Abstract: A thermal treating apparatus and process providing convection thermal transfer for elevated processing temperatures and chemical treatment. A recirculation plenum for passage of spent treatment fluid from and fresh treatment fluid to a treatment chamber may contain a thermal control source, a chemical control source, and a blower to provide predetermined programmable temperatures and chemical environments to articles in the treatment chamber. Decreasing cross sectional areas along the length of the treatment chamber cause introduction of fresh treatment fluid at different locations along the length of the treatment chamber to achieve desired uniform thermal and chemical treatment of articles along the length of the treatment chamber.

Abstract: An improved convector plate is provided for a batch coil annealing furnace. The plate includes a top annular plate, an identical bottom annular plate and an annular diverter plate in between. A plurality of slotted openings are provided in the top and bottom plates which extend radially outwardly from a first imaginary circle spaced from the inner peripheral edge of the top and bottom plates to an imaginary second circle spaced inwardly from the top and bottom plate's outer peripheral edge. The annular diverter plate is radially centered within the slotted openings. When the convector plate is placed between the edges of two coils, furnace atmosphere flows into the convector plate in the space between the top and bottom plates and is directed by the diverter plate into the slotted openings which are now covered by the coil edges thus establishing improved convective heat transfer rates with the coil edges resulting in shorter annealing process times.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a long, thin-shelled heat transfer tube closed at one end and secured at the other end to a manifold collar which has an exhaust tube extending from the center thereof and a manifold housing extending from the collar side opposite that from which the heat transfer tube extends. A plurality of longitudinally extending distributor tubes extend from the heat transfer tube through the collar in fluid communication with a sealed manifold chamber and a plurality of orifices spaced at longitudinal increments along the length of each distributor tube permits the wind mass in the manifold chamber to exit the orifices as high speed, free-standing gas jets for impingement against the interior of the heat transfer tube so that the heat transfer tube acts either as a heat source or as a heat sink.

Abstract: An improved seal arrangement is disclosed for use in batch coil annealing furnaces. The furnace has extending from its base a pair of cylindrical upright supports having exposed membrane engaging seal edges and between which an underpressure chamber is formed. The inner cover which removably rests on the base, has an annular top plate extending radially outwardly from its sidewall adjacent the cover's bottom end. Extending vertically downwardly from the top plate are concentric inner and outer clamp mechanisms which clamp flat annular elastomer seal therebetween. An overpressure chamber is formed between the seal and the top plate and when the inner cover is seated on the base, an underpressure chamber is formed between the seal and the upright supports.

Abstract: A high temperature, low NO.sub.x industrial furnace uses coal-fired burners placed in an arcuate heat track conduit which heats an arcuately configured wall member extending through an opening in the heat track conduit. The heated portion of the wall member rotates out of the heat track conduit to indirectly heat a bundle or bank of heat exchange tubes while an unheated wall portion moves into the opening vacated by the heated wall portion. The regenerative heated wall member thus permits the heat exchange tube bundle to be heated to high temperature without exposure to the burner products of combustion. The coal-fired burners are operated substoichiometrically to produce combustibles and a free-standing, jet entrainment arrangement is utilized to achieve staged combustion to avoid NO.sub.x formation.

Abstract: An improved convective heat transfer arrangement is disclosed achieving overall heat transfer efficiencies in the neighborhood of 30 Btu/(hr. ft.sup.2 .degree.F.). A heat transfer conduit including a heat transfer wall is axially divided into a plurality of axially extending heat transfer chambers by a plurality of transversely extending baffles. Each baffle is especially configured to have an axially extending recess formed therein through which extends an orifice opening. Heat transfer gas pumped through the conduit cascades through the heat transfer chambers forming and reforming nascent free standing jet streams through each baffle orifice which impinge the heat transfer wall to achieve very high heat transfer coefficients while efficiently utilizing the available heat in the heat transfer gas.

Abstract: An improved cooling cover is disclosed for use in bell shaped annealing furnaces. The cooling cover includes a jet nozzle orifice arrangement which develops jet streams from a low pressurized supply of air at ambient temperature in the plenum chamber of the cooling cover. A multitude of free standing jet streams thus impinge the inner cover of the bell shaped annealing stand to produce improved cooling times. Importantly, the plenum chamber includes strategically placed axial jet pump outlets which are effective to draw the jet streams from the cooling cover after they have been in heat transfer contact with the inner cover in a distribution pattern which is not altered so that the work or coils within the inner cover can be more uniformly cooled than heretofore possible.

Abstract: A simplified, low cost absorption heat pump includes a single pressure vessel having first and second insulated compartments in unrestricted fluid communication with one another and containing, hermetically sealed, a working medium. A heat transfer ar is used to maintain the compartments at differential temperatures, but equal pressures so that the absorption cycle proceeds in a two-stage, batch mode, namely boiling of the working medium in the first compartment and simultaneous condensing in the second compartment during the first stage and evaporating in the second compartment and simultaneous absorbing in the first compartment during the second stage. The heat transfer arrangement then utilizes the heat given off or taken in during the absorption cycle for heating/air conditioning in a conventional manner.

Abstract: An improved convective heat transfer arrangement is disclosed achieving overall heat transfer efficiencies in the neighborhood of 30 Btu/(hr. ft.sup.2 .degree. F.). A heat transfer conduit including a heat transfer wall is axially divided into a plurality of axially extending heat transfer chambers by a plurality of transversely extending baffles. Each baffle is especially configured to have an axially extending recess formed therein through which extends an orifice opening. Heat transfer gas pumped through the conduit cascades through the heat transfer chambers forming and reforming nascent free standing jet streams through each baffle orifice which impinge the heat transfer wall to achieve very high heat transfer coefficients while efficiently utilizing the available heat in the heat transfer gas.

Abstract: A radiant tube heater is provided for a gas fired burner which fires heated products of combustion into an inner longitudinally-extending tube which is concentrically pinned to an outer longitudinally-extending tube which in turn is concentrically mounted within a heat transfer, tube which radiates heat to work. The outer and inner transfer tubes have closed axial ends opposite the burner and the inner tube is radially spaced closely adjacent the outer tube to define an annular heat transfer passage therebetween. A specific hole size pattern in the inner and outer tubes in combination with the radial distance of the heat transfer passage insure long path gas flow lengths which promote laminar flow and even heat distribution along the length thereof thus producing a radiant tube which radiates heat uniformly from the heat transfer tube to the work along its length.

Abstract: A high temperature, low NO.sub.x industrial furnace coal-fired burners placed in an arcuate heat track conduit which heats an arcuately configured wall member extending through an opening in the heat track conduit. The heated portion of the wall member rotates out of the heat track conduit to indirectly heat a bundle or bank of heat exchange tubes while an unheated wall portion moves into the opening vacated by the heated wall portion. The regenerative heated wall member thus permits the heat exchange tube bundle to be heated to high temperature without exposure to the burner products of combustion. The coal-fired burners are operated substoichiometrically to produce combustibles and a free-standing, jet entrainment arrangement is utilized to achieve staged combustion to avoid NO.sub.x formation.

Abstract: A hybrid burner system is disclosed which incorporates features of continuous burners and pulse combustion devices. A combustion chamber is fitted with one-way air inlet valves, an orificed or small sized exhaust outlet valve and a pressurized, gas inlet which is externally actuated in a periodic manner to produce combustion pulses during operation. The combustion pulses generate heat, force the products of combustion from the burner chamber and cause combustion air to periodically enter the chamber in a self-aspirating manner. Combustion occurs silently during the entire time the fuel is externally pulsed because of the way a fuel/air mixture is developed in a chamber which is filled with combustion air prior to fuel introduction. A spark plug electrode-stabilizing rod arrangement insures consistent ignition while a flame front is stabilized and propagated.

Abstract: An in situ thermal system is disclosed for enhanced oil recovery and the like from a subterranean formation. The system pressurizes the formation with water whereupon the entire formation is heated to relatively high temperatures in the absence of gas formation to significantly decrease the viscosity of substantially all the crude in the formation and permit recovery thereof. A down hole, fuel fired radiant tube burner of long length is provided to achieve the desired heat patterns within the formation. The burner includes three concentric, closed end tubes with the innermost tube containing a burner and spaced closely adjacent the intermediate tube. A hole pattern in the innermost and intermediate tube establishes a laminar flow of the burner's products of combustion therebetween which modifies the radiation heat flux pattern so that uniform heat is emitted from the outermost tube along its length.

Abstract: A high temperature gas fired heat transfer system ideally suited for melting metals is disclosed. The system generates a heated, reducing furnace atmosphere which prevents formation of metal oxides when the metal is melted. A unique arrangement is provided to draw a portion of the reducing atmosphere from the furnace and combust the drawn furnace atmosphere with high speeds jets of preheated combustion air which convectively impinge and heat the surface of an object to a super heat temperature. That surface is then moved into the furnace enclosure to indirectly heat by radiation and melt the metal at high throughput rates.

Abstract: An in situ thermal system is disclosed for enhanced oil recovery and the like from a subterranean formation. The system pressurizes the formation with water whereupon the entire formation is heated to relatively high temperatures in the absence of gas formation to significantly decrease the viscosity of substantially all the crude in the formation and permit recovery thereof. A down hole, fuel fired radiant tube burner of long length is provided to achieve the desired heat patterns within the formation.

Abstract: A hybrid burner system is disclosed which incorporates features of continuous burners and pulse combustion devices. A combustion chamber is fitted with one-way air inlet valves, a restricted or one-way exhaust outlet valve and a pressurized, gas inlet which is externally actuated in a periodic manner to produce combustion pulses during operation. The combustion pulses generate heat, force the products of combustion from the burner chamber and cause combustion air to periodically enter the chamber in a self-aspirating manner. Combustion occurs silently during the entire time the fuel is externally pulsed. A spark plug electrode - stabilizing rod arrangement insures consistent ignition while a flame front is stabilized and propagated at the rod. The burner arrangement is self-contained in a recirculating heat exchange application where a pulse opening is provided at a precise position relative to the heat combustion chamber.

Abstract: An in situ system for thermally cleansing hazardous and toxic waste disposal sites is disclosed. The system includes a perimeter wall extending into the site which is sealed to a roof structure surrounding the site to encapsulate the site. A plurality of tubes are sunk into the encapsulated site in a geometric pattern and are directly heated to indirectly heat the site. In time, the temperature of the entire site is raised to a level where the waste is volatilized and the volatiles are collected in the roof and subsequently incinerated.

Abstract: A liquid fuel fired apparatus and method for the efficient distribution and utilization of heat in the melting of a particulate feedstock. The feedstock is preheated to an incipient softening point temperature in a vertically disposed shaft. The column of feedstock in the shaft is supported on the top of a freestanding pile of feedstock disposed on the floor of a surrounding melting chamber having downwardly diverging sidewalls. Liquid fuel burners direct hot combustion products towards and around the base and intermediate portions of the feedstock pile causing the outside of the pile to be melted. Gas at a temperature below the softening point temperature of the feedstock is introduced around the top of the pile to prevent the hot gases in the lower portion of the melting chamber from prematurely melting the feedstock.