Hydrogen-Oxygen Burner Premixing for Steam Purity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen-oxygen combustion-based steam generators for power generation suffer from unburnt gases in the steam stream, leading to corrosion and erosion issues, as well as flashback and explosion risks due to the flammable nature of hydrogen.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator system that premixes hydrogen and oxygen at stoichiometric ratios, using a hydrogen-oxygen handling unit, a cooling unit, and an H2-O2 steam generator with flashback/flame arrestors and a control unit to manage flow rates and pressures, ensuring complete combustion and eliminating unburnt gases and flashback risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-premixed H2-O2 combustion is used in steam generators, then the system can operate at high power, but unburnt gases remain in the steam stream causing corrosion and erosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing hydrogen and oxygen in precise stoichiometric ratios before combustion occurs. This pre-mixing ensures complete combustion during the power generation process, eliminating unburnt gases that would otherwise cause corrosion and erosion in the steam stream while maintaining high power output capability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If premixed H2-O2 combustion is used at stoichiometry, then complete combustion is achieved with minimal unburnt gases, but flashback and explosion risks increase due to hydrogen flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flashback arrestors as intermediary safety devices installed in the hydrogen and oxygen supply lines. These arrestors act as mediators that physically block flashback propagation while allowing normal fuel and oxidizer flow, thereby enabling safe premixed stoichiometric combustion without compromising system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inert atmosphere principles by using nitrogen purging to create inert environments in the hydrogen and oxygen passages before combustion starts and after it stops. This prevents flashback and explosion risks by displacing flammable gas mixtures with inert nitrogen, allowing reliable operation of the premixed combustion system
3Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrogen is used as fuel in steam generators, then zero toxic pollutants are produced, but the flammable nature of hydrogen creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing hydrogen and oxygen in precise stoichiometric ratios before combustion occurs. This pre-mixing ensures complete combustion during the power generation process, eliminating unburnt gases that would otherwise cause corrosion and erosion in the steam stream while maintaining high power output capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flashback arrestors as intermediary safety devices installed in the hydrogen and oxygen supply lines. These arrestors act as mediators that physically block flashback propagation while allowing normal fuel and oxidizer flow, thereby enabling safe premixed stoichiometric combustion without compromising system reliability
Solution Approach 3:
The patent applies inert atmosphere principles by using nitrogen purging to create inert environments in the hydrogen and oxygen passages before combustion starts and after it stops. This prevents flashback and explosion risks by displacing flammable gas mixtures with inert nitrogen, allowing reliable operation of the premixed combustion system
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
The system generates steam with minimal residual gases and no toxic pollutants, reducing corrosion and explosion risks while maintaining high efficiency and safety, suitable for both conventional and steam-injected gas turbine operations.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrogen-oxygen handling unit receives the fuel and oxidizer and safely premixes it at the stoichiometry ratio
Implementation Method 2
The burner tip receives the premixed H2-O2 from the H2-O2 handling unit and a portion of cooling fluids from the cooling unit and injects them into the steam generation chamber where the mixture is combusted
Implementation Method 3
The cooling unit separately receives the cooling steam and cooling water. Depending on operational requirements, it regulates separate output flows of steam and water or a mixture of steam and water
Implementation Method 4
hydrogen and oxygen passages with flashback/flame arrestors
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator system configured to burn hydrogen and oxygen at stoichiometry along with a increased-pressure water and steam. Said steam generator system comprise a hydrogen source, an oxygen source, a nitrogen source, a water source, a steam source, a hydrogen-oxygen handling unit, a cooling unit, a one or more H2-O2 steam generators and a control unit. Said steam generator system is configured to provide said hydrogen source to said hydrogen-oxygen handling unit through an oxygen passage, said oxygen source to said hydrogen-oxygen handling unit through a hydrogen passage, and said nitrogen source to selectively purge said oxygen passage and said hydrogen passage. Said water source provide water to said cooling unit. Said cooling unit is configured to receive said water source and said steam source.