Pilot nozzle steam injection for reduced NOx emissions, and method

摘要

A combustion system has a diffusion flame pilot assembly and a steam delivery assembly. The diffusion flame pilot assembly has a fuel line with a downstream end terminating at a pilot nozzle. The steam delivery assembly has a steam line terminating at a steam outlet proximate to said fuel line and upstream of said pilot nozzle for directing steam to the pilot nozzle. An aspect of the invention has a steam throttle valve for adjusting the steam flow to the pilot nozzle based on the combustion system's NOX emissions and/or characteristics of said pilot fuel stream.