Abstract: In the combustion of waste mineral-bearing liquid streams, an improved type of construction for the combustion chamber, for the combustion of waste mineral-bearing liquid streams which permits continuous removal of solid particulate waste. An annular water channel is fitted inside of the outer shell of the combustion chamber at the bottom. The bottom of the chamber is closed off with a funnel-shaped, inverted conical floor, having a drain outlet at its center. An opening is provided in the side of the combustion chamber just above the bottom, for the exit of downflowing products of combustion. Water is supplied to the annular channel and flows through a longitudinal gap in the inner wall, to fall onto the funnel-shaped floor plate, to wash down all of the particulate matter that collects on the bottom plate, into the drain. Thus, the waste is removed as it is formed.

Abstract: An improved fuel oil atomizer which comprises a burner tube through which fuel oil is supplied under selected pressure, and a coaxial surrounding steam tube providing an annular space therebetween, the flow of steam being under greater pressure than the oil pressure. A burner head is joined to the burner oil tube through an orifice of selected diameter. The burner head has a long axial bore of constant selected diameter, which leads to the burner tip, which has a plurality of tip ports. There are a number of transverse ports between the annular steam path and the central bore, so that the steam can flow under pressure into the central bore of the burner head to mix thoroughly with the pressurized oil flowing from the orifice. Two factors are important in the construction of the burner head, namely that the central bore must be of constant diameter from the point where the steam and oil mix, outwardly toward the burner tip ports.

Abstract: An apparatus for immediate ignition of waste gases and their smokeless burning which is built into a cylindrical stack, for the flow of waste gases. Near the top of the stack, there is positioned, coaxially, a steam-air pipe for supplying a mixture of steam and air. The steam and air are introduced into the pipe, by means of radial tubes, connected to a circular manifold on the outside of the stack. A circular cover plate or baffle over the steam-air pipe is supported by a plurality of broad strips equally spaced circumferentially, around the periphery of the steam-air pipe. There are a plurality of radial support arms between the stack and the steam-air pipe. These can be made from angle iron of sufficient width, the purpose being to deflect upwardly flow of the annular column of gas, to break it into a plurality of spaced circular segments of gas, the space above the arms protects a stable flame, for instant reignition of the mixture of gas, air and steam.

Abstract: A fluid fuel burner system for minimum production of NOX under varying rates of fuel firing and varying rates of combustion air or oxidant supply, which comprises a fuel burner including means for burning liquid and gaseous fuel. Liquid fuels are burned in an axial burner tube, and the gaseous fuels are burned in a plurality of gas burner tubes located in a circle coaxial with the liquid burner. A first air or oxidant plenum supplies primary-plus-secondary air or oxidant, the primary air or oxidant going to the liquid burner and the secondary air or oxidant going to the gas burner. The total of primary plus secondary is less than stoichiometric flow so that the combustion of the fuel in a first combustion chamber provides a reducing atmosphere to preclude the formation of NOX. Means are provided for independently controlling the primary air or oxidant flow compared to the secondary air or oxidant flow, or vice versa.

Abstract: A sun-sensing guidance system (10) for high-altitude aircraft (A) characterized by a disk-shaped body (14) mounted for rotation aboard the aicraft in exposed relation to solar radiation and having a plurality of mutually isolated chambers (28a, 28b, 32a, and 32b); each chamber of the plurality being characterized by an opening having a photosensor (34a, 34b, 36a, and 36b) disposed therein and arranged in facing relation with the opening for receiving incident solar radiation and responsively providing a voltage output, said photosensors being connected in paired relation through a bridge circuit (38) for providing heading error signals in response to detected imbalances in intensities of solar radiation incident on the photosensors of either pair of photosensors until a nulled relationship is achieved for the disk (14) to the source of radiation.

Abstract: A burner assembly for the smokeless flare burning of low calorific value gases, or diluted hydrocarbon gases, which comprises a plurality of separate burner heads arranged in a horizontal array, each of the burner heads being mounted on top of a vertical pipe through which the low calorific gases are supplied. A plurality of hollow radial arms are inserted into the wall of the head, arranged in equally-spaced array, each of the arms having a plurality of ports in the top surfaces, near the ends of the arms. These ports are of selected size and selected angle of their axes, which are tilted inwardly towards the central axis of the burner heads. Additionally, there is between each pair of arms at least one port drilled downwardly from the inside of the burner head, at a selected angle, so that jets of gas will impinge downwardly on an annular plate positioned beneath the arms, to close off the vertical flow to the space between the arms.

Abstract: A burner-stack-furnace system comprising a stack of selected diameter and height, which is supported on a circular base ring, which is, itself, supported on a plurality of circularly positioned upright columns. The columns are supported on grade and are spaced equally circumferentially. The furnace or combustion section of the system is of the same diameter as the stack, and has a plurality of re-entrant vertical channels in its outer wall, spaced to surround each of the columns, with a selected air space between them. The combustion section thus hangs partly within the circle of the columns or piers, and partly between the piers. A shallow excavation is made below grade within and between the columns, and the combustion section extends downwardly into the excavation, which is deep enough that the bottom edge of the wall is above the base of the excavation. The combustion section is open on the bottom, but is filled with a porous fill of heat-resisting material, to a selected level.

Abstract: In a flare system for waste gases, apparatus is provided for controlling the flow of purge gas into the flare gas line, as required, and not on a continuing basis. Sensor means are provided for detecting a change in temperature in the flare gas line, and means are provided for controlling the flow of purge gas whenever the temperature in the flare gas line changes to a lower value. No purge gas flow is required when the temperature is constant or when the temperature is rising.

Abstract: A low NOx burner for a furnace operating under natural draft in which primary and secondary combustion air are provided to a first burning zone, in which either or both liquid and gaseous fuel can be used. Less than stoichiometric air is supplied in the primary burning zone and tertiary combustion air is supplied in a second combustion zone downstream from the first combustion zone. The total air supply is over the stoichiometric requirement. Air control means is provided so that a fixed ratio of primary-secondary air/tertiary air is provided for all burning and fuel rate conditions, so as to maintain the less than stoichiometric air supply to the first combustion zone. In addition, water atomization is provided upstream of the first burning zone to provide a burning chemistry which favors the reduction of NOx in the first burning zone.

Abstract: A multi-fuel gas burner using preheated forced draft air, comprising a cylindrical inner burner tube, supported by the wall of a furnace, and inserted into an opening in said wall, and including means to inject through the upstream end combustion air preheated to a selected temperature, and compressed to a selected pressure. The downstream end of the inner burner tube closed, and a plurality of longitudinal slots, circumferentially spaced, in the wall of the tube at the closed end. Means to inject rich fuel gas up to 3,500 btu/cu feet under selected pressure into the inner burner tube along its axis. An outer burner tube axially surrounding said inner burner tube and forming an annular passage therebetween. Means to pass low pressure, lean, combustible gas of as low as 50 btu/cu feet down said annular passage and outwardly through a circumferential slot at the end of said outer burner tube inside the furnace.

Abstract: A burner for reduced NOx emission and also for the control of the shape of the flame as regards its length and spread, comprises a first combustion zone, which is contained within a cylindrical chamber lined with refractory material. A burner tube is inserted through an opening in the upstream end of the first combustion zone, the burner including means for providing and burning liquid and gaseous fuel. A first air plenum is provided upstream of the first combustion zone with means for supplying less-than-stoichiometric combustion air in a tangential swirling manner, prior to entering the first combustion zone.

Abstract: A self-contained single structure for NOX disposal and heat recovery, comprising a burner means (12), including means to supply NOX (oxides of nitrogen) gases (146) to be reduced, primary air (130) in less-than-stoichiometric flow rate, and gaseous fuel (128) at selected flow rate. The gases flow into a first reducing section (114), in which the fuel is burned in a reducing atmosphere, and the NOX gases are reduced. Fire tubes (124) carrying water or steam are positioned to receive heat from the burning gases. At the outlet of the reducing section precooled stack gases (135) are injected (137) into the flame so as to cool the hot products of combustion. The direction of flow of hot gases is turned to 90.degree. (164) in a second section. At the end of the second section the direction of flow is turned 90.degree.

Abstract: A burner system for gaseous or liquid fuels adapted for insertion through a circular tile opening in a furnace wall, comprising a burner tube for alternate supply of gaseous or liquid fuel. The burner tube is coaxial with, and inserted into said circular opening. A first stationary annular vane assembly comprises a plurality of symmetrically-placed tangentially-directed vanes enclosing a cylindrical open chamber coaxial with and upstream of said burner means. A second movable assembly of radial vanes is adapted to slide axially about the burner tube and to be moved from a first position where it is entirely outside of the chamber space, inwardly to a second position, where it is entirely inserted into the chamber space, and inside of the first annular vane assembly. Means are provided for flowing combustion air at selected pressure through the tangential vanes and into the chamber space.

Abstract: A method wherein a propeller driven, hydrazine powered aircraft is remotely piloted through rarefied atmosphere of a selected planet, including the planet Earth, and employed as a communication platform for a telemetry system provided for relaying information relating to features characterizing the surface of the planet.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing hydrocarbon fuel requirements for Haber Ammonia Synthesis by the supply of selected gases to the second reformer of such system, comprising a first cylindrical conduit, a second smaller coaxial cylinder inside of the first conduit, forming a first annular space therebetween, the downstream end of said second conduit closed, and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced orifices in the wall of said conduit upstream of the closed end. Means to supply air at selected pressure P1, temperature and flow rate to the first annular space, means to supply at least methane at a pressure P2 greater than P1, to said second conduit, so that the concentration of methane in the air will be less than the lower explosive limit, and means to shield the jets of gas from the orifices in the second conduit, as they flow radially outwardly across the annular space.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovery of condensible vapors as components in waste gases which are to be flared, comprising a flare system, including a flare gas line leading to a flare stack. Inserted in the flare gas line is a gas-to-liquid heat exchanger, to cool the flare gases prior to passage to the stack. The cooling is to be selected temperature, where condensible vapors in the waste gases, the dew points of which are above the selected temperature, will condense. Means are provided for separating the condensed vapors from the remaining flare gases. Thermostatic means are provided for stopping the circulation of said cooling liquid whenever the ambient temperature drops below the selected temperature.

Abstract: In a flare stack system for the flaring of waste gases, in which the flare stack is equipped with steam injection parts, such as nozzles or manifolds, adjacent the flame zone at the outlet end of the stack, means are provided for alternate injection of air from a blower, or live steam, through the steam injection parts. The alternate flow is controlled by two pneumatically controlled valves, one in the blower air line, and the other in the steam line, such that when one valve is closed, the other is open, and vice versa. The objective of the alternate supply of air and steam is for the purpose of cooling the steam injection parts when the full flow of steam is not required, because there is no waste gas flow or only a minimal gas flow. In that case, the heat of the maintenance gas flow may be sufficient to injure the steam injection parts, which must be cooled by passage of a gas through them.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel burner for enhanced flame adherence to a tile surface in a furnace, comprising a gas burner tube having a nozzle at its end, including a plurality of radial orifices circumferentially spaced in a transverse plane. A cylindrical combustion air plenum is coaxial with said burner tube, and means are provided to supply combustion air to said plenum at a selected super-atmospheric pressure P1. There is a circular concentric opening in the wall of the plenum and a short length of air tube welded to the opening, which is inserted into an opening in the furnace tile. A plurality of curved vanes are provided, and means to lead air from the pressurized plenum through the vanes to provide a rapidly spinning air flow which moves helically along the air tube into the tile and into the furnace. The central opening of the tile is flared in an arcuate manner. There is sufficient pressure drop between the air plenum at P1 and inside of the air tube P2, after passage through the vanes, of the order of 0.8 W.C.

Abstract: Apparatus for burning combustible gases at very low pressure, in combination with a combustion chamber having an opening through one wall. The burner system comprises a burner tube for supplying the low pressure gas, comprising a tube of selected diameter and length, with an annular flange extending inwardly at the end inserted into the opening in the wall. A steam tube of smaller diameter than the burner tube, is mounted axially inside of the burner tube, and has a closed end in the plane of the inwardly extending flange. A plurality of orifices are drilled through the closed end of the steam tube at a selected angle to the axis, whereby when steam is supplied to the steam tube, at 5# gauge or more, high velocity jets of steam will flow outwardly through the orifices along the surface of a cone, and will aspirate into the steam streams the low pressure gas, which will be mixed with the steam, and will flow as a conical wall of steam and gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for vaporization of liquids having a boiling point lower than that of water, comprising a vessel having at least three narrow planar plena, contiguous to each other, so that there is a single metal wall between each adjacent pair of plena. Gaseous fuel and air is supplied to the first plenum to provide a downflowing flame and hot products of combustion which, at the bottom of the first plenum, pass through the wall into the second plenum, which is filled with water. The hot gases and water rise rapidly in the second plenum and the water flows over the intervening wall into the third plenum, which is also filled with water, which moves downwardly and back under the wall separating the second and third plena, and again rises in the second plenum. A vertical array of horizontal pipes is arranged in the third plenum, through which the liquid to be vaporized is flowed.