Abstract: A combustion burner using hydrogen as the primary fuel and including a burner housing, a hydrogen fuel conduit extending within the housing and defining a hydrogen fuel exit opening, a combustion air conduit extending within the housing and defining a combustion air exit opening, a hydrocarbon fuel conduit defining a hydrocarbon fuel exit opening, and a mixing/combustion zone in which the hydrogen fuel, the combustion air, and the hydrocarbon fuel mix and combustion takes place. The hydrocarbon fuel exit opening is positioned such that the hydrocarbon fuel is heated prior to mixing with the combustion air injected from the combustion air opening. Also, a method of firing a combustion burner using hydrogen as the primary fuel, where hydrogen fuel, combustion air, and hydrocarbon fuel are injected into a mixing/combustion zone of the combustion burner such that the hydrocarbon fuel is heated prior to mixing with the combustion air.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustion burner to heat a furnace. Fuel and combustion air are supplied into a combustion zone and ignited. Additional combustion air is supplied into the atmosphere outside of the combustion zone. The amount of additional combustion air supplied outside of the combustion zone is decreased as a temperature of the atmosphere inside the furnace increases such that the content of nitrogen oxides (NOx), as corrected for 3% O2 (cNOx (3% O2)), in the gases generated by combustion of the fuel and the combustion air and emitted from the furnace maintained below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a furnace using a burner system having first and second burner assemblies, each including a burner and a regenerative media bed, the method including operating the first burner assembly in a firing mode and the second burner assembly in a regeneration mode, switching the first burner assembly from the firing mode to the regeneration mode and the second burner assembly from the regeneration mode to the firing mode, and operating the second burner assembly in the firing mode and the first burner assembly in the regeneration mode. The burner assembly in the firing mode may be fired in either a first operating mode where the burner is supplied with preheated low calorific fuel and the burner is supplied with oxidizing gas or a second operating mode where the burner is supplied with preheated oxidizing gas and the burner is supplied with high calorific fuel.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustion burner to heat a furnace. Fuel and combustion air are supplied into a combustion zone and ignited. Additional combustion air is supplied into the atmosphere outside of the combustion zone. The amount of additional combustion air supplied outside of the combustion zone is decreased as a temperature of the atmosphere inside the furnace increases such that the content of nitrogen oxides (NOx), as corrected for 3% O2 (cNOx (3% O2)), in the gases generated by combustion of the fuel and the combustion air and emitted from the furnace maintained below a predetermined value.

Abstract: Regenerative burner for non-symmetrical combustion and a method of firing the burner. The burner includes a burner housing enclosing a burner plenum; a fuel conduit extending longitudinally within the housing and positioned coaxial with a line spaced from a central axis of the burner, with the fuel conduit defining a fuel exit opening; and a baffle positioned at least partially around the fuel conduit and defining an air conduit extending into the housing and defining an air opening on an opposite side of the burner central axis from the fuel exit opening. The baffle also defines a cavity adjacent the fuel exit opening and in communication with the fuel conduit through the fuel exit opening. The sidewall of the cavity converges from a central axis of the fuel conduit to provide further jet penetration into the furnace and achieve greater levels of products of combustion entrainment prior to combustion.

Abstract: A burner port block assembly having a refractory block with a central passageway therethrough and a ceramic extension piece disposed at least partially in the central passageway of the refractory block. The extension piece has a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall that defines a central passageway extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The central passageway of the refractory block is provided with a first engagement structure and the sidewall of the extension piece is provided with a second engagement structure. Engagement of the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure connects the extension piece to the refractory block. The burner port block assembly may further include at least one ceramic fiber board having a hole therethrough disposed at the distal end of the refractory block and/or a gasket positioned between the refractory block and the extension piece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a furnace using a burner system having first and second burner assemblies, each including a burner and a regenerative media bed, the method including operating the first burner assembly in a firing mode and the second burner assembly in a regeneration mode, switching the first burner assembly from the firing mode to the regeneration mode and the second burner assembly from the regeneration mode to the firing mode, and operating the second burner assembly in the firing mode and the first burner assembly in the regeneration mode. The burner assembly in the firing mode may be fired in either a first operating mode where the burner is supplied with preheated low calorific fuel and the burner is supplied with oxidizing gas or a second operating mode where the burner is supplied with preheated oxidizing gas and the burner is supplied with high calorific fuel.

Abstract: A burner port block assembly having a refractory block with a central passageway therethrough and a ceramic extension piece disposed at least partially in the central passageway of the refractory block. The extension piece has a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall that defines a central passageway extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The central passageway of the refractory block is provided with a first engagement structure and the sidewall of the extension piece is provided with a second engagement structure. Engagement of the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure connects the extension piece to the refractory block. The burner port block assembly may further include at least one ceramic fiber board having a hole therethrough disposed at the distal end of the refractory block and/or a gasket positioned between the refractory block and the extension piece.

Abstract: Regenerative burner for non-symmetrical combustion and a method of firing the burner. The burner includes a burner housing enclosing a burner plenum; a fuel conduit extending longitudinally within the housing and positioned coaxial with a line spaced from a central axis of the burner, with the fuel conduit defining a fuel exit opening; and a baffle positioned at least partially around the fuel conduit and defining an air conduit extending into the housing and defining an air opening on an opposite side of the burner central axis from the fuel exit opening. The baffle also defines a cavity adjacent the fuel exit opening and in communication with the fuel conduit through the fuel exit opening. The sidewall of the cavity converges from a central axis of the fuel conduit to provide further jet penetration into the furnace and achieve greater levels of products of combustion entrainment prior to combustion.

Abstract: A method of firing a melting furnace to which flux or fining additions are made, comprising supplying the burner systems with a fuel mixture containing at least 10% glycerin wherein the glycerin contains sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), or a combination thereof. The glycerin can advantageously be raw glycerin, a by-product of biodiesel production. It can be co-fired with natural gas or fuel oil or fired alone in traditional combustion burner systems. Alternatively, the glycerin may be supplied with NaCl and KCl in the same proportion as the flux used in the melting furnace. Significant fuel cost savings and potential flux cost savings may be realized using this method. The method is applicable to furnaces used in the production of aluminum or glass having similar burner systems and utilizing NaCl and/or KCl additions as part of the melting process.

Abstract: A refractory member for use in insulating a support beam or other heat-absorptive element in a high temperature furnace as well as a method of producing such members is provided. The refractory member includes a vacuum-formed refractory shape comprised of a fiber material and at least one binder, a reticulated, interconnected mesh embedded within the refractory shape, and an anchor element for securing the refractory member to the heat-absorptive element.

Abstract: A burner for non-symmetrical combustion generally includes a burner housing enclosing a burner plenum. A fuel conduit extends within the housing and is positioned coaxial with a line spaced from a central axis of the burner. The fuel conduit defines a fuel exit opening. A baffle defining an air conduit extends longitudinally within the housing. The air conduit has an air opening on an opposite side of the burner central axis from the fuel exit opening. At least one oxygen injection lance extends longitudinally within the housing and partially through the air conduit. A burner port block is located adjacent to the baffle and downstream of the air opening, and is in fluid communication with the fuel conduit and the air conduit.

Abstract: A burner for non-symmetrical combustion generally includes a burner housing enclosing a burner plenum. A fuel conduit extends within the housing and is positioned coaxial with a line spaced from a central axis of the burner. The fuel conduit defines a fuel exit opening. A baffle defining an air conduit extends longitudinally within the housing. The air conduit has an air opening on an opposite side of the burner central axis from the fuel exit opening. At least one oxygen injection lance extends longitudinally within the housing and partially through the air conduit. A burner port block is located adjacent to the baffle and downstream of the air opening, and is in fluid communication with the fuel conduit and the air conduit.