Methods and systems for improving combustion processes

Abstract

Methods, systems, and kits directed to improving combustion processes. In one embodiment, a method includes applying air to an internal surface of a combustion system. The air may be applied with a velocity chosen from about 50 m/s to about 300 m/s, and a volumetric flow chosen from about 50 ACFM to about 4000 ACFM. At least one FCT chemical may be optionally fed with the injected air in this embodiment.

1 . A method of operating a combustion system, said method comprising:
 providing a combustion system that emits a flue gas; and   applying air to an internal surface of said combustion system (ISCS),
 wherein said application of air to said ISCS occurs by transferring air from one or more entry points of said combustion system to said ISCS through at least one apparatus, which is capable of transferring air from one point in the combustion system to another point in the combustion system, wherein said application of air to said ISCS comprises applying air at
 a velocity chosen from about 50 m/s to about 300 m/s, and 
 a volumetric flow chosen from about 50 ACFM to about 4000 ACFM, and 
 
 wherein said amount of said air effectuates a reduction of at least one combustion problem. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applied air oxidizes CO in said flue gas contacting said ISCS, thereby creating a localized area of lower CO concentration. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said localized area of lower CO concentration has a concentration chosen from at least one of less than about 5000 ppm, less than about 4000 ppm, less than about 3000 ppm, less than about 2000 ppm, less than about 1000 ppm CO, less than about 500 ppm, less than about 400 ppm, less than about 300 ppm, less than about 200 ppm, and less than about 100 ppm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applied air raises the oxygen concentration of said flue gas contacting said ISCS to about 2% or greater. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applied air has an oxygen concentration sufficient to
 raise the oxygen concentration of said flue gas contacting said ISCS to about 2% or greater, and   lower the CO concentration of said flue gas contacting said ISCS to less than about 1000 ppm.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applied air raises an ash-fusion temperature of ash in said flue gas contacting said ISCS. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including applying an effective amount of at least one fireside chemical treatment (FCT) chemical into said combustion system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one FCT chemical is chosen from one or more of chemicals capable of at least one of the following of reducing ash accumulation, reducing corrosion, and catalyzing combustion. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said application of said at least one FCT chemical includes feeding said FCT chemical into said applied air. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said application of air creates a localized area of lower CO concentration within said flue gas contacting said ISCS, and wherein said at least one FCT chemical is delivered to said localized area of lower CO concentration. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ISCS is in an area chosen from an upstream radiant zone, a burner zone, a downstream radiant zone, and a convection zone. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ISCS is in an area having a sub-stoichiometric air-fuel ratio (AFR). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said sub-stoichiometric area is in an area chosen from at least one of an upstream radiant zone, a burner zone, a downstream radiant zone, and a convection zone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one application apparatus is positioned to apply through at least one wall chosen from a wall in an upstream radiant zone, a wall in a burner zone, a wall in a downstream radiant zone, and a wall in a convection zone. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said velocity is chosen from about 50 m/s to about 150 m/s. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said volumetric flow is chosen from at least one of about 100 to about 3500 ACFM, about 150 to about 3500 ACFM, about 200 to about 3000 ACFM about 250 to about 2500 ACFM, about 300 to about 2500 ACFM, about 350 to about 2500 ACFM, about 400 to about 2500 ACFM, about 450 to about 2500 ACFM, about 500 to about 2500 ACFM, about 550 to about 2500 ACFM, about 600 to about 2500 ACFM, about 650 to about 2500 ACFM, about 700 to about 2500 ACFM, about 750 to about 2500 ACFM, about 800 to about 2500 ACFM, about 950 to about 2500 ACFM, and about 1000 to about 2000 ACFM. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said volumetric flow is chosen from about 1000 to about 2000 ACFM. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further including applying at least one reducing agent into the combustion system in an amount sufficient to lower NOx emissions; optionally, wherein said reducing agent is sprayed into an over-fired air (OFA) stream in said combustion system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one reducing agent is chosen from at least one of urea, methylol urea, methylol urea-urea condensation product, dimethylol urea, urea pills, methyl urea, dimethyl urea, urea analogs, urea hydrolysis products, ammonia, ammonia salts, ammonium carbamate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium formate, ammonium oxalate, hexamethylenetetramine, ammonium salts of organic acids, 5-membered heterocyclic hydrocarbons having at least one cyclic nitrogen, 6-membered heterocyclic hydrocarbons having at least one cyclic nitrogen, hydroxy amino hydrocarbons, cyanuric acid, amino acids, proteins, monoethanolamine, guanidine, guanidine carbonate, biguanidine, guanylurea sulfate, melamine, dicyandiamide, calcium cyanamide, biuret, and 1,1′-azobisformamide. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further including applying OFA into the combustion system, wherein said OFA includes an amount of air sufficient to bring an air-fuel ratio (AFR) in said combustion system to at least stoichiometric. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said OFA is applied at about 1 to about 40% excess combustion air. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said applying air into said system through at least one application apparatus to target said ISCS includes applying in the radiant zone at a location upstream from where said OFA is applied. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said applying air into said system through at least one application apparatus to target said ISCS includes applying in the radiant zone at a location downstream from where said OFA is applied. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of applying air into said system through at least one application apparatus to target said ISCS is not OFA. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , further including identifying a portion of said ISCS exhibiting at least one of said problems and pointing said at least one application apparatus in the direction of said identified portion of said ISCS. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , further including injecting a liquid through said at least one application apparatus. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said combustion problem is chosen from at least one of ash accumulation, corrosion and incomplete combustion. 
     
     
         28 . A combustion system that emits a flue gas, said combustion system comprising:
 an internal surface (ISCS) located in at least one of a radiant zone and a convection zone;   an entry point for establishing communication with said ISCS;   at least one treatment system comprising
 an apparatus configured to transfer air from one point in the combustion system to another point in the combustion system, and 
 an air mover connected to said apparatus, wherein said air mover is in communication with an air supply and is configured to generate
 an air flow velocity of about 50 m/s to about 300 m/s, and 
 a volumetric flow of about 50 ACFM to about 4000 ACFM, 
 
 wherein said apparatus is positioned such that application of air through said apparatus increases an oxygen concentration in said flue gas contacting said ISCS and reduces the occurrence of at least one combustion problem chosen from ash accumulation, corrosion, and incomplete combustion. 
   
     
     
         29 . The combustion system of  claim 28 , further including
 an FCT delivery passage configured to interface with said apparatus and apply an FCT chemical into said applied air, and   an FCT chemical supply in communication with said FCT delivery passage.   
     
     
         30 . A treatment system for use with a combustion system that emits a flue gas, said combustion system having an internal surface (ISCS) located in at least one of a radiant zone and a convection zone, and an entry point for establishing communication with said ISCS, said treatment system comprising:
 an apparatus configured to transfer air from one point in the combustion system to another point in the combustion system, and   an air mover connected to said apparatus, wherein said air mover is in communication with an air supply and is configured to generate
 an air flow velocity of about 50 m/s to about 300 m/s, and 
 a volumetric flow of about 50 ACFM to about 4000 ACFM, 
 whereby application of air through said apparatus increases an oxygen concentration in flue gas contacting said ISCS. 
   
     
     
         31 . The treatment system of  claim 30 , further including
 an FCT delivery passage configured to interface with said apparatus and apply an FCT chemical into said applied air, and   an FCT chemical supply in communication with said FCT delivery passage.