Flame modifier to reduce NO.sub.x emissions
AssigneeAtlantic Richfield Company
InventorsJesse E. Sheets, Bernard C. Vitchus, Tai S. Chao, Martin F. Zygowicz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for modifying the flow pattern of post ignition combustion products of a flame, preferably an oil fueled and air sustained flame, are disclosed which substantially reduces the concentration of NO.sub.x emissions.
Claims10
A method for reducing NO.sub.x emissions in a turbulent flame having a temperature in the range of about 1700.degree. F. to about 3500.degree. F., said method comprising causing at least a portion of said flame;
- down stream of a smoke plane, wherein said smoke plane is defined by a location which the leading edge of an array of vanes which are stable both chemically and physically to high temperature and oxidizing environment of said flame and which have a thicknesses in the range of about 1/16 of an inch to about 1/2 of an inch, widths in the range of about 1/4 of an inch to about 3 inches, and the spaces therebetween in the range of about 3/16 of an inch to about 4 inches would have when the flame would just begin to become smoky due to insertion of said array in said flame, to flow in a non-turbulent pattern;
- whereby the amount of turbulence in the flow pattern of substantially only post ignition combustion products is reduced.
A method for reducing NO.sub.x emissions in a turbulent flame having a temperature in the range of about 1700.degree. F. to about 3500.degree. F. and having a smoke plane, wherein said smoke plane is defined by a location which the leading edge of an array of vanes which are stable both chemically and physically to high temperature and oxidizing environment of said flame and which have thicknesses in the range of about 1/16 of an inch to about 1/2 of an inch, widths in the range of about 1/4 of an inch to about 3 inches, and the spaces therebetween in the range of about 3/16 of an inch to about 4 inches, would have when the flame would just begin to become smoky due to insertion of said array in said flame, said method comprising locating in said flame an apparatus comprising a flow modifying means for causing at least a portion of the post ignition products of said flame to flow in a non-turbulent pattern down stream from said smoke plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.