Abstract: A method and apparatus whereby flameless combustion may be precipitated and sustained within the essentially oval combustion chamber of an integrated heater/burner apparatus. The invention provides for an air inlet and fuel source in combination with recirculating flue gas within the apparatus combustion chamber to precipitate and maintain flameless combustion of the combined gases along, and within, a narrowly defined boundary. Air is introduced to the oval combustion chamber via an air inlet. Fuel gas is combined with recirculating flue gases with continued heating of the recirculating flue gas, introduced air or both flue gas and air, until the temperature at the boundary interface between the air and inerted fuel gas exceeds an auto ignition temperature of the boundary interface components.

Abstract: A probe for determining the heat flux in a direct-fired heater. The direct-fired heater is under a vacuum pressure. This vacuum pressure induces a small quantity of ambient air through a ceramic insulating tube and eventually into the heater. The induced air cools an absorber head and receptacle, causing heat to flow from a target to a base. The target is an outer surface of the absorber head exposed to radiant heat inside the direct-fired heater. The base is that portion of the absorber head and receptacle which has a surface exposed to cooling air within the ceramic tube. The vacuum pressure inside the heater causes ambient air to be induced into a second end of the ceramic tube. Air passages at a first end of the ceramic tube cause the induced air to flow past the base and into the heater. A thermocouple is fitted into a cylindrical slot inside the receptacle.

Abstract: An improved process and article of manufacture to advance heater performance and reduce the cost of delayed coker charge heaters. Such improved performance is realized by routing delayed coker feedstock through a double row, double fired, heating conduit thus creating a channel to contain previously heated flue gas and resulting in the introduction of downflow, backside convective heat transfer to the interior portion of the heating conduit. When replacing the present art's single row coker tubes with the double row heating conduit afforded by the instant invention, the backside convective heat transfer introduced to the interior portion of the heating conduit eliminates the necessity of double firing the present art's single row coker heater tubes to achieve similar results.

Abstract: An improved process and article of manufacture to effectuate pressure reduction in a delayed coker charge heater's radiant heat section outlet and feedstock process coil, by upflowing coker feedstock through a single or double row, single or double fired, feedstock process coil. The innovative upflowing of coker feedstock as disclosed by the present invention allows BFW/Steam injection and vaporizing hydrocarbons to rise in the same flow direction as the coker feedstock, resulting in an enhanced mixing of fluid film and coker feedstock. Such enhanced mixing, in turn, increases heat transfer rates to the feedstock. As coker charge heater burners are commonly located in the bottom of the heater, the lower portion of the heater is typically the location of highest processing temperatures and tube side fouling.

Abstract: An adjustable louver system for controlling the direct thermal radiation reaching fluid tubes in a direct-fired heater. An angular position of louver blades of the louver system is adjusted by rotating first and second axles attached to the louver blades. The louver blades may be positioned manually or by an electric or pneumatic motor. A hand crank or knob located outside the heater manually turns the louver blades. The motor, which is also located outside the heater, is controllable by a temperature actuator. In some embodiments, the louver blades have pivot pins which fit into slots of a connecting plate. Rotation of one of the louver blade causes the connecting plate to rotate all of the louver blades simultaneously. In some embodiments, the louver blades are vertically positioned and the louver axles fit into holes in upper and lower guide plates. In other embodiments, the louvers are horizontally disposed and the louver axles fit into openings in the heater walls.