Method and system for fuel gas combustion, and burner for use therein

Abstract

Power cycle generation equipment is operated in a more efficient and economical manner by using an uncooled (and potentially uncleaned) fuel gas supplied to the equipment directly from a gasification process, i.e., without first quenching or pressurizing the gas. In one embodiment, a burner used in conjunction with the power cycle generation equipment accepts such fuel gas directly from a syngas generator (or perhaps after particulate removal). The burner preferably operates with fuel gas and oxidizer inputs reversed as compared to existing configuration.

1 . A method of releasing energy, comprising:
 receiving a fuel gas from a fuel source;   drawing the fuel gas through a burner while simultaneously injecting an oxidizer at a higher pressure relative to a pressure of the fuel gas;   wherein the fuel gas is drawn through the burner without first cooling, pressurizing or fine cleaning.   
   
   
       2 . The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the fuel gas is syngas. 
   
   
       3 . The method as described in  claim 2  further including separating particulates from the syngas prior to the drawing step. 
   
   
       4 . The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the fuel gas is drawn through the burner using an induced draft fan. 
   
   
       5 . A burner, comprising:
 a refractory-lined duct and burner inlet section that receives fuel gas directly from a gas source without first cooling, pressurizing or fine-cleaning the fuel gas; and   an oxidizer injector operating downstream of the burner inlet section.   
   
   
       6 . The burner as described in  claim 5  wherein the oxidizer injector comprises at least one free-standing injector comprising one or more flame holder wings. 
   
   
       7 . The burner as described in  claim 6  wherein each flame holder wing comprises one or more apertures through which the fuel gas is drawn. 
   
   
       8 . The burner as described in  claim 5  further including a secondary oxidizer injector downstream of the oxidizer injector. 
   
   
       9 . The combustor as described in  claim 5  wherein air or oxygen is injected by the oxidizer injector at less than stochiometric amounts to reduce formation of nitrogen oxides. 
   
   
       10 . A method of energy generation, comprising:
 retrofitting or providing energy generation equipment with a burner having first and second input sources;   receiving, as the first input source, a fuel gas; and   injecting, as the second input source, an oxidizer, where the oxidizer is injected at a higher pressure relative to a pressure of the fuel gas;   wherein the fuel gas is received from a fuel source without first cooling, pressuring or fine cleaning the fuel gas.