# US 10,502,415 B2 · System and method for reducing emissions from a boiler > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,415 B2 - Document ID: US10502415B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/876,926 - Filed: 2015-10-07 - Published: 2016-03-10 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-23 - Assignees: General Electric Technology GmbH - Applicants: General Electric Technology GmbH - Inventors: Shin Gyoo Kang; Armand Alfred Levasseur; Robert A. Schrecengost - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502415B2 ## CPC - F23D 1/005: {burning a mixture of pulverulent fuel delivered as a slurry, i.e. comprising a carrying liquid} - F23D 1/00: Burners for combustion of pulverulent fuel - F23C 2900/03005: Burners with an internal combustion chamber, e.g. for obtaining an increased heat release, a high speed jet flame or being used for starting the combustion - F23D 2207/00: Ignition devices associated with burner - F23D 2208/00: Control devices associated with burners - F23D 2900/00015: Pilot burners specially adapted for low load or transient conditions, e.g. for increasing stability - F23D: BURNERS - F23C: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR COMBUSTION USING FLUID FUEL OR SOLID FUEL SUSPENDED IN {A CARRIER GAS OR} AIR (burners F23D) ## Abstract A system and method for reducing emissions from a boiler. A boiler generally has a combustion area. The system further includes a fuel pipe for delivering fuel. The system further includes a conduit. A bore extends through the conduit. The bore of the conduit is in fluid communication with the fuel pipe and the combustion area of the boiler. A pre-ignition source is positioned in the conduit. The pre-ignition source operates to pre-ignite at least a portion of the fuel flowing through the conduit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for reducing emissions in a boiler having a combustion area, comprising: a plurality of coal supply elevations in the combustion area, each fuel supply elevation including a conduit having a bore extending there through, the bore being in fluid communication with a fuel pipe and the combustion area of the boiler; and a pre-ignition source positioned in the conduit disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation and operable to pre-ignite at least a portion of the fuel flowing through conduit prior to the fuel entering the combustion area; wherein the conduit disposed above the lowest fuel supply elevation does not include a pre-ignition source to pre-ignite any portion of the fuel flowing there through. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel comprises carbonaceous fuel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the fuel comprises pulverized coal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the pre-ignition source continually pre-ignites at least a portion of the fuel flowing through the conduit disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation during regular operation of the boiler. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the ignition source operates throughout a boiler load range. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein between 10% and 50% of the fuel flowing through the conduit disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation is pre-ignited in the conduit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the fuel flowing through the conduit disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation is pre-ignited under substoichiometric conditions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein ratio of air to fuel is sufficiently fuel rich for release of fuel volatiles. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first pre-ignition conduit defining a first bore extending there through, the first pre-ignition conduit being disposed in the bore of the conduit disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation, the pre-ignition source (50) being positioned in the bore of the first pre-ignition conduit; and wherein at least a portion of the fuel flowing through the conduit disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation is entrained through the bore of the first pre-ignition conduit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising: a second pre-ignition conduit defining a second bore extending there through, the second pre-ignition conduit being disposed in the bore of the conduit disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation, wherein at least a portion of the fuel flowing through the conduit disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation is entrained through the bore of the second pre-ignition conduit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising: a third pre-ignition conduit defining a third bore extending there through, the third pre-ignition conduit being disposed in the bore of the conduit; wherein at least a portion of the fuel flowing through the conduit is entrained through the bore of the third pre-ignition conduit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein respective pre-ignition sources are positioned in respective conduits disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevations and operable to pre-ignite at least a portion of the fuel flowing through the respective conduits prior to the fuel entering the combustion area. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein respective pre-ignition sources are positioned only in respective conduits disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevations and operable to pre-ignite at least a portion of the fuel flowing through the respective conduits prior to the fuel entering the combustion area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein conduits disposed above conduits having a pre-ignition source do not include a pre-ignition source. ### Claim 15 A method for reducing emissions in a boiler having a, first fuel elevation, a second fuel elevation, a third fuel elevation, a fourth fuel elevation, and a fifth fuel elevation, each of the first through fifth fuel elevations comprising a respective nozzle operable to deliver a fuel to a combustion area of the boiler, the method comprising: delivering fuel to the combustion zone of the boiler through the nozzles associated with the first fuel elevation and the second fuel elevation; pre-igniting at least a portion of the fuel provided to the nozzles associated with the first fuel elevation and the second fuel elevation; prior to delivering the fuel through the nozzles associated with the first fuel elevation and the second fuel elevation; wherein fuel delivered through the nozzles associated with the first fuel elevation and the second fuel elevation flows through a conduit before it flows through the nozzles associated with the first fuel elevation and the second fuel elevation, and is pre-ignited in the conduit, and wherein respective conduits on the third, fourth, and fifth elevations do not operate to pre-ignite any portion of pulverized coal flowing through those respective conduits. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the pre-ignition of fuel continues during regular operation of the boiler. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising: pre-igniting at least a portion of the fuel provided to the nozzles disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevations prior to delivering the fuel through the nozzle disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: pre-igniting at least a portion of the fuel provided to the nozzles disposed only at the lowest fuel supply elevations prior to delivering the fuel through the nozzle disposed at the lowest fuel supply elevation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: pre-igniting at least a portion of the fuel provided to the nozzles disposed below the nozzles wherein no pre-igniting take place.