Steam generator

Abstract

A boiler including a pressure vessel defining a volume therein, an outlet in fluid communication with the volume, and an aperture open to the volume. A fuel is introduced into the volume and combusted to produce heat and a first gas therein. The aperture is configured to introduce steam into the volume. Both the first gas and the steam are exhausted through the outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A boiler comprising:
 a pressure vessel defining a volume therein, wherein a fuel is introduced into the volume and combusted to produce heat and a first gas therein;   an outlet in fluid communication with the volume; and   an aperture open to the volume, wherein the aperture is configured to introduce a first steam flow into the volume;   wherein both the first gas and the first steam flow are exhausted through the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The boiler of  claim 1 , further comprising a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the volume. 
     
     
         3 . The boiler of  claim 2 , wherein the first heat exchanger includes the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The boiler of  claim 2 , wherein the pressure vessel includes an exterior wall having an inner surface and an exterior surface, and wherein the first heat exchanger is positioned along the inner surface of the pressure vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The boiler of  claim 1 , wherein the first gas includes at least carbon dioxide and steam. 
     
     
         6 . The boiler of  claim 1 , wherein the volume has a steady-state operating pressure greater than or equal to 1500 PSI. 
     
     
         7 . The boiler of  claim 1 , further comprising an internal combustor at least partially positioned within and in fluid communication with the volume, wherein the fuel is introduced into and at least partially combusted within the internal combustor during operation. 
     
     
         8 . The boiler of  claim 7 , wherein the internal combustor is at least partially enclosed by a barrier defining one or more channels therein. 
     
     
         9 . The boiler of  claim 8 , wherein the barrier includes a second heat exchanger, wherein the second heat exchanger includes a second aperture, and wherein the second aperture is configured to introduce a second steam flow into the volume. 
     
     
         10 . The boiler of  claim 8 , wherein the internal combustor is sized and shaped to produce an ignition environment of at least 80% oxygen during operation. 
     
     
         11 . The boiler of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel includes at least one of methane and wet biomass. 
     
     
         12 . A boiler comprising:
 a pressure vessel defining a volume therein;   a combustion chamber provided in the volume, wherein a fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber and combusted to produce heat and a first gas therein, wherein the combustion chamber is configured to introduce steam into the volume; and   an outlet in fluid communication with the volume;   wherein both the first gas and the steam are exhausted through the outlet.   
     
     
         13 . The boiler of  claim 12 , wherein the fuel includes at least one of methane and wet biomass, and wherein the combustion chamber is sized and shaped to produce an ignition environment of at least 80% oxygen during operation. 
     
     
         14 . A power generation assembly comprising:
 a turbine having an inlet; and   a boiler including:
 a pressure vessel defining a volume therein, wherein fuel is introduced into the volume and combusted to generate heat and a first gas therein, 
 an outlet in fluid communication with the volume, and 
 an aperture open to the volume, wherein the aperture is configured to introduce a first steam flow into the volume to mix with the first gas to form a first working fluid; 
 wherein the first working fluid exits the volume via the outlet and is directed into the turbine via the inlet. 
   
     
     
         15 . The power generation assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the volume includes an internal combustor, and wherein the fuel is introduced into the volume via the internal combustor. 
     
     
         16 . The power generation assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the internal combustor is sized and shaped to produce an ignition environment having at least 80% oxygen. 
     
     
         17 . The power generation assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the internal combustor is at least partially enclosed by a barrier forming one or more channels. 
     
     
         18 . The power generation assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the barrier includes a heat exchanger with a second aperture formed therein, and wherein the second aperture is configured to introduce a second steam flow into the volume to mix with the first steam flow and the first gas. 
     
     
         19 . The power generation assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the volume, and wherein the aperture is incorporated into the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         20 . The power generation assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the volume, wherein the first heat exchanger is provided along an inner surface of the pressure vessel.