Abstract: A process for the production of carboxylic acid esters by reaction of a carboxylic acid selected from mono-, di- and polycarboxylic acids, with an alcohol in the presence of water of solution comprising the steps of: (a) providing a solution comprising the carboxylic acid and the water of solution; (b) reacting the solution of the carboxylic acid in an esterification zone with an alcohol to form an ester and water of esterification; (c) removing the water of solution and the water of esterification; and (d) recovering the ester.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for detecting faults in a sensor providing an output voltage representative of aeration of a combustible mixture. The apparatus comprises a control box which checks whether the value of a reference voltage with which the output voltage is compared to control the aeration is suitable for causing an intended value of the aeration to be maintained.

Abstract: A fuel fired burner comprises a chamber for receiving a premixture of fuel and air. A wall of the chamber is in the form of a flamestrip provided with a plurality of elongate slots extending through the wall. Each slot has an inlet portion which converges to an end leading to a substantially constant dimension portion. The pitch of the slots along the chamber wall is P, the width of each slot is w, and the length of the constant dimension portion is L. The dimensions of the flamestrip are arranged such that L/w.gtoreq.10 and P/w.gtoreq.2. A burner including such an arrangement reduces the likelihood of resonant combustion noise being generated when enclosed within a heating appliance.

Abstract: A thermoelectric sensor assembly 1 for use with a flamestrip 9 in a fuel gas burner. The sensor assembly may be in the form of a probe 2 having temperature sensors 5a,b,c,d downstream of the flamestrip 9 in and adjacent the flame region, and temperature sensors 6a,b,c upstream of the flamestrip. A voltage output signal from the sensor assembly is used as an indication of the aeration of the flame and/or of flame establishment and/or flame failure and/or flame lightback.

Abstract: A fuel fire burner has a plenum chamber to which fuel and air are supplied. One of the walls of the plenum chamber is generally flat and has a plurality of substantially rectangular slots extending therethrough, the slots serving as combustion ports for the fuel. The wall also has an integral rim extending therefrom on a side thereof opposite the plenum chamber.

Abstract: A fuel-fired burner of the gas-fired fully premixed type comprises a plenum chamber 2 formed by walls 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the wall 11 having an inlet port 4 to enable the plenum chamber 2 to receive a mixture of gas and air from a mixing chamber 3 and the wall 5 comprising a plate having therein several through-going rectangular slots 6 which communicate with the chamber 2. The mixing chamber 3 has an inlet end 15 for connection to a source of pressurized air and a further inlet opening 17 in a wall 13 formed with a stub pipe 18 by means of which the chamber 3 can be connected to a source of fuel gas.