Abstract: Process heaters and associated methods of processing with ultra-low pollutant emissions are provided. The process heaters and methods utilize a heat exchange tube having disposed therein a radiant permeable matrix burner at a first end of the tube. The tube further includes a thermally insulated insert disposed adjacent the radiant burner opposite an oxidant-fuel mixer that feeds the burner. The process heaters and methods act to reduce emissions of CO and NOx.

Abstract: A gas-fired instantaneous water heater including a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and a heat pump that is powered by the TEG to improve efficiency compared to existing water heaters. Water to be heated is circulated through the heat pump, TEG heat exchanger, and primary heat exchanger to produce a stream of heated water. An adjustable firing rate permeable matrix radiant burner is included, in which natural gas and air are combusted to produce combustion products, including heat. The combustion products are condensed in a condensing system to produce cooled and dry exhaust gas.

Abstract: Methods and devices for gas mixture combustion on a surface of a permeable matrix are provided which produce or result in surface stabilized combustion (SSC) with increasing amounts of radiation energy emitted by the matrix surface and decreasing concentrations of pollutant components in the combustion products. The gas mixture is fed to a burner that includes a permeable matrix material having a first thermal conductivity and configured to preheat the combustible gas mixture as it travels through the matrix. The burner includes a plurality of thermal elements having a thermal conductivity higher than and disposed in thermal transfer communication with the matrix base material. The permeable matrix base material forms a combustion surface with at least a portion of the thermal elements exposed above the combustion surface. The gas mixture is combusted at or near exit pores and channels formed at the permeable matrix material combustion surface.

Abstract: A gas-fired instantaneous water heater including a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and a heat pump that is powered by the TEG to improve efficiency compared to existing water heaters. Water to be heated is circulated through the heat pump, TEG heat exchanger, and primary heat exchanger to produce a stream of heated water. An adjustable firing rate permeable matrix radiant burner is included, in which natural gas and air are combusted to produce combustion products, including heat. The combustion products are condensed in a condensing system to produce cooled and dry exhaust gas.

Abstract: Process heaters and associated methods of processing with ultra-low pollutant emissions are provided. The process heaters and methods utilize a heat exchange tube having disposed therein a radiant permeable matrix burner at a first end of the tube. The tube further includes a thermally insulated insert disposed adjacent the radiant burner opposite an oxidant-fuel mixer that feeds the burner. The process heaters and methods act to reduce emissions of CO and NOx.

Abstract: Methods of burning combustible gas mixtures on a surface of a permeable matrix providing surface stabilized combustion (SSC) with increasing amounts of radiation energy emitted by the surface of the permeable matrix and decreasing concentrations of pollutant components in the combustion products are provided. The gas mixture is fed to a burner that includes a permeable matrix material having a first thermal conductivity. The gas mixture is preheated as it travels through the permeable matrix material. The gas mixture is then combusted at or near exit pores and channels formed at a combustion surface of the permeable matrix material, the combustion surface at least in part coated with a coating material having a thermal conductivity less than the permeable matrix material thermal conductivity and a high optical transmittance in the infrared spectrum.

Abstract: Methods and devices for gas mixture combustion on a surface of a permeable matrix are provided which produce or result in surface stabilized combustion (SSC) with increasing amounts of radiation energy emitted by the matrix surface and decreasing concentrations of pollutant components in the combustion products. The gas mixture is fed to a burner that includes a permeable matrix material having a first thermal conductivity and configured to preheat the combustible gas mixture as it travels through the matrix. The burner includes a plurality of thermal elements having a thermal conductivity higher than and disposed in thermal transfer communication with the matrix base material. The permeable matrix base material forms a combustion surface with at least a portion of the thermal elements exposed above the combustion surface. The gas mixture is combusted at or near exit pores and channels formed at the permeable matrix material combustion surface.

Abstract: Methods of burning combustible gas mixtures on a surface of a permeable matrix providing surface stabilized combustion (SSC) with increasing amounts of radiation energy emitted by the surface of the permeable matrix and decreasing concentrations of pollutant components in the combustion products are provided. The gas mixture is fed to a burner that includes a permeable matrix material having a first thermal conductivity. The gas mixture is preheated as it travels through the permeable matrix material. The gas mixture is then combusted at or near exit pores and channels formed at a combustion surface of the permeable matrix material, the combustion surface at least in part coated with a coating material having a thermal conductivity less than the permeable matrix material thermal conductivity and a high optical transmittance in the infrared spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus including an exhaust gas source, such as a reciprocating internal combustion engine, industrial furnace, industrial heater, gasification reactor, and a thermochemical recuperator in which a fuel is reformed. The thermochemical recuperator is heated by exhaust gases from the reciprocating internal combustion engine and steam for the reforming process is produced by passing feed water through an engine lubricating oil heat exchanger, an engine cooling system heat recovery system and an exhaust gas heat recovery system arranged in series.

Abstract: An apparatus including a reciprocating internal combustion engine and a thermochemical recuperator in which a fuel is reformed. The thermochemical recuperator is heated by exhaust gases from the reciprocating internal combustion engine and steam for the reforming process is produced by passing feed water through an engine lubricating oil heat exchanger, an engine cooling system heat recovery system and an exhaust gas heat recovery system arranged in series.

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 boiler with a cyclonic combustor includes a first chamber which is substantially uncooled and refractory lined, a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber, ducts for supplying air and fuel directly into the first chamber and for forming a cyclonic flow pattern of hot gases for combustion within the first and second chambers, an exit throat at the end of the second chamber and a heat exchanger surrounding the second chamber for keeping low combustion temperature in both chambers.