Abstract: A system and method for improving solar collector design to provide thermal and electric output during times of low or no solar intensity. The improved solar collector design includes an infrared heater to supplement energy provided by the sun during time of low or no solar intensity.

Abstract: A system and method for improving solar collector design to provide thermal and electric output during times of low or no solar intensity. The improved solar collector design includes an infrared heater to supplement energy provided by the sun during time of low or no solar intensity.

Abstract: A combustion system having at least one wall enclosing a combustion chamber and forming a plurality of burner or burner nozzle openings. Disposed within each of the openings is a premix burner or burner nozzle, each of which has a premixed fuel/oxidant outlet proximate the combustion chamber and a fuel/oxidant inlet distal from the combustion chamber. At least a portion of the premix burners or burner nozzles are sized to produce different fuel/oxidant delivery disturbance response times in response to a pressure disturbance within the combustion system. Differences in fuel/oxidant delivery response times are achieved by using burners or burner nozzles having different internal dimensions, different volume flow rates, and, optionally, by varying the fuel/oxidant ratios of the mixtures flowing through the burners or burner nozzles.

Abstract: A firetube boiler furnace having two combustion sections and an in-line intermediate tubular heat transfer section between the two combustion sections and integral to the pressure vessel. This design provides a staged oxidant combustion apparatus with separate in-line combustion chambers for fuel-rich primary combustion and fuel-lean secondary combustion and sufficient cooling of the combustion products from the primary combustion such that when the secondary combustion oxidant is added in the secondary combustion stage, the NOx formation is less than 5 ppmv at 3% O2.

Abstract: An apparatus for combustion of a fuel in stages having at least one wall enclosing a chamber and forming at least one fuel inlet opening, at least one oxidant inlet opening and a plurality of fuel/oxidant outlet openings. A recirculation sleeve is disposed on the fuel/oxidant outlet side of the chamber and is coaxially aligned with the center axis of the apparatus. A plurality of fuel distributors are disposed within the chamber, each fuel distributor having a fuel inlet and a plurality of fuel outlets, each of the fuel outlets being aligned with a corresponding one of the fuel/oxidant outlet openings. Also disclosed is a method for combustion of a fuel in stages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion of a fuel in which a first-stage fuel and a first-stage oxidant are introduced into a combustion chamber and ignited, forming a primary combustion zone. At least about 5% of the total heat output produced by combustion of the first-stage fuel and the first-stage oxidant is removed from the primary combustion zone, forming cooled first-stage combustion products. A portion of the cooled first-stage combustion products from a downstream region of the primary combustion zone is recirculated to an upstream region of primary combustion zone. A second-stage fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber downstream of the primary combustion zone and ignited, forming a secondary combustion zone. At least about 5% of the heat from the secondary combustion zone is removed. In accordance with one embodiment, a third-stage oxidant is introduced into the combustion chamber downstream of the secondary combustion zone, forming a tertiary combustion zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion of a fuel in which a first-stage fuel and a first-stage oxidant are introduced into a combustion chamber and ignited, forming a primary combustion zone. At least about 5% of the total heat output produced by combustion of the first-stage fuel and the first-stage oxidant is removed from the primary combustion zone, forming cooled first-stage combustion products. A portion of the cooled first-stage combustion products from a downstream region of the primary combustion zone is recirculated to an upstream region of primary combustion zone. A second-stage fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber downstream of the primary combustion zone and ignited, forming a secondary combustion zone. At least about 5% of the heat from the secondary combustion zone is removed. In accordance with one embodiment, a third-stage oxidant is introduced into the combustion chamber downstream of the secondary combustion zone, forming a tertiary combustion zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for premixing a gaseous fuel and air, the apparatus comprising a back plate having a plurality of back plate openings, a front plate having a plurality of front plate openings corresponding to and substantially aligned with the back plate openings, a gaseous fuel inlet through in which a gaseous fuel is introduced into the area between the back plate and the front plate, and a plurality of air jet tubes disposed between the back plate and the front plate, the air jet tubes conveying combustion air from said back plate openings through said front plate openings, resulting in aspiration of the fuel through the front plate openings.

Abstract: A method for two-stage combustion in which a mixture of fuel and primary combustion air is burned in a primary combustion zone, the primary combustion air comprising less than a stoichiometric requirement for complete combustion of the fuel, a portion of cooled partial combustion products formed in the primary combustion zone is recirculated from a downstream end of the primary combustion zone to an upstream end of the primary combustion zone, secondary combustion air is introduced into a secondary combustion zone downstream of the primary combustion zone, a portion of the heat from the primary combustion zone is removed, cooling the partial combustion products formed therein, and the heat is transported away from the combustion process. An apparatus for two-stage combustion in accordance with this method is also disclosed.