METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IN-FLIGHT COMBUSTION OF CARBONASCEOUS FUELS

An apparatus and method for combusting carbonaceous fuels includes a reaction chamber defining a reaction zone and means for injecting fuel and oxidizer gas in a manner to produce in the reaction zone a wheel-type flow of the fuel-gas mixture. In preferred embodiments, the high velocity wheel-type flow operates to suspend fuel or other reactant particles in the swirling gas for residence times required for substantially complete reaction of the particles prior to the particles impinging against the walls of the reaction chamber. High angular veocities and the resulting centrifugal forces operate to remove substantially all slag from the gas as it approaches the downstream end of the reaction chamber. Operating temperatures are maintained at a level to avoid excessive volatilization of slag and thereby promote separation of liquid slag from the gaseous reaction products. Dense phase flow is employed for transporting pulverized reactants such as coal to the reaction chamber and injecting the reactants through a pintle fuel injector.