Burner Combustion Method for NOx Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions in combustion processes, such as timed thick and thin fuel combustion and pulsed combustion, do not achieve significant enough NOx reduction for practical applications, indicating a need for more effective technologies.

Innovation Solution

A burner combustion method involving multiple oxidant streams, where a primary oxidant stream is jetted around the fuel stream and secondary oxidant streams are positioned symmetrically, with periodic changes in flow rates and oxygen concentration to create a periodic oscillating combustion state, achieving a significant reduction in NOx emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional timed thick and thin fuel combustion or pulsed combustion methods are used, then some NOx reduction effect is achieved, but the reduction effect is not significant enough for practical applications

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx emissionsVSAvoidNOx reduction effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The oxidant supply is segmented into multiple independent streams (primary oxidant stream jetted from around the fuel periphery, and multiple secondary oxidant streams jetted from positions separated from the fuel by specified distances). Each stream can be controlled independently to create complex combustion patterns that enhance NOx reduction effectiveness beyond conventional single-stream approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow rates of the primary and secondary oxidant streams are periodically changed to create oscillating combustion conditions. This periodic action generates alternating fuel-rich and fuel-lean combustion zones, which significantly reduces NOx formation by limiting the time and temperature conditions favorable for thermal NOx generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If multiple oxidant streams with periodic flow rate changes are implemented, then significant NOx reduction is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx emissionsVSAvoidoxidant stream configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oxidant delivery system is divided into modular primary and secondary stream components, each with independent control capabilities. This segmentation allows for flexible configuration and control while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized module design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamic control of oxidant flow rates through periodic modulation of primary and secondary streams. This dynamic operation enables adaptive combustion control that responds to changing conditions while achieving enhanced NOx reduction, transforming a static complex system into a dynamically manageable one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method reliably and significantly reduces NOx emissions, applicable to both new and existing combustors, while also improving heat transfer efficiency and limiting carbon dioxide discharge.

Implementation Method 1

a primary oxidant stream jetted from around the periphery of the fuel stream or from a position near the fuel stream, and a plurality of secondary oxidant streams that are jetted from positions separated from the fuel by a specified distance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

by periodically changing the flow rate of at least one of the primary oxidant stream and the plurality of secondary oxidant streams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

causing a periodic change in the oxygen ratio which is calculated by dividing the supplied amount of oxygen, supplied by the oxidant stream, by the theoretically required amount of oxygen, and providing a difference between the periodic changes of oxygen ratio and oxygen concentration, causing combustion in periodically vibrational conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

the combustion state adopts a periodic oscillating state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2669575B1Burner combustion method
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 NIPPON SANSO CORP
  • EP2669575B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2669575B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2669575B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present invention provides a burner combustion method for supplying and combusting an oxidant stream and a fuel stream, wherein the oxidant stream is composed of a primary oxidant stream jetted from around the periphery of the fuel stream or from a position near the fuel stream, and a plurality of secondary oxidant streams, and by periodically changing the flow rate of at least one of the primary oxidant stream and the plurality of secondary oxidant streams, and also causing a periodic change in the oxygen concentration within the oxidant stream, causing a periodic change in the oxygen ratio which is calculated by dividing the supplied amount of oxygen, supplied by the oxidant stream, by the theoretically required amount of oxygen, and providing a difference between the periodic changes in the oxygen concentration and the oxygen ratio, the combustion state adopts a periodic oscillating state.