Method and apparatus to homogenize fuel and diluent for reducing emissions in combustion systems
AssigneeCheng Power Systems, Inc.
InventorDah Yu Cheng
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for reducing emissions in combustion systems, particularly gas turbines. A mixture of diluent and fuel is created, wherein the diluent and the fuel are at a predetermined diluent-to-fuel ratio. The mixture is homogenized to create a homogenized mixture having a uniform concentration distribution of the diluent and the fuel at the predetermined diluent-fuel ratio. Thereafter, the homogenized mixture is introduced into a flame zone and the homogenized mixture is combusted.
Claims47
A method for reducing emissions in a combustion system, comprising the steps of:
- creating a mixture of diluent and fuel, wherein the diluent and the fuel are at a predetermined diluent-to-fuel ratio;
- homogenizing the mixture to create a mixture having a distribution of the diluent and the fuel at the predetermined diluent-fuel ratio, at homogeneity in excess of 85%;
- and, thereafter,
- introducing the homogenized mixture into a flame zone and combusting said homogenized mixture, thereby reducing NOx emissions;
- wherein said fuel is a gaseous fuel, said flame is a diffusion flame, and said NOx emissions are below 15 ppm.
An apparatus for reducing emissions in a combustion system, comprising:
- a chamber having a plurality of inlets to which diluent and fuel are input to create a mixture, the diluent and the fuel being at a predetermined diluent-to-fuel ratio;
- a compact mixer coupled to said chamber for homogenizing said mixture to create a concentration distribution of the diluent and the fuel at the predetermined diluent-fuel ratio, at homogeneity in excess of 85%;
- and
- a flame zone disposed downstream of said compact mixer for combusting said homogenized mixture after the homogenized mixture leaves said compact mixer,
- thereby reducing NOx emissions;
- wherein said fuel is a gaseous fuel, said flame zone is a diffusion flame zone, and said NOx emissions are reduced to below 15 ppm.
A gas turbine, comprising:
- a compressor;
- a chamber disposed downstream of the compressor and having a plurality of inlets for receiving diluent and fuel at a predetermined diluent-to-fuel ratio to form a mixture;
- a compact mixer disposed downstream of the chamber for homogenizing the mixture to create a concentration distribution of the diluent and the fuel at the predetermined diluent-fuel ratio, at homogeneity in excess of 85%;
- a combustion section disposed downstream of the compact mixer for combusting the homogenized mixture after the homogenized mixture leaves the compact mixer to produce a hot energetic flow of gas;
- and
- a turbine disposed downstream of the combustion section driven by the hot energetic flow of gas for driving said compressor,
- thereby reducing NOx emissions;
- wherein said fuel is a gaseous fuel, said combusting comprises a diffusion flame, and said NOx emissions are reduced to below 15 ppm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.