Method for methane oxidation and, apparatus for use therewith

Abstract

The invention is a method and apparatus for use therewith for the combustion of methane. The method employs reformation of methane and oxygen in fuel-rich proportions into carbon monoxide and hydrogen and residual methane. The carbon monoxide, hydrogen and residual methane is then combined with oxidant in fuel lean proportions to continue oxidation in a porous media that absorbs some of the heat of oxidation and radiates the heat as infrared radiation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for combustion of a fuel including methane, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a fluid stream that includes fuel and oxygen in fuel rich proportions to a reformation reactor having a catalyst therein upon which at least a portion of the fuel stream contacts;    reforming, via catalytic reaction, at least a portion of the methane in the fuel into carbon monoxide and hydrogen to form an exhaust stream having various fuel constituents therein;    associating oxygen with the exhaust stream, the oxygen being provided in quantities that cause the ratio of oxygen and the fuel constituents in the exhaust stream to be in fuel lean proportions;    oxidizing at least a portion of the fuel constituents in the exhaust stream within a porous media creating a heat of reaction; and    radiating at least a portion of the heat of reaction from the porous media.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  having the additional step of preheating the fluid stream prior to the reforming step.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the porous media has a catalyst positioned on the surface thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A method for combustion of a fuel including methane, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a fluid stream including fuel and oxygen in fuel rich proportions;    reforming at least a portion of the methane in the fluid stream into carbon monoxide and hydrogen to create an exhaust stream from the catalyst having various fuel constituents therein;    associating oxygen with the exhaust stream, the oxygen having a volume in fuel lean proportions to the fuel constituents within the exhaust stream;    oxidizing at least a portion of the fuel constituents within a porous media creating a heat of reaction; and    radiating at least a portion of the heat of reaction from the porous media.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  having the additional step of preheating the fluid stream prior to the reforming step.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  having an additional step of dispersing the exhaust stream prior to associating with oxygen.  
     
     
         7 . A catalytic burner comprising: 
 a reformation reactor having a catalyst therein suitable for the converting of at least a portion of the methane in the fuel stream including methane and oxygen in fuel rich proportions to carbon monoxide and hydrogen for creating an exhaust stream;    a manifold having a plurality of discharges, the manifold in fluid communication with the exhaust stream and defining a plurality discharges;    a porous media: 
 means defining a flow path between at least some of the discharges and the porous media; and  
 means for introducing oxygen into the flow path such that the exhaust stream and oxygen are in fuel lean proportions.  
   
     
     
         8 . The catalytic burner of  claim 7  wherein the porous media is a plurality of stacked short-channel screens.  
     
     
         9 . The catalytic burner of  claim 7  wherein the porous media has a catalyst positioned on the surface thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The catalytic burner of  claim 7  further comprising a heat exchanger, downstream of the porous media for receiving and passing the fuel therethrough.  
     
     
         11 . The catalytic burner of  claim 8  wherein the heat exchanger is a spiral shape tube.  
     
     
         12 . The catalytic burner of  claim 7  wherein the manifold includes a hub having a plurality of spokes extending therefrom.  
     
     
         13 . The catalytic burner of  claim 7  wherein at least a portion of the reformation reactor is positioned within the porous media.  
     
     
         14 . A catalytic burner comprising: 
 a reformation reactor for reforming an inlet stream;    a manifold having a plurality of discharges;    means defining a first flow path between the reformation reactor and the manifold;    a porous media: 
 means defining a second flow path between at least some of the discharges and the porous media; and  
 means for introducing oxidant into the second flow path.  
   
     
     
         15 . The catalytic burner of  claim 14  wherein the porous media is a plurality of stacked short-channel screens.  
     
     
         16 . The catalytic burner of  claim 14  wherein the porous media has a catalyst positioned on the surface thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The catalytic burner of  claim 14  further comprising a heat exchanger located downstream of the porous media.  
     
     
         18 . The catalytic burner of  claim 17  wherein the heat exchanger is a spiral shape tube.  
     
     
         19 . The catalytic burner of  claim 14  wherein the manifold a hub having a plurality of spokes extending therefrom.  
     
     
         20 . The catalytic burner of  claim 14  wherein at least a portion of the reformation reactor is positioned within the porous media.