Abstract: The invention relates to a flat-flame vault burner (10) suitable for being installed in a vault (21) which delimits the combustion chamber (20) of a steel heating furnace, the burner (10) comprising a main metallic hollow cylindrical body (12), a single duct (13) for the conveyance of fuel gas concentric to the main body (12), and a central internal nozzle (14) for the injection of a fuel gas. Said burner also comprises at least two nozzles (17) outside said main body (12) for the injection of fuel into the combustion chamber (20).

Abstract: A solar energy collection system has a solar receiver with an external surface configured for high absorption of light incident thereon. The solar receiver also has a plurality of light-reflecting elements arranged on the external surface. The light-reflecting elements produce at least partially diffuse reflection of light energy incident thereon. Heliostats concentrate solar radiation onto the external surface of the solar receiver. An imaging device provides a digital image of at least a portion of the external surface of the solar receiver. A controller can control the heliostats in response to apparent brightness of the light-reflecting elements as represented in the digital image.

Abstract: Melting metals using the sun's energy is not new, but is new is making the technology ergonomic, and easy to use. Invented is a half-circular-planar-reflector with a cut-a-way-triangle, hinged and attached a half-shell-parabolic-reflector. When the sun is overhead, the sun's energy reflects off the flat half-circular-planar-reflector to a half-shell-parabolic-dish-reflector, which redirects the sun's energy to a crucible for smelting metals, which is also the focus of the sun's energy. The entire assembly rotates on top of a turntable, which can be steel wheel, floating on compressed air, bicycle wheels, or other suitable methods. The entire assembly rotates about a crucible located at the focal of the sun's energy. A smaller version of the smelter can be used for solar cooking.

Abstract: A candle having a body of a meltable fuel and a planar wick. When lit, the candle provides a unique flame formation, usable in a variety of decorative applications. The wick can be configured to evenly deplete the meltable fuel, while allowing for candles having relatively large and unique body configurations. The body of candle and/or the wick may include scented oil to promote the release of fragrance upon heating. The wick preferably is formed of wood, thereby providing an acoustic contribution to ambiance and improved combustion that generates less soot than conventional cotton wick candles.

Abstract: A system for heating liquid using solar radiation, includes a plurality of solar panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), at least one reservoir for heated liquid and pipes for circulating liquid between the respective solar panel and the at least one liquid reservoir, the liquid circulating by gravity circulation. The present system is characterized in that a non-return valve (17) for controlling the flow of heated liquid from the respective solar panel is placed in a portion of the circulation pipe between the upper end of the solar panel and the at least one liquid reservoir, the non-return valve (17) being adapted to open and close at a predetermined pressure in the liquid flow from the solar panel.

Abstract: A stand assembly for hydronic circulation systems includes a fixed back portion. A selectively movable platform portion is connected to the back portion. The stand assembly is selectively movable between a folded shipping position and an unfolded installation position by selectively moving the platform portion.

Abstract: Gas burner (1) comprising a main metal body (6), an inner lance (11) for combustible gas, at least two outer lances (10) for combustible gas, a single duct (8) for conveying pre-heated air, a regulation system for the combustible gas, a refractory unit (30), characterized in that said gas burner (1) comprises a series of nozzles (20) for the injection of the preheated air into the combustion chamber, and in that, by operating on the gas regulation system, it is possible to switch, with continuity, from a flame functioning mode of the burner to a flameless functioning mode, the latter characterized by low emissions of polluting agents.

Abstract: An outdoor oven may have a cooking chamber defined by six sides. Each of the six sides may be insulated. A front side may have a door for access to the cooking chamber. The cooking chamber may have a baffle and a cooking plane above and separated some distance from the baffle. Heat in the form of a flame may enter the cooking chamber. The baffle may prevent heat from the flame from directly contacting food on the cooking plane, may inhibit heat transfer through the baffle, and/or may direct heated air around the baffle. The heat is circulated through the cooking chamber to heat the food, and exits a vent positioned below the cooking chamber. An outdoor cooking system may include a burner, a support structure and a fuel supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement for a low pressure gas lamp, and more specifically for a venturi tube in order to furnish a more efficient flame.

Abstract: A method for operating a combustor having a catalyst bed. The method includes the steps of directing a flow of air through a catalyst bed, providing heat to the catalyst bed, sensing the temperature in an upstream portion of the catalyst bed to provide an upstream temperature, directing a flow of a fuel through the catalyst bed when the upstream temperature reaches a light-off temperature to produce a combustion reaction, increasing the flow of the fuel until the flow of air and the flow of fuel have a selected air to fuel ratio, and controlling the combustion reaction within the catalyst bed by adjusting the flow of air and the flow of fuel while maintaining the selected air to fuel ratio. The method can include sensing temperatures within the catalyst bed and controlling the combustion reaction in response to the sensed temperatures. The heat provided to the catalyst bed can also be adjusted in response to the sensed temperatures.

Abstract: A method for providing uniform heat distribution within a furnace as well as decreasing the amount of NOx in the combustion products, when operating an industrial furnace having at least one conventional burner using air as the oxidant. At least one lance is connected with the furnace, and an oxidant including oxygen gas is flowed into the furnace through the lance to impinge against a flame issuing from the burner at a certain impingement point. The amount of oxygen supplied by the air supply to the burner together with the amount of oxidant issuing from the lance corresponds with the stoichiometric amount for a fuel supplied to the burner. At least 50% of the supplied oxygen for combustion is supplied through the lancing of oxidant, and the oxidant is flowed into the furnace through the lance at a velocity of at least 200 m/s.

Abstract: A combustor, in which a flame holding region is formed at a location distant from a pilot burner to avoid burnout of the pilot burner and in which flame holding capability is increased to use a lean pre-mix gas for reducing NOx emission, is provided. The combustor includes a combustion liner having a cylindrical side wall that defines a combustion chamber; and a main burner positioned at a top portion of the combustion liner for injecting an annular pre-mix gas into the combustion chamber to form a reverse flow region at a downstream portion thereof, which region is oriented towards the top portion of the combustion chamber along a longitudinal axis. In this combustor, a pilot burner is arranged at the top portion for injecting a mixture of fuel and air only in a direction confronting the reverse flow region.

Abstract: A pressure switch assembly is used with a furnace controller having a first input and a second input. A first pressure switch is configured to actuate at a first combustion pressure level and is connected to the first input. A second pressure switch is configured to actuate at a second combustion pressure level, and a third pressure switch is configured to actuate at a third combustion pressure level. Pressure signals provided on the second input from at least one of the second pressure switch and the third pressure switch are used by the furnace controller to derive actuation states of the second and third pressure switches.

Abstract: A portable cooking system has a heating chamber supported by retractable legs that rest on a lid. A fire pan also resting on the lid and partially within the heating chamber is adaptable to burn charcoal, wood, or compressed gas. The lid supports and isolates the fire pan from the ground. The fire pan may be adapted for grilling. An alternate lid may contain an electric heating element. Thermometers and a vent on the heating chamber allow regulation on temperature within the heating chamber. The system may be adapted to provide uniform, controlled heat for Dutch ovens contained within. The system may also function as a smoker.

Abstract: There is a process for operating a utility boiler. The process has the following steps: a) continuously adding one or more slag control agents, one or more oxygen-generating agents, and a fuel oil to a furnace of the utility boiler; b) providing air to the furnace; c) burning the fuel oil to generate heat and an exhaust gas; d) periodically or continuously varying the dosage rates of the one or more slag control agents and/or the one or more oxygen-generating agents to maintain to substantially maintain one or more emissions variables in the exhaust gas within pre-determined limits. There is also a method for reducing emissions from a utility boiler and a method for reducing slag deposits within a utility boiler.

Abstract: A device for combusting fuel which contains or consists of hydrogen, is described, with a burner provided with a swirl generator and also a feeder for feeding fuel and a feeder for feeding combustion air into the swirl generator. A first feeder, for feeding liquid fuel along a burner axis, and a second feeder for feeding liquid fuel or gaseous fuel along air inlet slots which are tangentially delimited by the swirl generator, with a transition section connected downstream to the swirl generator, and with a mixer tube connected downstream to the transition section and with a changeable flow cross-sectional transition leads into a combustion chamber are provided. Along the transition section, a third feeder for feeding fuel which contains or consists of hydrogen, and also a fourth feeder for the selective feed of fuel which contains or consists of hydrogen, or of the gaseous fuel are also provided.

Abstract: A burner assembly for a gas powered cooking appliance is provided. The burner assembly may include a burner body including a central region and a plurality of radiating extensions extending radially outward from the central region. The burner assembly may include a burner cap with a central region and a plurality of radiating extensions extending radially outward from the central region. The burner cap is positioned on top of the burner body when the burner is assembled. The burner cap may include at least one overhang positioned on the outer perimeter of the central region and between an adjacent pair of radiating extensions. The at least one overhang forms a gap between the exterior wall of the burner body and the interior wall of the overhang. This gap, or flame stabilization chamber, provides for collection of gases and flame that aid in maintaining the flame during low temperature operation.

Abstract: A premix burner has a mixing section (3) for a heat generator, sectional conical shells (5) which complement one another to form a swirl body, enclose a conically widening swirl space (6), and mutually define tangential air-inlet slots (7), along which feeds (8) for gaseous fuel are provided in a distributed manner, having at least one fuel feed (11) for liquid fuel, this fuel feed (11) being arranged along a burner axis (A) passing centrally through the swirl space (6), and having a mixing tube (4) adjoining the swirl body downstream via a transition piece (2). At least one additional fuel feed (13) for liquid fuel is provided in the region of the swirl body, the transition piece (2), and/or the mixing tube (4).

Abstract: A burner is disclosed which includes a vortex generator for a combustion air stream, means for the admission of fuel into the combustion air stream and air inlet ducts, the combustion air stream enters a vortex chamber of the vortex generator via air inlet ducts. The fuel is injected into the combustion air asymmetrically via the injection means.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a collapsible charcoal starter are shown, described and claimed herein. In one embodiment, the charcoal starter includes six panels being hingedly interconnected to form a closed loop. The charcoal starter is configured to have an expanded position and a collapsed position, and can be moved therebetween without any disassembly of the charcoal starter. In the expanded position, the six panels form four walls or boundaries, whereby the walls define a volume for receiving charcoal briquettes. In the collapsed position, the six panels are oriented generally parallel. Moreover, four of the panels are sandwiched in between the two remaining panels. In this manner, the depth of the charcoal starter can be significantly reduced as compared to the expanded position, while the width is substantially the same in both the collapsed and expanded positions.