Abstract: A pellet stove having a combustion assembly housing. Located within the housing in a vertical array are a primary combustion chamber, a secondary combustion chamber located below the primary combustion chamber, and an ash receptacle located below the secondary combustion chamber. The primary combustion chamber communicates with the secondary combustion chamber, and the secondary combustion chamber communicates with the ash receptacle. A pellet feed housing is located above the primary combustion chamber and has a feed plate configured to feed pellets directly into the primary combustion chamber along an inclined path. Air intake ducts communicate ambient air with the interior of the housing. The primary combustion chamber communicates with a combustion gas conduit that conducts combustion gases along an upwardly extending tortuous path to an exhaust stack to provide heating. A pivotal, latchable door is attached to the front of the combustion assembly housing.

Abstract: A heater having a combustion chamber. The heater includes a hopper and a chute extending from an outlet of the hopper to the combustion chamber. The heater includes a chute extending from the hopper to the combustion chamber, a screw extending through the chute into the hopper, and a drive connected to the screw for turning the screw in a direction in which the flight would, but for downward forces, lift the fuel. The heater has a vane rotatably attached to the screw that rotates downward along the screw in absence of upward forces counteracting gravity. The vane is cambered to produce upward forces when turning with the screw beneath an upper surface of the fuel. The vane is biased toward the upper surface of the fuel to level the upper surface of the fuel and prevent the fuel from rat holing and arching.

Abstract: The invention relates to solid fuel units having a fuel supply chamber wherein the fuel to be sent for combustion to the combustion region found in the body is placed and the feed mechanism carrying the solid fuel found in the chamber forward. It is characterized in that it includes a main burning block having a fuel and air cell connected to the solid fuel supply chamber and air outlet vents formed on the external wall surface. A preventive surface is positioned on the main burning block external wall surface in a way that it would form a closed volume in a certain distance.

Abstract: This invention provides a portable combustion device that provides a cleaner combustion, reduces the kindling period, and provides a more efficient overall combustion through the use of a fan that directs a predetermined volume of airflow over the combustible fuel—typically wood or similar cellulose-based biological solids. The combustion device has a combustion chamber with a fuel source. A housing encloses the TEG on the side of the device that generates an electrical output based on a temperature differential between opposing TEG sides. A heat-conducting probe is mounted to the TEG and protrudes into the combustion chamber. The opposing TEG side contacts a heat sink that interacts with ambient air. A fan draws heated air away the heat sink, and forces the air onto the combusting fuel through a plurality of peripheral ports that connect with an air space located between inner and outer walls of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wood pellet stove, comprising a feed device for automatically adding wood pellets in a metered manner from a pellet hopper belonging to the stove. Said pellet hopper having the feed device and a grate is accommodated in a lower, stationary stove part (20), which remains cold and does not become hot during operation. The combustion chamber having a chimney connection is accommodated in an upper stove part (21). The upper stove part (21) is supported on the lower stove part (20) by means of a turntable so that the upper stove part can be swiveled relative to the lower, stationary stove part (20). Thus, the combustion chamber and the viewing window can be swiveled in any desired direction as needed.

Abstract: A bonfire oven has a body placeable on the ground. The body has a combustion cabinet and an auxiliary equipment cabinet. A burner contained in the combustion cabinet has a fire grate, a side plate extending upward from the fire grate, a top plate opposite to the fire grate, a blowing space beneath the fire grate, and a hearth defined by the fire grate and the side plate. A fuel supply mechanism, an electrical equipment and an air blower is contained in the auxiliary equipment cabinet. The bonfire oven further has a flame portion on the top which is a flame roaring space formed by at least one piece of high temperature resistant glass.

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 solid fuel conveying system is presented. The system includes a low power agitating grate. The grate has a surface for burning solid fuel in a burner, such as a downdraft burner. The grate includes a rotating camshaft and a plurality of movable grate elements. Each movable grate element has a cam end and a slide end. A cam bore passes through the grate element cam end, and a slide bore passes through the grate element slide end. A slide pin passes through each movable grate slide bore. A plurality of cams are disposed along the rotating camshaft, with each cam disposed within a cam bore in one of the plurality of movable grates elements. A camshaft drive rotates the camshaft, thereby moving each grate element in accordance with the orientation of the cam passing through the corresponding cam bore of that grate element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fume box having a separation partition (16) in the upper portion thereof that comprises a removable catalyst block (17) offset relative to the inlet (10) and the outlet (8), and an intake passage that can be blocked by at least one insulating block. Deflectors slow down the gases and fumes and protect the catalyst block against falling soot and particle. The invention is particularly intended for manufacturers of domestic combustion heating appliances, in particular those using wood.

Abstract: A vibratory feed mechanism for pellet fuel combustion device provides a spring-mounted feed plate communicating with a fuel reservoir and vibrated by an electric motor carrying an offset counterweight to move pelletized fuel from a first position on the feed plate to a feed orifice defined in the feed plate for communication of the pelletized fuel to a metering channel and a drop tube for conveyance to a fire pot. A control board communicating with an igniter, at least one thermocouple, a combustion fan, and the electric motor allow a user to set a desired parameter which controls the rate of pelletized fuel feed and temperature and operating conditions.

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: The present invention relates to a non-catalytic biomass burner that may be used to burn a variety of fuel types at high efficiencies. The burner may include a cylindrical combustion chamber with an auxiliary igniter to heat the fuel in the combustion chamber until desirable combustion temperatures are reached. Fuel may be added to the chamber via a fuel feed assembly, and the rate of fuel addition to the chamber by the fuel feed assembly may be controlled by a computer. A fan located on the distal side of a flue pipe from the chamber may also be provided that pulls air into the chamber through one or more air inlets that are designed to encourage cyclonic air and exhaust flow in the chamber. Methods are further provided for controlling the manner of operation of the burner by a computer that may be instructed by a computer program code.

Abstract: This invention provides a portable combustion device that provides a cleaner combustion, reduces the kindling period, and provides a more efficient overall combustion through the use of a fan that directs a predetermined volume of airflow over the combustible fuel—typically wood or similar cellulose-based biological solids. The combustion device has a combustion chamber with a fuel source. A housing encloses the TEG on the side of the device that generates an electrical output based on a temperature differential between opposing TEG sides. A heat-conducting probe is mounted to the TEG and protrudes into the combustion chamber. The opposing TEG side contacts a heat sink that interacts with ambient air. A fan draws heated air away the heat sink, and forces the air onto the combusting fuel through a plurality of peripheral ports that connect with an air space located between inner and outer walls of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic fuel distributor for solid fuel boilers is described incorporating in various embodiments one or more of the following features: a converging nozzle section, a converging adjustable orifice section and an integral trajectory plate. The nozzle, orifice and trajectory plate are preferably all interconnected and rotate together about a common axis. The orifice damper is, in one embodiment, a rotating convergent section and independently adjustable. The unit preferably incorporates a viewing glass and access port and the rotating components are preferably removable for maintenance. The unit is preferably reversible for left or right hand installation and the trajectory plate is easily replaceable.

Abstract: A blast furnace charging system for feeding charge material into the hearth of a blast furnace includes at least two hoppers for temporarily storing charge material, each hopper having a discharge assembly for feeding the charge material from the respective hopper into the hearth of a blast furnace, the discharge assembly including an inclined discharge channel having, at its lower end, a material gate providing charge material flow control at the lower end of the discharge channel; and a protection ring arranged in the vicinity of the material gate for leading charge material from the discharge channel to a seal seat of the discharge assembly, where the discharge assembly further includes a heated panel arranged on the protection ring, the heated panel being formed by a panel-like copper body having fluid channels arranged therein so as to form a channel leading from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.

Abstract: A pellet stove is disclosed comprising a reverse flow heated air pathway defined by stove sections. In an illustrated embodiment, the space between upper and lower stove sections is open to provide a heating or oven area. The stove can be readily disassembled in part for easy portability.

Abstract: A pellet stove utilizing gravity feed and natural draft more effectively and efficiently burns pellet fuel while producing less air pollution and ash. In one embodiment, the pellet stove has a primary combustion area comprising a burn unit removably disposed in the vent tube, a feed tube defining a fuel chamber above the burn unit and a secondary combustion area, comprising a burn box defining a secondary burn chamber, below the burn unit. The burn unit has a removable receptacle which defines a primary burn chamber that receives pellet fuel from the fuel chamber and discharges substantially burned fuel to the secondary burn chamber for additional burning. Openings in the burn box, pellet receptacle and vent tube draw air into the burn chambers. A control mechanism controls the air flow to regulate the heat generated by the pellet stove. The pellet stove can be manufactured in various aesthetically pleasing designs.

Abstract: This invention discloses a pellet fuel combustion device, which comprises an electric arc ignition pin installed in the combustion chamber to generate high-voltage electric arc. The pellet fuels transported by the feeding mouth start burning once they touch the electric arc. High-voltage electric arc is generated by electric arc ignition pin the moment the pellet fuel combustion device starts up, which accelerates igniting speed greatly and reduces power consumption. Furthermore, the fuel pellets can achieve full burning by scattering and touching electric arc without bringing on smeek. Hence, this invention has great advantages over conventional ignitions which produce heat and fire by resistance wire.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device (3) for the combustion of granular, solid fuel, for example pellets and the like, comprising; a combustion chamber (16), an air inlet (24) for feeding air to the combustion chamber (16) via at least one air chamber (38,39,40) and at least one air-duct (41,42) for attaining an air flow through the combustion chamber (16), a feeding and dosing arrangement (10, 11, 12) for feeding of the fuel into the combustion chamber (16), an ignition device (28) for ignition of the fuel, a control unit (32) for operation of the combustion device (3) and parts co-operating therewith, an outlet (26) for hot combustion gases from the combustion chamber (16), a movably arranged ash feeder (29) with a drive unit (30), controlled by the control unit (32) for automatic feeding of ashes, unburned fuel, and slag products (31), out of the combustion chamber (16), wherein the ash feeder (29) comprises a movable front part (51) having a perforated bottom which constitutes the above mentioned inner bott

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 combustion apparatus for recovering heat according to the present invention comprising a combustion tank for burning fuel contained in the interior by combustion air supplied from the exterior, characterized in that: a combustion chamber surrounded by an inner wall for burning fuel is defined in said combustion tank; a swirl flow supply chamber for supplying a combustion air into said combustion chamber is defined around the outer circumference of the inner wall of said combustion tank; a combustion air supply passage for supplying combustion air from said swirl flow supply chamber into said combustion chamber is defined on the inner wall of said combustion tank; said combustion air supply passage is slanted at a predetermined angle to the vertical direction of the inner face of the inner wall in said combustion tank; and the combustion air generates a swirl flow in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A portable pellet fired heating element for mounting to a grill or stove and comprising a gravity fed pellet holder, a unitary tubular structure having a burner, an air intake and an exhaust chute. Fuel may be supplied to the pellet holder by various supply means such as a conveyer, ramp, scooped, held in bulk in a hopper, and like pellet supply structures and methods. Fuel is fed to the air-cooled insulated burner area onto a decomposer grate, which defines the primary combustion area and which is partially open to the atmosphere for air intake. An adjustable high-pressure flow of gas or vapor is introduced to the primary exhaust chute below the decomposer grate to create a low pressure flow above the grate and which upon ignition, cause flames to be pulled into the pellet mass on the grate.

Abstract: An inclined hearth combustor which generally includes a primary combustion chamber having a plurality of stepped hearths, a secondary combustion chamber in communication with the primary combustion chamber and a boiler having an inlet in communication with the secondary combustion chamber. The secondary combustion chamber includes a refractory-lined cyclone separator for removing fly ash from combustion gases exiting the primary combustion chamber and the boiler inlet is surrounded by the cyclone separator. The primary combustion chamber may further include an ash transfer ram movably disposed between two stepped hearths, wherein the ash transfer ram includes a top layer of refractory material extending rearwardly from a leading edge thereof. The ash transfer ram may further include a plurality of V-shaped wheels attached to a bottom surface thereof, a replaceable wear plate disposed on a side surface thereof and/or a wiper blade fixed on a forward face thereof.

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 portable pellet fired heating element for mounting to a grill or stove and comprising a gravity fed pellet holder, a unitary tubular structure having a burner, an air intake and an exhaust chute. Fuel may be supplied to the pellet holder by various supply means such as a conveyer, ramp, scooped, held in bulk in a hopper, and like pellet supply structures and methods. Fuel is fed to the air-cooled insulated burner area onto a decomposer grate, which defines the primary combustion area and which is partially open to the atmosphere for air intake. An adjustable high-pressure flow of gas or vapor is introduced to the primary exhaust chute below the decomposer grate to create a low pressure flow above the grate and which upon ignition, cause flames to be pulled into the pellet mass on the grate.

Abstract: A biomass pellet burning stove has a hopper storing biomass pellets which are transported from the hopper to a feeder tube with a rotating disc having slots for holding biomass pellets and allowing the biomass pellets to move from the slots into a feeder tube which directs the biomass pellets to a burn pot. The burn pot has first and second biomass burning chambers that separately burn biomass pellets by an efficient, environmental and economic compatible process.

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 provides a device for feeding pulverized coal to a furnace, such as a drop tube furnace. The feeding system consists of a feed hopper, a pneumatic vibrator positioned on the periphery of the feeder hopper, a needle valve arrangement in the said feed hopper, a depth gauge micrometer, a distribution chamber with primary and secondary airline at the bottom of the said feed hopper. Adjusting the pressure of compressed air allows setting of the frequency of vibration of the pneumatic vibrator. The needle valve arrangement in conjunction with the vibratory hopper controls the feed rate. The rate of coal flow is measured by the depth gauge micrometer. The distribution chamber with primary and secondary airline at the bottom of the said feed hopper allows uniform mixing of air with coal before being charged into the furnace reactor.

Abstract: A device for discharging dust from a dry dust collector of a blast furnace includes a dust discharge vent located downstream of a dust discharge opening of the dry dust collector. A fully enclosed dust conveying system is located downstream of the dust discharge valve and provides mechanized transport of the dust discharged through the discharge valve. A control system is utilized to control the opening of the dust discharge valve in relation to the residual conveying capacity of the dust conveying system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for feeding a pulverized material which includes a first storage container for receiving and for discharging a flow of the pulverized material. The apparatus includes a separation chamber attached to the first storage container, which is alternately filled up or emptied out with the pulverized material. A second storage container is connected with an outlet of the separation chamber, for alternately filling the second storage container in accordance with a predetermined storage amount of pulverized material.

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: In a method of supplying air to a pulverized solid fuel burner passing through the burner cowl of a furnace, the fuel is dried and then conveyed by means of a given large quantity of hot air, which may or may not be depleted in oxygen in a separator in which the fuel is extracted from it. The fuel is then conveyed to the burner by means of a first portion only of the air from which the fuel has been removed. This conveyor air portion is used as primary combustion-supporting air for burning the fuel in the burner, into which the first portion of air, mixed with the fuel it conveys, is fed via an annular duct. The other portion of the hot air purified in the separator is used at least as additional primary combustion-supporting and flame adjustment air and is fed into the burner peripherally and centrally relative to the first portion of air charged with fuel.

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 pellet fuel burner, such as a cooking grill, has a fire box with a generally open top plane. A pellet burner unit is disposed in the fire box below the cooking surface. A pellet feeding device opens into the fire box and is disposed so as to feed pellets into the burner unit. A pressure box has an inlet supplied with combustion air at a positive pressure. A plurality of outlets are provided in the pressure box and disposed so as to create a turbulent combustion air flow in the pellet burner unit. The outlets may include a first outlet disposed above the burner unit and a second outlet disposed below the burner unit. The turbulent combustion air flow and supply of pellets, particularly corn kernels from the pellet feeding device allow for a continuous sustained combustion of the fuel in the pellet burner.

Abstract: A waste tire incinerating and post-treatment system in which waste tires are continuously and efficiently burned. The system includes a waste tire reservoir tank, a hoist, a conveyor system, a tire-size sensing system, an incinerating part, a waste oil purifying part, a waste gas purifying part, and an incineration residual material treating part. Waste tires are accumulated in a waste tire reservoir tank before their incineration. A hoist transfers the waste tires from the waste tank reservoir to a conveyor system. The conveyor system conveys waste tires to an incinerating part. A sensing system senses the size of individual tires on the conveyor system to create tire size data. This size data is used to control and optimize the rate of feeding the waste tires into the incinerating furnace. The incinerating part further includes a material removal mechanism for removing incineration residual materials.

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 method and apparatus for heat treating of hazardous waste by heating the waste in a pyrolyzing chamber and forming an off-gas, heating the off-gas for a sufficient time to destroy dioxins and furans, then reducing and cooling the off-gas in a secondary treating chamber having a graphite stack and recovering metallics by distillation.

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 method and apparatus for producing wood charcoal by pyrolysis of wood products or vegetable biomasses in general, the method including the steps of: loading the wood products, or vegetable biomasses in general, onto transport trolleys; introducing the trolleys, which contain the wood products, in a treatment tunnel wherein a pyrolysis chamber is formed; indirectly heating the wood products inside the pyrolysis chamber until pyrolysis of the wood products is obtained, with continuous extraction, from the pyrolysis chamber, of the gas generated by the pyrolysis process; and extracting the trolleys from the tunnel to unload from the trolleys the charcoal that constitutes the residue of the pyrolysis of the wood products.

Abstract: Device for thermally treating loose materials, such as earth, sand, sewage sludge, gravel etc, and, in particular, for sterilizing garden soil and sand used for playing with. The device has a reception device with a surface arrangement having at least one surface section inclined with respect to the horizontal. On this surface section, the loose materials are continuouly supplied by a supply arrangement. A burner arrangement is provided above this surface section which directly fires materials to be treated.

Abstract: A wood pellet stove comprising a body, a burning means, a heat exchanger means, a waste gas exhaust means, a feeding means, a cleaning means and a control system. The burning means includes a seat member, a container, a bottom member, a top member, two first pillars, two second pillars and a inlet pipe. The cleaning means includes three scrape member. Each of scrape member includes a scrape plate, a pipe, a rod and a hoop element.

Abstract: Stoves fueled by biomass pellets are provided with a grate assembly that supports the pellets for combustion and directs combustion gas into the fire. The grate assembly includes a passive grate of unequally spaced rods. The design of the rods serves to prevent the ash and clinkers from accumulating on the grate in amounts that could reduce the flow of combustion gas into the fire.

Abstract: A stove for burning solid fuel, such as coke or coal, comprises a feed hopper for storing a stock of fuel and a supporting member for supporting fuel present in a fireplace. The feed hopper is in communication near its lower side with the space incorporating the fireplace via a downwardly sloping fuel supply channel. The boundary walls of the channel are arranged one above the other. A passage is provided for the supply of primary combustion air near the lower side of the combustion chamber. An inlet passage for the supply of secondary combustion air is provided above the combustion chamber. The primary combustion air is sucked-in with the aid of a fan disposed upstream of the combustion chamber. The passage for supplying the primary combustion air is automatically closed by a valve when the fan is made inoperative.

Abstract: A door mechanism for supplying solid fuel to a store of a solid fuel burning appliance has a body defining a transfer chamber having an inlet and an outlet. An inner door is movably mounted to the body for closing the outlet thereof, the inner door normally closing off the outlet but being displaceable by solid fuel to an open position, for example against the influence of gravity. An outer door is mounted for closing off the inlet, and again is movable between a closed position and an open position. A displacement member is secured to the outer door. The displacement member is dimensioned so as to displace fuel from the transfer chamber through the outlet, as the outer door is closed.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding solid material, e.g. wood in a wood-burning furnace, has a pair of rollers. The rollers are rotatably mounted, so as to be generally horizontal and substantially parallel to one another. The rollers are spaced apart to permit the solid material to fall between them. Thus, in a furnace, they are far enough apart to permit logs to fall from a store into a combustion chamber, but are also sufficiently close that, in the absence of roller motion, the material tends to bridge between the rollers. A drive is provided for rotating the rollers.

Abstract: An automatic log feeder for fireplaces is provided which includes an upper horizontal conveyor, an intermediate carriage mechanism and a lower horizontal conveyor. The upper horizontal conveyor is used to store a plurality of logs outside of a building and to advance individual logs through the feeder as desired. Through use of a unique guide rail and rail following bracket the intermediate carriage mechanism receives individual logs from the upper conveyor and lowers them to the lower conveyor while simultaneously changing orientation of the individual logs by 90.degree. before depositing them onto the lower conveyor. The lower conveyor is adapted to automatically advance individual logs into the fireplace in a cantilevered fashion before gently tipping them onto the fireplace grating, or, allows for manual removal of the log from the lower conveyor through an access door extending to the interior of a building.

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: The hopper comprises a cylindrical side wall supported by an annular rolling ring so as to be rotatable about its vertical axis, and a funnel shaped bottom with a central outflow orifice controlled by a valve. To allow rapid removal of the rolling ring, the bottom is separated from the side wall and rests freely on an inner edge of the latter. An apparatus is provided for raising the bottom within the wall and for lifting the side wall slightly from the rolling ring.

Abstract: The rolling track comprises a series of rollers which are supported by a fixed reinforcement and on which travels the circular pedestal of the hopper. This circular pedestal is equipped with a toothed ring in order to be driven in rotary movement about its vertical axis. The rollers are grouped in pairs, and each pair of rollers is carried by an axle pivotable about a radial axis; with each of the rollers being carried in its axle by floating bearings mounted on springs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid waste conversion plan for the conversion of such solid waste as old tires to a gas or liquid hydrocarbon product, wherein the partial pyrolysis of the solid waste is carried out in a reactor having a grate in the lower section and a plurality of rotating fingers extending through the grate for preventing compaction of the solid waste in the reactor. The reactor, a heat exchange means and a stripper are connected in series. A blower is positioned between the heat exchange means and stripper for drawing oxygen-containing gas into the reactor and removing the gases formed therein and passing those gases through the heat exchange means and into the stripper.