Abstract: A simple solar heating system incorporates a heat dissipater into a heat exchange circuit for bypassing solar collectors when either the temperature or the pressure in the heat exchange circuit exceeds preset limits. In the absence of electric controllers, fluid in the heat exchange circuit is caused to bypass the solar collectors using a valve which is controlled by either the temperature or pressure of the fluid. A solar photovoltaic panel energizes a circulating pump for increasing the rate of pumping as more solar energy is available at the PV panel and decreasing the rate as solar energy decreases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas burner comprising a perforated cylindrical wall used as a combustion surface, a bottom wall and an inlet opening through which a combustible gaseous mixture is fed inside the burner. The stabilisation device consists of a grid (4a) that can be positioned in the inlet opening of the burner, and that comprises a central ring (5a) surrounded by a series of diverting vanes (6), the grid being thus configured so as to allow the free passage of the central portion of the flow of gaseous mixture entering the burner through the central ring (5a) while said diverting vanes (6) generate an eddy movement in the peripheral portion of the flow entering the burner from the outside of the central ring (5a).

Abstract: A hot water feeder in which a solar heat collector is used. The feeder has a first heat exchanger for heating a heat medium by solar heat, a second heat exchanger for heating water in a hot-water tank by the heated heat medium, and a heat exchange volume determination unit. The heat exchange volume determination unit calculates the flow rate of the heat medium circulating between the first and second heat exchangers on the basis of the detected temperature of the heat medium fed to the first heat exchanger and the rotational speed of a heat medium circulation pump, and calculates the heat exchange volume on basis of the flow rate and the temperature difference between the detected temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel processing unit in an electrochemical fuel cell power plant, and more specifically to a preheater combustor that forms byproduct compounds that may destroy downstream catalytic reactors for fuel reforming. The present invention includes a retention material that collects the byproduct compounds prior to entry into the downstream reactors. The retention material may be comprised of at least one active compound and a support structure, preferably having a porous body to facilitate tortuous fluid flow. Further aspects of the invention may include an electrical charging device for use with the retention device material that enhances collection of byproduct compounds. The present invention also includes a method of operation for start-up incorporating a retention material.

Abstract: A vent apparatus (10) comprises a perforated screen (12), a door (18), a guide (24), and a handle (26), and a lever assembly (30). The door is adjacent a first face (13) of the screen and includes at least one arm (20, 22) that extends through at least one slot in the screen. The guide (24) is mounted adjacent a second face (14) of the screen. The handle (26) is in pivoting connection with the at least one arm and is operative to move relative to the guide to cause the door to move between a closed position (62) to an open position (64). A lever assembly (30) extends from the handle in pivoting connection with the guide. As the handle moves, the lever assembly is adapted to maintain the handle sufficiently close to the guide such that at least a portion of the handle is operative to slide along the guide.

Abstract: A combustion control system, including a first set of sensors for generating sample data including data representing a sequence of detected images of different samples of a fuel made up of solid particles; a fuel analysis module for controlling a processor of a computing device to: (i) determine attributes for one or more predetermined physical characteristics of the particles in each said sample based on the sample data, and (ii) generate an index value for each said sample based on said attributes, said index value representing a level of combustibility of the particles in each said sample; and a combustion control module for controlling a processor of a computing device to adjust one or more parameters for controlling a combustion process based on changes to said index value over time.

Abstract: Combustor. The combustor includes an axially symmetric tube along with means for introducing fuel and air into the tube. A swirler is disposed within the tube to impart rotation in a first direction to the air/fuel mixture. A plurality of holes downstream of the swirler are disposed around the tube and offset at an angle relative to an inward normal to the tube wall. Air is injected through the offset holes to impart rotation to the air/fuel mixture in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A combustion chamber having a diameter larger than that of the tube receives and burns the air/fuel mixture from the tube.

Abstract: A solar heater includes a plurality of suspended vertical components that cover at least a portion of an interior side of a window and have open top and bottom ends. Each suspended vertical component has a heat absorbing body position within the transparent sheath. The heat absorbing body is located a first spaced distance from the inner sheath surface of a first side portion of the sheath and a second spaced distance from the inner sheath surface of a second side portion of the sheath. The open bottom end of the sheath receives cool ambient air that is heated while passing between the heat absorbing body and the inner sheath surface of the first side portion and between the heat absorbing body and the inner sheath surface of the second side portion. The open top end of the sheath exhausts the heated air to an interior space of a building.

Abstract: A flame tube for a liquid fuel burner is disclosed. The liquid fuel burner includes a fuel atomizer directing atomized fuel into the flame tube and an igniter disposed within the flame tube to ignite the atomized fuel. The flame tube comprises an outer wall and an inner wall disposed about the outer wall to define an air passage therebetween. At a discharge end of the flame tube, the outer and inner walls are conjoined to form an annular surface, the annular surface being perforated. Preferably, the annular surface is perforated in an evenly distributed pattern.

Abstract: Gas fire devices are provided that produce a swirling flame by passive means using the kinetic energy of gas exiting through burner ports located in a burner and the kinetic energy of air drawn through louvers or flaps radially positioned on the base of a plenum. Situated above the burner and plenum is a chimney, which surrounds the flame and may be a translucent or transparent material to help observers better see the flame.

Abstract: A decorative molded candle and method of making the candle is disclosed in which coloring agents are limited to the outer peripheral surface of the candle.

Abstract: A campfire chimney for placement over a campfire to shield nearby persons from excessive heat, smoke and burning embers. The campfire has a base comprising at least for telescoping legs to adjust the height of the chimney over the fire. The chimney has a bottom conical section for placement over the fire and a tubular top section for exhausting products of combustion. The chimney can be disassembled and can be transported conveniently by a single individual.