Abstract: The invention relates to a drying system (T) according to FIG.

Abstract: A hand dryer, suitable for anchoring to a wall, the hand dryer comprising a housing that is equipped inside with a pump configured to deliver air downward; an electronic unit configured to control the functioning of the dryer; an axial-flow pump oriented vertically inside the housing; a convergent nozzle configured for channeling and accelerating air, delivered by the axial-flow pump, from an upper air intake opening to a lower outlet opening, wherein said convergent nozzle is aligned coaxially and is in the vertical direction with the axial-flow pump; and at least one air outlet nozzle end mounted on the lower opening of the convergent nozzle, and which has a surface opposite the direction of the circulation of the air, equipped with at least one opening with a cross-section that narrows in the direction of the air outlet and that causes an additional acceleration of the air driven through the convergent nozzle to the outlet opening with a low noise level.

Abstract: A device to facilitate and maintain a fire, having a camera assembly with a base, an apex, lateral columns, a first ring, and a second ring; and an air intake channel connected to the camera assembly. The first and second rings are intercepted by the lateral columns to define a plurality of apertures. The camera assembly defines a cavity area. The cutouts are positioned around the base separated a predetermined distance from each other, and extend from the base bottom edge without reaching the base top edge. The main opening extends from the base bottom edge towards the base top edge. The main opening defines a semi-circle. The plurality of apertures defined at the camera assembly and air intake through the air intake channel provide a sufficient amount of oxygen so that a fire is maintained until matter upon the camera assembly is consumed without suffocating and become extinguished.

Abstract: A solid fuel combustion device includes: a fuel supply device including a firewood feed pipe or another fuel supplier; a primary combustion chamber coupled to the fuel supply device; a secondary combustion chamber including a wall formed of a fireproof material and having a structure in which a space is formed at a side of the combustion gas outlet of the primary combustion chamber to induce primary combustion gas to be secondarily expanded and combusted; and an air supply system including at least one air supply device in an entire combustion path formed in the primary combustion chamber and the secondary combustion chamber.

Abstract: A combustion supporting device is provided to use with a combustion furnace. The combustion supporting device includes a cone body, a tubular member, a frusto-conically shaped member, a base plate and a supporting portion. An upper end of the tubular member is connected to the cone body. The tubular member defines a plurality of gas holes around an upper portion thereof. The frusto-conically shaped member defines an insertion opening thereon. The diameter of the insertion opening corresponds to the outer diameter of the tubular member. A lower portion of the tubular member is passing through the insertion opening and received in the frusto-conically shaped member. The base plate defines a hole corresponding to the tubular member. The base plate is connected to a bottom of the frusto-conically shaped member. The hole communicates with a lower opening of the tubular member. The supporting portion is connected to the base plate.

Abstract: A smoke generator for providing smoke to a food smoking cabinet includes an upright enclosure with a fuel storage area located above a combustion chamber. An operating rod assembly including an operating rod, partition, and fuel agitator extend downwardly into the pellet fuel storage area. The operating rod may be manipulated from outside the enclosure to operate the agitator and selectively reposition the partition and relocate the agitator within the fuel storage area of the enclosure.

Abstract: A wood stove that includes a hollow cylindrical outer skin with an coaxially aligned, insulated inner fire box. Located below the fire box is a fresh air inlet and an air control valve that controls the flow of fresh air into the stove's primary and secondary chambers. Surrounding the fire box are three longitudinally aligned air conduits that extend from the air inlet to an upper ledge located below a secondary combustion chamber. During use, the fresh air inside the air conduits is heated. Disposed transversely inside the outer jacket and above the primary chamber is a combustor assembly that includes a lower fin plate, a perforated intermediate plate and a perforated upper plate. During use, fuel is added to the fire box which undergoes initial combustion and produces hot gases and fumes that travel upward towards the chamber assembly. The air control valve controls flow of fresh air into the primary chamber only, both chambers, or into only the secondary chamber.

Abstract: A gate valve with secure sealing mechanism includes a main body having a valve opening, a driver disposed on the main body, a sliding seat slidingly disposed in the main body, a swing arm, and a valve member. Therein, two ends of the swing arm are connected to the driver and the sliding seat, respectively, whereby the driver drives the swing arm to move circularly between a first and second position, thereby triggering the sliding seat to slide. When the swing arm is at the first or second position, the swing arm is biased against the route direction of the sliding seat. The valve member is disposed on the sliding seat for moving in parallel or vertical to the valve opening, thereby preventing the sliding seat from swaying when the swing arm is at the first or second locking position.

Abstract: A solid fuel gravity feed combustion device, system and method are presented. The device includes a chute having an inlet and outlet, such that the chute inlet is configured to receive multiple pellets. A floor is disposed substantially below the chute inlet, and adjacent to the chute outlet. The chute outlet is configured to accommodate a pellet pile including at least a portion of the multiple pellets disposed upon the floor, where the pile surface is oriented substantially at a pellet angle of repose.

Abstract: A self-sustaining boiler system for generating usable energy and heat without creating pollution. The self-sustaining boiler system includes a boiler capable of generating efficient usable energy and heat, and also includes an exhaust purifying assembly being in fluid communication to the boiler for removing the pollutants from the exhaust generated by the boiler, and further includes a fuel source assembly being in fluid communication to the boiler for providing fuel to the boiler.

Abstract: A furnace system for heating a poultry brooder house includes a firebox for burning biomass fuel, and a grate within the firebox for burning the biomass fuel thereon. A distributor assembly may positioned within the firebox and is located directly above the grate. The distributor assembly includes a distributor plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a distributor arm above the distributor plate that is movable relative to the distributor plate to cause biomass fuel supported on the plate to pass through the apertures and fall onto the grate. The furnace system may include a hopper assembly that defines a well for receiving a volume of biomass fuel for delivery to the grate or to the distributor plate.

Abstract: A system for drying solid fuels prior to injection and burning in solid fuel boilers is described. High moisture content solid fuels such as bark, sludge, wet coal, are preferably dried to some degree before they can burn. The present invention incorporates a delivery chute in which combustion gases dry the solid fuel before it reaches the combustion chamber of the boiler. In one embodiment, the combustion gases are drawn through the delivery chute to remove moisture from the incoming fuel and then the gases flow back into the boiler. A second embodiment directly exposes the wet fuel to the combustion in the boiler for a sufficient time to remove a substantial amount of moisture before the fuel is spread onto the solid fuel combustion region.

Abstract: A method for drying solid fuels prior to injection and burning in solid fuel boilers is described. High moisture content solid fuels such as bark, sludge, wet coal, etc. must be dried before they can burn. Embodiments of the present invention incorporates a fuel delivery chute integrated with the boiler wall using a flow of combustion gasses and radiant heating to partially dry the solid fuel before it reaches the combustion zone of the boiler. The combustion gasses are drawn through the delivery chute by means of the flowing fuel and air jet inductors that then blows the combustion gasses back into the boiler. A refractory wall separates the fuel chute from the boiler proper, is heated by the combustion in the boiler, and radiates heat to the fuel falling through the fuel chute.

Abstract: A fixed bed coal gasifier (300) includes a coal gasification chamber with a coal lock above the chamber. A static coal distribution device inside the gasification chamber includes a hollow coal distributor which flares downwardly outwardly with a skirt depending downwardly from an inside of the coal distributor so that a gas collection zone is defined between the skirt and the coal distributor. The gasifier (300) has an ash discharge outlet (606) and a rotatable grate (600) above the outlet (606). The rotatable grate (600) includes at least one upwardly projecting finger or disturbing formation (500) to disturb the ash bed formed in use above and around the grate (600).

Abstract: This bio-fuel furnace includes a combustion unit and separate fuel feed unit mounted atop the combustion unit. The combustion unit includes a cylindrical burn pot, a preheat module, an expansion bowl and a primary heat exchanger supported by an inner frame and enclosed by an outer casing. The preheat module is a rectangular box having an internal spiral baffle. The burn pot is seated within a central opening in the preheat module. The expansion bowl is seated atop the preheat module and the primary heat exchanger is mounted above the expansion bowl. An inlet fan blows inlet air through the preheat module and into the burn pot and an outlet fan draws exhaust air around the primary heat exchanger from the combustion unit. The fuel feed unit has an internal storage bin and a rotating scoop arm deposits the bio fuel into the combustion unit.

Abstract: A pyrolysis oven configured for vertical conveyance of material for incineration. The oven makes use of gravity and multiple plates to control the movement of material through the oven chamber. The plates and oven interior are heated in a low oxygen, pressurized environment to effect the decomposition of material as it freefalls down the chamber and makes contact with heated plates. The configuration and angle of declination of plates determines the freefall rate and retention time within the incinerating environment. The decomposition produces char and gas resultants, each of which are carried off through separate exits configured in the oven. The oven may be used as part of a waste management system in connection with a thermal oxidation chamber for the treatment of volatile organic compound gases that are a by-product of the pyrolytic process.

Abstract: A combustion chamber (10) for burning solid fuels having a high volatiles content has a hollow body (11) with a cylindrical wall section (12) and a top section (13) located at end (14) of the cylindrical wall section (12). The hollow body (11) has a primary air inlet (20), a fuel inlet (23) and four volatiles outlets (25) (one shown), mounted therein. Each volatiles outlet (25) has a plurality of apertures (26) of differing sizes arranged in a plate (27). In use, the burning volatiles exit the apertures (26) in a turbulent flow resulting in efficient combustion of the volatiles. Additionally, a heat transferring surface (33) on a water jacket (32) is shaped around the combustion chamber (10) so as to define a channel (34) there between. This arrangement results in an efficient transfer of heat from the turbulent flow of volatiles, which is forced to circulate around the channel (34).

Abstract: A system for recycling solid waste into energy includes a heated enclosure 66, one or more input conveyors 60, 67 move waste materials through the heated enclosure, provide a flow line with a temperature gradient of at least 150 F.°, and mechanically move the waste particles and the residual solids along the flow line. A heated rotary drum 74 is in fluid communication with the flow line, and condenser unit 94, 98 receive vapors from the flow line and the rotary drum and output hydrocarbons. One or more discharge conveyors 76 discharge carbon black from the rotary drum. Control valves 80, 82 seal a vacuum downstream from the discharge conveyors, and control valves 34, 46 seal vacuum upstream from the one or more input conveyors. Various types of vacuum pumps may be used to maintain a selected vacuum between the control valves.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for disposal of wastes comprises a measuring hopper 2 for measuring a charging amount of a waste to be disposed such as domestic wastes, industrial wastes or the like or a charging amount of a solid fuel such as coke, coal or the like, a charging hopper 3 for charging the waste and the solid fuel respectively measured with the measuring hopper 2, a melting furnace 4 for melting the waste charged from the charging hopper 3 at a high temperature to conduct detoxification thereof, and a charging damper 5 arranged between the charging hopper 3 and the melting furnace 4 and having a multistage sluice valve system 9 capable of charging the waste and the solid fuel charged in the charging hopper 3 into the melting furnace 4 without outflowing of a furnace gas to exterior.

Abstract: A control system for a waste processing apparatus controls entry of a predetermined quantity of waste into the processing chamber via air lock whenever the level of waste in the chamber has fallen sufficiently to accommodate the new waste, and this is detected by a suitable detector. A second detector may be located upstream of the first detector to enable the flow rate of waste through the processing chamber to be calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of converting waste materials into combustible vapor and char utilizing an energy efficient pyrolytic processing oven that eliminates the complex mechanisms usually associated with these systems for heating and transporting the waste material through the oven. The oven of this system has a unique configuration that permits the pyrolized material to free fall through the unit.

Abstract: An incinerator pre-fill chamber for installation on an incinerator for burning combustible material which allows the operator to continuously re-fill the container of the incinerator with new combustible material while the contents within the container is burning. The incinerator pre-fill chamber includes an elongated case having a first opening aligned in sealing relationship with a second opening disposed in the lid of the incinerator such that when said pre-fill chamber is mounted on the incinerator lid the combustible material can pass from said pre-fill chamber through said first and second openings. The pre-fill chamber further includes a plunger with a platen, at least one side door that opens for loading the material to be burned into the pre-fill chamber, and a trap door that opens when the plunger is actuated thereby permitting the material to pass through the first opening of the pre-fill chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for feeding shredder dust to a furnace such as a reverberatory furnace. This device comprises a feeding chute that passes to the inside of the reverberatory furnace and is fitted to the ceiling of the reverberatory furnace. Shredder dust can be fed from this feeding chute which also allows oxygen enriched air to be supplied to the feeding chute and fed to the inside of the reverberatory furnace. Further, the present invention relates to a reverberatory furnace in which a burner is able to be installed in a wall portion of one end side thereof. A plurality of feeding ports to which are connected the feeding chutes of the shredder dust feeding devices are provided at the one end side in the ceiling portion thereof forming a plurality of staggered rows facing the other end side.

Abstract: The chute is provided with a cutting apparatus which has a mating holder, a clamping slide and a cutting slide. To close the chute, the mating holder is moved inward approximately into the center of the chute and is locked. Then, the clamping slide is moved toward the mating holder, until ultimately they come into contact with one another and the chute is closed. If there is refuse between the mating holder and the clamping slide, and consequently the latter cannot reach its closed position, the cutting slide is activated, which cuts through the refuse clamped between the mating holder and clamping slide and bridges the gap between the mating holder and the clamping slide so as to form a seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for crushing waste gas cans between a pair of rotating rollers installed in a treatment chamber and removing the residual gas and residual liquid from the waste gas cans. The atmosphere in each of a waste gas can loading chamber, which is adjacent to the treatment chamber, the treatment chamber and a discharge chamber is replaced with an inert gas, thereby maintaining the oxygen concentration in the treatment chamber within a low range in which the residual gas will not burn explosively. Crushing of the waste gas cans is carried out while the oxygen concentration in the treatment chamber is within the low range. The pair of rotating rollers have two rotating shafts disposed approximately parallel to each other and sprocket wheels disposed on each rotating shaft at regular spacings.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a primary combustion chamber divided into left and right sides by fuel-retaining standards defining a canyon or void extending into a secondary combustion chamber is provided. The floor of the primary combustion chamber and the fuel-retaining standards direct the burning solid fuel toward the lower part of the canyon, while at the same time retaining the non-burning solid fuel on either side of the fuel-retaining standards. The combustion system further includes an air delivery system having a lower air tube supplying high and low velocity air and an upper air tube. The lower air tube is positioned proximate to a firebox floor, while the upper air tube is positioned within the secondary chamber. Automatic air setting mechanisms are provided so that proper air settings can be maintained during various phases of a fire.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus for feeding whole tires into a cement kiln comprising a feed opening in the shell of the kiln, a passageway including a sleeve extending within and outside the kiln, an arcuate sector valve device for closing the passageway and timed to open so as to allow the tires to fall into the kiln through the passageway. The sector valve having an outer perforated wall and an inner wall, the perforated wall allowing ambient air to circulate between the outer and inner wall to keep the outer wall cool for contact with the tires. A transfer device is provided for transferring the tires onto the feeding apparatus wherein the transfer device includes fingers while the feeding apparatus includes a fork receiving tray interdigitated with the fingers to pick up the tires as the kiln rotates.

Abstract: A system for disposing of refuse-derived fuel ("RDF") and converting the refuse-derived fuel into a fuel gas is described. The system includes a positive pressure combustion chamber and a feed system for feeding the RDF into the combustion chamber at high speed. No compaction of the low density RDF is required. The feed system includes a feed conveyor, first and second air locks with a first conduit between the feed conveyor and the first air lock, and a second conduit between the first and second air locks. Both conduits are generally vertically oriented, but sloped at an angle that prevents bridging of the RDF.

Abstract: The smoke generator produces smoke from combustible matter, such as sawdust or particulated wood, under a controlled set of smoke generation parameters which can be varied over a range of operating set-points. The pyrolysis and partial combustion phases of smoke generation are physically separated and are independently controlled. A controlled rate of sawdust or other combustible matter is fed into an air-excluded pyrolysis chamber in which the pyrolysis temperature is controlled by means of an adjustable power supply to a heating element in the pyrolysis chamber. The ash remaining after pyrolysis of the combustible matter is continuously removed from the pyrolysis chamber. Pyrolytic gases generated by thermal destruction of combustible matter in the pyrolysis chamber are removed to a second chamber where a controlled rate of air is injected with the hot pyrolytic gases to achieve a desired level of partial combustion.

Abstract: An orchard heater burns wood or other biomass pellets substantially without the production of soot or smudge. The heater assembly includes demountable, telescoping components including a combustion chamber, a chimney, a firebox, and a hopper. Combination air- and fuel-flow control means control the combustion process. An oven or a grill attachment may be included in the assembly for cooking purposes, if so desired.

Abstract: A gravity operated burner for particulate fuel. Fuel held in a hopper drops downwardly through a fuel tube to fall on an inclined chute. The chute feeds a shelf where burning takes place in a high heat zone. Material on the shelf stops unhindered flow of fuel down the chute.

Abstract: The incinerator is made of a loading member, a burning chamber, a combustion chamber and a duct member having a restricted dimension for connecting the burning and the combustion chambers. The loading member is an upstanding cylinder for receiving the waste material and dropping it in the burning chamber. The burning chamber has a floor located at such a distance from loading cylinder so as to obtain the spreading of the waste material in a generally frusto-conical shape. A peripheral wall around the burning chamber is dimensioned to leave an air space around the frusto-conical shape. An air intake in the peripheral wall provides a circulation of air in the air space. The duct members are diametrically opposed to the air intake and funnel the hot fumes from the burning chamber to the combustion chamber. The concentration of the hot fumes in the duct members considerably raises the temperature in the duct members for a practically complete decomposition of the products in the fumes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press consisting of at least one, conveniently perforated and hollow, rotatable drum as well as press rollers with axes parallel in relation to the drum axis acting against the outer shell of the drum, with at least one web of material to be pressed made to pass between said drum and the aforementioned rollers, conveniently supported by one of two screen belt(s) or the like.

Abstract: A down-draft, gravity fed, bio-mass, solid fuel burning stove or furnace comprises an upright cylindrical housing having a top cover and a fire resistant openable air-tight floor. Fuel drops onto the center of the floor through a central feed tube where it burns in the form of a truncated conical pile. A second tube surrounds the feed tube, defining with it an annular air intake passage for discharging an annular current of air downwardly on the burning fuel. A heat exchanger surrounds the housing and its inner wall defines with the housing a smoke passage for upward escape of the hot gases of combustion. Heat from the smoke passage heats the contents of the heat exchanger. A baffle in the smoke passage enhances heat transfer. The central tube and cover are removable as a unit.

Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.

Abstract: A first stage, sub-stoichiometric reaction chamber (12) reacts a carbon-based fuel with an oxygen-carrying gas to produce a combustible gas, heat, and residual ash. A rectangular grate (B) supports a fuel pile (34) in the reaction chamber. A fuel supply (20) continuously supplies the carbon-based fuel from overhead in sufficient quantity to maintain the desired pile configuration with minimum particle entrainment in the generated gas. A fabric chute (36) may be provided to further limit particulate entrainment in the generated combustible gas. A temperature sensor (78) monitors temperature at the grate or another preselected reaction condition. When the preselected condition is sensed, the grates are reciprocated to step residual ash to an ash removal conveyor (74). Nozzles (82) combust a portion of the generated gas to inhibit condensation of vaporized constituents. A second stage, combustion chamber (C) completely combusts the generated gas to derive useful work therefrom.

Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.

Abstract: In the stove, pluralities of elongated logs are stacked on top of one another, substantially on parallels to a generally horizontal axis, to form a pair of sloping, single-log-wide, axially extending stacks of the same which are spaced apart but converge in the bottom of a sump at points above a slot in the vertical plane of the axis. Air is admitted to the sump through the slot, and a pair of spaced abutments is disposed upright in the plane of the axis at the sump, to engage between the opposing faces of the bottommost logs in the stacks and form an air flow channel therebetween above the slot. Moreover, a chamber is formed above the channel to confine the flames and the flow of combustion products from the channel to the space between the stacks of logs. The chamber in turn discharges the combustion products to a low pressure zone where they escape to atmosphere or the like.

Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.

Abstract: A particle fuel burning furnace has an upper combustion chamber holding a pile of particle fuel and burning the same from the bottom. The furnace includes a lower combustion chamber for afterburning combustible gases off by burning solid fuel in the upper chamber and replaceable refractory bricks containing a series of spaced vertically-extending passageways interconnecting the bottom of the upper chamber and the top of the lower chambers for communicating combustible gases from the upper to the lower chamber. An improved particle fuel diversion structure in the furnace includes an elongated fuel diverter block having a recessed dome-shaped cavity therein and open at a bottom side and spacer blocks disposing the diverter block in the upper chamber in spaced relationship above the bottom of the upper chamber and with its recessed cavity overlying the bricks containing the passageways. Furthermore, the bricks extend above the bottom of the upper chamber and into the recessed cavity of the diverter block.

Abstract: A thermal decomposition furnace in which waste tires having original shape, not broken up, can be laid horizontally and be thermally decomposed. The furnace is constructed by providing a feeder above, forming downward a fluidized bed-forming section having inlets for air, forming beneath a sealing bed-forming section of right cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of fluidized bed-forming section, and installing a conveyor below said sealing bed-forming section. At the lower end of sealing bed-forming section, an oblique opening is formed so as to keep an progressively increasing clearance to the conveyor in the direction of advance of conveyor.

Abstract: A thermal decomposition furnace in which waste tires having original shape, not broken up, can be laid horizontally and be thermally decomposed. The furnace is constructed by providing a feeder above, forming downward a fluidized bed-forming section having inlets for air, forming beneath a sealing bed-forming section of right cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of fluidized bed-forming section, and installing a conveyor below said sealing bed-forming section. At the lower end of sealing bed-forming section, an oblique opening is formed so as to keep a progressively increasing clearance to the conveyor in the direction of advance of conveyor.

Abstract: A heat generator comprising a fuel supply chamber (7a), having at its lower end an inwardly tapered section (12), comprising at its lower end a burner plate (14) with mixing strips (33) and a combustion pipe (20), said tapered section (12) being provided with apertures (8) for primary air in its upper part, apertures (13) for secondary air at a level just above the level of the burner plate (14) and apertures (22) for tertiary air at a level just below the level of the burner plate (14) at the level of mixing strips (33). Preferably all air supplies are preheated. The combustion pipe (20) stands in closed connection with an outlet-pipe, preferably provided with an adjustable ventilator.

Abstract: A combustion system for domestic or small industrial heating needs, utilizing biomass fuels such as wood and brush chips, sawdust, logs, nut hulls, peat, leaves and other organic waste products of forestry, agriculture and industry with essentially smokeless, clean exhaust. By preheating the combustion air, insulating the combustion process and carefully controlling the fuel to air proportions and mixing parameters, essentially complete combustion with very little excess air at high temperatures is achieved even with fuels containing over half their weight in water. This water is then condensed out of the exhaust gases in uniquely designed air and water counterflow heat exchangers that can capture over 90% of the high heat value of the fuel. This invention is capable of maintaining clean combustion at high temperatures with little excess air, at burn rates much lower than the best popular "air-tight" woodstoves and is capable of higher heat outputs than most domestic heat plants.

Abstract: A furnace having a fuel hopper in communication with a combustion chamber provided with an inclined, fuel-supporting grate. A rotary, flexible feed arm composed of a helically coiled wire serves to feed fuel from the hopper on to the grate. A draft is induced through the combustion chamber and passes through the grate and fuel supported thereon.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for feeding solid fuel from a storage silo or equivalent to a solid fuel-using heating boiler. The feeding apparatus comprises a piston, which has been disposed to carry out a reciprocating motion within a tube which through an aperture communicates with the solid fuel storage silo or equivalent, and which communicates by its other end with the heating boiler. With a view to accomplishing the feeding of the solid fuel with reliable certainty, before the piston, in the feeding apparatus of the invention there has been provided in the lower part of the storage silo or equivalent, a rotatably disposed vane.

Abstract: A particle fuel burning furnace has an upper combustion chamber for holding a pile of particle fuel and burning the same from the bottom thereof. The furnace also includes a lower combustion chamber for afterburning combustible gases given off by the burning of solid fuel in the upper chamber and a series of spaced apart vertically-extending passageways arranged in a row and interconnecting the upper and lower chambers for communicating the combustible gases from the upper to the lower chamber. A first improved feature relates to a particle fuel delivery control device which operates an auger for filling the upper chamber with particle fuel to a desired level. A beam of light is transmitted and reflected between a photoelectric cell and reflector respectively of the device. When the particle fuel pile has grown in height during filling to the desired level the light beam is interrupted and filling is terminated.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a furnace for consuming solid fuel, such as wood, which comprises a gravitational feed chute for feeding the solid fuel in a combustion chamber; the chute has an open lower feed end adjoining the combustion chamber, the feed end being equipped with a plurality of flexible spaced retaining elements which serve to support the load of solid fuel in the chute; air nozzles are provided in the combustion chamber facing the feed end of the chute to create a circulation forcing combustion gases to pass through a zone of high temperature in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A furnace using pelletized wood as a fuel and a system for controlling the operation of the furnace are described. Pelletized wood stored in a hopper is fed into the combustion chamber of the furnace from an elevated position; and combustion of the pelletized wood is controlled by microprocessor-based circuit which receives input signals representative of the interior and exterior temperatures of the building, the air flow and the level of fuel in the combustion chamber and processes this information in accordance with a predetermined program to switch the furnace into one of two modes. In the `low` mode, the exterior temperature is below a certain value for example, 0.degree. C., but the interior temperature is above it. In this case a fire is maintained in the combustion chamber in anticipation of the interior temperature falling beneath this value.

Abstract: A dual stage combustion furnace has primary and secondary combustion chambers. The primary combustion chamber contains a solid fuel, such as wood or coal. The secondary combustion chamber is formed adjacent to and in communication with the primary combustion chamber for containing and igniting volatile combustion gases produced in the primary chamber. A plurality of hollow members, which provide a grate, extend through the primary chamber, and into the secondary chamber. Volatile gases given off in the primary combustion chamber are then ignited and burned in the secondary combustion chamber upon combination with heated air passing through the hollow grate members.