초록 ▼

A low NOx generating combustor in which a first lean mixture of fuel and air is pre-heated by transferring heat from hot gas discharging from the combustor. The preheated first fuel/air mixture is then catalyzed in a catalytic reactor and then combusted so as to produce a hot gas having a temperatur

A low NOx generating combustor in which a first lean mixture of fuel and air is pre-heated by transferring heat from hot gas discharging from the combustor. The preheated first fuel/air mixture is then catalyzed in a catalytic reactor and then combusted so as to produce a hot gas having a temperature in excess of the ignition temperature of the fuel. Second and third lean mixtures of fuel and air are then sequentially introduced into the hot gas, thereby raising their temperatures above the ignition temperature and causing homogeneous combustion of the second and third fuel air mixtures. This homogeneous combustion is enhanced by the presence of the free radicals created during the catalyzation of the first fuel/air mixture. In addition, the catalytic reactor acts as a pilot that imparts stability to the combustion of the lean second and third fuel/air mixtures.

대표청구항 ▼

A combustor for burning a fuel in air, comprising: a) means for mixing a first flow of fuel into a first flow of air in a mixing zone, thereby producing a first fuel/air mixture; b) a combustion catalyst, and means for directing said first fuel/air mixture through said catalyst so as to produce a ca

A combustor for burning a fuel in air, comprising: a) means for mixing a first flow of fuel into a first flow of air in a mixing zone, thereby producing a first fuel/air mixture; b) a combustion catalyst, and means for directing said first fuel/air mixture through said catalyst so as to produce a catalyzed fuel/air mixture; c) a first combustion zone in which said catalyzed fuel/air mixture is combusted, thereby producing a combusted gas; d) a second combustion zone disposed downstream of said first combustion zone, and means for directing said combusted gas from said first combustion zone to said second combustion zone; e) means for mixing a second fuel/air mixture into said combusted gas in said second combustion zone and combusting said second fuel/air mixture, thereby producing a further combusted gas; f) a third combustion zone disposed downstream of said second combustion zone, and means for directing said further combusted gas from said second combustion zone to said third combustion zone; g) means for mixing a third fuel/air mixture into said further gas in said third combustion zone and combusting said third fuel/air mixture, thereby producing a still further combusted gas; and h) means for transferring heat from said still further combusted gas to said first fuel/air mixture for heating said first fuel/air mixture prior to directing said first fuel/air mixture through said combustion catalyst.