Burner apparatus, submerged combustion melters including the burner, and methods of use

• US 9,533,906 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2014
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johns Manville Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Johns Manville Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Charbonneau, Mark William
• Primary Examiner(s): HERRING, LISA L
• Application Number:
  US14/486,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20150000344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 2211/23 using oxygen, i.e. pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 2211/60 oxy-fuel burner construction
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 5/18 Stirring devices; Homogenisation mixing in general B01F
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 5/2353 by combustion with pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air, e.g. using oxy-fuel burners or oxygen lances
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 5/2356 Submerged heating, e.g. by using heat pipes, hot gas or submerged combustion burners bubblers C03B5/193
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 11/108 medium and fuel intersecting downstream of the burner outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 11/12 characterised by the shape or arrangement of the outlets from the nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 11/36 Details , e.g. burner cooling means, noise reduction means
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 11/38 Nozzles; Cleaning devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/20 Non-premix gas burners, i.e. in which gaseous fuel is mixed with combustion air on arrival at the combustion zone F23D14/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/32 using a mixture of gaseous fuel and pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air F23D14/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/48 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/58 characterised by the shape or arrangement of the outlet or outlets from the nozzle, e.g. of annular configuration
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/64 with injectors
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/78 Cooling burner parts
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 2900/00006 Liquid fuel burners using pure oxygen or O2-enriched air as oxidant for gaseous fuels F23D14/32
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/34 Indirect CO2mitigation, i.e. by acting on non CO2directly related matters of the process, e.g. pre-heating or heat recovery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87249 Multiple inlet with multiple outlet

Abstract

Apparatus includes a first and second conduits configured to form an annulus between them. An adjustable structure includes a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circumferential surface abutting a portion of the internal surface of the second conduit. The structure is adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to the first conduit via a hub. The hub defines a central passage for fuel or oxidant. The body has one or more non-central through passages configured such that flow of an oxidant or fuel therethrough causes the fuel or oxidant to intersect flow of fuel or oxidant exiting from the central passage in a region above the upper surface of the body.

Claims

1. A submerged combustion method comprising:

a) flowing an oxidant into a primary annulus between inner and outer conduits of a concentric conduit submerged combustion burner;

b) flowing a fuel to the inner conduit of the concentric conduit submerged combustion burner;

c) flowing the oxidant through a plurality of non-central passages in an adjustable removable structure, and the fuel through a central passage in the adjustable removable structure, the adjustable removable structure comprising a body having an upper surface forming a constant angle α

with the longitudinal axis, a lower surface, a circumferential surface abutting a portion of an internal surface of the outer conduit, the body including a circumferential lip extension extending away from the upper surface of the body and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a generally cylindrical central hub concentric with a longitudinal axis of the inner conduit, the adjustable removable structure adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to a first end of the inner conduit via the generally cylindrical central hub, the generally cylindrical central hub defining the central passage having an exit at the upper surface, the body comprising the plurality of non-central passages extending from the lower to the upper surface, the plurality of non-central passages configured such that flow of oxidant through the plurality of non-central passages causes the oxidant to intersect flow of the fuel in a mixing region above the upper surface of the body;

d) flowing coolant through a secondary annulus external to the primary annulus, the secondary annulus formed by a third substantially concentric conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal surface, the internal surface of the third conduit forming, with an exterior surface of the outer conduit, the secondary annulus, wherein the first end of the third substantially concentric conduit extends beyond a first end of the outer conduit, the first end of the outer conduit extends beyond the first end of the inner conduit, and the secondary annulus is capped by an end cap connecting the first end of the outer conduit and the first end of the third substantially concentric conduit, wherein the end cap is half-torus shaped, the half-torus having an inner diameter equal to an inner diameter of the circumferential lip extension of the body, the diameters configured so that the end cap does not obstruct flow of combustion products out of the burner.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the oxidant is an oxygen stream comprising at least 90 mole percent oxygen, and the fuel is a gaseous fuel, the gaseous fuel selected from the group consisting of methane, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, steam-reformed natural gas, atomized oil or mixtures thereof.

3. A submerged combustion method of producing molten glass comprising:

a) flowing an oxidant into a primary annulus between inner and outer conduits of a concentric conduit submerged combustion burner;

b) flowing a fuel to the inner conduit of the concentric conduit submerged combustion burner;

c) flowing the oxidant through a plurality of non-central oxidant passages in an adjustable, removable structure, and the fuel through a central fuel passage in the adjustable removable structure, the adjustable removable structure comprising a body having an upper surface forming a constant angle α

with the longitudinal axis, a lower surface, a circumferential surface abutting a portion of an internal surface of the outer conduit, the body including a circumferential lip extension extending away from the upper surface of the body and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a generally cylindrical central hub concentric with a longitudinal axis of the inner conduit, the adjustable removable structure adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to a first end of the inner conduit via the generally cylindrical central hub, the generally cylindrical central hub defining the central fuel passage having an exit at the upper surface, the body comprising the plurality of non-central oxidant passages extending from the lower to the upper surface, the plurality of non-central oxidant passages configured such that flow of oxidant through the plurality of non-central oxidant passages causes the oxidant to intersect flow of the fuel in a mixing region above the upper surface of the body;

d) combusting at least some of the fuel in the mixing region to form a flame and combustion products, the mixing region defined by the upper surface of the body and a burner extension, wherein exits of the plurality of non-central oxidant passages and the exit of the central fuel passage are recessed from an exit of the burner extension;

e) directing the flame and combustion products into partially molten glass forming materials above the mixing region; and

f) flowing coolant through a secondary annulus external to the primary annulus, the secondary annulus formed by a third substantially concentric conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal surface, the internal surface of the third conduit forming, with an exterior surface of the outer conduit, the secondary annulus, wherein the first end of the third substantially concentric conduit extends beyond a first end of the outer conduit, the first end of the outer conduit extends beyond the first end of the inner conduit, and the secondary annulus is capped by an end cap connecting the first end of the outer conduit and the first end of the third substantially concentric conduit, wherein the end cap is half-torus shaped, the half-torus having an inner diameter equal to an inner diameter of the circumferential lip extension of the body, the diameters configured so that the end cap does not obstruct flow of combustion products out of the burner.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the fuel is a gaseous fuel, the gaseous fuel selected from the group consisting of methane, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, steam-reformed natural gas, atomized oil or mixtures thereof, and the oxidant is an oxygen stream comprising at least 90 mole percent oxygen.

5. A submerged combustion method comprising:

a) flowing a fuel into a primary annulus between inner and outer conduits of a concentric conduit submerged combustion burner;

b) flowing an oxidant to the inner conduit of the concentric conduit submerged combustion burner;

c) flowing the fuel through a plurality of non-central passages in an adjustable removable structure, and the oxidant through a central passage in the adjustable removable structure, the adjustable removable structure comprising a body having an upper surface forming a constant angle α

with the longitudinal axis, a lower surface, a circumferential surface abutting a portion of an internal surface of the outer conduit, the body including a circumferential lip extension extending away from the upper surface of the body and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a generally cylindrical central hub concentric with a longitudinal axis of the inner conduit, the adjustable removable structure adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to a first end of the inner conduit via the generally cylindrical central hub, the generally cylindrical central hub defining the central passage having an exit at the upper surface, the body comprising the plurality of non-central passages extending from the lower to the upper surface, the plurality of non-central passages configured such that flow of fuel through the plurality of non-central passages causes the oxidant to intersect flow of the oxidant in a mixing region above the upper surface of the body;

d) flowing coolant through a secondary annulus external to the primary annulus, the secondary annulus formed by a third substantially concentric conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal surface, the internal surface of the third conduit forming, with an exterior surface of the outer conduit, the secondary annulus, wherein the first end of the third substantially concentric conduit extends beyond a first end of the outer conduit, the first end of the outer conduit extends beyond the first end of the inner conduit, and the secondary annulus is capped by an end cap connecting the first end of the outer conduit and the first end of the third substantially concentric conduit, wherein the end cap is half-torus shaped, the half-torus having an inner diameter equal to an inner diameter of the circumferential lip extension of the body, the diameters configured so that the end cap does not obstruct flow of combustion products out of the burner.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the oxidant is an oxygen stream comprising at least 90 mole percent oxygen, and the fuel is a gaseous fuel, the gaseous fuel selected from the group consisting of methane, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, steam-reformed natural gas, atomized oil or mixtures thereof.

7. A submerged combustion method of producing molten glass comprising:

a) flowing a fuel into a primary annulus between inner and outer conduits of a concentric conduit submerged combustion burner;

b) flowing an oxidant to the inner conduit of the concentric conduit submerged combustion burner;

c) flowing the fuel through a plurality of non-central fuel passages in an adjustable removable structure, and the oxidant through a central oxidant passage in the adjustable removable structure, the adjustable removable structure comprising a body having an upper surface forming a constant angle α

with the longitudinal axis, a lower surface, a circumferential surface abutting a portion of an internal surface of the outer conduit, the body including a circumferential lip extension extending away from the upper surface of the body and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a generally cylindrical central hub concentric with a longitudinal axis of the inner conduit, the adjustable removable structure adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to a first end of the inner conduit via the generally cylindrical central hub, the generally cylindrical central hub defining the central oxidant passage having an exit at the upper surface, the body comprising the plurality of non-central fuel passages extending from the lower to the upper surface, the plurality of non-central fuel passages configured such that flow of fuel through the plurality of non-central fuel passages causes the fuel to intersect flow of the oxidant in a mixing region above the upper surface of the body;

d) combusting at least some of the fuel in the mixing region to form a flame and combustion products, the mixing region defined by the upper surface of the body and a burner extension, wherein exits of the plurality of non-central fuel passages and the exit of the central oxidant passage are recessed from an exit of the burner extension;

e) directing the flame and combustion products into partially molten glass forming materials above the mixing region; and

f) flowing coolant through a secondary annulus external to the primary annulus, the secondary annulus formed by a third substantially concentric conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal surface, the internal surface of the third conduit forming, with an exterior surface of the outer conduit, the secondary annulus, wherein the first end of the third substantially concentric conduit extends beyond a first end of the outer conduit, the first end of the outer conduit extends beyond the first end of the inner conduit, and the secondary annulus is capped by an end cap connecting the first end of the outer conduit and the first end of the third substantially concentric conduit, wherein the end cap is half-torus shaped, the half-torus having an inner diameter equal to an inner diameter of the circumferential lip extension of the body, the diameters configured so that the end cap does not obstruct flow of combustion products out of the burner.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the fuel is a gaseous fuel, the gaseous fuel selected from the group consisting of methane, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, steam-reformed natural gas, atomized oil or mixtures thereof, and the oxidant is an oxygen stream comprising at least 90 mole percent oxygen.