Abstract: The combustion apparatus having a heat-recirculating function comprises: a porous burner component (4) being made of permeable metallic material and having a first region (4a) through which a fuel-air mixture flows and is ejected therefrom into the combustion chamber at a velocity higher than the burning velocity of the fuel-air mixture to form a flame base on the periphery of the fuel-air mixture ejection area and having a second region (4b) being located adjacent to and outside of the first region to recover heat from high temperature product gas generated from the combustion of the fuel-air mixtures by red-heating the surface of the second region on the combustion chamber side while the product gas is penetrating through the burner component (4), wherein the heat recovered in the second region is conducted to the first region; the combustion chamber (5) being located to cover both the first region (4a) and the second region (4b) and enclosing these regions, and a cylindrical wall (6) separating a fuel-air

Abstract: The combustion apparatus is composed of: a porous burner component being made of a permeable metallic material and having a centrally located first region (11a, 11aa, 11ba, 11ca) where the fuel-air mixture is ejected and the red heat condition is formed on the surface of downstream side and having a second region (10b, 11ab, 11bb, 11cb) being located outside of the first region to recover heat from high temperature product gas coming from a combustion chamber, wherein the heat recovered in the second region is conducted to the first region; the combustion chamber (8) being located covering both the first region and the second region and enclosing these regions; a fuel-air mixture supply passage (7) to feed the fuel-air mixture into the central first region; and an exhaust passage (6) to lead the flue gas discharged from the second region to the exhaust opening (9), which exhaust passage is located adjacent to and outside of the fuel-air mixture supply passage and is separated by a separation wall (4) therefro

Abstract: Process for the production of synthesis gas and higher hydrocarbons in which a saturated hydrocarbon and an oxygen containing gas having a ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen of greater than the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion are introduced into a bed of an inert particulate material. The upward flow rate of the hydrocarbon/oxygen containing gas stream is sufficient to fluidize or to produce a spouting action of the bed material, whereby the particulate material is thrown up above the bed surface and subsequently falls back into the bed. The hydrocarbon and oxygen containing gas are ignited reacted together, and the products of the reaction withdrawn.

Abstract: A gas particulate solid system has a chamber capable of containing a bed of particulate solid and a supply of an oxygen containing gas. A line or lines having their outlet or outlets above the slumped bed directs the oxygen containing gas downwardly to impinge on the surface of the bed material so as to form a crater surrounded by circulating bed material. Fuel is supplied to the crater either in the gas stream or from an external source and after ignition combustion occurs in or near the crater.

Abstract: An ignition plug for use in association with a cylinder of an internal combustion engine wherein within the body of the plug is a chamber having associated therewith first and second electrodes between which a spark is struck in the chamber. A supply arrangement is provided for supplying plasma medium in liquid form to wet the wall of the chamber therewith between successive firings of the plug.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a flow of material by an electric arc generates free radicals and/or atoms, and charged species, in ground or excited states. A cathode (13) and an anode (14) are arranged for striking an arc across a preferably annular gap and provide a pathway for flow of material through the gap between the cathode and anode. Each electrode has a region providing a continuous closed path for the anode spot or cathode root respectively to travel around, and means, preferably magnetic means (19), for producing movement of the arc cause the anode spot and cathode root to travel around their paths in the same sense and in substantially the same time. Preferably the paths are circular paths in parallel planes on the anode and cathode respectively, and the length of the arc remains substantially constant during travel of the anode spot and cathode root around the paths. Preferably the cathode (13) comprises a rod having a plane end face with a circumferential edge for striking the arc.