Abstract: In a reactor for partial oxidation of feedstock employing a hot oxygen stream that is generated by a suitable burner, the same burner that generates and provides the hot oxygen stream in full-scale partial oxidation operation can be employed in the starting-up of the partial oxidation reactor by suitable control of the characteristics of the feed to the burner, or of the pressures.

Abstract: A selectively configurable spray gun may include a gun body comprising a selectable forward section and a rearward section. The rearward section may be connected with either of two or more selectable forward sections so as to selectively configure the spray gun to operate either with a dense phase powder supply configuration or a with dilute phase powder supply configuration. The rearward section may include a selectable powder flow path that is connectable at an inlet end to a source of dense phase powder and at an outlet end to a selectable spray nozzle in the selectable forward section that may optionally include a diffuser. An adapter may be used to connect the rearward section with a selectable spray nozzle or air cap. A manual spray gun embodiment is also presented. A selectively configurable spray gun for use with a dense phase powder supply may include a smaller diameter powder tube that extends through a larger diameter powder tube.

Abstract: A selectively configurable spray gun may include a gun body comprising a selectable forward section and a rearward section. The rearward section may be connected with either of two or more selectable forward sections so as to selectively configure the spray gun to operate either with a dense phase powder supply configuration or a with dilute phase powder supply configuration. The rearward section may include a selectable powder flow path that is connectable at an inlet end to a source of dense phase powder and at an outlet end to a selectable spray nozzle in the selectable forward section that may optionally include a diffuser. An adapter may be used to connect the rearward section with a selectable spray nozzle or air cap. A manual spray gun embodiment is also presented. A selectively configurable spray gun for use with a dense phase powder supply may include a smaller diameter powder tube that extends through a larger diameter powder tube.

Abstract: A furnace is heated by a burner that can be selectively operated by either air-fuel or oxy-fuel combustion. The burner comprises a conduit for fuel, a conduit for air, a conduit for oxidant, and control means for regulating flow through the air and oxidant conduits. An air-fuel fired furnace can be modified by addition of the oxidant and fuel conduits and the control means for regulating flow through air and oxidant conduits.

Abstract: A method for operating a vacuum vessel with a coherent jet wherein vacuum conditions are established within the vessel and an anchored or attached flame envelope resulting from subsonic velocity fuel and oxidant is provided around at least one supersonic gas stream.

Abstract: A furnace is heated by a burner that can be selectively operated by either air-fuel or oxy-fuel combustion. The burner comprises a conduit for fuel, a conduit for air, a conduit for oxidant, and control means for regulating flow through the air and oxidant conduits. An air-fuel fired furnace can be modified by addition of the oxidant and fuel conduits and the control means for regulating flow through air and oxidant conduits.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a controlled gaseous environment at the opening to a receiver and around a free liquid stream downwardly entering the receiver opening. The method comprises laminarly emitting at least two gas flows to extend and intersect over the receiver opening thereby forming an upward plume enveloping the free liquid stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a selected atmosphere at and within an opening to the interior volume of a furnace. Two or more paralleled diffusers adjacent to the furnace opening laminarly emit different fluids and provide a multilayer fluid curtain over the opening. The curtain has a composite modified Froude number from 0.05 to 10, and a thickness at emission of at least 5% of its extent in the flow direction. Partially covering the outside of the curtain is an optional, substantially flat, outer shield with an aperture coinciding with the furnace opening, which reduces the necessary flow rates of fluids. Optional side shields around the sides of the curtain also reduce the necessary fluid flow. A preferred diffuser comprises a porous tube in a housing with an outlet directed to emit fluid across the furnace opening. The outlet is covered with a screen to disperse the fluid flow and to protect the porous tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the direction of a flow of atomized material over a wide field without mechanical oscillation wherein annular atomization is carried out with a pressure gradient effected by application of one or more fluidic control gas jets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a selected atmosphere at and within an opening to the interior volume of a furnace. Two or more paralleled diffusers adjacent to the furnace opening laminarly emit different fluids and provide a multi-layer fluid curtain over the opening. The curtain has a composite modified Froude number from 0.05 to 10, and a thickness at emission of at least 5% of its extent in the flow direction. Partially covering the outside of the curtain is an optional, substantially flat, outer shield with an aperture coinciding with the furnace opening, which reduces the necessary flow rates of fluids. Optional side shields around the sides of the curtain also reduce the necessary fluid flow.A preferred diffuser comprises a porous tube in a housing with an outlet directed to emit fluid across the furnace opening. The outlet is covered with a screen to disperse the fluid flow and to protect the porous tube.

Abstract: A tuyere and method for discharging an agitating gas into the molten contents of an electrically heated furnace to reduce temperature and composition variations in its contents. The tuyere comprises a refractory plug and sleeve for installation into the refractory wall and shell of the furnace, and a dielectric section in the tuyere pipe outside the furnace shell to prevent electrical arcing and current flow into the gas supply piping and external supports.

Abstract: A method for producing power by atomizing a stream of molten material by contact with a swirling annular gas stream having an angular to axial velocity ratio sufficient to cause some of the gas to flow in the axially opposite direction from that of the gas stream.

Abstract: A melting furnace and method for melting metal comprising the injection of inert gas into molten metal at a defined location as a concentrated plume to create localized surface agitation, and high quality refractory surrounding the gas injection means at the furnace bottom.

Abstract: A melting furnace and method for melting metal comprising the injection of inert gas into molten metal at a defined location as a concentrated plume to create localized surface agitation, and high quality refractory surrounding the gas injection means at the furnace bottom.