Gradual oxidation and autoignition temperature controls
First Claim
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1. A system for oxidizing fuel, comprising:
- an oxidizer having a reaction chamber with an inlet and an outlet, the reaction chamber configured to receive a gas comprising an oxidizable fuel through the inlet and to maintain an oxidation process;
a detection module that detects when a reaction chamber temperature of the gas approaches or drops below an autoignition threshold of the gas within the reaction chamber, such that the reaction chamber will not oxidize the fuel and determines (i) an autoignition delay time and (ii) a lower flammability limit or an upper flammability limit of the gas, a flammability area being defined as a volumetric fuel concentration between the lower flammability limit and the upper flammability limit; and
a correction module that outputs instructions, based on the detection module, to change an autoignition delay time within the reaction chamber sufficient for the gas to autoignite and oxidize while within the reaction chamber and such that a flammability residence time of the gas within the flammability area is less than the autoignition delay time.
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Abstract
Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for oxidizing fuel, comprising:
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an oxidizer having a reaction chamber with an inlet and an outlet, the reaction chamber configured to receive a gas comprising an oxidizable fuel through the inlet and to maintain an oxidation process; a detection module that detects when a reaction chamber temperature of the gas approaches or drops below an autoignition threshold of the gas within the reaction chamber, such that the reaction chamber will not oxidize the fuel and determines (i) an autoignition delay time and (ii) a lower flammability limit or an upper flammability limit of the gas, a flammability area being defined as a volumetric fuel concentration between the lower flammability limit and the upper flammability limit; and a correction module that outputs instructions, based on the detection module, to change an autoignition delay time within the reaction chamber sufficient for the gas to autoignite and oxidize while within the reaction chamber and such that a flammability residence time of the gas within the flammability area is less than the autoignition delay time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for oxidizing fuel, comprising:
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an oxidizer having a reaction chamber with an inlet and an outlet, the reaction chamber configured to receive a gas comprising an oxidizable fuel through the inlet and to maintain an oxidation process; a detection module that detects when a reaction chamber temperature of the gas approaches or drops below an autoignition threshold of the gas within the reaction chamber, such that the reaction chamber will not oxidize the fuel and determines (i) an autoignition delay time and (ii) a lower flammability limit or an upper flammability limit of the gas, a flammability area being defined as a volumetric fuel concentration between the lower flammability limit and the upper flammability limit; and a correction module that is configured to determine, with a processor and based on the detection module, a change to a chamber residence time of the gas within the reaction chamber sufficient for the gas to autoignite and oxidize while within the reaction chamber and such that a flammability residence time of the gas within the flammability area is less than an autoignition delay time; wherein the oxidizer is configured to, based on the change to the chamber residence time, oxidize the gas while the gas is within the reaction chamber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for oxidizing fuel, comprising:
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an oxidizer having a reaction chamber with an inlet and an outlet, the reaction chamber configured to receive a gas comprising an oxidizable fuel through the inlet and to maintain an oxidation process; and a module that outputs instructions, based on detection of a reaction chamber temperature, to increase a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber, such that the fuel oxidizes while in the reaction chamber and such that a flammability residence time of the gas within the flammability area is less than the autoignition delay time. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification