Abstract: A combustion method and burner system are disclosed herein. The burner system comprises: a fuel manifold comprising a housing, the housing defining an interior area comprising a chamber. The burner system comprises a set of injectors for injecting a fuel from the chamber into a stream of air to pre-mix the fuel and the air, the set of injectors disposed radially inward from the fuel manifold. The system includes a refractory located downstream of the fuel manifold, the refractory to shape a flame and the refractory comprising a plurality of channels for at least one of introducing air and combustion product into a combustion chamber, the combustion chamber located downstream of the refractory. The system can also include steam and/or water injection.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat recuperation system for use with a boiler is disclosed. The heat recuperation system includes a plate-type heat exchanger for exhaust gas heat recovery for exchanging heat between an exhaust gas and a charge gas. The heat exchanger preferably includes a series of exhaust gas plates stacked alternately with, and parallel to, a series of charge gas plates. Each of the exhaust gas plates and charge gas plates have raised contained ridges to form a substantially sinusoidal path for directing the respective gas therealong. The shape of the path reduces exhaust gas particulate deposition. The charge gas flows in a countercurrent to the exhaust gas to facilitate maximum heat transfer. The heat exchange is particularly useful in laminar flow conditions.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat recuperation system for use with a boiler is disclosed. The heat recuperation system includes a plate-type heat exchanger for exhaust gas heat recovery for exchanging heat between an exhaust gas and a charge gas. The heat exchanger preferably includes a series of exhaust gas plates stacked alternately with, and parallel to, a series of charge gas plates. Each of the exhaust gas plates and charge gas plates have raised contained ridges to form a substantially sinusoidal path for directing the respective gas therealong. The shape of the path reduces exhaust gas particulate deposition. The charge gas flows in a countercurrent to the exhaust gas to facilitate maximum heat transfer. The heat exchange is particularly useful in laminar flow conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air box throttle assembly for improved characterization of a combustion system in which an arrangement of three air shutters is used to maintain a fairly constant air to fuel ratio as the combustion system is driven from low fire to high fire. A high fire shutter and a main air shutter each comprise two vanes and are rotatably mounted within an air intake box for a combustion system. A low fire shutter is provided with a single vane and is fixed above the main air shutter. The high fire shutter is the principal regulator of large volumes of air entering the combustion system when operating at high fire. At high fire, the main air shutter is fully open and low fire shutter has little effect on the flow of air through the air intake box. Low fire shutter is the principal regulator of small volumes of air entering the combustion system when operating at low fire.

Abstract: Device to simulate operation and placement of a reverse osmosis membrane element in a Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU). The device simulates the drop in hydrostatic pressure occurring when a liquid (usually water) is forced across a membrane which separates different concentrations of solutes in the same solvent system. When substituted into a typical ROWPU for an actual reverse osmosis (RO) element, the drop in hydrostatic pressure is effected by an aperture or series of apertures which allow passage of liquid directly from the intake liquid piping to the purified effluent piping. The hydrostatic pressure of the waste effluent is similar to the pressure present in the waste effluent when an actual RO element is operating in a ROWPU.

Abstract: A fuel cell and a boiler are coupled in such a manner that the water used to capture excess heat generated by the fuel cell is used for boiler feedwater heating. In one embodiment, steam generated by the boiler is used in an operation that converts the steam to condensate, and the condensate is returned to the fuel cell for use as a heat sink for the thermal energy generated within the fuel cell unit.

Abstract: Flue gas is captured from an emissions stack and recirculated to a burner by an induced flue gas recirculation system comprising: a mixing assembly for mixing combustion air and recirculated flue gas into a substantially homogeneous mix; a burner assembly for mixing and combusting the combustible mix with a fuel to produce a flue gas; an injection assembly, connected to and downstream from the mixing assembly and connected to and upstream from the burner assembly, for receiving the combustible mix from the mixing assembly and injecting it with the combustible fuel into the burner assembly; a combustion chamber connected to and downstream of the burner assembly for containing the combustible mix and flue gas; an emissions stack connected to and downstream from the combustion chamber for venting the flue gas from the combustion chamber; recirculating means for recirculating a portion of the flue gas from the emissions stack to the mixing assembly; and a purge assembly connected to the recirculating means for re

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlling the burning of a volatile waste liquid together with a conventional fuel in a boiler in the form of a free-standing module which contains a flow-control valve for the waste liquid. This system includes a means for monitoring the position to the fuel-control valve for the conventional fuel and a separate means for monitoring the position of a controlled valve for feeding of the volatile liquid. The two monitoring means are coupled and comparisons are made of the relative valve positions indicated thereby. The process controller used for such comparison contols a valve which stops the flow of volatile liquid to the burner in the event that more than a predetermined discrepancy occurs between the indicated valve positions. Said controller may also be employed to correct the valve position. Other features include a reverse purge pumping system which is actuated upon shutdown of volatile fuel flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and supporting confronting pipe or tube sections to be welded together. An elongated supporting table is provided with a pair of inwardly grooved tracks and various pipe secondary support members are also provided to mate with the tracks and to hold several pipe or tube arrangements utilizing conventional T-fittings, 45.degree. and 90.degree. elbow fittings, nozzle fittings, etc. The apparatus permits minimal setup time, proper alignment, stability during welding and the use of conventional orbital pipe welding heads and a smooth angular welding surface free from interference by prior art longitudinally disposed clamping external members.

Abstract: A spirally-wrapped reverse osmosis membrane cell employing an envelope of semipermeable membrane sheets spirally wound or wrapped about a tubular mandrel. The convolutions of the membrane assembly are separated to form an open channel, directed feed flow path leading into a lateral opening or series of openings in a communicating tubular member defining an unobstructed bore throughout its length. The feed separator may comprise a plurality of substantially parallel strips of impermeable material of a thickness sufficient to provide desired separation between membrane sheets and wherein the strips define a meandering fluid flow path throughout the length and width of the membrane sheet.

Abstract: An incineration system utilizes a circular cross-section pyrolysis chamber in which waste materials are gasified. A flat cast iron hearth serves as the floor of the pyrolysis chamber and has a number of small holes which are raised above the general hearth level by a number of nipples. The bolted front head of the chamber has a vertically movable front door. When raised, the hinged door assembly may be opened by unscrewing a pair of locking mechanisms which seal the door to a vertically movable frame. Ash removal may be accomplished by partially raising the entire structure, rather than opening the door. The ash ram is rectangular, covers a substantial area of the chamber floor when extended, and utilizes a unique cable and cylinder ram moving system. An air plenum above the chamber also acts as a platform, allowing inspection and maintenance to take place on top of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for aseptically filling and sealing preformed bags includes a carousel table supporting a number of bags along its periphery, each bag having a nozzle initially sealed by a diaphragm. As the carousel table brings an individual bag under a sterile docking unit, that unit lowers over the bag and showers the nozzle and diaphragm with HEPA filtered air to remove particulate matter and bioburden. A flash heat sterilizer sterilizes the diaphragm and the top of the nozzle and at least partially melts the diaphragm. A heat sterilized fill pipe descends, piercing the diaphragm and filling the bag. When filling is completed, the fill pipe partially withdraws, the lower portion of the pipe remaining inserted in the nozzle. A heat sealer then seals the nozzle below the tip of the pipe. The pipe completely withdraws, the sterile docking unit moves clear of the bag, and the carousel table rotates, thus moving an empty bag into position for filling.

Abstract: A system for utilizing a fuel having a high ash content, water content in excess of 50% and large particles of combustibles is shown which includes a holding tank for the fuel. Fuel is circulated in the holding tank to maintain the consistency of the fuel and a metered portion is removed, strained and fed to a combustion device. The combustion device is a fire tube boiler for generating steam and includes a furnace tube insulated with refractory material extending for its entire length. The system mixes a preselected amount of atomized fuel with combustion air and natural gas. Special ash and particulate accumulation means are provided in the boiler. The boiler also has a water spraying system in its combustion chamber to reduce combustion temperature and increases water content of the combustion mixture based on the temperature of the combustion gases at the end of the furnace tube. Finally, when the boiler is shut off, the entire system, including a bypass system, may be purged by air or water.

Abstract: A threshold scale inhibitor for aqueous solutions containing calcium and magnesium scale forming ions comprises a mixture of three components: a maleic acid or anhydride homopolymer, an organophosphonate and a sulfonated styrene-maleic acid copolymer. Synergism results from the use of such inhibitor. The inhibitor is useful for inhibiting scale formation with seawater distillation apparatus, reverse osmosis apparatus, electrodialysis apparatus, boilers, heat exchange systems, etc. and is employed in small amounts, such as 0.1 ppm to 200 ppm.

Abstract: A flue gas recirculation system for fire tube boilers includes a duct connected to the boiler gas discharge stack and to a fan. Another duct couples the fan to a specially designed burner in the boiler. Recirculated flue gas is injected downstream of the fuel/air mixture in the burner and cools the flame leading to substantially reduce the NO.sub.x content in the boiler stack emissions. The burner includes conventional damper and air diffuser systems and a plurality of openings near the inner end of the burner housing, through which the boiler fuel is admitted and mixed with the air. A plurality of slots are formed at the outlet end of the burner, the slots being coupled to an annular chamber surrounding the burner. The duct from the recirculation fan is coupled to such annular chamber. Recirculation of between about fifteen to twenty percent of the flue gas in the above-described device can result in NO.sub.

Abstract: An incinerator for burning waste material includes an outer steel housing having a refractory liner that defines a combustion chamber. A series of channels are secured to the inner surface of the housing and provide vertical air flow passages. The lower ends of the passages are open to the atmosphere, while the upper ends are connected to a plenum and air is drawn through the passages by a blower to thereby preheat the air and cool the outer housing. A portion of the preheated air is directed to the stack for secondary combustion purposes, while a second portion of the preheated air is returned through vertical passages in the end of the housing to a pair of lower plenums and then introduced into the lower end of the combustion chamber for primary combustion purposes. The incinerator also has an improved feed assembly for feeding waste material to the combustion chamber, which includes a hopper, a triple hydraulic cylinder and a ram movable within the hopper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of spirally fluted tubes and which comprises a rotatable die for receiving the tube longitudinally therethrough during the forming operation for controlling the outer diameter thereof, a clamping apparatus for engaging the outer periphery of the tube and mounted on a movable base member for pulling the tube through the die, forming tools carried by the die for selectively exerting pressure against the outer periphery of the tube during the longitudinal movement thereof, and a reciprocal forming tool chuck apparatus engagable with the forming tools for controlling the inwardly directed pressure thereof against the tube to produce variable depth spiral grooves therealong.

Abstract: A bio-mass suspension burner for use with furnaces or boilers includes a delivery system for injecting particulate solid fuel into a combustor. A primary air stream mixes with and conducts the fuel into the combustor. Secondary air is introduced at the point of ignition, while tertiary air is introduced tangentially to maintain a cyclonic vortex. The burning, gasified fuel exits the combustor through a nozzle where quartiary air is introduced to burn the gas. Proper flame stability, gasification and ash fusion control is achieved by regulation of the various air streams.

Abstract: The dual cannister gas housing of the present invention permits combustion of two separate gases of different heating values for industrial applications. The housing includes a first annular chamber surrounding a combustion zone, the first chamber receiving a first gas. Holes in the inner wall of the chamber permit entry of the first gas into the combustion zone. A second chamber surrounds the first chamber and receives a second gas. Tubes connect the second chamber to the combustion zone, the tubes passing through the first chamber to prevent mixing of gas. The number and size of the tubes and holes are selected for each application to insure proper entry velocity and pressure drop for the first and second gases.

Abstract: A combustion device includes a fuel-air ratio controller. A control is coupled to receive a first signal functionally related to the status of the fuel-air controller and a second signal from an oxygen sensor which is functionally related to the oxygen in the discharge gases from the combustion zone. The control is operative to provide an output signal to a fuel regulator for adjusting the fuel delivered to the combustion zone in relation to the oxygen in the discharge gases.