Dual Mode Combustor

Background

Many existing heat production devices such as the gas burner systems require fairly complex control due to high burner-gas flame temperatures which lead to high costs to use the technology. Furthermore, carbon dioxide in the exhaust is a pollutant; thus, the development of a clean and simple system is in need. 

Description

Our researchers at the University of Nevada Reno have recently developed a reactor system which selectively produces from carbonaceous fuel, combined heat and power (CHP) or syngas and CHP depending on if it is operated in full or partial-oxidation mode. Included in this reactor system are the reactors, an ash separation system, and a feedback control system. The system includes the capture of carbon dioxide from the combustion of solid fuels. Our technology will significantly benefit industry as seen in the advantages below. 

Advantages

• Products from the fuel and regeneration reactor can yield heat and power through a thermodynamic cycle.
• Char combustion is enhanced with a burnout reactor.
• Because our technology doesn’t require additional carbon dioxide capture units, our system avoids the energy penalty that traditional fossil fuel fired combustors or gasifiers must pay to produce pure carbon dioxide.
• Our innovative feedback control and oxygen rich oxygen carrier distribution system is implemented to:
  • Control the reactor to operate in full oxidation or partial oxidation mode
  • Completely oxidize all components by controlling the amount of oxygen-rich oxygen carrier admitted
  • Work in a way where any controlled amounts of oxygen-rich oxygen carrier demanded by the reactors due to changes in load, operation mode, or both can be achieved while maintaining system stability
• The system operates continuously to provide baseline CHP.

Intellectual Property

• Patent 9,175,850: Reactor System and Method