Apparatus and methods for treating exhaust gases of combustion

Claim 3

The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the quenching of said gases is accomplished by converting a liquid to steam by means of the heat of said gases.

Claim 4

The method set forth in claim 2 including mixing said gases and said steam following the quenching of said gases.

Claim 5

The method set forth in claim 3 including condensing said steam to liquid and separating the condensed liquid from said gases.

Claim 6

The method set forth in claim 4 including recycling a portion of separated gases to said combustion chamber.

Claim 9

The method set forth in claim 6 including establishing a low pressure zone externally of said housing by means of said steam to accelerate the discharge of said gases from said housing.

Claim 10

The method set forth in claim 7 including mixing said quenched gases and said steam.

Claim 11

The method set forth in claim 8 including filtering the mixture of steam and gases.

Claim 12

The method set forth in claim 9 wherein the filtering of the mixture is accomplished with material selected from the class comprising aluminum oxide, activated charcoal, and calcium carbonate.

Claim 13

The method set forth in claim 8 including converting carbon monoxide in said gases to carbon dioxide.

Claim 14

The method set forth in claim 8 including converting oxides of nitrogen in said gases to nitrous acid.

Claim 15

The method set forth in claim 8 including condensing said steam to separate said steam and said gases.

Claim 16

The method set forth in claim 13 including recycling a portion of said separated gases to said combustion chamber.

Claim 17

Apparatus for treating noxious gases of combustion exhausted from a combustion chamber at a temperature sufficiently high to convert an aqueous liquid to steam, said apparatus comprising housing means; inlet means communicating with said housing means for admitting gases to said housing means; outlet means communicating with said housing means for discharging gases from said housing means; liquid conduit means; means supporting said liquid conduit means within said housing means in the path of gases admitted to said housing means; means for introducing an aqueous liquid to said liquid conduit means whereby the heat of the gases may convert said liquid to steam; steam conduit means in communication with said liquid conduit means for receiving steam herefrom; ejector means in communication with said outlet means and with said steam conduit means and operable in response to the flow of steam through said steam conduit means to establish a reduced pressure zone at said outlet means to accelerate the discharge of gases from said housing means; means forming a mixing chamber downstream from said ejector means; means establishing communication between said mixing chamber means and said ejector means whereby said gases and said steam may be delivered to and mixed in said mixing chamber means; means for condensing said steam and separating said gases therefrom; and means for recycling at least part of the separated gases to the combustion chamber.

Claim 18

Apparatus for treating noxious gases of combustion exhausted from a combustion chamber at a temperature sufficiently high to convert an aqueous liquid to steam, said apparatus comprising housing means; inlet means communicating with said housing means for admitting gases to said housing means; outlet means communicating with said housing means for discharging gases from said housing means; liquid conduit means; means supporting said liquid conduit means within said housing means in the path of gases admitted to said housing means; means for introducing an aqueous liquid to said liquid conduit means whereby the heat of the gases may convert said liquid to steam; steam conduit means in communication with said liquid conduit means for receiving steam herefrom; ejector means in communication with said outlet means and with said steam conduit means and operable in response to the flow of steam through said steam conduit means to establish a reduced pressure zone at said outlet means to accelerate the discharge of gases from said housing means; means forming a mixing chamber downstream from said ejector means; means establishing communication between said mixing chamber means and said ejector means whereby said gases and said steam may be delivered to and mixed in said mixing chamber means; means for condensing said steam and separating said gases therefrom; and means for recycling at least part of the separated gases to the combustion chamber.

Claim 19

The apparatus set forth in claim 15 including filter means interposed between said mixing chamber means and said condensing means.

Claim 20

The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein said filter means comprises materials selected from the class comprising aluminum oxide, activated charcoal, and calcium carbonate.

Claim 21

The apparatus set forth in claim 15 wherein said liquid conduit means comprises at least one tube.

Claim 22

The apparatus set forth in claim 15 wherein said liquid conduit means comprises a cluster of tubes.

Claim 23

The apparatus set forth in claim 19 including means mounting said cluster of tubes for rotation.

Claim 24

Apparatus for treating exhaust gases of fuel combusted in a combustion chamber, said apparatus comprising means for delivering a mixture of fuel and air to said chamber in a lean ratio such as to provide an excess of air sufficient to minimize the formation of carbon monoxide and to assure combustion of said fuel at a temperature in excess of about 1,450*F.; a housing having an inlet in communication with said chamber for receiving exhaust gases therefrom and an outlet througH which said gases may be discharged; liquid conduit means supported in said housing in the path of gases admitted thereto; means for supplying said liquid conduit means with a liquid convertible to steam by the heat of said gases and in such quantity as to cool said gases to a temperature below about 1,450*F. substantially instantaneously upon the admission of said gases to said housing; steam conduit means in communication with said liquid conduit means for receiving steam therefrom; ejector means in communication with said outlet and with said steam conduit means and operable in response to the flow of steam through said steam conduit means to establish a reduced pressure zone at said outlet to accelerate the discharge of gases from said housing; mixing chamber means downstream from said housing outlet for mixing said gases and said steam; means downstream from said mixing chamber means for condensing said steam and separating said gases therefrom; means for venting gases separated from said steam; and means for recycling at least part of the separated gases to said combustion chamber.

Claim 25

Apparatus for treating exhaust gases of fuel combusted in a combustion chamber, said apparatus comprising means for delivering a mixture of fuel and air to said chamber in a lean ratio such as to provide an excess of air sufficient to minimize the formation of carbon monoxide and to assure combustion of said fuel at a temperature in excess of about 1,450*F.; a housing having an inlet in communication with said chamber for receiving exhaust gases therefrom and an outlet througH which said gases may be discharged; liquid conduit means supported in said housing in the path of gases admitted thereto; means for supplying said liquid conduit means with a liquid convertible to steam by the heat of said gases and in such quantity as to cool said gases to a temperature below about 1,450*F. substantially instantaneously upon the admission of said gases to said housing; steam conduit means in communication with said liquid conduit means for receiving steam therefrom; ejector means in communication with said outlet and with said steam conduit means and operable in response to the flow of steam through said steam conduit means to establish a reduced pressure zone at said outlet to accelerate the discharge of gases from said housing; mixing chamber means downstream from said housing outlet for mixing said gases and said steam; means downstream from said mixing chamber means for condensing said steam and separating said gases therefrom; means for venting gases separated from said steam; and means for recycling at least part of the separated gases to said combustion chamber.

Claim 26

The apparatus set forth in claim 21 including filter means interposed between said mixing chamber means and said condensing means.

Claim 27

The apparatus set forth in claim 22 wherein said filter means comprises materials selected from the class comprising aluminum oxide, activated charcoal, and calcium carbonate.

Claim 28

The apparatus set forth in claim 21 wherein said liquid conduit means comprises at least one tube.

Claim 29

The apparatus set forth in claim 21 wherein said liquid conduit means comprises a cluster of tubes.

Claim 30

The apparatus set forth in claim 25 including means mounting said cluster of tubes for rotation.