Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the operation of a furnace. A furnace generally includes a boiler having a combustion zone, a plurality of burners burning a mixture of fuel and air in the combustion zone producing a gaseous by-product, and an electrostatic precipitator in fluid communication with the boiler removing particulates from the gaseous by-products. The method includes the steps of monitoring operating conditions of the electrostatic precipitator on a section-by-section basis, and controlling a select one or more of the burners based upon the section-by-section monitored operating conditions.

Abstract: A waste plastic dechlorination system comprises a dechlorination furnace 1 for heating and thermally decomposing waste plastics, and a rotating cutter 4 provided in the dechlorination furnace 1. A pressure gauge 9, a flow meter 10 and an exhaust pump 12 are sequentially connected to the dechlorination furnace 1 via an exhaust pipe 7. The waste plastics heated and decomposed in the dechlorination furnace 1 are discharged into a discharge tank 15.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for discharging ash from a plurality of fossil-fuel boiler hoppers through actuator opened gate valves by opening only selected gate valves during a given discharge cycle and bypassing other hoppers. The time required to discharge a given hopper is determined and compared with a desired time range that would be required to discharge the hopper, if the hopper was filled to a desired percentage. Opening of a given hopper during subsequent cycles is based on a comparison of the actual discharge time with a desired discharge time range. If the actual discharge time is less than the minimum time of the desired time range, a time increment is assigned to the given hopper, and the hopper is bypassed on subsequent cycles until the assigned time increment has expired.

Abstract: The present invention makes possible the economic and environmental use of high sulfur coal by removing the sulfur at the power generating plant. This process reduces the risk of fire, explosion, and freezing in storing and transporting reclaimed, ground coal, and moves the reclamation process to the site of the power plant, while providing electronic controls to monitor and adjust the reclamation process to produce controlled feedstock for the power plant.

Abstract: A novel method of combustion air control for multiple burner furnaces, whereas a pressure transducer is located in the air piping downstream of each zone air flow control device. The pressure transducer sends a feedback signal to a pressure control loop that is in a logical cascade from the furnace temperature control loop. The pressure control loop repositions the air flow control device to compensate for changes in both downstream and upstream conditions. Output from the temperature control loop is interpreted by the pressure control loop as a changing remote set-point value. In one embodiment, the system is ideally suited to compensate for the pressure drop changes that occur across a zone air flow control valve, when flow rate changes occur as burners are started or stopped, thus providing a substantially higher turndown ratio and better control at low fire settings.

Abstract: A novel method of combustion air control for multiple burner furnaces, whereas a pressure transducer is located in the air piping downstream of each zone air flow control device. The pressure transducer sends a feedback signal to a pressure control loop that is in a logical cascade from the furnace temperature control loop. The pressure control loop repositions the air flow control device to compensate for changes in both downstream and upstream conditions. Output from the temperature control loop is interpreted by the pressure control loop as a changing remote set-point value. In one embodiment, the system is ideally suited to compensate for the pressure drop changes that occur across a zone air flow control valve, when flow rate changes occur as burners are started or stopped, thus providing a substantially higher turndown ratio and better control at low fire settings.

Abstract: An intake/exhaust type combustion equipment capable of permitting oxygen in a proper amount required for stable combustion to be constantly fed to the combustion equipment, irrespective of outdoor air conditions. An intake air temperature detection sensor is arranged for detecting a temperature of combustion air fed to a burner by a combustion air feed fan and an oxygen data output element is arranged for outputting oxygen data corresponding to an oxygen concentration in combustion air depending on the temperature detected by the intake air temperature detection sensor. The oxygen data output element outputs oxygen data on the oxygen concentration or a variation in oxygen concentration based on the detected temperature.

Abstract: An operation control method and apparatus are provided for a melting furnace 1 having a supply opening 2 for incineration ash 6, a discharge opening 3 for molten slag 7, and a heat source 9 for applying an amount of heat to the supplied incineration ash. The method includes the steps of imaging the vicinity of the surface of molten slag 7 heated by an amount of heat transferred from the heat source with a television camera 5 to obtain an electronic image, differentiating a high-temperature region in the electronic image that is not lower than a predetermined temperature (1,300° C.) from a low-temperature region in the electronic image that is lower than the predetermined temperature, and controlling the amount of heat applied to the incineration ash from the heat source so that the size of the differentiated high-temperature region reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system and method for treating, injecting and co-combusting sludge in a municipal waste or other combustor is disclosed. The system includes a sludge receiving and treatment module and a sludge injection and combustion module. The sludge is received and stored in one or more storage hoppers where it is first diluted with a liquid and subsequently mixed to a desired homogeneous consistency suitable for pumping. The high liquid content sludge is then pumped to a furnace injection nozzle where it is preferably atomized with steam and sprayed into the combustion zone of the furnace. The disclosed system and method increases sludge moisture content and controls the solids content of the sludge to control furnace temperature.

Abstract: A compression device for feeding a waste material to a reactor includes a waste material feed assembly having a hopper, a supply tube and a compression tube. Each of the supply and compression tubes includes feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends. A feed-discharge valve assembly is located between the feed-outlet end of the compression tube and the reactor. A feed auger-screw extends axially in the supply tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. A compression auger-screw extends axially in the compression tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. The compression tube is sloped downwardly towards the reactor to drain fluid from the waste material to the reactor and is oriented at generally right angle to the supply tube such that the feed-outlet end of the supply tube is adjacent to the feed-inlet end of the compression tube.

Abstract: A method for automatized combustion of solid fuel in a combustion apparatus which comprises a burner with a device, which is rotatable about the center axis of the burner for stirring the fuel in the burner which is connected to a boiler and has a feeding-in opening for fuel in the rear end of the burner outside of the boiler and an outlet opening for completely or partly combusted flue gases in the front end of the burner which opens in a combustion chamber inside the boiler which comprises a convection unit, from which a hot water conduit extends, the combustion apparatus also including a fan provided to be driven by a second motor for blowing combustion air into the burner, and a fuel charge feeder for fuel provided to be driven by a third motor.

Abstract: A feed chute apparatus for injecting fuel into a rotating cement kiln by gravity. The apparatus, which is positioned adjacent to a cement kiln and supported at an angle of inclination sufficient to allow tires or other combustible materials to be gravity fed into the cement kiln, has a feed ramp for guiding the combustible material into the kiln. A gate having a pair of opposing posts is positioned at the end of the feed ramp to control the rate of feed of the combustible material. In the rest position, the posts are extended in relation to the feed ramp to prevent the flow of combustible material. When the kiln rotates to a position where the feed opening in the wall of the kiln is aligned with the feed ramp, the gate retracts to allow the combustible material to be gravity fed into the kiln.

Abstract: An integral water-cooled, air permeated, vibrating grate system for combusting biomass and other fuels in a boiler includes a grate top surface having air-flow apertures extending therethrough. The grate top surface is supported by a plurality of water-cooling pipes which arc coupled to a water supply. An enclosed air plenum unit is positioned under and attached directly to the grate top surface. The air plenum unit is coupled to an air supply for providing combustion air through the top grate surface air-flow apertures. The air plenum unit includes multiple zones, each of which zones has an associated air flow control damper so that the flow of combustion air can be controlled. Ash siftings formed on the grate top surface when the biomass or other fuel is combusted fall into the air plenum unit and flow toward at least one ash-siftings discharge opening at a discharge end of the air plenum when the grate top surface and the air plenum is vibrated.

Abstract: A firing system for a thermal cracking furnace is provided. The firing system includes a plurality of air inlets for introducing air into the furnace interior, the air inlets being generally arrayed along a lengthwise row on the floor of the furnace at a predetermined proximity to one of the sidewalls, and a plurality of start up fuel ports disposed intermediate the row of air inlets and the radiant coils of the furnace. The firing system also includes a plurality of normal operation fuel ports disposed intermediate the row of start up ports and the radiant coils and an assembly for selectively controlling the overall supply of fuel to the start up fuel ports and the normal fuel operation ports to effect supply of fuel solely to the start up fuel ports during a start up mode of operation of the firing system and supply of fuel solely to the normal operation fuel ports during a normal mode of operation.

Abstract: A combustion system for reducing an amount of air polluting substances in a combustion exhaust gas produced in a combustion furnace comprises a combustion furnace configured to produce a combustion exhaust gas upon combustion of a combustible material, wherein the combustion exhaust gas contains an amount of air polluting substances; an analyzer suitable for analyzing the combustion exhaust gas and producing an analytical signal; a conduit suitable for conducting the combustion exhaust gas from the outlet opening to the analyzer, wherein the conduit is located adjacent the outlet opening of the combustion furnace; a controller suitable for processing the analytical signal produced by the analyzer and outputting a first control signal and a second control signal, based on the analytical signal; a neutralizer supplier suitable for supplying the combustion furnace with an amount of neutralizers to reduce the amount of air polluting substances in the combustion exhaust gas, wherein the amount of neutralizers supp

Abstract: A system and process to provide integrated control for the pyrolytic composition of organic (biomass) waste products especially for municipal solid waste systems. The system includes integrated control that monitors biomass waste stream throughout the entire system and the products produced therefrom and includes presorting, controlling the amount of material processed in a continuous manner, shredding, removing moisture in a continuous process that is controlled and providing the waste stream to the distillation unit for pyrolytic action where it is converted into gaseous fuel and a char residue. The gaseous fuel is scrubbed clean and monitored and stored and reused to provide heat to the system. The entire system may be self-sustaining and continuous with very little or no human intervention. An integrated real time computer control system includes sensors and measuring devices with all the major components to ensure integrated efficiency.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the hydrocarbon release rate during thermal processing of materials having a variable caloric content.

Abstract: A compact furnace having three main chambers. In the first chamber, the water and the organic compounds are dissociated and vaporized and the metals and ceramics are vitrified and transformed into molten slag. A plasma torch or an induction coil can be used to provide the energy required for this operation. In the second chamber, the dissociated and vaporized compounds are burned in air or oxygen using a plasma torch to supplement the energy requirements. The third chamber receives and stores the vitrified slag. The furnace has a lightweight, multi-layered, air-cooled chamber wall construction that incorporates layers of advanced materials to provide both structural integrity at elevated operating temperatures and includes a dynamic cooling control element.

Abstract: A needle incineration apparatus for disposing of hypodermic needles comprises an insertion aperture (26) through which a needle to be destroyed may be introduced into the apparatus, two electrodes separated by a gap that is aligned with the insertion aperture (26), and a power supply for applying a voltage across the electrodes to destroy needles introduced through the insertion aperture (26) into the gap to contact the two electrodes. In accordance with the invention, the apparatus is formed of a main housing (10) and a disposable cartridge (20) separable from the main housing (10), the power supply being disposed within the main housing (10), the insertion aperture (26) being formed in a wall of the cartridge (20) and the electrodes being disposed in the cartridge (20) within a permanently closed compartment for storing debris resulting from the destruction of the needles.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the thermal degradation of refuse, garbage and other waste material in which the waste material stream is reacted with air or oxygen in a reaction chamber for pyrolysis, destructive distillation or incineration of the waste material. The released thermal energy, spatial temperature distribution or outlet gas temperature is measured and used to control a feeder which supplies particles of a supplemental fuel, itself recovered from a waste material separate from the waste material stream, to the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A facility for reclaiming useful products from solid municipal and hazardous waste uses a rotary kiln to convert the material into a stream of inorganic ash and a stream of gaseous combustion products. The stream of combustion products passes in heat exchange relation to unburned waste and produces a stream of volatile carbon compounds which are deficient in oxygen. The streams of combustion products and volatile carbon compounds are converted in a plasma arc generator into a stream of hot, disassociated atoms. The stream of hot gas is cooled by passage through one or more heat exchangers that reclaim process heat. The stable compounds that are produced are hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The process is controlled by monitoring carbon dioxide in the carbon monoxide stream. The carbon monoxide and hydrogen may be used separately or combined, as in a methanol synthesis plant.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the emission of dioxins in an incineration facility including an incinerator having a boiler, and an exhaust gas treatment facility for treating exhaust gas discharged from a flue of the boiler. This apparatus further includes a steam supply pipe for supplying steam into a water tube or a downcomer of the boiler from an auxiliary boiler or another steam-generating source, a flue damper for opening and closing the flue of the boiler, a detector for detecting the temperature of gas within the boiler at a point disposed upstream of the flue damper, and a damper control device responsive to a temperature, detected by the detector, for opening and closing the flue damper.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus includes a casing having a top and bottom and a plurality of sides defining a pyrolysis chamber for receiving and pyrolyzing feed materials therein into fluid materials and a mass of refractory material disposed upon the bottom of the casing and spaced below the top thereof and extending between its sides. The refractory mass includes an upper surface defining a bottom of the pyrolysis chamber and having an end spaced from a first one of the casing sides to define an ash residue collection cavity therebetween. The apparatus also includes a system of tunnels defined within the refractory mass being spaced below the upper surface thereof.

Abstract: A method of wood waste disposal which regulates factors such as the amount of wood residue being fed to an incinerator at any given time so that wood residue from a mill is processed promptly and efficiently without compromising the efficient operation of the incinerator. The wood residue is separated into at least two fractions, the first fraction being directed to a storage bin for later use as required, and the second fraction being directed to the incinerator. During periods of slack feed of the second fraction to the incinerator, portions of the first fraction, as required, are directed to the incinerator as make-up, in order to maintain an optimal range of incinerator conditions by manipulating the volume and flow of wood residue in cooperation with manipulating other factors.

Abstract: An unburned carbon and other combustibles monitoring and control system for a fly ash producing fossil-fueled boiler, such as a pulverized coal fired boiler. An infrared imaging camera counts the moving hot particles entrained in the hot gases downstream of the furnace region of the boiler and provides a first signal representative of the number of hot particles in the hot gases over a predetermined period of time. A signal processor is connected to the infrared imaging camera for counting the hot particles for receiving the signal representative of the number of particles in the hot gases and providing a second signal representative of the mass flow of unburned carbon and other combustibles content of the fly ash produced by the boiler, the second signal being a function of the first signal.

Abstract: A robotic mechanism which can be attached to a furnace hopper and includes a frame which supports a pole insertion mechanism for inserting a pole into a furnace hopper. The pole insertion mechanism is supported from the Fame by a gimbal and moves the pole axially. Hydraulic actuators rotate the pole insertion mechanism about the gimbal. A control system is associated with the mechanism and enables an operator to position the end of the pole within the hopper to remove clinkers.

Abstract: A combustion system is divided into a thermal decomposition section and a combustion section. The thermal decomposition section thermally decomposes or partially bums solid combustibles, thereby generating combustible gases. The quantity or quality of the generated combustible gases is measured, and combustion air corresponding to the measured value is supplied to the combustion section. The quality and temperature of the combustible gases in the thermal decomposition section are detected, and the quantity of solid combustibles and air (or the quantity of heat) supplied to the thermal decomposition section are controlled.

Abstract: A multiple hearth furnace having a drying zone, a combustion zone and a cooling zone includes a recirculation loop that recycles exhaust gas from the drying zone to the cooling zone. In some embodiments, a first control loop including a temperature measurement device that measures temperature in the combustion zone controls fan speed of a recirculation fan that drives the recirculation loop. A second control loop monitors recirculation fan temperature and overrides the first control loop if the recirculation fan temperature exceeds a predetermined maximum. A third control loop controls air flow into the furnace.

Abstract: A waste incinerator including separate burning-, blower-, chimney- and ash-receiving chambers. A suction-discharge port is provided in a wall between the burning chamber and the chimney chamber for discharging gases from the burning chamber through a chimney to the atmosphere. The chimney extends from the chimney chamber for discharging gases to the atmosphere. The chimney receives an air feed pipe from the blower and an ignition sleeve extends into the chimney for burning unconsumed waste gas. A vibrator vibrates an ash receiver in the ash receiving chamber, and a drying chamber may be provided for drying high moisture garbage by combustion gases from the burning chamber.

Abstract: A system for automatically admitting and regulating the flow-rate of an alkaline substance admitted to the combustion chamber (10) of a refuse incineration plant for the hot destruction of the acids contained in the combustion fumes, comprising sensors (22, 23, 24, 25, 51, 124, 140) for detecting the concentration of the acids in the fumes in the combustion chamber (10) and working conditions of the plant such as temperature, flow-rate and humidity of the fumes, and processing means (26, 27) connected to the sensors for identifying, in dependence on the concentration of acids and of the working conditions, a flow-rate of an alkaline substance to be admitted to the combustion chamber in order to achieve a destruction yield which reduces the concentration of acids in the fumes discharged from the plant to a predetermined value, and for operating flow-rate regulation members (40) for admitting to the combustion chamber the flow-rate of an alkaline substance thus identified.

Abstract: An automatic carbon black discharging device for a waste tire decomposing apparatus including a collecting hopper connected to a carbon black discharging portion of the waste tire decomposing apparatus. The automatic carbon black discharging device also includes a plurality of sensors respectively disposed at vertically equidistantly divided positions of the collecting hopper and adapted to sense maximum, normal and minimum levels of carbon black collected in the collecting hopper, thereby stopping or driving a drive motor for driving a feeding screw included in the waste tire decomposing apparatus. The carbon black is left in the collecting hopper in a minimum amount provide a sealing effect which prevents external air from entering into the device. When the amount of carbon black collected in the collecting hopper corresponds to the maximum level of the collecting hopper, the driving motor is controlled to increase its rotating speed, thereby increasing the discharge rate of carbon black.

Abstract: A furnace comprises an enclosure, a hearth plate within the enclosure for supporting combustible material, a first heater element adjacent the hearth plate for initial combustion of the combustible material, a filter disposed above the hearth plate for filtering uncombusted products of combustion of the combustible material, and a second heater element adjacent the filter for final combustion of the uncombusted products of combustion filtered by the filter. A controller controls the first and second heater elements independently.

Abstract: A radiation modulator system and related method for actively controlling a flame in a combustion system are provided. The system includes a plurality of radiation modulators positioned adjacent the flame. A sensor arrangement is provided for sensing combustion characteristics of the flame and generating a sensor signal representative of the combustion characteristics. The sensor signal is received in a computer which then generates a control signal for transmission to a linkage arrangement which provides for the repositioning of the radiation modulators. Thus, the flame is actively controlled by continually repositioning the modulators in response to the sensor signal and the control signal. The related method broadly includes the steps of: (1) positioning the radiation modulators adjacent the flame; (2) sensing combustion characteristics of the flame; and (3) repositioning the radiation modulators responsive to the combustion characteristics.

Abstract: Information relating to combustion conditions within a fossil-fueled boiler that includes a plurality of burners adapted to produce flames combining to form a fireball is provided by acquiring data relating to the physical and temperature characteristics of the fireball with at least one imaging camera having optical and temperature measuring capabilities; receiving, storing and processing data received from the camera to provide data representative of the NO.sub.x content of the hot gases produced by the fireball; and transmitting the processed data from the processor to a monitor for display. Transmitted, processed data may include current, historical and target information relating to the physical appearance and temperature profile of the fireball.

Abstract: There is disclosed a combustion control circuit of a combustion apparatus with a driving signal generator, an exhaust fan controller and a gas valve controller, including: a combustion state detector for detecting the state of combustion occurring within a combustion chamber according to an output signal of a flame sensor installed in the combustion chamber, and for producing a signal corresponding to the state of combustion; a reference signal generator for producing a reference signal in response to each output signal of a temperature sensor and a flow sensor; a comparator for comparing the output signal of the combustion state detector with the output signal of the reference signal generator, and for outputting a signal corresponding to a difference therebetween; and an adder for adding the output signal of the comparator to the output signal of the driving signal-generator, and for respectively applying an output to each one of the exhaust fan controller and the gas valve controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to control the burning of a lean hydrocarbon containing gas stream under stable conditions using a combination of control logic and hardware. Temperature within the combustor is controlled by using a plurality of staging valves that adjust the amount of oxygen and auxiliary fuel supplied to the combustor burner. Oxygen level is controlled by using actuated butterfly valves that control the flow of primary air to the combustor. The system has pressure control valves for anticipating and compensating for pressure changes and resulting air flow changes as well as temperature monitors and transmitters for anticipating and correcting temperature drops.

Abstract: A substantially closed-loop system for use with a furnace wherein a fuel is burned and produces an off-gas, which system, by sensing appropriate parameters of the off-gas as it passes through the system, treats that off-gas in an optimized fashion in order to substantially eliminate the escape of contaminants and produce a substantial amount of useful by-products by one or more of (a) controlled treatment of the off-gas chemically and physically by employing a multi-flue compartmented and appropriately controlled treatment means, (b) the subsequent conversion of the essentially gaseous effluent from that treatment means into useful by-products, and (c) the subsequent conversion of the essentially non-gaseous effluent from the treatment chamber into useful by-products.

Abstract: A flue gas conditioning system generates sulfur trioxide which is injected into boiler flue gas to condition it by reducing the resistance of the particulate matter entrained in the flue gas. The conditioned flue gas is passed through an electrostatic precipitator which collects the particulate matter by electrostatic precipitation. The sulfur trioxide concentration in the flue gas is measured with a mass spectrometer downstream of where the sulfur trioxide was injected into the flue gas and upstream of the electrostatic precipitator. The concentration of the sulfur trioxide in the flue gas is measured with a mass spectrometer at a point where the injected sulfur trioxide has uniformly mixed with the flue gas. The measured sulfur trioxide concentration is used to control the flue gas conditioning system, such as by comparing the measured concentration to a desired concentration range and adjusting the amount of sulfur trioxide being injected into the flue gas accordingly.

Abstract: A waste material such as waste tires is incinerated by dry distillation and gasification in gasification and combustion furnaces. The waste material in the gasification furnace is determined as having been ignited when the temperature of a combustible gas in the combustion furnace is detected by a temperature sensor as having reached a temperature at which the combustible gas is capable of spontaneous combustion within a predetermined time period after an igniting nozzle stops supplying combustion flames to the waste material in the gasification furnace. If the waste material is not determined as having been ignited, then the igniting nozzle is controlled to supply combustion flames again to the waste material in the gasification furnace.

Abstract: The information on the state of switchgears (2.1;2.2) appearing on call circuits in the form of analog low-voltage signals is conveyed in parallel to a circuit block (4). The information is digitalized at given points in time in the form of binary values "0" or "1" and is transmitted in series to a microprocessor (1). Preferably the circuit block (4) comprises at least one shift register in cascade connection. Call circuits are coupled to the circuit block solely via a high-impedance resistor (3.1;3.2). The circuit block (4) is supplied by a voltage supply circuit (5) so that when one of the switchgears (2.1;2.2) is in the open state, a current flows alternately via one of the protection diodes (D1S.1,D2S.1;DIS.2,D2S.2) of the circuit block (4), and does not do so when one of the switchgears (2.1;2.2) is in the closed state. To ascertain whether a voltage (U.sub.1,U2) at the input (4.1;4.2) of the circuit block (4) is D.C. or A.C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the selective control of the sulfur trioxide concentration in flue gases, to enhance the ash removal efficiency of electrostatic precipitators, which includes supporting a catalyst in the path of the flue gas, positioning temperature modifying means in communication with the catalyst, passing the flue gas by the catalyst and selectively varying the temperature of the catalyst, with the temperature modifying means, to vary the amount of catalytic conversion of SO.sub.2 in the flue gas to SO.sub.3.

Abstract: A unit for disposing of refuse and contaminants by thermal oxidation includes a housing having a bottom, side walls and a top disposed in surrounding relation to an interior thereof. A partial wall structure divides the housing interior to define a first thermal oxidation chamber sized and configured to contain the refuse and contaminants and a second flue gas burning chamber disposed in air-flow communication with said first chamber. Heating elements are provided in the first and second chambers to raise the temperature to a predetermined level in order to induce thermal oxidation of refuse in the first chamber and the resultant flue gasses passing through the second chamber. An exhaust stack receives the flue gasses exiting from the second chamber and includes a filter therein for removing remaining contaminants from the flue gasses prior to entering the atmosphere.

Abstract: The flow of waste gas is directed downwardly by means of a refractory guide chute so as to follow the down flow of molten slag at the downstream end of a slag outlet. Thus the sensible heat of the high-temperature waste gas forcedly heats the molten slag and the downstream end portion of the slag outlet. Consequently, it becomes less possible for the slag outlet to be choked up. When there are signs that the slag outlet is being choked up, the plasma torch is slightly tilted to the upstream end of the slag outlet so as to stabilize the discharge of the molten slag. A housing or jacket is disposed circumferentially around an incineration residue feed pipe, inserted through the incineration residue inlet, and adapted to allow an annular gas curtain to issue therefrom. Fuel injection against the waste gas in the furnace body is particularly suitable for decreasing the amount of NOx.

Abstract: A furnace comprises an enclosure, a hearth plate within the enclosure for supporting combustible material, a first heater element adjacent the hearth plate for initial combustion of the combustible material, a filter disposed above the hearth plate for filtering uncombusted products of combustion of the combustible material, and a second heater element adjacent the filter for final combustion of the uncombusted products of combustion filtered by the filter. A controller controls the first and second heater elements independently.

Abstract: A gas fired furnace system (10) has a controller (14) controlling the supply of gas through a gas valve (12) and air for combustion by means of an induced air draft fan (28), ignition of the gas by means of ignitor (22), the delivery of heated air from a heat exchanger (20) by means of an air blower (34) in response to signals from a thermostat (42). A selected constant flow of air for combustion is provided by controlling the speed of the motor driving the induced motor fan (28) despite changes which may occur in back pressure. Induced draft fan motor parameters proportional to motor torque and motor speed are read on an ongoing basis and inputted to controller (14) which computes a desired voltage and compares that with referenced data stored in the controller memory and makes corrections to the speed of the induced draft fan motor to maintain the constant air flow.

Abstract: An intelligent oxygen injection control system for afterburners which minimizes transient incinerator pollutant emissions while simultaneously minimizing oxygen consumption. A fuzzy logic-based controller utilizes inputs from sensors that measure gas phase pollutant species such as hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide to control oxygen injection and thus minimize pollutant emissions while minimizing oxygen consumption.

Abstract: An electric control is shown for gas furnaces which controls fan motors and ignition controls based on inputs from a room thermostat (32), a high limit control and an ignition control (14) including a gas valve. A flame sense circuit (42, 42') is coupled to a microprocessor (U2) and includes a flameprobe (P1) energized by line power through a capacitor (C3) via a quick connect (QC31). A capacitor (C4) is charged by a 5 volt DC source through resistor (R12) and inputted to an inverter (U3, S2) which provides a low signal to the microprocessor when no flame is present. When a flame is present the capacitor (C4) discharges through the flame causing the inverter to change state providing a high to the microprocessor indicating that a flame is present. A diagnostic network comprising a low leakage diode (CR10) and serially connected resistor (R11) is coupled between the microprocessor (pin 8) and the input of the inverter (U3) so that the operation of the flame sense circuit can be tested.

Abstract: An arrangement for hot killing the acid contents of flue and process gases comprising a burner for discharging fuel and combustion supporter, preferably Diesel oil, fuel oil and air, to a combustion chamber, to produce a flame and gas burnt, and means of injecting/blowing a basic substance in either powder or solution form into a hot region of the flame, the gas burnt thus enriched with basic substance being mixed with the flue gas and hot killing its acid contents.

Abstract: A control device and associated methodology select from at least two on-line sensors to assure an accurate and reliable feedback input to control the heat treating conditions within a furnace. The device and methodology also serve to provide an "alert" or "early warning" of gradual degradation of sensor performance, before ongoing heat treating operations are adversely affected.

Abstract: A laboratory scale incinerator simulation system having a primary combustion furnace and an associated secondary combustion furnace with both such combustion furnaces being adapted so that they can function with combustion chambers of various volumes to permit study of a wide variety of combustion parameters for determining optimum incineration conditions in commercial incinerators for both liquid and solid materials.