Combustion chamber having reduced NO.sub.x emissions
AssigneeAstec Industries, Inc.
InventorsJ. Don Brock, Erbie G. Mize, Malcom L. Swanson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combustion chamber having improved heating efficiency and reduced NO.sub.x emissions includes a reduced diameter throat and a stepped configuration within the chamber. The chamber configuration encourages efficient combustion to reduce NO.sub.x production by promoting the formation of eddy currents within the chamber. A method for increasing heating efficiency and reducing NO.sub.x production is provided and involves passing combustion gases through such a combustion chamber.
Claims5
A method for increasing heating efficiency and reducing NO.sub.x production in a heat source for generating heating gases to be passed into contact with a material to be heated, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a main current of combustion gases into a first cross-sectional area;
- passing said main current of gases from said first cross-sectional area into a second cross-sectional area having a cross-sectional area greater than said first cross-sectional area such that a first portion of gases is separated from said main current and directed to run contrary to said main current in part of said second cross-sectional area and
- passing said main current of gases from said second cross-sectional area into a third cross-sectional area having a cross-sectional area greater than said second cross-sectional area such that a second portion of gases is separated from said main current and is directed to run contrary to said main current in part of said third cross-sectional area;
- and
- said heat source defining a first end and a second end thereon, said main current of gases flowing from said first end to said second end, wherein said heat source further comprises means for introducing gases into said heat source adjacent to said second end.
A method for increasing heating efficiency and reducing NO.sub.x , production in a heat source for generating heating gases to be passed into contact with a material to be heated, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a main current of combustion gases into a first cross-sectional area:
- passing said main current of gases from said first cross-sectional area into a second cross-sectional area having a cross-sectional area greater than said first cross-sectional area such that a first portion of gases is separated from said main current and directed to run contrary to said main current in part of said second cross-sectional area;
- passing said main current of gases from said second cross-sectional area into a third cross-sectional area having a cross-sectional area greater than said second cross-sectional area such that a second portion of gases is separated from said main current and is directed to run contrary to said main current in part of said third cross-sectional area;
- the step of passing said main current of gases from said third cross-sectional area into one or more additional, consecutive expansions, each of said additional expansions having a cross-sectional area greater than its preceding expansion for promoting vortexlike motions of gas flow within said enclosure which run contrary to said main current in part of each expansion;
- and
- said heat source defining a first end and a second end thereon, said main current of gases flowing from said first end to said second end, wherein said heat source further comprises means for introducing gases into said heat source adjacent to said second end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.