Abstract: A request response processing unit calculates, based on observation information about the agent, at least one other agent near the agent, and the task, a request parameter as to whether or not to request help, and a response parameter as to whether or not to respond to a request from the at least one other agent. An importance processing unit performs processing for calculating, based on at least the request parameter of the at least one other agent and the response parameter of the agent, importance of each of the tasks for the agent. A task selection unit selects the task to be performed by the agent according to the importance. A task execution unit controls the agent so that it performs the selected task.

Abstract: A combustion burner includes a mixture nozzle (2) defining a mixture fluid passage through which a mixture fluid (1) containing pulverized coal and conveyor gas flows toward a furnace, secondary and tertiary air passages surrounding the mixture nozzle (2), through which secondary air (6) and tertiary air (9) for combustion purposes flow, respectively; and air injection nozzles (24) provided in the vicinity of an outer periphery of a distal end of the mixture nozzle (2). The air (21) is injected from the air injection nozzles (24) toward the axis of the mixture nozzle, so that the high-temperature gas in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the distal end of the mixture nozzle (2) is drawn into the mixture fluid (1) in the vicinity of the outer periphery of this distal end.

Abstract: A combustion method utilizing a pulverized coal combustion burner which is provided with a pulverized coal nozzle for jetting a fluid mixture of pulverized coal and air and an air nozzle for jetting air. In the method, a combustion flame formed by the pulverized coal combustion burner forms a first zone of a gas phase air ratio of one or less at a radially central portion of the flame and a second zone of a gas phase air ratio of more than one outside of the first zone adjacent the coal nozzle, and a third zone of a gas phase air ratio of one or less at a downstream side from said first and second zones.

Abstract: A combustion burner includes a mixture nozzle, a gas supply nozzle, and a flow guide. The mixture nozzle extends toward an interior of a furnace, and defines a mixture passage through which a mixture containing powdered solid fuel and gas for transferring the solid fuel flows. A distal end portion of the mixture nozzle is flared so that a flow passage area of the mixture passage increases progressively in a direction of flow of the mixture. The gas supply nozzle radially surrounds the mixture nozzle to define between the gas supply nozzle and the mixture nozzle a gas passage through which a combustion oxygen-containing gas flows toward the furnace. The flow guide is provided within the mixture nozzle at a position upstream of the flared portion of the mixture nozzle with respect to a flow of the mixture so as to make the mixture flow straight along an inner peripheral surface of the flared portion of the mixture nozzle.

Abstract: A pulverized coal burner includes a pulverized coal nozzle for jetting a mixture of pulverized coal and primary air, a secondary air nozzle and a tertiary air nozzle, concentrically arranged around the outer periphery of the pulverized coal nozzle, and a tube expanded portion at the end of a partition wall separating two adjacent air nozzles. A flow shift means such as a guide plate for shifting the secondary air in the secondary air nozzle so as to flow along the tube expanded portion is provided. The secondary air is jetted outwardly by the guide plate, and mixing of the secondary air and the tertiary air with pulverized coals is delayed, whereby an amount of NOx is decreased.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus including a mixture feeding pipe for injecting a mixture of pulverized coal for combustion air into a furnace, with the mixture being then ignited. A first gas feeding passage is disposed outwardly of the mixture feeding pipe for feeding oxygen-containing gas into the furnace, with a second gas feeding passage being disposed between the gas feeding passage and the mixture feeding pipe, in a radial direction, for feeding the oxygen-containing gas into the furnace. A projection is disposed between the gas feeding passage and the mixture feeding pipe and extends at an exposed end surface thereof into the furnace beyond an exposed end of the mixture feeding pipe, with the projection being hollow for allowing the oxygen-containing gas to flow within the projection.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus including a mixture feeding pipe for injecting a mixture of pulverized coal and combustion air into a furnace, with the mixture then being ignited. A radially outwardly flared flame maintaining ring is provided at a tip end of the mixture feeding pipe, with the maintaining ring being exposed to a reduced atmosphere and to high temperatures due to radiant heat from the furnace. A projection extends into the furnace beyond the flame maintaining ring so as to protect the flame maintaining ring from radiation from inside the furnace thereby suppressing an excessive increase in temperature. Combustion air flows along a surface of the projection so as to provide at oxidized atmosphere.

Abstract: A burner for pulverized coal has a coal duct for pulverized coal and primary combustion air and a secondary combustion air duct such that the coal and primary air and secondary air mix outside the outlet nozzles of the duct in a mixing zone at which combustion occurs. Coal distribution means in the coal duct create, adjacent the outlet nozzle, at least one outer zone of flow spaced from the coal duct axis and at least one inner zone of flow nearer the coal duct axis. These are means for slowing flow in the outer zone relative to the flow in the inner zone, prior to the mixing zone. To achieve good mixing, and promote NO.sub.x reduction, the coal concentration in the outer zone is higher than in the inner zone. The slowing means may be radially inwardly projecting baffles.