Abstract: A process and system for release and recovery of methane from subterranean methane hydrate deposits in which heated CO2 is used to displace methane from the methane hydrate deposits and a portion of the displaced methane is routed to a combustion device proximate the deposit for combustion in-situ, generating heated CO2 which is introduced into the deposit, displacing additional methane, a portion of which is routed to the combustion device, thereby providing a substantially self-sustaining process. Portions of the displace methane not routed to the combustion device are captured for use elsewhere.

Abstract: A combustion method and apparatus which produce a hybrid flame for heating metals and metal alloys, which hybrid flame has the characteristic of having an oxidant-lean portion proximate the metal or metal alloy and having an oxidant-rich portion disposed above the oxidant lean portion. This hybrid flame is produced by introducing fuel and primary combustion oxidant into the furnace chamber containing the metal or metal alloy in a substoichiometric ratio to produce a fuel-rich flame and by introducing a secondary combustion oxidant into the furnace chamber above the fuel-rich flame in a manner whereby mixing of the secondary combustion oxidant with the fuel-rich flame is delayed for a portion of the length of the flame.

Abstract: A direct flame impingement method and apparatus employing at least one multi-ported, internally recuperated burner. The burner includes an innermost coaxial conduit having a first fluid inlet end and a first fluid outlet end, an outermost coaxial conduit disposed around the innermost coaxial conduit and having a combustion products outlet end proximate the first fluid inlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit and a combustion products inlet end proximate the first fluid outlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit, and a coaxial intermediate conduit disposed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit, whereby a second fluid annular region is formed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the intermediate coaxial conduit and a combustion products annular region is formed between the intermediate coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a subterranean formation or material utilizing a drilling apparatus which includes a drill string having a leading end and a trailing end and having a bottom hole assembly connected with the leading end. The bottom hole assembly includes a drill bit and an externally threaded screw section. In operation, the drill bit is rotated, forming material cuttings and an opening in the subterranean formation, and the threaded screw section is rotated within the opening, forming a helical groove in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling underground having at least one optical fiber for transmitting light energy from a laser energy source disposed above ground to an underground drilling location and a mechanical drill bit having at least one cutting surface and forming at least one light transmission channel aligned to transmit light from the at least one optical fiber through the mechanical drill bit by way of the at least one light transmission channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing radiant heat in which a mixture of fuel and primary combustion oxidant is introduced into a combustion chamber having a heat radiating wall, which mixture has less than a stoichiometric requirement for complete combustion of the fuel, and igniting the mixture, forming heated partial combustion products. At least a portion of the heat in the heated partial combustion products is transferred to the heat radiating wall. The heated partial combustion products are passed from the combustion chamber into an exhaust gas plenum disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber. A secondary combustion oxidant is introduced into the exhaust gas plenum in an amount sufficient to complete combustion of the partial combustion products, forming exhaust gases. Heat in the exhaust gases is transferred to the primary combustion oxidant disposed in a combustion oxidant plenum disposed adjacent to said exhaust gas plenum.

Abstract: A submerged combustion burner having co-axial fuel and oxidant tubes forming an annular space therebetween, wherein the outer tube extends beyond the end of the inner tube. A burner nozzle having an outside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the outer tube is connected to the outlet end of the inner tube and forms a centralized opening in fluid communication with the inner tube and at least one peripheral longitudinally oriented opening in fluid communication with the annular space. In accordance with one embodiment, a longitudinally adjustable rod is disposed within the inner tube for adjustment of fluid flow therethrough, and a cylindrical insert having at least one flame stabilizer for stabilizing a flame produced by the burner is attached to the outlet end of the outer tube. In accordance with another embodiment, fluid flow through the inner tube is achieved by a flow control valve operably connected to the inner tube.

Abstract: A combustion method and apparatus which produce a hybrid flame for heating metals and metal alloys, which hybrid flame has the characteristic of having an oxidant-lean portion proximate the metal or metal alloy and having an oxidant-rich portion disposed above the oxidant lean portion. This hybrid flame is produced by introducing fuel and primary combustion oxidant into the furnace chamber containing the metal or metal alloy in a substoichiometric ratio to produce a fuel-rich flame and by introducing a secondary combustion oxidant into the furnace chamber above the fuel-rich flame in a manner whereby mixing of the secondary combustion oxidant with the fuel-rich-flame is delayed for a portion of the length of the flame.

Abstract: A direct flame impingement method and apparatus employing at least one multi-ported, internally recuperated burner. The burner includes an innermost coaxial conduit having a first fluid inlet end and a first fluid outlet end, an outermost coaxial conduit disposed around the innermost coaxial conduit and having a combustion products outlet end proximate the first fluid inlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit and a combustion products inlet end proximate the first fluid outlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit, and a coaxial intermediate conduit disposed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit, whereby a second fluid annular region is formed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the intermediate coaxial conduit and a combustion products annular region is formed between the intermediate coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit.

Abstract: A submerged combustion burner having co-axial fuel and oxidant tubes forming an annular space therebetween, wherein the outer tube extends beyond the end of the inner tube. A burner nozzle having an outside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the outer tube is connected to the outlet end of the inner tube and forms a centralized opening in fluid communication with the inner tube and at least one peripheral longitudinally oriented opening in fluid communication with the annular space. In accordance with one embodiment, a longitudinally adjustable rod is disposed within the inner tube for adjustment of fluid flow therethrough, and a cylindrical insert having at least one flame stabilizer for stabilizing a flame produced by the burner is attached to the outlet end of the outer tube. In accordance with another embodiment, fluid flow through the inner tube is achieved by a flow control valve operably connected to the inner tube.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus comprising a pre-combustor stage and a primary combustion stage, the pre-combustor stage having two co-axial cylinders, one for oxidant and one for fuel gas, in which the fuel gas is preheated and the primary combustion stage having rectangular co-axial passages through which fuel and oxidant are admitted into a refractory burner block. Both passages converge in the vertical plane and diverge in the horizontal plane. The passage through the refractory burner block also has a rectangular profile and diverges in the horizontal plane. The outlets to the primary combustion stage are recessed in the refractory burner block at a distance which may be varied.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus comprising a pre-combustor stage and a primary combustion stage, the pre-combustor stage having two co-axial cylinders, one for oxidant and one for fuel gas, in which the fuel gas is preheated and the primary combustion stage having rectangular co-axial passages through which fuel and oxidant are admitted into a refractory burner block. Both passages converge in the vertical plane and diverge in the horizontal plane. The passage through the refractory burner block also has a rectangular profile and diverges in the horizontal plane. The outlets to the primary combustion stage are recessed in the refractory burner block at a distance which may be varied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the concentration of at least one gaseous component and/or vaporous component of a gaseous mixture in which a controlled sensor flame is introduced into the gaseous mixture and at least one narrow spectral band in the controlled sensor flame is optically measured. The concentration of the gaseous component using a result obtained from the optical measuring of the at least one narrow spectral band is then calculated. The method of this invention is particularly suitable for substantially real-time control of combustion processes.

Abstract: A combustion system for automatic, real-time control of a combustion process which can be applied with significant advantage to a wide range of furnaces, boilers and combustors. The system includes a burner body having a primary first fluid inlet end forming at least one primary first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet end forming at least one first fluid outlet. An inner conduit is disposed within the burner body, forming a fluid flow region between the burner body and the inner conduit. The inner conduit has a second fluid inlet distal from the first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet proximate the first fluid outlet. An internal adjustment device is provided for adjusting a flow cross-sectional area for a first fluid and/or a second fluid disposed within the burner body.

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 for high temperature process control in which the surface emission intensity of a surface is measured at two near-infrared wavelengths over an array of points covering a fill field of view. The emissivity variable is removed from the temperature calculation and the surface emission intensity measurements are digitally processed, resulting in generation of a color temperature map. The color temperature map is processed in a thermal imaging control algorithm process, producing control output signals, which are then input to a temperature control means for controlling the surface temperature. The apparatus used in carrying out this method is surface temperature monitoring system which includes a multiple-wavelength, near-infrared thermal imaging system.

Abstract: A combustion system for automatic, real-time control of a combustion process which can be applied with significant advantage to a wide range of furnaces, boilers and combustors. The system includes a burner body having a primary first fluid inlet end forming at least one primary first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet end forming at least one first fluid outlet. An inner conduit is disposed within the burner body, forming a fluid flow region between the burner body and the inner conduit. The inner conduit has a second fluid inlet distal from the first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet proximate the first fluid outlet. An internal adjustment device is provided for adjusting a flow cross-sectional area for a first fluid and/or a second fluid disposed within the burner body.

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 measuring the concentration of at least one gaseous component and/or vaporous component of a gaseous mixture in which a controlled sensor flame is introduced into the gaseous mixture and at least one narrow spectral band in the controlled sensor flame is optically measured. The concentration of the gaseous component using a result obtained from the optical measuring of the at least one narrow spectral band is then calculated. The method of this invention is particularly suitable for substantially real-time control of combustion processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion of a fuel and oxidant in which at least a portion of a fuel and at least a portion of an oxidant are introduced into an annular region formed by an outer tubular member closed off at one end and an inner tubular member open at both ends concentrically disposed within the outer tubular member, forming a fuel/oxidant mixture. The fuel/oxidant mixture is ignited in the annular region, forming products of combustion therein. The products of combustion are then exhausted through the inner tubular member providing oxidant preheating prior to forming the fuel/oxidant mixture.