Method of Combustion of Gases with Fluctuating Calorific Contents

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a combustion method that efficiently burns gases with varying calorific (energy) content by using two combustion chambers in series. The process splits combustion air between the two chambers—allowing for complete combustion of low-calorific gases in the first chamber, and staged combustion of high-calorific gases where unburned gas is further processed in the second chamber. This system is particularly suitable for situations where the fuel gas composition and energy content fluctuate, such as in high-temperature fuel cell systems.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Exhaust gas treatment in high-temperature fuel cell systems (e.g., SOFC micro-CHP systems)
• Industrial burners where fuel gas quality varies (e.g., waste-to-energy plants, biogas or syngas combustion)
• Combined heat and power (CHP) systems using fluctuating fuel sources
• Thermal oxidizers for off-gases with variable composition
• Power plants utilizing process gases from different sources

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables stable and complete combustion regardless of fuel gas quality fluctuations
• Eliminates the need for extra air or fuel supply by adapting burning stages automatically
• Reduces system complexity and control requirements compared to traditional premixed burners
• Can utilize pre-heated, oxygen-depleted air (e.g., from fuel cell cathodes), improving efficiency
• Minimizes emissions and optimizes energy recovery, even with low-calorific fuels
• Reduces catalyst degradation and associated costs, since the system does not require catalytic combustion

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the combustion of combustion gases with fluctuating calorific contents. It is proposed according to the invention that the combustion is performed in two combustion chambers connected in series, the combustion gas is supplied to the first combustion chamber (5), the combustion air is split up and supplied to the first combustion chamber (5) and to the second combustion chamber (6), the exhaust gas of the first combustion chamber (5) is supplied to the second combustion chamber (6), and the combustion air feed (3) to the first combustion chamber (5) is configured such that the combustion temperature in the first combustion chamber (5) lies between 1000°C and 1600°C.