Reducing sulfur gas emissions resulting from the burning of carbonaceous fuels
First Claim
1. A method for reducing the amount of sulfur gases released into the atmosphere upon combustion of a sulfur-containing coal in a furnace, the method comprising:
- preparing a combustible fuel composition by applying a sorbent composition onto the sulfur-containing coal, wherein the combustible fuel composition consists of the sulfur-containing coal and the applied sorbent;
delivering the combustible fuel composition into the furnace; and
combusting the combustible fuel composition in the furnace to produce heat energy and ash,wherein the sorbent composition comprises calcium nitrate, calcium nitrite, or both, wherein upon combustion of the coal to release its heat energy, the amount of sulfur in the ash is increased relative to the amount that would be produced by combustion of the coal without applying the sorbent composition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for burning coal or other carbonaceous fuels captures sulfur and other undesirable compounds are captured and retained in non-reactive ceramic-like form after the combustion phase. The process involves addition of multiple element alkali powders and/or sorbents preferably containing oxidizing anions such as nitrates and nitrites, preferably based on calcium. In various embodiments, the remediation materials when applied in a complex powder and/or liquid containing multiple elements, result in higher sulfur capture than the materials would otherwise achieve on an individual basis. In a preferred embodiment, the sorbents contain elements that minimize or lower the melting point of the ash. This leads to lowered cohesiveness and toughness of the ash so that less ash builds up on the boiler and better heat transfer is obtained.
151 Citations
60 Claims
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1. A method for reducing the amount of sulfur gases released into the atmosphere upon combustion of a sulfur-containing coal in a furnace, the method comprising:
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preparing a combustible fuel composition by applying a sorbent composition onto the sulfur-containing coal, wherein the combustible fuel composition consists of the sulfur-containing coal and the applied sorbent; delivering the combustible fuel composition into the furnace; and combusting the combustible fuel composition in the furnace to produce heat energy and ash, wherein the sorbent composition comprises calcium nitrate, calcium nitrite, or both, wherein upon combustion of the coal to release its heat energy, the amount of sulfur in the ash is increased relative to the amount that would be produced by combustion of the coal without applying the sorbent composition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 53, 54)
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6. A method for reducing the amount of sulfur gases released into the atmosphere upon combustion of a sulfur-containing coal in a furnace, the method comprising:
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applying a powder sorbent composition onto the sulfur-containing coal; delivering a combustible fuel composition comprising the applied powder sorbent composition and the sulfur-containing coal into the furnace; and combusting the sulfur-containing coal with the powder sorbent composition applied to produce heat energy and ash, wherein the powder sorbent composition comprises 20-50% by weight Portland cement 20-40% by weight calcium oxide 15-25% by weight of a dolomitic material selected from the group consisting of dolomite and burnt dolomite, and 5-15% by weight of an aluminosilicate clay, and wherein upon combustion of the coal to release its heat energy, the amount of sulfur in the ash is increased relative to the amount that would be produced by combustion of the coal without applying the powder sorbent composition. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 55, 56)
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11. A method for reducing sulfur gases and/or mercury released into the atmosphere upon combustion of a coal containing sulfur and/or mercury comprising:
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applying a powder sorbent composition onto the coal, delivering a combustible fuel composition consisting of the applied powder sorbent composition and the sulfur-containing coal into the furnace; and combusting the coal in the furnace with the powder sorbent composition applied to produce heat energy and ash, wherein the powder sorbent composition comprises Portland cement, at least one water soluble chlorine containing inorganic compound, calcium oxide, optionally an aluminosilicate clay, and an alkali metal salt selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium oxide, and potassium oxide, wherein upon combustion of the coal to release its heat energy, the amount of sulfur in the ash is increased relative to the amount that would be produced by combustion of the coal without applying the powder sorbent composition. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 57, 58)
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16. A method for reducing the sulfur gases released in the atmosphere upon combustion of sulfur-containing coal in a furnace, the method comprising
applying a liquid sorbent and a powder sorbent onto the sulfur-containing coal, wherein the liquid sorbent comprises water and solids, the solids comprising at least one soluble salt selected from the group consisting of soluble metal nitrates and soluble metal nitrites and the powder sorbent comprises calcium to make a combustible fuel composition consisting of the sulfur-containing coal and the applied sorbents; -
delivering the combustible fuel composition into the furnace; and combusting the combustible fuel composition in the furnace to produce heat energy and ash, wherein upon combustion of the coal to release its heat energy, the amount of sulfur in the ash is increased relative to the amount that would be produced by combustion of the coal without applying the liquid sorbent and powder sorbent. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 50, 51, 52, 59, 60)
calcium oxide; at least one water soluble chlorine containing inorganic compound; aluminosilicate clay; and at least one alkali metal salt selected from the group consisting of potassium silicate, sodium silicate, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium oxide, and sodium oxide.
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59. A method according to claim 16, wherein the coal being combusted has 2-4.5% by weight sulfur.
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60. A method according to claim 16, wherein the sulfur-containing coal is selected from bituminous coal, anthracite coal, and lignite coal.
Specification