Combustion Methods, Apparatuses and Systems

Abstract

Fuel combustion and waste conversion can be achieved by passing an axial vortex stream in a combustion chamber in a first linear direction, and passing a peripheral vortex stream as a counterflow to the axial vortex stream in a direction generally opposing the first linear direction. The peripheral and axial vortex streams can be merged so that a first fuel and oxidant in the streams at least partially combust to form a product stream, the product stream moving in the first linear direction to an outlet at the second end of the combustion chamber. Vortices can be generated by tangentially introducing fluid streams into the one or more chambers. A primary chamber, a main chamber, and an afterburner chamber can be connected in series. Second fuel and pre-chambers can be used to stabilize and enhance combustion. Reagents can be introduced to refine gaseous streams including pollutants.

1 - 92 . (canceled) 
     
     
         93 . A combustion method comprising:
 a) generating an axial vortex stream, and passing the axial vortex stream between a first end and a second end of a main chamber in a first linear direction;   b) generating a peripheral vortex stream, and passing the peripheral vortex stream as a counterflow to the axial vortex stream in a direction generally opposing the first linear direction; and   c) merging the peripheral vortex stream with the axial vortex stream to form a product stream, the product stream moving in the first linear direction to an outlet at the second end of the main chamber.   
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the axial vortex stream includes a first fuel and the peripheral vortex stream includes a first oxidant, and the first fuel of the axial vortex stream and the first oxidant of the peripheral vortex stream at least partially combust to form the product stream. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the axial and peripheral vortex streams are generated having the same rotational polarity. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein, in step (c), the peripheral vortex stream is merged with the axial vortex stream proximate to the first end of the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 96 , wherein, in step (b), the peripheral vortex stream is generated by tangentially introducing a first stream to the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the first stream is introduced to form the peripheral vortex stream proximate to the second end of the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein the first stream includes the oxidant. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the first stream includes a second fuel. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 96 , wherein the first stream includes a first pre-chamber product stream from at least one first pre-chamber, the at least one first pre-chamber including a source of a second fuel, a source of the oxidant, and an ignition source, wherein the second fuel and the oxidant have at least partially combusted in the at least one first pre-chamber to form the first pre-chamber product stream. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the second fuel has a higher heat of combustion than the first fuel. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the axial vortex stream is formed upstream from an inlet at the first end of the main chamber, and the axial vortex stream is passed through the inlet. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein, in step (a), the axial vortex stream is generated by passing a second stream, and tangentially introducing a third stream to combine with the second stream. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein the second stream includes the first fuel and the third stream includes the oxidant. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the third stream includes a second pre-chamber product stream from at least one second pre-chamber, the at least one second pre-chamber including a source of a second fuel, a source of the oxidant, and an ignition source, wherein the second fuel and the oxidant have at least partially combusted in the at least one second pre-chamber to form the second pre-chamber product stream. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the second fuel has a higher heat of combustion than the first fuel. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 93 , further comprising cooling the product stream to avoid recombination of molecules. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein a fourth gas stream is introduced to the product stream downstream from the outlet to cool the product stream. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein the fourth gas stream is tangentially introduced to the product stream. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein velocities of the axial and peripheral vortex streams are controlled to provide substantially full combustion of the first fuel and the oxidant. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 111 , wherein compositions of the axial and peripheral vortex streams are controlled so as to provide a stoichiometric excess of oxidant relative to the first and second fuels. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 112 , further comprising monitoring combustion data representing at least one of temperature, fuel quantity, air quantity, and pressure, and using the data as feedback to control the axial and peripheral vortex streams. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the data is gathered using a microprocessor, and the microprocessor calculates optimum control parameters using a mathematical combustion model. 
     
     
         115 . An apparatus comprising a housing including interior sidewalls, the sidewalls defining a main chamber, the main chamber including an inlet, an outlet, and first and second ends, the inlet for passing an axial vortex stream to the first end, the axial vortex stream including a first fuel, the second end including an outlet for expelling a product stream, the main chamber including at least one first channel disposed between the first and second ends, the at least one first channel for introducing fluid into the main chamber to form a peripheral vortex stream including an oxidant as a counterflow to the axial vortex stream. 
     
     
         116 . The apparatus of  claim 115 , wherein the interior walls of the main chamber are generally cylindrical and converge in a flow direction of the axial vortex stream from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         117 . The apparatus of  claim 116 , further comprising a merging surface within the main chamber for merging the peripheral and axial vortex streams. 
     
     
         118 . The apparatus of  claim 117 , wherein the merging surface is located along the sidewalls of the main chamber at the first end thereof. 
     
     
         119 . The apparatus of  claim 118 , wherein the merging surface is frusto-toroidal in shape. 
     
     
         120 . The apparatus of  claim 115 , wherein the inlet comprises a cylindrical sleeve extending into the main chamber, the sleeve for directing flow of the axial vortex stream into the main chamber. 
     
     
         121 . The apparatus of  claim 120 , wherein the sleeve is frusto-conical in shape. 
     
     
         122 . The apparatus of  claim 121 , wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         123 . The apparatus of  claim 115 , further comprising a first injection zone for producing a first stream, the first injection zone in fluid communication with the at least one first channel for providing the first stream to the main chamber, the first stream forming the peripheral vortex stream. 
     
     
         124 . The apparatus of  claim 123 , wherein the first injection zone is generally annular in shape and extends radially around a circumference of the main chamber. 
     
     
         125 . The apparatus of  claim 124 , wherein the first injection zone includes a plurality of swirl vanes for directing rotational fluid flow. 
     
     
         126 . The apparatus of  claim 123 , wherein the first injection zone includes an oxidant source for injecting an oxidant to form at least a portion of the first stream. 
     
     
         127 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the oxidant source is tangentially aligned within the first injection zone. 
     
     
         128 . The apparatus of  claim 123 , wherein the first injection zone includes a fuel source for injecting a second fuel to form at least a portion of the first stream. 
     
     
         129 . The apparatus of  claim 128 , wherein the fuel source is tangentially aligned within the first injection zone. 
     
     
         130 . The apparatus of  claim 123 , wherein the first injection zone includes at least one pre-chamber, the at least one pre-chamber including a fuel source for supplying a second fuel, an oxidant source for supplying an oxidant, an igniter, and an outlet for exhausting a second pre-chamber product stream. 
     
     
         131 . The apparatus of  claim 130 , wherein the outlet of the at least one pre-chamber is tangentially aligned within the first injection zone. 
     
     
         132 . The apparatus of  claim 115 , further comprising a primary chamber in fluid communication with the inlet of the main chamber, the primary chamber including a primary inlet for receiving a second stream, and at least one second channel for supplying a third stream, the second and third streams mixing in the primary chamber to form the axial vortex stream. 
     
     
         133 . The apparatus of  claim 132 , wherein the primary inlet is connected to a source of the first fuel, the first fuel forming at least a portion of the second stream. 
     
     
         134 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , further comprising a second injection zone for producing the third stream, the second injection zone in communication with the at least one second channel for providing the third stream to the primary chamber. 
     
     
         135 . The apparatus of  claim 134 , wherein the second injection zone is generally annular in shape and extends radially around a circumference of the primary chamber. 
     
     
         136 . The apparatus of  claim 135 , wherein the second injection zone includes a plurality of swirl vanes for directing rotational fluid flow. 
     
     
         137 . The apparatus of  claim 134 , wherein the second injection zone includes an oxidant source for injecting an oxidant to form at least a portion of the third stream. 
     
     
         138 . The apparatus of  claim 137 , wherein the oxidant source is tangentially aligned within the second injection zone. 
     
     
         139 . The apparatus of  claim 134 , wherein the second injection zone includes at least one pre-chamber, the at least one pre-chamber including a fuel source for supplying a second fuel, an oxidant source for supplying an oxidant, an igniter, and a pre-chamber outlet for exhausting a second pre-chamber product stream. 
     
     
         140 . The apparatus of  claim 139 , wherein the pre-chamber outlet of the at least one second pre-chamber is tangentially aligned within the second injection zone. 
     
     
         141 . The apparatus of  claim 115 , further comprising an afterburner chamber in fluid communication with the outlet of the main chamber, the afterburner chamber for receiving the product stream and cooling the product stream. 
     
     
         142 . The apparatus of  claim 141 , wherein the afterburner chamber includes at least one third channel for introducing a fourth stream to the product stream, the fourth stream comprising a coolant fluid. 
     
     
         143 . The apparatus of  claim 142 , further comprising a third injection zone for producing the fourth stream, the third injection zone in fluid communication with the at least one third channel for providing the fourth stream to the afterburner chamber. 
     
     
         144 . The apparatus of  claim 143 , wherein the third injection zone is generally annular in shape and extends radially around a circumference of the afterburner chamber. 
     
     
         145 . The apparatus of  claim 144 , wherein the third injection zone includes a plurality of swirl vanes for directing rotational fluid flow. 
     
     
         146 . A method of gas refinement, comprising:
 d) providing an axial stream, and passing the axial stream in a main chamber in a first linear direction from a first end towards a second end, the axial stream including at least one pollutant;   e) generating a first peripheral vortex stream, the peripheral vortex stream including at least one reagent; and   f) merging the first peripheral vortex stream with the axial stream to form a product stream, the at least one pollutant and the at least one reagent at least partially reacting in the product stream, the product stream moving in the first linear direction to an outlet at the second end of the main chamber.   
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein the at least one pollutant is selected from the group consisting of SO 2 , NO x  and CO 2 . 
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the at least one first reagent is selected from the group consisting of NH 3 , CO(NH 2 ) 2 , C, H 2 O and CaO. 
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein the at least one pollutant is selected from the group consisting of SO 2  and NO 2 , and the at least one reagent is selected from the group consisting of NH 3  and CO(NH 2 ) 2 . 
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the peripheral vortex stream further comprises at least one second reagent selected from the group consisting of NaHCO 3 , CaCO 3 , CaO and Ca(OH) 2 . 
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein the at least one pollutant comprises CO 2 , and the at least one reagent is selected from the group consisting of NH 3 , C, H 2 O and CaO. 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein, prior to step (c), the peripheral vortex stream is passed as a counterflow to the axial vortex stream in a direction generally opposing the first linear direction. 
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 152  wherein, in step (c), the peripheral vortex stream is merged with the axial vortex stream proximate to the first end of the main chamber. 
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein, in step (b), the peripheral vortex stream is generated by tangentially introducing a first stream to the combustion chamber, the first stream including the at least one first reagent. 
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 154 , wherein, in step (b), the first stream is tangentially introduced proximate to a source of the at least one first reagent. 
     
     
         156 . The method of  claim 155 , wherein the first stream comprises an oxidant. 
     
     
         157 . The method of  claim 156 , further comprising introducing a fuel to the first stream. 
     
     
         158 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein, in step (b), the first peripheral vortex stream is generated at least in part by tangentially introducing a first pre-chamber product stream from at least one first pre-chamber, the at least one first pre-chamber including a source of a fuel, a source of the oxidant, and an ignition source, the fuel and the oxidant at least partially combusting in the at least one first pre-chamber to form the first pre-chamber product stream. 
     
     
         159 . The method of  claim 146 , further comprising cooling the product stream to avoid recombination of molecules. 
     
     
         160 . An apparatus for gas refinement, comprising:
 g) a housing including interior sidewalls, the sidewalls defining a main chamber, the main chamber including first and second ends and an inlet for introducing an axial stream that passes in a first linear direction from the first end to the second end of the main chamber, the axial stream including at least one pollutant, the second end including an outlet for expelling a product stream;   h) at least one first channel disposed between the first and second ends of the main chamber; and   i) a first injection zone for producing a first stream, the first injection zone including a source of at least one first reagent, the first injection zone in fluid communication with the at least one first channel for providing the first stream to the main chamber to form a peripheral vortex stream, the at least one pollutant in the axial stream and the at least one reagent in the peripheral vortex stream at least partially reacting in the product stream.   
     
     
         161 . The apparatus of  claim 160 , wherein the at least one pollutant is selected from the group consisting of SO 2  and NO 2 , and the at least one reagent is selected from the group consisting of NH 3  and CO(NH 2 ) 2 . 
     
     
         162 . The apparatus of  claim 160 , wherein the at least one pollutant is CO 2 , and the at least one reagent is selected from the group consisting of NH 3 , C, H 2 O and CaO. 
     
     
         163 . The apparatus of  claim 160 , wherein the first injection zone is generally annular in shape and extends radially around a circumference of the main chamber. 
     
     
         164 . The apparatus of  claim 163 , wherein the first injection zone includes a plurality of swirl vanes for directing rotational fluid flow. 
     
     
         165 . The apparatus of  claim 164 , wherein the first injection zone includes an oxidant source for injecting an oxidant to form at least a portion of the first stream. 
     
     
         166 . The apparatus of  claim 165 , wherein the oxidant source is tangentially aligned within the first injection zone. 
     
     
         167 . The apparatus of  claim 166 , wherein the oxidant source is proximate to the source of the at least one first reagent. 
     
     
         168 . The apparatus of  claim 160 , wherein the first injection zone includes a fuel source for injecting a fuel to form at least a portion of the first stream. 
     
     
         169 . The apparatus of  claim 160 , wherein the first injection zone includes at least one pre-chamber, the at least one pre-chamber including a fuel source for supplying a second fuel, an oxidant source for supplying an oxidant, an igniter, and an outlet for exhausting a second pre-chamber product stream. 
     
     
         170 . The apparatus of  claim 160 , further comprising an afterburner chamber in fluid communication with the outlet of the main chamber, the afterburner chamber for receiving the product stream and cooling the product stream.