Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling a combustion reaction and the products thereof. One embodiment includes a combustion control system having an oxygenation stream substantially comprising oxygen and CO2 and having an oxygen to CO2 ratio, then mixing the oxygenation stream with a combustion fuel stream and combusting in a combustor to generate a combustion products stream having a temperature and a composition detected by a temperature sensor and an oxygen analyzer, respectively, the data from which are used to control the flow and composition of the oxygenation and combustion fuel streams. The system may also include a gas turbine with an expander and having a load and a load controller in a feedback arrangement.

Abstract: An air heating system is for use with a mechanism for flowing air. The system includes a plenum and a solar absorber. The solar absorber defines a first boundary of the plenum. The solar absorber is permeable to air. The mechanism for flowing air is for pulling air into the plenum through the permeable solar absorber. The plenum has an axial direction, wherein along a cross section of said plenum normal to the axial direction the permeable absorber has an average shape that is substantially convex when the permeable absorber is viewed from outside of the plenum.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus is disclosed. The cooking apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cooking chamber defined in the apparatus body for cooking food, and a door for opening and closing the cooking chamber. The cooking chamber has an inner wall surface-treated by plasma.

Abstract: The burner preferably exclusively burns substantially explosible solid fuels and preferably has instant ON-OFF thermostat control, wastes no energy preheating the enclosure or external air supply, achieves stable combustion the moment the powder-air mix is ignited in our burner, is used in the upward vertical mode except for oil burner retrofits, burns a solid fuel in a single-phase regime as if it were a vaporized liquid or gas, is designed to complete combustion within the burner housing itself rather than in a large, high temperature furnace enclosure which it feeds, has an ultra-short residence time requirement, is a recycle consuming burner with self-contained management of initially unburned particles, is much smaller, simpler and lower cost, has a wider dynamic range/turndown ratio, is more efficient in combustion completeness and thermal efficiency, and operates with air-fuel mix approximately at the flame speed.

Abstract: A gas igniter includes a heating element, a bushing and a mounting bracket. The bushing is formed of a generally rigid electrically insulating material and supports the heating element. The bushing includes an elongated slot extending through the bushing. The mounting bracket includes a first connecting portion and a second mounting portion. The first connecting portion is inserted through the elongated slot located on the bushing for connecting the mounting bracket to the bushing. The second mounting portion is configured to attach the gas igniter to an associated support surface.

Abstract: A portable cooking apparatus includes a plurality of panels temporarily coupled to each other and a plurality of rods. Each panel includes a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. At least two of the plurality of panels each include a plurality of slits. Each slit of the plurality of slits extends from the top edge of a panel toward a bottom edge thereof. The plurality of rods removably extend between two panels of the plurality of panels, each rod of the plurality of rods being inserted into a first slit of the plurality of slits formed in one of the two panels and a second slit of the plurality of slits formed in another of the two panels.

Abstract: In a burner and method for the operation of such a burner which is provided with first fuel and air supply means for FLOX® operation and second fuel and air supply means for operation with flame combustion, a control unit is provided for controlling fuel and air supply means in such a manner that, aided by flame combustion operation, the temperature required for FLOX® operation is rapidly achieved and FLOX® operation can be maintained at least in the region directly in front of the burner so as to provide for assisted FLOX® operation of the burner already before the conditions for pure FLOX® operation are established.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for processing a combustible gas, which comprises a catalytic combusting means for receiving an oxygen-containing combustible gas that contains oxygen in addition to the combustible gas as the principal component thereof, causing this oxygen-containing combustible gas to contact an oxidation catalyst for partial combustion thereof, to produce the resultant partially combusted gas as a compressible combustible gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cooking gas burner assembly including a distributor (30), a gas manifold (50) and a cup (40), the cup (40) being located between the gas manifold (50) and the distributor (30). The gas manifold is spaced from the cup. The invention provides a burner assembly having at least a cap (220) and a distributor (30) on which the cap (220) is mounted, the distributor (30) including an internal and an external crown of flame ports, and at least one cross lighting passage (37) there between. The cap (220) includes an aperture (222) there through, which is adapted to be positioned over the cross lighting passage (37) when the cap (220) and distributor (30) are assembled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a candle burning device, for example, a candle follower, which comprises a substantially planar body defining an outer rim, a plurality of vent openings, and an approximately centralized depressed recess, the recess defining an aperture for receiving a candle wick; a flange extending downward from the outer rim of the body; and wherein the device is formed of a heat conducting material.

Abstract: Provided is a portable heater supplied by an associated fuel source, comprising a housing, a fuel connection fitting, an orifice, a burner assembly, a regulator, a controller for selectively switching among operation states including at least a 4000 BTUs and a 9000 BTUs per hour state, a power source adapted to generate electrical power from heat, and a detector system adapted to use the electrical power generated by the power source, detect the level of a particular gas in the atmosphere, and interrupt combustion of the air-fuel mixture. A housing may comprise an air inlet and may define an interior region. A burner assembly may comprise a fuel valve adapted to control communication between the burner assembly and the associated fuel source, a venturi for mixing air and fuel into a fuel-air mixture, a combustion region adapted for the combustion of the air-fuel mixture to produce combustion products and heat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combustion method which is performed in a furnace that is equipped with energy recovery means and burners, whereby the heat from the combustion fumes is recovered by energy recovery means and said recovered heat is used in order to heat the air. According to the invention, at least part of the burners performs the combustion of an oxygen-rich comburent and a fuel and at least part of the air heated by the energy recovery means is used to heat the oxygen-rich comburent and/or fuel for the burners.

Abstract: A heating system can include certain pressure sensitive features. These features can be configured to change from a first position to a second position based on a pressure of a fuel flowing into the feature. These features can include, fuel selector valves, pressure regulators, burner nozzles, and oxygen depletion sensor nozzles, among other features.

Abstract: A solar hot water and recovery system includes a water loop, a refrigerant loop and a solar loop. Cross-heat exchange occurs in a first heat exchanger between the heat transfer mediums of the refrigerant loop and the solar loop to produce a super-heated fluid stream which is returned to the air conditioning or heat pump unit. Cross-heat exchange also takes place in a second heat exchanger between the now-lower temperature heat transfer medium of the solar loop and the water loop to produce a heated water stream. The main objective of the system is to superheat refrigerant and use all excess heat for heating the water. The heat exchangers are preferably housed in the same heat recovery unit and arranged so that the refrigerant heat exchange area is before the water heat exchange area, thereby maximizing solar potential.

Abstract: An ignition system and method of igniting the ignition system includes a main catalyst section in a staged relationship with a pilot-catalyst section to stage a decomposition though the pilot-catalyst section which preheats the main catalyst section.

Abstract: A grate assembly for cooking food products and a grilling apparatus which uses the grate assembly for supporting the food during cooking. The grate assembly comprises: (a) a lower grate element having a series of parallel peak structures with valleys therebetween and (b) an upper grate element having a series of parallel food support ribs which are sized and spaced such that each rib will be positioned over the top of a corresponding peak structure. The upper food contacting surfaces of the ribs will remain substantially rust-free at atmospheric and cooking conditions.

Abstract: A solar power conversion receiver is described. In one aspect, the solar power conversion receiver includes a circular glass envelope and an absorber tube encapsulated within the circular glass envelope. An annulus, positioned between the circular glass envelope and the outer perimeter of the absorber tube, is bifurcated by first and second fins operatively coupled to the circular glass envelope and the absorber tube. These fins create first and second annulus compartments that are substantially sealed off, or independent, from one another. The first and second fins are ductile and responsive to expansion and contraction of components in the solar power conversion receiver due to temperature effects. In one aspect, gas in the lower annulus compartment stratifies with cooler gas interfacing with the encapsulating glass envelope, and hotter gas interfacing with the hotter absorber tube, resulting reduced natural convection heat loss as compared to conventional glass encapsulated receivers.

Abstract: A modulating furnace having a variable rate burner and a controller is operated at a first burner firing rate for a first period of time, and a higher burner firing rate once the first period of time has expired. In some instances, the burner may be operated only while the controller is receiving a call for heat from a thermostat or the like.

Abstract: Solar energy generates steam in a “once-through” configuration without recirculation, with closely managed steam quality, to produce wet steam from high-contaminant feed water without scaling or fouling. Feed water is pressurized, preheated, and evaporated in a series of pipes exposed to concentrated solar energy to produce a water-steam mixture for direct distribution to an industrial process such as enhanced oil recovery or desalination. Water flow rates are managed based on measurements of solar energy and steam production to manage variations in the solar energy. Steam generator piping system uses continuous receiver pipe that is illuminated by segmented parabolic mirrors enabled to track the sun. Provisions for steam generator piping recurring maintenance are provided. Thermal energy from hot condensate and/or from low quality steam is recaptured and warms inlet water.

Abstract: Solar energy generates steam in a “once-through” configuration without recirculation, with closely managed steam quality, to produce wet steam from high-contaminant feed water without scaling or fouling. Feed water is pressurized, preheated, and evaporated in a series of pipes exposed to concentrated soar energy to produce a water-steam mixture for direct distribution to an industrial process such as enhanced oil recovery or desalination. Water flow rates are managed based on measurements of solar energy and steam production to manage variations in the solar energy. Steam generator piping system uses continuous receiver pipe that is illuminated by segmented parabolic mirrors enabled to track the sun. Provisions for steam generator piping recurring maintenance are provided. Thermal energy from hot condensate and/or from low quality steam is recaptured and warms inlet water.