Abstract: A method and apparatus for a burner adapted to heat a furnace or other environment of use. In particular, a burner for providing a fuel gas in combination with an oxidant to effect controlled reaction of the fuel gas in a manner to reduce NOx emissions is described. Combustion of the fuel gas is shifted from the burner combustor to a location outside the burner once the temperature within the furnace/radiant tube has reached a sufficient level to complete combustion of the fuel gas.

Abstract: A burner and an improved heat recuperator for a burner. The heat recuperator has a tubular body including a plurality of fins extending radially outward from the tubular body. The plurality of fins are disposed in a plurality of segments arranged longitudinally along the tubular body with the plurality of fins in each segment being disposed about a circumference of the tubular body. Adjacent segments of fins being circumferentially offset with one another.

Abstract: A method of operating a burner includes providing supplying a combustible mixture containing a ratio of fuel and air that is incapable of maintaining a stable flame to a combustion chamber. The combustible mixture is ignited by an igniter, and presence of a flame is sensed. The igniter is maintained active to sustain combustion of the combustible mixture within the combustion chamber so that a space exterior to the combustion chamber is heated to a temperature at or above an auto-ignition temperature of the combustible mixture. The temperature of the space exterior is monitored and the combustible mixture is provided at a second flow rate, which is higher than the first flow rate, to extinguish the flame in the combustion chamber such that combustion occurs in the space exterior to the combustion chamber. When combustion occurs in the space exterior to the combustion chamber, the igniter is deactivated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a burner adapted to heat a furnace or other environment of use. In particular, a burner for providing a fuel gas in combination with an oxidant to effect controlled reaction of the fuel gas in a manner to reduce NOx emissions is described. Combustion of the fuel gas is shifted from the burner combustor to a location outside the burner once the temperature within the furnace/radiant tube has reached a sufficient level to complete combustion of the fuel gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a burner adapted to heat a furnace or other environment of use. In particular, a burner for providing a fuel gas in combination with an oxidant to effect controlled reaction of the fuel gas in a manner to reduce NOx emissions is described. Combustion of the fuel gas is shifted from the burner combustor to a location outside the burner once the temperature within the furnace/radiant tube has reached a sufficient level to complete combustion of the fuel gas.

Abstract: A burner having a fuel tube, a heat recuperator disposed at least partially around the fuel tube, a cover disposed at least partially around the heat recuperator, and a housing coupled to the fuel tube. The housing has an air inlet, an exhaust outlet, and an eductor body. The eductor body has a first pathway for directing inlet air toward the heat recuperator and a second pathway directing inlet air into the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: A burner and an improved heat recuperator for a burner. The heat recuperator has a tubular body including a plurality of fins extending radially outward from the tubular body. The plurality of fins are disposed in a plurality of segments arranged longitudinally along the tubular body with the plurality of fins in each segment being disposed about a circumference of the tubular body. Adjacent segments of fins being circumferentially offset with one another.

Abstract: A radiant tube burner system comprises a novel flue gas recirculating assembly for reducing nitrous oxides emissions. In the burner system, the combustion air conduit running to the radiant tube burner intersects the exhaust conduit at a location between the radiant tube and the eventual exhaust outlet. A venturi is formed at this intersection. The venturi is configured to suction a portion of the flue gas from the exhaust conduit into the combustion air flow. The assembly includes a may be interposed along the exhaust conduit mounted directly between the radiant tube and a downstream section of the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A radiant tube burner system comprises a novel flue gas recirculating assembly for reducing nitrous oxides emissions. In the burner system, the combustion air conduit running to the radiant tube burner intersects the exhaust conduit at a location between the radiant tube and the eventual exhaust outlet. A venturi is formed at this intersection. The venturi is configured to suction a portion of the flue gas from the exhaust conduit into the combustion air flow. The assembly includes a may be interposed along the exhaust conduit mounted directly between the radiant tube and a downstream section of the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: An integral industrial burner package has been described. The burner housing includes a blower housing integral to the burner housing for housing a blower motor and fan. Burner components are mounted on the blower housing and are cooled by blower inlet air flowing over the components. The blower output air flows through a collection chamber integral to the housing and into an air conduit formed within the burner housing. A fuel conduit is provided within the air conduit and is connected to a nozzle internal to a combustion chamber where the fuel and air is mixed and ignited.

Abstract: An air heating burner having improved CO emissions across a broad range of heat inputs. The burner incorporates wings which cover portions of mixing plates associated with low to medium-low fire. The wings reduce air flow velocity to eliminate quenching during such conditions, thereby increasing combustion temperature and reducing CO emissions. The wings also form pre-heat chambers which further increase combustion temperature. The burner produces a substantially consistent level of CO emissions across the range of inputs, regardless of the pressure drop across the burner.

Abstract: An air heating burner having improved CO emissions across a broad range of heat inputs. The burner incorporates wings which cover portions of mixing plates associated with low to medium-low fire. The wings reduce air flow velocity to eliminate quenching during such conditions, thereby increasing combustion temperature and reducing CO emissions. The wings also form pre-heat chambers which further increase combustion temperature. The burner produces a substantially consistent level of CO emissions across the range of inputs, regardless of the pressure drop across the burner.

Abstract: A nozzle adapted for use in a high excess air burner. The nozzle includes three combustion chambers and an outer flame retention ring for supporting combustion of gaseous fuel over a range of volumetric flow rates. Combustion air is staged to each of the combustion chambers and to the outer flame retention ring for mixing with the fuel to form a combustible fuel-air mixture. Combustion occurs in the first combustion chamber at relatively low flow rates of fuel. Combustion occurs in the second and third combustion chambers and the outer flame retention ring with increasingly higher fuel flow rates. The second combustion chamber is configured with a radially inwardly converging sidewall to provide for a smooth transition of the flame between the second and third combustion chambers.

Abstract: A mixing unit for mixing gaseous fuel and combustion air includes a fuel supply chamber adapted to receive a supply of fuel, an air supply chamber adapted to receive a supply of combustion air, and a manifold separating the air supply chamber and a transfer conduit which is adapted to deliver the fuel-air mixture to a burner. The manifold is formed with air ports establishing communication between the air supply chamber and the transfer conduit such that multiple streams of combustion air flow through the manifold and into the transfer conduit. The manifold is further formed with fuel supply cavities which communicate with the fuel supply chamber and which alternate with the air ports in the manifold. Multiple fuel ports connect each air port with the adjacent cavities such that multiple sets of oppositely directed jets of fuel mix with the combustion air as the combustion air flows through the manifold.

Abstract: A standalone modular flame sensor containing a multi-function power supply having outputs for both a flame rod and an ultraviolet transducer. The module also contains interfaces for the ultraviolet transducer and for the flame rod transducer. The interfaces are brought together at a summing junction arranged so that the module will work with either a flame rod, an ultraviolet transducer, or both such transducers. Output circuitry provides not only a flame-on/flame-off indication (both visible via an LED and a switch contact closure), but also provides a continuously variable signal indicating the quality of the sensed flame. The module can be used standalone with either transducer type or incorporated in a more complex control system.

Abstract: A burner head for a recuperative radiant tube burner system is constructed so as to effect clean burning of a gaseous fuel such as butane having a relatively high heat value. The burner head includes a sleeve having a frustoconical section formed with combustion air ports which cause combustion air to spin and mix thoroughly with butane discharged from a gas nozzle having a discharge orifice located downstream of certain ones of the combustion air ports.

Abstract: A plug-type gas valve in which a key with a radially extending passageway is supported to rotate between open and closed positions within a bore in a valve body, the passageway establishing communication between diametrically spaced inlet and outlet ports when the key is in its open position. O-rings are positioned in grooves formed in the outer surface of the key above and below the passageway and seal against the wall of the bore in the body to prevent leakage. To lubricate the O-rings and further guard against leakage, grease is injected into pairs of axially extending grease channels formed in the outer surface of the key. To prevent the grease from being blown out of the valve by high pressure when the valve is partially open, one grease channel of each pair communicates only with the upper O-ring groove while the other grease channel of each pair communicates only with the lower O-ring groove.

Abstract: An industrial burner in which gaseous fuel is supplied to a mixing and combustion zone within a burner body by way of a conical distribution manifold formed with annular rows of gas discharge ports. A separate passage for pilot gas is formed through the manifold and terminates as an isolated pilot port which discharges a jet of pilot gas for establishing a pilot flame uses to ignite the main gas. Combustor plates surround the gas manifold and are formed with air passages which are so angled and so located as to form canopies of air jets over the fuel jets, the air jets intersecting each other at a significant distance from the center line of the burner.

Abstract: A recuperative heat exchanger having a heat exchamber core composed of a plurality of spaced apart plate members is disclosed. The core is disposed for receiving high temperature exhaust gases. A case member is positioned around the heat exchanger core. The case member has an exhaust gas inlet opening and an exhaust gas discharge opening. The plates of the core are secured to the case member at the exhaust gas inlet opening. A jacket is positioned in a spaced apart relationship around the case member. The jacket has an intake opening and an exhaust opening. The intake opening of the jacket is in alignment with the exhaust gas inlet opening of the case member and the exhaust opening in the jacket is in alignment with exhaust gas discharge opening in the case member. The case member is secured to the jacket at the exhaust gas discharge. The core and case member of the heat exchanger are capable of expansion and contraction in the jacket during the operation of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A recuperative radiant tube heating system in which a recuperator tube telescoped into a radiant tube and over a burner assembly is formed as three interconnected sections to facilitate manufacture of the recuperator tube, to facilitate assembly of the recuperator tube with the burner head of the burner assembly and to enable easy replacement of that portion of the recuperator tube which is most susceptible to burn out. The burner head includes a nozzle having gas discharge ports which are angled in such a manner as to effect good mixing of the gas with combustion air while reducing the likelihood of the ports becoming clogged with carbon.