E.ON has been granted a patent for a method of operating a fluidized bed boiler. The method involves using fresh ilmenite particles with a shape factor of 0.8 or lower as bed material, carrying out a fluidized bed combustion process, removing ash streams containing ilmenite particles, separating the ilmenite particles using a magnetic separator with a field strength of 2,000 Gauss or more, and recirculating the separated ilmenite particles back into the boiler. The average residence time of the ilmenite particles in the fluidized bed is 100 hours or more. GlobalData’s report on E.ON gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on E.ON, Dynamic grid loading was a key innovation area identified from patents. E.ON's grant share as of September 2023 was 32%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for operating a fluidized bed boiler using ilmenite particles
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11774088B2) describes a method for operating a fluidized bed boiler. The method involves several steps to efficiently separate ilmenite particles from ash streams generated during the combustion process.
The method begins by providing fresh rock ilmenite particles with a shape factor of 0.75 or lower as bed material to the fluidized bed boiler. A fluidized bed combustion process is then carried out. Subsequently, at least one ash stream containing ilmenite particles is removed from the fluidized bed boiler.
The separation of ilmenite particles from the ash stream is achieved using a magnetic separator with a rare earth roll or rare earth drum magnet. The magnetic separator must have a field strength of 2,000 Gauss or more. The separation efficiency of this step must be at least 0.5 by mass for ilmenite. The separation can be performed using either a one-stage magnetic separation with an axial or radial magnetic field or a two-stage magnetic separation with a first step using an axial magnetic field and a second step using a radial magnetic field.
The separated ilmenite particles are then recirculated back into the bed of the fluidized bed boiler. The patent also specifies that the fresh ilmenite particles should have a particle size distribution with a maximum at 100 to 400 µm. Additionally, the average residence time of the ilmenite particles in the fluidized bed boiler should be at least 120 hours but less than 600 hours.
The method is particularly suitable for circulating fluidized bed boilers (CFB). It is also important to note that the fraction of ilmenite in the bed material should be 25 wt. % or more, and the separation efficiency of the ilmenite particles should be at least 0.7 by mass.
Overall, this patented method provides a systematic approach to efficiently separate ilmenite particles from ash streams in fluidized bed boilers, ensuring the effective utilization of ilmenite particles as bed material.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
