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  Gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizerUSPTO Application #: 20060084017Title: Gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer Abstract: The invention provides a gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer. The oxidizer includes a matrix bed and at least one feed passage extending at least partially within the matrix bed. The feed passage has an inlet configured to receive combustible vapor or an air-combustible vapor mixture and an outlet configured to deliver the combustible vapor or the air-combustible vapor mixture into the matrix bed. The feed passage has a cross-sectional area and a length within the matrix bed, wherein a ratio of the length (ft) to the cross-sectional area (in2) is at least about 0.5:1. (end of abstract) Agent: Ratnerprestia - Valley Forge, PA, US Inventors: William Huebner, Gregory Maine, Peter Falcone USPTO Applicaton #: 20060084017 - Class: 431007000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, Process Of Combustion Or Burner Operation, In A Porous Body Or Bed, E.g., Surface Combustion, Etc. The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060084017. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a flameless thermal oxidizer. More particularly, this invention relates to a gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer and a method for oxidizing combustible vapor in a flameless thermal oxidizer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Many process streams of vapors, such as effluents from chemical processing plants, refineries, etc., utilize oxidizers to destroy the combustible vapor prior to release to the atmosphere. However, with increasing demands on the environmental control of emissions, the use of free flames to oxidize such effluents is in many cases unsatisfactory, since a free flame frequently results in incomplete combustion and uncontrollable production of undesirable side products, including for example carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Thus, methods for destroying combustible streams to a high level of conversion with a minimum of pollutant production and in an energy-efficient manner are in continuing and increasing demand. [0003] One example of a flameless thermal oxidizer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,518, issued to Stilger et al, which is incorporated herein by reference. While the Stilger system represents an improvement over prior systems, there remains a need for improved flameless thermal oxidizers and methods for oxidizing combustible vapor in a flameless thermal oxidizer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In one aspect, the invention provides a gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer. The oxidizer includes a matrix bed and at least one feed passage extending at least partially within the matrix bed. The feed passage has an inlet configured to receive combustible vapor or an air-combustible vapor mixture and an outlet configured to deliver the combustible vapor or the air-combustible vapor mixture into the matrix bed. The feed passage has a cross-sectional area and a length within the matrix bed, such that the ratio of the length (ft) to the cross-sectional area (in.sup.2) is at least about 0.5:1. [0005] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of oxidizing combustible vapor in a gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer. The method includes delivering combustible vapor or an air-combustible vapor mixture into an inlet of a feed passage and through an outlet of the feed passage to a matrix bed below the lower flammability limit, while maintaining a length within the matrix bed of the feed passage such that a ratio of the length (ft) to the cross-sectional area (in.sup.2) is at least about 0.5:1. [0006] In another aspect, the invention provides a gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer having at least one separate fuel inlet configured to introduce fuel into a matrix bed, the fuel inlet being positioned downstream of an outlet of a feed passage through which combustible vapor or an air-combustible vapor mixture is introduced into the matrix bed. [0007] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of oxidizing combustible vapor by introducing fuel into a matrix bed through a separate fuel inlet at a position downstream of an outlet of a feed passage through which combustible vapor or an air-combustible vapor mixture is introduced into the matrix bed. [0008] In another aspect, the invention provides a gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer, wherein a feed passage for combustible vapor or an air-combustible vapor mixture defines an interior extending within a matrix, the interior being substantially devoid of matrix. [0009] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of oxidizing combustible vapor while maintaining an interior of a feed passage extending within a matrix substantially devoid of matrix. [0010] In another aspect, the invention provides a gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer having a matrix bed positioned to exhaust gaseous oxidation products along an exhaust path, and at least one feed passage extending at least partially within the matrix bed. The feed passage has an inlet configured to receive combustible vapor and an outlet configured to deliver the combustible vapor into the matrix bed, the feed passage defining a combustible vapor path extending within the matrix in a direction substantially opposite that of the exhaust path of the matrix bed. The combustible vapor path of the feed passage and the exhaust path of the matrix bed are configured to provide a ratio between the velocity of combustible vapor in the combustible vapor path and the velocity of exhaust in the exhaust path between about 0.5:1 and about 1.5:1. [0011] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of oxidizing combustible vapor by exhausting gaseous oxidation products along an exhaust path in the matrix bed in a direction that is substantially opposite that of the combustible vapor path of the feed passage. The method also includes maintaining a ratio between the velocity of combustible vapor in the combustible vapor path and the velocity of exhaust in the exhaust path between about 0.5:1 and about 1.5:1. [0012] In another aspect, the invention provides a gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer having an enclosure, a matrix bed contained within the enclosure, feed tubes extending into the enclosure and at least partially within the matrix bed, and a matrix bed support mounted within the enclosure. The matrix bed support has a surface substantially impervious to the flow of exhaust supporting the matrix bed, the matrix bed support defining apertures each sized to receive a feed tube and exhaust passages proximal to the apertures. [0013] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of oxidizing combustible vapor by directing substantially all gaseous oxidation products in a matrix bed through apertures in a matrix bed support adjacent feed tubes. The method also includes exhausting gaseous oxidation products from the gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer through an outlet in the enclosure. [0014] In another aspect, the invention provides a gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer having an enclosure extending between opposed end portions, a matrix bed contained within the enclosure, feed tubes extending into the enclosure and at least partially within the matrix bed, and means for adjusting the distance between the opposed end portions of the enclosure to increase or decrease the size of the matrix bed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of one exemplary embodiment of a flameless thermal oxidizer according to aspects of the invention. [0016] FIG. 2 is a detail of one end of the flameless thermal oxidizer shown in FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of another exemplary embodiment of a flameless thermal oxidizer according to aspects of the invention. [0018] FIG. 4 is a detail of one end of the flameless thermal oxidizer shown in FIG. 3. [0019] FIG. 5 is a detail of the end of the flameless thermal oxidizer shown in FIG. 3 opposite from the end detailed in FIG. 4. [0020] FIG. 6 is a detail of a fuel inlet in the end of the flameless thermal oxidizer detailed in FIG. 4. Continue reading... Full patent description for Gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Gas recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer 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. 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