Abstract: A system for burning biomass to fuel a gas turbine 10 which generally comprises a pressurized combustion chamber 54, a feeder device 14 for feeding biomass particles into the combustion chamber 54, an air compressor 82 for supplying compressed air to the combustion chamber 54, an ash extracting device 92 for removing ash from the combustion gases 75, a turbine 116 and a central controller 126 for monitoring and controlling various aspects of the system 10. The biomass is fed into the combustion chamber 54 where the particles combust and produce highly pressurized combustion gases 75. The ash extracting device 92 removes the ash in the combustion gases 75 before the combustion gases 75 enter the turbine 116. The highly pressurized combustion gases 75 enter the turbine 116 where they expand to produce work and cause the blades of the turbine 116 to rotate. The turbine 116 drives an electric generator which is linked to a power transmission line through any suitable switching gear.

Abstract: A furnace for burning rubber tires. The furnace has a unique divided and apertured fire box to delay burning so that more complete combustion is complete. Forced air, and afterburner and a converter section also combine to provide for near smokeless discharge from the exhaust of the furnace.

Abstract: Liquid accumulators which substantially include several or at least one type of energy generation, such as heatable to almost the temperature of fresh air by solar irradiation with the thermal supply of circulation heat, by refuse combustion with the recovery of waste heat, by recovery of waste heat from exhaust gases in the case of heating boilers and generators, and also usable in a continuous process for the production of biogas from small refuse in the sewage.

Abstract: A low lying horizontal furnace comprising a fireproof enclosure sealed by a top burns solid fuels which are gravity fed through a vertical feed chamber positioned over a feed aperture in the top of the furnace. An exhaust stack is placed over an exhaust aperture spaced away from the feed aperture for venting exhaust gases from the furnace. Elongated fins are fixed to the underside of the top for channeling the exhaust gases from the feed aperture to the exhaust aperture. The horizontal furnace provides a field expedient furnace for cooking and heating for mass populations in that the top can be placed over a shallow pit dug into the ground for combusting solid fuels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a burn pot for particulate combustors, particularly of the type used for burning particulate fuel such as pellets. The burn pot includes a burn pot body surrounded by an air plenum in which air is delivered and exhausted through openings in side, front, and bottom walls of the burn pot body. A rearwardly inclined back wall is moved by a driver to reciprocate forwardly and rearwardly toward and away from the front wall. The back wall is inclined opposite to the front wall in order, upon reciprocating motion, to engage and move the particulate material toward the front wall, bunching it for more efficient combustion, clearing the openings in the burn pot walls, and forcing ash up the front wall and over the upper ash discharge edge thereof. The burn pot and back wall are removably mounted within the firebox to facilitate removal for cleaning, maintenance or replacement.

Abstract: A volatile organic compound (VOC) incinerator that is designed for installation in the exhaust airstream of VOC generating equipment. The incinerator includes an intake end, combustion chamber and an exhaust end. A flame baffle is disposed within the combustion zone to cause mixing of the VOC plus hot air mixture to increase efficiency and reduce fuel requirements. A temperature sensor is disposed within the combustion zone of the combustion chamber of the incinerator to monitor the combustion temperature to provide temperature signals to a controller. An air flow rate sensor is engaged in the intake end of the incinerator to provide air flow rate signals to the controller. The controller regulates the quantity of fuel injected into the VOC plus air mixture based upon the air flow rate signals and the temperature signals. A VOC detector is disposed in the intake end of the incinerator to provide a signal that turns the unit on or off depending upon the presence or absence of VOC's in the airstream.

Abstract: The present invention includes four chambers for containing refuse, a porous membrane at least partially enclosing the chambers, and a housing enclosing the porous membrane and the chambers. Combustion fuel is supplied to the porous membrane so that surface combustion takes place at the surface of the porous membrane facing the chamber for burning the refuse contained in the chamber. Electrical means may also be employed to provide combustion of the refuse. Safety features include pressure feed-back means for monitoring and regulating the pressure within the apparatus and temperature feed-back means for monitoring and regulating the temperature within the apparatus. A particle bin is positioned below the chamber for receiving burned particles from the chamber. The gases generated from the burning refuse is collected and pumped through a super heating and purifying chamber (eliminated all hazardous affluent) and into the boiler type heat exchanger and thereby producing steam for electrical generation.

Abstract: A pellet burning heating device (20) designed to operate at a combustion efficiency of about 90-98% (based on the oxygen-derived combustion efficiency formula), and to emit exhaust gases having a carbon monoxide concentration, by volume, of about 0.04% or less, which device does not incorporate a fan system for introducing combustion air into, or extracting exhaust gases from, the stove. High combustion efficiency and clean burning are accomplished by providing a plurality of apertures (130, 132) in the burn pot (120) of the device having a predetermined size, number, and placement. The heating device (20) also includes an aperture (200) which provides a wash of relatively cool air to the inside surface of the window in order to reduce carbon deposits. A shaker (160) located in the burn pot (120) provides a heat sink which helps to increase the efficiency of the heating device.

Abstract: A unique valve mechanism for opening and closing inlet, outlet, and purge valves in a regenerative incinerator is disclosed. The valves are mechanically opened and closed by a cam arrangement which insures proper timing, and optimal volume flow through the valves during each cycle. Further, a method of the present invention begins the purge mode while the inlet valve is opened, and completes it after the outlet valve has opened. This reducing the required time for each cycle of operation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for generating electricity from coal comprising a vertically stacked, three-stage combustor in which a sorbent is calcined in a calciner zone of the combustor and transferred to a carbonizer zone disposed below the calciner zone, coal introduced into the carbonizer zone is carbonized, producing char and spent sorbent, both of which are transferred to a combustor zone disposed below the carbonizer zone, in which the char is combusted at a substoichemetic air-to-coal ratio, producing a fuel gas. The fuel gas is cleaned and combusted in a turbine combustor, producing a flue gas which is introduced into a gas turbine for producing electricity.

Abstract: A pressurized incineration method for pressurized incineration of a solid waste material to produce electrical and thermal energy is disclosed. A combustion chamber is fueled by a solid waste fuel. The chamber is pressurized by an air compressor and the fuel is combusted. The hot compressed gases created by combustion pass out of the combustion chamber into an exhaust line that splits so as to provide hot gases to a turbocharger and a separate power recovery turbine. The turbocharger and the power recovery turbine have a rugged design so as to handle compressed gases containing corrosive effluents and particulate matter. If necessary, gas cleaning equipment may also be used to reduce corrosive effluents and particulate matter to an acceptable level in the inlet gas stream to both the turbocharger and the power recovery turbine. Expansion of a portion of the hot compressed gas through the turbine section of the turbocharger provides energy to drive the turbocharger's air compressor.

Abstract: A system for processing sold municipal waste and nonhazardous commercial waste comprises a multi-level floating marine vessel tied up alongside a dock. The vessel has a processing deck for processing incoming solid waste materials into multiple lines of material-specific recycling bins arranged symmetrically with respect to the midships region of the vessel. The vessel has forward and aft overhangs on the processing deck level big enough to drop load non-recyclable waste at the end of each said line into refuse barges moored directly below said overhangs. The vessel preferably has a tipping deck located above and approximately coextensive with said processing deck on the vessel with at least one opening accessible to trucks from the dock for loading solid waste onto the vessel. A bailing and storage deck located below the processing deck on the vessel has an opening accessible to trucks from the dock for unloading recyclables.

Abstract: In a power plant, for example of PFBC type, with a cooler for cooling of ashes originating in a fluidized bed, the cooler comprises a cylinder with a transport screw which transports the ashes through the cylinder. The transport screw has a tubular shaft which is transversed by cooling water. The cylinder may be air or water-cooled. At the bottom of the cylinder one or more fluidization devices are provided, which maintain the ashes in the cylinder in fluidized condition, so as to obtain good contact and effective heat transfer to cooling surfaces of the shaft and the cylinder. The fluidization also reduces the propensity of the ash to form a heat-insulating layer on the inside of the cylinder which reduces the cooling capacity.

Abstract: A system and apparatus is disclosed for delivering fuel to a furnace using an inert gas medium which has acquired moisture from the application of the furnace stack gas for drying the incoming fuel material during the reduction of the fuel to a desired size for combustion in the furnace. The use of an oxygen deficient inert gases medium as a propellant to deliver the fuel to the furnace is augmented by supplying air to the furnace to establish a staged combustion environment in the furnace to avoid the generation of high levels of the pollutant nitrous oxide which is understood to be generated by high flame temperatures and with high oxygen and nitrogen concentrations.

Abstract: Gasification, slagging, melting, and vaporizing components of waste materials and reactive carbon fuel, in variable proportions, at low pressures, using oxygen and steam reactants, effects very high temperatures, producing syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide), molten slag and molten metals. Integration provides steam and electricity from cogeneration plants. Thermal separation of coal-methanol suspensoids, delivered by pipeline, provides reactive carbon fuel. Methanol produced from cleaned syngas and ethanol produced by corn fermentation are blended, some gasoline or diesel fuel and other additives are used, safer, cleaner-burning, cost-competitive automotive fuels are produced. Light-weight, rock-like nodules (aggregates) and rock wool are produced from slag. Recovery of metals effects optimum recycling. Some metals are produced by reducing reactions. Ethanol coproducts combined with corn, other grains, alfalfa, molasses, minerals and vitamins, provide superior feeds for ruminant animals.

Abstract: A pellet burning heating device (20) designed to operate at a combustion efficiency of about 90-98% (based on the carbon derived combustion efficiency formula), and to emit exhaust gases having a carbon monoxide concentration, by volume, of about 0.04% or less, which device does not incorporate a fan system for introducing combustion air into, or extracting exhaust gases from, the stove. High combustion efficiency and clean burning are accomplished by providing a plurality of apertures (130, 132) in the burn pot (120) of the device having a predetermined size, number, and placement. More specifically, the total area of the apertures in the bottom wall (122) and portions of the sidewall (124) at or below the pellet level (134) in the burn pot is equal to the total area of the apertures in the sidewall positioned above the pellet level.

Abstract: A unique valve mechanism for opening and closing inlet, outlet, and purge valves in a regenerative incinerator is disclosed. The valves are mechanically opened and closed by a cam arrangement which insures proper timing, and optimal volume flow through the valves during each cycle. Further, a method of the present invention begins the purge mode while the inlet valve is opened, and completes it after the outlet valve has opened. This reducing the required time for each cycle of operation.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removal of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soil. The apparatus of the invention includes a shallow container, preferably with vertical sides, which has in its bottom wall a multiplicity of elongated recessed chambers with an open mesh entry area at the upper side, and a gas discharge orifice at one end of each chamber. A rack containing burners is adapted for positioning over the material to be treated within the container. The invented method includes charging materials to be treated into a container, heating the material while creating a partial pressure within the chamber, establishing a vacuum to pull the gasses downwardly through the soil and atmospheric air downwardly with the gasses, then either collecting or discharging the removed gasses, after which the soil is removed from the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A pellet stove has an arrangement for improving the flow of air therethrough. Air entering the stove is split into first and second portions. The first portion is diverted upwardly through a combustion chamber, wherein pellets are burned, thereby aiding in the burning of the pellets. The first portion of air then exits from the combustion chamber. It is directed to a rear of the stove through a heat exchanger where a flue exhaust is located. The second portion of air has three parts. The second portion of air is simultaneously diverted upwardly around the hopper and auger mechanisms, whereby the mechanisms and the pellets therein are cooled. One part of the second portion of air then is received in the flue exhaust so that this one part of the second portion of air exits the stove, creating a negative pressure in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method of thermal decontamination of organic wastes in which the waste is treated in a primary incinerator by a heat source such that solid residue is collected from the incinerator and exhaust fumes then participate in an industrial thermal process by being directed to an industrial containment by combusting the exhaust gases together with fuel and an oxidizer with oxygen concentration in excess of air to decontaminate the exhaust gases and using the heat produced in the industrial process.

Abstract: An apparatus for the combustion and/or decomposition of fuel by heat, especially of solid fuels such as peat, coal, wood, straw or garbage, comprising a fuel supply and air supply to a bar grate which is used as combustion site and cooperates with material loosening means in the form of disks, prongs or the like which extend through the grate interstices and are mounted on a support member which extends transversely to the grate bars, in which the disks are reciprocable relative to the grate bars in the direction towards the same. The material loosening disks are fitted onto support members each in the form of a support rod of substantially rectangular cross-section such that the disks are individually displaceable in the direction of the support rod.

Abstract: A method of cleaning flow structure within a regenerative fume incinerator of the type having a plurality of heat exchange chambers for directing fluid into and out of a combustion chamber. Each of the heat exchange chambers have a separate inlet and outlet line which are cyclically opened such that air to be cleaned is continuously being directed into the combustion chamber through one of the chambers, and cleaned air is continuously directed out of the combustion chamber through an alternative one of the chambers. The flow structure, valves and manifolds may become clogged with residue from the air being combusted. An alternate inlet line communicates from the source of fluid directly into the combustion chamber. That line is opened when cleaning of the flow structure is desired. At the same time flow to the normal inlet manifold is closed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incinerating waste material and for reducing noxious byproducts of the incineration process. The apparatus consists of a furnace having a turbulent reaction zone whereby an overfire air header and additive distributor and lime injection nozzles connected to the incinerator through a plurality of nozzles located at even distances about the arrangement is the turbulent reaction zone of the furnace such that an additive mixture is injected into the turbulent zone through and distributed evenly during combustion across the entire width of the turbulent area. As a result, a reaction between the combustion products and the additive is optimized resulting in an overall reduction in acid gas content, acid dewpoint temperature and the corrosion levels inside the incinerator and auxiliary equipment.

Abstract: A pellet burning appliance with an improved burner is disclosed. This improved burner includes an open ended retort in communication with a feed auger at the inlet end opposite the open end. The feed auger delivers solid fuel pellets through the inlet end which results in underfeeding action and cross-flow of the combustion bed. An air hole arrangement introduces primary and secondary air for highly efficient burning. The floor of the retort is flat, and colinear with the bottom of the auger tube. The burner is inclined within the appliance at approximately 22.5.degree. from the horizontal. This design promotes efficient burning as the constantly fed fuel spreads evenly whereby it combusts over substantially the entire length of the retort. The feeding action continually pushes clinkers and other combustion inhibiting particulates, in an unobstructed manner, off the retort's terminal end.

Abstract: Solid waste is loaded onto a reclamation barge or ship in which it is processed into recyclable materials and nonrecyclable waste. Recyclable materials are stored separately in symmetrical holds on either side of a central incoming hold. Nonrecyclable waste is compacted and stored on the reclamation ship and transferred ultimately to an incineration ship which conducts incineration with ash encapsulation at a safe distance offshore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improving the heat recovery in a waste head boiler, in which gas, produced in high-temperature processes and containing molten and/or solid particles and/or evaporated components, is cooled. In a waste heat boiler, a slowly cooling zone, i.e. a hot "tongue" is generally formed in the gas flow. To improve the cooling of the hot "tongue", gas and/or solid particles and/or vaporizing liquid, such as circulating gas or circulating particles separated from the process and cooled, are introduced into the hot zone or "tongue".

Abstract: A free-standing, thermostatically controlled stove provides positive draft combustion of bio-mass pellets or cereal grains. Particulate bio-fuel is gravity fed from a hopper into a first slower moving auger conveyor which feeds a second faster moving sugar conveyor that communicates with the lower side portion of a combustion container carried in a combustion chamber. A pilot burn is continuously maintained in the combustion container end of the second conveyor. The combustion container has vertically spaced air plena that provide combustion air and input holes to allow recirculation of combustion chamber gases for secondary combustion. The fire chamber exhausts combustion gases through a negative pressure, downdraft type exhausts with a selectively openable valved orifice to allow updraft operation at critical burning periods.

Abstract: A method and system for detoxification of waste materials, comprising incineration of the waste materials followed by additional contaminant reduction steps. The waste material is separated into solid and liquid portions that are fed separately into a combustion chamber wherein they are exposed to a plasma arc torch to affect combustion, producing a gaseous emissions stream and an obsidian residue. The gaseous emissions stream passes through an emissions control unit to eliminate acid gases, metals, and particulates, producing a cleansed exhaust gas and an emissions residue. The emissions residue is passed through an electroplating unit to reclaim metals. The obsidian residue is pulverized and then treated by a chemical process, or passed through the electroplating unit, to reduce the concentration of unbound barium contained therein, producing an inert obsidian residue that is free of toxic levels of all contaminants.

Abstract: Direct coal-fired gas turbine systems and methods for their operation are provided by this invention. The gas turbine system includes a primary zone for burning coal in the presence of compressed air to produce hot combustion gases and debris, such as molten slag. The turbine system further includes a secondary combustion zone for the lean combustion of the hot combustion gases. The operation of the system is improved by the addition of a cyclone separator for removing debris from the hot combustion gases. The cyclone separator is disposed between the primary and secondary combustion zones and is in pressurized communication with these zones. In a novel aspect of the invention, the cyclone separator includes an integrally disposed impact separator for at least separating a portion of the molten slag from the hot combustion gases.

Abstract: Direct coal-fired gas turbine systems and methods for their operation are provided by this invention. The systems include a primary combustion compartment coupled to an impact separator for removing molten slag from hot combustion gases. Quenching means are provided for solidifying the molten slag removed by the impact separator, and processing means are provided forming a slurry from the solidified slag for facilitating removal of the solidified slag from the system. The released hot combustion gases, substantially free of molten slag, are then ducted to a lean combustion compartment and then to an expander section of a gas turbine.

Abstract: Methacoal Integrated Combined Cycle Power Plants comprise a thermal separation plant for producing condensate liquid fuel and particulate carbonaceous fuel from Methacoal fuels, coal-methanol suspensoids or slurries; gas turbine generator plants for burning the liquid fuel to produce electric power; steam turbine generator plants for producing electric power; a boiler plant for producing steam for steam turbines; a small firebox for burning reative particulate carbonaceous fuel, with minimum retention time for high temperature combustion gases and minimum oxygen required for combustion, thus minimizing emissions of nitrogen oxides and hazardous ultra-fine particulates; and means for controlling ash fusion and slagging problems. The two generating plants are respectively sized to provide the capacity required, and to consume the two fuels in the proportions produced from the Methacoal fuels, during normal operations, allowing fuel inventory control.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the extraction of heat and smoke from a fuel burn in a firebox. The design is for the firebox exhaust area to be wrapped with its own hot exhaust gases, for smoke extraction, and then, for heat extraction, have all of the outer surface of a stove, fireplace or furnace exposed to said hot exhaust gases. Such a wrap-around design burns smoke from said exhaust gases, holds a high temperature in the firebox area, for good combustion, and increases the efficiency of heat extraction by using all of the outer surface of the stove, fireplace or furnace as a high temperature heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for incinerating waste material and for reducing noxious byproducts of the incineration process. The apparatus consists of a furnace having a turbulent reaction zone whereby an overfire air header and additive distributor and lime injection nozzles connected to the incinerator through a plurality of nozzles located at even distances about the arrangement is the turbulent reaction zone of the furnace such that an additive mixture is injected into the turbulent zone through and distributed evenly during combustion across the entire width of the turbulent area. As a result, a reaction between the combustion products and the additive is optimized resulting in an overall reduction in acid gas content, acid dewpoint temperature and the corrosion levels inside the incinerator and auxiliary equipment.

Abstract: A coal fired power plant includes a coal gasification zone where coal is gasified in the presence of an oxidant-lean atmosphere under partial coal gasifying conditions to produce a carbonaceous char and a crude gas stream, an acid separating zone where sulfur-containing compounds are separated from the crude gas stream to produce a combustible gas stream, and a converting zone where the sulfur-containing compounds are converted to elemental sulfur. The combustible gas stream and the carbonaceous char are fed into a boiler which drives a generator to produce electricity; portions of the carbonaceous char product and the combustible gas stream are diverted into a gypsum desulfurization zone. SO.sub.2 -containing flue gas from the boiler is fed into a flue gas desulfurization zone. There, the SO.sub.2 -containing flue gas is contacted with lime and limestone to produce gypsum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the residual ash from a cyclonic wood by-products burner utilizes an expanded combustion chamber directly connected to the burner outlet to maintain the exhausted air within chamber at a temperature of 2200 degrees to 2400 degrees F for an extended dwell time as compared to previous devices to complete combustion of the ash residue and lessen deposits on the contents of a downstream kiln.

Abstract: A plant for thermal waste disposal includes a pyrolysis reactor converting waste into carbonization gas and substantially non-volatile pyrolysis residue and a discharge device connected to the pyrolysis reactor. A combustion chamber operated with an oxygen excess is connected to a carbonization gas discharge fitting of the discharge device for receiving the carbonization gas. A residue sorting device is connected to the pyrolysis residue outlet of the discharge device for sorting out coarser coarse components substantially including non-combustible ingredients such as rocks, glass shards, broken porcelain, and metal parts, from combustible finer coarse components. A transport device connected to the residue sorting device transports the finer coarse components. A grinding apparatus has an inlet side connected to the transport device and a discharge side for feeding the finer coarse components to the combustion chamber after grinding.

Abstract: A mobile hazardous waste treatment facility (10) is provided for transfer to a remote treatment site where it can be rapidly assembled and disassembled. A primary combustion chamber (20) is placed on a trailer and support section (74). A secondary combustion chamber (24) and a scrubber section (37) are also placed on trailers (119, 127 and 196). Each trailer (74, 119, 127 and 196) is provided with three sets of hydraulic jacks for leveling and lowering the appropriate piece of equipment to jack stands on a concrete slab.

Abstract: The present invention is a furnace for burning pelletized or particulate fuel. The furnace has a split auger located within a serpentine fuel conduit which controllably feeds pelletized fuel into a contained burner, wherein the fuel is exposed to fire and a forced air plenum. The fuel is contained within the burner and exposed to high temperatures until the fuel is sufficiently burnt to pass through apertures in a perforated baffle. Further combustion is achieved by passing the heated combustible gases through multiple combustion chambers. A heat exchanger passes air by the multiple combustion chambers, thereby collecting the produced heat, and distributes the heated air into residential or commercial air circulation systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the extraction of heat and smoke from a fuel burn in a firebox. The design is for the firebox exhaust area to be wrapped with its own hot exhaust gases, for smoke extraction, and then, for heat extraction, have all of the outer surface of a stove, fireplace or furnace exposed to said hot exhaust gases. Such a wrap-aroung design burns smoke from said exhaust gases, holds a high temperature in the firebox area, for good combustion, and increases the efficiency of heat extraction by using all of the outer surface of the stove, fireplace or furnace as a high temperature heat exchanger.

Abstract: Apparatus, and a method for using the apparatus, for detoxifying material contaminated with at least one volatile organic compound (VOC). The apparatus is provided with a dryer having a heat source to heat the VOC-contaminated material to a first temperature, hot enough to volatilize the VOC, but below the cracking temperature of the VOC. The VOC in the dryer is volatilized to form VOC gases. A kiln heats the VOC gases with excess air to a second temperature, hot enough to destroy the organics in the VOC gases. Simultaneously the kiln is used to treat a kiln processable material to form a desired product. The kiln includes means for feeding the kiln processable material to the heating chamber, means for cooling and recovering the desired product, and means for providing heat for the VOC dryer. The apparatus also includes a conduit for conducting the gases containing VOC from the dryer to the kiln.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus is provided, preferably of the thermal heat regeneration type, in which noxious or other gases are passed to an incineration chamber, to be burned at a sufficiently high temperature that they are disposed of. An auxiliary burning unit is provided, for handling liquid substances, such as fuels, that may be hazardous liquid wastes, such as toxic liquid wastes and the like that are combustible. These liquid wastes may be burned in the auxiliary unit, by exposure to a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficiently long time that they are rendered substantially pure, and they may then enter as gases into the gas incineration apparatus. The liquid substances being burned in the auxiliary unit preferably are brought to a high temperature by passing through an elongate portion of the unit, and then traveling in a reverse flow direction, back over a common wall that has been preheated by liquid being burned in the unit, for efficient heat utilization.

Abstract: This apparatus relates to stoves, to devices for heating that use sawdust, ground corn cobs and other suitable materials gravity fed through a conical truncated feeder-hopper into a firebox. The heat generated raises the temperature of a tubular cylindrical structure that contains or encloses the firebox and directs gaseous by-products along its longitudinal axis to an upturned, upwardly disposed second terminal end that effects a ninety degree elbow turn, becoming a flue extension. A variety of secondary devices may be affixed to the basic heat generator or stove to provide for a variety of applications.

Abstract: System and method for burning wood and other fuel materials in a substantially smokeless manner. The fuel material is fed to the inlet end of an inverse pile burning chamber through an air lock chamber having inlet and outlet gates to prevent smoke from escaping from the inlet end of the burning chamber. The burning chamber is inclined in a downward direction from its inlet end to its outlet end, and the angle of inclination can be adjusted to facilitate the passage of different types of fuel material through the burning chamber. Combustion gases from the burning chamber are utilized for drying the fuel material before the material is delivered to burning chamber.

Abstract: An incinerator system utilizes recovered heat from the incineration of wood waste left by harvesting of forests to dry green wood products. An automatic feeder loads waste wood into a furnace which discharges combustion gases through a stack wherein a spiral air flow is induced to separate a portion of the gas carrying cinders and sparks from the axial movement of the remainder of gas. The cinder laden hot gases pass through a precipitation chamber where the cinders are recovered and returned to the furnace. The de-cindered gas is then admitted to a kiln via a modulating damper to dry wood.

Abstract: In a coal combustion system suitable for a gas turbine engine, pulverized coal is transported to a rich zone combustor and burned at an equivalence ratio exceeding 1 at a temperature above the slagging temperature of the coal so that combustible hot gas and molten slag issue from the rich zone combustor. A coolant screen of water stretches across a throat of a quench stage and cools the combustible gas and molten slag to below the slagging temperature of the coal so that the slag freezes and shatters into small pellets. The pelletized slag is separated from the combustible gas in a first inertia separator. Residual ash is separated from the combustible gas in a second inertia separator. The combustible gas is mixed with secondary air in a lean zone combustor and burned at an equivalence ratio of less than 1 to produce hot gas motive at temperature above the coal slagging temperature.

Abstract: A furnace housing having a heat exchanger, an exhaust gas flue and an ash collecting bin therein. A burn chamber is provided in the housing with the heat exchanger being oriented in heat exchanging relation to the burn chamber. An inclined conduit extends through a wall in the furnace housing and terminates in the burn chamber. A rotatable shaft is attached to a burn basket having a bottom wall and a perforate side wall and an open top. The end of the conduit in the burn chamber terminates adjacent the open top of the burn basket. A closed housing is connected to an end of the conduit remote from the end in the burn chamber. A fan delivers air to the closed housing and then to the conduit. A pelletized fuel feeding apparatus delivers pelletized fuel from a storage device to the closed housing and then to the burn basket.

Abstract: A solid fuel furnace having an oscillating grate plate solid fuel burner therein wherein the grate plates are in a stepped arrangement and every other plate moves together, in an opposite direction from the adjacent plates so that the solid fuel is kept moving down the step grate positively. Additionally, the solid fuel burner is mounted in a furnace housing which is designed to utilize the hot combustion gases to preheat incoming or makeup air for a blower used for supply air flow for heating. Baffles are used to provide a substantially elongated path for the combustion gases to ensure adequate heat exchange in a compact space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously treating material for performing such functions as burning, roasting, smelting, coking, melting, high temperature chemical reactions and the like in a combustion chamber wherein the chamber or an extension thereof, is tuned to permit combustion gases therein to resonate and to thereby effect maximum combustion efficiency. In particular, the invention concerns controllably varying the geometry of the combustion chamber, such as the length of a pipe or tubed section thereof in accordance with the variables of combustion occuring therein, so as to optimize efficiency of combustion and the reaction which takes place between the burning material and the material being treated or reacted on. In addition to effecting such reactions, the apparatus is also operable to effect the transfer of the heat of combustion to a heat transfer medium, such as water for generating steam or other form of heat transfer medium to maximize the utilization of the energy generated.

Abstract: A combustion system for domestic or small industrial heating needs, utilizing biomass fuels such as wood and brush chips, sawdust, logs, nut hulls, peat, leaves and other organic waste products of forestry, agriculture and industry with essentially smokeless, clean exhaust. By preheating the combustion air, insulating the combustion process and carefully controlling the fuel to air proportions and mixing parameters, essentially complete combustion with very little excess air at high temperatures is achieved even with fuels containing over half their weight in water. This water is then condensed out of the exhaust gases in uniquely designed air and water counterflow heat exchangers that can capture over 90% of the high heat value of the fuel. This invention is capable of maintaining clean combustion at high temperatures with little excess air, at burn rates much lower than the best popular "air-tight" woodstoves and is capable of higher heat outputs than most domestic heat plants.

Abstract: A furnace adapted to burn wood chips and wood particles and including an inner cylinder adapted to be positioned in horizontal relation and including a primary combustion area. A funnel assembly is provided for supporting a quantity of wood particles and for funneling the wood particles into the primary combustion area of the inner cylinder. A second cylinder is also provided, the second cylinder having a length greater than that of the inner cylinder and having one end which surrounds the inner cylinder such that the inner cylinder and the second cylinder define an air space therebetween. The other end of the second cylinder defines a secondary combustion area where the combustion gases from the primary combustion area are mixed with secondary air.