Abstract: A gas phase thermal unit, which includes an elongated vertically extending tubular housing having an interior cavity, a lower portion and an upper portion. A plurality of radial burner head conduits are positioned within the interior cavity in a lower portion of the housing, each of the conduits having a plurality of orifices, the orifices being oriented to create a vortex of gas movement. An ignition system is used to ignite gas emitted from the orifices to form high intensity flames. There is also a primary source of forced air having a radial air supply conduit associated with each burner head conduit, where each radial air supply conduit is adapted to create a vortex of air movement while delivering combustion air to a root of the flames of one of the burner head conduits, and a secondary source of forced air having associated air supply outlets adapted to create a vortex of air movement while delivering air to a tip of the flames to minimize oxide formation.