Abstract: A process for controlling combustion of burners arranged in a plurality of respective control zones divided in a furnace, includes the step of repeating a cycle of successively subjecting the burners to combustion for a short time. At least one temperature sensor is fitted in each control zone, a time period during which each burner is subjected to combustion is controlled according to a difference between a temperature detected by the corresponding temperature sensor and a preset temperature in a respective control zone. An apparatus is also disclosed for effecting such a controlling process.

Abstract: A burner unit is used for firing, for example, formed ceramic bodies in a firing furnace. The burner unit includes a burner tile assembly provided in a furnace wall and a burner connected to the burner tile assembly and provided out of the firing furnace. The burner is integrally provided with a connecting burner tile assembly having a tapered step. The burner tile assembly is also provided with a tapered step. The tapered steps of the connecting burner tile assembly and the burner tile assembly are connected through a sealing material to connect the burner to the burner tile assembly. With this arrangement, the burner unit reduces heat dissipation due to a burner construction and enables maintenance to be effected during operation of the burner.