Abstract: A steam boiler includes a boiler housing. A helical coil for boiling water and superheating the wet steam is disposed within the boiler housing. A burner emits combustion gases which heat a heat emitter which is disposed in the inner space of the helical coil. Combustion gases from the burner enter the internal cavity of the heat emitter and then pass through perforations in the heat emitter before contacting the helical coil. As such, the heat emitter is heated by the combustion gases and serves as a radiant heat source for the helical coil.

Abstract: A boiler for generating steam and/or hot water is provided having a tank containing water, an outlet located proximal to the top of the tank, and a return inlet located proximal to the bottom of the tank. A substantially horizontal combustion conduit in heat transfer relationship with the water extends through the tank proximal to the outlet. A heat source in communication with the combustion conduit heats and drives the heated gas into the combustion conduit. A set of fire conduits in heat transfer relationship with the water and in communication with the combustion conduit, extend though said tank below the combustion conduit. When heated gas is driven into the combustion conduit, the heated gas flows through the combustion conduit, and then flows downwardly and then in a substantially transverse through the fire conduits, and heat is transferred to the water as the heated gas flows through the combustion conduit and fire conduits.

Abstract: A cogeneration apparatus comprising: a transporting structure, including a support frame, for transporting the cogeneration apparatus; an electrical generator, mountable on the support frame, for generating an electrical current; a driver, mountable on the support frame, for driving the electrical generator, said driver producing an exhaust gas when operated; and a heat recovery assembly, mountable on the support frame, for recovering heat from the exhaust gas. A novel valve and a novel boiler system preferred for use in the inventive cogeneration apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A self-powered forced or induced draft water heater is provided including a tank adapted for storing hot water, a sealed combustion chamber, a powered burner, a thermoelectric module, and a through-chamber heat sink having a base portion and a pin portion. The combustion chamber has a common wall with the tank at a lower zone of the tank. The powered natural gas burner has a blower which delivers air to the burner through an inlet duct and forces combustion products out a flue. The thermoelectric module generates operating power for the burner blower. The thermoelectric module has a hot side in thermal communication with a combustion zone of the burner and a cold side attached to the heat sink base portion. The pin portion of the heat sink is conically shaped and extends through an opening in the common wall to the interior of the tank. The base portion of the heat sink is removably attached to the common wall and is provided with an o-ring or other means to seal the wall opening.

Abstract: A furnace having a fire box at one end of a multi-unit cell boiler receives combustible refuse and delivers hot combustion gases through passages between water cells of the multi-unit cell boiler. The combustion gases enter an exhaust stack at the far end of the boiler after giving up most of their contained heat to the water circulating through the cells. Simultaneously, water flows through the base of the boiler on a circuitous path from its end adjacent to the exhaust stack toward the furnace and through cooling walls of the furnace and then through a holding tank to a pump which delivers the water to a header communicating with the cells of the boiler unit most distant from the furnace. The water being pumped into the cells is preheated to boost the thermal efficiency of the boiler. Steam generated in the boiler enters a steam header connected with the cell boiler unit nearest the furnace.