Apparatus and method of controlling the thermal performance of an oxygen-fired boiler

1. A method of controlling the operation of an oxy-fired boiler; the method comprising:

providing a fuel and transport gas stream to a main burner zone of a boiler;

combusting the fuel from the fuel and transport gas stream in the boiler;

discharging flue gas from the boiler;

recycling a portion of the flue gas to the boiler;

combining a first oxidant stream with the recycled flue gas to form a combined stream;

splitting the combined stream into a plurality of independent split streams;

introducing each independent split stream at a different elevation of the boiler;

controlling independently an oxygen concentration of each of the independent split streams by adding a second oxidant stream to each respective independent split stream to form respective independent oxygen enriched split streams;

introducing at least one of the independent oxygen enriched split streams into an array of nozzles associated with a designated zone of the boiler; and

controlling independently an oxygen concentration at each of the nozzles in the array of nozzles;

wherein the combined stream, the independent split streams, and the independent oxygen enriched split streams are separate from the fuel and transport gas stream; and

wherein combining the first oxidant stream with the recycled flue gas to form the combined stream prior to splitting the combined stream into the plurality of independent split streams provides a uniform oxygen concentration in each of the independent split streams for introduction into the boiler in the event the second oxidant stream is not added to each respective independent split stream.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the boiler is a tangentially fired boiler.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controlling independently the oxygen concentration of each split stream introduced to the boiler further includes changing a heat absorption in the boiler to a desired heat absorption pattern.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one respective split stream is introduced into the boiler at a hopper zone located below a wind box.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the split streams is introduced into the boiler in a lower portion of a wind box.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one split stream that is introduced into the boiler in the wind box is at least 50 weight percent of the combined stream.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one split stream is introduced into the boiler in a lower portion of an overfire compartment.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one split stream is introduced into the boiler in an upper portion of an overfire compartment.

9. A method comprising:

providing a fuel and transport gas stream to a main burner zone of a boiler;

combusting the fuel from the fuel and transport gas stream in the boiler;

discharging flue gas from the boiler;

recycling a portion of the flue gas to the boiler;

combining a first oxidant stream with the recycled flue gas to form a first combined stream;

splitting the first combined stream into a plurality of independent split streams;

adding a second oxidant stream to each respective independent split stream provided to the boiler to form respective independent oxygen enriched split streams;

introducing a least one independent oxygen enriched split stream to an array of nozzle assemblies associated with a designated zone of the boiler; and

controlling independently at least one of a concentration and distribution of oxygen in an input stream to the boiler from each nozzle assembly within the array of nozzle assemblies to vary the heat release profile of the boiler;

wherein the first combined stream, the independent split streams, and the independent oxygen enriched split streams are separate from the fuel and transport gas stream; and

wherein combining the first oxidant stream with the recycled flue gas to form the first combined stream prior to splitting the first combined stream into the plurality of independent split streams provides a uniform oxygen concentration in each of the independent split streams for introduction into the boiler in the event the second oxidant stream is not added to each respective independent split stream.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the boiler is a tangentially fired boiler.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the adding the second oxidant stream to form the respective oxygen enriched split streams is conducted at a position proximate to a point of entry into the boiler.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the respective split streams are sequentially introduced into the boiler.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one respective oxygen enriched split stream is introduced into the boiler at a hopper zone located below a windbox.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the oxygen enriched split stream introduced into the boiler at the windbox comprises at least 50 wt % oxygen, based on the total weight of the stream.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein each oxygen enriched split stream is introduced into the boiler via an annular space disposed around an inner port, where the inner port introduces fuel and transport air into the boiler.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein each respective oxygen enriched split stream is introduced into the boiler via an annular space disposed around an inner port, where the inner port introduces fuel and transport air into the boiler.

17. The method of claim 9 , wherein the boiler is a wall fired boiler.

18. The method of claim 9 , wherein the controlling independently the oxygen concentration of each respective oxygen enriched split stream introduced to the boiler changing a heat absorption in the boiler to a desired absorption pattern.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the oxygen enriched split stream introduced into an overfire compartment at the hopper zone comprises up to 50 wt % oxygen based on the total weight of the oxygen enriched split stream.

20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

controlling independently the volumetric flow of each of the split streams introduced to the boiler.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one respective split stream is introduced into the boiler at a windbox.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one respective split stream is introduced in an overfire compartment located above a windbox.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one respective split stream is introduced into the boiler at a hopper zone located below a windbox, at the windbox and in an overfire compartment located above the windbox.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one respective split stream is introduced into the boiler at a windbox and in an overfire compartment located above the windbox.

25. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one respective oxygen enriched split stream is introduced into the boiler at a windbox.

26. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one respective oxygen enriched split stream is introduced in an overfire compartment located above a windbox.

27. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least respective oxygen enriched split stream is introduced into the boiler at a hopper zone located below a windbox, at the windbox and in an overfire compartment located above the windbox.

28. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one respective oxygen enriched split stream is introduced into the boiler at a windbox and in an overfire compartment located above the windbox.

29. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

controlling independently the volumetric flow of each respective split stream introduced to the boiler.

30. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first oxidant stream and second oxidant stream are provided from a common source.

31. A method comprising:

providing a fuel and transport gas stream to a main burner zone of a boiler;

combusting the fuel from the fuel and transport gas stream in the boiler;

discharging flue gas from the boiler;

recycling a portion of the flue gas to the boiler;

combining a first oxidant stream with the recycled flue gas to form a first combined stream;

splitting the first combined stream into a plurality of separate independent split streams;

introducing at least one of the plurality of independent split streams into an array of nozzle assemblies associated with a designated zone of the boiler; and

controlling independently an oxygen concentration within at least one of the nozzle assemblies within the array such that the oxygen concentration within at least one nozzle assembly within the array is different from the oxygen concentration of another nozzle assembly within the array,

wherein combining the first oxidant stream with the recycled flue gas to form the first combined stream prior to splitting the first combined stream into the plurality of independent split streams provides a uniform oxygen concentration in each of the independent split streams for introduction into the boiler.