Abstract: A transient heating burner including at least two burner elements each having a distribution nozzle configured to flow a fuel, and an annular nozzle surrounding the distribution nozzle and configured to flow an first oxidant, at least one staging nozzle configured to flow a second oxidant, and a controller programmed to independently control the fuel flow to each distribution nozzle such that at least one of the distribution nozzles is active and at least one of the distribution nozzles is passive, wherein an active distribution nozzle fuel flow is greater than an average fuel flow to the distribution nozzles and a passive nozzle fuel flow is less than the average fuel flow, and to control a staging ratio to be less than or equal to about 75%.

Abstract: Described herein are a method, an apparatus, and a system for metal processing that improves one or more properties of a sintered metal part by controlling the process conditions of the cooling zone of a continuous furnace using one or more cryogenic fluids. In one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a furnace wherein the metal part is passed therethough on a conveyor belt and comprises a hot zone and a cooling zone wherein the cooling zone has a first temperature; and introducing a cryogenic fluid into the cooling zone where the cryogenic fluid reduces the temperature of the cooling zone to a second temperature, wherein at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid provides a vapor within the cooling zone and cools the metal parts passing therethrough at an accelerated cooling rate.

Abstract: A precombustor system to be used in conjunction with an oxy-fuel burner employing recycled flue gas is disclosed. A method of introducing streams into the precombustor to achieve desired improvements in flame properties is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flat flame oxy-fuel burner including a gaseous fuel nozzle having a hydraulic diameter Dh-NG and a width to height ratio w/a of at least 2; a primary oxidant conduit surrounding the fuel nozzle to form an annular primary oxidant nozzle between the fuel nozzle and the oxidant conduit, the oxidant conduit having a height b, the respective outlet ends of the fuel nozzle and the oxidant nozzle being aligned; and a precombustor extending from the outlet end of the fuel and oxidant nozzles and having a length L and a hydraulic diameter Dh; wherein the ratio L/Dh is non-zero and less than or equal to 4; wherein the ratio L/Dh-NG, is non-zero and less than or equal to 12; and wherein the dimensions a, b, and w are sized to yield a primary oxidant Reynolds number from 200 to 22,000 during burner is operation at 0.05 to 1 MMBtu/hr.

Abstract: A transient heating burner including at least two burner elements each having a distribution nozzle configured to flow a fuel, and an annular nozzle surrounding the distribution nozzle and configured to flow an first oxidant, at least one staging nozzle configured to flow a second oxidant, and a controller programmed to independently control the fuel flow to each distribution nozzle such that at least one of the distribution nozzles is active and at least one of the distribution nozzles is passive, wherein an active distribution nozzle fuel flow is greater than an average fuel flow to the distribution nozzles and a passive nozzle fuel flow is less than the average fuel flow, and to control a staging ratio to be less than or equal to about 75%.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating vessels, the vessels having enclosed spaces therein and controlling air ingress into the enclosed spaces through gaps. The method includes providing a lid structure for the vessel having the enclosed space, the lid structure having a burner assembly mounted therein. The burner is configured to provide a predetermined flame diameter. The vessel and lid structure are mated such that the gap is formed between the vessel and the lid structure. Fuel and oxidant are discharged from the burner assembly under conditions to provide the predetermined flame diameter and impart a flame velocity sufficiently large to create an outward gas flow from the enclosed space through the gap and control air ingress.

Abstract: A precombustor system (300) including an ignition chamber (301) having a front wall (308), a central axis, a diameter Dic, and an outlet (313) configured to discharge a product gas (315). The ignition chamber (301) includes a central ignition oxygen injector (307) configured to inject a first oxygen stream from the front wall (308) substantially parallel to the central axis, and a tangential primary fuel injector (303) configured to inject a primary fuel stream tangential to the central axis at a location an axial distance Xpf downstream of the front wall (308). The ratio Xpf/Dic is from 0.25 to 4.0. The central axis forms an angle a with a vertical line of less than or equal to about 45 degrees. The trajectory of the primary fuel stream forms an angle ? with a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis of less than or equal to about 20 degrees. A method for combustion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of heating a charge material by controlling heat flux in a tilt rotary furnace is disclosed. Combustion by the burner forms a heat release profile including a high heat flux region. The positioning of the high heat flux region is controllable by providing a controlled amount of secondary or staged oxidant. The burner is configured and controlled to position a region of high heat flux at a position corresponding to an area requiring greater heating, such as the area of maximum charge depth in the furnace to provide substantially uniform melting and heat distribution.

Abstract: A method useful with oxy-fuel combustion and in a furnace which contains molten material, wherein either substoichiometric or superstoichiometric combustion and low velocity injection of fuel and primary and secondary oxidant in an oxy-fuel burner are carried out in an orientation which forms either a reducing or oxidizing atmosphere proximate the molten surface.

Abstract: A precombustor having a chamber having a first end and a second end, and an inlet configured to deliver a substantially parallel flow of solid fuel surrounded by oxygen at the first end. The first end further includes a recirculation step and the second end fluidly communicates with a furnace. The inlet and the recirculation step are arranged to form a recirculation zone of at least a portion of the solid fuel and the oxygen. A combustion system and method for operating a combustion system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oxy-fuel furnace and method of heating material in an oxy-fuel furnace are disclosed. The method includes combusting oxygen and fuel with an oxy-fuel burner arrangement in the oxy-fuel furnace forming combustion gases, and maintaining a vortex including the combustion gases within a central region of an enclosure of the oxy-fuel furnace. The oxy-fuel burner arrangement includes a plurality of high momentum oxy-fuel burners arranged at an angle to generate the vortex, the angle being greater than 15 degrees but less than 75 degrees with respect to a furnace wall boundary of the enclosure, an angular velocity of greater than 0.07 radians per second, or a combination thereof. The furnace includes an oxy-fuel burner arrangement including at least two high momentum oxy-fuel burners having high shape factor nozzle geometries, and an enclosure. The vortex increases convective heating within the enclosure and uniformity of heating within the enclosure.

Abstract: A tubular reactor for producing a product mixture in a tubular reactor where the tubular reactor comprises an internal catalytic insert with cup-shaped structures having orifices for forming fluid jets for impinging the fluid on the tube wall. Jet impingement is used to improve heat transfer between the fluid in the tube and the tube wall in a non-adiabatic reactor. The tubular reactor and method may be used for endothermic reactions such as steam methane reforming and for exothermic reactions such as methanation.

Abstract: Burner assembly for use in industrial heating and melting applications of material susceptible to oxidation at elevated temperatures is comprised of a flow passage of oxidant surrounded by an annular flow passage of fuel whereby the oxidant is substantially contained inside the fuel layer up to at least 5 oxidant nozzle diameters downstream of the burner outlet in order to minimize contact between the oxidant and the furnace load.

Abstract: A heating method for heating vessels, the vessels having enclosed spaces therein and controlling air ingress into the enclosed spaces through gaps. The method includes providing a lid structure for the vessel having the enclosed space, the lid structure having a burner assembly mounted therein. The burner is configured to provide a predetermined flame diameter. The vessel and lid structure are mated such that the gap is formed between the vessel and the lid structure. Fuel and oxidant are discharged from the burner assembly under conditions to provide the predetermined flame diameter and impart a flame velocity sufficiently large to create an outward gas flow from the enclosed space through the gap and control air ingress.

Abstract: A method of heating a charge material by controlling heat flux in a tilt rotary furnace is disclosed. Combustion by the burner forms a heat release profile including a high heat flux region. The positioning of the high heat flux region is controllable by providing a controlled amount of secondary or staged oxidant. The burner is configured and controlled to position a region of high heat flux at a position corresponding to an area requiring greater heating, such as the area of maximum charge depth in the furnace to provide substantially uniform melting and heat distribution.

Abstract: A tubular reactor and method for producing a product mixture in a tubular reactor where the tubular reactor comprises an internal catalytic insert having orifices for forming fluid jets for impinging the fluid on the tube wall. Jet impingement is used to improve heat transfer between the fluid in the tube and the tube wall in a non-adiabatic reactor. The tubular reactor and method may be used for endothermic reactions such as steam methane reforming and for exothermic reactions such as methanation.

Abstract: An apparatus for combustion of a liquid fuel, such as an atomizer or burner, and an associated method using the apparatus for combusting an atomized liquid fuel. The apparatus for combustion has an outer conduit, an inner conduit and a spray tip. The spray tip has a mixing chamber for receiving a liquid fuel and an atomizing gas, and an orifice for discharging the liquid fuel and atomizing gas mixture as an atomized liquid fuel. The inner conduit has external fins where at least some of the external fins contact the inner surface of the spray tip.

Abstract: Described herein are a method, an apparatus, and a system for metal processing that improves one or more properties of a sintered metal part by controlling the process conditions of the cooling zone of a continuous furnace using one or more cryogenic fluids. In one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a furnace wherein the metal part is passed therethough on a conveyor belt and comprises a hot zone and a cooling zone wherein the cooling zone has a first temperature; and introducing a cryogenic fluid into the cooling zone where the cryogenic fluid reduces the temperature of the cooling zone to a second temperature, wherein at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid provides a vapor within the cooling zone and cools the metal parts passing therethrough at an accelerated cooling rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for combustion of a liquid fuel, such as an atomizer or burner, and an associated method using the apparatus for combusting an atomized liquid fuel. The apparatus for combustion has in outer conduit, an inner conduit and a spray tip. The spray tip has a mixing chamber for receiving a liquid fuel and an atomizing gas, and an orifice for discharging the liquid fuel and atomizing gas mixture as an atomized liquid fuel. The inner conduit has external fins where at least some of the external fins contact the inner surface of the spray tip.

Abstract: A tubular reactor for producing a product mixture in a tubular reactor where the tubular reactor comprises an internal catalytic insert with cup-shaped structures having orifices for forming fluid jets for impinging the fluid on the tube wall. Jet impingement is used to improve heat transfer between the fluid in the tube and the tube wall in a non-adiabatic reactor. The tubular reactor and method may be used for endothermic reactions such as steam methane reforming and for exothermic reactions such as methanation.