STAGED COMBUSTION IN A POROUS-MATRIX SURFACE COMBUSTOR TO PROMOTE ULTRA-LOW NOX EMISSIONS

摘要

A porous matrix, surface combustor-fluid heating apparatus in which combustion of a fuel/oxidant mixture is carried out in stages within a stationary porous bed disposed in a combustion chamber. A fuel-rich fuel/oxidant mixture is burned within a region of the stationary porous bed disposed near the inlet end of the combustion chamber, forming a primary combustion zone. A secondary oxidant is introduced into the stationary porous bed downstream of the primary combustion zone forming a secondary combustion zone. Finally, heat resulting from the combustion is removed by fluid flowing through heat exchanger tubes embedded within the stationary porous bed.