Abstract: A staged, lean pre-mix radiant wall burner having an internal staged fuel discharge tip and an internal flow diverter, and a method of using the radiant wall burner, which allow the combustion of a high hydrogen content fuel without the occurrence of flashbacks and which also provide reduced NOx emissions and allow a closer spacing of the burners when installed in a wall, floor, or ceiling of a fired heater in a multiple burner arrangement.

Abstract: A burner tip apparatus which is resistant to plugging, and a staged air method of operation which reduces the peak temperature of the flame of the burner tip to provide low levels of NOx and other emissions. The burner tip can be used as an auxiliary burner tip for stabilizing a main burner flame, or for other purposes.

Abstract: A burner apparatus and method which provide an increased amount of internal flue recirculation for reducing NOx emissions by ejecting a series of surrounding primary fuel streams and also ejecting on one or more subsequent series of surrounding fuel streams outside of the burner wall toward the burner combustion wherein each succeeding series of surrounding fuel streams must travel a greater distance to the combustion zone and each series of surrounding fuel streams must contact one or more radial impact structures provided on the exterior of the burner wall.

Abstract: A flow momentum enhancing device having an airfoil shape is used in a new or refurbished burner to increase the momentum of the burner combustion air stream and create a reduced pressure region which pulls inert products of combustion into the combustion process. The inert products of combustion mix with the burner air and/or fuel streams to lower the peak flame temperature of the burner and provide reduced NOx production.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for a fired heating system and a method of burner operation. The burner provides stable operation when burning gas fuels having heating values ranging from low to high and accommodates sudden wide changes in the Wobbe value of the fuel delivered to the burner. The burner apparatus includes a plurality of exterior fuel ejectors and has an exterior notch which extends around the burner wall for receiving and combusting a portion of the gas fuel. At least a portion of the hot combustion product gas produced in the exterior notch is delivered through channels formed in the burner wall to the combustion area at the forward end of the burner. As the Wobbe value of the gas fuel decreases, one or more outer series of addition ejectors can be automatically activated as needed to maintain the amount of heat output desired.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for a furnace system and a method of burner operation wherein a non-symmetrical positioning of one combustion fuel discharge tip or a grouping of fuel discharge tips within the burner wall produces side-by-side lean and fuel rich combustion stage zones and also produces internal flue gas recirculation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of one or more pilot flames or of the main flame in a flare system. A collimator, quartz light tube, or other receiver is positioned near the combustion zone and receives an image which is transmitted via a fiber optic line to an analyzing sensor which is located at a safe distance from the flare system. The fiber optic line preferably extends through a pilot gas line, a flame front generator line, or other protective conduit so that the fiber optic line can be cooled and purged by pilot gas, instrument air, or other cooling gas media which is continuously delivered through the conduit.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for a furnace system and a method of burner operation. The burner has a series of fuel ejection structures which at least partially surround the burner wall for ejecting fuel into a combustion region projecting from the forward end of the burner wall. The ejection structures preferably eject fuel outside of the burner wall at alternating angles. Further, the burner apparatus preferably includes at least one additional series of fuel ejection structures which is spaced radially outward from the first series of ejection structures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a retractable thermocouple at the upper end of a flare stack for sensing a flare pilot burner flame. The apparatus comprises: a portable mounting structure; two pair of opposing drive wheels having non-metallic contacting surfaces; a first set of offset straightening rollers having non-metallic contacting surfaces for straightening the thermocouple in a first plane; and a second set of offset straightening rollers having non-metallic contacting surfaces for straightening the retractable thermocouple in a second plane different from the first plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a retractable thermocouple at the upper end of a flare stack for sensing a flare pilot burner flame. The apparatus comprises: a portable mounting structure; two pair of opposing drive wheels having non-metallic contacting surfaces; a first set of offset straightening rollers having non-metallic contacting surfaces for straightening the thermocouple in a first plane; and a second set of offset straightening rollers having non-metallic contacting surfaces for straightening the retractable thermocouple in a second plane different from the first plane.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for a furnace system and a method of burner operation. The burner has a series of fuel ejection structures which at least partially surround the burner wall for ejecting fuel into a combustion region projecting from the forward end of the burner wall. The ejection structures preferably eject fuel outside of the burner wall at alternating angles. Further, the burner apparatus preferably includes at least one additional series of fuel ejection structures which is spaced radially outward from the first series of ejection structures.

Abstract: A low NOx burner and method wherein (a) combustion air flows through the interior of the burner in a manner effective for drawing an amount of inert flue gas diluent from the fired heating system into the combustion air stream, preferably via one or more induction channels provided through the burner wall, and/or (b) air or an inert gas is discharged into the induction channel(s) in a manner effective for delivering flue gas into the combustion air stream.

Abstract: A burner and combustion method for a radiant wall heating system wherein each burner fuel ejector is positioned such that at least a substantial portion of the burner combustion air is discharged from an area beyond the ejector located the greatest distance from the radiant wall.

Abstract: An improved combustion assembly including a venturi mixer and a combustion tip attached to the discharge end of the venturi divergent section. The improvement comprises eliminating abrupt contractions and sudden expansions of the interior flow passage at the venturi mixer and combustion tip interface.

Abstract: An improvement for an ejector having at least one discharge port effective for delivering a flow of fuel into a heating system such that flue gas in the heating system is entrained in the flow of fuel. The improvement comprises the ejector having an aerodynamic shape effective for increasing entrainment of the flue gas in the flow of fuel at the region of discharge adjacent the discharge port.

Abstract: A burner and method for reducing NOx emissions from process heaters, boilers, and other heating systems having flue gases present therein. The inventive burner and method preferably involve the single stage combustion of fuel gas which is ejected outside of a burner wall in free jet flow such that at least a portion of the flue gas is entrained in the fuel gas as it travels to a combustion zone at the forward end of the burner wall. Air or other oxygen-containing gas is preferably delivered to the combustion zone via an interior passageway. The inventive burner preferably comprises a plurality of ejectors positioned outside of the burner wall and preferably also comprises one or more exterior impact structures positioned to assist in further mixing the flue gas with the fuel.

Abstract: An improved burner for combustion of fuel gas with air in a manner to result in low NOx, the burner is generally circular and has a refractory tile and gas tips. The gas tips are spaced around the outer circumference of a generally circular passageway in the burner tile, each gas tip is positioned to cause the fuel gas to entrain furnace flue gas. Each gas tip has one or more ports, an ignition port and at least one firing port. The ignition port injects fuel through a passageway to the burner tile. The firing port injects fuel gas in the direction that is generally upward with respect to the pathway of the ignition port. This causes fuel gas to entrain combustion products from the flue gas, the resulting mixture of fuel gas and flue gas is directed out of the burner tile to mix with combustion air that is discharged through the burner tile.

Abstract: A flow divider for use in a gas burner assembly supported in an opening in a furnace wall has injected fluid, such as gas and/or air, flowing through an inner burner pipe then outwardly through a plurality of openings for burning along the surface of a wall thus providing a near uniform radiant heat energy to the furnace. The flow divider has a plurality of nested members and a plurality of in-line members to divide the flowing gas and/or air to improve distribution and to promote more uniform mixing of the gas and air.

Abstract: A burner for combusting fuel gas and air in an enclosure having a burner block member of non-combustible material, such as ceramic, having a central rectangular or square opening. Said burner block being located between the surface to be heated and an enclosure wall opposite said surface, said central rectangular or square block opening being used to shape the combustion flame in a flat or fan shaped fashion parallel to the enclosure wall surface. In such an arrangement, the burner's purpose is to direct combustion flame upon the enclosure wall which is heated by the flame and radiates heat back towards the surface area to be heated and to reduce the oxygen content which serves to reduce the peak flame temperature of the combustion process to thereby reducing NO.sub.x production.

Abstract: A burner for combusting gas and/or liquid fuel and air in an enclosure includes a burner block of non-combustible material, such as ceramic material, having a central opening therethrough communicating with a combustion zone. The burner block has a plurality of spaced apart recirculation gas passageways paralleled to and spaced from the central opening, each of the recirculation gas passageways having an injection passageway communicating with the block member central opening. Fuel, which may be liquid and/or gas, is injected into said burner block central opening. Venturi action causes furnace gas to be drawn from the cool fringes of the combustion zone through the recirculation gas passageways for passage back into the central opening wherein air and fuel are thoroughly mixed and cooled for combustion within the enclosure. This recirculation system serves to reduce the temperature and oxygen content of the local combustion process to thereby reduce NO.sub.x production.