US5303684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combustion control for producing low NOx emissions through use of flame spectroscopy
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1993-04-19
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Granted: 1994-04-19
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Expires: 2013-04-19
Abstract
Abstract Combustion in a gas turbine is controlled through use of flame spectroscopy in order to achieve low NO x emissions in the exhaust. By monitoring the combustion flame in the turbine to determine intensity of non-infrared spectral lines, and dynamically adjusting the fuel/air ratio of the fuel mixture such that this intensity remains below a predetermined level associated with a desired low level of NO x emissions, the engine produces significantly reduced NO x emissions in its exhaust but at a sufficiently high combustion flame temperature to avoid any undue risk of flame-out, thereby assuring stable, safe and reliable operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale M. Brown
- 👤 Bernard Gorowitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:08
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D21/00; F01D21/003; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/003; F23N5/02; F23N5/08; F23N5/082; F23N1/00; F23N1/02; F23N2241/00; F23N2241/20; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of reducing nitrogen oxide (NO x ) exhaust emissions resulting from combustion of a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and air in an internal combustion engine comprising: measuring intensity of a predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines emanating from a combustion flame in said engine; converting the measured intensity value of said predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines into a corresponding value of an engine operating parameter; and dynamically adjusting the fuel/air mixture for said engine such that the value of said engine operating parameter remains below a predetermined limit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of reducing nitrogen oxide (NO x ) exhaust emissions resulting from combustion of a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and air in an internal combustion engine comprising: measuring intensity of a predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines emanating from a combustion flame in said engine; converting the measured intensity value of said predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines into a corresponding value of an engine operating parameter; and dynamically adjusting the fuel/air mixture for said engine such that the value of said engine operating parameter remains below a predetermined limit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines comprises a band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines extends from approximately 200 nm to approximately 250 nm in wavelength, inclusive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines extends from approximately 200 nm to approximately 300 nm in wavelength, inclusive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of measuring intensity of a predetermined band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines comprises the step of directing radiation from said combustion flame onto a silicon carbide photodiode exhibiting substantial sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation within a band of 200 nm to 250 nm wavelength, inclusive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of measuring intensity of a predetermined band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines comprises the step of directing radiation from said combustion flame onto a silicon carbide photodiode exhibiting substantial sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation within a band of 200 nm to 300 nm wavelength, inclusive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring intensity of a predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines comprises the step of directing radiation from said combustion flame onto a silicon carbide photodiode that is insensitive to infrared radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 including the step of filtering the radiation from said combustion flame prior to impingment of the radiation onto said photodiode.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of reducing nitrogen oxide (NO x ) exhaust emissions resulting from combustion of a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and air comprising: measuring intensity of a predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines emanating from a flame produced by said combustion; converting the measured intensity value of said predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines into a corresponding value of NO x concentration produced by said combustion; and dynamically adjusting the fuel/air mixture for said combustion such that the value of said NO x concentration remains below a predetermined limit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of reducing nitrogen oxide (NO x ) exhaust emissions resulting from combustion of a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and air comprising: measuring intensity of a predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines emanating from a flame produced by said combustion; converting the measured intensity value of said predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines into a corresponding value of NO x concentration produced by said combustion; and dynamically adjusting the fuel/air mixture for said combustion such that the value of said NO x concentration remains below a predetermined limit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines comprises a band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the predetermined band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines extends from approximately 200 nm to approximately 250 nm in wavelength, inclusive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the predetermined band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines extends from approximately 200 nm to approximately 300 nm in wavelength, inclusive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of measuring intensity of a predetermined band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines comprises the step of directing radiation from said combustion flame onto a silicon carbide photodiode exhibiting substantial sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation within a band of 200 nm to 250 nm wavelength, inclusive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of measuring intensity of a predetermined band of ultraviolet carbon monoxide (CO) spectral lines comprises the step of directing radiation from said combustion flame onto a silicon carbide photodiode exhibiting substantial sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation within a band of 200 nm to 300 nm wavelength, inclusive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of measuring intensity of a predetermined band of non-infrared spectral lines comprises the step of directing radiation from said combustion flame onto a silicon carbide photodiode that is insensitive to infrared radiation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 including the step of filtering the radiation from said combustion flame prior to impingment of the radiation onto said photodiode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-04-18 | 1997-10-18 | 1998-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-18 | 2001-10-18 | 2002-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-18 | 2005-10-18 | 2006-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |