Abstract: A system and method uses a combustor and gasifier to burn a primary dirty fuel, such as waste materials or high-polluting fossil fuels, and a secondary low-polluting fuel, such as biomass fuels, for co-generation of electricity while reducing harmful emissions. The primary fuel is burned at least partially through the use of an improved burner tube. Dirty exhaust from a combustor is scrubbed by a gasifier by reforming the combustors exhaust gases into a clean-burning producer gas (syn-gas). The secondary fuel and oxygen are added to the dirty exhaust in the gaslifier to create gas, char and ash. The gas powers an engine or turbine that turns a generator, or a boiler, Stirling engine, or Organic Rankine Cycle power plant, and releases a cleaner exhaust.

Abstract: A method for plant treatment, including: receiving a first measurement for a plant from a sensor as the sensor moves within a geographic area comprising a plurality of plants; in response to receipt of the first measurement and prior to receipt of a second measurement for a second plant of the plurality, determining a set of treatment mechanism operation parameters for the plant to optimize a geographic area output parameter based on the first measurement and historical measurements for the geographic area; determining an initial treatment parameter for the plant; and operating a treatment mechanism in a treatment mode based on the set of operating parameters in response to satisfaction of the initial treatment parameter.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a heat exchanger and an associated method of manufacture. The heat exchanger comprises a flow conduit for accommodating flow of a heat transfer fluid. The conduit is wound around a central axis so as to form a plurality of turns, for example in a helical fashion. A support member for the conduit is formed of a sheet material shaped to extend in a circumferential direction about the central axis, wherein the support member is common to said plurality of turns. A plurality of fasteners are arranged to attach the conduit to the support member at spaced locations along its length.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger, and a method for heating a working fluid. The heat exchanger includes a burner, a combustion section, and a condenser section positioned below the combustion section such that exhaust from the burner passes through the spiral coils and to the condenser. In an example of this disclosure, the combustion section includes a plurality of spiral coils radially spaced apart relative to one another, and the condenser section includes a plurality of U-bend coils.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to a compact steam boiler which may provide steam to a steam reformer in a fuel cell system. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam boiler including an outer shell and a first inner tube and a second inner tube within the outer shell, the first and second inner tubes spaced away from one another. The steam boiler further includes a twisted ribbon positioned inside each of the first and second inner tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising a pair of tube bundles (21, 31) through which the fluid to be heated flows, one primary bundle (21) surrounding a cylindrical burner (40) and the other secondary bundle (31) on which the water steam contained in the combustion gas exhausting from the primary bundle is condensed, whereby the tubes forming the bundles have a flattened section and a helicoidal shape, such that the combustion gas flow between the coils, from the inside to the outside for the primary bundle (21) and in the reverse order for the secondary bundle (31), both bundles being arranged inside a same shell (1). Said heat exchanger is characterised in that the axial dimension (l2) of the secondary bundle is substantially smaller than the axial dimension (I1) of the primary bundle, such that an available space for an exhaust trunking (7) is provided at the end of said secondary bundle (31).

Abstract: A downdraft boiler has a ceramic burner plate overlying a horizontal-tube heat exchanger at least the upper tubes of which each have an internal turbulator preventing premature vaporization of the water traversing the heat exchanger. The turbulator can consist of a twisted metal strip whose edges lie along helices.

Abstract: A hot gas water heater has a housing, and at least a pair of concentric coils in the housing through which liquid to be heated is sequentially passed. Each coil has a helical tube with adjacent turns connected by a web member such that the tube and web member form an imperforate coil wall. Hot gas passes sequentially between the coils in co-current flow with liquid flow in one adjacent coil and counter-current flow with liquid flow in another adjacent coil.

Abstract: A steam generator a steam turbine driving unit, designed for the use of gaseous propellant, especially hydrogen, containing a gas supply unit, an air feeding unit (20), a steam generator (1) and steam turbine (77). The gas supply unit is provided with a supply container (8), a gas container (18), and with fittings used for filling up and gas supply. The air feeding unit is provided with instruments regulating air flow, and with an air filter (25). The steam generator is provided with a combustion chamber (1) having a ceramics wall, and the cooling pipes (31) adapted for steam generation are arranged in the combustion chamber (1). The steam turbine (77) is driven by the steam obtained from the cooling pipes (31) used for steam generation, and its shaft (36) represents the power output.

Abstract: A high pressure washer of this invention comprises a heat exchanger for heating a cleaning fluid, and a dispenser for dispensing heated cleaning fluid under pressure onto a surface to clean it. The heat exchanger comprises a tubular casing and a generally coaxial tubular heat shield inside the casing defining a combustion chamber. A burner is mounted adjacent a first end wall of the casing for discharging flames and hot combustion gases into the combustion chamber. A heating coil inside the casing extends longitudinally with respect to the casing for containing cleaning fluid to be heated. The heating coil comprises a length of unfinned tubing disposed in a gap between the heat shield and a second end wall of the casing, and a length of finned tubing in the annular space between the heat shield and the casing. The burner is operable to emit flame and hot gases of combustion into said combustion chamber in a direction toward the second end wall of the casing.

Abstract: A monobloc boiler particularly suitable for hydrocleaning machines, comprising a combustion chamber (6), the outer surface of which is wrapped by a double-coil pipe (8), wherein water to be heated flows; a cylinder wrapping up said chamber (6); a fuel mixing and ignition unit (4); flanges (5) for air distribution and braking in boiler body; a fan system (16) for air inlet in boiler body and an external box (12 wrapping and enclosing all these components. A fan system (16) is fixed on a first rear wall of the external box (12) and generates an air flow in an air gap (18) formed between the external box (12) and the cylinder (10). A mixing and ignition unit (4) is also located within boiler body and is fixed in the center on the other wall of the external box (12), opposite to the first rear wall.

Abstract: A commercial water heater apparatus, including a housing, a radial-fired burner within the housing, a single continuous, multiple loop, finned coil tubing heat exchanger for circulating water around the burner, having at least a first set of inner coils forming a coil trough therebetween and a second set of outer coils nested within the coil trough formed by the inner set of coils, the outer set of coils forming a second coil trough around the exterior thereof, and a coil baffle interposed in the second exterior trough for deflecting heat adjacent to the second set of coils.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for low NOX combustion of natural gas in a compact steam boiler having output steam delivery controlled by predetermined outlet steam pressure. The compact boiler employs a small high heat release combustor discharging into a forced draft convective heat exchange section. In operation, the compact boiler is completely and automatically self-operating, employing flue gas recirculation (FGR) wherein the FGR is admitted into the burner combustion air through a valve controlled by boiler flue gas NOX content. A novel bell mouthed flue gas scoop is utilized in the boiler stack upstream of the NOX sensor. In an alternate combustion chamber design, a cylindrical water wall coil surrounds the combustion process, increasing boiler efficiency through the inherent large temperature difference between the coil and the combustion in process, along with reducing the combustion temperature and further reducing the NOX content of combustion products.

Abstract: A method for heating liquid including the steps of pressurizing the liquid; and heating the liquid while under pressure. An apparatus for heating liquid including a conduit system for transporting a liquid to be heated; an assembly for applying heat to the conduit system to heat the liquid in the conduit system; and an assembly for pressurizing the liquid during transporting substantially to prevent conversion of the liquid to vapor.

Abstract: A fluid heater and method are disclosed for heating a heat transfer fluid flowing within a heater tube using reradiative and convective heat transfer while avoiding direct flame impingement on the heater tube. The heater tube is separated from the flame by a heat shield that cools the flame temperature and reradiates heat energy to the heater tube. The combustion products are directed around the shield and into contact with the heater tube.

Abstract: A radially fired water heating apparatus (10) having a plurality of stacked segments of multiple-loop, finned coiled tubing (58) separated by inner and outer support baffles (86, 88), all contained within a cylindrical baffle (20) which cooperates with the coiled tubing (58) and support baffles (86, 88) to direct combustion by-products into an annulus (24) promoting heat transfer to a countercurrent flow of inlet air, the water being supplied to and recovered from the stacked segments of coiled tubing (58) through inlet and outlet headers (54, 56) disposed outside cylindrical baffle (20) that can be selectively modified by installing or removing baffles (90, 92) for either single-pass or multiple-pass operation.

Abstract: A multiple boiler has at least two separate heating systems incorporated therein. Whereas boilers with two heating supplies have been known, they have been complicated systems that require heating to occur outside a water tank. The multiple boiler has an insulated water tank with a heater to heat the water in the tank without circulating water outside the tank. At least one circulating coil is located in the tank in heat exchange relationship with water in the tank.

Abstract: A gas-to-liquid heat exchanger formed by winding circular finned tubing into a helical coil has bare tubing wrapped around the coil such that it nests between adjacent turns of the finned tubing. Fittings at the inlets and outlets of both coils distribute the liquid stream so that a portion flows through each coil. The fan tube coil acts as a cooled baffle which directs the hot gas stream flowing over the finned tubes so that it contacts a greater portion of the finned tube external surface area at high velocity and increases the heat transfer effectiveness. Because the baffle is cooled, its temperature remains close to that of the finned tubing. This protects the baffle and eliminates differential expansion which could cause the baffle to fall off or loosen during operation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided which has a heat exchanger coil made from a continuous length of tubing arranged in an alternating series of conical helical and reverse conical helical winds wherein the medium to be heated flows downwardly through the coil and the heated medium from which heat energy is to be transferred flows upwardly around the coil in counter flow fashion to provide for a compact and efficient heat exchanger. Two methods of constructing such a coil are disclosed which utilize one or more mandrels to form the tubing into the approximately shaped coil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas instantaneous water heater for use in boats or recreational vehicles comprising a housing divided into a large upper portion and a small lower portion. A gas valve and electric filament lighter are controlled by an electronic module which opens the gas valve and ignites the gas in response to a signal from a sensor capable of sensing water flow or a pressure drop. The heater employs a photoelectric flame sensor and a thermal override switch to shut off the gas in the event the igniter fails to ignite the gas or if the water temperature is excessively high.

Abstract: A heater for heating a process fluid in which a cylindrical main chamber has a number of high intensity burners mounted therein to project products of combustion into the main chamber in a direction transverse to the axis of the main chamber. An annular secondary chamber surrounds the longitudinal walls of the main chamber, a first set of heat exchanger tubes being provided in the main chamber and a second set in the secondary chamber. Gases flowing from the burners pass over the first set of heat exchanger tubes, and then through at least one inlet to the secondary chamber, where they pass over the second set of heat exchanger tubes and out through a flue outlet at the top. A refractory shield may be provided adjacent the burners to guide the gases from the main chamber into the secondary chamber, and a further heat shield may be provided between the main chamber and the secondary chamber.

Abstract: A fired heater for a coal liquefaction process is constructed with a heat transfer tube having U-bends at regular intervals along the length thereof to increase the slug frequency of the multi-phase mixture flowing therethrough to thereby improve the heat transfer efficiency.

Abstract: A heating system having a furnace with a lower combustion chamber for providing heat and an upper fluid heating chamber in which a fluid, such as water, is heated by the heat from the combustion chamber and passes through a supply pipe to heat an area. The cooled fluid returns to the fluid heating chamber through a return pipe. A serpentine coil arrangement is provided in the lower combustion chamber extending between the return and supply pipes for supplemental heating of at least a portion of the fluid directly within the combustion chamber. The serpentine coil arrangement is in a parallel flow relationship with the output from the fluid heating chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-pass helical coil thermal fluid heater of improved thermal efficiency. The thermal fluid is heated while being circulated within concentric helical coils of the heater which are arranged in such a manner to improve overall thermal efficiency and simplify construction. Provision is also made for preheating of the thermal fluid and the heater combustion air to further improve thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A steam generating diffuser comprising a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged to form a horizontally disposed, longitudinally elongated open-ended divergent duct. A refractory lining is laid up around the inner surface of the divergent duct so as to protect the heat exchange tubes. The inlet of each heat exchange tube is connected to a lower water distribution header disposed beneath the duct and the outlet of each heat exchange tube is connected to an upper steam and water distribution header disposed above the duct. Each tube provides a fluid flow path between the lower and upper headers which is continuously upwardly directed.

Abstract: A laundry dryer source of heat for providing warm gas to dry laundry is utilized to heat water for laundry washers use, and is particularly suited for coin operated laundries. In the illustrated embodiment each dryer has a gas burner and a water coil is in the flame area of the burner, the coils being connected in circuit between a cool water outlet and a heated water inlet of a typical automatic water heater tank. A pump circulates cool water from the tank through coils and returns heated water from the coils to the tank whenever any of the dryers are in operation. Since most laundry is promptly placed in a dryer after washing, during high or low capacity operation of the laundry, the quantity of heated water is automatically regulated by dryer operation to the overall demand for hot water by the washers, the automatic water heater tank providing heated water during sudden surges in washer operation before the dryers are in operation sufficiently to supply the hot water.

Abstract: An auxiliary steam superheater designed to be easily added to an existing steam system to boost the steam temperature to approximately 750.degree. F. This superheater comprising a steam coil system enclosed by an insulated casing which defines a central radiant heating chamber with the coil system spaced inwardly from the inner surface of said casing to provide a convection heat passageway. Hot gases from a heat source are introduced through one end of the casing and into the "interior" of said coil system, thus providing radiant heat directly to the inner surface of said coil system and utilizing the "black body" heat transfer principle. An exhaust flue is provided at the top of said casing in close association to the end of the casing where the hot cases are introduced, the gases flowing through the interior of said coil system and out around the coil along said convection heat path before passing out of said chamber through said flue.

Abstract: A vapor generating apparatus operating with a small quantity of fluid which comprises in a single unit a heater including a plurality of similarly shaped tubes arranged in one or several coaxially extending layers each comprised of a number of successive sets of adjacent coils for circulating a heat transfer fluid, and a boiler including a bundle of vertically extending tubes for circulating the heat transfer fluid discharged from the heater, said tubes lying within the liquid to be evaporated, the boiler being arranged with a vapor/liquid separator connected at the vapor outlet and control means adapted such that a continuous flow of dry vapor at the separator outlet without a separation plane between liquid and vapor phases being formed.

Abstract: A helical coil of tubing is disposed in a furnace for heat transfer fluid to circulate therethrough and absorb heat. The upper side of each coil loop is connected to a vent system which transports a portion of the circulated fluid. The vent system is continuously flushed of vapors and air which might otherwise be trapped in the tubing. The lower sides of the coil loops are connected to a drain system through which fluid flows continuously during heater operation to keep the drain clean of settlings.