BURNER APPARATUS, SUBMERGED COMBUSTION MELTERS INCLUDING THE BURNER, AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20150000344A1
• Filed: 09/15/2014
• Published: 01/01/2015
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 9,533,906 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 65/134.4
• 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. An apparatus comprising:

a first conduit comprising a first end, a second end, a longitudinal bore having a longitudinal axis, and an external surface;

a second conduit substantially concentric with the first conduit, the second conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal surface;

the first and second conduits configured to form a primary annulus between the external surface of the first conduit and the internal surface of the second conduit; and

an adjustable structure comprising a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, a circumferential surface abutting a portion of the internal surface of the second conduit, and a generally cylindrical central hub concentric with the longitudinal axis, the structure adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to the first end of the first conduit via the hub, the hub defining a central passage having an exit at the upper surface, the body comprising one or more non-central through passages extending from the lower to the upper surface, the non-central passages configured such that flow of a first fluid through the non-central passages causes the first fluid to intersect a flow of a second fluid in a mixing region above the upper surface of the body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-central passages comprise a vertical section and an angled section, the vertical section beginning at the lower surface of the structure and intersecting the angled section, the angled section ending at the upper surface of the structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-central passages are smoothly curved passages.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further including 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 second conduit, a secondary annulus external to the primary annulus.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first end of the third conduit extends beyond the first end of the second conduit, the first end of the second conduit extends beyond the first end of the first conduit, and the secondary annulus is capped by an end cap connecting the first end of the second conduit and the first end of the third conduit.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the body includes a circumferential lip extension extending away from the upper surface of the body and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substantially central passage having an exit comprises an angled section and a vertical connector section connecting the angled section with the threaded section of the central extension, wherein the angled section forms an angle γ

to the longitudinal axis ranging from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the vertical connector section has a length L3 ranging from about 0.25 inch to about 1 inch.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exit of the substantially central passage has a diameter L4 ranging from about 0.25 inch to about 3.0 inches.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substantially central passage comprises an angled section, a vertical connector section connecting the angled section with a threaded section of the central extension, and a vertical extension connecting the angled section with the exit.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substantially central passage comprises a nozzle comprising a converging section and a diverging section, the diverging section downstream of the converging section and connecting the converging section with the exit.

12. An adjustable burner apparatus comprising:

a first conduit comprising a first end, a second end, a longitudinal bore having a longitudinal axis, and an external surface, the first end comprising threads on the external surface,

a second conduit substantially concentric with the first conduit, the second conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal surface,

the first and second conduits configured to form a primary annulus between the external surface of the first conduit and the internal surface of the second conduit;

a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, a circumferential surface abutting a portion of the internal surface of the second conduit, and a generally cylindrical central hub concentric with the longitudinal axis, the structure adjustable axially in relation to and threadedly attached to the threads of first end of the first conduit via the hub, the hub defining a central passage having an exit at the upper surface, the body comprising one or more non-central through passages extending from the lower to the upper surface, the non-central passages configured such that flow of a first fluid through the non-central passages causes the first fluid to intersect a flow of a second fluid in a mixing region above the upper surface of the body;

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 second conduit, a secondary annulus external to the primary annulus;

the first end of the third conduit extending beyond the first end of the second conduit, the first end of the second conduit extending beyond the first end of the first conduit, and the secondary annulus is capped by an end cap connecting the first end of the second conduit and the first end of the third conduit; and

the second end of the second conduit sealed around the first conduit, and the second end of the third conduit sealed around the second conduit, forming a cavity for fluid to circulate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the non-central passages comprise a vertical section and an angled section, the vertical section beginning at the lower surface of the structure and intersecting the angled section, the angled section ending at the upper surface of the structure.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the non-central passages are smoothly curved passages.

15. A method comprising:

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

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

16. The method of claim 15 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.

17. A method of producing molten glass comprising:

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

b) flowing a fuel to the inner conduit of the concentric 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 structure comprising a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, a circumferential surface abutting a portion of an internal surface of the second conduit, and a generally cylindrical central hub concentric with a longitudinal axis of the inner conduit, the structure adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to a first end of the first conduit via the hub, the hub defining the central passage having an exit at the upper surface, the body comprising the plurality of non-central through passages extending from the lower to the upper surface, the non-central passages configured such that flow of oxidant through the non-central 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 the exits of the non-central oxidant passages and the exit of the central fuel passage are recessed from an exit of the burner extension; and

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

18. The method of claim 17 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.

19. A method comprising:

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

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

20. The method of claim 19 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.

21. A method of producing molten glass comprising:

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

b) flowing an oxidant to the inner conduit of the concentric 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 structure comprising a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, a circumferential surface abutting a portion of an internal surface of the second conduit, and a generally cylindrical central hub concentric with a longitudinal axis of the inner conduit, the structure adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to a first end of the first conduit via the hub, the hub defining the central passage having an exit at the upper surface, the body comprising the plurality of non-central through passages extending from the lower to the upper surface, the non-central passages configured such that flow of fuel through the non-central 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 the exits of the non-central fuel passages and the exit of the central oxidant passage are recessed from an exit of the burner extension; and

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

22. The method of claim 21 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.