Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber.

The present invention relates to a method of combusting a fuel gas with a stoichiometric or near stoichiometric amount of molecular oxygen in the presence of a controlled amount of a diluent to enhance the extent of combustion reactions in high heat transfer environment. The energy released is utilized to heat a fluid by direct contact with the flame. The diluent can be different from the fluid to be heated with respect to composition, temperature or pressure. The diluent can be same as or derived from the fluid to be heated.