introducing a first stream of air into a primary combustion zone of said combusTor; introducing a fuel into said primary combustion zone; burning said fuel; introducing a second stream of air, separate from said first stream of air, and at a temperature within the range of from about 100* to about 500*F. greater than the temperature of said first stream of air, into a secondary combustion zone of said combustor located downstream from said primary combustion zone; passing a third stream of air, separate from said first and second streams of air, in heat exchange with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into a third zone of said combustor located downstream from said second zone.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: introducing a first stream of air into a primary combustion zone of said combusTor; introducing a fuel into said primary combustion zone; burning said fuel; introducing a second stream of air, separate from said first stream of air, and at a temperature within the range of from about 100* to about 500*F. greater than the temperature of said first stream of air, into a secondary combustion zone of said combustor located downstream from said primary combustion zone; passing a third stream of air, separate from said first and second streams of air, in heat exchange with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into a third zone of said combustor located downstream from said second zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein the temperature of said first stream of air is not greater than about 700* F.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the equivalence ratio in said primary combustion zone is greater than stoichiometric and has a value such that the NOx emissions value in the exhaust gases from said combustor is not greater than about 5 pounds per 1,000 pounds of fuel burned in said combustor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the CO emissions value in the exhaust gases from said combustor is not greater than about 25 pounds per 1,000 pounds of fuel burned in said combustor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein the equivalence ratio in said primary combustion zone is at least about 3.5.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustion zone having a primary combustion zone, a secondary combustion zone located downstream from said primary combustion zone, and a quench zone located downstream from said secondary combustion zone, which method comprises: introducing a stream of fuel into said primary combustion zone; introducing a first stream of air comprising primary air into said primary combustion zone at a temperature not greater than about 700*F. and in an amount relative to said fuel sufficient to provide a fuel-rich mixture having an equivalence ratio in said primary combustion zone greater than stoichiometric; burning said fuel; introducing a second stream of air comprising secondary air, separate from said first stream of air, into said secondary zone, in an amount sufficient to provide a fuel-lean mixture in said secondary zone with respect to any unburned fuel entering said secondary zone from said primary zone, and at a temperature within the range of from about 100* to about 500*F. greater than the temperature of said introduced primary air; passing a third stream of air, separate from said first and second streams of air, in heat exchange relationship with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said third stream of air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into said quench zone at a temperature greater than the temperature of said secondary air.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustion zone having a primary combustion zone, a secondary combustion zone located downstream from said primary combustion zone, and a quench zone located downstream from said secondary combustion zone, which method comprises: introducing a stream of fuel into said primary combustion zone; introducing a first stream of air comprising primary air into said primary combustion zone at a temperature not greater than about 700*F. and in an amount relative to said fuel sufficient to provide a fuel-rich mixture having an equivalence ratio in said primary combustion zone greater than stoichiometric; burning said fuel; introducing a second stream of air comprising secondary air, separate from said first stream of air, into said secondary zone, in an amount sufficient to provide a fuel-lean mixture in said secondary zone with respect to any unburned fuel entering said secondary zone from said primary zone, and at a temperature within the range of from about 100* to about 500*F. greater than the temperature of said introduced primary air; passing a third stream of air, separate from said first and second streams of air, in heat exchange relationship with an outer wall of said primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said third stream of air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into said quench zone at a temperature greater than the temperature of said secondary air.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the exhaust gases from said quench zone have a NOx emissions value not greater than about 5 pounds per 1,000 pounds of said fuel burned, and a CO emissions value not greater than about 25 pounds per 1,000 pounds of said fuel burned.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: introducing a first stream of air into a primary combustion zone of said combustor; introducing a fuel into said primary combustion zone; burning said fuel; introducing a second stream of air, separate from said first stream of air, into a secondary combustion zone of said combustor located downstream from said primary combustion zone; passing a third stream of air, separate from said first and second streams of air, in heat exchange with an outer wall of sAid primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into a third zone of said combustor located downstream from said second zone; and wherein said third stream of air is passed in a first annular stream surrounding said wall of said primary combustion zone and at least a portion of said second zone, and then introduced into said third zone; and said second stream of air is passed in a second annular stream surrounding but separated from said first annular stream, and then introduced into said second zone.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for burning a fuel in a combustor, which method comprises: introducing a first stream of air into a primary combustion zone of said combustor; introducing a fuel into said primary combustion zone; burning said fuel; introducing a second stream of air, separate from said first stream of air, into a secondary combustion zone of said combustor located downstream from said primary combustion zone; passing a third stream of air, separate from said first and second streams of air, in heat exchange with an outer wall of sAid primary combustion zone so as to remove heat from the interior of said primary combustion zone and heat said air; and introducing said thus-heated third stream of air into a third zone of said combustor located downstream from said second zone; and wherein said third stream of air is passed in a first annular stream surrounding said wall of said primary combustion zone and at least a portion of said second zone, and then introduced into said third zone; and said second stream of air is passed in a second annular stream surrounding but separated from said first annular stream, and then introduced into said second zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3705492A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |