System and method for combustion of non-gaseous fuels and derivatives thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods that are useful for one or more aspects of a power production plant. More particularly, the disclosure relates to combustor apparatuses and methods for a combustor adapted to utilize different fuel mixtures derived from gasification of a solid fuel. Combustion of the different fuel mixtures within the combustor can be facilitated by arranging elements of the combustor controlled so that a defined set of combustion characteristics remains substantially constant across a range of different fuel mixtures.

1 . A power production plant comprising:
 a gasifier configured for receiving a solid fuel and providing a gaseous fuel;   a combustor configured for receiving the gaseous fuel, an oxidant, and a diluent, and outputting a combustor exhaust stream; and   a turbine configured to receive the combustor exhaust stream;   wherein the combustor includes an outer casing and a combustor liner defining a combustion chamber therein, at least a portion of an outer surface of the combustor liner being configured to receive a flow of any one or more of the fuel, the oxidant, and the diluent thereagainst prior to being received by the combustion chamber to thereby provide for cooling of the combustor liner.   
     
     
         2 . The power production plant of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the combustor liner includes a periphery and a length, and wherein substantially the entirety of the outer surface of the combustor liner, about the periphery and along the length thereof, is configured to receive the flow of any one or more of the fuel, the oxidant, or the diluent thereagainst prior to being received by the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The power production plant of  claim 1 , wherein the combustor liner comprises a plurality of longitudinally-extending reinforcing rib members engaged with the outer surface of the combustor liner, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the combustor liner between adjacent reinforcing rib members is configured to receive the flow of any one or more of the fuel, the oxidant, and the diluent thereagainst prior to being received by the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The power production plant of  claim 3 , further comprising a sleeve member extending about the outer surface of the combustor liner and the plurality of reinforcing rib members, the sleeve member cooperating with at least the reinforcing rib members to define a plurality of longitudinally-extending cooling channels about the outer surface of the combustor liner, the flow of any one or more of the fuel, the oxidant, and the diluent being directed through the cooling channels and against the outside surface of the combustion chamber prior to being received by the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The power production plant of  claim 1 , wherein the combustor liner comprises one or more openings defined therein and adapted for passage therethrough of the oxidant into the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The power production plant of  claim 1 , wherein the combustor liner comprises one or more openings defined therein and adapted for passage therethrough of the diluent into the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The power production plant of  claim 1 , wherein the combustor liner comprises a first, inner liner and a second, outer liner. 
     
     
         8 . The power production plant of  claim 7 , wherein the inner liner and the outer liner are spaced apart so as to define a space therebetween, the space being adapted for passage therethrough of the diluent. 
     
     
         9 . The power production plant of  claim 1 , wherein the combustion chamber defines a reaction zone and a dilution zone. 
     
     
         10 . The power production plant of  claim 1 , wherein the combustor further comprises an oxidant injector engaging an upstream end of the combustor liner. 
     
     
         11 . The power production plant of  claim 10 , wherein the oxidant injector comprises a first stage oxidant injector arranged to introduce at least a first portion of at least the oxidant into the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The power production plant of  claim 11 , wherein the first stage oxidant injector includes a swirler device configured to direct the oxidant into the combustion chamber at an angle relative to axial. 
     
     
         13 . The power production plant of  claim 12 , wherein the swirler device comprises a plurality of angled oxidant vents configured to direct the oxidant into the combustion chamber at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to axial. 
     
     
         14 . The power production plant of  claim 10 , wherein the oxidant injector includes a passage therethrough configured for engagement by a fuel nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The power production plant of  claim 11 , wherein the oxidant injector comprises a second stage oxidant injector arranged to introduce a second portion of at least the oxidant through a wall of the combustor liner defining the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The power production plant of  claim 15 , wherein the second stage oxidant injector is arranged relative to the first stage oxidant injector so that the second portion of at least the oxidant is introduced through the wall of the combustor liner downstream from the first stage oxidant injector. 
     
     
         17 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A power production method comprising:
 gasifying a solid fuel to form a gaseous fuel;   injecting the gaseous fuel from the gasifier into a combustor with an oxidant and a diluent so as to combust the fuel and form a combustor exhaust stream; and   passing the combustor exhaust stream through a turbine to generate power;   wherein the combustor includes an outer casing and a combustor liner defining a combustion chamber therein, and wherein a flow of any one or more of the gaseous fuel, the oxidant, and the diluent is passed along at least a portion of an outer surface of the combustor liner prior to being received by the combustion chamber to thereby provide for cooling of the combustor liner.   
     
     
         22 . The power production method of  claim 21 , wherein the combustor liner comprises a plurality of longitudinally-extending reinforcing rib members engaged with the outer surface of the combustor liner, and wherein the flow of any one or more of the fuel, the oxidant, is passed along at least a portion of the outer surface of the combustor liner between adjacent reinforcing rib members prior to being received by the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         23 . The power production method of  claim 21 , wherein the combustor liner comprises one or more openings defined therein, and wherein at least a portion of the oxidant is passed through the one or more openings into the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The power production method of  claim 21 , wherein the combustor liner comprises one or more openings defined therein, and wherein at least a portion of the diluent is passed through the one or more openings into the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         25 - 28 . (canceled)