Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the thermal potential of an airstream containing combustible vapors such as is exhausted from a metal sheet treating oven. The system includes a sensing chamber into which the airstream is directed, a burner in the chamber for initiating oxidation of the vapors such that the temperature of the air in the chamber downstream from the burner is the sum of the temperature rise due to the heat added to the airstream by combustion of auxiliary fuel supplied to the burner and the thermal potential of the airstream. Means are shown for defining, over variations in airstream temperature and/or volumetric flow rate, the temperature rise which is due to combustion of auxiliary fuel so that a rise in the temperature of the airstream within the chamber which is due to a change in the thermal potential of the airstream introduced into said chamber is distinguishable.

Abstract: An oven system useful for baking coatings on steel sheet and the like is disclosed. The system includes an oven through which material to be heated is conveyed. A hot air supply system provides substantially all of the heat requirements of the oven and air from the oven is passed into a fuel fired incinerator wherein incineration and heating of the air and combustion of any solvent present is effected. A regenerative heat interchange means such as a pebble bed regenerator is interposed between the exit of the incinerator and the hot air supply system and serves to effect of heating of the fresh air to provide at least a portion of the hot air for the hot air supply system using the heat content of the incinerated air from said incinerator.