Abstract: A duct burner apparatus and method for burning a gaseous fuel in the presence of a flowing oxygen-containing gas stream is provided. The apparatus comprises fuel gas supply means positioned in the path of the oxygen-containing gas stream and at least one elongated baffle means spaced from the conduit means on the downstream side thereof. The baffle means includes an inner wall portion and diverging outer wing portions and defines an ignition zone which is shielded from the conduit means. Spacer means for supporting the baffle means are attached thereto and to the conduit means, and fuel gas nozzle means are removably connected to the conduit means which extend to the baffle means for introducing fuel gas into the ignition zone and downstream thereof.

Abstract: An improved fuel oil atomizer which comprises a burner tube through which fuel oil is supplied under selected pressure, and a coaxial surrounding steam tube providing an annular space therebetween, the flow of steam being under greater pressure than the oil pressure. A burner head is joined to the burner oil tube through an orifice of selected diameter. The burner head has a long axial bore of constant selected diameter, which leads to the burner tip, which has a plurality of tip ports. There are a number of transverse ports between the annular steam path and the central bore, so that the steam can flow under pressure into the central bore of the burner head to mix thoroughly with the pressurized oil flowing from the orifice. Two factors are important in the construction of the burner head, namely that the central bore must be of constant diameter from the point where the steam and oil mix, outwardly toward the burner tip ports.

Abstract: A fluid fuel burner system for minimum production of NOX under varying rates of fuel firing and varying rates of combustion air or oxidant supply, which comprises a fuel burner including means for burning liquid and gaseous fuel. Liquid fuels are burned in an axial burner tube, and the gaseous fuels are burned in a plurality of gas burner tubes located in a circle coaxial with the liquid burner. A first air or oxidant plenum supplies primary-plus-secondary air or oxidant, the primary air or oxidant going to the liquid burner and the secondary air or oxidant going to the gas burner. The total of primary plus secondary is less than stoichiometric flow so that the combustion of the fuel in a first combustion chamber provides a reducing atmosphere to preclude the formation of NOX. Means are provided for independently controlling the primary air or oxidant flow compared to the secondary air or oxidant flow, or vice versa.

Abstract: A premix-type gaseous fuel burning system for alternate or simultaneous combustion of low BTU gas and normal BTU gas comprises a gas supply means for providing both high BTU gas and low BTU gas at selected substantial velocity, and a burner tube for receiving said gas, whereby primary air is inducted into the burner tube and mixed with the gas flow. A burner head comprises a long narrow rectangular structure of tapered construction that is inserted upwardly into a corresponding rectangular opening in the floor of the furnace. The opening is also tapered in the same direction as the burner head, but with a selected annular spacing between the walls of the opening and the burner head. Means are provided for vertically adjusting the position of the burner head within the opening. Secondary combustion air is directed through the annular space between the burner head and the opening in the floor of a furnace.

Abstract: A burner for reduced NOx emission and also for the control of the shape of the flame as regards its length and spread, comprises a first combustion zone, which is contained within a cylindrical chamber lined with refractory material. A burner tube is inserted through an opening in the upstream end of the first combustion zone, the burner including means for providing and burning liquid and gaseous fuel. A first air plenum is provided upstream of the first combustion zone with means for supplying less-than-stoichiometric combustion air in a tangential swirling manner, prior to entering the first combustion zone.

Abstract: A gas burner system for providing a thin, flat flame for use in a long narrow combustion space, has a first air supply plenum which has a long narrow rectangular cross-section, which is placed above a second plenum or combustion chamber of substantially the same cross-section. At the junction between the first and second plena there are longitudinal projections inwardly from both long walls of the second plenum, forming a long narrow rectangular inlet to the second plenum. A burner assembly comprising an elongated flattened pipe having a plurality of short air baffles welded on each side is supported in this narrow inlet to the second plenum and substantially in the center thereof. The overall width of the burner assembly is less than that of the inlet so that there are two longitudinal gaps between the burner assembly and the projections for the passage of combustion air. There are two sets of ports in the lower edge of the flattened pipe.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel burner for enhanced flame adherence to a tile surface in a furnace, comprising a gas burner tube having a nozzle at its end, including a plurality of radial orifices circumferentially spaced in a transverse plane. A cylindrical combustion air plenum is coaxial with said burner tube, and means are provided to supply combustion air to said plenum at a selected super-atmospheric pressure P1. There is a circular concentric opening in the wall of the plenum and a short length of air tube welded to the opening, which is inserted into an opening in the furnace tile. A plurality of curved vanes are provided, and means to lead air from the pressurized plenum through the vanes to provide a rapidly spinning air flow which moves helically along the air tube into the tile and into the furnace. The central opening of the tile is flared in an arcuate manner. There is sufficient pressure drop between the air plenum at P1 and inside of the air tube P2, after passage through the vanes, of the order of 0.8 W.C.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in conjunction with boiler flue gases, for generating inert blanketing gases, for safety in the pumping out of hydrocarbons or other flammable liquids from tanks or containers, such as might be used on board ship while unloading liquid fuels, etc. The apparatus comprises a circular vessel with a vertical axes. Coaxial with the outer wall of the vessel is an inner refractory wall of lesser diameter, which houses a combustion zone. Liquid fuel is supplied under pressure axially at the top of the combustion zone and, with atomizer means, a spray of liquid fuel droplets is projected downwardly in the combustion zone. Flue gases from a boiler or similar source is supplied, along with combustion air from a blower, to a plenum upstream of the fuel spray. This provides a downgoing flame inside of the combustion chamber, which flows downwardly, past the bottom edge of the refractory wall, and upwardly in the annular space between the refractory wall and the vessel wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for burning gaseous and liquid fuels in a furnace, to retard formation of NO.sub.x, comprising a fuel tube of selected length and diameter, closed at the end which is inserted into a combustion zone. There are a plurality of ports drilled in the closed end of the fuel tube, the axes of which lie on a conical surface coaxial with the fuel tube. The fuel tube is inserted coaxially into a burner tube of selected larger diameter, and the distant ends are substantially coplanar. A plurality of jets of low pressure steam are injected through a plurality of ports into the annular space between the fuel tube and the burner tube at the outer end of the burner tube. The steam jets flowing through the ports induce a flow of primary combustion air, which mixes with the steam and flows down the annular space to mix with the high velocity jets of fuel as they emerge from the ports on the fuel tube. The fuel, air, and steam mix together prior to entering the combustion reaction zone.

Abstract: Apparatus to burn liquid fuels in a gaseous fuel burner, which includes preparatory apparatus for the atomization of liquid fuel oil preferably by a diluent gas, and the heating of the fuel droplets and diluent gas so as to completely vaporize the liquid fuel. If atomization is by other means, diluent gas is added prior to vaporization heating. The resulting oil vapor-diluent gas mixture then goes to a burner which utilizes the central orifice of a conventional gas burner. Primary air is induced into the burner tube due to the high velocity of jets of oil vapor-diluent gas. The diluent gas permits low vapor pressure of oil vapor and thus lower operating temperature. For the use of gaseous fuel, the same burner is utilized. The diluent gas can be preferably any noncombustible and non-oxygen containing gas.

Abstract: A regenerative tile structure for fluid fuel burners having a zirconium oxide coated metal flange shaped member providing a central orifice for producing a significant and very rapid increase in flame temperature by guided recirculation of hot flame gases.

Abstract: In a fired furnace system having a convection section, and in which control a furnace draft is vital to both fuel conservation and avoidance of furnace damage, apparatus for monitoring the pressure conditions (draft) inside the furnace comprises a first pressure sensor means positioned at the arch (roof) of the furnace, a second pressure sensor means inside the furnace downstream from the convection section, and differential pressure measuring means connected between the first and second means for constantly measuring the pressure drop through the convection section.

Abstract: An improved burner for both liquid and gaseous fuels in which the combustion air is divided into at least two parts, comprising primary and secondary air. The primary air, which is insufficient to completely burn the fuel, creates a flame zone in which there is a deficiency of air, which produces quantities of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The combustion products are recirculated, cooled and re-entered into the combustion zone in the region of the fuel and primary air entry, resulting in a reduction in the oxides of nitrogen. The secondary air, in quantities greater than the primary air, is introduced into a second combustion zone downstream of the first combustion zone. In the second combustion zone the deficiency in air is made up by the secondary air so that complete combustion can be carried out. If desired, a third quantity of air can be introduced still farther downstream in the flame zone.

Abstract: A duct burner primarily for use in raising the temperature of turbine exhaust gas (TEG) to a usable temperature to operate a steam generator or the like. The burner comprises an array of downstream facing burners capable of burning low grade fuel oil in a low oxygen environment, each burner being provided with gas burning backup and individual flame scan capabilities.

Abstract: A noiseless premix burner comprising a cylindrical housing which is attached to the outer covering of the furnace wall, and closed at its opposite end by a closure plate which supports a concentric burner tube which extends from the closure plate through an opening in the furnace wall to the interior of the furnace. A gas fuel line is inserted along the axis of the burner tube. Pressurized fuel gas flows through an orifice in the fuel line in an expanding flow. The proximal end of the burner tube has a venturi type throat construction. The annular space between the burner tube and the cylindrical housing comprises two plenums, one adjacent the outer wall of the furnace supplying secondary air, which passes into the furnace through a narrow annular gap between the burner tube and the furnace lining.