Abstract: A heated crucible apparatus allows the adjustment of a thermal profile within a combustion chamber surrounding the crucible by introducing a sub-stoichiometric or a super-stoichiometric mixture of fuel and oxidant into the combustion chamber and varying the oxidant flow for sub-stoichiometric or fuel flow for super-stoichiometric downstream of the initial combustion to control the release of heat in defined areas within the combustion chamber. The adjustable thermal control system allows for an even thermal energy release or varying thermal energy release over the length of the crucible. The apparatus a crucible having an inlet and and outlet surrounded by the combustion chamber which chamber includes an oxidant and fuel supply at the primary injection point followed by secondary injection of the remaining oxidant supply for sub-stoichiometric (or fuel supply for super-stoichiometric) at specific intervals to achieve the desired thermal profile and heating of the crucible.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for the combustion of a fuel and an oxidizer includes a burner block having a fuel line for feeding fuel to a fuel port opening into a combustion chamber and a plurality of primary and secondary oxidizer lines positioned around the fuel line for feeding an oxidizer to a primary and secondary oxidizer port to the combustion chamber for combustion with the fuel from the fuel port. The primary and secondary oxidizer lines and ports are spaced around the fuel port so that controlling the oxidizer is used to change the position and shape of the flame in the combustion chamber. First and second oxidizer valves are located in the oxidizer feed lines and vary the amount of oxidizer fed through the oxidizer line so that the first and second oxidizer control valves for each set of oxidizer lines are spaced around the fuel port to allow both the position and the shape of the burner flame to be controlled.

Abstract: The disclosed combustor apparatus provides for independent flow streams, one for oxidizer and one for fuel. The adjustable control capability permits various flame configurations and reproducible combustion rates at different oxidizer/gaseous fuel flow rates. The apparatus includes an oxidizer supply which is separated into a primary oxidizer path and a secondary oxidizer path, the flow rate in each of these paths being regulated. The primary oxidizer path and the secondary oxidizer path are combined in an oxidizer channel within a burner block of the burner assembly prior to exiting the burner assembly. Flow may be provided to only one of these paths should that be desired. A recombined oxidizer flow stream, of a non-homogenous velocity cross-section, is thus formed at the exit of the oxidizer channel. The burner apparatus also includes an gaseous fuel supply which is separated into a primary gaseous fuel path and a secondary gaseous fuel path, the flow rate in each of these paths being regulated.