Abstract: Ignition systems of the kind used to ignite a difficult-to-ignite fuel oil by using energy stored in a capacitor at a breakdown for creating an ignition arc at the electrodes of a resistive arc probe, having a semiconductor resistive film across spark electrodes of the resistive arc probe, designed to preclude interference of contaminants with conduction of an ignition arc across an established current path between the electrodes of the resistive arc probe. An air gap and a resistive arc probe are connected in series. A first high voltage power supply develops a first direct current voltage across a capacitor, which is supplied as a voltage across the air gap and the resistive arc probe. A second high voltage power supply supplies a second pulsed voltage across the air gap and the resistive arc probe, wherein the second pulsed voltage is substantially higher than the first direct current voltage, and the second pulsed voltage jumps the gap of the air gap and thus initiates an ignition arc.

Abstract: Ignition systems of the kind used to ignite a difficult-to-ignite fuel oil by using energy stored in a capacitor at a breakdown for creating an ignition arc at the electrodes of a resistive arc probe, having a semiconductor resistive film across spark electrodes of the resistive arc probe, designed to preclude interference of contaminants with conduction of an ignition arc across an established current path between the electrodes of the resistive arc probe. An air gap and a resistive arc probe are connected in series. A first high voltage power supply develops a first direct current voltage across a capacitor, which is supplied as a voltage across the air gap and the resistive arc probe. A second high voltage power supply supplies a second pulsed voltage across the air gap and the resistive arc probe, wherein the second pulsed voltage is substantially higher than the first direct current voltage, and the second pulsed voltage jumps the gap of the air gap and thus initiates an ignition arc.

Abstract: Ignition systems of the kind used to ignite a difficult-to-ignite fuel oil by using energy stored in a capacitor at a breakdown for creating an ignition arc at the electrodes of a spark plug, designed to preclude interference of contaminants with conduction of an ignition arc across an established current path between the electrodes of the spark plug. An air gap and a sparkplug are connected in series, wherein the sparkplug produces an ignition arc in a fuel to be ignited. A first high voltage power supply develops a first direct current voltage across the capacitor, which is supplied as a voltage across the air gap and the spark plug.

Abstract: A power arc circuit having a high voltage power source connected to the power arc circuit downstream of a high voltage, high current diode and by a relay between a power input and the power arc circuit.

Abstract: This process is for devolatilizing coal to produce a volatile hydrocarbon gas leaving a residue of unburned coal. The volatile hydrocarbon gas and other coal or said residual coal are thereafter burned together in a common furnace. The volatilization of the coal may be carried out substantially endothermically, and preferably on the plant site where the burning of the volatilized hydrocarbon takes place together with other coal or the residue coal. The volatile matter is removed from the coal in a volatile state before the residue coal exits from the burner nozzle and then enters the combustion chamber where the volatilized hydrocarbon gas and residue coal are burned together. The removed volatilized hydrocarbon gas can be placed within the same coal burning plant to join with the unburned residual coal, passing to the burner to burn therewith.