Abstract: A refractory block for a burner comprises a collection chamber that receives the nozzle of a burner. A primary combustion passage extends horizontally from the collection chamber. Also, two secondary air passages extend from the collection chamber and diverge outwardly and upwardly to provide for secondary air outlets vertically above and on either side of the main combustion outlet. By delaying complete combustion, NOx emissions are reduced.

Abstract: An immersion tube burner having stable ignition and flame over a wide range of firing rates. The burner includes a restriction orifice located between the fan and the burner nozzle for minimizing pulsations of air pressure fluctuations between the fan and nozzle. The orifice is sized so that the air velocity is greater through the orifice than at the nozzle so that any such pulsations are directed downstream of the nozzle rather than upstream, where they can affect the flame. The burner includes a burner nozzle having a cone shaped mixing plate. The angled shape of the plate re-circulates hot gases towards the base of the flame to thereby ensure more consistent ignition and combustion. The mixing plate further has holes arranged in primary and secondary zones. The holes of the primary zone are located within approximately five times the diameter of the fuel outlet ports so that the fuel exiting such ports has sufficient velocity to optimize mixing.

Abstract: A self-grounding igniter for an industrial burner that is more durable and less fragile, by virtue of the insulating jacket being relatively short and limited to the tip end of the igniter. The burner has a final inlet, an air inlet, a housing and a burner nozzle inside the housing. The igniter comprises a metal rod having a discharge electrode at one end and a mount and connector at the other end. The connector is adapted to be electrically coupled to a power source. An insulating jacket circumscribes a top end segment of the metal rod in proximity to the discharge electrode. A ground electrode metal sleeve is mounted to the outside of the insulating jacket in fixed proximity to the discharge electrode, thereby forming a spark gap having a fixed distance. This configuration provides an exposed metal surface on the rod between the insulating jacket and the mount. The exposed metal surface has a length substantially corresponding to the distance between the housing and the burner nozzle.

Abstract: A nozzle for a recuperative radiant tube burner system is constructed to provide uniform combustion along the length of the inner tube. The nozzle includes combustion air ports disposed at compound angles and having different axial components to provide staged mixing of air and fuel. The staged mixing produces a combustible mixture along the length of the tube to produce a more uniform flame. The nozzle further has an outer wall disposed normal to the combustion air ports to improve air flow through the ports. A fuel outlet tube has relief ports for continuing fuel flow in the event that a main orifice is plugged, which may result from air pressure fluctuations in the burner system.

Abstract: A burner nozzle having stable ignition and flame over a wide range of firing rates. The nozzle has a mixing plate which has air holes arranged in separate primary and secondary zones. The holes of the primary zone are located within approximately five times the diameter of fuel outlet ports so that the fuel exiting such ports has sufficient velocity to optimize mixing. The holes in the secondary zone are located farther away from the ports so that complete mixing takes place downstream of the nozzle. As a result, the present invention provides a burner nozzle with improved flame stability during ignition and operation and improved control over the amount of immediate and downstream combustion. The division of the mixing plate into primary and secondary zones further provides increased control over the amount of immediate and downstream combustion taking place.

Abstract: A control system for a multiple burner furnace has a programmable processor interfaced to hardware input and output circuitry associated with the furnace. The programmed processor provides a number of operating modules including a polling module, a startup module, a run module, and an alarm module. The processor and the associated hardware are interlocked in such a fashion that safe operation of the furnace is assured. For example, watchdog timers driven from the processor are interlocked with flame sensing hardware to control the main fuel valve and prevent fuel from flowing to the furnace in the event of either hardware or software malfunction. The safety features are equivalent to or better than a hardwired dedicated control system, while providing additional program-related flexibility and functionality.

Abstract: A mixing device and a combustor provided with such a device. The mixing device includes tangentially oblique passages for combustion air. Fuel gas is admitted into the passages with a light fuel preferably at the outer side of the passages. Further, the mixing device contains a tapered down portion ending in a sharp edge after which a considerably broader combustion chamber is present.