Hybrid gradual oxidation
First Claim
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1. A system for oxidizing fuel, comprising:
- an oxidizer having a reaction chamber configured to receive and oxidize a gas mixture comprising an oxidizable fuel in a gradual oxidation process within the reaction chamber;
an inlet configured to introduce water into the reaction chamber during the oxidation process, the water being at an inlet temperature lower than an internal temperature of the reaction chamber, such that the water is heated as it is introduced into the reaction chamber; and
an outlet configured to extract the heated water from the reaction chamber; and
a controller configured to;
calculate an adiabatic temperature of the gas mixture;
determine when the adiabatic temperature exceeds or is equal to a flameout temperature of the gas mixture;
when the adiabatic temperature exceeds or is equal to the flameout temperature, output a first signal to regulate an introduction of the water such that the internal temperature within the reaction chamber is reduced; and
when the adiabatic temperature is below the flameout temperature, output a second signal to regulate the introduction of the water such that the internal temperature within the reaction chamber exceeds an autoignition temperature within the reaction chamber.
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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.
367 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for oxidizing fuel, comprising:
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an oxidizer having a reaction chamber configured to receive and oxidize a gas mixture comprising an oxidizable fuel in a gradual oxidation process within the reaction chamber; an inlet configured to introduce water into the reaction chamber during the oxidation process, the water being at an inlet temperature lower than an internal temperature of the reaction chamber, such that the water is heated as it is introduced into the reaction chamber; and an outlet configured to extract the heated water from the reaction chamber; and a controller configured to; calculate an adiabatic temperature of the gas mixture; determine when the adiabatic temperature exceeds or is equal to a flameout temperature of the gas mixture; when the adiabatic temperature exceeds or is equal to the flameout temperature, output a first signal to regulate an introduction of the water such that the internal temperature within the reaction chamber is reduced; and when the adiabatic temperature is below the flameout temperature, output a second signal to regulate the introduction of the water such that the internal temperature within the reaction chamber exceeds an autoignition temperature within the reaction chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for oxidizing fuel, comprising:
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directing a gas mixture, comprising an oxidizable fuel, to an oxidizer having a reaction chamber configured to receive and oxidize the fuel in a gradual oxidation process within the reaction chamber; introducing water into the reaction chamber during the oxidation process, the water being at an inlet temperature lower than the internal temperature of the reaction chamber, such that the water is heated as it is introduced into the reaction chamber; calculating an adiabatic temperature of the gas mixture; determining when the adiabatic temperature exceeds or is equal to a flameout temperature of the gas mixture; when the adiabatic temperature exceeds or is equal to the flameout temperature, regulating an introduction of the water such that the internal temperature within the reaction chamber is reduced; and when the adiabatic temperature is below the flameout temperature, regulating the introduction of the water such that the internal temperature within the reaction chamber exceeds the autoignition temperature within the reaction chamber. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification