CA2091341C

CA2091341C - An advanced overfire air system for no _control

Info

Publication number: CA2091341C
Application number: CA002091341A
Authority: CA
Inventors: John Leonard Marion
Original assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
Current assignee: Alstom Power Inc
Priority date: 1990-10-31
Filing date: 1991-06-24
Publication date: 1995-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2011-06-24
Also published as: HUT65491A; DE69121579D1; JPH05507345A; YU141991A; FI931941A0; BR9107060A; KR930702645A; AU646677B2; ZA915500B; KR970009483B1; MX9100537A; FI931941A; ES2092573T3; CS327791A3; EP0554254A1; CA2091341A1; WO1992008078A1; JP2731794B2; HU9300808D0; AU8108691A

Abstract

An advanced overfire air system for NOx control designed for use in a firing system of the type that is particularly suited for use in fossil fuel-fired furnaces and a method of operating such a furnace which embodies an advanced overfire air sys-tem. The advanced overfire air system for NOx control includes multi-elevations of overfire air compartments consisting of a plurality of close coupled overfire air compartments (84, 86) and a plurality of separated overfire air compartments (94, 96, 98). The close coupled overfire air (84, 86) compartments are supported at a first elevation in the furnace (10) and the sepa-rated overfire air compartments (94, 96, 98) are supported at a second elevation in the furnace (10) so as to be spaced from but aligned with the close coupled overfire air compartments (84, 86). Overfire air is supplied (106, 92) to both the close coupled overfire air compartments (84, 86) and the separated overfire air compartments (94, 96, 98) such that there is a predeter-mined most favorable distribution of overfire air therebetween, such that the overfire (106) air exiting from the separated over-fire air compartments (94, 96, 98) establishes a horizontal "spray" or "fan" distribution (124, 126, 128) of overfire air over the plan area of the furnace, and such that the overfire air (106) exits from the separated overfire air compartments (94, 96, 98) at velocities significantly higher than the velocities em-ployed heretofore.

Description

~ 20~134~

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces, and more specifically, to overfire air systems for reducing the NOx emissions from tangentially fired, pulverized coal furnaces.
Pulverized coal has been successfully burned in suspension in furnaces by tangential firing methods for a long time. The tangential firing technique involves introducing the fuel and air into a furnace from the four corners thereof 50 that the fuel and air are directed tangent to an imaginary circle in the center of the furnace. This type of firing has many advantages, among them being good mixing of the fuel and the air, stable flame conditions, and long residence time of the combustion gases in the furnaces.
Recently though, more and more emphasis has been placed on the minimization as much as possible of air pollution. To this end, most observers in the United States expect the U.S. Congress to enact comprehensive air emission reduction legislation by no later than the end of 1990. The major significance that such legislation will have is that it will be the first to mandate the retrofitting of NOx and Sx controls on existing fossil fuel fired units. Heretofore, prior laws have only dealt with the new construction of units.
With further reference in particular to the matter of NOx control, it is known that oxides of nitrogen are created during fossil fuel combustion by two separate mechanisms which have been identified to be thermal NO and fuel NO . Thermal NO
x x x results from the thermal fixation of molecular nitrogen and oxygen in the combustion air. The rate of formation of thermal NOx is extremely sensitive to local flame temperature and somewhat less so to local concentration of oxygen. Virtually all thermal NOx is formed at the region of the flame which is at the highest temperature. The thermal NOx concentration is subsequently "frozen" at the level prevailing in the high temperature region by the thermal quenching of the combustion gases. The flue gas thermal NOx concentrations are, therefore, between the equilibrium level characteristic of the peak flame temperature and the equilibrium level at the flue gas temperature.
On the other hand, fuel NOx derives from the oxidation of organically bound nitrogen in certain fossil fuels such as coal and heavy oil. The formation rate of fuel NOx is strongly affected by the rate of mixing of the fuel and air stream in general, and by the local oxygen concentration in particular.
However, the flue gas NOx concentration due to fuel nitrogen is typically only a fraction, e.g., 20 to 60 percent, of the level which would result from complete oxidation of all nitrogen in the fuel. From the preceding it should thus now be readily apparent that overall NOx formation is a function both of local oxygen levels and of peak flame temperatures.
Continuing, some changes have been proposed to be made in the standard tangential firing technique. These changes have been proposed primarily in the interest of achieving an even better reduction of emissions through the use thereof.
Specifically, it has been proposed to introduce pulverized coal and air tangentially into the furnace from a number of lower burner levels in one direction, and to introduce coal and air tangentially into the furnace from a number of upper burner levels in the opposite directions. As a consequence of utilizing this type of arrangement, it was alleged that better mixing of the fuel and air was accomplished, thus permitting the use of less excess air than with a normal tangentially fired furnace, which, as is well-known to those skilled in the art, is generally fired with 20-30% excess air. The reduction in excess air helps minimize the formation of NOx which, as noted previously herein, is a major air pollutant of coal-fired furnaces. It also results in increased efficiency of the unit. Although this proposed firing technique reduces NOx, there were some disadvantages associated therewith.
Namely, since the reverse rotation of the gases in the furnace 23~

cancel each other out, the gases flow in a more or less straight line through the upper portion of the furnace, thereby increasing the possibility of unburned carbon particles leaving the furnace due to reduced upper furnace turbulence and mixing. In addition, slag and unburned carbon deposits on the furnace walls can o~cur.
These wall deposits reduce the efficiency of heat transfer to the water-cooled tubes lining the walls, increases the need for soot blowing, and reduces the life span of the tubes.
Another such change resulted in the arrangement that forms the subject matter of U.S. Patent Number 4,715,301 entitled ~Low Excess Air Tangential Firing System", which issued on December 29, 1987 and which is assigned to the same assignee as the present patent application. In accordance with the teachings of U.S. Patent Number 4,715,301, a furnace is provided in which pulverized coal is burned in suspension with good mixing of the coal and air, as in the case of the proposal discussed hereinabove. Furthermore, all of the advantages previously associated with tangentially fired furnaces are obtained, by having a swirling, rotating fireball in the furnace. The walls are protected by a blanket of air, reducing slagging thereof.
This is accomplished by wos2/oso72a~1~4~ PCI'/US91/04440 ~

introducing coal and primary air into the furnace tangentially at a first level, introducing auxiliary air in an amount at least twice that of the primary air into the furnace tangentially at a second level directly above the first level, but in a direction opposite to that of the primary air, with there being a plurality of such first an~d second levels, one above the other. As a result of the greater mass and velocity of the auxiliary air, the ultimate swirl within the furnace will be in the direction of the auxiliary air introduction.
Because of this, the fuel, which is introduced in a direction counter to the swirl of the furnace, is forced after entering the unit, to change direction to that of the overall furnace gases. Tremendous turbulent mixing between the fuel and air is thus created in this process. This increased mixing reduces the need for high levels of excess air within the furnace. This increase mixing also results in enhanced carbon conversion which improves the unit's overall heat release rate while at the same time reducing upper furnace slagging and fouling. The auxiliary air is directed at a circle of larger diameter than that of the fuel, thus forming a layer of air adjacent the walls. In addition, overfire air, consisting essentially of all of the excess air supplied to the furnace, is introduced into the furnace at a level considerably above all of the primary and auxiliary air introduction levels, with the overfire air being directed tangentially to an imaginary circle, and in a direction opposite to that of the auxiliary air.
Yet another such change resulted in the arrangement for firing pulverized coal as a fuel with low N0x emissions that forms the subject matter of U. S. Patent Number 4,669,398, entitled "Pulverized Fuel Firing Apparatus", and which issued on June 2, 1987.
In accordance with the teachings of U. S. Patent Number 4,669,398, an apparatus is provided which is characterized by a first pulverized fuel injection compartment in which the combined amount of primary air and secondary air to be consumed is less than the theoretical amount of air required for the combustion of the pulverized fuel to be fed as mixed with the primary air to a furnace, by a second pulverized fuel injection compartment in which the combined primary and secondary air amount is substantially equal to, or, preferably, somewhat less than, the theoretical air for the fuel to be fed as ~ 0 92/08078 2 0 ~ 1 3 ~ ~ P~/US91/0444o mixed with the primary air, and by a supplementary air compartment for injecting supplementary air into the furnace, the three compartments being arranged close to one another. The gaseous mixtures of primary air and pulverized fuel injected by the first and second pulverized fuel injection compartments of the apparatus are mixed in such proportions as to reduce the N0x production. Moreover, the primary air-pulverized fuel mixture from the second pulverized fuel injection compartment, which alone can hardly be ignited stably, is allowed to coexist with the flame of the readily ignitible mixture from the first pulverized fuel injection compartment to ensure adequate ignition and combustion. An apparatus is thus allegedly provided for firing pulverized fuel with stable ignition and low N0x production.
Secondly, the apparatus in accordance with the teachings of U. S. Patent Number 4,669,398 is characterized in that additional compartments for issuing an inert fluid are disposed, one for each, in spaces provided between the three compartments. The gaseous mixtures of primary air and pulverized fuel are thus kept from interfering with each other by a curtain of the inert fluid from one of the inert fluid injection compartments, and the production of N0x from the gaseous mixtures that are discharged from the first and second pulverized fuel injection compartments allegedly can be minimized. Also, the primary air-pulverized fuel mixture from the first pulverized fuel injection compartment and the supplementary air from the supplementary air compartment are prevented from interfering with each other by another curtain of the inert fluid from another compartment. This allegedly permits the primary air-pulverized fuel mixture to burn without any change in the mixing ratio, thus avoiding any increase in the N0x production.
Yet still another change resulted in the arrangement for firing pulverized coal as a fuel while at the same time effecting a reduction in N0x and Sx emission that forms the subject matter of U. S. Patent Number 4,426,939, entitled "Method Of Reducing N0x and Sx Emission", which issued on January 24, 1984 and which is assigned to the same assignee as the present patent application. In accordance with the teachings of U. S. Patent Number 4,426,939, a furnace is fired with pulverized coal in a manner that reduces the peak temperature in the furnace while still maintaining good flame stability and complete combustion of the fuel. The manner in which this is accomplished is as follows. Pulverized coal is conveyed in an air stream towards the furnace. In the course of being so conveyed, the stream is separated into two portions, with one portion being a fuel rich portion and the other portion being a fuel lean portion. The fuel rich portion is introduced into the furnace in a first zone. Air is also introduced into the first zone in a quantity insufficient to support complete combustion of all of the fuel in the fuel rich portion. The fuel lean portion, on the other hand, is introduced into the furnace in a second zone. Also, air is introduced into the second zone in a quantity such that there is excess air over that required for combustion of all of the fuel within the furnace. Lastly, lime is introduced into the furnace simultaneously with the fuel so as to minimize the peak temperature within the furnace and so as to also minimize the formation of NO and SO in the combustion gases.
x x Although firing systems constructed in accordance with the prior proposal discussed above and in accordance with the three issued U.S. patents to which reference has been made hereinbefore have been demonstrated to be operative for the purpose for which they have been designed, there has nevertheless been evidenced in the prior art a need for such firing systems to be improved. More specifically, a need has been evidenced in the prior art for a new and improved firing system that would be advantageously characterized by the fact that an advanced overfire air system is incorporated therein. To this end, the basic concept of overfire air has been provided to be the most cost effective method for controlling NOx in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces. Overfire air is introduced into the furnace tangentially through additional air compartments, termed overfire air ports, that are designed as vertical extensions of the corner windboxes with which the tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnace is equipped.

A

20~ 1 3 4 ~ 62898-l433 The theory of NOx emissions reduction by overfire air is as follows. Operation with overfire air inhibits the rate of NOx formation by both atmospheric nitrogen fixation (thermal NOx) and fuel nitrogen oxidation (fuel NOx). The use of overfire air reduces 6a ~i o 92/08078 2 0 9 13 ~ I PCI/US91/04440 the total oxygen available in the primary flame zone. As a result of this reduced oxygen zone, fuel nitrogen undergoes a recombination reaction to form molecular nitrogen, N2, rather than nitrogen oxide, simply due to insufficient oxygen in this zone and the intense 5 competition with carbon species for the available oxygen.
Consequently, the formation of NOx through fuel nitrogen conversion is greatly reduced. Similarly, overfire air operation results in reduction of thermal NOx formation through the temperature dependent Zeldovich mechanism. Heat release during the initial stages of combustion in the primary flame zone is somewhat reduced and delayed due to the reduced oxygen environment, with combustion ideally completed in the vicinity of the overfire air injection ports. The stretching of the heat release over a greater furnace volume results in lower peak combustion temperatures, thereby reducing thermal NOx 15 formation.
Typical application of overfire air is through one or two closely grouped ports at a single fixed elevation at the top of the windbox, referred to as close-coupled overfire air, or at a higher elevation, referred to as separated overfire air. Experimental 20 testing has shown a significant reduction in NOx with fossil fuel firing ~hen, for a fixed total quantity of overfire air, the overfire air is introduced partly through close-couple overfire air ports and partly through separated overfire air ports. Moreover, experimental testing has shown that there exists a most favorable distribution of 25 overfire air between the close coupled overfire air ports and the separated overfire air ports. In the case of bituminous coal, for example, this most favorable distribution has 1/3 of the overfire air flowing through the close coupled overfire air ports and 2/3 of the overfire air flowing through the separated overfire air ports.
In addition to the above, the manner in which overfire air is introduced into a furnace such that the air mixes with furnace gases in a controlled and thorough manner is also critical to maximizing overfire air effectiveness. Test data has shown that improvements in NOx emissions are attainable when the overfire air is 35 injected from each furnace corner through two, three or more compartments with each compartment introducing a portion of the total overfire air flow at different firing angles such as to achieve a 2 ~ 4 1 - I ~

horizontal "spray" or "fan" distribution of air over the furnace plan area as compared to when other injection patterns are utilized for purposes of injecting the overfire air into the furnace. In addition, it has been found that through the use of such an injection pattern for the overfire air, furnace outlet conditions are also improved inasmuch as a more uniform flame pattern is created at the vertical outlet plane of the furnace. AlT tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces have a nonuniform flow pa~tern in the convective pass due to the tangential lower furnace flow pattern. This nonuniform flow pattern results in more flow on one side than the other and creates a side-to-side imbalance in steam temperature. The introduction of overfire air into the furnace by means of the injection pattern that has been described above wherein through the use thereof a horizontal "spray" or "fan" distribution of overfire air over the furnace plan area is had reduces this imbalance.
Finally, improved overfire air mixing with the furnace gases can be had by introducing the overfire air at high momentum.
To achieve high overfire air momentum, the overfire air is introduced at velocities significantly above those typically employed in prior art firing systems, e.g., 200 to 300 ft./sec. versus 100 to 150 ft./sec., A boost fan may be needed to attain these higher overfire air velocities.
To thus summarize, a need has been evidenced in the prior art for such a new and improved firing system incorporating an advanced overfire air system that would be particularly suited for use in connection with tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and that when so employed therein would render it possible to accomplish through the use thereof reductions in the level of N0x emissions to levels that are at least equivalent to, if not better than, that which is currently being contemplated as the standard for the United States in legislation which is being proposed. Moreover, such results would be achievable with such a new and improved firing system incorporating an advanced overfire air system without the necessity of requiring for the operation thereof any additions, catalysts or added premium fuel costs. Furthermore, such results would be obtainable with such a new and improved firing system incorporating an advanced overfire air system which is totally ~O 92/08078 2 0 9 1 3 ~ 1 PCI`/US91/04440 _ g _ compatible with other emission reduction-type systems such as limestone injection systems, reburn systems and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems that one might seek to employ in order to accomplish additional emission reduction. Last but not least, such ' 5 results would be attainable with such a new and improved firing system incorporating an advanced overfire air system which is equally suitable for use either in new applications or in retrofit applications.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved advanced overfire air system for N0x control which is designed for use in a firing system of the type that is employed in fossil fuel-fired furnaces.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type that is employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces such that through the use thereof N0x emissions are capable of being reduced to levels that are at least equivalent to, if not better than, that which is currently being contemplated as the standard for the United States in the legislation being proposed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces characterized in that the advanced overfire air system involves the use of multi-elevations of overfire air compartments consisting of close coupled overfire air compartments and separated overfire air compartments.
A still another object of the present invention is to provide such a multi-elevation advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that there is a predetermined most favorable WO 92/08078 2 0 91~ 7 PCI/US91/04440 .~

distribution of overfire air between the close coupled overfire air compartments and the separated overfire air compartments.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that the advanced overfire air system involves the use of a multi-angle injection pattern.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide such an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that in accordance with the multi-angle injection pattern thereof a portion of the total overfire air flow is introduced at different firing angles such as to achieve a horizontal "spray" or "fan"
distribution of overfire air over the plan area of the furnace.
Yet an object of the present invention is to provide such an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that the advanced overfire air system involves the injection of overfire air into the furnace at velocities significantly higher than those utilized heretofore in prior art firing systems.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide such an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces such that through the use thereof no additions, catalysts or added premium fuel costs are needed for the operation thereof.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that the advanced overfire air system is totally compatible with other emission reduction-type systems such as limestone injection systems, reburn systems and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems that ~ 209 1 34 1 one might seek to employ ln order to accompllsh additlonal emission reductlon.
Yet stlll another ob~ect of the present inventlon ls to provide such an advanced overflre alr system for NOX
control that is deslgned for use ln a flrlng system of the type employed in tangentlally flred, fossll fuel furnaces and whlch ls characterlzed ln that the advanced overflre alr system ls equally well sulted for use elther ln new appllcatlons or ln retroflt appllcatlons.
SUMMAR~ OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present inventlon there ls provlded a method of operating for NOX control a fossil fuel-flred furnace of the type embodylng therewlthln a burner reglon and whereln a wlndbox embodylng a plurality of elevatlons ls provlded in the burner region, fossil fuel is introduced into the burner region of the furnace through the wlndbox at a first elevatlon thereof, combustlon supporting secondary alr i8 lntroduced lnto the burner reglon of the furnace through the wlndbox at a second elevatlon thereof, fossil fuel ls lntroduced lnto the burner reglon of the furnace through the wlndbox at a thlrd elevatlon thereof, and a plurallty of overflre alr compartments are provlded ln the burner reglon of the furnace above and ln spaced relation to the windbox. The sub~ect method of operating for NOX control a fossil fuel-flred furnace of the type descrlbed herelnabove ls characterlzed in that the fossll fuel lntroduced lnto the burner region of the furnace through the windbox at a first elevation thereof is lntroduced thereln ln a flrst dlrectlon, 628g8-1433 ~ ,~

2~ 1 34 1 the combustlon supportlng secondary alr introduced lnto the burner reglon of the furnace through the wlndbox at a second elevatlon thereof ls lntroduced thereln in the flrst directlon, the fos~il fuel introduced into the burner region of the furnace through the windbox at a third elevation thereof i8 lntroduced therein in the flrst dlrectlon, overflre alr ls introduced lnto the burner region of the furnace ln a second dlrectlon opposlte to the flrst dlrectlon through one of the plurallty of overfire air compartments, and overfire alr ls lntroduced lnto the burner reglon of the furnace ln a dlrectlon other than the second dlrectlon through one of the plurallty of overflre alr compartments.
In addition, the sub~ect method of operating for NOx control a fossil fuel-furnace of the type described hereinabove ls further characterlzed as follows: ln that the overflre alr ls lntroduced lnto the burner region of the furnace through the plurallty of overflre air compartments at velocitles in the range of 200 ft./sec. to 300 ft./sec., ln that overflre air is introduced in the flr~t dlrection into the burner reglon of the furnace through the wlndbox at a fourth elevatlon thereof, and in that more overfire alr ls lntroduced lnto the burner region of the furnace through the wlndbox at the fourth elevatlon thereof.
BRIEF DES~l~LlON OF THE DR~WING
Figure 1 ls a dlagrammatic representatlon ln the nature of a vertical sectional view of a fossil fuel-flred furnace embodying an advanced overfire air system for NOX
control constructed in accordance with the present lnvention;

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Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representat iOll in the nature of a vertical sectional view of a flring system of the type employed ln tangentlally fired, fossil-fuel furnaces lllustratlng the embodiment therein of an advanced overflre alr system for NOx control constructed in accordance wlth the pre~ent invention;
Figure 3 ls a graphical depiction of the effect on NOx when uslng an advanced overfire air system constructed ln accordance - 12a -~t~

~ NO 92/08078 2 0 ~ 13 ~ I P~/US91/04440 with the present invention wherein there is a predetermined apportionment of the overfire air between close coupled overfire air and separated overfire air;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the horizontal "spray" or "fan" distribution pattern for the overfire air which is employed in an advanced overfire air system constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 is a graphical depiction of the effect on NOx of using an advanced overfire air system constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein the overfire air is distributed in accordance with the horizontal "spray" or "fan" distribution pattern illustrated in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a graphical depiction of the effect on NOx of using an advanced overfire air system constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein the overfire air is injected into the furnace at high velocities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
- Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, there is depicted therein a fossil fuel-fired furnace, generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Inasmuch as the nature of the construction and the mode of operation of fossil fuel-fired furnaces per se are well-known to those skilled in the art, it is not deemed necessary, therefore, to set forth herein a detailed description of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 illustrated in Figure 1. Rather, for purposes of obtaining an understanding of a fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, which is capable of having cooperatively associated therewith a firing system, generally designated by the reference numeral 12 in Figure 1 of the drawing, embodying an advanced overfire air system, generally designated by the reference numeral 14 in Figure 1 of the drawing, constructed inaccordance with the present invention such that in accordance with the present invention the advanced overfire air system 14 is capable of being installed in the furnace 10 as part of the firing system 12 and when so installed therein is operative for reducing the NOx emissions from the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, it is deemed to be sufficient that there be presented herein merely a description of the 20~3~1 nature of the components of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 with which the aforesaid firing system 12 and the aforesaid advanced overfire air system 14 cooperate. For a more detailed description of the nature of the construction and the mode of operation of the components of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, which are not described herein, one may have reference to the prior art, e.g., U. S. Patent No. 4,719,587, which issued on January 12, 1988 to F. J. Berte and which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application.
Referring further to Figure 1 of the drawing, the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 as illustrated therein includes a burner region, generally designated by the reference numeral 16. As will be described more fully hereinafter in connection with the description of the nature of the construction and the mode of operation of the firing system 12 and of the advanced overfire air system 14, it is within the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 that in a manner well-known to those skilled in this art combustion of the fossil fuel and air is initiated. The hot gases that are produced from combustion of the fossil fuel and air rise upwardly in the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10. During the upwardly movement thereof in the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, the hot gases in a manner well-known to those skilled in this art give up heat to the fluid flowing through the tubes (not shown in the interest of maintaining clarity of illustration in the drawing) that in conventional fashion line all four of the walls of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10. Then, the hot gases exit the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through the horizontal pass, generally designated by the reference numeral 18, of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, which in turn leads to the rear gas pass, generally designated by the reference numeral 20, of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10. Both the horizontal pass 18 and the rear gas pass20 commonly contain other heat exchanger surface (not shown) for generating and super heating steam, in a manner well-known to those skilled in this art. Thereafter, the steam commonly is made to flow to a turbine (not shown), which forms one component of a turbine/generator set (not shown), such that the steam provides the motive power to drive the turbine (not shown) and thereby also the generator (not shown), which in known fashion is cooperatively o 92/08078 2 0 ~ 1 P ~ /US91/04440 associated with the turbine (not shown), such that electricity is thus produced from the generator (not shown).
With the preceding by way of background, reference will now be had particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing for - 5 purposes of describing the firing system 12 and the advanced overfire air system 14 which in accordance with the present invention is designed for use as part of a firing system, such as the firing system 12, and with the firing system, such as the firing system 12, in turn being designed to be cooperatively associated with a furnace constructed in the manner of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 that is depicted in Figure 1 of the drawing. More specifically, the advanced overfire air system 14 is designed to be utilized in a firing system, such as the firing system 12, so that when the firing system 12 in turn is utilized in a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 of Figure 2 of the drawing, the advanced overfire air system 14 is operative to reduce the N0x emissions from the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10.
Considering first the firing system 12, as best understood with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing the 20 firing system 12 includes a housing preferably in the form of a windbox denoted by the reference numeral 22 in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. The windbox 22 in a manner well-known to those skilled in this art is supported by conventional support means (not shown) in the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 such that the longitudinal axis of the windbox 22 extends substantially in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10.
Continuing with the description of the firing system 12, in accordance with the illustration thereof in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing a first air compartment, denoted generally by the reference numeral 24 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is provided at the lower end of the windbox 22. An air nozzle, denoted by the reference numeral 26, is supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the air compartment 24. An air supply means, which is illustrated schematically in Figure 1 of the drawing wherein the air supply means is denoted generally by the reference numeral 2 0 ~

28, is operatiYely connected in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter to the air nozzle 26 whereby the air supply means 28 supplies air to the air nozzle 26 and therethrough into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10. To this end, the air supply means 28 includes a fan seen at 30 in Figure 1 of the drawing, and the air ducts denoted by the reference numeral 32 which are connected in fluid flow relation to the fan 30 on the one hand and on the other hand, as seen schematically at 34 in Figure 1 of the drawing, to the air nozzle 26 through separate valves and controls (not shown).
With further reference to the windbox 22, in accordance with the nature of the construction of the illustrated embodiment of the firing system 12 a first fuel compartment, denoted generally by the reference numeral 36 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is provided in the windbox 22 within the lower portion thereof such as to be located substantially in juxtaposed relation to the air compartment 24. A
first fuel nozzle, denoted by the reference numeral 38 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for 20 such a purpose, within the fuel compartment 36. A fuel supply means, which is illustrated schematically in Figure 1 of the drawing wherein the fuel supply means is denoted generally by the reference numeral 40, is operatively connected in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter to the fuel nozzle 38 whereby the fuel supply means 40 25 supplies fuel to the fuel nozzle 38 and therethrough into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10. Namely, the fuel supply means 40 includes a pulverizer, seen at 42 in Figure 1 of the drawing, wherein the fossil fuel that is to be burned in the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 undergoes pulverization in a manner well-known 30 to those skilled in this art, and the fuel ducts, denoted by the reference numeral 44, which are connected in fluid flow relation to the pulverizer 42 on the one hand and on the other hand, as seen schematically at 46 in Figure 1 of the drawing, to the fuel nozzle 38 through separate valves and controls (not shown). As can be seen 35 with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing, the pulverizer 42 is operatively connected to the fan 30 such that air is also supplied from the fan 30 to the pulverizer 42 whereby the fuel supplied from ~ o 92/08078 2 ~ 3 1 3 ~ 1 PC~r/US91/04440 the pulverizer 42 to the fuel nozzle 38 is transported through the fuel ducts 44 in an air stream in a manner which is well-known to those skilled in this art.
In addition to the air compartment 24 and the fuel - 5 compartment 36, which have been described hereinabove, the windbox 22 is a~so provided with a second air compartment, denoted generally by the reference numeral 48 in Figure 2 of the drawing. The air compartment 48, as best understood with reference to Figure 2 of the drawing, is provided in the windbox 22 such as to be located substantially in juxtaposed relation to the fuel compartment 36. An air nozzle, denoted by the reference numeral 50 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the air compartment 48. The air nozzle 50 is operatively connected to the air supply means 28, the latter having been described herein previously, through the air ducts 32, which as best understood with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing are connected in fluid flow relation to the fan 30 on the one hand and on the other hand, as seen schematically at 52 in Figure 1 of the drawing, to the air nozzle 50 through separate valves and controls (not sho,wn) whereby the air supply means 28 supplies air to the air nozzle 50 and therethrough into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 in the same manner as that which has been described herein previously in connection with the discussion hereinbefore of the air nozzle 26.
Continuing with the description of the firing system 12, in accord with the illustrated embodiment thereof a second fuel compartment, denoted generally by the reference numeral 54 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is provided in the windbox 22 such as to be located substantially in juxtaposed relation to the air compartment 48. A
second fuel nozzle, denoted generally by the reference numeral 56 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the fuel compartment 54.
The fuel nozzle 56 is operatively connected to the fuel supply means 40, the latter having been described previously herein, through the fuel ducts 44, which as best understood with reference to Figure 1 of 209 1~
WO 92/08078 PC~r/US91/04440 the drawing, are connected in fluid flow relation on the one hand to the pulverizer 42 wherein the fossil fuel that is to be burned in the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 undergoes pulverization in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art, and on the other hand, as seen schematically at 58 in Figure 1 of the drawing, to the fuel nozzle 56 through separate valves and controls (not shown) whereby the fuel supply means 40 supplies fuel to the fuel nozzle 56 and therethrough into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 in the same manner as that which has been described herein previously in connection with the discussion hereinbefore of the fuel nozzle 38. Mention is once again made here of the fact that as can be seen with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing, the pulverizer 42 is operatively connected to the fan 30 such that air is also supplied from the fan 30 to the pulverizer 42 whereby the fuel supplied from the pulverizer 42 to the fuel compartment 54 is transported through the fuel ducts 44 in an air stream in a manner which is well-known to those skilled in the art.
With further reference to the windbox 22, in accord with the illustrated embodiment thereof, there is provided therein a third 20 air compartment, denoted generally by the reference numeral 60 in Figure 2 of the drawing. The air compartment 60, as best understood with reference to Figure 2 of the drawing, is provided in the windbox 22 such as to be located substantially in juxtaposed relation to the fuel compartment 54. An air nozzle, denoted by the reference numeral 25 62 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the air compartment 60. The air nozzle 62 is operatively connected to the air supply means 28, the latter having been described herein 30 previously, through the air ducts 32, which as best understood with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing are connected in fluid flow relation to the fan 30 on the one hand and on the other hand, as seen schematically at 64 in Figure 1 of the drawing, to the air nozzle 62 through separate valves and controls (not shown) whereby the air 35 supply means 28 supplies air to the air nozzle 62 and therethrough into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 in the same manner as that which has been described herein previously in ~/O 92/08078 2 0 Q 1 3 ~ I PCI`/US91/04440 connection with the discussion hereinbefore of the air nozzles 26 and 50.
In addition to the foregoing, the firing system 12, in accordance with the embodiment thereof illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 - 5 of the drawing, further includes a third fuel compartment, denoted generally by the reference numeral 66 in Figure 2 of the drawing.
The fuel compartment 66 is provided in the windbox 22 such as to be located substantially in juxtaposed relation to the air compartment 60. A third fuel nozzle, denoted by the reference numeral 68 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the fuel compartment 66.
The fuel nozzle 68 is operatively connected to the fuel supply means 40, the latter having been described previously herein, through the fuel ducts 44, which as best understood with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing are connected in fluid flow relation on the one hand to the pulverizer 42 wherein the fossil fuel that is to be burned in the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 undergoes pulverization in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art, and on the other hand as seen schematically at 70 in Figure 1 of the drawing to the fuel nozzle 68 through separate valves and controls (not shown) whereby the fuel supply means 40 supplies fuel to the fuel nozzle 68 and therethrough into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 in the same manner as that which has been described herein previously in connection with the discussion hereinbefore of the fuel nozzles 38 and 56. As mentioned previously herein, the pulverizer 42 as can be seen with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing is operatively connected to the fan 30 such that air is also supplied from the fan 30 to the pulverizer 42 whereby the fuel supplied from the pulverizer 42 to the fuel compartment 66 is transported through the fuel ducts 44 in an air stream in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art.
Continuing with the description of the firing system 12, in accord with the embodiment thereof illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing there is provided in the windbox 22 a fourth air compartment, denoted generally by the reference numeral 72 in Figure 2 of the drawing. The fourth air compartment 72 is provided in the 20~1341 WO 92/08078 P~/US91/04440 windbox 22 such as to be located substantially in juxtaposed relation to the fuel compartment 66. A fourth air nozzle, denoted by the reference numeral 74 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the air compartment 72. The air nozzle 74 is operatively connected to the air supply means 28, the latter having been described herein previously, through the air ducts 32, which as best understood with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing are connected in fluid flow relation to the fan 30 on the one hand and on the other hand, as seen schematically at 76 in Figure 1 of the drawing, to the air nozzle 74 through separate valves and controls (not shown) whereby the air supply means 28 supplies air to the air nozzle 74 and therethrough into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 in the same manner as that which has been described herein previously in connection with the discussion hereinbefore of the air nozzles 26, 50 and 62.
Also, in accord with the illustrated embodiment of the firing system 12, a fourth fuel compartment, denoted generally by the 20 reference numeral 78 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is provided in the windbox 22 such as to be located substantially in juxtaposed relation to the air compartment 72. A fourth fuel nozzle, denoted by the reference numeral 80 in Figure 2 of the drawing, is supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of 25 mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the fuel compartment 78. The fuel nozzle 80 iS operatively connected to the fuel supply means 40, the latter having been described previously herein, through the fuel ducts 44, which as best understood with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing are connected in fluid flow relation on the one hand to the pulverizer 42 wherein the fossil fuel that is to be burned in the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 undergoes pulverization in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art, and on the other hand as seen schematically at 82 in Figure 1 of the drawing to the fuel nozzle 80 through separate valves and controls (not shown) whereby the fuel supply means 40 supplies fuel to the fuel nozzle 80 and therethrough into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 in the same manner as that which has 2~1341 ~NO 92/08078 PCI`/US91/04440 been described herein previously in connection with the discussion hereinbefore of the fuel nozzles 38,56 and 68. It has been mentioned ~ previously herein that as can best be seen with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing the pulverizer 42 is operatively connected to the fan - 5 30 such that air is also supplied from the fan 30 to the pulverizer 42 whereby the fuel supplied from the pulverizer 42 to the fuel compartment 78 is transported through the fuel ducts 44 in an air stream in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art.
A description will now be had herein of the nature of the construction of the advanced overfire air system 14 of the present invention, and of the manner in which the advanced overfire air system 14 in accordance with the present invention forms part of a firing system, such as the firing system 12. For purposes of this description, reference will be had in particular to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. Thus, as best understood with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the advanced overfire air system 14 in accord with the best mode embodiment of the invention includes a pair of close coupled overfire air compartments, denoted generally by the reference numerals 84 and 86, respectively, in Figure 2 of the drawing. The close coupled overfire air compartments 84 and 86, in accord with the best mode embodiment of the invention, are provided in the windbox 22 of the firing system 12 within the upper portion of the windbox 22 such as to be located substantially in juxtaposed relation to the air compartment 78, the latter having been the subject of discussion hereinbefore. A pair of close coupled overfire air nozzles, denoted by the reference numerals 88 and 90, respectively, in Figure 2 of the drawing, are supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the pair of close coupled overfire air compartments such that the close coupled overfire air nozzle 88 is mounted in the close coupled overfire air compartment 84 and the close coupled overfire air nozzle 90 is mounted in the close coupled - overfire air compartment 86. The close coupled overfire air nozzles 88 and 90 are each operatively connected to the air supply means 28, the latter having been described herein previously, through the air ducts 32, which as best understood with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing are connected in fluid flow relation to the fan 30 on the one 20913~1 =
W o 92/08078 - 22 - P ~ /ussl/o444 hand and on the other hand as seen schematically at 92 in Figure 1 of the drawing to each of the close coupled overfire air nozzles 88 and 90 through separate valves and controls (not shown) whereby the air supply means 28 supplies air to each of the close coupled overfire air nozzles 88 and 90 and therethrough into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10. .
Continuing with the description of the advanced overfire air system 14, in accordance with the best mode embodiment of the invention the advanced overfire air system 14 further includes a plurality of separated overfire air compartments, which are suitably supported, through the use of any conventional form of support means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the burner region 16 of the furnace 10 so as to be spaced from the close coupled overfire air compartments 84 and 86, and so as to be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the windbox 22. The aforementioned plurality of separated overfire air compartments, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises in number three such compartments, which are denoted generally in Figure 2 of the drawing by the reference numerals 94,96 and 98, respectively. A plurality of separated overfire air nozzles, denoted by the reference numerals 100,102 and 104, respectively, in Figure 2 of the drawing, are supported in mounted relation, through the use of any conventional form of mounting means (not shown) suitable for use for such a purpose, within the plurality of separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98 such that the separated overfire air nozzle 100 is mounted for both the vertical (tilting) and horizontal (yaw) movement in the separated overfire air compartment 94, the separated overfire air nozzle 102 is mounted for both vertical (tilting) and horizontal (yaw) movement in the separated overfire air compartment 96, and the separated overfire air nozzle 104 is mounted for both vertical (tilting) and horizontal (yaw) movement in the separated overfire air compartment 98. The plurality of separated overfire air nozzles 100,102 and 104 are each operatively connected to the air supply means 28, the latter having been described herein previously, through the air ducts 32, which as best understood with reference to Figure 1 of the drawing are connected in fluid flow relation to the fan 30 on the one hand and on the other hand as seen schematically at 2~91~
0 92/08078 P ~ /US91/04440 106 in Figure 1 of the drawing to each of the separated overfire air nozzles 100,102 and 104 through separate valves and controls (not shown) whereby the air supply means 28 supplies air to each of the separated overfire air nozzles 100,102 and 104 and therethrough into - 5 the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10.
A brief description will now be set forth herein of the mode of operation of the advanced overfire air system 14 constructed in accordance with the present invention and of the firing system 12 with which the advanced overfire air system 14 is designed to be employed for the purpose of effectuating a reduction in the N0x emissions from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, in which there is installed both the firing system 12 and the advanced overfire air system 14 that is cooperatively associated therewith. Insofar as concerns the mode of operation of the firing system 12, constructed in accordance with the illustration thereof in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, air and fossil fuel is introduced into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through alternate elevations of air compartments and fuel compartments which are suitably provided in the windbox 22 for this purpose. Namely, in accord with the illustrated embodiment of the firing system 12 air is introduced into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through the air compartments 24,48,60 and 72, and fossil fuel is introduced into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through the fossil fuel compartments 36,54,66 and 78. In a manner well-known to those skilled in this art there is initiated in the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 combustion of the fossil fuel that is introduced thereinto through the fossil fuel compartments 36,54,66 and 78 and of the air that is introduced thereinto through the air compartments 24,48,60 and 72. The hot gases that are produced from this combustion of the fossil fuel and air in the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 in known fashion rise upwardly in the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10.
During this upwardly movement thereof in the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, the hot gases give up heat in a manner well-known to those skilled in this art to the fluid flowing through the tubes (not shown) that in conventional fashion line all four of the walls of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10. Then, these hot gases exit the fossil 2~9134 ~
WO 92/08078 P~/US91/04440 fuel-fired furnace 10 through the horizontal pass 18 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, which in turn leads to the rear gas pass 20 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10. The horizontal pass 18 and the rear gas pass 20 commonly each contain other heat exchanger surface 5 (not shown) for generating and super heating steam, in a manner well- ~
known to those skilled in this art. Thereafter, this steam commonly is made to flow to a turbine (not shown), which forms one component of a turbine/generator set (not shown), such that the steam provides the motive power to drive the turbine (not shown) and thereby also the generator (not shown), which in known fashion is cooperatively associated with the turbine (not shown), such that electricity is thus produced from the generator (not shown).
Insofar as concerns the mode of operation of the advanced overfire air system 14, the objective sought to be achieved through the use thereof is that of inhibiting the rate of NOX formation by both atmospheric nitrogen fixation (thermal NOX) and fuel nitrogen (fuel NOX). This is accomplished by reducing the total oxygen that is available in the primary flame zone. To this end, in accord with the mode of operation of the advanced overfire air system 14, overfire air is introduced through one or two closely grouped compartments at a single fixed elevation of the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 at the top of the windbox 22, and through one or more additional compartments located at a higher elevation. The closely grouped compartments, commonly referred to in the industry as close coupled overfire air compartments, are seen at 84 and 86 in Figure 2 of the drawing, and the compartments located at the higher elevation, commonly referred to in the industry as separated overfire air compartments, are seen at 94,96 and 98 in Figure 2 of the drawing.
One of the characteristics which the advanced overfire air system 14 embodies in accordance with the present invention is that the overfire air is introduced into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 partly through the close coupled overfire air compartments 84 and 86 and partly through the separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98 such that there exists a predetermined most favorable distribution of the overfire air between close coupled overfire air and separated overfire air. The 2~91~1 ~0 92/08078 PCI'/US91/04440 ~ 25 -advantages that accrue from the utilization of this most favorable distribution of overfire air are best understood with reference to ~ Figure 3 of the drawing. As noted previously herein, Figure 3 is agraphical depiction of the effect on NOx when using an advanced ~ 5 overfire air system constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein there is a predetermined apportionment of the overfire air between close coupled overfire air and separated overfire air. The line denoted by the reference numeral 108 in Figure 3 represents a baseline plot of the NOx ppm levels from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with a firing system, such as the firing system 12. On the other hand, the line denoted by the reference numeral 110 in Figure 3 represents a plot of the NOx ppm levels from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with a firing system, such as the firing system 12~ and with 0% overfire air. Continuing, the line denoted therein by the reference numeral 112 represents a plot of the NOx ppm levels from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with 20Yo overfire air and wherein all 20% of the overfire air is introduced into the furnace as close coupled overfire. Whereas, the line denoted in Figure 3 by the reference numeral 114 represents a plot of the NOx ppm levels from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with 20% overfire air and wherein all 20% of the overfire air is introduced into the furnace as separated overfire air.
With further reference to Figure 3, the point denoted therein by the reference numeral 116 is a plot of the NOx ppm level from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with a firing system 12 with which an advanced overfire air system 14 constructed in accordance with the present invention is cooperatively associated and with 20% overfire air, and wherein of the 20% overfire air in accordance with a most favorable distribution thereof 9% of this overfire air is introduced as close coupled - overfire air and 11% of the overfire air is introduced as separated overfire air. Thus, from the preceding and from a reference to Figure 3 the following should now be readily apparent: 1) that the use of overfire air results in a reduction in the NOx ppm levels as compared to when 0% overfire air is employed, 2) that the use of 2 ~ 4 1 WO 92/08078 PCl/US91/04440 overfire air wherein all of the overfire air is introduced as separated overfire air results in a greater reduction in the N0x ppm levels as compared to when the same amount of overfire air is employed but all of this overfire air is introduced as close coupled overfire air, and 3) that an even greater reduction in N0x ppm level is realized when the same amount of overfire air is employed but this overfire air is introduced into the furnace in accordance with a most favorable distribution thereof as between close coupled overfire air and separated overfire air, e.g., as illustrated in Figure 3 wherein with 20% overfire air being introduced, the most favorable distribution thereof is 9% close coupled overfire air and 11%
separated overfire air. This most favorable distribution of overfire air between close coupled overfire air and separated overfire air has been found to vary as a function of coal type. For example, in the case of bituminous coal the tests that were run therewith show that the most favorable distribution of the overfire air was 1/3 close coupled overfire air and 2/3 separated overfire air.
A second characteristic which the advanced overfire air system 14 embodies in accordance with the present invention is that the separated overfire air is injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 from each of the four corners thereof through a plurality, e.g., two, three or more compartments with each compartment introducing a portion of the total separated overfire air flow at different firing angles, which angles are established by moving the separated overfire air nozzles 94,96 and 98 vertically (tilting) and/or horizontally (yawing), such as to achieve a horizontal "spray" or "fan" distribution of separated overfire air over the furnace plan area. The specific nature of this horizontal "spray" or "fan" distribution of separated overfire air over the plan area of the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 is depicted in Figure 4 of the drawing. To this end, as best seen with reference to Figure 4 the separated overfire air in accord with the present invention is injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 from each corner thereof, the latter being denoted in Figure 4 by the reference numerals 10a,10b,10c and 10d, respectively. In accord with the best mode embodiment of the invention, this injection of the separated overfire air is ~0 92/08078 2 0 9 1 3 ~ ~ PC~r/US91/04440 accomplished through the three separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98, which have been described hereinbefore and which are illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing.
Although not shown in Figure 2, it is to be understood - 5 that the four corners lOa,lOb,lOc and lOd of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 are each provided with separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98. Moreover, the separated overfire air that is injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 from each of the four corners lOa,lOb,lOc and lOd thereof through the separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98 located thereat is injected at a different firing angle, the latter being denoted in Figure 4 by means of the reference numerals 118,120 and 122, respectively, and wherein for ease of reference the same numerals are utilized in connection with each of the four corners lOa,lOb,lOc and lOd of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10. Further, as best understood with reference to Figure 4 of the drawing, the injection into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 at the different firing angles denoted by the reference numerals 118,120 and 122 in Figure 4 has the effect of producing a horizontal "spray" or "fan"
distribution of the separated overfire air over the furnace plan area. Namely, as depicted in Figure 4, the separated overfire air that is injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 at each of the different firing angles 118,120 and 122 follows the path denoted by the reference numerals 124,126 and 128, respectively. Collectively the paths 124,126 and 128 create a distribution pattern which as best seen with reference to Figure 4 is in the form of a horizontal "spray" or "fan" distribution pattern.
Also, to be noted from Figure 4 is the fact that the distribution pattern for the separated overfire air injected from each of the corners lOa,lOb,lOc and lOd of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 substantially overlap one another at the center of the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10.
The advantages that accrue from the utilization of different firing angles for purposes of injecting into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 the separated overfire air from the separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98 are best understood with reference to Figure 5 of the drawing. As noted 2~l3~
WO 92/08078 P~/US91/04440 -previously herein, Figure 5 is a graphical depiction of the effect Dn NOx of using an advanced overfire air system constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein the overfire air is distributed in accordance with the horizontal "spray" or "fan"
distribution pattern illustrated in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 5, the point denoted therein by the reference numeral 130 iS a plot of the NOx ppm level from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with a firing system, such as the firing system 12, and wherein all of the separated overfire air that is injected through the separated overfire air compartments is injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 at the same firing angle, i.e., at an angle of +15 such that the separated overfire air is injected so as to be co-rotational with the fuel and air that is being injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through the fuel compartments 38,54,66 and 78 and the air compartments 24,48,60 and 72, respectively. The point denoted in Figure 5 by the reference numeral 132 iS a plot of the NOx ppm level from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with a firing system, such as the firing system 12, 20 and wherein all of the separated overfire air that is injected through the separated overfire air compartment is injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 at the same firing angle, i.e, at an angle of -15- such that the separated overfire air is injected so as to be counter rotational with the fuel 25 and air that is being injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through the fuel compartments 38,54,66 and 78 and the air compartments 24,48,60 and 72, respectively. With further reference to Figure 5, the point denoted therein by the reference numeral 134 i S a plot of the NOx ppm level from a furnace, 30 such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with a firing system 12 with which an advanced overfire air system 14 constructed in accordance with the present invention is cooperatively associated and wherein all of the separated overfire air is injected through each of the separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98 35 at a different firing angle such that the horizontal "spray" or "fan"
distribution of separated overfire air that is depicted in Figure 4 of the drawing is achieved over the furnace plan area. In accord ~ o 92/08078 2 ~ g 1 3 4 ~ p~/us9l/04440 with the best mode embodiment of the invention, the firing angles that are employed for this purpose for the separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98 are +15-, 0- and -15-. Thus, from the preceding and from a reference to Figure 5 the following should now be readily apparent: 1) that injecting all of the separated overfire air through the separated overfire air compartments at the same firing angle of -15- such that the separated overfire air is injected so as to be counter rotational with the fuel and air that is being injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through the fuel compartments 38,54,66 and 78 and the air compartments 24,48,60 and 72, respectively, results in a greater reduction in the N0x ppm level as compared to when all of the separated overfire air is injected through the separated overfire air compartments at the same angle of +15- such that all of the separated overfire air is injected so as to be co-rotational with the fuel and air that is being injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through the fuel compartments 38,54,66 and 78 and the air compartments 24,48,60 and 72, respectively, and 2) that injecting all of the separated overfire air through the separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98 at different firing angles of +15-, 0- and -15- such that the horizontal "spray" or "fan"
distribution of separated overfire air that is depicted in Figure 4 of the drawing is achieved over the furnace plan area results in a greater reduction in the N0x ppm level as compared to when all of the separated overfire air is injected through the separated overfire air compartments at the same firing angle of -15- such that the separated overfire air is injected so as to be counter rotational with the fuel and air that is being injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through the fuel compartments 38,44,66 and 78 and the air compartments 24,48,60 and 72, respectively.
A third characteristic which the advanced overfire air system 14 embodies in accordance with the present invention is that the separated overfire air is injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 at velocities significantly higher than those utilized heretofore in prior art firing systems, e.g., 200 to 300 ft./sec. versus 100 to 150 ft./sec. The advantages that accrue from the injection of the separated overfire air at such 2B9~
WO 92/08078 PCr/US91/04440 increased velocities are best understood with reference to Figure 6 of the drawing. As noted previously herein, Figure 6 is a graphical depiction of the effect on NOx of using an advanced overfire air system constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein the overfire air is injected into the furnace at high velocities.
The line denoted by the reference numeral 136 in Figure 6 represents a plot of the NOX ppm levels from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with a firing system, such as the firing system 12 and wherein the overfire air is injected at low velocities, i.e., at the velocities commonly utilized heretofore in prior art firing systems. On the other hand, the line denoted by the reference numeral 138 in Figure 6 represents a plot of the NOx ppm levels from a furnace, such as the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10, when operating with a firing system 12 with which an advanced overfire air system 14 constructed in accordance with the present invention is cooperatively associated and wherein the separated overfire air injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 through the separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98 is injected at velocities significantly higher than those utilized heretofore in prior art firing systems, e.g., 200 to 300 ft./sec.
versus 100 to 150 ft./sec. Thus, from the preceding and from a reference to Figure 6 it should now be readily apparent that injecting all of the separated overfire air through the separated overfire air compartments 94,96 and 98 into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 at velocities significantly higher than those utilized heretofore in prior art firing systems results in a greater reduction in the NOx ppm levels as compared to when all of the overfire air is injected into the burner region 16 of the fossil fuel-fired furnace 10 at low velocities, i.e., at the velocities commonly utilized heretofore in prior art firing systems.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a new and improved advanced overfire air system for NOx control which is designed for use in a firing system of the type that is employed in fossil fuel-fired furnaces. As well, there is provided in accord with the present invention an advanced overfire air system for NOX control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type that is employed in tangentially fired, fossil 2~9I341 fuel furnaces. Moreover, in accord with the present invention there is provided an advanced overfire air system for N0x control for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces such that through the use thereof N0x emissions are capable of being reduced to levels that are at least equivalent to, if not better than, that which is currently being contemplated as the standard for the United States in the legislation being proposed.
Also, there is provided in accord with the present invention an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces characterized in that the advanced overfire air system involves the use of multi-elevations of overfire air compartments consisting of close coupled overfire air compartments and separated overfire air compartments. Further, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that there is a predetermined most favorable distribution of overfire air between the close coupled overfire air compartments and the separated overfire air compartments. Besides, there is provided in accord with the present invention an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that the advanced overfire air system involves the use of a multi-angle injection pattern. In addition, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that in accordance with the multi-angle injection pattern thereof a portion of the total overfire air flow is introduced at different angles such as to achieve a horizontal "spray" or "fan" distribution of overfire air over the plan area of the furnace. Furthermore, there is provided in accord with the present invention an advanced overfire air system for N0x control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that the advanced overfire air system involves the 20gl3~

injection of overfire air into the furnace at velocities significantly higher than those utilized heretofore in prior art firing systems. Additionally, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an advanced overfire air system for NOx 5 control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces such that through the use thereof no additions, catalysts or added premium fuel costs are needed for the operation thereof. Penultimately, there is provided in accord with the present invention an advanced overfire air system for NOx control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that the advanced overfire air system is totally compatible with other emission reduction-type systems such as limestone injection systems, reburn systems and 15 selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems that one might seek to employ in order to accomplish additional emission reduction.
Finally, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an advanced overfire air system for NOx control that is designed for use in a firing system of the type employed in tangentially fired, 20 fossil fuel furnaces and which is characterized in that the advanced overfire air system is equally well suited for use either in new applications or in retrofit applications.
While several embodiments of my invention have been shown, it will be appreciated that modifications thereof, some of 25 which have been alluded to hereinabove, may still be readily made thereto by those skilled in the art. I, therefore, intend by the appended claims to cover the modifications alluded to herein as well as all the other modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of operating for NOx control a fossil fuel-fired furnace (10) having a plurality of walls embodying therewithin a burner region (16) comprising the steps of: providing in the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) a windbox (22) embodying a plurality of elevations, introducing fossil fuel (38 or 56 or 68 or 80) into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the windbox (22) at a first elevation thereof, introducing combustion supporting secondary air (50 or 62 or 74) into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the windbox (22) at a second elevation thereof, introducing fossil fuel (38 or 56 68 or 80) into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the windbox (22) at a third elevation thereof, providing a plurality of overfire air compartments (94,96,98) in the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) above and in spaced relation to the windbox (22) characterized in that:
a. the fossil fuel introduced (38 or 56 or 68 or 80) into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the windbox (22) at a first elevation thereof is introduced therein in a first direction;
b. the combustion supporting secondary air (50 or 62 or 74) introduced into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the windbox (22) at a second elevation thereof is introduced therein in the first direction;
c. the fossil fuel introduced (38 or 56 or 68 or 80) into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the windbox (22) a third elevation thereof is introduced therein in the first direction;
d. overfire air is introduced (100 or 102 or 104) into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) in a second direction opposite to the first direction through one of the plurality of overfire compartments (94 or 96 or 98); and e. overfire air is introduced (100 or 102 or 104) into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) in a direction other than the second direction through one of the plurality of overfire air compartments (94 or 96 or 98).

2. The method of operating for NOx control a fossil fuel-fired furnace (10) as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that the overfire air is introduced (100,102,104) into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the plurality of overfire air compartments (94, 96, 98 ) at velocities in the range of 200 ft./sec. to 300 ft./sec.

3. The method of operating for NOx control a fossil fuel-fired furnace (10) as set forth in Claim 1 further characterized in that overfire air is introduced (88 or 90) in the first direction into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the windbox (22) at a fourth elevation thereof.

4. The method of operating for NOx control a fossil fuel-fired furnace (10) as set forth in Claim 3 further characterized in that more overfire air is introduced (100, 102, 104) into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the plurality of overfire air compartments (94, 96, 98) than is introduced into the burner region (16) of the furnace (10) through the windbox (22) at the fourth elevation (88 or 90) thereof.