Abstract: A method of and apparatus for decreasing attack of detrimental components of solid particle suspensions on heat transfer surfaces in a heat transfer chamber in a fluidized bed reactor. The method includes introducing solid particles into a first chamber, which is a dilution chamber, on top of a bed of solid particles therein through a dilution chamber inlet disposed in an upper part of the dilution chamber, and discharging solid particles from the dilution chamber through an outlet disposed in a lower part of the dilution chamber, into a heat transfer chamber, and introducing a flushing gas into at least a portion of the dilution chamber for performing at least one of inactivating in and separating from the bed of solid particles in the dilution chamber, impurities detrimental to heat transfer surfaces in the heat transfer chamber.

Abstract: An incinerator with a heat-storage capability is disclosed. The incinerator has a housing with multiple communicating chambers defined therein, heat-storing medium received in each chamber, a heater mounted in the housing, an inlet tube and an outlet tube connecting to all of the chambers respectively, a control valve mounted between the inlet tube or outlet tube and each corresponding chamber and an air pump mounted on the outlet tube. The incinerator can deal with the industrial waste steam by the medium in alternate chambers one after the other, and the medium can absorb the heat generated by burning the volatile organic material in the industrial waste steam. This can increase the thermal efficiency of the incinerator and decrease cost of operating the incinerator.

Abstract: A catalytic heater supplies heated water that circulates to heat a diver's suit. An insulating housing closed at opposite ends by cap members defines a chamber containing a catalyst inside of a multi-tube heat exchanger. Fittings in the cap members pass water through the multi-tube heat exchanger to and from the suit, and a gas circuit flows mixed hydrogen and oxygen to the catalyst that reacts with the mixed hydrogen and oxygen to produce heat that heats the water in the multi-tube heat exchanger for the diving suit. Optionally, hydrogen may be mixed with oxygen from a breathing gas mixture so that after heating the water, the gases remaining may be breathed by the diver. The catalytic heater provides a safe, reliable source of warm water for active thermal protection of divers over a wide range of diving applications.

Abstract: A combustion catalyst comprising a monolithic substrate, a porous support based on refractory inorganic oxide and an active phase formed by cerium, iron and at least one metal selected from the group formed by palladium and platinum, the content of porous support being between 100 and 400 g per liter of catalyst; the content of cerium being between 0.3 and 20% by weight with respect to the porous support; the content of iron being between 0.01 and 3.5% of iron by weight with respect to the porous support; and the content of palladium and/or platinum being between 3 and 20 g per liter of catalyst. The catalyst of the invention is used in particular in processes for the catalytic combustion of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, hydrogen or mixtures thereof, in processes involving one or more catalytic stages.

Abstract: A combustion control method for use in a catalytic combustion system having (a) a gaseous mixture inlet port, located at the upstream side of said catalytic combustion system, for the entrance of a fuel-air mixture; (b) an exhaust gas outlet port, located at the downstream side of said catalytic combustion system, for the exit of an exhaust gas; (c) a primary combustion chamber in which a catalyst body is disposed, said catalyst body being formed of a porous base material with numerous communicating holes that supports thereon an oxidation catalyst; (d) a secondary supply port, located downstream of said primary combustion chamber, for the supply of a gaseous mixture or air; and (e) a secondary combustion chamber located downstream of said secondary supply port; comprising such process that an excess air ratio of said primary combustion chamber is initially set above 1 and after the rate of combustion of said secondary combustion chamber exceeds a given level, combustion is made to take place, with the

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for increasing the reactivity of a fuel/air mixture prior to homogenous combustion of the mixture. More specifically, this invention is a pilot for a gas turbine combustor which utilizes the heat of combustion within the pilot to increase the reactivity of a portion of the fuel/air mixture utilized by the pilot.

Abstract: A method of combustion in a pressurized, fluidized bed and in the freeboard thereof. The combustion method is further characterized by the recirculation of solid sulfur absorbing materials. A gas channel, designed so as to prevent fluidizing gas from entering the channel from below, is provided such that it opens to the freeboard and to a separating member which separates particulate matter from the combustion gasses.

Abstract: A matrix bed is disclosed in which a non-planar reaction wave front is formed during operation. This is accomplished by heating the matrix bed, containing heat-resistant material, until at least a reaction portion of the matrix bed is above the temperature required for a plurality of reactant gas streams to react. Next, the reactant gas streams are directed through the matrix bed in a manner so as to form at least a Bunsen, Burke-Schumann, inverted-V, or some other type of non-planar reaction wave front at the portion of the matrix bed that is heated above the reactant gas streams reaction temperature. At the non-planar reaction wave front, the reactant gas streams react to produce a reaction product gas stream that is then exhausted from the matrix bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the combustion of liquid fuel (F), especially oil. Wherein the liquid fuel (F) is distributed by means of a distribution device (1) and directed to a downstream reactor with porous means (6) having a communicating pore volume, whose Pecler number allows for flame expansion and full combustion of the liquid fuel (F) inside the porous means (6).

Abstract: A combustion type detoxifying apparatus which carries out detoxifying treatment of a raw gas containing toxic components injected through a burner (2) into a combustion chamber (1) by allowing the toxic components to burn or undergo pyrolysis. The combustion chamber (1) having a double-wall structure consisting of an outer barrel (11) and an inner barrel (12) which is made of a porous material. The combustion chamber (1) is provided with a gas introducing nozzle (4) for introducing a pressure gas to the space defined between the outer barrel (11) and the inner barrel (12).

Abstract: In a catalytic combustor for gas turbines, the dimensions of the preheater and premix duct, the location of the preheater and premix fuel nozzles, and the number and location of air orifices in the combustor can inner liner are configured to result in low NOx production during both preheating combustion and catalytic combustion. Placement of the air orifices helps reduce the potential for autoignition within the premix duct, while enhancing fuel-air mixture uniformity upstream of the catalyst. At the same time, the overall configuration is optimized to result in the relative compactness of the catalytic combustor, making it particularly suitable for applications such as automotive turbine engines and microturbines.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus has a fuel supply section; an air blowing section for supplying combustion air; a mixing section for mixing the fuel with the combustion air; a plurality of first catalyst bodies which are arranged substantially in parallel with each other to divide the downstream location in the flow direction of mixture into a plurality of flow paths; and a first heat receiving section configured by a plurality of heat receiving fins arranged in flow paths divided by said first catalyst bodies and a cooling path penetrating the heat receiving fins, the opposed heat receiving fin and first catalyst body being characterized in that the area of the heat receiving fin on the upstream side of said cooling path is smaller than the area of the first catalyst body on the upstream side of the cooling path.

Abstract: A combustion device comprises a porous distributive layer, a combustion chamber disposed downstream of the porous distributive layer, and an emissive matrix in an active flame zone in the combustion chamber of the device downstream from the porous distributive layer. The emissive matrix comprises a three dimensional matrix structure made of heat absorbing, heat radiating, and heat conducting bodies. The device includes a blower for delivering a fuel/oxidizer mixture at sufficiently elevated pressure to an upstream face of the porous distributive layer to distribute the active flame zone substantially throughout the emissive matrix.

Abstract: In a process for recycling fine-particle solids (4) discharged from a reactor vessel (1) at a discharging position of the reactor vessel (1) by means of a gas, at a recycling position (16) of the reactor vessel (1), the solids (4) are separated in a solids separator (3) and subsequently collected in a collecting vessel (8) and from the same are recycled into the reactor vessel (1) by means of a conveying gas. To enhance the operation of the solids separator (3), but without causing an additional load on the reactor vessel (1), an additional gas stream (23) independent of the gas stream in the reactor vessel is conducted through the solids separator (3) in a circuit, in the direction of flow of the solids (4).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises two burner zones using a single igniter separated by a heat transfer zone for use in low-cost hydrogen generation units. When used in conjunction with a control system which limits the effluent temperature to less than about 700° C., the apparatus can be constructed of materials such as carbon steel and stainless steel rather than more exotic materials. This simplified structure and the use of less exotic materials provides an efficient, low-cost combined partial oxidation reactor for small-scale hydrogen production systems, especially for hydrogen production systems associated with fuel cell operation for the production of electricity.

Abstract: A catalytic firebox reactor employing an exothermic catalytic reaction channel and multiple cooling conduits for creating a partially reacted fuel/oxidant mixture. An oxidation catalyst is deposited on the walls forming the boundary between the multiple cooling conduits and the exothermic catalytic reaction channel, on the side of the walls facing the exothermic catalytic reaction channel. This configuration allows the oxidation catalyst to be backside cooled by any fluid passing through the cooling conduits. The heat of reaction is added to both the fluid in the exothermic catalytic reaction channel and the fluid passing through the cooling conduits. After discharge of the fluids from the exothermic catalytic reaction channel, the fluids mix to create a single combined flow. A further innovation in the reactor incorporates geometric changes in the exothermic catalytic reaction channel to provide streamwise variation of the velocity of the fluids in the reactor.

Abstract: A superemissive combustion device of this invention comprises a porous distributive layer and an apparatus for delivering a fuel/oxidizer mixture to an upstream face of the porous distributive layer. A superemissive advanced emissive matrix in is disposed within an active flame zone downstream from the porous distributive layer. The emissive matrix is in the form of a three dimensional matrix of radiating bodies that is optically thin to electromagnetic radiation. The emissive matrix is either formed from or includes a coating of a superemissive material that is selected to emit photons within a predetermined wavelength range when thermally stimulated. The emitted photons are received by one or more photovoltaic cells disposed adjacent the matrix.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor is formed of a plurality of segments which are enclosed within a canister. Each segment includes a metal strip which is folded back and forth upon itself. The strip is coated with catalyst on only one side, and the strip is brazed or welded to the canister only on the uncoated side. The segments of the combustor substantially fill the cross-section of the canister, but these segments are not physically joined to each other. The structure described above makes it possible to make the combustor relatively flat, having a length to diameter ratio of 0.25 or less. The catalytic combustor of the present invention is especially useful in a gas turbine, where space is limited, and where catalytic combustion is useful in preventing the formation of NOx.

Abstract: A membrane for radiant gas burners comprises a fabric (18) of metal fibers. The membrane has a surface which has a permanent undulation to such a degree that its surface area is at least five per cent greater than the surface area of a comparable flat membrane. In a preferable embodiment, the amplitude and the pitch of the undulation is such that, in operation, heat is radiated to and reflected from the flanks (24', 24") of the undulation. The result is an increased radiative output and radiative efficiency.

Abstract: An asphalt plant including a plurality of asphalt processing components, with a selected first set of the components producing volatile emissions and a selected second set requiring process heat energy. A central burner assembly is connected to the selected second set of components by an insulated duct system for providing heat energy to the second component set. A first duct system is adapted to capture a portion of the volatile emissions produced by the first component set and convey the captured emissions into the central burner for mitigation. The central burner is preferably a media burner incorporating flameless combustion technology as well as an adjustable internal fuel injection system, which results in safer and more controllable combustion. Even with captured fugitive emissions in the inlet air, the fuel injection system keeps the concentration of combustible materials well below the lower flammability limit.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermal oxidizers containing improved preheating designs and processes for improving the preheating of thermal oxidizers. The processes are practiced by preheating the matrix-bed of matrix materials in a flow path that is opposite in direction to the flow path for the processing fluids through the matrix bed. In such a process, there is a substantial reduction in the time and energy required for the preheating of the matrix bed in comparison to the prior processes using same flow direction preheating.

Abstract: The process is conducted in an incinerator installation comprising i) a generally vertical, cylindrical riser pipe, ii) a vertically extending annular chamber surrounding the riser pipe and containing a fluidized bed of granular inert material, and iii) a burner for producing an upwardly extending flame in the lower portion of the riser pipe. Granular solid waste is supplied at a constant flow rate to the bed, directly or through the burner. Granular solid waste and bed material is transferred from the lower portion of the annular chamber to the lower portion of the riser pipe directly in the flame. The flame burns the granular solid waste, heats the inside of the riser pipe to a temperature greater than or equal to 900.degree. C.

Abstract: A support structure for securing a catalyst structure comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed channels for passage of a flowing gas mixture within a reactor, said support structure being comprised of a monolithic open celled or honeycomb-like structure formed by thin strips or ribs of high temperature resistant metal or ceramic which abuts against one end of the catalyst structure, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catalyst structure to essentially cover an end face (at either the inlet end or outlet end or both) of the catalyst structure with the support structure being secured on its periphery to the reactor wall. The strips or ribs making up the support structure are bonded together to form a unitary structure having cellular openings at least as large as the catalyst structure channel openings.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus provided with a burner includes a fuel injection nozzle disposed rearward of a gas passable solid and a pre-mixture region between a downstream end of the solid and the fuel injection nozzle. The gas passable solid may be of a straightener type. Air for combustion includes main air and pilot air separated from each other. The apparatus may be coupled to each end of a radiant tube. The apparatus may be provided to a direct and indirect combustion type thermal facilities.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus provided with a burner includes a fuel injection nozzle disposed rearward of a gas passable solid and a pre-mixture region between a downstream end of the solid and the fuel injection nozzle. The gas passable solid may be of a straightener type. Air for combustion includes main air and pilot air separated from each other. The apparatus may be coupled to each end of a radiant tube. The apparatus may be provided to a direct and indirect combustion type thermal facilities.

Abstract: A unique and useful dynamic control system has been invented for the control of a catalytic combustion system for use on a dynamic plant, preferably, a gas turbine engine. The dynamic control system facilitates the replacement of conventional flame combustion systems with catalytic combustion systems, which produce far less pollutants, by producing acceptable transient performance of the combustion system. A method of controlling the catalytic combustion process comprises the steps of calculating a mass flow of air introduced into the combustor, monitoring a flow of fuel to be combusted within the combustor, monitoring a temperature of the air introduced into the combustor, calculating an inlet temperature set point based on the mass flow and fuel flow, and controlling a pre-burner to heat the air based on the inlet temperature set point, the mass flow, and the temperature of the air. Further, the mass flow may be estimated based on ambient air temperature and pressure, and compressor speed.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing reactive fluids which are capable of ignition or explosion, at elevated temperature and pressure, for subsequent conversion by contact with a catalyst, such as a (partial) oxidation catalyst or in a combustion zone, comprising in sequence an upstream inlet end, a mixer, an expander, a diffuser and a downstream outlet end, the outlet end being characterised by a greater available cross-sectional area than any of the inlet end, mixer and expander, and the expander having substantially increasing internal cross-sectional area in downstream direction, wherein the available cross-sectional area of the expander at any point along its length is less than the difference in internal cross-section of the expander at its downstream and its upstream ends, a process therefor and the use thereof, in particular the use thereof in a process for the catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer (H-101) includes a number of heat exchange columns (A, B) topped by a combustion chamber (C-101). Contaminated air is directed into one of the columns and oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber (C-101). From the combustion chamber (C-101), the now clean air flows vertically downward through another column and then is directed via an outlet through an outlet manifold and released to atmosphere or recirculated back to the oxidizer (H-101). A combustible fuel is added to the contaminated air prior to its entry into one of the columns. The addition of the combustible fuel is regulated by continuously monitoring the inlet and outlet temperatures (TE-101A, TE-108A), and comparing a difference between these temperatures to a predetermined value. Further control can be achieved by measuring the flow of contaminated air to the oxidizer (H-101) via pressure differential and coordinating that measurement with the temperature differential measurement.

Abstract: An efficient, high output, compact catalytic combustor that is low in combustion cost includes a combustion member having a front surface portion and a rear surface portion. The air-fuel mixture passing from the rear surface portion toward the front surface portion is combusted on the front surface portion. The combustion member is made of a material higher in thermal conductivity than alumina and includes a flame-holding unit for geometrically holding the flames formed on the surface of the combustion member. A catalyst oxide is carried on at least the front surface portion of the combustion member.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a catalyst combustion apparatus includes a ring-shaped catalyst body for catalytically burning the mixture of the fuel and the air, which is disposed in a combustion cylinder. In the combustion cylinder, a fuel nozzle and an inlet for the air are disposed at one end side of the catalyst body, and the premixing chamber is formed at the other end side. The fuel and the air are supplied from one end side of the catalyst body through a through-hole formed at a center portion of the catalyst body and is mixed in the premixing chamber. In the premixing chamber, a flow direction of the mixture is turned toward the catalyst body. A part of the exhaust gas is introduced into the air at one end side. In this way, it is possible to simplify and downsize the combustion apparatus, while securing the preheating effect of the air by the circulation of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A portable heat generating device in which fuel vapor and an oxygen supply (e.g. air) are directed through channels contained within a thin, flexible and compliant elastomeric sheet of material. Elongated catalytic heat elements, placed strategically within the channels, spontaneously interact with the fuel-air stream liberating heat energy. Means and methods are defined that permit flameless catalytic combustion to be uniformly extended over the length of each heat element, lowering power density but maintaining the overall power generated, permitting the use of many types of low temperature materials like plastics, polymers, and elastomers in the construction of the heater. The heat generation process is started by pumping an air stream into a reservoir containing a fuel source (e.g. methanol) thereby saturating the air stream with fuel vapor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for increasing the reactivity of a fuel/air mixture prior to homogenous combustion of the mixture. More specifically, this invention is a pilot for a gas turbine combustor which utilizes the heat of combustion within the pilot to increase the reactivity of a portion of the fuel/air mixture utilized by the pilot.

Abstract: A process for combustion of fuel in which oxygen-containing gas is mixed with a fuel to form a combustible mixture which is then contacted in a first zone with a first zone combustion catalyst comprising PdO disposed on a support at reaction conditions sufficient to combust a portion of the fuel and produce a first zone combustion catalyst temperature no greater than about 800.degree. C. The partially combusted fuel from the first zone is then contacted in a second zone with a second zone combustion catalyst. Supports for the first zone combustion catalyst include La.sub.2 O.sub.3 -stabilized .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, La-stabilized .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Ce-stabilized .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Ba-stabilized .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and La.sub.2 0.sub.3 -11Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 hexa-aluminate. Second zone combustion catalysts include La.sub.0.5 Sr.sub.0.5 MnAl.sub.11 O.sub.19, PdO on La.sub.2 O.sub.3 -11Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 hexa-aluminate, and La.sub.0.2 Sr.sub.0.8 MnAl.sub.11 O.sub.19.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for thermally reacting chemicals in a matrix bed of porous inert media. The reaction is conducted in an apparatus that is capable of establishing and maintaining a non-planar reaction wave within the matrix bed. The positioning of the non-planar reaction wave permits the interior surfaces of the vessel to be maintained at a temperature at least above 175.degree. F. The apparatus includes a vessel that contains the matrix bed; one or more feed tubes that extend into the matrix bed, where preferably an exterior portion of each of the feed tubes that passes through the vessel is insulated; an exhaust outlet; and a means for heating the matrix bed. The non-planar reaction wave is established by heating at least a portion of the matrix bed to at least the reaction temperature of the chemicals and feeding a process stream containing the chemicals to be reacted into the feed tubes.

Abstract: A low NOx combustion process and burner apparatus in which a mixture of a primary fuel and air, with the air in excess of the stoichiometric requirement, is passed to a surface burner element. The mixture is distributed over the downstream side of the element where it is combusted in a primary combustion zone. Secondary fuel is mixed with surface combustion products from the primary zone and then combusted in a secondary combustion zone with a portion of excess oxygen from the surface combustion products. In certain embodiments the temperature of surface combustion products is reduced by heat transfer to the surface burner element, and in another embodiment by heat transfer to a screen or other element placed within the primary combustion zone, from which the heat is then extracted to a load, and in another embodiment by mixing the additional fuel or combustion products with cooled furnace gases. In other embodiments the placement of the secondary fuel jets is varied to achieve different combustion results.

Abstract: A catalytic combustion chamber is provided with at least two catalytic combustion zones arranged in flow series. In a first mode of operation fuel is supplied from first fuel injectors, positioned upstream of the first catalytic combustion zone, into the catalytic combustion chamber and is burnt in the first catalytic combustion zone in order to preheat the subsequent catalytic combustion zones. In the second mode of operation the supply of fuel to the first fuel injectors is reduced and fuel is supplied from second fuel injectors positioned between the first catalytic combustion zone and the second catalytic combustion zone into the space between the first catalytic combustion zone and the second catalytic combustion zone. This prevents the first catalytic zone becoming overheated, and reduces the possibility of the second and third catalytic combustion zones becoming overheated and allows the optimum catalyst to be selected for the first catalytic combustion zone.

Abstract: A continuous operation and efficient device used for heat decomposition and purification of a malodorous objective gas is disclosed. The device has large-sized and heavy heat reserving materials in a stationary condition. The objective gas is supplied to a chamber of a rotary distribution valve. From there, the gas is conducted from a guide space through first moving valve ports of a moving valve member and a stationary valve port of a stationary valve member to a plurality of passages. The passages separated by partition plates in a housing and contain therein the heat reserving material (heat exchanger column), a pretreatment material and a catalyst. The gas undergoes endothermic reaction for heat decomposition of the malodorous substances by means of the catalyst and a burner. The objective gas then has its heat exchanged or temperature reduced through the heat reserve material, so that a purified gas is expelled from the stationary valve port and second moving valve ports through a chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for recovery of energy from a medium containing combustible substances even at low concentrations. The method is characterized by raising the temperature of the medium in a regenerative combustor such as a reversal flow direction combustion device wherein the combustion takes place in a warm zone, to the combustion temperature at which essentially all chemical energy of the combustible substances is transformed into thermal energy. The heated medium is then utilized for the production of a wanted form of energy.

Abstract: A high heat flux catalytic radiant burner of the present invention includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet end. A catalyst layer which has a coating disposed on a support is positioned between the two ends. The catalyst layer has a total specific surface area of 0.1 to 10 m.sup.2 /g. The support has a specific surface area of 1 m.sup.2 /g or less. The coating is a thin film of a nobel metal. A mixture of air and gas enters the housing though the inlet end and enters the catalyst layer where the gas is oxidized and releases heat such that the burner maintains operational firing rates of approximately 40 to 413 kBTU/hr ft.sup.2 and produces extremely low emissions.

Abstract: The device comprises a ventilation unit (4) connected with a gas-supplying valve unit (10) via a mixing duct (11). The fixed structures of the ventilation unit (4) and gas-supplying unit (10) and of the mixing duct (11) are of one piece construction (20), so as to give the device (1) an excellent structural compactness, which will make it adaptable to different types of burners (3) and boilers (2).

Abstract: A matrix bed is disclosed in which a non-planar reaction wave front is formed during operation. This is accomplished by heating the matrix bed, containing heat-resistant material, until at least a reaction portion of the matrix bed is above the temperature required for a plurality of reactant gas streams to react. Next, the reactant gas streams are directed through the matrix bed in a manner so as to form at least a Bunsen, Burke-Schumann, inverted-V, or some other type of non-planar reaction wave front at the portion of the matrix bed that is heated above the reactant gas streams reaction temperature. At the non-planar reaction wave front, the reactant gas streams react to produce a reaction product gas stream that is then exhausted from the matrix bed.

Abstract: A cylindrical fuel reforming apparatus covered with a thermal insulating layer 16 comprises a fuel flow passage 1 contoured by a cylindrical contour wall 2 in its central axial direction and a reforming catalyst bed 3 in the middle of the flow passage for reforming gas to be reformed flowing from the upstream of the fuel flow passage 1 into a proper reformed gas. A cooling jacket 10 is arranged in the upstream of the reforming catalyst bed 3 so as to surround the fuel flow passage 1 and to be supplied with steam 11 for cooling the cylindrical contour wall 2. There are provided in the cylindrical contour wall 2 in the upstream of the reforming catalyst bed 3 a plurality of injection nozzles 15 communicating the cooling jacket 10 with the fuel flow passage 1 so that the steam 11 introduced into the cooling jacket 10 is allowed to flow into the fuel flow passage 1.

Abstract: A burner, particularly for a gas turbine, includes a catalytic combustion chamber and a performer/reformer (24). The combustion chamber has an essentially cylindrical extent in a flow direction of a fuel and a catalytically active coating (12) on a wall facing the fuel for oxidation of the fuel. A particularly low nitrogen oxide content of burner exhaust gas is achieved as a result of the catalytically induced combustion of the fuel. At the same time, in contrast to known primary measures for nitrogen oxide abatement, the flow resistance in the burner is not increased by the coating of the wall. Therefore, when the burner is used in a gas turbine, a particularly high efficiency together with a low nitrogen oxide emission can be achieved.

Abstract: The gas phase exothermic reaction of a feed gas mixture is carried out by providing first and second chambers in fluid communication with one another and each containing a bed of solid heat exchange material and at least one bed of catalyst material, each chamber being selectively operable in cooling and heating modes. The feed gas mixture is introduced into a selected one of the chambers when the selected chamber is in the cooling mode and the other chamber is in the heating mode so that the feed gas mixture flowing through the selected chamber contacts the bed of heat exchange material before contacting the bed of catalyst material, the feed gas mixture being reacted in the catalyst bed to form a gaseous product. The gaseous product is conducted from the selected chamber to the other chamber so that the gaseous product flowing through the other chamber contacts the bed of catalyst material before contacting the bed of heat exchange material.

Abstract: A process for the combustive destruction of noxious substances from a gas stream in which the gas stream and added fuel gas as a mixture into a combustion zone that is surrounded by an exit surface of a foraminous gas burner. A fuel gas and air/oxygen mixture are simultaneously supplied to the foraminous gas burner to effect combustion at the exit surface. The resulting combustion product stream is discharged from the combustion zone. The oxygen is added to the gas stream and the fuel gas prior to the introduction of the mixture to the combustion zone and the oxygen/fuel gas mixture burns at the point of injection.

Abstract: According to a combustion apparatus comprising a mixing unit 3 for preparing a fuel-air mixture by mixing a fuel with combustion air, a first catalytic combustion chamber 4 incorporating a first catalyzer 7 for catalytically burning the mixture and a fin 5 for collecting a thermal energy generated by the catalytic combustion and a second catalytic combustion chamber 12 incorporating a second catalyzer 14 for catalytically burning the mixture that is not catalytically burnt by the first catalyzer 7, an operation of catalytic combustion at a high load can be achieved. An operation for improving characteristics of an exhaust discharged at the time of ignition can be also obtained, as a result, a combustion apparatus reduced in emission of NOx is provided.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a volatile substance includes a gas-fueled, portable heat source. The device includes a catalyst support structure to flamelessly combust liquid or gaseous fuel and thereby provide a lower temperature heat source than a heat source that combusts fuel via flame. The fuel is ignited inside the catalytic support structure by a spark electrode. A spark jumps from the electrode to an interior surface of the structure and ignites the fuel inside the structure, causing a flame to propagate. The flame heats the catalytic structure to an activation temperature, after which the fuel is combusted flamelessly on the surface of the catalytic structure. The device includes a heating plate for heating the volatile substance and for receiving heat from the catalytic structure. A heat box substantially surrounds the catalytic structure and heating plate. The heat box has a window through which volatile substances released from the heating plate may escape.

Abstract: Improved methods for the destruction of methane gas within a colliery ventilation stream are provided that include the efficient utilization of the energy obtained from the oxidation of the methane gas. In practicing the methods, a colliery vent gas, containing a dilute concentration of methane in air, is oxidized within a matrix bed of heat resistant material to convert the methane to oxidation products with the simultaneous release of heat energy. The heat energy is recovered to thermally heat a working fluid used to operate a steam turbine to produce electricity.

Abstract: A handheld soldering tool has a fuel reservoir or tank (10), a tip (1) heated in use by a catalyst assembly (2), a valve assembly (9) for controlling flow of gaseous fuel from the reservoir (10) to the catalyst assembly (2), and a piezo-electric ignition device (7) for igniting gas released from tank (10) for combustion during an initial warm-up period to bring the catalyst to its operating temperature. A spring member (19) mounted on a rocker member (17) serving to transmit an actuating force from a switch member (18) to the piezo device (7) is arranged to momentarily interrupt the flow of gas from valve assembly (9) through Venturi (16) to combustion region (15), to terminate the initial combustion period, during reverse movement of the rocker member (17) from an ignition disposition to a non-active or gas-flow disposition.

Abstract: Processes for the catalytic combustion of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, or mixtures thereof (processes with one or more catalytic stages) and processes of abating the pollution produced by the exhaust gases of vehicles that run on natural gas using a non-selective oxidation catalyst. The non-selective oxidation catalyst comprises a monolithic substrate, a porous support with a refractory inorganic oxide base and an active phase that consists of cerium, zirconium, iron, and at least one metal that is selected from the group that is formed by palladium and platinum is described; with the porous support content being between 200 and 400 g per liter of catalyst; with the cerium content being between 0.3 and 20% by weight relative to the porous support; with the zirconium content being between 0.3 and 20% by weight relative to the porous support; with the iron content being between 0.01 and 3.