Abstract: A mixer/eductor assembly for use with a fuel cell stack having an anode-side and a cathode-side, said mixer/eductor assembly mixing and at least partially combusting anode exhaust gas output from the anode-side and an oxidant supply gas, said mixer/eductor assembly comprising: a first area receiving and mixing a first portion of the anode exhaust gas and a first portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a first mixture, the first area being configured so as to initiate a combustion reaction in the first mixture; a second area coupled with the first area, the second area receiving to and mixing a second portion of the anode exhaust gas and a second portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a second mixture, wherein: the first mixture has a predetermined oxidant to fuel ratio smaller than the oxidant to fuel ratio of the second mixture; and the first area provides an ignition source to promote continuous combustion of the second mixture in the second area.

Abstract: A duct for a fuel cell module includes an upper duct hood having an inlet configured to receive reactant gas from a supply duct, the upper duct hood defining a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion. The duct further includes a lower duct hood fluidly coupled to the upper duct hood, the lower duct hood defining at least one outlet. In a side view, the second tapered portion is tapered inwardly in a downstream direction. In a top view, the first tapered portion is tapered inwardly in a downstream direction, and the second tapered portion is tapered outwardly moving downstream.

Abstract: A duct assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The duct assembly includes a plurality of duct sub-assemblies coupled to each other in series. Each duct sub-assembly includes at least one bracket configured to couple to a structural member of the vehicle, and a plurality of duct portions coupled to the at least one bracket such that each duct sub-assembly forms a unitary bundle of duct portions.

Abstract: A mixer/eductor assembly for use with a fuel cell stack having an anode-side and a cathode-side, said mixer/eductor assembly mixing and at least partially combusting anode exhaust gas output from the anode-side and an oxidant supply gas, said mixer/eductor assembly comprising: a first area receiving and mixing a first portion of the anode exhaust gas and a first portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a first mixture, the first area being configured so as to initiate a combustion reaction in the first mixture; a second area coupled with the first area, the second area receiving to and mixing a second portion of the anode exhaust gas and a second portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a second mixture, wherein: the first mixture has a predetermined oxidant to fuel ratio smaller than the oxidant to fuel ratio of the second mixture; and the first area provides an ignition source to promote continuous combustion of the second mixture in the second area.

Abstract: A mixer/eductor assembly for use with a fuel cell stack, the mixer/eductor assembly mixing and at least partially combusting anode exhaust gas output from an anode-side of the stack and an oxidant supply gas, the mixer/eductor assembly comprising: a first area mixing a first portion of the anode exhaust gas and a first portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a first mixture, the first area being configured to initiate a combustion reaction in the first mixture, a second area coupled with the first area for mixing a second portion of the anode exhaust gas and a second portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a second mixture, wherein the first mixture has a first oxidant to fuel ratio smaller than a second oxidant to fuel ratio of the second mixture, and the first area provides an ignition source to promote continuous combustion of the second mixture.

Abstract: A mixer/eductor assembly for use with a fuel cell stack having an anode-side and a cathode-side, said mixer/eductor assembly mixing and at least partially combusting anode exhaust gas output from the anode-side and an oxidant supply gas, said mixer/eductor assembly comprising: a first area receiving and mixing a first portion of the anode exhaust gas and a first portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a first mixture, the first area being configured so as to initiate a combustion reaction in the first mixture; a second area coupled with the first area, the second area receiving and mixing a second portion of the anode exhaust gas and a second portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a second mixture, wherein: the first mixture has a predetermined oxidant to fuel ratio smaller than the oxidant to fuel ratio of the second mixture; and the first area provides an ignition source to promote continuous combustion of the second mixture in the second area.

Abstract: Combustion of hydrocarbon fuel is achieved with less formation of NOx by feeding the fuel into a slightly oxygen-enriched atmosphere, and separating air into oxygen-rich and nitrogen-rich streams which are fed separately into the combustion device.

Abstract: NOx formation in the combustion of solid hydrocarbonaceous fuel such as coal is reduced by obtaining, from the incoming feed stream of fuel solids and air, a stream having a ratio of fuel solids to air that is higher than that of the feed steam, and injecting the thus obtained stream and a small amount of oxygen to a burner where the fuel solids are combusted.

Abstract: NOx formation in the combustion of solid hydrocarbonaceous fuel such as coal is reduced by obtaining, from the incoming feed stream of fuel solids and air, a stream having a ratio of fuel solids to air that is higher than that of the feed steam, and injecting the thus obtained stream and a small amount of oxygen to a burner where the fuel solids are combusted.

Abstract: An oxidant injector for a burner having a nozzle with a surface prescribing a continuous function enabling laminar flow of secondary oxidant over the nozzle surface which functions simultaneously to take heat off, and to prevent exothermic free radical recombinations from occurring proximate, the nozzle surface.

Abstract: A nozzle and gas injection method using the nozzle wherein the nozzle comprises a section of porous material. Gas passes through one or more passageways running the length of the porous material section and also diffuses through the porous material section exiting across the nozzle face. This gas passing through the face serves to keep deleterious material, such as zone vapors, from contacting and fouling the nozzle.

Abstract: A process and system for shielding a turbulent fluid stream, comprising emitting a laminar flow of a shielding gas transversely to the flow direction of the turbulent fluid stream preferably from a porous wall. The turbulent fluid stream may be hot and may contain a coating material. By projecting or directing the turbulent fluid stream at the surface of a substrate to be coated, the heated coating material is deposited on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A combustion method wherein high velocity fuel is injected into a cavity recessed from a furnace zone for flow into the furnace zone, low velocity oxidant fluid is injected into the cavity for coaxial flow with the fuel, and the resulting combusting fuel and oxygen has imparted to it an angular component by operation of swirling oxygen flow and/or outwardly angled fuel flow, enabling control of the high velocity flame length.

Abstract: A combustion system wherein a defined uniform nonstoichiometric mixture of fuel and oxygen is made in a compartment outside a furnace zone and burned inside the furnace zone in a luminous flame while additional make up oxygen is provided into the furnace zone under conditions which avoid diminution of flame luminosity and high NO.sub.x generation.

Abstract: A plastic closure has a tamper-evident band with a 2-tier bridge arrangement comprising upper and lower bridges that are staggered circumferentially of the band. The upper bridges are spaced along an upper line of weakness and connect the tamper-evident band to the side wall of the closure, while the lower bridges are spaced along a lower line of weakness and connect a lower portion of the tamper-evident band to an upper portion of the band. The lower portion has an internal locking bead for engaging an external locking shoulder on the neck of a container. When the closure is moved in a direction to remove it from the container, the upper portion of the band is deformed into a zig-zag shape. Eventually upper bridges, which are weaker than the lower bridges, break, so that at least a top part of the closure can be removed from the container.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for changing the direction of a fluid stream injected into a combustion zone wherein a flow of biasing fluid is provided to a high velocity fuel or oxidant stream in a perpendicular direction proximate the inlet of an outwardly tapered cavity, causing the fluid stream to be deflected toward a wall of the cavity and to flow in a direction along the wall by a pressure differential across the fluid stream.

Abstract: Combustion method and apparatus establishing coherent jet oxidant flow within a cavity recessed from the main combustion area enabling operation without need for water cooling.

Abstract: An ignition system and method for a post-mixed burner characterized by an igniter comprising a tube for igniter oxidant flow and having an electrode therein, said tube positioned within the fuel passage but recessed from the discharge end of the fuel passage and from the combustion zone.

Abstract: A system to continually monitor the integrity of control and safety thermocouples within a furnace comprising a low furnace temperature reader connected in parallel with a high furnace temperature reader to a single safety thermocouple.

Abstract: An atomizer and atomizing process of a post-mixed liquid fuel fired burner comprising angular direction of atomizing fluid into liquid fuel as it passes along a fuel passage length of increasing surface area causing the formation of a fuel film on the fuel passage surface area with the increasing thinning of the fuel film as it passes across the increasing surface area, resulting in a shearing action at the fuel passage end and the formation of an atomized spray.