Methods and devices for combusting a carbonaceous fuel in an oxy-combustion fluidized bed reactor involving controlling the local oxygen content within the oxy-combustion reactor to specified levels. The carbonaceous fuel and an oxygen-containing gas are introduced into a fluidized bed reactor and eluted through a fluidized bed of an inert material, dolomite or a combination thereof to combust the fuel and oxygen to produce at least CO.sub.2 and steam. The oxygen-containing gas is a mixture of oxygen, recycled CO.sub.2 and steam and has sufficient oxygen added to the recycled CO.sub.2 and steam that the mixture contains 7-20 mole % oxygen. The carbonaceous fuel and the oxygen-containing gas are introduced into the fluidized bed at a location in sufficiently close proximity to each other to avoid producing a reducing atmosphere at the location. At least a portion of the produced CO.sub.2 and steam are recycled to the reactor.

Methods and devices for combusting a carbonaceous fuel in an oxy-combustion fluidized bed reactor involving controlling the local oxygen content within the oxy-combustion reactor to specified levels. The carbonaceous fuel and an oxygen-containing gas are introduced into a fluidized bed reactor and eluted through a fluidized bed of an inert material, dolomite or a combination thereof to combust the fuel and oxygen to produce at least CO.sub.2 and steam. The oxygen-containing gas is a mixture of oxygen, recycled CO.sub.2 and steam and has sufficient oxygen added to the recycled CO.sub.2 and steam that the mixture contains 7-20 mole % oxygen. The carbonaceous fuel and the oxygen-containing gas are introduced into the fluidized bed at a location in sufficiently close proximity to each other to avoid producing a reducing atmosphere at the location. At least a portion of the produced CO.sub.2 and steam are recycled to the reactor.

A power source that provides at least one of thermal and electrical power and method of use thereof such as direct electricity or thermal to electricity is provided that powers a power system comprising (i) at least one reaction cell comprising a fuel having atomic hydrogen, nascent H.sub.2O; and a material to cause the fuel to be highly conductive, (iii) at least one set of electrodes that confine the fuel and an electrical power source that provides a short burst of low-voltage, high-current electrical energy to initiate a reaction and an energy gain, (iv) a product recovery systems such as a condenser, (v) a reloading system, (vi) at least one of hydration, thermal, chemical, and electrochemical systems to regenerate the fuel from the reaction products, (vii) a heat sink that accepts the heat from the power-producing reactions, (viii) a power conversion system.

A power source that provides at least one of thermal and electrical power and method of use thereof such as direct electricity or thermal to electricity is provided that powers a power system comprising (i) at least one reaction cell comprising a fuel having atomic hydrogen, nascent H.sub.2O; and a material to cause the fuel to be highly conductive, (iii) at least one set of electrodes that confine the fuel and an electrical power source that provides a short burst of low-voltage, high-current electrical energy to initiate a reaction and an energy gain, (iv) a product recovery systems such as a condenser, (v) a reloading system, (vi) at least one of hydration, thermal, chemical, and electrochemical systems to regenerate the fuel from the reaction products, (vii) a heat sink that accepts the heat from the power-producing reactions, (viii) a power conversion system.

The invention provides a process for producing cement, the process comprising providing heat to a cement manufacturing process using a secondary fuel, wherein the secondary fuel comprises cellulose and plastic and is in the form of pellets of a size between about 3-25 mm thickness, having a calorific value of about 16 GJ/ton or more, and wherein said secondary fuel is supplied at a place between the kiln inlet and the first cyclone, wherein after formation of the cement clinker, the cement clinker is cooled and milled to cement powder. Preferably, the secondary fuel is supplied to the riser pipe or to a pre-kiln combustion chamber. Generally, the secondary fuel is provided at a place which allows the pellets to burn before coming in contact with the cement materials in the kiln, while it also does not rise into the cyclone, thereby preventing blocking of the cyclones.

The invention provides a process for producing cement, the process comprising providing heat to a cement manufacturing process using a secondary fuel, wherein the secondary fuel comprises cellulose and plastic and is in the form of pellets of a size between about 3-25 mm thickness, having a calorific value of about 16 GJ/ton or more, and wherein said secondary fuel is supplied at a place between the kiln inlet and the first cyclone, wherein after formation of the cement clinker, the cement clinker is cooled and milled to cement powder. Preferably, the secondary fuel is supplied to the riser pipe or to a pre-kiln combustion chamber. Generally, the secondary fuel is provided at a place which allows the pellets to burn before coming in contact with the cement materials in the kiln, while it also does not rise into the cyclone, thereby preventing blocking of the cyclones.

A transportable and combustible gaseous suspension includes solid fuel particles suspended in a gaseous carrier. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The gaseous carrier may include reactive and inert gases. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The combustible gaseous suspension can be tailored to have an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is comparable to conventional gaseous hydrocarbon fuels. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.

A transportable and combustible gaseous suspension includes solid fuel particles suspended in a gaseous carrier. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The gaseous carrier may include reactive and inert gases. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The combustible gaseous suspension can be tailored to have an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is comparable to conventional gaseous hydrocarbon fuels. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.

The invention relates to a process for firing an industrial furnace, in particular for electricity generation, wherein coal or cokes together with a secondary fuel comprising cellulose and plastic, in the form of pellets of a size larger than about 3 mm thickness, and having a caloric value of about 16 GJ/ton or more is ground to a powder wherein about 95 wt % or more has a particle size smaller than 2 mm and wherein the d50 of the particle size distribution is between about 5 and about 100 m, wherein the powder is injected in the flame of the furnace. In this process the grinding is performed in a roller mill or ball mill, and the amount of pellets used together with the coals preferably is about 3 wt % or more, relative to the coal.

The invention relates to a process for firing an industrial furnace, in particular for electricity generation, wherein coal or cokes together with a secondary fuel comprising cellulose and plastic, in the form of pellets of a size larger than about 3 mm thickness, and having a caloric value of about 16 GJ/ton or more is ground to a powder wherein about 95 wt % or more has a particle size smaller than 2 mm and wherein the d50 of the particle size distribution is between about 5 and about 100 m, wherein the powder is injected in the flame of the furnace. In this process the grinding is performed in a roller mill or ball mill, and the amount of pellets used together with the coals preferably is about 3 wt % or more, relative to the coal.