HIGH EFFICIENCY LOW NOx EMISSION BURNER APPARATUS

Abstract

A high efficiency low NO x emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus. The apparatus includes a plenum chamber having an inlet for introduction of combustion air and includes a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the plenum chamber. A primary waste gas pipe terminates in a lobed tip nozzle through the plenum chamber for introduction of waste gas into the combustion chamber. A primary fuel gas line is in communication with the plenum chamber for introduction of primary fuel gas.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus, which apparatus comprises:
 a plenum chamber having an inlet for introduction of combustion air;   a combustion chamber in fluid communication with said plenum chamber;   at least one primary waste gas pipe passing through the plenum chamber terminating at the chamber for introduction of primary waste gas into said mix chamber; and   a primary fuel gas line through said plenum chamber for introduction of primary fuel gas into said combustion chamber, resulting in improved mixing of internal and external fluid streams.   
     
     
         2 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  including:
 a secondary waste gas pipe in fluid communication with said combustion chamber for introduction of waste secondary gas into said combustion chamber. 
 
     
     
         3 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in claim including:
 a secondary fuel gas line terminating at said combustion chamber for introduction of secondary fuel gas therein.   
     
     
         4 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said primary waste gas pipe terminates in a lobed tip nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said lobed tip nozzle includes a plurality of radially extending lobes symmetrically arranged around a center axis. 
     
     
         6 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  wherein each of said plurality of radially extending lobes tapers from said primary waste gas pipe. 
     
     
         7 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the cross-sectional area of the nozzle remains approximately the same throughout while the perimeter of the cross-sectional area increases. 
     
     
         8 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said lobed tip nozzle having a plurality of radially extending lobes is centrally located in said plenum chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  including a plurality of lobed tip nozzles. 
     
     
         10 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said waste gas is from an independent source which is independent from combustion in said combustion chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus which apparatus comprises:
 a plenum chamber having an inlet for introduction of combustion air;   a combustion chamber in fluid communication with said mix chamber;   a primary waste gas pipe terminating in a lobed tip nozzle through said plenum chamber for introduction of waste gas from an independent source through said plenum chamber, wherein said lobed tip nozzle includes a plurality of radially extending lobes symmetrically arranged around a center axis and wherein each of said plurality of radially extending lobes tapers from said primary waste gas pipe; and   a primary fuel gas line through said plenum chamber for introduction of primary fuel gas therein, resulting in improved mixing of the internal and external fluid streams.   
     
     
         12 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  including:
 a secondary waste gas pipe in communication with said combustion chamber for introduction of waste gas into said combustion chamber. 
 
     
     
         13 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  including:
 a secondary fuel gas line terminating in said combustion chamber for introduction of fuel gas therein. 
 
     
     
         14 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said lobed tip nozzle is centrally located within said plenum chamber. 
     
     
         15 . A high efficiency low NO x  emission thermal oxidizer burner apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  including a plurality of lobed tip nozzles. 
     
     
         16 . A method of high efficiency thermal oxidation resulting in low NO x  emission, which method comprises:
 introducing combustion air into a plenum chamber;   introducing primary waste gas through said plenum chamber through a lobed tip nozzle;   mixing said combustion air with said primary waste gas;   introducing primary fuel gas through said plenum chamber to mix said combustion air and said waste gas; and   combusting said fuel gas, said combustion air and said waste gas in a combustion chamber.   
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  including the additional step of introducing secondary waste gas into said combustion chamber. 
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  including introducing secondary fuel gas into said combustion chamber. 
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  including introducing primary waste gas through said plenum chamber through a plurality of lobed tip nozzles.