Patent ID: 6206949
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: C21B,F23C,F27D,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for reducing the NOx content of combustion gases from a combustion reaction comprising:(A) combusting fuel and oxidant to generate heat and to form combustion gases comprising NOx;(B) heating oxygen to a temperature within the range of from 1000.degree. F. to 3000.degree. F. to form hot oxygen;(C) mixing the hot oxygen with granular carbonaceous fuel containing volatiles to form a mixture having a stoichiometric ratio less than 1.0, devolatizing the granular carbonaceous fuel within the mixture, and reacting hot oxygen with volatiles and granular carbonaceous fuel within the mixture to form a fuel-rich gas phase mixture containing hydrocarbon radicals; and(D) contacting the combustion gases with the fuel-rich gas phase mixture and reacting hydrocarbon radicals of the fuel-rich gas phase mixture with NOx of the combustion gases to form nitrogen gas.