Abstract: A modular burner system includes a nipple elongated along an axis and a plurality of jets connected to the nipple. The jets are spaced from each other along the axis. Each jet connected to the nipple has a jet axis and is elongated from the nipple along the jet axis. Each jet connected to the nipple has an exit on the jet axis spaced from the nipple to release fuel to fuel a flame at the exit. The jet axis of at least one of the jets connected to the nipple is at a first angle relative to the axis and the jet axis of at least one of the jets connected to the nipple is at a second angle relative to the axis different than the first angle.

Abstract: The present invention is a combustion strategy using a swirl burner tip, which is one of stoichiometric mixture of reactants (2H2+O2?2H2O) with added high quality dry steam (H2O (g)) as a thermal diluent. The amount of dry steam can be determined by the safety requirements of the reactants and the desired temperature of post-flame gases. It can be appreciated that the design of the swirl burner tip is for safe handling of the reactants, and for rapid and thorough mixing of the reactants so combustion occurs in a nearly premixed configuration exterior of the swirl burner tip. The H2/O2 ratio is fixed to consume all H2 and O2 (stoichiometric), with dry steam (H2O (g)) strategically added to the reactants. The burner tip is configured to create counter swirling reactant flows separate from each other.

Abstract: The burner of a gas turbine includes two or more part cone shells arranged offset with respect to one another and defining a cone shaped chamber with longitudinal tangential slots for feeding air therein. A lance carrying a liquid fuel nozzle arranged centrally in the cone shaped chamber is also provided. A portion of the nozzle facing the cone shaped chamber is divergent in shape. A diffuser angle (?) between the wall of the nozzle and a longitudinal axis of the cone shaped chamber is less than 5°. A diverging portion of the nozzle has a diffuser length to nozzle diameter ratio comprised between 2-6. The nozzle diameter is the smaller diameter of the diverging portion.

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 method for regulating a temperature of a combustion medium in a mixing zone of a burner and a method for regulating a burner, in particular an oil burner, a burner performance being modulated. A heating system including a burner, which includes a regulating device, and a regulating device for a burner, in particular an oil burner. The method/system is intended to provide as constant a temperature as possible in the mixing zone during the different operating modes and with changed burner performance. The combustion air flows through a first supply tract in a first operating mode and in adjustable proportions through the first and/or a second supply tract in a second operating mode, and the combustion air is supplied with heat via a heating element, which may be switched on and off, in the first supply tract, and with heat from a combustion zone in the second supply tract.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a method for vaporizing liquids such as fuels, the liquid is sprayed into a chamber such that the spray does not impinge on any surface. The energy for vaporization is supplied through the injection of a hot diluent such as nitrogen or oxygen depleted air. Additional heat is added through the surface. In another embodiment, the liquid is sprayed onto a hot surface using a geometry such that the entire spray is intercepted by the surface. Heat is added through the surface to maintain an internal surface temperature above the boiling point of the least volatile component of the liquid. The liquid droplets impinging on the surface are thus flash vaporized. A carrier gas may also be flowed through the vaporizer to control the dew point of the resultant vapor phase mixture.

Abstract: A superadiabatic burner has a flame holder formed from a porous medium, a fuel inlet coupled to the flame holder, a fuel outlet coupled to the flame holder, a preheater comprising an inlet and an outlet coupled to the fuel inlet, and a radiating rod coupled to the porous medium. The porous medium comprises a first porous section and a second porous section. Methods of using the burner allow preheated air or other mixtures to be provided to the fuel inlet as part of a fuel air mixture for the burner.

Abstract: A formed sheet heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat between fluids is provided. The apparatus includes flow divider sheets that are positioned in a stacked configuration and extend in a longitudinal direction so that adjacent pairs of the sheets define flow passages therebetween for receiving first and second fluids. Each of the sheets is nonuniform in the longitudinal direction, having a manifold portion and a corrugated portion. The corrugated portions of each adjacent pair of sheets define a plurality of fluid channels therebetween that are connected to the portion of the flow passage defined between the manifold portions. The fluid channels are configured to receive the first or second fluids and transfer thermal energy therebetween through the flow divider sheets.

Abstract: A device and method of preheating oil for use in a multi oil burner that uses a heated liquid to convey heat energy to oil. The device is made of a thermally conductive material which has a passageway for oil and a passageway for a heated liquid. Heat energy from the heated liquid conductively transfers to the oil within the device. This method of preheating oil for combustion eliminates carbon creation and minimizes oil preheat temperature fluctuations thereby significantly lowering the cost and maintenance to operate a multi oil combustion system.

Abstract: A control device for controlling hydrogen flow of a hydrogen storage canister accommodated in a canister containing chamber includes a heating device which is connected to a heating fuel storage tank via a heating fuel supplying pipeline for conveying a heating fuel to a catalyst bed in the canister containing chamber and generating heat by combustion of the heating fuel at the catalyst bed. A blowing device provides an air flow to the canister containing chamber. A controller controls the operation of the heating device and the blowing device in correspondence to a temperature signal detected from an internal space of the canister containing chamber. The controller is coupled with a setting unit for setting various parameters which are stored in a parameter storage unit for controlling the controller.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for reducing carbon production, comprises a burner having a combustion chamber and a heat exchanger located within the combustion chamber. The heat exchanger has an inlet end where a mixture comprising air and fuel enters, a heat transfer section, and an outlet end from which a process mixture of air and fuel discharges into the combustion chamber and is ignited to produce a product mixture. The inlet end and outlet end are located such that the general flow direction of the air and fuel within at least a portion of the heat transfer section is substantially parallel with flow direction of the product mixture in the combustion chamber. The heat transfer section is located within the combustion chamber so as to receive thermal input from the combusted product mixture therein to heat the process mixture to a temperature sufficiently high to substantially reduce the production of solid carbon therein. The invention is also for a method for reducing carbon production.

Abstract: A fuel control assembly for a campstove includes a valve stem which is rotatable 180.degree. within a valve body between open and closed positions. A pin on the valve body extends into a helical slot in the stem for moving the valve stem axially as the valve stem rotates. The stem includes first and second side surface portions which are engageable with a follower member which extends perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the stem. The second side surface portion extends radially outwardly beyond the first side surface portion. The follower member is engageable with a valve for opening the valve as the follower pin is engaged by the second side surface portion of the stem.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed herein for reducing engine nitrogen oxide emissions by mixing hydrogen prepared from a portion or all of engine fuel within a simple burner. The apparatus includes an insulated burner having an internal combustion chamber for receiving either a portion of or all the gaseous fuel or liquid fuel for mixture with air and subsequent ignition by a spark plug. The chamber is within a feed preheater assembly. A mixing chamber is included having a series of baffles against which injected air and fuel vapor impinge causing thorough and complete air/fuel blending into a mixture subsequently ignited and burned, and then discharged into the combustion chamber of the engine itself. The pre-heating assembly raises the temperature of the incoming air/fuel mixture via a heat exchanging process with post combusted gases from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An atomizing type burner comprises an air supply tube (11,103) for supplying an air, a combustion cylinder (104,114,115) connected to the open end of the air supply tube (11,103), a fuel supply tube (102) for supplying a fuel at least partially placed in the air supply tube (11,103), a fuel atomizing nozzle (101) formed in the shape of a funnel and connected to the open end of the fuel supply tube (102), a passage formed by the air supply tube (11), the combustion cylinder (104), the fuel supply tube (102) and the fuel atomizing nozzle (101), and a small clearance portion formed in the passage near the fuel atomizing nozzle (101). The small clearance portion is nallower than the front and the rear portions of the passage so as to function as an atomizer.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed herein for reducing engine nitrogen oxide emissions by mixing hydrogen prepared from a portion or all of engine fuel within a simple burner. The apparatus includes an insulated burner having an internal combustion chamber for receiving either a portion of or all the gaseous fuel or liquid fuel for mixture with air and subsequent ignition by a spark plug. The chamber is within a feed preheater assembly. A mixing chamber is included having a series of baffles against which injected air and fuel vapor impinge causing thorough and complete air/fuel blending into a mixture subsequently ignited and burned, and then discharged into the combustion chamber of the engine itself. The pre-heating assembly raises the temperature of the incoming air/fuel mixture via a heat exchanging process with post combusted gases from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for combustion of a gaseous fuel in which the gaseous fuel is preheated to form soot. The soot is mixed with an oxidant, the resulting soot/oxidant mixture being ignited to form a highly luminous flame.

Abstract: The vapor pump constituted by a mass and heat exchanger comprises an outer enclosure, a set of exchanger tubes disposed inside the enclosure and extending lengthwise therein, opening out at one of the ends in a first radial plane and at their other ends in a second radial plane, which radial planes include means for positioning and supporting the tubes and for closing the empty spaces in the section of the enclosure situated outside the tubes, thereby defining between said radial planes both a first gaseous fluid flow circuit inside the tubes, and a distinct counterflow second fluid flow circuit inside the enclosure but outside the tubes. One of the first and second gaseous fluids constituted by moist hot combustion products from a thermal process while the other gaseous fluid is constituted by new combustion air. Humidifier means are provided for humidifying the air inserted into the enclosure.

Abstract: A fuel vaporizer is formed from two concentric tubes. A mixture of fuel and air having a high proportion of fuel passes along the annular space between the two tubes while air alone passes along the inner tube.

Abstract: Hot effluent gas from a burner or combustor passes over a pair of nested helical coils forming a steam generator 1 and a vapor mixing conduit 2. Liquid fuel is injected at 12 into a stream of superheated steam and vaporizes. The resulting mixture is combustible. In order to meter small amounts of fuel and water at constant pressure for fine adjustment of the fuel/water ratio in the vaporized mixture, a geared pump 15, 16 is provided in each of the water supply line 6 and the fuel supply line 7, feeding a respective injection tube or nozzle 11, 12. The injection tubes terminate respectively in the steam generator 1 and in the water vapor conduit 3, in a hot zone produced by the hot effluent gas. Preferably, magnetic valves 17, 18 are provided, downstream of each of pumps 15, 16, and are controlled as to frequency and opening time by a central control unit 19.

Abstract: Production of oxides of nitrogen during combustion of liquid fuel can be reduced by burning at relatively low temperatures of about 1400.degree. C., by first producing a special combustible gaseous mixture of superheated steam, fuel vapor, and combustion air. Water is fed (9) to the apparatus in quantities of about 2 to 4 parts for each part of fuel (10). Then the fuel is vaporized (8) in a stream of the superheated steam. This avoids fuel cracking and formation of long-chain hydrocarbons. Preheated air (13,14,15) is added (17) in slightly over stoichiometric proportions. The resulting mixture is burned (2) and the hot effluent is used to heat the evaporator (6,7,8) and the air preheating chamber (15), with a bypass (20) equipped with a throttle (22) being used for regulation of evaporator temperature. For start-up, an external hot air source (23) or electric heat (24) can be used. The remaining heat in the effluent can be captured in a conventional heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fuel gasifying burner comprising a combustion plate having peripheral and bottom combustion surfaces provided with a plurality of gasified fuel blowing openings. The combustion plate is arranged within a combustion cylinder to define therebetween peripheral and bottom gas chambers communicating with each other. A partition plate is arranged within the bottom gas chamber to divide the same into first and second chamber sections. The first chamber section has an inner peripheral open end communicating with an axial open end of a fuel gasifying member rotatably arranged within the combustion cylinder. The partition plate forms an annular flow branching channel at a location where the peripheral and bottom gas chambers communicate with each other. Gasified fuel-air mixture entering the first chamber section is divided into two mixture streams at the annular flow branching channel.

Abstract: A fuel gasifying burner comprising a gas chamber defined between a bottom wall of a combustion cylinder and a combustion plate formed with gasified fuel blowing openings. A plurality of ventilation pipes extend through the gas chamber for communicating an air blowing chamber with an annular air ejection passage defined between the gas chamber and a fuel gasifying member rotatably arranged within the combustion cylinder. First and second mixing promotion cylinders arranged between the ventilation pipes and the gasified fuel blowing openings are spaced from each other to define therebetween a narrow and bent passage through which gasified fuel-air mixture from the fuel gasifying member flows into the gas chamber. A flat gas inflow chamber having a radially outward peripheral closed end is defined between the first mixing promotion cylinder and the bottom wall of the combustion cylinder.

Abstract: A vaporizer for liquid fuel for producing a fuel-air mixture including a orization member for the fuel and which is arranged within a flow chamber for combustion air. The surface of the vaporization member which is streamed against by the combustion air is moistened with fuel. The vaporizer incorporates a vaporizing member arranged within a flow chamber for combustion air, wherein the vaporizing member includes a rotatable or circulating filling or charge of balls whose temperature can be adjusted through heat conduction received from the walls of the flow chamber. Thereby, through the revolving or circulation of the ball filling, and the heat transfer to the balls which are currently at the edge of the ball filling in heat-conductive communication with the temperature-regulated walls of the flow chamber, there takes place a rapid and uniform heating of the ball filling.

Abstract: A fuel preheater for use on a boiler fired by an oil burner of the type using an oil pump pumping oil from a tank, the boiler being of the type having a supply line carrying a heated medium from the boiler, the preheater having a coil member wrapped around the supply line of the boiler, a supply pipe extending from the oil burner pump outlet to the top of the coil to direct oil pumped from the tank through the pump and up to and through the coil where the oil is heated by its close proximity to the heated medium in the supply line; and a feed line extending from the base of the coil to receive fuel once it has passed through the coil and been heated which feed line extends to and is interconnected to the oil burner where the preheated oil is burned.

Abstract: An evaporation burner comprises a burning unit having a hollow gas chamber therein and burning plates on its surface, a gas generating chamber through which a preheat burning flame may flow, an inlet window through which the preheat burning flame within the gas generating chamber may flow into the burning unit, and recirculation windows through which apart of the preheat burning flame entering into the burning unit may be recirculated back to the gas generating chamber. The gas generating chamber is located adjacent to the burning unit and substantially along the centerline of the burning unit. The burning unit and the gas generating chamber are communicated to each other. The recirculation windows are adjusted to vary their closing/opening degree, as desired, by an opening/closing damper.

Abstract: A fuel gasifying burner including a combustion device located below a portion of a gas generating member housing a fuel supply device for directing a supply of liquid fuel into the interior of the gas generating member. A plurality of combustion members formed with flame apertures at their surfaces are arranged on either side of the gas generating member substantially in the same horizontal plane or in a plane below that of the gas generating member and maintained in communication with the gas generating member. The combustion members may be one in number and annular in form and located below the gas generating member or of a torus shape to allow the gas generating member to extend through its center opening.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for heating and utilizing fluids by the use of vapor generators of the kind in which a flowing fuel/air mixture is combusted in the presence of a stream of feed water to produce a stream of steam and non-condensibles, preferably at low pressure. This hot stream is then heat exchanged with a stream of the fluid desired to be heated and utilized, to heat it to the level desired for use, including partly or completely vaporizing it, if the use so requires. The fluid may be divided into two or more streams during the heat exchange, with different amounts of heat delivered into each stream. Preferably, the heat exchange is so conducted as to condense the steam from the stream of steam and non-condensibles, and the condensate so formed is selectively recycled to the vapor generator as feed water.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the controlled heating and utilization of fluids by the use of vapor generators of the kind in which a flowing fuel/air mixture is combusted for heating a stream of feedwater to produce a stream of steam and non-condensibles, preferably at low pressure. The hot stream is then heat exchanged with a stream of the fluid desired to be heated and utilized, to heat it to the level desired for use, including partly or completely vaporizing it, if the use so requires. The fluid may be divided into two or more streams during the heat exchange, with different amounts of heat delivered into each stream. Preferably, the heat exchange is so conducted as to condense the steam from the stream of steam and non-condensibles, and the condensate so formed is selectively recycled to the vapor generator as feedwater.

Abstract: A red-hot type oil burner capable of effectively accomplishing uniform vaporization of a fuel oil during the normal combustion operation. A heat transfer means is provided between a combustion chamber and a vaporization chamber to transmit a part of combustion heat to the vaporization chamber. The oil burner may be provided in a mixing chamber with a diffusion plate having a cutout to allow the ignition to be rapidly and safely effected. The oil burner may be also provided with a device for preventing the generation of a bad odor. There is also disclosed a red-hot type oil burner capable of surely confirming the completion of the igniting and fire extinguishing operations.

Abstract: A vaporizing type liquid fuel combustion apparatus comprising a pot burner, vaporizer for vaporizing liquid fuel provided above the pot burner, a fuel supply pipe for supplying the liquid fuel to the vaporizer, a vaporized gas combustion burner which has a gas chamber connected to the vaporizer and which is arranged to heat the vaporizer, and a blower for supplying air to the pot burner and the vaporized gas combustion burner.

Abstract: A radiant burner comprises a burner housing containing a plurality of heat transfer elements which are heated by the hot combustion product gases produced by the burner. The burner housing is arranged to direct the combustible air-gas mixture into contact with the heat transfer elements to preheat the combustible air-gas mixture before passing through the burner plate to be burned. Means are provided for directing the hot combustion product gases into contact with the heat transfer elements whereby the heat is transmitted from the combustion air-gas mixture through the heat transfer elements to preheat the combustible air-gas mixture in the burner housing.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a gaseous fuel containing water produced by a process, wherein a mixture gas of water, fuel and air is swirled with intense friction between them, contacted with metallic elements to receive thermoelectrons and activated at a temperature about 100.degree.-600.degree. C., as well as a process and apparatus for producing said fuel. When the gaseous fuel containing water by this invention is burned, the calorific value is greater than that of pure fuel combustion and the discharge of NO.sub.x and CO from the exhaust gas is small.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying waste water which comprises introducing said waste water into a separation zone, removing a portion of the impurities recovered from said separation zone, and concentrating said impurities by their introduction into an evaporation system to form a still fluid residue and remaining impurities composed of impurities in gaseous and vapor form together with waste vapors, transferring said remaining impurities to an oxidation chamber, and supplying said oxidation chamber with heat and air, thereby oxidizing said remaining impurities through spontaneous combustion, wherein the proportion of the low boiling-point impurities in the waste water introduced into the separation zone is adjusted to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A fuel burning apparatus which receives liquid fuel and converts it into a fine fume which is then mixed with air and conveyed to a burner where the mixture of the fuel and air is burned. The fuel is supplied from a supply tank and dripped onto a heating element having a spiral path formed around its outside. The drop of fuel are collected by means of a funnel placed near the end of the heating element to catch the drops and direct it onto the spiral path. As the drops of fuel proceed along the spiral path around the heating element, the fuel is converted into fine fumes. The heating elements are positioned in a mixing chamber which includes an air inlet to permit air under low pressure to pass into the mixing chamber and mix with the fumes of the fuel. The mixture then passes out of the mixing chamber into a storage chamber which provides the supply of fuel and air to a burner.

Abstract: Liquid fuel comprising hydrocarbon as its main component, which is in liquid state at normal temperature and pressure, is held in a container of an apparatus for vaporization of the liquid fuel to enable the fuel to be readily converted into a gaseous state for example for cooking purpose.

Abstract: A combustion chamber with an evaporator that projects into the combustion zone of the flame tube and includes a coaxial channel and to which air and fuel are supplied separately; a deflection surface is thereby arranged at the end of the evaporator channel which deflects the fuel/air mixture on all sides essentially opposite to the main flow direction prevailing in the channel; an annular channel partly surrounding the evaporator channel adjoins the deflection surface which is in communication by way of discharge openings with a mixing zone disposed upstream of the combustion zone, as viewed in the main flow direction; the mixing zone is formed by an annular space between an outer wall of the evaporator and an intermediate wall of the flame tube, in which are arranged radial webs within a first and a second plane, whereby the discharge openings of the annular channel terminate between the radial webs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oil burner system for burning residual type fuel oils in a high temperature combustion zone or chamber, which includes a method and apparatus for operating the system to maintain the fuel oil at a low viscosity while preventing thermal failure by destruction of the burner which protrudes into the combustion zone or chamber. The fuel oil is preheated and introduced into an oil tube extending through a high temperature furnace wall into the combustion zone or chamber, and also a heated fluid is introduced into the oil tube for passage therethrough with the fuel oil, while the outer periphery of the oil tube is cooled where it passes through the furnace wall and into the high temperature combustion zone or chamber, as well as fabricating the oil tube from a material having a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to installations for supplying the burners of boilers with an emulsion of fuel, water and if desired soluble oil, intended to ensure the elimination of 95% of the solid unburnt material in the combustion gases of boilers and hot air generators and to eliminate the liquid residues by incineration. The installation includes a reserve tank fed by an electrovalve controlled by a level-electrode provided in the tank so as to maintain a constant level of liquid, a pump, an emulsifying device and at least one burner, together with a regulating valve acting on the flow of liquid to be treated in dependence on the temperature of the mixture after its passage through the emulsifier, this valve being mounted between the pump and the emulsifier.

Abstract: Apparatus to burn liquid fuels in a gaseous fuel burner, which includes preparatory apparatus for the atomization of liquid fuel oil preferably by steam, and the heating of the fuel droplets and steam so as to completely vaporize the liquid fuel. If atomization is by other means, steam is added prior to vaporization heating. The resulting oil vapor-steam mixture then goes to a burner which utilizes the central orifice of a conventional gas burner, plus an annular orifice concentric with the gas orifice, through which steam is supplied. Primary air is induced into the burner tube due to the high velocity jets of steam and of oil vapor-steam. The steam protects the hot vapor from the air until the combination issues from the end of the burner tube. For the use of gaseous fuel, the same burner is utilized except that the steam flow is turned off since the steam is not needed for the induction of the primary air, due to the higher velocity of the jets of gas.

Abstract: An arrangement to produce high efficiency gas phase combustion of liquid fuels. A liquid fuel, such as conventional heating oil, is pumped through a heat exchanger immersed in a liquid bath whose temperature is maintained at a level which is sufficiently high to cause the fuel to gassify but low enough to preclude undesirable chemical decomposition. The liquid bath is contained within an element which is directly exposed to a flame produced by the combustion of the gasified liquid fuel. The liquid bath temperature is controlled by varying the amount of surface area exposed to the flame or by internal forced circulation of the bath liquid. The gasified fuel is injected into an air or oxidizing gas stream and allowed to premix prior to combustion. Combustion is initiated by a spark or pilot flame and is stabilized by a flameholder.

Abstract: In a liquid fuel burner wherein a fuel gasifying member is directly supported by a rotary shaft inserted in a main body of the burner for converting liquid fuel into gasified form, a water evaporation chamber of the annular shape is arranged at the corner of a top portion of the fuel gasifying member and filled therein with a water evaporation promoting material. Water is supplied to the water evaporation chamber and quickly converted into water vapor which is ejected into the fuel gasifying member through steam ejection apertures formed in the water evaporation chamber as the fuel gasifying member is rotated and performs the liquid fuel gasifying function, and the gasified fuel and water vapor form a mixture with air supplied under pressure, the mixture being ejected into the main body of the burner to sustain combustion of liquid fuel in gasified form, so that the consumption of thermal energy can be reduced by using water as part of the liquid fuel.

Abstract: A burner wherein a fuel gasifying member is non-rotatably mounted and disposed in spaced juxtaposed relationship to a gas accumulation chamber formed in a main body of the burner receiving an air supply duct inserted through one side, and liquid fuel scattering means is rotatably mounted at an open end portion of the fuel gasifying member for scattering a liquid fuel in minuscule particles into the interior of the fuel gasifying member and the main body of the burner through a scattering gap. A skirt formed therein with gas ejection slits is mounted at the periphery of the liquid fuel scattering means and has a lower half portion received in the gas accumulation chamber to define a forwardly directed annular gas ejection passageway between the skirt and gas accumulation chamber. A cylindrical air guide may be mounted within the fuel gasifying member and maintained in communication with the air supply duct.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for producing a hydrogen rich gas by introducing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel in the form of a spray into a partial oxidation region and mixing with a mixture of steam and air that is preheated by indirect heat exchange with the formed hydrogen rich gas, igniting the hydrocarbon fuel spray mixed with the preheated mixture of steam and air within the partial oxidation region to form a hydrogen rich gas. The apparatus for performing the process is in the form of a bell-shaped chamber which consists of an open cylinder wherein a partial oxidation reaction takes place. An air pasageway and a pipe for injecting water into the passageway are provided for forming a steam-air mixture. The air is preheated indirectly by the heat generated as a result of igniting a hydrocarbon fuel spray and thus the water is converted into steam when injected into the preheated air.