Patent ID: 7788897

Claim:
A clean combustion system having a combustor with multiplicity of combustor sections, with low emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), comprising: an oxidant delivery system to deliver an oxidant fluid comprising an oxidant; a fuel delivery system to deliver fuel fluid comprising a fuel; a diluent delivery system to deliver a diluent fluid comprising more water or carbon dioxide than in ambient air; a pilot having an inlet to receive one of oxidant fluid, diluent fluid and fuel fluid, and an outlet to deliver a hot pilot fluid; a first combustor section surrounding a first combustion region configured: to receive hot pilot fluid from the pilot; and to deliver, mix, and combust a first diluted fuel-oxidant fluid comprising, oxidant fluid, fuel fluid, and diluent fluid, thereby forming a first combustion fluid; a second combustor section surrounding a second combustion region configured: to receive first combustion fluid from the first combustor section; and to deliver, mix, and combust a second diluted fuel-oxidant fluid comprising, oxidant fluid, fuel fluid, and diluent fluid, thereby forming a second combustion fluid; a first equilibration section having a first equilibration region configured to receive second combustion fluid from the second combustor section to equilibrate the second combustion fluid for a prescribed residence time, thereby forming a hot combustion fluid comprising hot pilot fluid, diluent fluid, products of combustion, and residual oxy-fuel fluid; a system outlet for the hot combustion fluid in fluid communication with the first equilibration section; and a control system configured to: control delivery of pilot fluid, fuel fluid, oxidant fluid, and diluent fluid, wherein the combustion system is configured: to sustain above a combustion boundary: a first fluid temperature within the first combustor section; and a second fluid temperature within the second combustor section; and control at the system outlet: a fluid temperature of the hot combustion fluid below a prescribed temperature limit; and the emissions in the hot combustion fluid, such that, when adjusted to 15% O 2 , the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration is less than 25 ppmvd; and the nitrogen oxides (NOx) concentration is less than 25 ppmvd.