Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the gas phase reaction of a feed gas mixture in a regenerative incinerator comprising a combustion zone in fluid communication with at least three separately-housed chambers. Each chamber contains a layer of solid heat exchange material, and is in selective fluid communication with an inlet manifold and an exhaust manifold such that each chamber is selectively operable in an intake mode and an exhaust mode. A layer of catalyst is disposed in each chamber such that catalytic reaction of the feed gas mixture occurs and the operating temperature of the combustion zone may be reduced.

Abstract: A pressurized fluidized bed combustion boiler system comprising: a boiler; a filtration apparatus with ceramics filters in a flue gas system; and a louver separator as a primary stage dust separator disposed between the boiler and the filtration apparatus.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus includes a casing having a top and bottom and a plurality of sides defining a pyrolysis chamber for receiving and pyrolyzing feed materials therein into fluid materials and a mass of refractory material disposed upon the bottom of the casing and spaced below the top thereof and extending between its sides. The refractory mass includes an upper surface defining a bottom of the pyrolysis chamber and having an end spaced from a first one of the casing sides to define an ash residue collection cavity therebetween. The apparatus also includes a pusher mechanism mounted to and extending through a second one of the casing sides opposite from the first one side. The pusher mechanism is operable to engage and transport residue of materials received on the upper surface of said refractory mass and being pyrolyzed in the chamber across the upper surface of the refractory mass toward the collection cavity.

Abstract: A hot water heater comprises a vessel, a heating means for heating water in the vessel, and a control conduit for diverting cold water from the cold water inlet to the hot water outlet so as to reduce the temperature of the hot water delivered from the vessel but to increase the volume. The heater includes a control means for selectively energizing the number of heating elements in accordance with the temperature of the water in the vessel. When the heating means comprises a gas burner, it is arranged to direct combustion gases towards one side of the vessel so as to establish a convection current within the vessel. A novel flue arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pellet fuel burning heating unit for burning corn or wood pellets having a balanced pressure system having a four-way split combustion intake airstream. The invention includes a combustion air blower system for providing combustion air into a firebox containing a burner under positive pressure and at the same time providing a negative pressure to remove the combustion gases from the firebox. A pressure regulator and air splitter maintains a balance between the positive and negative pressure and adjusts the air flow into the firebox and out the exhaust. The exhaust is provided through a bank of exhaust tubes running from the top of the firebox to an exhaust manifold. The blower air moves into the pressure regulator and air splitter dividing the air flow such that a portion enters the heating unit exhaust manifold to produce a negative pressure and the remaining portion enters the heating unit burner under positive pressure.

Abstract: A heating system for heating a heat sink via a heat transfer medium. The invention includes a vortex chamber having opposite first and second inwardly curved end walls, a combustion chamber fluidly communicating with the vortex chamber, fuel-air supply means fluidly communicating with the combustion chamber for injecting fuel-air mixture into the combustion chamber. Ignition means are provided in the combustion chamber for igniting the fuel-air mixture. A fuel ionizing chamber is disposed in the vortex chamber fluidly communicating with the fuel-air supply means for ionizing fuel entering the fuel-air supply means, and heat transfer medium containing means are provided for holding the heat transfer medium in thermal contact with the vortex chamber.

Abstract: A furnace apparatus which includes a plurality of water walls each including a plurality of tubes, the water walls collectively enclose a combustion chamber. The apparatus includes a plurality of windboxes and each of the windboxes are disposed intermediate adjacent water walls. A seal assembly seals the interface between respective windboxes with the water walls adjacent thereto and each of seal assemblies comprising first and second generally planar plates disposed in face to face abutting relationship. The apparatus also includes first means for mounting the first plate to the water wall and second means for mounting the second plate to the windbox. The means for mounting the first plate and the means for mounting the second plate define a chamber therebetween, the apparatus also includes means for enclosing the chamber that includes a flexible member allowing relative movement between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A method of purifying combustion gases by removing acid gases therefrom, wherein a stream of combustion gases is caused to flow in contact with a surface of an acid gas remover formed from a mixture including a calcium compound for neutralizing said acid gases, and a binder for holding together particles of the calcium compound. Also disclosed is an incinerator incorporating the acid gas remover.

Abstract: A method for controlling nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) levels in a gas produced by a fossil fuel fired unit comprises establishing an optimum gas temperature range for the unit and monitoring a gas temperature of the unit. The heat exchanger surfaces of the unit are then cleaned until the monitored gas temperature is within the optimum gas temperature range. An optimum fuel combustion rate range is also established for the unit and a fuel combustion rate of the unit is monitored. Air is provided to the unit until the monitored fuel combustion rate is within the optimum combustion rate range.

Abstract: This invention comprises a combined cellulose sludge dryer and burner in which the drying procedure is positively and automatically controlled in response to the moisture content of the dewatered raw sludge supplied to the dryer headbox and carried through a drying chamber to discharge a dried sludge having but a 15% moisture content and suitable to be burned to provide the hot air for the drying procedure. With the sludge being critical as to charring, a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent pre-burning and charring of the sludge has to be maintained in the drying chamber and positive and automatic control for the hot air to maintain the temperature is done by checking differences between input and output temperatures of the dryer and diluting the air produced by the burner by the use of a heat exchanger and air dampers. The extracted wet air from the drying chamber and diverted over-supply of air to the drying chamber are delivered through a scrubber and chimney to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an actuating member including a controller, a solenoid valve electrically coupled to the controller, a fluid driven actuator operatively coupled to the solenoid valve, an actuating member operatively coupled to the fluid driven actuator, a potentiometer operatively coupled to the actuating member for converting a rotational position of the actuating member into a proportional electrical resistance, signal converting means for converting the electrical resistance to a proportional electrical current, and means for conducting the current to the controller. The controller includes means for comparing the current to a control signal indicative of a desired position of the actuating member, and means for generating a voltage pulse to the solenoid valve to displace the fluid driven actuator and move the actuating member to the desired position. A method utilizing the above system is also provided.

Abstract: A single port, internal liquid heat exchange assembly for heating domestic water from a free-standing, low pressure wood fired boiler. A threaded manifold fastener retains the assembly in suspension within a single access port of a conventional water heater. An elongated manifold contains first and second coaxial flow columns which terminate at exposed inlet and outlet ports and communicate with each other within the manifold. Constructions are disclosed having concentric flow columns, convolute and expandable manifold walls, internal bypass ports, vibration dampeners, multi-ported flow transition zones and which may include a sacrificial anode.

Abstract: A particulate delivery system is disclosed for particulate burners in which a hopper is provided for supplying particulate fuel to a hopper discharge opening. A rotating turntable is provided below the hopper discharge opening and includes at least one and preferably a plurality of flexible resilient vanes rotating with the turntable. A wall partially encircles the vanes and is closed on its bottom end by the upper surface of the turntable. The wall includes a lateral discharge opening that facilitates controlled discharge of the particulate fuel over the peripheral edge of the turntable. A chute receives the discharged particulate material, and drops it into a burn pot of the associated particulate burner.

Abstract: A water and/or space heater is provided in which water is circulated to prevent the localized overheating or vaporization thereof.

Abstract: A water heater having improved operating characteristics and lower costs of manufacturing is described. The water heater has an unified combustion chamber and burner construction.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a gas hot water heater intended for installation in a wall and including a combustion chamber from which are guided heating gas tubings within a water-carrying housing. The housing is provided with connections for forward and rearward flow of water and an exhaust gas collecting chamber provided with connections for exhaust gas and condensate discharge. In the practice of the invention, a heating gas tubing passing from top to bottom through the water-carrying flat box-type housing is in the form of at least one pocket extending parallel to a broad rear wall of the housing. A water-cooled combustion chamber, disposed in an upper portion of the housing substantially corresponds, in plan view, to a flat rectangular cross-section of the housing. A burner insert opening of the combustion chamber is provided within or approximately within the plane of a front wall having a width corresponding to, and extending parallel with, a rear wall.

Abstract: A radiative heat transfer mechanism in a furnace having burners through which pulverized coal and air are burned producing combustion gases and contaminants. A plurality of elongated conduits are positioned inside the furnace proximate to the burners generally parallel to the flow of combustion gases in the furnace. A plurality of thin filaments are inside each of the elongated hollow conduits, the filaments having diameters in the range of from about 1 micrometer to about 1,000 micrometers and having an infrared radiation cross-section sufficient to cause the filaments to heat upon exposure to infrared radiation. Blower mechanism is associated with the elongated conduits for limiting the amount of soot and ash which deposit on the conduits to preserve the radiative and convective transfer of heat energy from the combustion gases to the conduits.

Abstract: Temperatures along the surfaces of water tubes in an operating steam boiler are determined by detecting infrared radiation emitted from the tube surfaces in one or more narrow pass-bands founds to be available despite the presence of hot and turbulent flue gases between the sensor and the tube surface to be measured.

Abstract: A cleaning system comprises a compressor for delivering pressurized air to an accumulator via a valve controlled line. An outlet line extends from the accumulator and terminates adjacent a furnace floor drain. Upon command the entire volume of pressurized air is instantaneously released from the accumulator for discharge out the outlet line and through the furnace drain. The relatively cooler, high pressurized air blasts impacts, vibrates and chills any slag deposits accumulating about the drain so as to remove the same. An alternative nozzle is disclosed which disperses the high impact blast about the drain.

Abstract: A combustion flame is distributed so as to cross a group of heat absorbing tubes arranged parallel to and spaced from one another, thereby cooling the combustion flame. A specific temperature zone of approximately 1000.degree. C.-1300.degree. C. for suppressing generation of NO.sub.x and accelerating oxidation of CO is locally formed within the heat absorbing tubes by decimating at least one tube. In the zone, CO generated upstream of the zone is oxidized by reacting with reaction radicals generated by combustion and/or oxygen.