Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a substantially stoichiometric combustion of liquid fuels in a burner assembly wherein a stream of compact or atomized fuel is produced by means of an orifice or nozzle (e.g. injection, pressure, rotary atomizing nozzle) and fed into a mixing and atomizing zone in accordance with the preferably adjustable, nozzle input pressure, wherein at least part of the combustion air as an atomizing medium is introduced from the side of the axis of the fuel stream, with the flow of such air being adapted to be controlled with respect to throughput (flow rate) and flow velocity, and including a subsequent combustion of the fuel/air mixture within a combustion zone downstream of said mixing zone.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a rotary kiln or furnace is achieved with a pair of outer sealing rings urged into a pressured sealing engagement by a barrier gas provided at a predetermined pressure from a burette. An internal intermediate ring, preferably formed of a graphite fiber material serves as an inner seal against the direct transfer of internal gases and heat to the outer sealing rings which provide the final sealing against gas escaping during rotation of the inner work support means relative to the outer stationary supporting means. The intermediate ring also acts as a bearing and as a spacer and absorbs compression forces between the turning inner chamber, or grate, and the outer stationary supporting means.

Abstract: A system for sealing the rotary tube of a rotary tubular kiln relative to the casing at inlet and outlet portions with first packings which contact radially extending sealing surfaces, as well as second packings abutting axially extending sealing contact surfaces, as well as at least one sealing ring element receiving said second packings and arranged in concentric relation to said rotary tube, said sealing ring element having a certain degree of axial and radial freedom of movement and being provided with mounting means taking up the weight of said sealing ring element including the weight of said packings, and said sealing ring element being urged in the axial direction, when mounting said first packings, against a sealing contact surface mounted stationarily to said casing, or against said packings secured to said casing.

Abstract: A blackening process of producing an oxide layer consisting predominantly of Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 on an iron surface in an oxidizing atmosphere and at a temperature of from 500.degree. to 650.degree. C, whereby the oxidizing atmosphere is produced by understoichiometrically burnt fuel gas without removal of water from the combustion gases. In the combustion chamber, the apparent reaction temperature is controlled by cooling to provide an apparent reaction temperature of from 500.degree. to 800.degree. C. The combustion products are conducted into a heated blackening chamber at a temperature substantially above the dew point of the combustion products. The CO characteristic of the combustion gases is monitored and is used to control the air and fuel supplies.

Abstract: A tunnel furnace composed of individual sections for the heat treatment of articles which are transported through said tunnel on an air permeable belt whereby each section is separated by shields into a main heating space and a pair of flanking outer spaces in communication with the heating space at the top thereof and below said belt, and circulation fans are disposed within the furnace for circulating air in a continuous path upwards through the conveyor belt and then downwards through the outer spaces. A heater is disposed in each outer space comprising a burner and a pipe elbow section for conducting the flame and the combustion gases, the elbow section having an S-shaped configuration so that the combustion gases flow upward during a portion of their travel within the elbow section terminating in a mouth exposed to the circulating air flow.