Abstract: An appliance includes a housing defining a cavity having an opening, and a cover member pivotable between open and closed positions with respect to the opening to selectively allow access to the cavity through the opening. A plurality of vents is engaged with the housing about the opening, including a positive pressure vent configured to direct a positive airflow in a first lateral cross-opening direction, a negative pressure vent configured to apply a suction in a second lateral cross-opening direction to pull at least a portion of the positive airflow therethrough, and opposing first and second neutral vents arranged laterally across the opening and configured to neutralize effects on and maintain the positive airflow from the positive pressure vent and pulled through the negative pressure vent by the applied suction caused by the cover member pivoting between open and closed positions. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.

Abstract: A radiant burner and method are disclosed. The radiant burner is for treating an effluent gas stream from a manufacturing process tool and comprises: a combustion chamber having a porous sleeve through which combustion materials pass for combustion proximate to a combustion surface of the porous sleeve; a combustion characteristic monitor operable to determine combustion performance of the radiant burner by monitoring infra-red radiation emitted from the combustion surface; and a radiant burner controller operable to control operation of the radiant burner in dependence upon combustion performance determined by the combustion characteristic monitor. Accordingly, aspects recognize that if a burner is suffering from an excessive flow of air the burner pad or combustion surface will typically cool, which results in an increase in unwanted emissions in the exhaust produced by a radiant burner. The cooling also results in a reduction in infrared radiation determined by the combustion surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature and humidity controllable doorless oven for cooking, warming and storing food products for extended periods of time. The oven includes a cabinet having interior walls and exterior walls which form an air duct between the walls. An interior oven chamber is formed within the interior walls with the cabinet providing an access opening into the interior oven chamber. A controllable heating element generates a warm environment inside the interior oven chamber and a humidifier generates a moist environment. To maintain the warm and moist environment inside the interior oven chamber, an air stream which forms an air curtain is moved through the air duct and across the access opening.

Abstract: A contamination measurement apparatus for determining a level of particulate contamination in a fluid. The apparatus includes a filter for passing a fluid therethrough. A volume indicator produces movement of a test piston in response to the fluid passing through the filter. The flow decay characteristics of the fluid are determined in response to movement of the test piston. A back flush mechanism returns the fluid back through the filter by use of a back flush piston which reciprocates in a chamber between a first position wherein the back flush piston is engaged with the test piston, and a second position wherein the back flush piston is disengaged from the test piston so that the test piston is free to move in response to the fluid volume.

Abstract: A pressure relief door for an enclosed vessel such as a combustion chamber for an incinerator. The door is pivotally attached to the combustion chamber and is movable between a closed position wherein it confronts and seals a vent duct attached to the chamber and an open position wherein said vent duct is unsealed to permit excessive pressure to be relieved from the chamber. A liquid holding trough is attached around the perimeter of the duct and is adapted to retain therein a liquid at a predetermined level. A seal member is attached around the perimeter of the door and is adapted to extend into the liquid to achieve an airtight seal between the door and duct when the door is in a closed position.

Abstract: A tunnel enclosure has a fluid barrier curtain at an entry and an exit and provides an apparatus for soldering an element. The fluid barrier curtains permit an additive, such as a soldering aid or the like to be included with the fluid at the curtain. More than one zone permits different temperatures or gas atmospheres and elements are passed from zone to zone with fluid barrier curtains between. A process for soldering comprises conveying an element into an enclosed zone through an entry containing at least one fluid barrier curtain, with an additive added to fluid in the curtain, heating and soldering the element in the zone, and conveying the element from the enclosed zone through an exit containing at least one fluid barrier curtain.

Abstract: A sootblower wallbox assembly for decreasing noise emissions during the cleaning of a heat exchanger apparatus. In particular, the invention relates to a wallbox assembly containing a number of reverberant chambers exhibiting varying attenuation characteristics. When a cleaning lance is extended centrally through the wallbox assembly, a baffle portion of each chamber is in close fit relation with the exterior surface of the lance. Each reverberant chamber has a different axial length and therefore exhibits a different frequency range where it achieves its best sound attenuation. The wallbox assembly can also be provided with control systems to prevent combustion products from escaping the heat exchanger through the assembly.

Abstract: A wood stove with glass panels for viewing of the fire therein includes a glass cleaning system with a number of features which in combination effectively prevent soot and creosote buildup. A uniform curtain of hot air is directed downwardly over the glass panels to maintain the interior surface at an elevated temperature and form a barrier to prevent soot and creosote buildup on the glass panels. The curtain of hot air is supplied by a system of interior manifolds, including a first air reservoir manifold and a second manifold positioned above the glass panels for reducing turbulence and forming a uniform laminar curtain of air. Hot air is delivered symmetrically to the air reservoir manifold from side manifolds. In addition, the glass cleaning system includes dual pane glass to help maintain the glass interior at an elevated temperature and andirons to prevent the wood from blocking or deflecting the curtain of hot air.

Abstract: A discharge door assembly for a reheat pusher furnace having a drop out slope includes a refractory lined main frame, a hood extending out from the main frame, a fluid plenum extending substantially the length of the door beneath the hood and a plurality of fluid jets spaced along and extending from the plenum to direct a stream of fluid such as air parallel or convergent with the drop out slope.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for substantially reducing the backmixing or backflow of gases into metal heat treating furnaces by the use of a particular gas jet and a defined flow rate.

Abstract: A method of operating a waste disposal system for the thermal conversion of municipal and industrial solid wastes into essentially pollution free products of combustion is disclosed. The waste disposal system includes a building enclosure having an interior storage area for accumulating combustible refuse, and an incinerator for thermally oxidizing the refuse. In a preferred embodiment, the incinerator includes a combustion chamber which is maintained at a reduced pressure level relative to the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. This subatmospheric pressure arrangement produces a positive flow of air into the chamber as it is loaded thereby permitting loading during combustion virtually without risk of injury to personnel or damage to surrounding combustible material.

Abstract: A waste disposal system for the thermal conversion of municipal and industrial solid wastes into essentially pollution free products of combustion is disclosed. The waste disposal system includes a building enclosure having an interior storage area for accumulating combustible refuse, and an incinerator for thermally oxidizing the refuse. In a preferred embodiment, the incinerator includes a combustion chamber which is maintained at a reduced pressure level relative to the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. This subatomspheric pressure arrangement produces a positive flow of air into the chamber as it is loaded thereby permitting loading during combustion virtually without risk of injury to personnel or damage to surrounding combustible material. In another preferred embodiment, the incinerator includes a primary combustion chamber which is maintained in an excess air condition as combustion occurs, and a secondary combustion chamber into which an auxiliary source of fuel such as natural gas is injected.

Abstract: A flame-sensing system for a tangentially fired broiler in which a plurality of scanners are positioned on the side walls of the combustion chamber adjacent respective burners, and oriented to sight the flame from the respective burners, rather than the central fireball. Closely spaced coolant-carrying tubes lining the boiler walls are oriented with at least one tube in a serpentine pattern and with two or three tubes displaced laterally and rearwardly of the flame zone to provide space for a viewing port approximately the width of two tubes. The displacement pattern tends to dissipate the heat load on the scanner port to prevent scanner or boiler case overheating.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted to reduce emissions from the doors of coke ovens and the like includes a separate fume collecting hood positioned above each oven door, manifolds connected therewith and with a suction fan and gas cleaner, a valve in each hood, a series of nozzles for an aspirating fluid spaced along each oven door jamb, supply pipes therefore and a supply main, valves in the supply pipes, a closed coke guide adapted to be positioned against an oven being pushed, and spring-urged means carried by the end of the coke guide adapted to seal the guide to the oven.