US4284402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flame modifier to reduce NOx emissions
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1979-05-02
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Granted: 1981-08-18
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Expires: 1999-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for modifying the flow pattern of post ignition combustion products of a flame, preferably an oil fueled and air sustained flame, are disclosed which substantially reduces the concentration of NO x emissions.
Inventors
- 👤 Jesse E. Sheets
- 👤 Bernard C. Vitchus
- 👤 Tai S. Chao
- 👤 Martin F. Zygowicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:43
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23D; F23D11/00; F23D11/36; F23D11/40; F23D11/404; F23M; F23M9/00; F23M9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for reducing NO x emissions in a turbulent flame having a temperature in the range of about 1700° F. to about 3500° F., said method comprising causing at least a portion of said flame; down stream of a smoke plane, wherein said smoke plane is defined by a location which the leading edge of an array of vanes which are stable both chemically and physically to high temperature and oxidizing environment of said flame and which have a thicknesses in the range of about 1/16 of an inch to about 1/2 of an inch, widths in the range of about 1/4 of an inch to about 3 inches, and the spaces therebetween in the range of about 3/16 of an inch to about 4 inches would have when the flame would just begin to become smoky due to insertion of said array in said flame, to flow in a non-turbulent pattern; whereby the amount of turbulence in the flow pattern of substantially only post ignition combustion products is reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for reducing NO x emissions in a turbulent flame having a temperature in the range of about 1700° F. to about 3500° F., said method comprising causing at least a portion of said flame; down stream of a smoke plane, wherein said smoke plane is defined by a location which the leading edge of an array of vanes which are stable both chemically and physically to high temperature and oxidizing environment of said flame and which have a thicknesses in the range of about 1/16 of an inch to about 1/2 of an inch, widths in the range of about 1/4 of an inch to about 3 inches, and the spaces therebetween in the range of about 3/16 of an inch to about 4 inches would have when the flame would just begin to become smoky due to insertion of said array in said flame, to flow in a non-turbulent pattern; whereby the amount of turbulence in the flow pattern of substantially only post ignition combustion products is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein at least 5% of the post ignition combustion products of said flame are non-turbulent and laminar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of said flame which has been caused to flow in a non-turbulent pattern is at least in part recycled back into a portion of said flame which is turbulent.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for reducing NO x emissions in a turbulent flame having a temperature in the range of about 1700° F. to about 3500° F. and having a smoke plane, wherein said smoke plane is defined by a location which the leading edge of an array of vanes which are stable both chemically and physically to high temperature and oxidizing environment of said flame and which have thicknesses in the range of about 1/16 of an inch to about 1/2 of an inch, widths in the range of about 1/4 of an inch to about 3 inches, and the spaces therebetween in the range of about 3/16 of an inch to about 4 inches, would have when the flame would just begin to become smoky due to insertion of said array in said flame, said method comprising locating in said flame an apparatus comprising a flow modifying means for causing at least a portion of the post ignition products of said flame to flow in a non-turbulent pattern down stream from said smoke plane.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for reducing NO x emissions in a turbulent flame having a temperature in the range of about 1700° F. to about 3500° F. and having a smoke plane, wherein said smoke plane is defined by a location which the leading edge of an array of vanes which are stable both chemically and physically to high temperature and oxidizing environment of said flame and which have thicknesses in the range of about 1/16 of an inch to about 1/2 of an inch, widths in the range of about 1/4 of an inch to about 3 inches, and the spaces therebetween in the range of about 3/16 of an inch to about 4 inches, would have when the flame would just begin to become smoky due to insertion of said array in said flame, said method comprising locating in said flame an apparatus comprising a flow modifying means for causing at least a portion of the post ignition products of said flame to flow in a non-turbulent pattern down stream from said smoke plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the distance down stream from said smoke plane, as measured between said smoke plane and a leading edge of said apparatus is up to about sixty percent of the free flame length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said flow modifying means comprises an array of vanes adapted to cause a laminar flow of at least a portion of said flame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of said vanes are shaped so as to cause a recycle flow of at least a portion of said flame, which has been induced to flow in a non-turbulent pattern, back into a portion of said flame which is turbulent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said flow modifying means comprises an array of spaced vanes capable of withstanding the environment of the flame and having a plurality of passageways therebetween wherein there is at least a first portion of said vanes which is substantially planar and wherein there is a second portion of said vanes which is shaped so as to cause a curved flow path to be followed by post ignition combustion products of said flame which comes into contact therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said first portion is spaced between at least two sections of said second portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said flow modifying means comprises vanes having thicknesses in the range of about 1/16 of an inch to about 1/2 of an inch, widths in the range of 1/4 of an inch to about 3 inches, and the spaces therebetween are in the range of about 3/16 of an inch to about 4 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-17 | 1985-02-16 | 1985-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-17 | 1989-02-16 | 1989-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-17 | 1993-02-16 | 1993-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |