Abstract: An object of this invention is to reduce the amount of substantially pure oxygen required during heating, refining and melting operations in metallurgical processes.In accordance with the invention, a burner (10) is provided in which air is aspirated and mixed with fuel and substantially pure oxygen. Additionally, swirl vanes (26) are provided to impart a swirling motion to the gasses in the burner, producing a flame which is distributed over a greater volume of the charge to be heated in the furnace. The aspirated air contains nitrogen which is heated by the combustion flame and is dissipated through the charge to assist in the melt down of the charge. Oxygen is introduced into the burner through a nozzle (22), which extends into the throat of the burner tube (12), forming a venturi (20,21) to aspirate the air into the burner.

Abstract: A fuel preheater for an internal combustion engine is described including a hollow housing which is mounted within an insulated cover. The hollow housing is provided with a fuel inlet at its upper end which is in communication with the engine fuel pump. A valve member is vertically movably mounted in the fuel inlet and is adapted to close the fuel inlet at times. A fuel atomizer is provided on the lower end of the valve member for atomizing the fuel supplied thereto. A float is mounted within the housing and is operatively connected to the valve member for closing the valve member upon a predetermined level of fuel accumulating in the lower end of the housing. Insulated electrical leads extend through the housing below the fuel atomizer for heating the atomized fuel. The housing is provided with a fuel discharge which is in communication with the carburetor of the engine. An air inlet is provided at one end of the housing to permit heated air to pass therethrough.