Abstract: A combustion system equipped with one or more carbonaceous fuel burning combustors (e.g., slagging Cyclone combustor) and adapted to minimize nitrogen oxide (NOx) formation during staged combustion operation by selective introduction of oxygen through at least one of the combustors to create a hot sub-stoichiometric combustion zone by reducing the diluent effect of nitrogen and other inert gases present in the oxidizer/air. A method of operating the combustion system of the invention with reduced NOx emissions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal postcombustion device includes, in a conventional manner per se, a housing, having an inlet for the exhaust air that is to be purified and an outlet for clean air. A combustion chamber is located inside the housing, and inside this combustion chamber, a heating device generates a temperature at which the pollutants carried by the exhaust air burn. In order to reduce the energy requirement, a heat exchanger is provided over which the exhaust air coming from the inlet is guided to the combustion chamber, and the clean air coming from the combustion chamber is guided to the outlet. In order to also be able to process exhaust air, which is loaded with adherent residues, for example, pitch vapors, a device is provided with which, during a purification mode, at least a portion of the clean air can be optionally fed past a section of the heat exchanger located closer to the combustion chamber and into another section of the heat exchanger located further from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A to-be-burned object including a metal Si component or SiC or Si3N4 can be burned in such a manner that vaporized SiO can be safely exhausted without causing SiO attached to a wall of a furnace or an inner face of an exhaust duct. An exhaust method of a continuous furnace for continuously burning a to-be-burned object containing a metal Si component or highly-fire-resistant SiC or Si3N4 includes steps of 1) exhausting in-furnace gas including SiO vaporized during a burning process. An exhaust duct 2 used for this exhaust is provided at an upper part of a side wall 12 of the furnace having a higher temperature (1300 degrees C. or more) than a concentration temperature of SiO vaporized during a burning process. 2) oxidizing the exhausted SiO at the outside of the furnace to detoxify SiO. The in-furnace gas exhausted by the exhaust duct 2 is guided to an exhaust pipe 3 connected to an outlet of the exhaust duct 2 at the outside of the furnace. This exhaust pipe 3 includes oxygen supply holes 31a and 31b.

Abstract: A combustion boiler for burning fuel and producing heat to generate steam. A method of minimizing discharging of nitrogen oxides from a combustion boiler comprising the steps of spraying a reducing agent into an overfire air stream and supplying the overfire air stream to the combustion boiler. Vaporizing the sprayed reducing agent at least within about 0.1 seconds of the sprayed reducing agent entering the combustion boiler and reacting the vaporized reducing agent with the nitrogen oxides within the combustion chamber to reduce the nitrogen oxides and minimize discharge of nitrogen oxides from the combustion boiler.

Abstract: A boiler incorporates an overfire air injection system for reducing NOx emissions. The boiler comprises a combustion device including a plurality of main burners supplied with fossil fuel and air for burning in a combustion zone, where the burners produce flue gases that flow from the combustion zone into a burnout zone. The boiler further comprises at least one overfire air injector for supplying overfire air to the combustion device and at least one booster overfire air injector for supplying high-pressure air to the combustion device.

Abstract: An Overfire Air (OFA) port design and method for use in a furnace system is disclosed. The OFA port design effectively reduces the amount of harmful pollutants emitted into the atmosphere upon discharge from an associated furnace.

Abstract: The boiler nose or arch of a furnace projects into the upwardly flowing flue gas to form a restricted passage. Overfire air is introduced into the cavity or plenum of the boiler nose and flows to injection ports along the inclined surface of the boiler nose to provide overfire air for penetration into and mixing with the flue gases in the restricted flue gas passage.

Abstract: A combustion boiler for burning fuel and producing heat to generate steam. A method of minimizing discharging of nitrogen oxides from a combustion boiler comprising the steps of spraying a reducing agent into an overfire air stream and supplying the overfire air stream to the combustion boiler. Vaporizing the sprayed reducing agent at least within about 0.1 seconds of the sprayed reducing agent entering the combustion boiler and reacting the vaporized reducing agent with the nitrogen oxides within the combustion chamber to reduce the nitrogen oxides and minimize discharge of nitrogen oxides from the combustion boiler. The reducing agent is nearly substantially instantaneous evaporated/gasified by the high energy of the reducing agent injection system.

Abstract: A waste gas treatment system having a burner part and a combustion chamber provided at a downstream side of the burner part. Combustion flames are formed from the burner part toward the combustion chamber, and a waste gas is introduced into the combustion flames, thereby oxidatively decomposing the waste gas. The combustion chamber is formed from an inner wall made of a fiber-reinforced ceramic material. Therefore, the wear of the inner wall due to heat and corrosion is minimized, and thermal stress cracking is also reduced. Consequently, the lifetime of the system increases, and the cost of equipment and the availability factor can be improved. In addition, because the inner wall exhibits no catalytic effect, the formation of thermal NOx is suppressed, and it is possible to achieve environmental preservation and to simplify the treatment equipment.

Abstract: An incinerator capable of fully preventing dioxins from being released, and has high fuel economy with less fuel consumption. The basic constitution of the incinerator is such that entire gas volume including unburned gas generated in a first combustion chamber (A) is temporarily collected in a gas collecting chamber (B), and the entire gas volume including unburned gas is introduced from the gas collecting chamber (B) into a second combustion chamber (C), while complete combustion is achieved by burning only the gas in the second combustion chamber (C).

Abstract: In a vertical refuse incinerator for incinerating wastes according to the present invention, an incinerator body 1 is made up of an upper cylindrical part CP and a lower funnel part FP covered by a cooling case, and an exhaust gas mixing device 4 promoting the mixing and secondary combustion of combustion gas stream CG is provided between a flame zone FZ and a re-combustion chamber 45. On the other hand, completely incinerated bottom ash is discharged below the incinerator body 1 by the opening and closing operations of a bottom ash discharge device DD by cooled refuse supporting means RS and bottom ash discharge plates 35.

Abstract: An incinerator includes a furnace defining a combustion chamber, a feed supply, a feed-delivering conduit connected to the feed supply and the furnace, an air supply connected to the furnace, and an air distributor disposed in the combustion chamber, connected to the air supply, and having an elongated segment which is formed with a plurality of spaced apart holes for uniformly distributing air into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An overfire air injector for use in a fossil fuel-fired combustion device includes a cylindrical nozzle having an outlet end formed with a step diffuser comprising one or more radial steps that enlarge the outlet end of the nozzle. An atomizer lance may be mounted within the nozzle, having a discharge orifice at the outlet end of the nozzle, for supplying a reducing agent to the overfire air to reduce NOx emissions.

Abstract: An overfire air injector for use in a fossil fuel-fired combustion device includes a cylindrical nozzle having an outlet end formed with a step diffuser comprising one or more radial steps that enlarge the outlet end of the nozzle. An atomizer lance may be mounted within the nozzle, having a discharge orifice at the outlet end of the nozzle, for supplying a reducing agent to the overfire air to reduce NOx emissions.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the throughput of recovery boilers equipped with at least three levels of injection of air with oxygen enrichment of the air in at least one air level. In one method, a black liquor recovery boiler has three levels of air injection, and oxygen enrichment is applied to at least the secondary and the tertiary air injection levels. In another method, a black liquor recovery boiler has four levels of air injection, and oxygen enrichment is applied to one or more of the tertiary or quaternary air injection levels. In another method, a black liquor boiler has three levels of air injection, with oxygen enrichment applied to at least two air injection levels. After combustion, the oxygen concentration in the resultant flue gas is sensed. The oxygen injection is then adjusted in order to maintain the sensed oxygen concentration at the previously selected oxygen set point.

Abstract: A pyrolysis furnace is described enabling removal of solid and liquid organic contaminants from various metal parts in a continuous manner. A novel furnace contruction employing a rotating retort vessel is described together with its method of continuous operation.

Abstract: In the manufacture of cement clinker from cement raw meal, sulfide-containing raw materials or raw materials with a high TOC (total organic carbon) level can be used for cement manufacture, which are uncontrollably incompletely burned in the upper cyclone of a heat exchange line, thus leading to high emissions of CO, VOC (volatile organic carbon), and S2− in the waste gas. To reduce or completely eliminate such elevated emissions, an oxidation zone is provided in an waste gas duct downstream of the heat exchange line in the gas flow path, having an afterburner, the waste gas being caused positively to pass through open flames of the afterburner to assure the economical oxidation of the waste gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of creating a high combustion rate in a combustor used to burn combustible matter. The combustor comprising a cylindrical combustion chamber extending vertically with at least one side loading bin for loading combustible matter into the combustion chamber while combustion is ongoing. The combustor creates a high combustion rate by inducing an acoustic excitation and an ascending vortex in hot gases that is reflected by a conical surface, converting the ascending vortex to a descending vortex. The shear between the ascending and descending vortices increases mixing. The descending vortex acts to separate the small, fully-combusted particles from larger particles that are thrown by centrifugal force back into the combustion zone.

Abstract: A solid fuel fed combustor system having a first chamber portion with an inlet feed for feeding a metered amount of a solid fuel thereto, a first burner stage having a first traveling conveyor firebelt, a metered amount of air introduced in progressively increasing proportions along the length of the first traveling conveyor. A second burner stage having a second traveling conveyor firebelt with air introduced in a progressively decreasing amount along the length of said second traveling conveyor firebelt and a controller for controlling air introduced to the system. The chamber has a sloped common roof section common to the burner stages and is made of radiative energy reflective fire brick and angled to reflect radiative energy generated from fuel traveling on the traveling conveyor firebelts and directing the radiative energy on fuel traveling on the first firebelt.

Abstract: An energy conversion system which comprises a solid fuel fed combustor system having a first chamber portion with an inlet feed for feeding a metered amount of a solid fuel thereto, a first burner stage having a first traveling conveyor firebelt, a metered amount of air introduced in progressively increasing proportions along the length of the first traveling conveyor. A second burner stage having a second traveling conveyor firebelt with air introduced in a progressively decreasing amount along the length of said second traveling conveyor firebelt and a controller for controlling air introduced to the system. The chamber has a sloped common roof section common to the burner stages and is made of radiative energy reflective fire brick and angled to reflect radiative energy generated from fuel traveling on the traveling conveyor firebelts and directing the radiative energy on fuel traveling on the first firebelt.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cremating human or animal bodies which consists in generating from a wall (10) of the combustion chamber (3), a turbulence in the form of a vertical displacement above the body (2) and in injecting the air required for combustion into this turbulence. Preferably, the turbulence is generated by rotating means (11) directed inside the chamber (3) and equipped with an inlet air duct (17), provided with a closing valve (18) and the air injection is adjusted by actuating the valve.

Abstract: A system for combusting difficult to combust fluid such as waste fluid wherein fuel and gaseous oxidant combust in a hot combustion gas chamber to form a hot combustion gas mixture which is accelerated to a high speed and at a steady, i.e. non-pulsing, flow is then used to atomize and then combust the fluid.

Abstract: A municipal waste gasification system comprises a plurality of primary gasification chambers for receiving municipal waste, a means for operating the municipal waste gasification system so that one or more of the primary gasification chambers may be idle while the other primary gasification chambers are operating to produce an effluent by an oxygen-starved process, a means for heating the municipal waste under oxygen-starved conditions in the primary gasification chambers in order to gasify the municipal waste and produce the effluent, and at least one mixing chamber positioned to receive the effluent produced by the primary gasification chambers with an effluent pathway extending through each mixing chamber.

Abstract: The method is applicable to a combustion system of the circulating fluidized bed type which system includes a hearth and a cyclone, and operates using fuel that is inserted into the bottom of the hearth, where a reducing atmosphere is created and where the fuel undergoes pyrolysis with separation into two phases, namely a solid phase made up of grains of coke, and a gaseous phase containing volatile matter. Provision is made for a primary air injection, secondary air injections, and a late air injection to be performed at different levels. The late air injected between the top of the hearth and the inlet of the cyclone is used to increase the efficiency with which the cyclone collects the particles that reach the top of the hearth unburnt, and thus to increase the combustion efficiency of the system. The system includes air injection means making it possible to implement the method.

Abstract: An incinerator has a combustion vessel, a base trap and an afterburner. The combustion vessel has a combustion chamber, an exhaust leading from the chamber, an air intake leading to the chamber, and a gas intake leading to the chamber. Fresh air is mixed with burning propane gas to elevate the temperature to incinerate waste with little ash. Household waste burns in the chamber generating flue gas that is moved from the chamber to the base trap where it is cooled. The cooled flue gas is moved from the base trap through a filter to the afterburner where it is oxygenated and burned prior to release to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Methods are presented to increase the throughput of a recovery boiler equipped with at least primary and secondary levels of injection of air. The methods comprise operating the recovery boiler with a third level of oxidant injection below or at the same level as the secondary level, and oxygen enrichment applied to at least the secondary level and said third level.

Abstract: A process for the incineration of particulate solids, especially biological waste matter with low caloric value, feeds the solids into a combustion chamber of a furnace together with a sub-stoichiometric amount of fresh air to control the rate of combustion and to inhibit the formation of sintered ash. The furnace for implementing the process can be a cyclone furnace having a primary combustion chamber with a first feed inlet for the solids and air and a second air inlet positioned between the first inlet and an exhaust gas outlet. A supply tube extends through the exhaust gas outlet of the primary combustion chamber to supply a source of fresh air at ambient temperature to maintain the primary combustion chamber at a desired temperature. The fresh air maintains the furnace temperature at least at about 850° C. and generally at about 850° C. to less than about 1100° C.

Abstract: A natural draft, gravity feed pellet stove. The body of the stove is formed by a vertical section of large diameter pipe, with an air intake pipe extending from the back of the stove to below combustion grate. Pellet fuel is discharged onto the grate through a slot at the bottom of a hopper, and the grate is sloped so that the pellets roll away from the slot and over the grate as they are combusted. The combustion gasses flow into two exhaust pipes, each having a diameter similar to that of the intake pipe so as to establish a 2:1 exhaust/intake flow ratio. Cross-drilled reburner tubes are installed across the intake ends of the exhaust pipes to provide additional air for complete combustion. The bottom plates of the storage hopper are free from attachment along their lower edges, so that these expand and contract on a continuous basis with changes in the temperature of the stove; this causes cyclical distortion of the plates which shifts the fuel downwardly towards the discharge opening.

Abstract: A method for reducing NOx emissions from the combustion of carbonaceous fuels using two sequential stages of partial oxidation followed by a final oxidation stage. In the first stage, substoichiometric air condition of about 0.55 to 0.75 is used in a plug flow fashion, while second stage combustion is performed at a stoichiometric ratio of about 0.80 to 0.99. As the second stage combustion products are cooled by radiant heat transfer to the boiler furnace walls, overfire air is added to produce an stoichiometric ratio of about 1.05 to 1.25 to complete the combustion process. In this manner, the formation of thermal NOx is reduced.

Abstract: A method for reducing NOx emissions from the combustion of carbonaceous fuels using three stages of oxidation and second stage in-situ furnace flue gas recirculation. In the first stage, a partial oxidation combustor is used to partially combust the fuel in the presence of preheated combustion air. The fuel gas produced in the partial oxidation process is passed to a second stage partial oxidation combustor while molten slag is removed and disposed of. Preheated combustion air also is introduced into the second stage of combustion to produce a slightly reducing flue gas and is injected into the furnace in such a way as to create the desired in-situ furnace flue gas recirculation. In the upper part of the furnace a third combustion air is mixed with the flue gas in a third stage of combustion to substantially complete the combustion process. Preheated steam may be added to the first or second stages of combustion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing NOx emissions in a furnace having a main combustion zone with a waterwall and apparatus for supplying main combustion air and fuel to the main combustion zone, also reduces unburned carbon and waterwall corrosion in the furnace. The method involves providing at least one lower overfire air injector at a first level over the main combustion zone of the furnace for supplying overfire air to create a lower overfire air zone in the furnace over the main combustion zone and at least one upper overfire air injector at a second level over the lower overfire zone for supplying overfire air to create an upper overfire air zone in the furnace over the lower overfire zone. The overfire air in the lower and upper overfire air zones are supplied at a rate for reducing the stoichiometry in the main combustion zone which reduces unburned carbon and a corrosive reducing atmosphere in the furnace.

Abstract: A method for operating a boiler using oxygen-enriched oxidants includes introducing oxygen-enriched air, or oxygen and air, in which the oxygen concentration ranges from about 21% to about 100% by volume. Fuel and oxygen-enriched air are introduced into the combustion space within the steam-generating boiler. The fuel and oxygen-enriched air is combusted to generate thermal energy. At least a portion of the flue gases are collected and at least a portion are recirculated through the boiler. In the steam-generating boiler, the oxygen-enriched oxidant is introduced at one or more locations within the radiation zone and the convection zone of the boiler. Additionally, flue gas is collected and recirculated into one or more locations within the radiation zone and/or the convection zone of the boiler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a swirling-type melting furnace for gasifying combustible wastes and/or coal, and a method of gasifying wastes by the swirling-type melting furnace. In the swirling-type melting furnace (5), gaseous materials supplied to a combustion chamber (6) form a swirling flow which includes an outer swirling flow primarily containing particulate combustibles and an inner swirling flow primarily containing gaseous combustibles. Oxygen is supplied through an inner wall of the combustion chamber (6) to the outer swirling flow primarily containing the particulate combustibles for thereby accelerating gasification of the particulate combustibles.

Abstract: Various burner configurations for combustion of a particulate fuel such as sawdust, and many types of varying moisture content biomass fuels such as poultry litter. The burners exhibit a high turndown ratio. the burners include a housing defining an upright combustion chamber lined with refractory material and generally circular cross section, a main combustion region within an upper extent the combustion chamber, an initial combustion zone at a lower end of the combustion chamber of reduced-size cross-section compared to the combustion chamber and a transition region increasing in cross-section from the initial combustion zone to the main combustion region. A principal fuel (e.g., sawdust) is supplied with combustion air to the initial combustion region, and an auxiliary ignition fuel supplies heat to the initial combustion region for igniting the principal fuel.

Abstract: The firing performance of a radial, scroll, or vortex cyclone furnace can be improved when firing difficult to burn materials having a relatively low heating value or a relatively high moisture content, such as sub-bituminous and lignite coals. This can be achieved by introducing additionally heated primary air into the burner of the radial and vortex cyclone furnace or separately introducing preheated or additionally heated auxiliary air into the scroll burner. Moreover, additionally heated tertiary air can be introduced into the radial and scroll burners to further improve firing performance. Moreover, additionally heated primary air can be mixed with the coal before introducing the mixture into the scroll burner to further improve firing performance.

Abstract: A boiler recovers a soda component from pulp spent liquor and is able to prevent carry-over of unburnt char and deformation of a char bed configuration and to attain a stable combustion with low NOx generation. By regulating the combustion air supply, and feeding inert gas along a furnace side wall around the char bed, there are formed a combustion zone of reduction atmospheric field where air ratio in the surroundings of the char bed is 0.8 or less, a combustion zone of reduction atmospheric field where air ratio is 1.0 or less and unburnt components exist (including the case of a reduction atmospheric field where air ratio is 1.0 or less and unburnt components exist with the two combustion zones being combined together) and a combustion zone where combustion is completed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a swirling-type melting furnace for gasifying combustible wastes and/or coal, and a method of gasifying wastes by the swirling-type melting furnace. In the swirling-type melting furnace (5), gaseous materials supplied to a combustion chamber (6) form a swirling flow which includes an outer swirling flow primarily containing particulate combustibles and an inner swirling flow primarily containing gaseous combustibles. Oxygen is supplied through an inner wall of the combustion chamber (6) to the outer swirling flow primarily containing the particulate combustibles for thereby accelerating gasification of the particulate combustibles.

Abstract: An arrangement for burning refuse in which the refuse is deposited on a grate and transported to a drop-out shaft. A part of the air supplied for burning the refuse is transmitted as primary air from below the grate. A part of the air is also blown into a combustion chamber as secondary air. The resulting flue gas from the combustion is moved in a direct or parallel stream with the refuse to an end region of the combustion chamber, and deflected in direction and injected through an opening in a flue gas channel having a vertical center plane and two channel halves on both sides of the plane. At least a secondary air stream is blown into blown channel halves in the region of the channel opening, mirror-symmetrically to the center plane. The second air stream is blown in with a rotary pulse relative to a center axis of a cross-section of the channel halves. Two oppositely rotating swirls are generated by the secondary air streams in the channel halves symmetrically to the vertical center plane.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides in a combustion apparatus provided with a tubular furnace. The method comprises burning odor gases at first sub-stoichiometrically, and subsequently supplying additional air to the furnace (3) in the transverse direction thereof in such a manner that the final air ratio is over 1. The arrangement comprises an additional air duct (7) which extends to the furnace of the boiler and from which additional air is supplied to the furnace (3) in the transverse direction of the furnace (3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing NO.sub.x emissions from the combustion of carbonaceous fuels using three stages of oxidation. In the first stage, a partial oxidation combustor is used to partially combust the fuel in the presence of heated combustion air. The fuel gas produced in the partial oxidation process is passed to a second stage partial oxidation combustor while molten slag is removed and disposed of. A second preheated combustion air is introduced into the second stage combustor to produce a reducing flue gas. A third combustion air is mixed with the flue gas in a third stage combustor to substantially complete the combustion process. Preheated steam may be added at any or all of the combustion stages. The stochiometric ratios at each stage of combustion are controlled to minimize overall NO.sub.x emissions to acceptable levels.

Abstract: In a process for gasifying and burning waste materials, the waste materials are introduced into an incinerator (1) and end up on a burning grate (6) to which combustion air is conducted through various undergrate forced draft chambers (8a to 8e). In the first area combustion air is introduced at a superstoichiometric level in order to ignite the waste materials. Then, via the undergrate forced draft chambers (8c to 8e), oxygen is mixed into the air which is used for the gasification, thereby establishing a substoichiometric level which results in gasification of the waste materials. The combustible gases which result from this process pass via a waste gas flue (12) into a second furnace (2), in which the gases are burned at a superstoichiometric level through the introduction of combustion air. The resulting waste gases pass to a heat exchanger (3).

Abstract: A combustion system includes a primary combustion chamber divided into left and right sides by fuel-retaining standards defining a canyon or void extending into a secondary combustion chamber is provided. The floor of the primary combustion chamber and the fuel-retaining standards direct the burning solid fuel toward the lower part of the canyon, while at the same time retaining the non-burning solid fuel on either side of the fuel-retaining standards. The combustion system further includes an air delivery system having a lower air tube supplying high and low velocity air and an upper air tube. The lower air tube is positioned proximate to a firebox floor, while the upper air tube is positioned within the secondary chamber. Automatic air setting mechanisms are provided so that proper air settings can be maintained during various phases of a fire.

Abstract: An emission control system for an asphalt kettle combines a number of features to increase efficiency and convenience of operation, while minimizing potential safety hazards. The asphalt kettle is connected via a duct to a separate afterburner device equipped with a fan. This fan pulls fumes from a hood of the kettle through the duct to the afterburner device. The fan then pushes the fumes into a combustion chamber housed in the afterburner device. The combustion chamber includes an air port having an outlet proximate to the burner for furnishing a supply of fresh air to the flame to prevent its being extinguished by the rapid movement of gas through the combustion chamber. The afterburner device may include a one-way valve that prevents backdraft of ignited fumes from the combustion chamber into the kettle due to negative pressure within the kettle. The afterburner device may also include a temperature sensor that shuts down the fan in the event of kettle ignition.

Abstract: At least one main combustion chamber contains at least one pulverized coal burner. Each pulverized coal burner is operatively arranged for minimizing NO.sub.X production and for maintaining a predetermined operating temperature to liquefy ash within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber includes a slag drain for removing slag from the combustion chamber. A slag screen is positioned in a generally U-shaped furnace flow pattern. The slag screen is positioned between the combustion chamber and a radiant furnace. The radiant furnace includes a reburning zone for in-furnace No.sub.X reduction. The reburning zone extends between a reburning fuel injection source and at least one overfire air injection port for injecting air.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for modulating or damping surges of gaseous component (VOC) to a system for destroying the gaseous component are provided which include an accumulator located and adapted to hold gaseous component resulting from such a surge. The present system includes a valve which is positioned to facilitate passing the gaseous component resulting from the surge to the accumulator and, thereafter, to be repositioned to allow the gaseous component from the accumulator to be passed to the system for destroying the gaseous component.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel apparatus and method for automatically and dynamically regulating the intake of air into the combustion chamber of a heating unit such as a wood burning stove, furnace, or fireplace to ensure even and efficient burning of fuel. More particularly, this invention pertains to a method and apparatus that uses negative gas pressure in the heating unit's flue, and no additional temperature or pressure sensors, to automatically and dynamically control a damper regulating intake of air into the combustion chamber in inverse relation to changes in negative flue gas pressure. This method and apparatus are especially useful in combination with a heating unit having two combustion chambers, one chamber for combustion of solid fuel and a second chamber for further combustion of exhaust gases and other byproducts from combustion in the first chamber.

Abstract: In a method of incinerating waste material in a parallel flow process wherein hot exhaust gases are conducted above a combustion chamber grate in the same direction as the material is moved on the grate, different temperatures zones are maintained to which air is admitted from the bottom through the grate such that a temperature of less than 900.degree. C. is maintained in a first zone which is a drying zone, a temperature of about 1000.degree. C. is maintained in a second zone which is an evaporization and vaporizing zone, a temperature of about 900.degree. C. is maintained to in a third zone, which is the final combustion zone and a temperature less than 900.degree. C. is maintained in a fourth zone which is a sintering zone. Additional air is supplied to the combustion zones 1 through the side walls of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for pyrolysis of a sample of a composite material containing a combustible binder includes a combustion chamber configured to receive a sample of the composite material and having an outlet. A heater is associated with the combustion chamber for heating the chamber to a temperature sufficient for pyrolysis of the binder. A blower is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber for creating an airflow through the outlet to remove airborne pyrolysis products from the combustion chamber. An adjustable airflow regulator is operable to adjustably control the airflow to provide a desired minimum residence time within the combustion chamber sufficient for complete pyrolysis of the airborne pyrolysis byproducts.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the throughput of recovery boilers equipped with at least two levels of injection of air, the methods improving the thermal efficiency of the boiler with oxygen enrichment of the air in at least one level of the combustion air system, at or above the secondary air level. In one method, a black liquor recover boiler having two levels of air injection is retrofitted with a third level of oxidant injection below or at the same level as the original secondary air, and oxygen enrichment is applied to at least the original secondary air stream and the third level air stream. A preferred method is for the third level to be placed at or close to the same level as the black liquor injector ports.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor includes an axial recirculating fluidized bed and at least first and second lateral dense fluidized beds, respectively disposed along a first and a second wall of the jacket of the reactor. Waste is fed via at least one point on the first wall of the jacket of the reactor, above the first lateral dense fluidized bed. The reactor includes at least one duct for extracting non-fluidizable heavy elements at the base of the first lateral dense fluidized bed.