LOW NO>x< EMISSIONS BURNER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR REDUCING THE NO>x< CONTENT OF FURNACE FLUE GAS

Abstract: A burner assembly (20) for a furnace or like device having a firebox defining a combustion zone (24). The burner assembly (20) includes a first annular tile (36) defining a centrally located path for a flow of combustion air and a second annular tile (38) concentric with the first annular tile. The second annular tile (38) has an internal diameter which is larger than an external diameter of said first annular tile (36), and the second annular tile (38) is positioned in surrounding relationship relative to at least a portion of said first annular tile (36) so that a ring-shaped conduit (80) is defined therebetween. The arrangement is such that combustion air flowing along said path induces a flow of flue gas through the conduit for entrainment by the flow of combustion air.

Description: TITLE OF THE INVENTION OW NOX EMISSIONS BURNER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR REDUCING THE NOX CONTENT OF FU RFACE FLUE GAS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention relates to burners for large scale industπal applications Such burners may be adapted for burning either gaseous fuels including natural gas or liquid fuels including fuel oil In particular the invention relates to a low NO x , low noise burner assembly which provides structure for recirculating flue gas directly from the inside of the fire box. The State of the Prior Art Environmental concerns today fuel a continuing search for burners which operate efficiently, economically, with a minimum amount of noise, and with a minimum amount of contamination, such as NO x , in the flue gases It has been determined previously that NO x contamination may be reduced by recirculating flue gases back into the combustion zone. Vaπous methods have been envisioned and/or developed for accomplishing this recirculation, including motor dπven fans and eductor devices Generally speaking, conventional burners utilize only the motive force of combustion fuel to entrain furnace flue gas This pπor methodology is limiting in that the gas has high velocity but low mass resulting in low entrainment rates In addition, pπor methodology has involved the use of burners including internal structural conduits for transporting the recirculated flue gases back to a place where the same may be reintroduced into the combustion zone The structural requirements are extensive adding greatly to the cost to the overall installation Accordingly there has been a need for structural features which will simplify the recirculation of flue gases SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel burner assembly which addresses the problems and shortcomings of the pπor art In particular, the invention provides a burner assembly that is of simple construction and facilitates the use of a simple and effective motive force for recirculating flue gases. In accordance with the concepts and pπnciples of the present invention, it has been determined that the use of combustion air for entramment of flue gases is much more efficient than the use of fuel gases for this purpose due to the tremendous difference in mass The mass of combustion air is typically 10 to 12 times that of the combustion fuel gases. The invention also contemplates the simultaneous use of both combustion air and fuel gases to provide even greater motive forces for recirculating flue gases The burner assembly of the invention is adapted for being mounted on a wall or floor or roof of a furnace or fire box or the like which defines a combustion zone In accordance with the concepts and principles of the invention, the burner assembly compπses a tile formation that has a portion which piotrudes beyond the furnace wall and into the combustion zone The tile formation presents an air passageway configured for conducting combustion air into the combustion zone and a recirculated flue gas (RFG) conduit that intercommunicates the air passageway and an area within the furnace adjacent the combustion zone when the burner assembly is mounted on the wall. In accordance with the invention, the RFG conduit is preferably located entirely within the protruding portion of the tile formation, whereby it is unnecessary to provide RFG conduits built into the furnace structure. In a preferred form of the invention, for ease of assembly, the tile formation may include first and second tiles with the RFG conduit defined between the tiles. In this preferred form of the invention, the second tile may be mounted on a seating structure provided on the first tile The first and second tiles may each have an annular body segment and the tiles may be arranged such that the annular body segment of the first tile is disposed in surrounding relationship to the combustion air passageway and the annular body segment of the second tile is disposed in surrounding relationship to at least a portion of the annular body segment of said first tile Preferably, in accordance with the pπnciples and concepts of the invention, the annular body segment of the first tile may have an outer surface and the annular body segment of the second tile may have an inner surface, and these surfaces may be arranged and positioned such that the RFG conduit is defined between them. Ideally, the annular body segments may be arranged concentπcally with the outer surface of the first tile spaced radially from the inner surface of the second tile such that the RFG conduit is essentially annular in shape In a particularly preferred mode of the invention, the second tile may have an annular edge which sits on a seating structure of the first tile In this preferred mode, the seating structure may include at least one, preferably at least two and ideally four evenly circumferentially spaced shoulder members which extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of annular body segment of the first tile In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the shoulder members each include a notch configured for receiving and secuπng the annular edge of the second tile Such structure facilitates the positioning of the tiles relative to one another and insures concentπcity In a further preferred form of the invention, the burner assembly may include a fluid fuel burner nozzle disposed in the combustion air passageway In this form of the invention, the fluid fuel burner nozzle may be adapted for dehveπng a gaseous fuel, preferably natural gas or a specially blended combustible mixture of gases, to the combustion zone In accordance with the invention, the fluid fuel burner nozzle may preferably be adapted for accommodating pressuπzed gaseous fuels at vaπous pressures within a given range Alternatively, the fluid fuel burner nozzle may be adapted for dehvenng a liquid fuel, preferably a fuel oil, to the combustion zone The burner assembly of the invention may also compπse at least one fluid fuel bumer nozzle disposed adjacent an entrance to the RFG conduit In addition, or alternatively, the burner assembly of the invention may include a fluid fuel burner nozzle disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the annular body segment of the second tile In further accordance with the concepts and principles of the invention, the burner assembly may be adapted for use in connection with a furnace having a firebox defining a combustion zone This burner assembly may include a first annular tile defining a path for flow of combustion air and a second annular tile concentnc with the first annular tile The second annular tile may have an internal diameter which is larger than an external diameter of the first annular tile, and the second annular tile may be positioned in surrounding relauonship relative to at least a portion of the first annular tile so that a nng-shaped RFG conduit is defined therebetween In this form of the invention, the tiles may be adapted for placement in the combustion zone with the RFG conduit in direct fluid communication with flue gases in an area surrounding the combustion zone. The assembly may preferably be such that combustion air flowing along the flow path induces a flow of flue gas through the RFG conduit for entramment by the flow of combustion air Ideally the assembly may include a gas jet positioned adjacent an let to the RFG conduit providing a flow of gas for admixture with the flow of flue gas. In still further accord with its concepts and pπnciples, the invention provides an RFG inducing burner assembly The assembly compπses a fuel nozzle arrangement that includes a nozzle positioned to direct a flow of fluid fuel along a flow path and into a combustion zone inside a furnace firebox The assembly also includes a first tile structure having a central opening and which is located so that the central opening surrounds the nozzle and directs an annular flow of combustion air past the nozzle in surrounding relationship to the fluid fuel flow path The first tile structure desirably has an outer peripheral face that extends there around in surrounding relationship relative to the central opening Also included is a second tile structure that has a central passageway. The second tile structure desirably is located so that its central passageway surrounds at least a portion of the first tile structure The second tile structure may have an internal face which extends around its central passageway and such internal face may be disposed in spaced, facing relationship relative to the peπpheral face of the first tile structure An annular space is defined between the outer peπpheral face of the first tile structure and the internal face of the second tile structure Preferably, the tile structures are arranged such that the annular space therebetween is in direct intercommunication with an intenor area within the firebox adjacent the combustion zone when the burner is operationally installed relative to the furnace In accordance with the pπnciples and concepts of the invention, the assembly of the tile structures may desirably be such that a flow of RFG from the intenor area and through the annular space is induced by combustion air flowing through the opening of the first tile structure In this regard it is to be noted that the assembly of the present invention may be used to augment flue gas recirculation in existing applications which employ a forced air design In another form the invention provides a low NO x furnace that includes an RFG inducing burner assembly and a firebox providing a combustion zone. In this form of the invention, the burner assembly is operationally installed on a wall or roof or floor of the furnace to provide combustion air and a fluid fuel to the combustion zone. In accordance with the invention, the burner assembly preferably compπses a fuel nozzle arrangement that includes a nozzle positioned to direct a flow of fluid fuel along a flow path and into the combustion zone within the firebox, a first tile structure that has a central opening, and a second tile structure that has a central passageway. The first tile structure may be located so that its central opening surrounds the nozzle and directs an annular flow of combustion air past the nozzle in surrounding relationship to the fluid fuel flow path The first tile structure may also have an outer peripheral face which extends there around in surrounding relationship relative to the central opening thereof The second tile structure may be located so that its central passageway surrounds at least a portion of the first tile structure The second tile structure may also have an internal face which extends around the central passageway thereof. Desirably, in accordance with the concepts and pπnciples of the invention, the internal face of the second tile structure is disposed in spaced, facing relationship relative to the peπpheral face of the first tile structure, and the faces are preferably arranged so as to define an annular space therebetween. The tile structures further may be arranged such that the annular space therebetween is in direct intercommunication with an intenor area of the firebox adjacent the combustion zone when the burner assembly is operationally mounted. Desirably, the arrangement of the tile structures is such that a flow of RFG from an area in the firebox adjacent the combustion zone and through the annular space is induced by combustion air flowing through the opening of the first tile structure Again, the assembly of the present invention may be used to augment flue gas recirculation in existing applications which employ a forced air design. In further accord with the concepts and pπnciples of the invention, a method is provided for efficiently and effectively reducing the NO x content of furnace flue gas produced by combusting air and a fluid fuel in a combustion zone of a furnace. In this form of the invention, the method involves the use of a burner assembly as descnbed above for introducing RFG into the combustion zone. In yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for efficiently and effectively reducing the NO x content of furnace flue gas. This method may compπse providmg a flow of a fluid fuel to a combustion zone in a firebox of the furnace, providing a flow of combustion air to the combustion zone, combusting the fluid fuel and the air in the combustion zone to thereby produce a flame, and using the motive force of the flow of combustion air to induce a flow of RFG directly from an area in the firebox adjacent the combustion zone and cause it to interact with the fluid fuel and the combustion air in the combustion zone The formation and emission of NO x in the furnace is thus reduced. Preferably, in accord with the concepts and pπnciples of the invention, the combustion air flows along a longitudinal axis of an elongated burner assembly The invention also provides a method for operating a burner for a gas fired furnace having a fire box In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the method preferably includes providing a flow of combustion air, providing a flow of combustion fuel, admixing the fuel and air, combusting the admixture of air and fuel in a combustion zone in the firebox, and inducing a flow of flue gas directly from an area in the fire box adjacent the combustion zone and into the admixture of combustion air and fluid fuel, and thus the flame, using the motive force of the flow of combustion air. Desirably, the foregoing method may further include a step of using the motive force of the flow of combustion gas fuel to further induce a flow of flue gas from the area adjacent the combustion zone. Desirably, in this form of the invention also, the combustion air flows along a longitudinal axis of an elongated burner assembly. One of the important features of the invention involves the use of pπmary air flowing axially through the burner assembly for entramment of RFG directly from an area at the peπphery of the combustion zone. The axial entramment system of the invention enables the provision of a much more uniform and homogenous combustible gas mixture leaving the burner whereby typical stratification problems and resultant flame instability are alleviated The advantages of the invention over pπor art burner assemblies include, but are not limited to, (1) shorter flame length (0.5 to 1.1 foot per MMBtuh vs. 1.5 to 2 feet per MMBtuh), (2) larger turn down ratios (10 to 1 vs 3 to 1), (3) much lower noise around burner, (4) tiles are not subjected to hot spots caused by bumingjets piercing through the tile; (5) coking tendencies are reduced if not eliminated completely; (6) stability is greatly improved facilitating operation under substoichiometπc conditions; (7) flame anchoπng in an oxidizing zone is facilitated; (8) homogenous mixtures are provided leading to uniformity of flame patterns; (9) both prompt and thermal NO x are lowered; (10) potentially both air and fuel gas may be used for flue gas entramment; (11) flue gas entramment is much more efficient; and (12) axial flame patterns reduce burner to burner interaction; (12) the assembly of the invention may be coupled with RFG in forced air applications; (13) the assembly of the invention is even more efficient when used in connection with a forced air design. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a burner assembly which embodies the concepts and pπnciples of the present invention, FIGURE 2 is a plan view looking upwardly at the lower end of the burner as it is positioned in FIG. 1; FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view looking downwardly at the upper end of the burner as it is positioned in FIG. 1; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the portion of the burner assembly within the Circle 4. of FIG. 2; FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the portion of the burner assembly within the Circle 5. of FIG. 3; FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the portion of the burner assembly within the Circle 6. of FIG. 3; FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view, partly in cross-section illustrating the tile formation of the burner assembly of FIG. 1; FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the lower (upstream) tile of the tile formation of FIG. 7; FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the lower tile of FIG. 7; FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, illustrating the upper (downstream) tile of the tile formation of FIG. 7; and FIGURES 11 through 16 are side elevational schematic views illustrating several alternative embodiments of the burner assembly of the invention. FIGURE 17 is aside elevational view, partly in cross-section, illustrating an alternative form of a burner assembly which embodies the concepts and principles of the present invention; FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of the burner of FIG. 17; 5 FIGURE 19 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 19-19 of FIG. 17; FIGURE 20 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 20-20 of FIG. 18; FIGURE 21 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 10 21-21 of FIG. 18; and FIGURE 22 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, illustrating yet another alternative form of a burner assembly which embodies the concepts and principles of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE 15 INVENTION A burner assembly which embodies the concepts and principles of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 where it is identified broadly by the reference numeral 20. The assembly 20 is particularly adapted for being mounted as shown on a wall 22 of a fire box of a furnace or the like. Wall 22 defines a combustion zone 24 disposed 20 generally at and around the upper end 26 of assembly 20 as the latter is depicted in Fig. 1. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the burner art, however, that the orientation of the assembly 20 is not necessarily critical and the same may be used in any one of a variety of positions such that the flame generated thereby is projected upwardly, downwardly, horizontally or at an angle relative to horizontal. Accordingly, defining end 25 26 as an upper end is done only for convenience of reference. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the principles and concepts of the invention are not limited to use with round burner tiles. In this regard, the principles and concepts of the invention may also be applied to burners having rectangular shaped burner tiles, flat flame burners and burners with an axisymetric design. 880377 1 Bumer assembly 20 includes the conventional accessoπes needed for operation, including an air inlet 28 adapted for connection to a source of air for combustion, an air box 30, and a manifold system 32 adapted for connection to a source of fuel and distπbuting the same to respective individual burner nozzles of the burner assembly These devices are conventional and well known to those skilled in the burner art. Assembly 20 may include a flange 33 for attaching the same to wall 22 as can be seen in Figs. 1 and 7 The flange 33 may be secured to the wall 22 using a conventional nut and bolt (or stud) arrangement (see Fig 4) Burner assembly 20 is particularly adapted for inducing a flow of flue gases from an area 34 adjacent combustion zone 24 and recirculating the same for diluting the air and fuel mixture combusting in the combustion zone 24 These recirculated flue gases are often referred to as RFG (or FGR), and it is a well known phenomena that when RFG is mixed in with the combusting air and fuel in the combustion zone, NO x emissions are reduced In accordance with the invention, assembly 20 includes a tile formation 36 having a portion 38 which protrudes beyond wall 22 and into the combustion zone 24 as shown in Fig. 1 That is to say, portion 38 of tile formation 36 protrudes into and is positioned essentially within combustion zone 24 Formation 36 includes a first, lower, upstream, inner tile structure 40 and a second, upper, downstream outer tile structure 42 As can particularly be seen viewing Fig 7, tile 42 is mounted on a seating structure 44 of tile 40 As can best be seen viewing Figs 7, 8 and 9, in the preferred embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings, tile 40 includes a generally annular body segment 46 which surrounds a central opening 48, a base 50, and a plurality of shoulder members 52 which preferably are essentially identical and evenly spaced about the peπphery of body segment 46 As shown in the drawings, the depicted assembly includes four of the shoulder members 52, however, those skilled in the art would recognize that the assembly could just as well be designed to employ only three shoulder members 52 As can be seen, the shoulder members 52 extend radially outwardly from the outer penpheral surface 54 of annular body segment 46, and together, they provide the seating structure 44 for tile 42 mentioned above To this end, the shoulder members 52 are each provided with a notch 56 which is configured to receive and secure an annular edge portion 58 of tile 42 That is to say, when the tiles 40 and 42 are assembled so as to present the tile formation 36, the edge portion 58 of tile 42 sits on a generally honzontal ledge 60 which is part of the corresponding notch 56. The manner in which the edge portion 58 is received and secured by the notches 56 is best illustrated in Fig 7. As can be seen, surface 54 essentially extends around tile 40 and surrounds opening 48 The tiles 40, 42 of the tile formation 36 may be connected together using well known conventional attachment devices. If the tile formation 36 is mounted on a bottom wall of a furnace, tile 42 may simply rest on the seating structure 44 On the other hand, if the tile formation 36 is mounted in some other position, tile 42 may be attached to tile 40 using elongated studs that are cast into tile 42 at positions that correspond to the locations of the notches 56 Stud receiving holes may then be provided to extend downwardly through shoulder members 52 from the notches 56 to the flange 33 where nuts may be used to secure the tiles 40, 42 to flange 33 via the elongated studs. With reference to Figs. 3, 7 and 10, in the preferred embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings, tile 42 has an annular body segment 62 that surrounds a central opening 64 thereof. The internal diameter of tile 42 is greater than the external diameter of tile 40. Thus, as can particularly be seen in Fig. 7, when tile 42 is mounted on tile 40, annular body segment 62 of tile 42 surrounds at least a portion of annular body segment 46 of tile 40. In particular, the lower edge portion 58 of annular body segment 62 surrounds the upper frusto-conical portion 68 of annular body segment 46 Thus, it can be seen that the annular body segments 46 and 62 are arranged concentncally with the outer annular surface 70 of the upper frusto-conical portion 68 of tile 40 spaced radially inwardly from the inner annular surface 72 of lower edge portion 58 of tile 42 Manifestly, therefore, inner surface or face 72 of tile 42 is disposed in a surrounding relationship relative to frusto-conical portion 68 of tile 40 When tile 42 is seated on tile 40 in an operational position as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, it can be seen that central opening 48 of tile 40 together with central opening 64 of tile 42 present a passageway 74 defining a path 76 along which combustion air from air box 30 is conducted into combustion zone 24. As can be seen viewing Figs. 3 and 7, passageway 74 is surrounded by the respective annular body segments 46 and 62 of tiles 40 and 42 as well as by annular face 72 (not seen in Fig. 3) which extends there around. As mentioned above, outer annular surface 70 of the upper frusto-conical portion 68 of tile 40 is spaced radially inwardly from the inner annular surface 72 of lower edge portion 58 of tile 42. Thus, surfaces 70 and 72 are disposed in spaced, facing relationship relative to one another. The annular space 78 between surfaces 70 and 72 (see Fig.3) provides an annular or πng-shaped RFG conduit 80 which intercommunicates air passageway 74 with the area 34 which is adjacent combustion zone 24. Thus, RFG conduit 80, which is defined between upper and lower tiles 40, 42, is in direct communication with flue gases in the area 34 surrounding combustion zone 24 so that combustion air flowing along path 76 is able to induce a flow of flue gas from area 34 and through conduit 80 for entramment by the combustion air and dilution and cooling of the gases combusting in combustion zone 24 to thereby reduce the production of NO x . That is to say, the arrangement of the tiles 40, 42 is such that a flow of RFG from area 34 and through annular space 78 is induced by the action of the combustion air flowing along passageway 74 and through the openings 48 and 64. The combustion air flowing past the downstream end 81 of conduit 80 creates a motive force for inducing a flow of RFG through conduit 80. Thus, the arrangement of the tiles provides an action much like an eductor or an ejector That is to say, the mass of combustion air flowing in the direction of arrow 76 entrains RFG directly from the area 34 in the intenor of the firebox which surrounds the tile assembly 20 of the invention. The RFG flows in the direction of the arrows 85 from the area 34, through the πng-shaped conduit 80 and past end 81 of the latter where it joins and is entrained by the combustion air flowing along path 76 The mass of combustion air flowing in the direction of the arrow 76 thus provides the motive force for entraining the flue gases directly from the area 34 along the path of the arrows 85 and de veπng it to the outlet end 83 of gas nozzle 82 where it is diffused and admixed with the combustion mixture, thus slowing the rate of reaction of the fuel with oxygen from the combustion air In accordance with the invention, the downstream tile 42 is located around the upstream tile 40 so as to form the πng-shaped conduit 80 which is open to the furnace gases in the intenor of the furnace These furnace gases are able to interact with the air flowmg along path 76 through the center of tile 42 to create a combined flow leaving the tile system of approximately 118% of inlet air quantity (volume). This added furnace gas is swept around the flame in combustion zone 24 slowing the diffusion of air into the main flame in a very uniform and homogenous manner. At this point it is to be noted that although tile 40 is shown as having four shoulder members 52, the number actually desired and/or required for a given application may vary depending upon, for example, such things as the overall dimensions of the tiles, the oπentation of the assembly, the weight of tile 42 and/or the flow areas required for passageway 74 and conduit 80. In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs 1 through 10 of the drawings, burner assembly 20 may include pnmary, secondary and tertiary fluid fuel burner nozzles Pnmary nozzle 82, which is illustrated particularly in Figs 3 and 7, is surrounded by tiles 40 and 42 and is generally centrally located in passageway 74, whereby an annular flow of combustion air is directed past nozzle 82 in central opening 64. Accordingly, the combustion air initially flows in a surrounding relationship relative to the flow of fuel emanating from nozzle 82. Although the nozzle 82 as shown is particularly adapted for dehvenng a gaseous fuel to the combustion zone, it is to be understood that in accordance with the concepts and pnnciples of the invention, nozzle 82 may be adapted for dehvenng either a liquid fuel, for example a fuel oil, or a gaseous fuel, for example natural gas, along a path which is generally parallel to path 76 to the combustion zone. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, burner assembly 20 may also include a plurality, preferably four (4), secondary burner nozzles or gas jets 84. These nozzles 84, which are particularly illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 7, are disposed adjacent the inlet 86 of RFG conduit 80 whereby fuel gas is admixed with RFG In addition, the gas emanating from nozzles 84 provides a motive force for further inducing a flow of RFG from area 34. As will be appreciated by those skilled the burner art, there is nothing cπtical about the number of nozzles 84, and for any given application, the number thereof may vary from zero (0) to eight (8) or more However, when the assembly includes a multiplicity of such secondary nozzles, the same should be spaced evenly about the outer penphery of annular tile segment 46 as shown. Bumer assembly 20 may also include a plurality, preferably four (4), tertiary burner nozzles or gas jets 88 These nozzles 88, which are particularly illustrated in Figs 1, 3, 6 and 7, may preferably be mounted in respective channels 90 provided in the outer peripheral surface 92 of annular tile segment 62. Desirably, the shoulder 5 members 52 may be provided with end faces 94 which provide support for the tubes 96 supplying fuel to nozzles 88. As will once again be appreciated by those skilled in the burner art, there is nothing critical about the number of nozzles 88, and for any given application, the number thereof may vary from zero (0) to eight (8) or more. However, when the assembly includes a multiplicity of such tertiary nozzles, the same should be 10 spaced evenly about the outer peπphery 92 of annular tile segment 62 as shown SPECIFIC EXAMPLE A specific example of the operation of a furnace using the embodiment of the present invention descnbed above and shown in the FIGS. 1 through 10 of the drawings is as follows: 15 Burner is fired at 8.0 MMBtuh. Excess air is 15%. Furnace temperature is 1500 °F. Burner differential pressure is 0.3 inches of H 2 O. Burner damper is fully opened Combustible gas is 100% natural gas. Single central fuel nozzle configuration The results obtained in the flue gas include 3% measured oxygen, 0 ppm measured CO and approximately 20 to 35 ppm measured NO x . 20 In the foregoing descnption and specific example, the fuel has been descnbed pnncipally as being fuel gas or natural gas. It is to be noted in this regard, that the burner of the invention may also be used effectively for reducing NO emissions when burning other fluid fuels, such as, for example, normally liquid fuels including fuel oil or other gas blended fuels. It is also to be noted that existing installations may be 25 retrofitted so as to use the pπnciples and concepts of the present application As illustrated and descnbed above, the burner assembly 20 of the invention includes pnmary, secondary and tertiary burners Alternative embodiments are illustrated schematically in Figs. 11 through 16. In each case, the schematically shown tile formation including concentπc tiles may be essentially the same as the tiles 40 and 30 42 descnbed above. As shown in Fig. 11, the illustrated burner assembly may include only a single centrally located pnmary burner nozzle. As shown in Fig. 12, the illustrated 880377 bumer assembly may include two or more burner nozzles located adjacent the outer peπpheral surface of the upstream tile near the inlet to the RFG induction conduit. As shown in Fig. 13, the illustrated burner assembly may include two or more burner nozzles located on the internal surface of the central opening in the upstream tile adjacent the RFG induction conduit. As shown in Fig. 14, the illustrated burner assembly may include a centrally located pnmary burner nozzle and two or more burner nozzles located on the outer penpheral surface of the downstream tile. As shown in Fig. 15, the burner assembly may include a single centrally located pnmary burner nozzle that is equipped with a premixer and conventional swirler mechanism. As shown in Fig. 16, the burner assembly may be arranged essentially as descnbed above in connection with Figs. 1 through 10, except in this case the central burner nozzle is particularly adapted for dehvenng a liquid fuel. In each case, the flow of RFG from area 34 and through conduit 80 is induced by combustion air flowing along path 76 past end 81 of the conduit. An alternative form of a burner arrangement which embodies the concepts and pπnciples of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 17 through 21 where the arrangement is identified broadly by the reference numeral 120. The burner arrangement 120 is similar in configuration to the burner arrangement 20 except for the manner in which the upper tile 142 sits on the lower tile 140. This in turn changes the configuration of the annular space 178 defined between the tiles 140 and 142. With reference to FIGS. 17 through 21, it can be seen that the lower tile 140 includes a plurality of shoulder members 152 which project radially outwardly from the outer peπpheral surface 154 of annular body segment 146 Together the upper surfaces 153 of the members 152 provide a seating structure 144 for tile 142. To this end, upper tile 142 is provided with a plurality of downwardly projecting feet 159. In accordance with the invention, the number of feet 159 on upper tile 142 corresponds with the number of members 152 on lower tile 140, and as can be seen, the feet 159 are positioned to sit on the upper surfaces 153 when the tiles are assembled With this arrangement, the lower edge portion 158 of the upper tile 142 is spaced vertically from the upper edge portion 161 of the lower tile 140. Such spacing provides a configuration for the annular space 178 which is different than the configuration of the annular space 78 of burner assembly 20 This spacing also changes the configuration of the path 185 provided for the flow of flue gas from the intenor of the furnace and into the central passageway 174 within the tiles 140, 142. Such flow, of course, is induced by the flow of combustion air along the path 176 as well as by the flow of fuel gas from nozzles 184 Tile 142 may be attached to tile 140 using conventional means, for example, studs 5 extending downwardly from feet 159 through stud receiving holes extending through the shoulder members 152. With reference to FIG. 19, it can be seen that the channels 190 are offset angularly relative to the shoulder members 152, whereas, in the burner arrangement 20, the channels 90 are not offset angularly relative to the shoulder members 52 In 10 accordance with the concepts and pnnciples of the invention, the channels 190 are preferably offset 45° relative to the shoulder members 152. This angular offset places the nozzles 184 in positions where there is a minimum of structure to hinder the flow of fuel from the nozzles 184 and into the annular space 178. Another alternative form of a burner arrangement which embodies the 15 concepts and pnnciples of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 22 where the arrangement is identified broadly by the reference numeral 220 The burner arrangement 220 is essentially the same as the burner arrangement 120 except for the placement of the burner nozzles 284 and the radial dimension of the shoulder members 252. The arrangement of FIG. 22 facilitates the employment of a burner which may be smaller m diameter than the 20 burner arrangement 120. The burner arrangements of the present invention achieve low NO emissions, low noise, air entramment of RFG, prompt NO x alleviation, simplicity of construction, short flame profile, high turndown ratios, high stability and low CO emissions. Flow of RFG is induced without mechanical devices such as blowers by using 25 the combustion air as a motive force for entramment of RFG instead of fuel gas. In addition, the arrangement is such that the secondary gas tips are located behind a burner tile so that jet noise is shielded from the outside of the burner Moreover, diffusion of RFG directly from the intenor of the furnace directly into the gas jet pnor to combustion results m reduction of prompt NO x . The arrangement is simple resulting in low 30 manufactuπng costs while providing ease of operation. 880377 An important feature of the invention is the provision of a non-powered means of supplying flue gas to a burner to reduce NO x emissions and enhance mixing of combustion air, fuel gas and RFG to facilitate homogeneity of the mixture. The burner arrangement is based at least in part upon the important concept of using the mass of the axially flowing combustion air to entrain RFG from the furnace and mix it with the entenng fuel gas in sufficient amounts while ensunng that the mixture remains combustible. As mentioned previously, the invention also contemplates the use of both the mass of the axially flowing combustion air and the mass of the fuel provided through gas jets to entrain RFG from the furnace and mix it with the entenng fuel. The impedance of combustion caused by the flue gas entenng the nozzle arrangement directly in accordance with the invention lowers the flame temperature, thus inhibiting the formation and emission of NO x . Pnor to the design of the invention, only small amounts of flue gas were entrained by individual gas jets inspirating flue gases into the tile block. The old design proved to be fairly inefficient with the stratification of flue gases causing long flames and burner instability. The present invention utilizes the energy of the large mass of flowing combustion air leading to a greater mass of flue gas entramment and consequent more efficient mixing with the gas jet and flame. An important note here is that the air induced flue gas entramment is performed in the furnace space and the flue gases are not required to go back into the burner body as with some previous burner arrangements. In the simplest configuration of the burner the flame is ignited and stabilized in an oxidizing zone within the pnmary tile The flame envelope is quickly extended into the flue gas πch secondary zone where NO x formation and emission is inhibited. The flame envelope never loses stability as it enters the secondary flue gas diluted zone as it is firmly anchored and defined in the pnmary (oxidizing) zone contained in the pnmary tile section This rapid diffusion and rapid quenching without instability conserves short flame lengths and large turndown ratios. Flame lengths are typically 1 1 feet or less per million BTUs of fiπng rate (fuel dependent) and turndown rates typical of natural draft low NO x burners on the order of 10 to 1 may easily be achieved CO emissions are typically zero, but are somewhat dependent upon furnace temperature. Configurations of the burner of the invention other than as shown in the drawings include staged fuel with either a gas gun being utilized or with pnmary nsers inserted into the nng-shaped conduit for additional NO x abatement. When an annular pnmary tile is utilized as shown in the drawings, the nser is shielded from the outside of the burner by the pnmary tile greatly reducing the jet noise emitted by the burner to the extenor. The pnmary nsers are set low enough in the nng-shaped conduit so that the gas jet has sufficient time to entrain pure flue gas prior to entenng the oxidizing zone. This premixing of flue gas with the combustion gas lowers the speed at which the combustion gas can react thus additionally reducing the formation of NO x . Once the gas jet starts to bum it does so in an atmosphere nch with flue gas which is constantly being entrained by the combustion air. The overall effect is ultra low NO x as both prompt and thermal NO x are greatly reduced. The overall simplicity of the burner combined with the stability achieved in the oxidizing zone make the burner arrangements of the invention an important advance relative to existing technologies.

Claims: I CLAIM: 1. A burner assembly adapted for mounting on a wall defining a combustion zone, said burner assembly compnsing a tile formation having a portion which protrudes beyond said wall and into said combustion zone, said tile formation 5 presenting an air passageway configured for conducting combustion air into said combustion zone and an RFG conduit intercommunicating said air passageway and an area adjacent said zone when the burner assembly is mounted on said wall, said RFG conduit being located said protruding portion of said tile formation. 2. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tile 10 formation includes first and second tiles, said RFG conduit being defined between said tiles. 3. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second tile is mounted on a seating structure of said first tile. 4. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first and 15 second tiles each has an annular body segment, the annular body segment of said first tile being disposed in surrounding relationship to said passageway, said annular body segment of said first tile having an outer surface and said annular body segment of said second tile having an inner surface, said RFG conduit being defined between said surfaces 20 5. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said annular body segments are arranged concentrically with said outer surface spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface. 6. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said RFG conduit is essentially annular in shape. 880377 1 7. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said second tile is mounted on the first tile. 8. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said second tile has an annular edge which sits on a seating structure of said first tile. 5 9. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said surfaces are generally annular in configuration and said seating structure includes at least one shoulder member extending radially outwardly from said outer surface. 10. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein said seating structure includes at least two circumferentially spaced shoulder members extending 10 radially outwardly from said outer surface. 11. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein said seating structure includes four of said circumferentially spaced, radially extending shoulder members. 12. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein said at least one 15 shoulder member includes a notch configured for receiving and securing said annular edge. 13. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said shoulder members each include a notch configured for receiving and securing said annular edge. 14. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said shoulder 20 members each include a notch configured for receiving and securing said annular edge. 15. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 5, comprising a fluid fuel burner nozzle disposed in said passageway. 880377 1 16 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said fluid fuel burner nozzle is adapted for dehvenng a gaseous fuel to said combustion zone. 17. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein said gaseous fuel compnses natural gas. 5 18. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said fluid fuel burner nozzle is adapted for dehvenng a liquid fuel to said combustion zone. 19 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 18, wherein said liquid fuel compnses fuel oil. 20 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 5, compπsing at least one 10 fluid fuel burner nozzle disposed adjacent an entrance to said conduit for dehvenng said fuel through said conduit. 21. A burner assembly as set forth m claim 5, compnsing a fluid fuel burner nozzle disposed on an outer penpheral surface of the annular body segment of the second tile. 15 22 A burner assembly for a furnace having a firebox defining a combustion zone, said assembly compnsing: an first annular tile defining a path for flow of combustion air; a second annular tile concentπc with said first annular tile, said second annular tile having an internal diameter which is larger than an external diameter of said first annular tile, said second annular tile being positioned in surrounding relationship 20 relative to said path so that a nng-shaped conduit is defined between said tiles, said tiles being adapted for placement in said combustion zone with said conduit in direct fluid communication with flue gases surrounding said zone, the arrangement of the tiles being such that combustion air flowing along said path induces a flow of said flue gas through said conduit for entramment by said flow of combustion air. 25 880377 1 23. An assembly as set forth in claim 22, wherein is included a gas jet positioned adjacent an mlet to said conduit providing a flow of gas for admixture with 24. An RFG inducing burner assembly compnsing: a fuel nozzle 5 arrangement including a nozzle positioned to direct a flow of fluid fuel along a flow path and into a combustion zone inside a furnace firebox; a first tile structure having a central opening, said first tile structure being located so that said central opening surrounds said nozzle and directs an annular flow of combustion air past said nozzle in surrounding relationship to said flow path, said first tile structure having an outer penpheral face 10 which extends there around in surrounding relationship relative to said opening, and a second tile structure having a central passageway, said second tile structure being located so that said central passageway surrounds said path, said second tile structure having an internal face which extends around said central passageway, said internal face being disposed in spaced, facing relationship relative to said penpheral face of the first tile 15 structure, said faces defining an annular space therebetween, said tile structures being arranged such that said annular space is in direct intercommunication with an intenor area of said firebox adjacent said combustion zone when the burner is operationally installed relative to said furnace, the arrangement of said tile structures being such that a flow of RFG from said intenor area and through said annular space is induced by combustion air 20 flowing through said opening of said first tile structure. 25 A low NO x furnace including a RFG inducing burner assembly and a firebox providing a combustion zone, said burner assembly being operationally installed on said furnace to provide combustion air and a fluid fuel to said combustion zone, said burner assembly comprising: a fuel nozzle arrangement including a nozzle 25 positioned to direct a flow of fluid fuel along a flow path and into said combustion zone within said firebox; a first tile structure having a central opening, said first tile structure being located so that said central opening surrounds said nozzle and directs an annular flow of combustion air past said nozzle in surrounding relationship to said flow path, said first tile structure having an outer peπpheral face which extends there around in 880377 1 surrounding relationship relative to said opening; and a second tile structure having a central passageway, said second tile structure being located so that said central passageway surrounds said outer peπpheral face of said first tile structure, said second tile structure having an internal face which extends around said central passageway, said 5 internal face being disposed in spaced, facing relationship relative to said peπpheral face of the first tile structure, said faces being arranged to define an annular space therebetween, said tile structures being arranged such that said annular space is in direct intercommunication with an mteπor area of said firebox adjacent said combustion zone, the arrangement of said tile structures being such that a flow of RFG from said firebox 10 and through said annular space is induced by combustion air flowing through said opening of said first tile structure 26. A method for efficiently and effectively reducing the NO x content of furnace flue gas compnsing: providing a flow of a fluid fuel to a combustion zone in a firebox of said furnace; providing a flow of combustion air to said combustion zone; 15 combusting said fluid fuel and said air in said combustion zone to thereby produce a flame; and using the motive force of said flow of combustion air to induce a flow of RFG directly from an area in said firebox adjacent said combustion zone and cause it to interact with said fluid fuel and said combustion air in the combustion zone, whereby the formation and emission of NO x in said furnace is reduced 20 27 A method as set forth in claim 26, wherein said combustion air flows along a longitudinal axis of an elongated burner assembly. 28 A method for operating a burner for a gas fired furnace having a fire box including: providing a flow of combustion air; providing a flow of combustion fuel, admixing said fuel and air; combusting said admixture of air and fuel in a 25 combustion zone in said firebox; and inducing a flow of flue gas directly from an area in said fire box adjacent said combustion zone and into said admixture flame using the motive force of said flow of combustion air 880377 1 29. A method as set forth in claim 28, wherein said combustion air flows along a longitudinal axis of an elongated burner assembly. 30. A method as set forth claim 28, wherein is included the step of inducing a flow of flue gas from said area using the motive force of said flow of 5 combustion gas fuel. 31. A method for efficiently and effectively reducing the NO x content of furnace flue gas produced by combusting air and a fluid fuel in a combustion zone of a furnace compnsing using the burner assembly of claim 1 for introducing RFG into said combustion zone 10 32 A method for efficiently and effectively reducing the NO x content of furnace flue gas produced by combusting air and a fluid fuel in a combustion zone of a furnace compnsing using the burner assembly of claim 5 for introducing RFG into said combustion zone. 33. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 15, compnsing at least one 15 fluid fuel burner nozzle disposed adjacent an entrance to said conduit for dehvenng said fuel through said conduit. 34. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 15, compnsing a fluid fuel burner nozzle disposed on an outer peπpheral surface of the annular body segment of the second tile 20 35. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 33, compnsing a fluid fuel burner nozzle disposed on an outer penpheral surface of the annular body segment of the second tile. 880377 1 36 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 15, compnsing a swirler mounted in said passageway for swirling combustion air and fluid fuel in said passageway. 37 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said tiles are 5 essentially round and mounted concentrically. 38 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said tiles are essentially rectangular 39 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said second tile has a plurality of spaced feet which sit on a seating structure of said first tile 10 40 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 39, wherein said seating structure compπses a plurality of angularly spaced shoulder members and each of said feet rests on a respective shoulder member. 41. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 7, compnsing at least one fluid fuel burner nozzle disposed adjacent an entrance to said conduit for dehvenng said 15 fuel through said conduit 42 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 41 , wherein said second tile has a plurality of spaced feet which sit on a seating structure of said first tile 43. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 42, wherein said seating structure compnses a plurality of angularly spaced shoulder members and each of said 20 feet rests on a respective shoulder member. 44 A burner assembly as set forth in claim 43, wherein said burner nozzle is offset angularly relative to each of said shoulder members. 880377 1 45. A burner assembly as set forth in claim 43, wherein said assembly includes a plurality of burner nozzles and each of said burner nozzles is offset angularly relative to each of said shoulder members. 880377.1

Inventors: JAYAKARAN JAIWANT D, POE ROGER L, SCHNEPPER CAROL A, JAYAKARAN, JAIWANT, D., POE, ROGER, L., SCHNEPPER, CAROL, A.
Applicants: JOHN ZINK COMPANY L L C, JOHN ZINK COMPANY, L.L.C.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F23M5
IPC codes: F23C9, F23C99, F23D14, F23M5