Abstract: Apparatus to burn liquid fuels in a gaseous fuel burner, which includes preparatory apparatus for the atomization of liquid fuel oil preferably by a diluent gas, and the heating of the fuel droplets and diluent gas so as to completely vaporize the liquid fuel. If atomization is by other means, diluent gas is added prior to vaporization heating. The resulting oil vapor-diluent gas mixture then goes to a burner which utilizes the central orifice of a conventional gas burner. Primary air is induced into the burner tube due to the high velocity of jets of oil vapor-diluent gas. The diluent gas permits low vapor pressure of oil vapor and thus lower operating temperature. For the use of gaseous fuel, the same burner is utilized. The diluent gas can be preferably any noncombustible and non-oxygen containing gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for burning the gaseous and carbon particulate products from a kiln in which carbon is being calcined, including a pair of vertical cylindrical vessels, to which the effluent products of calcining are carried, by means of an input conduit, which enters the first vessel in a tangential manner near the bottom end, so that the gases will circulate circumferentially in a spinning flow inside of the vessel, as they progress upwardly to a outlet near the top of the first vessel, which leaves tangentially, and passes to the second vessel and enters it tangentially. The gases then circulate around the inner wall of the second vessel spin flowing downwardly, where they leave near the bottom to enter the stack. Means are provided on the entrance conduit for injecting combustion air into the inlet conduit prior to entry of the effluent products into the first vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for smoke suppression in the burning of waste gases in flare stack, comprising a conduit means through which waste gases are flowed, under pressure, to a flare stack; a source of hot water in the range of 200.degree. to 250.degree. F. in temperature, or higher, and a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying the hot water, in the form of cones of fine droplets of water, which by their high velocity thoroughly mix with the flowing waste gas, and provide a water vapor content mixed with the waste gases in the range of at least 6% mole percent, or more. Means are provided for control of the rate of flow of hot water dependent on the temperature of the water and dependent upon, at least, the mass flow rate of waste gases to the flare.

Abstract: Apparatus for attachment to a furnace system for indicating furnace draft, comprising piezometric chamber means for indicating true average atmospheric pressure, connected by a small diameter pressure tube to an inclined tube draft manometer, the second end of which is inserted through the wall of the furnace to the interior thereof. The piezometric chamber comprises a first vertical elongated pipe, closed at top and bottom, with a plurality of small diameter ports drilled near the base and evenly spaced around the circumference. A second pipe of smaller diameter is inserted co-axially through the bottom closure. The smaller pipe has an annular baffle plate attached about its outer surface inside of the larger pipe, to provide a narrow annular passage for air flow from the ports to and from the interior of the smaller second pipe.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system which can be attached to, and made part of, an existing thermal oxidizer-stack system, at minimum cost, without reducing the reliability of the existing oxidizer-stack system. It comprises a conventional heat transfer means, which is connected at its input through a refractory lined first conduit, to an opening through the wall of the first stack of the thermal oxidizer-stack system. The outlet of the heat exchanger is connected through a second conduit to an induced draft means, which can be a conventional blower, the outlet of which is connected to a second stack. The action of the induced draft blower is to cause inflow of hot stack gases through the first conduit and through the heat exchanger and to pass the cooled stack gases out the second stack. A first temperature sensor is placed in the stack between the inlet from the thermal oxidizer and the opening where the gases are drawn into the first conduit. A second thermal sensor is placed in the first conduit.

Abstract: A regenerative tile structure for fluid fuel burners having a zirconium oxide coated metal flange shaped member providing a central orifice for producing a significant and very rapid increase in flame temperature by guided recirculation of hot flame gases.

Abstract: A smokeless burner apparatus for single structure flare systems which is capable of simultaneously burning emergency dumped gases from high and low pressure sources with minimal energy requirements for the low pressure gas combustion.

Abstract: In a fired furnace system having a convection section, and in which control a furnace draft is vital to both fuel conservation and avoidance of furnace damage, apparatus for monitoring the pressure conditions (draft) inside the furnace comprises a first pressure sensor means positioned at the arch (roof) of the furnace, a second pressure sensor means inside the furnace downstream from the convection section, and differential pressure measuring means connected between the first and second means for constantly measuring the pressure drop through the convection section.

Abstract: Apparatus for the injection of steam for the smokeless combustion of waste gases, comprising an annular chamber of substantially the same inner diameter as the top of the flare stack, the chamber mounted on top of the flare stack and extending outwardly a selected radial distance, and vertically a selected height above the top of the flare stack. Steam is supplied to this annular chamber. A plurality of circumferentially spaced pipes are provided in the top of the annular chamber and are deflected outwardly in radial planes at selected angles. There are a plurality of inwardly and upwardly directed orifices for the injection of steam into the flame of the burning gases above the top of the annular chamber as well as to the gases prior to emergence for burning. Additionally, there may be a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial pipes inserted through the inner wall of the annular chamber in a horizontal plane a selected distance down from the top of the chamber.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for very rapidly providing a supply of smoke suppressant to a flare stack, upon the incidence of flow, up to 10% of maximum rate of flow, of waste gases, which is provided in addition to the conventional apparatus for controlling the flow of smoke suppressant, such as steam, to the flare stack, upon the initiation of large volumes of waste gas flowing to the flare stack. This improved apparatus comprises a flow detector in the conduit carrying the waste gases to the flare stack, which is sensitive to flows up to 10% of maximum. The outputs of the flow detector, in the form of high and low pressure tubes, are connected to a pressure differential switch, which connects power to an appropriate solenoid valve, which controls a limited flow of smoke suppressant, such as steam, to the flare stack.

Abstract: In the process of assembling long, large diameter cylinders by welding together two or more relatively short cylinders of the same diameter, apparatus for facilitating the butt welding of the two cylinders comprises, a substantially horizontal boom which is supported by a horizontal trolley attached to a first vertical wall. Two circular cylindrical shells are rolled from sheets of the same width and to substantially the same diameter. They are supported on a plurality of pairs of rollers, which are adapted to coaxially support the two cylinders end to end. The boom includes at its outer end a hydraulic cylinder and piston, with the piston carrying a face plate, with the face concave and of the same radius of curvature as the cylinders. There is a second support wall on the side of the cylinders opposite to the boom, so that a force can be exerted by the piston against the cylinders, to reduce the horizontal diameter of one so as to match that of the other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for burning fuels with air, with reduced production of NOx, involves the premixing of water vapor with the fuel prior to the burning operation. Because of the low retention of water vapor at low temperatures, means are provided for preheating the fuel and spraying water into the fuel so that water vapor will be taken up by the heated fuel in sufficient quantity to provide the desired results. Various embodiments of apparatus are illustrated.

Abstract: An improved flare stack for the smokeless burning of smoke prone fuel gases, comprising a cylindrical flare stack, an inner cylindrical conduit which is closed at its bottom end and positioned with its top at substantially the same elevation as the top of the flare stack. The flow of the smoke-prone fuel gas up the stack is diverted into the annular space between the inner conduit and the flare stack, providing an annular flow of fuel gas. Smoke suppressant, such as a mixture of steam and air, is conducted into the inner conduit and vertically upwardly to the top thereof from which it can either continue unaltered flow direction or it can be diverted outwardly and upwardly into the inner wall of the annular flow of gas, to provide quick and intimate mixing of the smoke suppressant with the fuel gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for aeration of water for reduction of the biological oxygen demand, which comprises a cylindrical vessel with vertical axis of selected cross-sectional area and height. A horizontal dividing wall is positioned near the bottom of the vessel. Water enters into the space below the dividing wall and passes upwardly through a plurality of narrow slots spaced equally from each other. An air manifold is provided including a plurality of small diameter pipes, or arms, each of which is positioned over one of the slots in the dividing wall. A plurality of small diameter orifices are drilled on the underside of the arms, divided substantially equally on each side of the center line, so that as the water rises it is immediately contacted by the air bubbles, which issue through these orifices. The air bubbles and liquid would rise in a column above the arms. Near the top of the chamber is a horizontal baffle plate, which has an annular space between its outer circumference and the inner wall of the tank.

Abstract: An improved construction for an upwardly extending flare stack for the emergency venting to the atmosphere of large quantities of combustible gases, such improvement being for the purpose of preventing the inflow, and upstream flow of air, into the flare stack, comprising an annular obstruction means attached to the inner surface of the flare stack a short distance upstream of the downstream end of the stack.

Abstract: A system for creating an alarm whenever the pressure inside of a combustion furnace is higher than atmospheric pressure. The system uses a pressure reference comprising a chamber which is designed to average out momentary wind-induced fluctuations of pressure in the atmosphere and to provide a substantial volume of air inside the chamber which is maintained at an average value of atmospheric pressure. A conduit is passed through the wall of the furnace to the point under the furnace arch where the pressure is to be measured. This conduit is connected by a tubing to the chamber. A temperature sensing means is inserted in the conduit so as to measure the temperature of gas flowing through the tubing from, or to, the furnace. Normally, because of the draft in the furnace, air will flow from the chamber to the furnace.

Abstract: A purifier for handling the high temperature effluent from a blister copper furnace, which includes solid particles in the range from 600 microns, or greater, down to a few microns, which contains oxidizable material, and which is at a high temperature, in the range of 2100.degree. to 2400.degree. F. The effluent from the blister furnace goes first to a settling chamber where the very large particles are caused to settle out by reducing the velocity of the effluent gas. The effluent then goes to a precooler tower which is an adiabatic humidifier, where the temperature is reduced to the neighborhood of 1200.degree. F. by injecting an air-driven water atomizer spray. The effluent then goes to an oxidation tower where the combustibles are oxidized, at lower than flame temperature, by injecting air and recycled gas. The effluent then goes to a conditioning tower which is a second adiabatic humidifier to further cool the gases to the neighborhood of 450.degree. F.

Abstract: An improved burner head for a flare stack for the smokeless combustion of waste combustible gases which comprises an outer and an inner cylindrical conduit, a burner comprising a multiplicity of radial arms attached to the inner cylinder, which is closed off at the top. Means are provided for producing an upward flow of primary combustion air at substantial velocity to flow up the annular space between the inner and outer cylinders and between the radial arms of the burner. Means are provided for conducting the combustible gases upwardly through the inner cylinder and through ports arranged along the radial arms to provide jets of gas directed upwardly and laterally from the arms, so that the jets of gas will turbulently mix with the primary combustion air. A plurality of triangular baffles are positioned symmetrically between each pair of radial arms.

Abstract: A flare for the burning of waste gases which is designed to provide a minimum of noise and smoke pollution, comprising a vertical stack having a shroud in the form of a cylinder surrounding, and spaced outwardly from, the top portion of the stack, and extending above the top of the stack. The space between the shroud and the stack is closed off by an annular plate which serves to support the shroud from the stack. At the top of the shroud is a steam manifold which carries a plurality of steam nozzles spaced angularly around the inner face of the manifold, so as to direct high velocity steam jets inwardly and upwardly toward the axis of the stack. The nozzles are placed on the inner face of the manifold so as to be substantially below and inside of the outer contour of the manifold and the shroud. The outer circumference of the shroud near its bottom end is perforated with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings through which air can pass to the annular space between the shroud and the stack.

Abstract: An air powered flare in which the blower or fan which provides the primary combustion air, is driven by a steam turbine, and the exhaust steam from the turbine is inserted into the stack to be mixed with the compressed primary air moving upwardly to a burner at the top of the flare stack. The mixture of low pressure steam and condensate in the exhaust from the turbine with the primary air serves to chemically improve the combustion of the fuel issuing from the burner, so as to facilitate its complete and smokeless combustion. Alternatively, it is possible to inject live steam into the column of primary combustion air in addition to or in place of the exhaust steam. Further, the live steam, and/or the exhaust steam can be ejected from nozzles surrounding the top of the flare stack and injected directly into the flame above the burner at the top of the flare stack.