Method for control of NOx emission from combustors using fuel dilution
Abstract
A method of controlling NOx emission from combustors. The method involves the controlled addition of a diluent such as nitrogen or water vapor, to a base fuel to reduce the flame temperature, thereby reducing NOx production. At the same time, a gas capable of enhancing flame stability and improving low temperature combustion characteristics, such as hydrogen, is added to the fuel mixture. The base fuel can be natural gas for use in industrial and power generation gas turbines and other burners. However, the method described herein is equally applicable to other common fuels such as coal gas, biomass-derived fuels and other common hydrocarbon fuels. The unique combustion characteristics associated with the use of hydrogen, particularly faster flame speed, higher reaction rates, and increased resistance to fluid-mechanical strain, alter the burner combustion characteristics sufficiently to allow operation at the desired lower temperature conditions resulting from diluent addition, without the onset of unstable combustion that can arise at lower combustor operating temperatures.
- Inventors:
-
- Alamo, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 902977
- Patent Number(s):
- 7162864
- Application Number:
- 10/701,763
- Assignee:
- Sandia National Laboratories (Livermore, CA)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F23 - COMBUSTION APPARATUS F23K - FEEDING FUEL TO COMBUSTION APPARATUS
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02T - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Citation Formats
Schefer, Robert W, and Keller, Jay O. Method for control of NOx emission from combustors using fuel dilution. United States: N. p., 2007.
Web.
Schefer, Robert W, & Keller, Jay O. Method for control of NOx emission from combustors using fuel dilution. United States.
Schefer, Robert W, and Keller, Jay O. Tue .
"Method for control of NOx emission from combustors using fuel dilution". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/902977.
@article{osti_902977,
title = {Method for control of NOx emission from combustors using fuel dilution},
author = {Schefer, Robert W and Keller, Jay O},
abstractNote = {A method of controlling NOx emission from combustors. The method involves the controlled addition of a diluent such as nitrogen or water vapor, to a base fuel to reduce the flame temperature, thereby reducing NOx production. At the same time, a gas capable of enhancing flame stability and improving low temperature combustion characteristics, such as hydrogen, is added to the fuel mixture. The base fuel can be natural gas for use in industrial and power generation gas turbines and other burners. However, the method described herein is equally applicable to other common fuels such as coal gas, biomass-derived fuels and other common hydrocarbon fuels. The unique combustion characteristics associated with the use of hydrogen, particularly faster flame speed, higher reaction rates, and increased resistance to fluid-mechanical strain, alter the burner combustion characteristics sufficiently to allow operation at the desired lower temperature conditions resulting from diluent addition, without the onset of unstable combustion that can arise at lower combustor operating temperatures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2007},
month = {1}
}