Gasification

Many of the burners in kilns across North America lack the necessary momentum to satisfy the fundamental macro mixing requirements for combustion.  This has come about over time as manufacturers have found ways of pushing production well beyond the original design capacity of the system.  In many cases, the kiln burner remains unchanged from its original design and often linked to inflexible direct fired coal systems.

Now for a minute consider a plant that wishes to incorporate alternative fuels to lower fuel costs, establish a carbon credit and possibly lower NOx levels all at the same time.   The concept may sound straight forward, however, in practice the larger size particle distribution along with moisture has a difficult time competing with a pulverized coal flame.  This, in addition to plugged pneumatic systems, higher maintenance items and inconsistent feed rates can cause operator fits.  The AF system becomes unreliable and in time not used.

The solution could very well be linked to gasification of the alternative fuels.   Generating a syngas from the non-hazardous waste materials that would otherwise end up in landfills would satisfy the goal of energy and the environment on many fronts.  The manufacturer could realize savings in fuel costs while establishing a carbon credit on the biomass/biogenic content.

Getting back to the original burner question - now instead of a fuel stream comprised of larger particles, we have a gas that can contribute to the overall burner performance.  If designed correctly, increased momentum is possible, Gyrotherm technology is possible, both of which may also have the added benefit of NOx reduction. 

Gasification has been around for a long time, but now with the focus on energy and the environment, the time may right to reconsider this process to enhance existing systems and use alternative fuels at the same time.

NOx Burner technology

Adding bluff bodies or swirl air may reduce NOx by decreasing the ignition distance.  Converting to a multichannel burner with less primary air may be another approach. Even adding a water spray to reduce the core temperature of the flame may be considered reduce NOx emissions.  But have we really covered all the angles of burner design to minimize NOx?

Now consider the following technology that claims 30-70% NOx reduction:

Gyrotherm

These results are achieved by a natural phenomenon that cracks the hydrocarbon molecule and stages combustion in the burning zone.  Too good to be true?  Maybe and results would vary for each application, but it is worth considering especially in  California where the agencies are coming down hard.

Schnarre Engineering has first hand knowledge of a direct fired burner modification with Gyrotherm technology that delivered a 40% NOx reduction on the baseline coal flame.  A relatively simple burner modification could be the answer to stay in compliance.  

The only drawback is that natural gas must be used to generate the staged combustion effect. However, in some multichannel burner designs this could be easily retrofitted and with the price of gas coming down, it becomes a viable alternative

Contact Schnarre Engineering for more details.

Clean Coal Anyone?

Check this out. 

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4576705?fr=yvmtf

The public understands the clean coal spin completely.

ARRA aka Stimulus

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

These words will become an important part of the industries and suppliers that SEA is currently working with.  A quick look at the disbursement of funds reveal many sectors of energy and environment are impacted.

arra-funds

As funds trickle down to the various government agencies we can anticipate serious discussion about programs that were too costly to fund in the past.   Many Alternative Fuel and GHG projects will get a second look.  It appears the EPA is on the same page as discussed in this News Letter.

epa-news-letter-on-arra

Schnarre Engineering and Associates is in discussions with various groups to provide a ‘full service’ solution for industries and suppliers.  Stay tuned, this will get interesting.