Abstract: A heating unit and solid fuel feeder comprises a vertical furnace having a combustion chamber for burning solid fuel, a water jacket around the combustion chamber and an exhaust chamber at an upper outlet end of the combustion chamber. A plenum box is connected to the furnace and defines an interior space. Water circulation tubes extend from an upper end of the water jacket, through the plenum and into a water tank positioned on an opposite side of the plenum. Additional water tubes are connected between a lower end of the water tank and a lower end of the jacket. Water circulates as hot water rises in the jacket and falls in the water tank. A plurality of exhaust conduits which also extend in the plenum, are connected between the exhaust chamber and a smoke box. A stack is connected to the exhaust box. Air flowing or blown through the plenum picks up heat from the water pipes and exhaust conduit. Hot water from the tank may be used as an additional source of heat or to heat domestic hot water.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system particularly suitable for use in a residential heating system comprising a fluidized bed combustor housing a combustion chamber wherein crushed fuel is burned to generate hot flue gas, a heat exchanger disposed outside of the combustor in the flow path of the flue gas, a particulate collector for removing fine particles entrained in the flue gas before the flue gas is vented to the atmosphere, and an induced draft fan for venting the flue gas to the atmosphere and drawing fluidizing air and recirculated flue gas through the combustion chamber. The combustor is uncooled and heavily insulated so as to provide a substantially adiabatic combustion chamber therein in order to minimize heat loss therefrom. Electric heating means are disposed within the fluidizing region of the combustion chamber to provide the capability of heating the slumped bed during shutdown to maintain bed temperature above the ignition point.

Abstract: Tablets of aluminum and potassium perchlorate (ALCLO), used to ignite a perred fuel in a closed cycle steam engine, are wrapped in aluminum foil to avoid the creation of powdered ALCLO. The prevention of powdering the ALCLO tablets reduces the possibility of inadvertent ignition from electrostatic discharge, ignition by mechanical or other means. Also, the creation of higher than intended burn rates is prevented when intentional ignition is initiated.