Abstract: A self-compensating, energy saving heat transfer unit to provide an efficient means to transfer energy from steam to water in a central heating system. The steam enters a mixing chamber and creates a negative pressure environment. Water in a backwater pipe, which is at a lower temperature and pressure, is than is absorbed into the mixing chamber where energy is passed from the steam to the water. The water then leaves the first mixing chamber and enters a second mixing chamber where compensation water is added to make up for the possible loss of water that may occur in the central heating system. The heated water then exits the heat transfer unit and goes back into the central heating system. After being cooled in the central heating system, the water then reenters the heat transfer unit at the backwater pipe and continues the cycle over again.

Abstract: A thermally turbulent combustion system for combusting solid fuel which includes a generally cylindrical, longitudinally extending stationary combustion chamber formed by a plurality of interconnected circumferential cooling pipes and fuel transport means provided adjacent the bottom of the chamber along the length thereof. A water cooled door may be provided at the inlet end of the chamber. The width of the chamber is greater than the width of the fuel path. A plurality of headers are connected to the pipes to supply and discharge cooling fluid thereto and therefrom. In one embodiment, the combustion chamber has a symmetrical cross-sectional configuration and the transport means is positioned centrally along the length of the bottom thereof. In another embodiment of the system, the chamber has an asymmetrical cross-sectional configuration and the transport means is positioned adjacent one side along the length of the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: Fired heaters, boilers and oilfield steamers include a heater radiant section adjacent a burner. A precombustion chamber is mounted between the burner and the heater radiant section and is surrounded by a combustion air plenum. A plurality of spaced tubes form a perforated combustion chamber and extend from the air plenum axially into the heater radiant section and terminate in line and in converging relationship with the exiting products of combustion. The tubes are protected by refractory members positioned along each tube in abutting end to end relationship. A plurality of openings may be spaced along each tube for progressively staging combustion air.

Abstract: A steam generator is fired by a fossil fuel burner. The generator is shown as producing approximately 80% quality steam to be injected into oil wells to promote secondary recovery. The flame body from the burner is propagated along the longitudinal axis of a horizontally extended cylindrical chamber. Water and/or steam is passed through tubes mounted on the internal walls of the cylindrical chamber in order that they may absorb radiant heat from the flame body. The heat absorbing tubes are divided into groups, or sets, to establish the rate of water and/or steam flow through the tubes. The tubes within each group are extended as a plurality of reaches the length of the cylinder and are joined to each other by 180.degree. bends of that part of the tube between reaches. Each reach of each tube group is arranged on the internal wall of the cylinder to result in uniform exposure of the tube groups to the radiant heat.