APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR CONTROL OF NITRIC OXIDE EMISSIONS FROM COMBUSTION DEVICES USING VORTEX RINGS AND THE LIKE

摘要

An apparatus and method for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from the products of combustion is provided in which a vortex generator introduces natural gas, or other fluid fuel into the upper portion of a combustion device. The fuel introduced forms vortices, such as vortex rings, and the fuel reacts with the nitrogen oxide in the combustion products to form ammonia-like compounds, hydrogen cyanide and similar compounds, and nitrogen. The ammonia and cyanide-like fragments react with additional amounts of nitrogen oxide in the combustion products to form nitrogen gas, water vapor and carbon dioxide. The vortex rings can be controlled and will maintain their integrity longer than puffs or simple jets of fuel.