Flameless combustion heater

Abstract

A flameless combustion heater is described that comprises an oxidation conduit and a fuel conduit having a plurality of centralizers attached to the external wall of the fuel conduit wherein at least one centralizer or portion of a centralizer is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fuel conduit. A method for providing heat to a process conduit is also described that comprises providing an oxidation conduit; providing a fuel conduit having a plurality of openings that provide fluid communication from within the fuel conduit to the oxidation conduit, and a plurality of centralizers attached to the fuel conduit wherein at least one centralizer or portion of a centralizer is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fuel conduit; providing a process conduit in a heat exchange relationship with the oxidation conduit; introducing fuel into the fuel conduit; introducing an oxidant into the oxidation conduit; and introducing the fuel into the oxidation conduit through the plurality of openings such that flameless combustion occurs in the oxidation conduit.

1 . A flameless combustion heater comprising: an oxidation conduit and a fuel conduit having a plurality of centralizers attached to the external wall of the fuel conduit wherein at least one centralizer or portion of a centralizer is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fuel conduit. 
   
   
       2 . A heater as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one centralizer is angled less than ninety degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fuel conduit. 
   
   
       3 . A heater as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one centralizer is curved such that at least a portion of the centralizer is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fuel conduit. 
   
   
       4 . A heater as claimed in  claim 1  wherein all or a majority of all of the centralizers are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fuel conduit. 
   
   
       5 . A heater as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the centralizers are made of a material different from that of the oxidation conduit wall. 
   
   
       6 . A heater as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the centralizers are coated with a material different from that of the oxidation conduit wall. 
   
   
       7 . A heater as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the centralizer is triangular shaped. 
   
   
       8 . A method for providing heat to a process conduit comprising:
 providing an oxidation conduit;   providing a fuel conduit having a plurality of openings that provide fluid communication from within the fuel conduit to the oxidation conduit, and a plurality of centralizers attached to the fuel conduit wherein at least one centralizer or portion of a centralizer is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fuel conduit;   providing a process conduit in a heat exchange relationship with the oxidation conduit;   introducing fuel into the fuel conduit;   introducing an oxidant into the oxidation conduit; and   introducing the fuel into the oxidation conduit through the plurality of openings such that flameless combustion occurs in the oxidation conduit.