Nozzle for power station burner and method for the use thereof

Abstract

A burner nozzle for delivering fuel to a burner flame in a furnace includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that are both hollow. The inner cylinder is at least partly disposed within the outer cylinder and axially aligned with it, and is movable in an axial direction relative to the outer cylinder. One end of the inner cylinder has at least one outward projection extending in a radial direction from the outer surface of the cylinder, this projection serving to decrease the free cross-sectional area between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder at that end of the inner cylinder.

Claims

1. A nozzle for delivering fuel to a burner flame in a furnace, the nozzle comprising: an outer cylinder having a hollow interior; an inner cylinder having a hollow interior and at least partially disposed within the outer cylinder and aligned therewith, the inner cylinder movable in an axial direction relative to the outer cylinder; at least one outward projection on one end of the inner cylinder, the at least one outward projection extending in a radial direction from an outer surface of the inner cylinder; and at least one inward projection on one end of the outer cylinder, the at least one inward projection extending and tapering in a radially inward direction of the outer cylinder along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle; wherein the at least one outward projection decreases open space in a cross-sectional area between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder at the end of the inner cylinder.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of outward projections disposed on the one end of the inner cylinder, each of the plurality of outward projections projecting in a radial direction from the outer surface of the inner cylinder.

3. The nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of outward projections are disposed in a radially symmetrical distribution around the outer surface of the inner cylinder.

4. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outward projection tapers in a radially inward direction of the nozzle along an axial direction of the nozzle.

5. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the open space in the cross-sectional area between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder at an axial location of the at least one outward projection is 20-80% of a total cross-sectional area between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder.

6. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein 3-6 outward projections are disposed on the one end of the inner cylinder, the 3-6 outward projections projecting in a radial direction from the outer surface of the inner cylinder.

7. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inward projection extends less than half a distance between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder.

8. The nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of inward projections disposed on the one of end of the outer cylinder, each of the plurality of inward projections extending and tapering in a radially inward direction of the outer cylinder along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

9. The nozzle according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of inward projections are disposed in a radially symmetrical distribution around an inner surface of the outer cylinder.

10. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein 3-6 inward projections are disposed on the one end of the outer cylinder, the 3-6 inward projections extending in a radially inward direction of the outer cylinder.

11. The nozzle according to claim 1, having equal numbers of inward projections and outward projections, the inward projections are each disposed between a pair of adjacent outward projections along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

12. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the inner cylinder is movable between a first position in which the at least one outward projection lies upstream of an exit of the nozzle and a second position in which the at least one outward projection is located at the exit of the nozzle.

13. A method for adjusting operating conditions of a burner for use with different fuels, the method comprising: providing a burner having a nozzle according to claim 1; moving the inner cylinder of the nozzle along its longitudinal axis between a first position in which the outward projections are axially aligned with the one end of the outer cylinder, and a second position in which the outward projections are axially displaced from the one end of the outer cylinder.

14. A burner comprising: a nozzle according to claim 1; a first ring-shaped air source disposed radially outwardly of the nozzle and centered on a longitudinal axis of the nozzle; and a second ring-shaped air source disposed radially outwardly of the nozzle and centered on the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, wherein a flow rate from the first air source is adjustable relative to a flow rate from the second air source.

15. A method for adjusting operating conditions of a burner for use with different fuels, the method comprising: providing a burner according to claim 14; moving the inner cylinder of the nozzle along its longitudinal axis between a first position in which the outward projections are axially aligned with the one end of the outer cylinder, and a second position in which the outward projections are axially displaced from the one end of the outer cylinder; and adjusting the flow rate from the first air source relative to the second air source.

16. A nozzle for delivering fuel to a burner flame in a furnace, the nozzle comprising: an outer cylinder having a hollow interior; an inner cylinder having a hollow interior and at least partially disposed within the outer cylinder and aligned therewith, the inner cylinder movable in an axial direction relative to the outer cylinder; 3-6 outward projections on one end of the inner cylinder, the 3-6 outward projections extending in a radial direction from an outer surface of the inner cylinder; and 3-6 inward projections on one end of the outer cylinder, the 3-6 inward projections extending in a radially inward direction of the outer cylinder; wherein the 3-6 outward projections decrease open space in a cross-sectional area between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder at the end of the inner cylinder.

17. A burner comprising: a nozzle according to claim 16; a first ring-shaped air source disposed radially outwardly of the nozzle and centered on a longitudinal axis of the nozzle; and a second ring-shaped air source disposed radially outwardly of the nozzle and centered on the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, wherein a flow rate from the first air source is adjustable relative to a flow rate from the second air source.

18. A method for adjusting operating conditions of a burner for use with different fuels, the method comprising: providing a burner according to claim 17; moving the inner cylinder of the nozzle along its longitudinal axis between a first position in which the outward projections are axially aligned with the one end of the outer cylinder, and a second position in which the outward projections are axially displaced from the one end of the outer cylinder; and adjusting the flow rate from the first air source relative to the second air source.

19. A nozzle for delivering fuel to a burner flame in a furnace, the nozzle comprising: an outer cylinder having a hollow interior; an inner cylinder having a hollow interior and at least partially disposed within the outer cylinder and aligned therewith, the inner cylinder movable in an axial direction relative to the outer cylinder; at least one outward projection on one end of the inner cylinder, the at least one outward projection extending in a radial direction from an outer surface of the inner cylinder; and at least one inward projection on one end of the outer cylinder, the at least one inward projection extending in a radially inward direction of the outer cylinder; wherein a number of inward projections is equal to a number of outward projections, the inward projections disposed between pairs of adjacent outward projections; and wherein the outward projections decrease open space in a cross-sectional area between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder at the end of the inner cylinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following Figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a burner comprising a nozzle according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the nozzle being arranged according to a first configuration;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a second embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, arranged according to a second configuration;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the nozzle of the burner of FIG. 1 arranged in the first configuration;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the nozzle of the burner of FIG. 1 arranged in the second configuration;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of FIG. 4, including the dimensions of the nozzle;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a magnified portion of the nozzle of the burner of FIG. 1;

(8) FIGS. 7 and 8 show schematic perspective views of the nozzle of the burner of FIG. 1 arranged according to the first configuration;

(9) FIGS. 9 and 10 show schematic perspective views of the nozzle of the burner of FIG. 1, arranged according to the second configuration;

(10) FIGS. 11 and 12 show schematic perspective view of the upstream ends of the nozzles of FIGS. 8 and 10 respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) Referring to FIG. 1, a burner 10 is mounted in the wall of a furnace (not shown) and has a flame side 11 that faces into the interior of the furnace. The burner comprises a plurality of concentric tubes. A core air tube 12 houses a gas igniter and an oil burner 14. A ring-shaped nozzle 16 is disposed around the core air tube 12 and is concentric with the core air tube. The nozzle 16 comprises an inner cylinder 18 and an outer cylinder 20 that is concentric with the inner cylinder 18.

(12) The end of the inner cylinder 18 that is adjacent the core air tube is provided with outward projections 22 that extend in a radially outward direction of the cylinder 18. The outward projections 22 also extend axially along a limited portion of the length of the inner cylinder 18. The surfaces of the outward projections that face towards the interior of the furnace (that is, in a downstream direction of the nozzle) are oriented at an oblique angle of 58 relative to the longitudinal axis of the burner. Effectively, these surfaces together provide an interrupted generally concave surface about the longitudinal axis of the burner. The surfaces of the outward projections that face away from the interior of the furnace (that is, in an upstream direction of the nozzle) extend in a lateral direction from the burner axis.

(13) The end of the outer cylinder 20 at the nozzle exit (that is, the end adjacent to the core air tube 12) is provided with inward projections 24 that extend in a radially inward direction of the outer cylinder 20. The inward projections 24 also extend axially along a limited portion of the length of the outer cylinder 20. The surfaces of the inward projections that face towards the interior of the furnace (that is, in a downstream direction of the nozzle) are oriented at an oblique angle of 58 relative to the longitudinal axis of the burner. Effectively, these surfaces together provide an interrupted generally concave surface about the longitudinal axis of the burner. The surfaces of the outward projections that face away from the interior of the furnace (that is, in an upstream direction of the nozzle) extend in a lateral direction from the burner axis.

(14) FIG. 1 shows the nozzle arranged in a first configuration, that is, the position of the inner cylinder 18 along the longitudinal axis of the burner is such that the outward projections lie within the burner and are displaced from the nozzle exit.

(15) A first air source 26 is provided in the shape of a ring that is disposed outwardly of the outer cylinder 20 and is concentric with it. The first air source has a swirler 28 to provide angular momentum to the air travelling through it.

(16) A second air source 30 is provided in the shape of a ring that is disposed outwardly of the first air source 26 and is concentric with it. The second air source has a swirler 32 to provide angular momentum to the air travelling through it.

(17) A fuel connection 33 provides a path for delivering fuel to the nozzle.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a nozzle in a second configuration. The nozzle has slightly different dimensions to the one shown in FIG. 1, but this is does not affect the basic principle of its operation. Features 11, 12, 14 18, 20, and 33 correspond to features 11, 12, 14, 18, 20, and 33 of FIG. 1 respectively. The inner tube 18 is axially displaced relative to its position in FIG. 1, such that the outward projections are located at the nozzle exit. That is, the axial position of the outward projections corresponds to the axial position of the inward projections.

(19) FIGS. 3 and 4 show the nozzle of the burner of FIG. 1 in its first and second configurations respectively. The nozzle is viewed from the nozzle exit. Like numerals indicate like features.

(20) The outward projections 22 are arranged radially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the burner. Similarly, the inward projections 24 are arranged radially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the burner. Each outward projection is positioned midway between adjacent inward projections, and each inward projection is positioned midway between adjacent outward projections.

(21) The outward projections 22 taper in a radially inward direction of the burner and each subtend an angle of 42 at the longitudinal axis of the burner. The inner projections 24 taper in a radially inward direction of the burner and each subtend an angle of 14 at the longitudinal axis of the burner. These dimensions are shown in FIG. 5.

(22) When the outward and inward projections are axially aligned (as in FIG. 4), the free cross-sectional area at the nozzle exit is reduced by 42% relative to the configuration in which the outward projections are axially displaced upstream of the nozzle exit (as in FIG. 3).

(23) There is a clearance of 3 mm between the outward projections and the inner surface of the outer cylinder, except where the outward projections are provided with ridges 22a that extend in a longitudinal direction of the burner and contact the inner surface of the outer cylinder (see FIG. 6).

(24) FIGS. 7 and 8 show the nozzle of the burner of FIG. 1 in its first configuration. Like numerals indicate like features.

(25) FIGS. 9 and 10 show the nozzle of the burner of FIG. 1 in its second configuration. Like numerals indicate like features.

(26) The upstream end of the inner cylinder 18 is provided with a flange 40 that is mounted on rods 42 that are secured to the fuel connection 33, the flange being slidable along those rods. In the second configuration of the nozzle, the downstream ends of the inner and outer cylinders coincide and the flange lies flush against the fuel connection 33 such that it may be bolted thereto. In the first configuration of the nozzle, the inner cylinder 18 is displaced relative to the outer cylinder in an axial direction of the nozzle. Thus the upstream end of the inner cylinder protrudes from the fuel connection 33.

(27) FIGS. 11 and 12 show detail views of the upstream portions of FIGS. 8 and 10 respectively. Like numerals indicate like features.

(28) In use, the gas igniter lights the oil burner 14 which is used to pre-heat the boiler before the fuel can be fired. Core air is fed through the burner by a small fan (not shown) to aid combustion of the oil and gas.

(29) Pulverised fuel (e.g. coal or biomass) is driven down the nozzle 16 into the furnace, conveyed by a carrier airstream. In the case that a low fuel exit velocity is desired (for example, in the case that biomass fuel is being used), the nozzle is arranged in its first configuration, i.e. the outward projections are located upstream of the nozzle exit. In this configuration, the free cross-sectional area at the nozzle exit is high, resulting in low fuel velocity. In the case that a high fuel exit velocity is desired (for example, in the case that coal fuel is being used), then the nozzle is arranged in its second configuration. In this configuration, the axial positions of the outward and inward projections 22,24 coincide, such that the free cross-sectional area at the nozzle exit is low, resulting in high fuel velocity.

(30) Pre-heated air is driven through the first and second air sources. The relative air flow rates through the two sources are adjusted depending on the fuel type. For example, in the case that the fuel is biomass the flow rates of the first and second sources are in the ratio 2:1, whereas in the case that the fuel is coal, the ratio is reversed. The swirlers 28,32 provide the exiting air with angular momentum, so as to promote the formation of an internal recirculation zone at the burner exit.