Patent ID: 6568185
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: F23C,F23L,F25J,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
A combination air separation and steam generation process, the process comprising the steps of:a) feeding air into an air separation unit, and separating the air into an oxygen-enriched stream and a nitrogen-enriched stream; b) combining at least a portion of said nitrogen-enriched stream with air to produce an oxygen-depleted first stage air stream, and combining at least a portion of said oxygen-enriched air stream with air to produce an oxygen-enriched second stage air stream; c) mixing a fuel and said oxygen-depleted first stage air stream into a combustion chamber of a steam generation unit and initiating combustion of said fuel with said oxygen-depleted first stage air in said combustion chamber to produce a flue gas; d) feeding water to said steam generation unit to generate steam by indirect contact of said water with said flue gas; and e) introducing said oxygen-enriched second stage air downstream of said fuel and said oxygen-depleted first stage air to substantially complete combustion of said fuel, the process thus significantly reducing NOx formation.