Abstract: A heating device (100) for combustion of liquid fuels comprises at least one catalytic element (140) for catalytically burning a mixture of fuel and air, a fuel supply means (133) being disposed on an upstream side of said first catalytic element (140) and an air supply means (132) being disposed on an upstream side of said at least one catalytic element (140). A fuel-evaporating device (130) has a substantially axisymmetric shape and an upstream end and a downstream end. The fuel-evaporating device is heated, during operation, by the at least one catalytic element (140), and is supplied with fuel and air from the fuel supply means (133) and the air supply means (132). The heating device also comprises an outer housing (110), for containing said catalytic element (140) and said fuel-evaporating device (130). The fuel-evaporating device (130) is provided with at least one inner inlet pipe (132; 132b) in the generally upstream end thereof.

Abstract: A heating device (100) for combustion of liquid fuels comprises at least one catalytic element (140) for catalytically burning a mixture of fuel and air, a fuel supply means (133) being disposed on an upstream side of said first catalytic element (140) and an air supply means (132) being disposed on an upstream side of said at least one catalytic element (140). A fuel-evaporating device (130) has a substantially axisymmetric shape and an upstream end and a downstream end. The fuel-evaporating device is heated, during operation, by the at least one catalytic element (140), and is supplied with fuel and air from the fuel supply means (133) and the air supply means (132). The heating device also comprises an outer housing (110), for containing said catalytic element (140) and said fuel-evaporating device (130). The fuel-evaporating device (130) is provided with at least one inner inlet pipe (132; 132b) in the generally upstream end thereof.

Abstract: Methods for operating catalytic combustion chambers including first and second catalytic reactors disposed in series with an intermediate chamber therebetween are disclosed, the method including heating the first catalytic reactor to a temperature at least equal to the ignition temperature of the first catalytic reactor, introducing air and fuel mixture to the first catalytic reactor whereby catalytic combustion is initiated in the first catalytic reactor, and increasing the mass flow through the first catalytic reactor whereby combustion of the air and fuel mixture takes place in the gas phase in the intermediate chamber and the end surface of the second catalytic reactor is heated to a temperature at least equal to the ignition temperature of the second catalytic reactor and ignition takes place in the second catalytic reactor.