Process for nitrogen oxides reduction and minimization of the production of other pollutants

Claim 2

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the effluent conditions existing at a location for intrduction of a treatment agent; b. effecting a treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent selected from the group consisting of urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent to treat the effluent under introduction conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent under said determined effluent conditions while minimizing the production of other pollutants; c. monitoring the condition of the effluent until a significant alteration in the condition of the effluent is observed; c. adjusting said treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of treatment agent components, to effect an adjusted treatment regimen, wherein said adjusted treatment regimen operates under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent under said altered effluent condition while minimiz.ing the production of othe pollutants.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1/ wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of furfural, acetone, sugar, an alcohol, a lignin derivatives, a carboxylic acid, a peroxide, an aldehyde, an ether, an ester, a ketone, glycerin, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, NH 4 -lignosulfonate, calcium lignosulfonate, 1,3 dioxolane, 1,4 dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, furfurylamine, n-butyl acetate, methylal, furan, fish oil, furfuryl acetate, tetrahydrofuran tetrahydrofurylamine, tetrahydropyran, mannitol, hexamethylenediamine and acetic anhydride.

Claim 4

The process of claim 2 wherein said sugar is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, d-galactose and molasses.

Claim 5

The process of claim 2 wherein said carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of coumalic acid, gluconic acid, 2-furoic acid, citric acid, formic acid, barbituric acid, 2,3,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid, furylacrylic acid, oxalic acid and mucic acid.

Claim 6

The process of claim 2 wherein said alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, furfurylalcohol, 1,3 butylene glycol, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol, 2,5-furandimethanol and methanol.

Claim 7

The process of claim 1 wherein said hydroxy amino hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, amino acids and protein-containing compositions.

Claim 8

The process of claim 1 wherein said five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen is selected from the group consisting of piperazine, piperidine, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrazole, imidazole, oxazolidone, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 9

The process of claim 1 wherein said ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of grea,ter than 1:1 is selected from the group consisting of ammonium acetate, ammonium and diammonium adipate, ammonium benzoate, ammonium binoxalate, ammonium caprylate, ammonium, diammonium and triammonium citrate, ammonium crotonate, ammonium and diammonium dodecanoate, ammonium and diammonium fumarate, ammonium heptanoate, ammonium linolenate ammonium and diammonium malate, ammonium mono butyrate, ammonium oleate, ammonium and diammonium pthalate, ammonium propionate, ammonium salicylate, ammonium and diammonium succinate ammonium and diammonium tartarate, and ammonium, diammonium and triammonium trimellitate.

Claim 10

The process of claim 1 wherein said treatment agent is selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, amino acetic acid, monomethylamine, triethylene tetramine, hexamethylenediamine, tetraethylene pentamine, bis-hexamethylene triamine, polyamine HpA, 1,2-diaminopropane, N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, tetramethylethylenediamine, 2-methylaziridine, bis (3-aminopropyl) ethylenediamine, tetramethyldiaminomethane, ethylenediamine and diethylenetriamine.

Claim 11

The process of claim 1 wherein the monitored condition of the effluent is selected from the group consisting of boiler operating load, effluent temperature at the location where said treatment agent is introduced, nitrogen oxides level, ammonia level, carbon monoxide level, excess oxygen level and mixtures thereof.

Claim 12

The process of claim 1, wherein said monitored effluent condition is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen oxides level and effluent temperature at the location where said treatment agent is introduced.

Claim 13

The process of claim which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 14

The process of claim 1 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined target level of nitrogen oxides reduction is substantially attained provided that a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is not surpassed.

Claim 15

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for each of a plurality of treatment regimens each of which comprises introducing into the effluent a treatment agent comprising urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1,-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof; b. ascertaining which treatment regimen which, when effected to treat an effluent at the effluent temperature existing at the location for injection, acts within its curve plateau at the point furthest to the right; and c. effecting said ascertained treatment regimen to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent while substantially avoiding the production of other pollutants.

Claim 16

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for each of a plurality of treatment regimens each of which comprises introducing into the effluent a treatment agent comprising urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1,-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof; b. ascertaining which treatment regimen which, when effected to treat an effluent at the effluent temperature existing at the location for injection, acts within its curve plateau at the point furthest to the right; and c. effecting said ascertained treatment regimen to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent while substantially avoiding the production of other pollutants.

Claim 17

The process of claim 14 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 18

The process of claim 14 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined target level of nitrogen oxides reduction is substantially attained provided that a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is not surpassed.

Claim 19

A process for the reduction of the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent and adjusting the introduction position to thereby cause said introduction to be performed at a different effluent temperature to drive said reaction or series of reactions towards the right side of the plateau of said nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 20

A process for the reduction of the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent and adjusting the introduction position to thereby cause said introduction to be performed at a different effluent temperature to drive said reaction or series of reactions towards the right side of the plateau of said nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 21

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the condition of the effluent which exists at a location for introduction; b. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into the effluent, which treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent; c. adjusting the components, dilution/introduction rate or relative presence of components of said treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said treatment agent to operate on the right said of the plateau of said shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperatre curve.

Claim 22

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the condition of the effluent which exists at a location for introduction; b. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into the effluent, which treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent; c. adjusting the components, dilution/introduction rate or relative presence of components of said treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said treatment agent to operate on the right said of the plateau of said shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperatre curve.

Claim 23

The process of claim 18 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 24

The process of claim 18 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined target level of nitrogen oxides reduction is substantially attained provided that a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is not surpassed.

Claim 25

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent; and b. varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; (iii) relative presence of treatment agent components; and (iv) introduction position, wherein said reaction or series of reactions are driven towards a reduction of the production of other pollutants while substantially maintaining the level of nitrogen oxides reduction.

Claim 26

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent; and b. varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; (iii) relative presence of treatment agent components; and (iv) introduction position, wherein said reaction or series of reactions are driven towards a reduction of the production of other pollutants while substantially maintaining the level of nitrogen oxides reduction.

Claim 27

The process of claim 22 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 28

The process of claim 21 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined target level of nitrogen oxides reduction is substantially attained provided that a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is not surpassed.

Claim 29

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. effecting a first treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said first treatment regimen; b. determining the position on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said treatment agent at whcch said first treatment regimen is being effected; c. adjusting said first treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of treatment agent components, to effect a second treatment regimen; and (d) determining the location on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said second treatment regimen at which said second treatment regimen being effected, wherein the location at which said second treatment regimen is being effected is further to the right on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve than the location at which said first treatment regimen is being effected on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 30

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. effecting a first treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said first treatment regimen; b. determining the position on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said treatment agent at whcch said first treatment regimen is being effected; c. adjusting said first treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of treatment agent components, to effect a second treatment regimen; and (d) determining the location on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said second treatment regimen at which said second treatment regimen being effected, wherein the location at which said second treatment regimen is being effected is further to the right on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve than the location at which said first treatment regimen is being effected on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 31

The process of claim 24 which further comprises repeating steps c and d until a predetermined maximum level of the presence of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 32

The process of claim 24 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 33

The process of claim 24, which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase th normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined target level of nitrogen oxides reduction is substantially attained provided that a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is not surpassed.

Claim 34

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising a. effecting a first treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said first treatment regimen; b. determining the position on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said treatment agent at which said first treatment regimen is being effected; c. adjusting said first treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of treatment agent components, to effect a second treatment regimen; and (d) determining the location on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said second treatment regimen at which said second treatment regimen being effected, wherein the location at which said second treatment regimen is being effected is further to the left in its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve than the location at which said first treatment regimen is being effected on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 35

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising a. effecting a first treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said first treatment regimen; b. determining the position on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said treatment agent at which said first treatment regimen is being effected; c. adjusting said first treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of treatment agent components, to effect a second treatment regimen; and (d) determining the location on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said second treatment regimen at which said second treatment regimen being effected, wherein the location at which said second treatment regimen is being effected is further to the left in its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve than the location at which said first treatment regimen is being effected on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 36

The process of claim 28 which further comprises repeating steps c and d until a predetermined maximum level of the presence of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 37

The process of claim 28 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 38

The process of claim 28 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined target level of nitrogen oxides reduction is substantially attained provided that a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is not surpassed.

Claim 39

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1,-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urca oondensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent; and b. varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; (iii) relative presenceof treatment agent components; and (iv) position at which introduction of said treatment agent occurs, wherein said reaction or series of reactions are driven towards a reduction of the production of other pollutants while substantially maintaining the level of nitrogen oxides reduction.

Claim 40

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1,-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urca oondensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent; and b. varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; (iii) relative presenceof treatment agent components; and (iv) position at which introduction of said treatment agent occurs, wherein said reaction or series of reactions are driven towards a reduction of the production of other pollutants while substantially maintaining the level of nitrogen oxides reduction.

Claim 41

A process for reducing the concentration ot nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. effecting a treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent while minimizing the production of other pollutants at the boiler load currently in operation; b. monitoring the boiler load, level of nitrogen oxides or level of other pollutants until a significant change in boiler load is observed; c. adjusting said treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; (iii) relative presence of treatment agent components; and (v) normalized stoichiometric ratio, to effect an adjusted treatment regimen, wherein said adjusted treatment regimen operates under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent while minimizing the production of other pollutants.

Claim 42

A process for reducing the concentration ot nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. effecting a treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent while minimizing the production of other pollutants at the boiler load currently in operation; b. monitoring the boiler load, level of nitrogen oxides or level of other pollutants until a significant change in boiler load is observed; c. adjusting said treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said treatment agent; (ii) components of said treatment agent; (iii) relative presence of treatment agent components; and (v) normalized stoichiometric ratio, to effect an adjusted treatment regimen, wherein said adjusted treatment regimen operates under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent while minimizing the production of other pollutants.

Claim 43

The process of claim 33 wherein said treatment regimen is adjusted by reference to a load-dependent boiler characterization factor.

Claim 44

The process of claim 33 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 45

The process of claim 33 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said treatment agent to increase the normalized stoichiometric ratio until a predetermined target level of nitrogen oxides reduction is substantially attained provided that a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is not surpassed.

Claim 46

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof having a nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, which treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent and wherein said treatment agent is introduced under conditions such that the injection acts within the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve at a position on the curve to the right of the curve plateau; b. adjusting the components, dilution/ introduction rate or relative presence of components of said, treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said treatment agent to operate towards the curve plateau of the shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 47

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof having a nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, which treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent and wherein said treatment agent is introduced under conditions such that the injection acts within the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve at a position on the curve to the right of the curve plateau; b. adjusting the components, dilution/ introduction rate or relative presence of components of said, treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said treatment agent to operate towards the curve plateau of the shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 48

The process of claim 37 wherein step b is repeated unlil the injection acts on the curve plateau of the shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 49

A process for ascertaining the condition of an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, the process comprising effecting a treatment regimen having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve by introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogeh oxides concentration in the effluent; determining the nitrogen oxides, ammonia and carbon monoxide concentration of the effluent during and downstream from the introduction of said treatment agent; and ascertaining the condition of the effluent by relating the nitrogen oxides, ammonia and carbon monoxide concentration to the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for the effected treatment regimen.

Claim 50

A process for ascertaining the condition of an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, the process comprising effecting a treatment regimen having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve by introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogeh oxides concentration in the effluent; determining the nitrogen oxides, ammonia and carbon monoxide concentration of the effluent during and downstream from the introduction of said treatment agent; and ascertaining the condition of the effluent by relating the nitrogen oxides, ammonia and carbon monoxide concentration to the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for the effected treatment regimen.

Claim 51

The process of claim 39 wherein the boiler operating load is ascertained from the condition of the effluent by further reference to a load dependent boiler characterization factor.

Claim 52

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof having a nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, which treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent and wherein said treatment agent is introduced under conditions such that the injection acts within the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve at a position on the curve to the right of the curve plateau; b. adjusting the components, dilution/introduction rate or relative presence of components of siid treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said treatment agent to creat a ratio of ammonia in the effluent to nitrogen oxides in the effluent of approximately 1:1.

Claim 53

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises urea, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, an oxygenated hydrocarbon, an ammonium salt of an organic acid having a carbon to nitrogen ratio of greater than 1:1, a hydroxy amino hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic oxygen, a five or six membered heterocyclic hydrocarbon having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, 1,1'-azobisformamide, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, methyl urea, dimethyl urea and mixtures thereof having a nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, which treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said treatment agent and wherein said treatment agent is introduced under conditions such that the injection acts within the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve at a position on the curve to the right of the curve plateau; b. adjusting the components, dilution/introduction rate or relative presence of components of siid treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said treatment agent to creat a ratio of ammonia in the effluent to nitrogen oxides in the effluent of approximately 1:1.

Claim 54

The process of claim 41 which further comprises scrubbing the effluent utilizing the process of selective catalytic reduction.