Abstract: A method for starting a combustion device, in particular after a first ignition failure, in particular for starting a gas burner under unknown basic conditions, wherein a characteristic diagram of a start air ratio depending on the burner temperature known from empirical analysis is stored for the combustion device in a memory, wherein a calibration of the starting process is performed, wherein the ratio of opening of the gas valve (w) to air volume mL necessary for ignition is iteratively determined by variation of the gas and/or air volume; and in case of ignition, the combustion device is started and the applicable air ratio (?)IGNITION is stored.

Abstract: A clothes-treating apparatus is disclosed. According to the clothes treating apparatus, it is easy and convenient for a worker to have access to a mechanism compartment for maintenance and repair of the components. In addition, if the user chooses an easier method of accessing the components of the clothes treating apparatus the maintenance repair costs may be lowered. Furthermore, it is easy for a worker to remove and replace the components of the mechanism compartment. In addition, according to the clothes treating apparatus, the assembly line of the mechanism compartment may be separate from an assembly line of the clothes treating apparatus, which may enhance work efficiency.

Abstract: A method for determining an empty load in a clothes dryer having a drying chamber with an air inlet, an air outlet and operable according to a predetermined cycle of operation.

Abstract: A method for determining an end of cycle in a clothes dryer having a drying chamber with an air inlet, an air outlet and operable according to a predetermined cycle of operation.

Abstract: A method for estimating the temperature of a laundry load in a treating chamber of a laundry dryer.

Abstract: The solar collector-reflector system includes at least one modular solar panel arranged singly or in an array, each solar panel having a solar collector-reflector assembly, a driver for selective collection or reflection of solar energy, attachment assembly, mounting assembly, ducting and a controller for controlling the solar energy collection and reflection configuration based on the sensed differential temperature between the solar panel or array and a dwelling set temperature. The solar collector-reflector assembly has surfaces that either collect or reflect solar energy, and the solar collector-reflector system utilizes air-to-air heat transfer to provide additional heating to an existing ducting system in the dwelling or reflect solar flux from the roof, thereby reducing heating and cooling energy consumption and costs.

Abstract: Vacuum solar thermal panel comprising a vacuum envelope (30) defining a sealed volume, able to withstand atmospheric pressure when evacuated, at least one heat absorber (12) being disposed inside the vacuum envelope (30), a pipe (13) entering and exiting the envelope (30) and being in contact with the heat absorber (12), said vacuum envelope (30) comprising a first plate (1; 101) made of glass, a peripheral frame (3) disposed substantially at the periphery of the first plate (1; 101), a metallic peripheral belt (4, 5; 104) joining the peripheral frame (3) to the first plate (1; 101), said metallic peripheral belt (4; 104) being joined to the first plate (1; 101) by means of a vacuum tight bulk glass-metal seal (8; 108), comprising glass material (14; 114) and obtained by fusion and subsequent solidification of said glass material (14; 114).

Abstract: A process for feeding a slurry of thermoplastic synthetic polymer particles such as polyethylene terephthalate homopolymers and copolymers in combination with a liquid such as water at a liquid temperature greater than the normal boiling point of the liquid, under a pressure greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid at the liquid temperature, into a separation zone such as a centrifugal dryer, and within the separation zone: a. separating the liquid from the particles, and b. drying the particles; while under a high pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid. There is also provided a process for decoupling the dried particles from the separation zone to an atmosphere having a pressure less than the vapor pressure of the liquid while maintaining the vapor pressure of the particles prior to decoupling equal to or above the vapor pressure of the liquid at the liquid temperature.

Abstract: An air intake structure is located on an airflow guiding casing of a hand dryer communicating with gaps formed between motor blades in the airflow guiding casing. It includes a flow directing frame located on the airflow guiding casing, an axle located in the center of the flow directing frame and a plurality of flow directing blades located between the flow directing frame and the axle.

Abstract: A device for recovering, harnessing and reutilizing heat from along a side wall of a cooking vessel, a cooking vessel comprising such device, and a method of using such device. The device can be constructed as part of the cooking vessel or can be an accessory that attaches to different sized cooking vessels via adjusting means. Specifically, the device is made of a highly conductive and durable metal or metal alloy and comprises a skirt-like body, extending from the side of the cooking vessel and attached to a perforated slip-like portion that may be attached to or integrated into the side wall of the cooking vessel. The device harnesses and reutilizes heat from the underside of the body and safely and efficiently transfers the heat to the cooking vessel through conduction. The device can further comprise diffusers, a bottom portion with a plurality of ventilation openings, and a heat shield.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor (1) is provided for combustion of gaseous and liquid fuels, which combustor comprises a housing (2) having an inlet (3) and an outlet (4) through which an airflow is directed, and a fuel injector (10) for injecting fuel in the airflow. The combustor also comprises at least one catalytic element (12, 14, 15) for combusting the mixture of air and fuel. A fuel-evaporating device (7) is arranged for evaporating a liquid fuel, which device is heated by the catalytic element (12), either through combustion therein or by means of an electrical heating element (13) arranged adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A fuel flexible furnace, including a main combustion zone, a reburn zone downstream from the main combustion zone, and a delivery system operably coupled to supplies of biomass and coal and configured to deliver the biomass and the coal as ingredients of first and reburn fuels to the main combustion zone and the reburn zone, with each fuel including flexible quantities of the biomass and/or the coal. The flexible quantities are variable with the furnace in an operating condition.

Abstract: A vented, gas-fired air heater especially designed for temporary heating applications includes an improved burner design providing effective air and gas mixing and efficient burning in the combustion chamber. Highly efficient heat exchanger including corrugated heat exchanger panels provides enhanced heat transfer characteristics.

Abstract: Radioactive waste treatment method, includes: (a) loading waste into plasma shaft furnace by conveying waste by hermetic conveyor from automated storage into plasma shaft furnace, wherein conveying is loading is controlled; (b) pyrolizing waste; (c) oxidizing coke; (d) withdrawing pyrogas and slug from furnace; (e) afterburning pyrogas in combustion chamber at an afterburning temperature of 1200-1350° C.; (f) supplying air into combustion chamber at two levels during afterburning step: (1) prechamber pyrogas air supply level, and (2) an upper part of combustion chamber air supply level; and (g) quenching an off-gas to 200-250° C. with subsequent mechanical cleaning and absorption cleaning and further cooling. A radioactive waste treatment plant is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly is provided. The assembly includes an outer nozzle body having a first end and a second end and at least one inner nozzle tube having a first end and a second end. One of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel plenum and a fuel passage extending therefrom, while the other of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel injection hole slidably aligned with the fuel passage to form a fuel flow path therebetween at an interface between the body and the tube. The nozzle body and the nozzle tube are fixed against relative movement at the first ends of the nozzle body and nozzle tube, enabling the fuel flow path to close at the interface due to thermal growth after a flame enters the nozzle tube.

Abstract: An appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a main body defining a cavity and an air channel which is in flow communication with an outside of the appliance; an access door supported by the main body for selectively closing the cavity, the access door having an airway in flow communication with the outside of the appliance and the air channel; a fan disposed in the air channel; and an Human Machine Interface disposed on or in the access door. When activated, the fan causes ambient air from the outside of the appliance to pass through the airway before entering the air channel so that the access door is cooled off by the ambient air.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a frame with an upper section for holding a pot and a lower section for resting upon an underlying support surface. The frame has a burner element that can be a nozzle tube having a commercially available burner nozzle for generating a cooking flame during use. The nozzle can be fueled with propane, butane or the like using a commercially available tank, regulator and supply hose. The frame can include an upper ring, lower rings, the upper ring providing legs, pot support bars or members for holding the bottom of a pot. A heat shield is comprised of multiple specially configured sections that overlap and connect to the frame. The shield is positioned below the flame during use to lessen heat transfer from the flame to the underlying support surface.

Abstract: Pyrolyzing gasification system and method of use including primary combustion of non-uniform solid fuels such as biomass and solid wastes within a refractory lined gasifier, secondary combustion of primary combustion gas within a staged, cyclonic, refractory lined oxidizer, and heat energy recovery from the oxidized flue gas within an indirect air-to-air all-ceramic heat exchanger or external combustion engine. Primary combustion occurs at low substoichiometric air percentages of 10-30 percent and at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. Secondary combustion is staged and controlled for low NOx formation and prevention of formation of CO, hydrocarbons, and VOCs. The gasifier includes a furnace bed segmented into individual cells, each cell is independently monitored using a ramp temperature probe, and provided with controlled air injection. Gasifier air injection includes tuyere arrays, lances, or both.

Abstract: A baking oven and method for controlling the exhaust flow from a cooking chamber of the baking oven. The exhaust flow is discharged from the oven by a fan. The method includes increasing the speed of the fan and measuring the gas concentration of the cooking chamber during a first time interval. The gas concentration is measured using a gas sensor. At the beginning of the first time interval, an initial gas concentration is measured. During the first time interval a fan speed is selected at which the measured gas concentration varies from the initial gas concentration. The speed of the fan is set for a second time interval as a function of the selected fan speed from the first time interval.

Abstract: Increased utilization of solar power is highly desirable as solar power is a readily available renewable resource with power potential far exceeding total global needs; and as solar power does not contribute to pollutants associated with fossil fuel power, such as unburned hydrocarbons, NOx and carbon dioxide. The present invention provides low-cost inflatable heliostatic solar power collectors, which can be stand-alone units suitable for flexible utilization in small, medium, or utility scale applications. The inflatable heliostatic power collectors use a reflective surface or membrane “sandwiched” between two inflated chambers, and attached solar power receivers which may be of photovoltaic and/or solar thermal types. Modest concentration ratios enable benefits in both reduced cost and increased conversion efficiency, relative to simple prior-art flat plate solar collectors.