US 12,410,914 B2
System and method for combusting high-moisture fuel to generate steam
Mark Daniel D'Agostini, Allentown, PA (US)
Assigned to Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA (US)
Filed by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA (US)
Filed on Aug. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/991,633.
Prior Publication US 2022/0049848 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. F23K 1/04 (2006.01); F23J 15/00 (2006.01); F23L 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC F23K 1/04 (2013.01) [F23J 15/006 (2013.01); F23L 7/007 (2013.01); F23K 2201/20 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for combusting a high-moisture biomass fuel to generate steam, the process comprising:
contacting a high-moisture solid biomass fuel with an oxygen-depleted gas stream while heating the high-moisture solid biomass fuel by indirect heat exchange with a recirculating thermal fluid to produce a dried solid fuel and a moist oxygen-depleted gas stream;
combusting the dried solid fuel on a grate with a combustion air stream to produce a combustion products stream having an amount of heat;
transferring a first portion of the amount of heat to generate steam by indirect heat exchange with the combustion products stream;
transferring a second portion of the amount of heat to preheat the combustion air by indirect heat exchange with the combustion products stream;
transferring a third portion of the amount of heat to the recirculating thermal fluid by indirect heat exchange with the combustion products stream;
bypassing a portion of the combustion air stream to form a combustion air bypass stream; and
transferring the combustion air bypass stream to a boiler;
wherein at least a portion of the combustion air stream travels through the grate to combust the dried solid fuel.