Combustion optimization

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and a device for supplying at least a first fluid to a combustion chamber in a heat-generating plant, e.g. a heating boiler or a kiln. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the emissions from such a combustion chamber.

[0003] Today a significant part of the energy generated in the modern society comes from burning of fuel. This includes wood fuels, straw, waste such as industrial, municipal, hazardous and hospital waste and also hard coal, lignite, peat, lime sludge and black liquor. These fuels are burnt in heat-generating plants in combustion chambers and results in unavoidable emission of more or less hazardous substances.

[0004] To reduce the amount of emission different devices has been contemplated and successfully implemented in existing plants, as well as in new. In this respect reference is made to SE9201747-4, SE9304038-4, SE9802570-3 and SE0000103-2 all in the name of ECOMB AB and included herein by reference.

[0005] According to the references above reduction of emissions can be achieved by introducing secondary air into the combustion chamber in a heat-generating plant.

[0006] Another way to achieve reduction of emission is to introduce substances, such as NH₃, to reduce specific emissions, such as NO and NO₂, commonly denoted NO_x. The ammonia reacts with the NO and the NO₂to form substances which is not harmful to the environment.

[0007] One problem with introducing another harmful substance, such as ammonia, is that slip can occur, i.e. ammonia is emitted to the environment.

[0008] Another problem is that the reaction between ammonia and NO_xmay not always be optimal resulting in increased cost, when excessive amounts of ammonia is used to reduce the emission of NO_x, but with limited success.

[0009] Yet another problem, realized by the inventor, is that the temperature of the combustion chamber, where NH₃is introduced, is not optimal for reaction with NO_x.

[0010] It is a main object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for controlling the temperature in a combustion chamber to be within a preferred range, within which range a first fluid is particular active to reduce the emission of at least a first substance.

[0011] It is in this respect a particular object of the invention to provide such apparatus and method for reducing the emission of NO and NO₂.

[0012] It is still a further object of the invention to provide such apparatus and method for effective use of supplied ammonia for reduction of emission of NO and NO₂so that no or minimal slip of ammonia emission occur.

[0013] These objects among others are, according to a first aspect of the present invention, attained by providing a method for reducing the emissions from a combustion or gasification plant having a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is housing means for insertion of a first fluid into said chamber, where the introduction of said fluid into said chamber is effective to reduce the emission of at least one substance. Said fluid having an optimal operating temperature range for which said fluid is particular active and thus emission is particular low. The method comprises the steps of establishing the temperature in a volume where said fluid is introduced into said combustion chamber. If the temperature is higher than said optimal operating range a second fluid is introduced into said chamber, where said second fluid is effective to reduce the temperature in said volume. If the temperature, on the other hand, is lower than said optimal operating temperature range a third fluid is introduced into said combustion chamber. Said third fluid is effective to increase the temperature of said volume.

[0014] In more detail, the method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an axially displaceable tube, which can be introduced and withdrawn from said combustion. Chamber said tube is used for introducing a fourth fluid, e.g. air or re-circulated flue gas, into said chamber. The fourth fluid is inserted under pressure to create swirls or turbulence in the flue gas flow to change the flow pattern and improve mixing in the combustion chamber. Through said tube said first and second or third fluid is introduced into said chamber. Alternatively, is it also possible to use said tube for insertion of only one or two of the three fluids, and using a separate means for introduction of the remaining fluids.

[0015] A thermocouple is arranged on said tube for measuring the surrounding temperature where said first fluid is introduced into said chamber. Alternatively, said thermocouple may also be arranged on the wall of the combustion chamber. Thus it is possible to continuously measure the temperature and dynamically control the introduction of said fluids into the combustion chamber to regulate the temperature.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment 25% ammonia aqua is mixed with water and injected into the combustion chamber through said tube. The water in the mix serves to reduce the temperature in the chamber.

[0017] The amount of water injected into the chamber is controlled to reach said optimal operating temperature range. The proportions between the ammonia aqua and the water is also controlled, in dependence of the amount of water injected, so that an optimal amount of ammonia is introduced into the chamber so as to reach a maximum reduction of the emission of NO and NO₂and also to minimize the ammonia slip. The amount of water and ammonia to be introduced into the combustion chamber varies with, for instance, the size of the combustion chamber and the temperature.

[0018] These objects among others are, according to a second aspect of the present invention, attained by providing a device for reducing the emission from a combustion or gasification plant having a combustion chamber. A supplier is arranged in said chamber for supplying at least a first fluid. The fluid is effective to reduce the emission of at least one substance and has an optimal operating temperature range. The device also comprises means for controlling the temperature in at least a volume of said chamber to be in said optimal temperature range.

[0019] According to a first preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, said device comprises an axially displaceable tube for displaceable insertion into said chamber. The tube is sealed in a first end and comprises orifices along its length. The first end is inserted into said chamber. Compressed air is supplied in the second end of said tube and forced to exit the tube through said orifices creating swirls in the flue gas in the combustion chamber, water is fed through a hose to the tube and thus made to eject, by the compressed air, through the orifices and into the combustion chamber. Ammonia aqua is mixed into said water in proportions suitable to achieve minimal or at least reduced emission of NO and NO₂. The device further comprises a thermocouple, preferably arranged on said tube, coupled to control means. Said control means is arranged to increase the amount of water ejected into the chamber if the temperature is above the optimal operating range and also to control the proportion of ammonia aqua mixed into the water so that an optimal amount of ammonia is introduced into the combustion chamber.

[0020] The device further comprises means for injecting a third fluid into said combustion chamber. The third fluid is effective to raise the temperature if the temperature is below the optimal operating temperature range. Suitably the third fluid is inserted into the chamber through the tube, but separate means is also possible to use. The third fluid can be hydrocarbon fuel in gaseous, liquid or fixed form such as natural gas, oil or pulverized wood, which will increase the combustion if introduced into a combustion chamber.

[0021] Preferably, the water is drawn from the mains, or is wastewater or is water that has been used for cooling the tubes.

[0022] If the object is to reduce the emission of NO and NO₂, a suitable operating temperature range is 800°-1200° C., preferably 830°-1000° C. and particularly 850°-950° C.

[0023] Further characteristics of the invention and advantages thereof will be evident from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention.

[0024] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description of embodiments of the present invention given herein below and the accompanying FIGS. 1-6, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, which shows a combustion chamber in cross-section with a tube according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tube with parts of the tube removed.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a graph of NO_x-out/NO_x-in plotted against temperature for several levels of inlet O₂concentrations.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a graph of ammonia slip emission plotted against temperature for several levels of inlet O₂concentrations.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the tube according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram for the method of controlling the temperature according to the invention.

[0031] In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular techniques and applications in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and apparatuses are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary details.

[0032] With reference to FIG. 1, a combustion plant 2 comprises a combustion chamber 3 for combustion of fixed fuels having a lower grating (not shown). The fuel may be supplied intermittent or continuously and primary combustion air is blown in from beneath through the lower grating to the combustion chamber 3. Secondary air is supplied through supply devices, one of which is shown and denoted 1. The supply device has a tube 5, which is axially displaceable and enters the combustion chamber 3 through an opening in the wall of the combustion plant 2.

[0033] Some of the particles will deposit on the inside walls, having water or steam tubing 4, as well as on the tube 5 itself. These particles may clog the orifices 5eused for inject fluids or gas and for that matter the supply device 1 is provided with cleaning means for removing flue dust from the tube 5.

[0034] Compressed air or re-circulated flue gas is supplied to the tube 5 from a fan (not shown) via tubing 6 and flexible hose 7. The hose 7 comprises a quick coupling device that is connectable to a corresponding coupling device on the tube 5.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 2, the tube in FIG. 1 is disclosed in more detail. The tube comprises a first outer jacket 5aand an inner tube 5b. Openings or orifices 5eare distributed over the tube 5 for ejecting gas or fluids. Gas or fluids are ejected through said orifices under pressure to disturb the flue gas to create swirls or turbulence in the flue gas stream in the combustion chamber. Three cooling tubes are helically arranged around the inner tube 5band fed with water through flexible hose 30. A further flexible hose 31 removes the used cooling water. Both the outer jacket 5aand the inner tube 5bhave a closed inner end. A further hose 8 is arranged to supply ammonia aqua to the tube for ejection into the combustion chamber 3. Since the ejection of gas or fluids through the orifices 5ecreates swirls in the flue gas column in the combustion chamber, the ammonia injected into the combustion chamber is effectively mixed with the flue gas and will thus have an increased reactivity. The ammonia reacts with NO and NO₂, commonly denoted NO_x, and reduces the emission of these substances. It should be noted that even though ammonia aqua is used in this preferred embodiment ammonia in gas form may equally well be used, or even preferred.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a graph over NO_x-out/NO_x-in plotted against temperature for several inlet oxygen concentrations. The dashed line corresponds to 0.5% O₂, the dash-dot line corresponds to 2% O₂, the dash-dot-dot line corresponds to 5% and the dotted line to 10% O₂. The temperature is given in degrees Celsius and as can easily be seen from the graph, the emission is at a minima around 850° to 1100° C., somewhat depending on the inlet oxygen concentration. Particularly, the emission is very low around 850° to 950° C. for all oxygen concentrations.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a graph over emission of NH₃and thus represents the slip of ammonia injected into the combustion chamber plotted against the temperature (in degrees Celsius) for several inlet oxygen concentrations. The level of NH₃is given in ppm (parts per million). The dashed line corresponds to 0.5% O₂, the dash-dot line corresponds to 2% O₂, the dash-dot-dot line corresponds to 5% and the dotted line to 10% O₂. As can be seen from the graph the emission of NH₃drops sharply from 850° C. and is practically insignificant for temperatures above 950° C.

[0038] It is clear from FIGS. 3 and 4 that an optimal operating temperature range for introduction of ammonia into the combustion chamber is between 830° to 1100° degrees Celsius, and particularly between 850° and 950° C. It is, however, common that the temperature in the combustion chamber 3 is above this range.

[0039] In this respect the tube 5, FIG. 2, has a thermocouple 9 arranged to measure the temperature in the immediate surroundings of the tube 5. If the temperature is too high, re-circulated flue gas is mixed into the secondary compressed air ejected through the orifices 5einto the combustion chamber 3. The effect of mixing air with flue gas is to reduce the amount of oxygen in the injected air thereby achieving a less violent combustion and thus a lower temperature. If, on the other hand, the temperature is to low, fuels may be added to increase the temperature. In this respect hydrocarbon fuels in a variety of forms may be used, that is, gaseous fuels, e.g. natural gas, fluid fuels, e.g. oil and fixed fuels, e.g. pulverized wood.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 5, a tube 501 is disclosed in cross-section, according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Like details are denoted with same numerals. Compressed air 10 is fed to the inner tube and is forced to exit through openings or orifices 5e. A hose 8 for supplying aqua ammonia to the tube 5 is coupled to a three-way valve 11. With the ejection of the compressed air into the combustion chamber swirls or turbulence is created in the flue gas stream in the combustion chamber. Thus an increased efficiency with regards to mixing the ammonia into the flue gas is achieved, thus increasing the reactivity of the ammonia with the flue gas resulting in even lower emissions of NO_x. To the three-way valve 11 is also fed 25% ammonia aqua through a hose 12. A first check valve 13 is arranged to regulate the amount of ammonia aqua supplied to the three-way valve 11 and a second check valve 14 controls the amount of water supplied. A thermocouple 9 is coupled to a processor 15, which in turn is coupled to the first and second check valves. The processor is arranged to control the amount of water supplied into the tube 5 through the hose 8 and also to control the amount of ammonia aqua in the water, by adjusting the first and second check valves 13, 14, respectively.

[0041] For example, if the processor records that the temperature is 1000° C. and the upper limit value for the optimal operating temperature range is 950°, the processor may determine that for example 10 kg water per minute shall be introduced into the combustion chamber 3 to reduce the temperature. The amount of ammonia to be injected into the combustion chamber may be set to for example 0.25 kg per minute. This equals 1 Kg per minute of 25% ammonia aqua. The processor thus set the first check valve 13 to let through 1 Kg of 25% ammonia aqua per minute and set the second check valve to let through approximately 9 Kg water per minute. When the temperature drops, the proportions is of course changed until equilibrium is achieved. If the temperature is too low a hydrocarbon fuel such as natural gas is injected.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Initially, in box 601, fixed parameters are set, such as optimal operating temperature range, amount of ammonia to introduce into the combustion chamber 3 etc. The temperature is established 602. Then the process enters box 603 where it is established if the temperature is above the optimal operating temperature range. If so the amount of water injected into the combustion chamber 3 is increased 604. If not the process continues to box 605 where it is established if the temperature is below the optimal operating temperature range. It so natural gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 3. New reading of the temperature is then performed 602.

[0043] It will be obvious that the invention may be varied in a plurality of ways. The natural gas or the water may be introduced into the combustion chamber through its own tubing. The thermocouple may be arranged on the combustion chamber wall. A plant may have only means to increase the temperature in the combustion chamber 3, or alternatively only means to lower the temperature.

[0044] Even though only emissions of NO_xhas been discussed in the foregoing, other types of emissions can be lowered using the same methods and devices, however with use of other fluids. For instance, injecting limestone or bicarbonate into the combustion chamber may reduce emissions of SO_x, hydrochloric acid, heavy metals and dioxin. These processes will also have optimal operating temperature ranges and would thus be well suited to use with the inventive devices and methods. It is thus clear that the present invention is not limited to reducing emission of a particular substance, but indeed would be suitable for optimizing several different emissions characteristics.

[0045] Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the invention. All such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.