Abstract: A method of calibrating a nanopore array device. The nanopore array device comprising: a common electrode, an array of sensing elements each comprising a sensing electrode and a nanopore channel, and an ionic solution in contact with the common electrode and the array of sensing electrodes, the ionic solution providing electrical communication between the common electrode and each of the array of sensing electrodes via the corresponding array of nanopore channels.

Abstract: A method and assembly is provided for modifying a regenerative or a recuperative furnace system having air-fuel burners for use with synthetic air. A portion of the exhaust gases from the furnace is recycled and mixed with oxygen gas to form synthetic air. The synthetic air is then used to support combustion in the furnace. A cassette regenerative oxy-fuel cross-fired furnace system is also provided. The cassette regenerative furnace system utilizes synthetic air containing a mixture of recycled exhaust gases and oxygen in combination with cassette regenerators.

Abstract: A cassette regeneration system (10) for an oxy-fuel regeneration assembly (52) having oxy-fuel burners (54) includes a first regeneration assembly (62) having at least one removably connected cassette regenerator (32), a second regeneration assembly (62') having at least one removably connected cassette regenerator and an exhaust reversal valve assembly (82) in flow communication with the first and second regeneration assemblies and configured to selectively direct exhaust gas from the furnace to a selected one of the first and second regeneration assemblies. The system further includes an air supply conduit (98), at least one preheated air conduit (102) and an air reversal valve assembly (80) in flow communication with the air supply conduit and the at least one preheated air conduit and configured to selectively direct air from the air supply air conduit to a selected one of the first and second regeneration assemblies to the at least one preheated air conduit.

Abstract: A burner is mounted on top of a regenerator by a pipe connector.The combustion chamber of the burner communicates with the furnace interior via a tunnel and with the interior of the regenerator comprises a packing of ceramic material with a tubular casing of ceramic fibers. An electrical heating element is mounted in the pipe connector or is situated near the top of the packing.

Abstract: A regenerator for a regenerative heating system comprises a chamber 2 for storing a heat storage bed in the form of discrete particles 45, a closable inlet 16 for introducing fresh particles into the chamber 2 to replace contaminated particles and a closable outlet 18 for removing the contaminated particles from the chamber 2 so that the fresh particles may be introduced.

Abstract: A pulse-fired burner is operated by modulating a fuel supply rate between a pilot level and a main level to provide a flame the level of which modulates respectively between a pilot level during a non-firing phase and a main flame level during a firing phase. Air supplied at a pilot rate is premixed with the fuel before ignition, the pilot air level being sufficient to support combustion of the fuel at the pilot rate but not at the main rate. The supply of fuel is terminated if no flame is sensed.

Abstract: The regenerative heating apparatus (FIG. 1) comprises a pair of regenerators 51a and 51b arranged so that in use while one is being heated by waste gas, the other is preheating air for the combustion of fuel. A reversing valve 58 is connected to each lower end 91a and 91b of the regenerators 51a and 51b, the valve 58 connecting the regenerators 51a and 51b to an inlet 99 for receiving air and an outlet 100 for discharge of the waste gas. The reversing valve 58 is reversible to connect one regenerator to the inlet and the other regenerator to the outlet. Each regenerator incorporates at its upper end a burner (B1 and B2) with as shown in FIG. 2 a body having a passage 2 formed with openings 3 and 4. The opening 4 serves to receive air for combustion when its regenerator is preheating air or to discharge waste gas to the regenerator while the opening 3 serves to supply combusted fuel and air to the furnace 90 or to receive waste gas from the furnace 90.

Abstract: A self recuperative burner which can be fired with oil or gaseous fuel or both. The oil feed pipe is surrounded by a passage through which compressed air or fuel gas is conveyed to the burner head in such a way that it reduces the tendency for the oil to overheat. Additional cooling means are provided for the oil feed pipe. The burner has a burner head which is supported by a tubular part carried by a common wall between the combustion air supply passage and the combustion products exhaust passage, there being a sliding joint between the burner head and the tubular part which provides a circumferential series of arcuate gaps around the periphery of the burner head for the flow of combustion air between the burner head and the tubular part. The burner has an exhaust flue which is surrounded by a tubular part in which the combustion air inlet port is formed, the flue being cooled by incoming combustion air.

Abstract: A method of and means for changing the direction of flow of the products of combustion leaving a fuel fired burner. Located adjacent to the discharge end of a combustion chamber of the burner is a quarl or burner block having a convex surface defining a deflection path which follows closely said surface and along which the projected combustion products are caused to flow under the influence of surrounding gaseous pressures. The passage through the quarl in advance of the convex surface is restricted, for example by an encroachment of the convex surface into the passage and a deflector lip projecting into the passage opposite to said encroachment. The quarl may be inserted in the wall of a furnace at right angles thereto and without projecting therebeyond to direct the combustion products along the wall surface.

Abstract: A method of heating up to working temperature from cold, a furnace of the regenerative or recuperative type having its interior lined with refractory material, which method comprises projecting into the furnace from one or more substantially non-radiant high velocity burners a flow of hot gases, causing said gases to circulate around said interior to heat same substantially uniformly, introducing to said interior air (preferably from the normal firing system of the furnace) alternately via one and then the other of the regenerators, and controlling said burner or burners to cause it or them to pass to an excess fuel condition by which said air is consumed within the furnace, thereby pre-heating the furnace and the regenerators up to full working temperature.

Abstract: A high velocity gaseous fuel burner has a casing with an inlet end into which air is blown to an outlet end in the form of a nozzle. Within the casing but circumferentially spaced therefrom is an elongated combustion tube into the rear end of which a main burner unit projects a fuel/air mixture. The outlet end of the tube reaches to or into the nozzle and the air blown through the casing passes over the combustion tube, some air passing into the tube through apertures in its wall. A boost burner unit may be mounted through the walls of the casing and tube to project a fuel/air mixture axially towards the casing nozzle to produce further combustion beyond the tube outlet. Valves are provided for controlling the flow of fuel and air to the two burner units jointly and/or separately.