Abstract: A feed forward control system maximizes combustion efficiency in a combustion system, by controlling the amount of excess air supplied to the burner. The feed forward control system includes flow sensors for sensing the flow of air and fuel to the burner. Based upon the fuel flow measurement, a digital computer determines the correct stoichiometric amount of combustion air required and the firing rate of the burner. Based upon the firing rate, the digital computer determines, from stored data in a look-up table, the necessary excess air required. Based upon the stoichiometric combustion air and the excess air, the computer determines the actual air that is required. This air required is then compared with the air flow measurement received by the digital computer. Based upon this comparison, an air trim actuator is driven by the computer until the required air flow is attained.

Abstract: In a fuel gas distribution system, at least one fuel gas stream is mixed with air to achieve a heating value equivalency which is the same as that of another fuel gas having a different heating value and specific gravity. The heating value equivalency is defined as the heating value of a fuel gas in heat units per unit of volume divided by the square root of the specific gravity of the gas. A control system is employed to measure the specific gravity, pressure, temperature and flow rate of the first gas in a first gas stream, and the pressure, temperature and flow rate of air in a second stream, and to control the flow rate of the gas from the first stream and air from the second stream such that the resulting mixture from the two streams has the same heating value equivalency as that of a third gas which was used to adjust the gas burners for use in that system.

Abstract: A horizontal water filled vaporizer chamber is heated through the instrumentality of a horizontal combustion chamber extending through a lower portion of the vaporizer chamber. A first plenum inside the vaporizer chamber at a first end thereof receives combustion products from the chamber, and horizontal flues open to this first plenum carry these combustion products from it through the vaporizer chamber to a second plenum outside of the boiler where they are discharged up a stack. A plurality of vaporizer coils, each consisting of vertically spaced horizontal runs of pipe, extend from end to end in an upper portion of the vaporizer chamber. Each pair of adjacent pipe runs in each coil lie in a plane forming an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. Every vaporizer coil is connected inside the vaporizer chamber at its lower end to a liquid propane inlet header and at its upper end to a gaseous propane outlet header.

Abstract: The invention provides a compact magnetic device for the treatment of liquids having a calcareous content to limit hard scale formations. The device comprises a magnetic source, thin magnetic plates spaced from each other and having peripheral edges and positioned to concentrate the polarity at each pole in their peripheral edges, whereby a curtain of lines of force extends between the edges.

Abstract: A water bath vaporizer for converting liquid propane into gaseous propane includes a propane-carrying heat transfer pipe in the form of a helix immersed in a water bath in an insulated upright cylindrical water chamber. Multiple straight vertical flues are integral with a bottom plate and a top plate of the water chamber and are open through the water bath and the center of the helix to carry combustion products and heated air from a combustion chamber to a stack above. Liquid propane is introduced at the top of the helix and gaseous propane is removed from the bottom and is discharged vertically upwardly through a liquid cut-off float valve which prevents flow of liquid propane out of the vaporizer. A breather attachment includes a breather pipe having a first section extending outwardly from a top portion of the water chamber at a slight upward angle and having a vertical second section terminating in an upwardly opening outer end.