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  Apparatus and methods for conditioning combustion airUSPTO Application #: 20080102411Title: Apparatus and methods for conditioning combustion air Abstract: Devices and methods for adjusting the physical properties of air used in the combustion of carbon based fuels are described. Parameters such as air temperature, pressure and moisture content are adjusted before the air is delivered to a combustion chamber of devices such as furnaces, boiler and the like. The physical properties of the air may be are adjusted such that a predetermined amount of oxygen and/or water are delivered to the combustion chamber. In one embodiment the amount of oxygen and/or moisture delivered by the intake air is optimized to increase the efficiency of the carbon fuel burned in combustion and/or to minimize the production of compounds such as NOX SO2, CO, CO2 and the like. (end of abstract) Agent: Sommer Barnard Attorneys,p.c. - Indianapolis, IN, US Inventor: Robert Longardner USPTO Applicaton #: 20080102411 - Class: 431002000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, Process Of Combustion Or Burner Operation The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080102411. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/855,333, filed on Oct. 30, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to combustion, devices and methods to achieve more efficient and/or more environmentally sound combustion of carbon based fuels. BACKGROUND [0003] The present invention relates to methods of reducing the formation of NOx, SO.sub.2, ash and particulate during carbon combustion. The stoichiometry of the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels is, as follows: to completely bum, about 1 pound (#) of carbon requires about 2.67# of oxygen or 11.52#s of air as measured under standard conditions. Complete combustion of 1 # of a hydrocarbon fuel produces about 14,200 BTUs of heat. For complete combustion additional oxygen is required if the combustion chamber includes combustionable materials besides hydrocarbon. For example, hydrogen in present in either the intake air or fuel reacts with oxygen during combustion to form water or vapor. [0004] On a volumetric basis, about 150 cubic feet (cuft) of intake air at 50.degree. F. and 100% Rh weighs about 11.52#s, while the same weight of air occupies about 180 cuft when the intake air is 110.degree. F. and 40% Rh. Varying ambient conditions, such as barometric pressures, ambient temperature and specific moisture, make it difficult to meter precisely the amount of intake air comprising the amount of oxygen required for optimal or at least consistent combustion. When intake air exceeds the gravimetric, stoichiometric need for oxygen, the amount of secondary products formed by combustion such as CO, NOx, SO.sub.2, ash, particulate and heat changes; in general combustion efficiency decreases as the amount of heat generated increases. [0005] When the ambient profile of intake air flow is metered based upon the. downstream sensing of the products of combustion: the amount of oxygen present during combustion usually exceeds the stoichiometric amount required for optimal combustion. This can result in the formation of excessive amounts of secondary combustion products, all of which must be heated to stack effluent temperature thereby increasing the heat rate. This increase is normally to a stoichiometric ratio that is sub-optimal, it is possible to control the vapor pressure level by controlling the temperature of the intake air, thereby helping to optimize the amount of oxygen present at combustion. SUMMARY [0006] One embodiment is a method for treating intake air used in the combustion of carbon based fuels so as to minimize the level of at least one undesirable product of combustion, such as NOx, SO.sub.2, CO, excess heat, excess CO.sub.2, and the like. [0007] One embodiment includes devices and methods for optimizing combustion by conditioning intake air so as to regulate the gravimetric amount of oxygen in the intake air regardless of the intake air source's ambient temperature and specific humidity. [0008] Still another embodiment is a device for conditioning air in carbon based fuel burning system comprising: an intake air chamber for conditioning ambient air; a combustion chamber, and at least one sensor for measuring physical parameters of air in said air intake chamber, wherein the intake air chamber can be adjusted so as to control the temperature and moisture content of ambient air drawn into said chamber, and wherein said chamber is positioned so as to feed air into the combustion chamber. [0009] In one embodiment the intake air conditioning device includes a heat transfer coil. In yet another embodiment the intake air conditioning device includes equipment for adjusting the amount of water, or water vapor to air in the intake air. Before air is delivered to the combustion chamber it is conditioned such that the air introduced into the combustion chamber if includes an amount of oxygen and/or water sufficient for the efficient combustion of the amount of carbon based fuel burned in the combustion chamber. In one embodiment the intake air is conditioned so as to minimize the production of wasteful and/or environmentally unwanted compounds such as soot, NOx, SOx CO, excess CO.sub.2 and the like. [0010] One embodiment is a method for regulating the efficient combustion of carbon based fuels, comprising the steps of providing an intake air conditioner device, and supplying at least one sensor that measures the physical characteristic of ambient air, such as temperature, humidity and the like; and a computer that calculates the amount of heat that needs to be added or removed from the air so as to deliver a volume of air that includes a weight of oxygen necessary for burning given amount of a carbon based fuel. [0011] One embodiment includes equipment for adjusting the temperature, pressure and and/or moisture content of the intake air so as to promote clean and efficient combustion of carbon based fuel conditions within the intake air conditioning chamber so as to optimize combustion. In one embodiment the intake air conditioner device is located between a source of ambient air and a combustion chamber. In another embodiment the computer having calculated the optimum volume of air necessary to deliver a given mass of oxygen to the combustion chamber signals components of the intake air conditioner device to adjust the temperature, pressure and/or Rh of the intake air before introducing the air into the combustion chamber, to ensure clean and efficient combustion of the carbon based fuel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0012] FIG. 1. Fraction of Oxygen in Air at a Ratio of 23% of Dry Air. [0013] FIG. 2. Psychrometrics of Primary and Secondary Combustion Air. [0014] FIG. 3. Comparison of superheated vapor removal calculated for ambient air at about 60% to about 100% Rh. These values were calculated for the removal of moisture in terms of amount removed/Hr., or moisture Residual/Hr. for a hypothetical power generation unit producing on the order of about 300 m W/Unit. [0015] FIG. 4. Psychrometric calculation for ambient intake air. Combined intake air of combustion air calculated for a hypothetical power generation unit that produces on the order of about 300 mW/Unit. [0016] FIG. 5. A plot of pre-heater temperatures of ambient air used as the source of either primary and/or secondary combustion air. [0017] FIG. 6. A table of example calculations illustrating the effect on combustion efficiency of different ratios of intake air to fuel. The table includes data illustrating the amount of refrigeration calculated in tons/Hr. required to condition ambient air as shown in the table for a hypothetical power generation unit producing on the order of about 300 mW/Unit. [0018] FIG. 7. A diagram showing some parts of a typical air handling system constructed in accordance with some embodiments disclosed herein used to burn carbon based fuels. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Continue reading... Full patent description for Apparatus and methods for conditioning combustion air Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and methods for conditioning combustion air patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Apparatus and methods for conditioning combustion air or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method of manufacturing printed circuit board Next Patent Application: Method for in-line monitoring and controlling in heat-treating of resist coated wafers Industry Class: Combustion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Apparatus and methods for conditioning combustion air patent info. 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