Abstract: In a nozzle for feeding a combustible medium such as coal particles along with air into a furnace, the exit end of each splitter plate in the nozzle is reinforced by a stiffener having an external cross-sectional shape in the form of a continuous curve proceeding outward and forward from a first surface of the plate to a first location, inward from the first location to a second location beyond the level of an opposite second surface of the plate, and inward and rearward from the second location to the second surface. The stiffener can be hollow, and can also be provided with openings for the flow of cooling air from the interior to the exterior of the stiffener. The continuous curvature of the exterior of the stiffener avoids recirculating flow at locations adjacent the stiffener and thereby minimizes flame attachment and deposition of ash or fuel sediment onto the reinforced splitter plates.

Abstract: In a nozzle for feeding a combustible medium such as coal particles along with air into a furnace, the exit end of each splitter plate in the nozzle is reinforced by a stiffener having an external cross-sectional shape in the form of a continuous curve proceeding outward and forward from a first surface of the plate to a first location, inward from the first location to a second location beyond the level of an opposite second surface of the plate, and inward and rearward from the second location to the second surface. The stiffener can be hollow, and can also be provided with openings for the flow of cooling air from the interior to the exterior of the stiffener. The continuous curvature of the exterior of the stiffener avoids recirculating flow at locations adjacent the stiffener and thereby minimizes flame attachment and deposition of ash or fuel sediment onto the reinforced splitter plates.

Abstract: In a boiler furnace having nozzles for introducing combustion media such as air and coal, nozzle tip walls that have the greatest exposure to radiant heat and hot gases are provided with arrays of air holes that allow air to flow to the exposed sides of the walls from the opposite sides in order to reduce the temperature difference between the two sides and thereby reduce thermal distortion and damage resulting from oxidation.

Abstract: In a vacuum unit for use in drawing a vacuum on a steam sterilizer, a pump circulates water through an ejector and a reservoir. Fresh water is injected at the pump inlet to maintain a low temperature in the ejector so that it can operate efficiently. Excess water is taken from a location adjacent the bottom of the reservoir through an internal dip tube, and passed through a U-shaped conduit that serves as a condensate trap. To maintain the water discharge temperature below a predetermined level, fresh water is injected into the U-shaped conduit through a valve controlled by a temperature sensor downstream from the water injection point.

Abstract: In a boiler furnace having nozzles for introducing combustion media such as air and coal, nozzle tip walls that have the greatest exposure to radiant heat and hot gases are provided with arrays of air holes that allow air to flow to the exposed sides of the walls from the opposite sides in order to reduce the temperature difference between the two sides and thereby reduce thermal distortion and damage resulting from oxidation.

Abstract: In a vacuum unit for use in drawing a vacuum on a steam sterilizer, a pump circulates water through an ejector and a reservoir. Fresh water is injected at the pump inlet to maintain a low temperature in the ejector so that it can operate efficiently. Excess water is taken from a location adjacent the bottom of the reservoir through an internal dip tube, and passed through a U-shaped conduit that serves as a condensate trap. To maintain the water discharge temperature below a predetermined level, fresh water is injected into the U-shaped conduit through a valve controlled by a temperature sensor downstream from the water injection point.