Combination air separation and steam-generation processes and plants therefore

US6568185B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

• L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Étude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude · FR
• American Air Liquide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ovidiu Marin · Paris, FR
• Erwin Penfornis · Oak Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 3, 2001
• Grant date: May 27, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 3, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P80/15
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention proposes innovative techniques of NOx reduction in boiler operation through an adaptation of staged combustion in combustion boilers. In preferred processes, air is fed into an air separation unit, and a nitrogen-enriched stream is combined with air to produce a nitrogen-enriched first stage air stream, and at least a portion of an oxygen-enriched stream is mixed with air to produce an oxygen-enriched second stage air stream. A reduction in NOx and increase in efficiency is promoted by the inventive processes and systems.