Patent ID: 6748745
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: F23C,F23D,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of combustion comprising the steps of:providing a first, second, and third oxidant; providing a first and second fuel, the first, second and third oxidants and the first and second fuels being of such proportions that the first fuel and the first oxidant have a fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio greater than 1.0, the first fuel in combination with the first and second oxidant have a fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio less than 1.0, and the second fuel and third oxidant have a fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio less than 1.0; introducing the first oxidant and the first fuel into a first common area so the first oxidant and the first fuel travel together and intermix to form a first mixture; oxidizing a portion of the first fuel with the first oxidant within the first mixture by flowing the first mixture over and in contact with a catalyst thereby generating a heat of reaction and a first reacted mixture; ducting the first reacted mixture and separately ducting the second oxidant into a second common area so the first reacted mixture and the second oxidant travel together and intermix to form a second mixture; combusting the second mixture; introducing the third oxidant and the second fuel into a third common area so that the third oxidant and the second fuel travel together and intermix to create a third mixture; and combusting the third mixture in contact with the combusting second mixture.