Abstract: A burner capable of burning crude or other heavy oil. A combustion chamber is surrounded by a wall of thermal insulation. An air-fuel injector pipe extends through the wall and opens into the combustion chamber. An oil supply pipe extends along the interior of the air fuel injector pipe to an inner open end that is proximate the inner end of the air-fuel injector pipe. A venturi insert is fixed within the air-fuel injector pipe and has an orifice positioned outward of the open inner end of the oil supply pipe. A combustion air supply including a blower and a recuperator transfers heat from outgoing combusted exhaust gases to incoming combustion-supporting air being blown through the recuperator and the air fuel injector pipe into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention includes mixing gas or solid particulate fuel in a conduit segment that houses a mixing chamber. Fuel is fed through a fuel inlet port into the mixing chamber. High velocity combustion air from a blower is forced into the mixing chamber through a restricted orifice that generates a suction pressure for drawing gas or solid particulate fuel into the mixing chamber. A combustion chamber supply conduit delivers fuel from the mixing chamber into a burner.

Abstract: A burner capable of burning crude or other heavy oil. A combustion chamber is surrounded by a wall of thermal insulation. An air-fuel injector pipe extends through the wall and opens into the combustion chamber. An oil supply pipe extends along the interior of the air fuel injector pipe to an inner open end that is proximate the inner end of the air-fuel injector pipe. A venturi insert is fixed within the air-fuel injector pipe and has an orifice positioned outward of the open inner end of the oil supply pipe. A combustion air supply including a blower and a recuperator transfers heat from outgoing combusted exhaust gases to incoming combustion-supporting air being blown through the recuperator and the air fuel injector pipe into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention includes mixing gas or solid particulate fuel in a conduit segment that houses a mixing chamber. Fuel is fed through a fuel inlet port into the mixing chamber. High velocity combustion air from a blower is forced into the mixing chamber through a restricted orifice that generates a suction pressure for drawing gas or solid particulate fuel into the mixing chamber. A combustion chamber supply conduit delivers fuel from the mixing chamber into a burner.

Abstract: The invention includes a downdraft gasifier having a rotatable auger/grate extending through its reduction zone. The auger at times moves biofuel through the gasifier and at times supports it in the gasifier. A frusto-conical biomass grate funnels biomass onto the auger and is perforate for permitting the passage of gases while retaining the biomass. A guide tube surrounds the auger below the frusto-conical biomass grate. The invention also includes mixing gas or solid particulate fuel in a conduit segment that houses a mixing chamber. Fuel is fed through a fuel inlet port into the mixing chamber. High velocity combustion air from a blower is forced into the mixing chamber through a restricted orifice that generates a suction pressure for drawing gas or solid particulate fuel into the mixing chamber. A combustion chamber supply conduit delivers fuel from the mixing chamber into a burner.

Abstract: The invention includes a downdraft gasifier having a rotatable auger/grate extending through its reduction zone. The auger at times moves biofuel through the gasifier and at times supports it in the gasifier. A frusto-conical biomass grate funnels biomass onto the auger and is perforate for permitting the passage of gases while retaining the biomass. A guide tube surrounds the auger below the frusto-conical biomass grate. The invention also includes mixing gas or solid particulate fuel in a conduit segment that houses a mixing chamber. Fuel is fed through a fuel inlet port into the mixing chamber. High velocity combustion air from a blower is forced into the mixing chamber through a restricted orifice that generates a suction pressure for drawing gas or solid particulate fuel into the mixing chamber. A combustion chamber supply conduit delivers fuel from the mixing chamber into a burner.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator and method for monitoring and maintaining an environmental condition inside a structure such as a house, building, or dwelling is provided. The ventilator may include a housing having mating halves of a molded polymeric material, first and second chambers disposed within the housing to convey separate first and second streams of air, a heat exchanger configured to intersect the first and second chambers, a first fan to circulate the first air stream through the first chamber, a second fan to circulate the second air stream through the second chamber, and a fan motor driving the first and second fans. The ventilator may also be configured to prevent frost build-up in or on the energy ventilator, to provide efficient cooling, and maintain one or more desired environmental conditions.

Abstract: A ventilator includes a ventilator housing defining an exhaust air flow section and a fresh air flow section, a rotary wheel, a heat and moisture exchange media supported by the rotary wheel and intersecting the exhaust air flow section and the fresh air flow section, a rotary wheel mounting assembly including a first set of guide rollers in contact with a first rim edge portion of the rotary wheel and a second set of guide rollers in contact with a second rim edge portion of the rotary wheel, and a drive roller in contact with one of the rim edge portions. A hub and bearing assembly is provided such that the rotary wheel may tilt with respect to the mounting assembly. A rotary wheel access plate defines an exhaust air outlet and a fresh air inlet and is equipped with an access plate opening assembly. A moisture transfer wick extends across a partition assembly between the exhaust air flow section and the fresh air flow section.

Abstract: A heat recovery ventilator having a rotary wheel heat exchanger includes a unique configuration for driving both the rotary wheel heat exchanger and impellers to provide an inexpensive, compact and light-weight ventilator unit adaptable for use across a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial applications. A random matrix media is also used to provide high thermal efficiency in exchanging heat and moisture between inlet and exhaust air streams.

Abstract: A heat recovery ventilator having a rotary wheel heat exchanger uses a random matrix media of randomly interrelated small diameter heat-retentive fibrous material to provide high thermal efficiency in exchanging heat and moisture between inlet and exhaust air streams for residential, commercial and industrial applications.