Abstract: An oxy-fuel burner and method of use, having a housing defining an oxidizing-agent supply channel running in the longitudinal direction to the downstream end of the housing, a fuel supply channel likewise running in the longitudinal direction of the housing and an oxidant injector running in the longitudinal direction inside the fuel supply channel as well as an ignition and flame-control electrode inside the oxidizing-agent supply channel, the ignition and flame-control electrode being designed to provide initial ignition of the burner and subsequent control of the flame, and being connectable to a system for automatically controlling burner ignition and flame control.

Abstract: A furnace monitoring system for monitoring a furnace over a span of time during furnace operation, including a thermal imaging apparatus, the apparatus is disposed outside of the furnace and at a distance from the exterior of the furnace to generate field signals of the furnace; a signal processing unit configured and programmed for receiving the field signals and generating a temperature map of the exterior of the furnace; and a means for displaying the temperature map locally or remotely. Wherein in that the furnace monitoring system is a system for monitoring the furnace over a span of time during furnace operation and in that the generated temperature map is divided into several zones, which correspond to different components of the furnace selected from burner, viewing port for burner observation, charging port, discharging port and flue gas channel.