Abstract: Apparatus for the smokeless combustion of gases, supplied at substantial pressure, such that they will aspirate the required combustion air when discharged to atmospheric pressure. The apparatus comprises a plurality of spaced apart burner assemblies, each of which has a plurality of orifices arranged in a circular symmetrical pattern. Each burner assembly comprises a vertical tube supplying gas, with a plurality of short substantially radial arms, each of which has a plurality of orifices in its top surface. The arms themselves are tilted upwardly at a selected angle to the horizontal so that the orifices that are perpendicular to the arms will provide gas jets which will intersect each other along the axis of the assembly. In another embodiment, the top surface of the arms form a plane fingered plate of substantial thickness. The orifices are drilled at a selected angle toward the axis, in the top surface of the plate.

Abstract: A system of preheating of gaseous fuels to a furnace in which the fuels have a wide range of molecular weights, and corresponding calorific values, and in which all of the combustion air is provided by inspiration, due to the flow energy of the fuel. The invention involves the monitoring of oxygen in the products of combustion moving from the furnace to the stack, or, alternatively, monitoring the molecular weight of the fuel on the inlet line, and controlling the preheating of the fuel in a heat exchanger, so as to maintain a selected temperature of the fuel going to the burners, in accordance with the molecular weight of the fuel.

Abstract: An improved air injector for use in feed preparation in the primary reformer of a HABER processor for ammonia synthesis. In the HABER process, process gas is introduced at relatively high velocity downwardly in a process reactor through a vertical conduit. Along the axis of the conduit is an air supply pipe with a fixture which produces a plurality of downwardly and radially outwardly directed pipes attached to a plenum on the bottom of the air pipe. In this invention the number of circumferentially spaced pipes is doubled over the prior art and they are spaced circumferentially into rows directed outwardly at about a 45.degree. angle so as to present, more or less, a continuous plurality of streams of air which block the annular space and force the downflowing process gas to be turbulently mixed with the air and to form a pressurized mass of process gas and air, which is then forced, by the gas pressure, to flow downwardly in, more or less, a uniform manner through a volume of catalyst.

Abstract: A burner system for burning gaseous or liquid fuel, comprises a primary burner system, which includes a liquid burner tube closed at one end and provided with a plurality of primary combustion ports symmetrically arranged to provide a plurality of jets forming a conical sheet of particles of fuel. Surrounding the liquid burner is a gas burner tube, which comprises the annular space between two coaxial tubes closed at the end, and including therein a plurality of primary combustion ports arranged symmetrically to provide jets arranged on the surface of a cone. Combustion air is drawn into the space around the gas burner tube, to supply combustion air for the liquid and/or gaseous fuel. Upstream of the primary combustion ports is a secondary burner which is circular in configuration, and surrounds, and is spaced from the gas burner tube. A limited quantity of gaseous fuel is supplied in the form of a circumferentially directed jet in the lee of an annular plate.

Abstract: An improved gaseous fuel burner system for minimizing the production of NOx in a gas burner, comprising a primary burner, including a burner tube and a primary burner head, having a plurality of primary burner ports, in a two dimensional array, over a selected, substantially planar area, transverse to the burner tube. A mixture of gaseous fuel and primary air is supplied to the burner tube, and to the primary burner ports. Secondary combustion air is supplied around the burner tube and flows downstreamwardly to the primary burner and to the combustion zone downstream of the primary burner ports. Secondary burner ports are provided upstream of the primary burner ports, which carry the gaseous fuel and primary air in the form of jets, mixing with the secondary air, and burning to provide combustion products CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O, which flow downstreamwardly with the secondary air into the combustion zone of the primary burner.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement over the conventional molecular seal, used for the purpose of preventing the reverse flow of air into the top of a flare stack system upon cessation of flow of the lighter-than-air waste or dump combustible gases. A cylindrical chamber or housing surrounds vertical pipe sections which are parts of the flare stack system. The cylindrical housing is of significantly larger diameter than the flare stack and is closed at the top between the housing and the flare stack. A vertical pipe projects through and downwardly below the upper closure of the housing. Below the bottom of the vertical pipe inside of the housing, is a bulkhead containing a plurality of circular openings near its outer perimeter, into which a plurality of pipes have been welded, which extend upwardly in the annulus between the vertical pipe and the outer housing. These pipes terminate at a selected distance below the top closure of the housing.

Abstract: An improved flare system in which steam is injected into the column of gas to be burned, from circumferential nozzles at at least two spaced levels, above the tip of the flare stack. A circular manifold surrounds the stack just below the tip and an even number of small diameter riser pipes are attached to the manifold, spaced equally circumferentially. The riser pipes have nozzles all of which are directed radially inwardly and upwardly at a selected angle. Half of the nozzles are spaced at a first selected distance above the tip of the flare stack, and the other half are positioned at a greater selected elevation above the tip of the flare stack. Alternate risers have different elevations of the nozzles. By this means, a minimum diameter of the cross-section of the gas flow is occluded by the steam flow.

Abstract: Apparatus for burning gaseous and liquid fuels in a furnace, to retard formation of NO.sub.x, comprising a fuel tube of selected length and diameter, closed at the end which is inserted into a combustion zone. There are a plurality of ports drilled in the closed end of the fuel tube, the axes of which lie on a conical surface coaxial with the fuel tube. The fuel tube is inserted coaxially into a burner tube of selected larger diameter, and the distant ends are substantially coplanar. A plurality of jets of low pressure steam are injected through a plurality of ports into the annular space between the fuel tube and the burner tube at the outer end of the burner tube. The steam jets flowing through the ports induce a flow of primary combustion air, which mixes with the steam and flows down the annular space to mix with the high velocity jets of fuel as they emerge from the ports on the fuel tube. The fuel, air, and steam mix together prior to entering the combustion reaction zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging to the atmosphere, combustion gases containing sulphur trioxide, means are provided for injecting into the stream, prior to venting to the atmosphere, a selected quantity of diluting gas. The diluting gas and sulphur containing combustion gases are turbulently mixed to provide dilution of the sulphur trioxide in the combined effluent from the stack. In one embodiment, the diluting gases are injected through a pipe positioned axially in the stack, below the top. A column of diluting gas is injected at high velocity into the upwardly moving combustion gases to entrain, mix with, and dilute the sulphur trioxide in the combination gases prior to escape from the stack to the atmosphere. In an improved embodiment, an annular plenum is constructed around the stack at a point upstream of the top of the stack, and a plurality of pipes are directed inwardly radially and upwardly through the wall of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus to burn liquid fuels in a gaseous fuel burner, which includes preparatory apparatus for the atomization of liquid fuel oil preferably by a diluent gas, and the heating of the fuel droplets and diluent gas so as to completely vaporize the liquid fuel. If atomization is by other means, diluent gas is added prior to vaporization heating. The resulting oil vapor-diluent gas mixture then goes to a burner which utilizes the central orifice of a conventional gas burner. Primary air is induced into the burner tube due to the high velocity of jets of oil vapor-diluent gas. The diluent gas permits low vapor pressure of oil vapor and thus lower operating temperature. For the use of gaseous fuel, the same burner is utilized. The diluent gas can be preferably any noncombustible and non-oxygen containing gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for burning the gaseous and carbon particulate products from a kiln in which carbon is being calcined, including a pair of vertical cylindrical vessels, to which the effluent products of calcining are carried, by means of an input conduit, which enters the first vessel in a tangential manner near the bottom end, so that the gases will circulate circumferentially in a spinning flow inside of the vessel, as they progress upwardly to a outlet near the top of the first vessel, which leaves tangentially, and passes to the second vessel and enters it tangentially. The gases then circulate around the inner wall of the second vessel spin flowing downwardly, where they leave near the bottom to enter the stack. Means are provided on the entrance conduit for injecting combustion air into the inlet conduit prior to entry of the effluent products into the first vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for smoke suppression in the burning of waste gases in flare stack, comprising a conduit means through which waste gases are flowed, under pressure, to a flare stack; a source of hot water in the range of 200.degree. to 250.degree. F. in temperature, or higher, and a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying the hot water, in the form of cones of fine droplets of water, which by their high velocity thoroughly mix with the flowing waste gas, and provide a water vapor content mixed with the waste gases in the range of at least 6% mole percent, or more. Means are provided for control of the rate of flow of hot water dependent on the temperature of the water and dependent upon, at least, the mass flow rate of waste gases to the flare.

Abstract: Apparatus for attachment to a furnace system for indicating furnace draft, comprising piezometric chamber means for indicating true average atmospheric pressure, connected by a small diameter pressure tube to an inclined tube draft manometer, the second end of which is inserted through the wall of the furnace to the interior thereof. The piezometric chamber comprises a first vertical elongated pipe, closed at top and bottom, with a plurality of small diameter ports drilled near the base and evenly spaced around the circumference. A second pipe of smaller diameter is inserted co-axially through the bottom closure. The smaller pipe has an annular baffle plate attached about its outer surface inside of the larger pipe, to provide a narrow annular passage for air flow from the ports to and from the interior of the smaller second pipe.

Abstract: A regenerative tile structure for fluid fuel burners having a zirconium oxide coated metal flange shaped member providing a central orifice for producing a significant and very rapid increase in flame temperature by guided recirculation of hot flame gases.

Abstract: A smokeless burner apparatus for single structure flare systems which is capable of simultaneously burning emergency dumped gases from high and low pressure sources with minimal energy requirements for the low pressure gas combustion.

Abstract: In a fired furnace system having a convection section, and in which control a furnace draft is vital to both fuel conservation and avoidance of furnace damage, apparatus for monitoring the pressure conditions (draft) inside the furnace comprises a first pressure sensor means positioned at the arch (roof) of the furnace, a second pressure sensor means inside the furnace downstream from the convection section, and differential pressure measuring means connected between the first and second means for constantly measuring the pressure drop through the convection section.

Abstract: Apparatus for the injection of steam for the smokeless combustion of waste gases, comprising an annular chamber of substantially the same inner diameter as the top of the flare stack, the chamber mounted on top of the flare stack and extending outwardly a selected radial distance, and vertically a selected height above the top of the flare stack. Steam is supplied to this annular chamber. A plurality of circumferentially spaced pipes are provided in the top of the annular chamber and are deflected outwardly in radial planes at selected angles. There are a plurality of inwardly and upwardly directed orifices for the injection of steam into the flame of the burning gases above the top of the annular chamber as well as to the gases prior to emergence for burning. Additionally, there may be a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial pipes inserted through the inner wall of the annular chamber in a horizontal plane a selected distance down from the top of the chamber.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for very rapidly providing a supply of smoke suppressant to a flare stack, upon the incidence of flow, up to 10% of maximum rate of flow, of waste gases, which is provided in addition to the conventional apparatus for controlling the flow of smoke suppressant, such as steam, to the flare stack, upon the initiation of large volumes of waste gas flowing to the flare stack. This improved apparatus comprises a flow detector in the conduit carrying the waste gases to the flare stack, which is sensitive to flows up to 10% of maximum. The outputs of the flow detector, in the form of high and low pressure tubes, are connected to a pressure differential switch, which connects power to an appropriate solenoid valve, which controls a limited flow of smoke suppressant, such as steam, to the flare stack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for burning fuels with air, with reduced production of NOx, involves the premixing of water vapor with the fuel prior to the burning operation. Because of the low retention of water vapor at low temperatures, means are provided for preheating the fuel and spraying water into the fuel so that water vapor will be taken up by the heated fuel in sufficient quantity to provide the desired results. Various embodiments of apparatus are illustrated.

Abstract: An improved flare stack for the smokeless burning of smoke prone fuel gases, comprising a cylindrical flare stack, an inner cylindrical conduit which is closed at its bottom end and positioned with its top at substantially the same elevation as the top of the flare stack. The flow of the smoke-prone fuel gas up the stack is diverted into the annular space between the inner conduit and the flare stack, providing an annular flow of fuel gas. Smoke suppressant, such as a mixture of steam and air, is conducted into the inner conduit and vertically upwardly to the top thereof from which it can either continue unaltered flow direction or it can be diverted outwardly and upwardly into the inner wall of the annular flow of gas, to provide quick and intimate mixing of the smoke suppressant with the fuel gas.