Partial combustion burner with spiral-flow cooled face

Claim 1

A burner for the partial combustion of finely divided solid carbonaceous fuel with an oxygen containing gas in a combustion zone, said burner having a longitudinal axis and a discharge end, which burner comprises: a central channel disposed along the longitudinal axis of said burner and having outlet at said discharge end for supplying fuel to the combustions zone; a substantially annular channel disposed coaxially with said central channel and having a free end forming an outlet at said discharge end an outlet disposed at an angle of from about 15 to about 60 degrees with respect to said longitudinal axis to supply an oxidant gas flow to intersect and mix with solid fuel from said outlet of said central channel to the combustion zone; a front face disposed at said discharge end of said burner and normal to the longitudinal axis thereof, said front face having a central aperture through which said fuel and oxidant gas flow to the combustion zone; said front face comprising a hollow wall member operatively connected to: (a) a supply conduit disposed to supply fluid coolatt to the proximate first end of a passageway in said hollow wall member; said passage having a first end and a final end, (b) a return conduit disposed to pass fluid coolant proximately from said final end of said passageway; and (c) including spiral flow means defining said passageway disposed within said hollow wall member to cause fluid coolant entering said hollow wall member from said supply conduit to flow in a spiral direction about the longitudinal axis of the burner.