Abstract: A miniature liquid combustor includes a double pre-heating structure. A method of operating the combustor comprises introducing liquid hydrocarbon fuel and air into a combustion chamber and stably combusting above a metal catalytic grid. The flames of the combustor first heating a third sleeve, the heated third sleeve gradually radiating the thermal energy to first and second fuel pre-heating chambers until the entire miniature liquid combustor is heated. The process continues to respectively implement second pre-heating of air introduced into the air pre-heating chambers and fuel introduced into the fuel pre-heating chambers before introducing them into the combustion chamber. The resulting combustor and combustion method enable double counter-flow pre-heating of air and fuel before being introduced into the combustion chamber, such that the air and the fuel are fully preheated before combustion.

Abstract: Heat exchanger for a high efficiency hot air heating appliance (1), with at least one segment (5) and with a primary section (14) and, viewed in the flow direction (A), followed by a secondary condensing section (15), whereby the segment (5) consists of at least one primary element (16) and at least two secondary condensing elements (19), that form part of the secondary condensing section (15) of the segment (5), and the inputs (20) of each of them are connected in parallel to the output (18) of the primary element (16) in such a way that the gas flow coming from the primary element (16) is divided over the secondary condensing elements (19) connected to it.

Abstract: The natural fuel heating system includes an elongate firebox covered by a cowling. The firebox includes means for accessing the interior thereof for fuel placement and vents at opposite ends. The cowling surrounds a majority of the firebox and forms an air circulating barrier between the firebox and the cowling. Outside air is introduced into the barrier through an intake shroud extending from the back of the firebox. The natural fuel heating system includes a heat exchange system for efficiently heating the cooler outside air circulating within the barrier. The heated air is drawn through an exhaust shroud extending from the air barrier into a building ventilation system to heat the building via natural thermal convection and negative air pressure caused by oxygen consumption from combustion within the firebox. A waste gas exhaust vent protrudes from the firebox to deliver harmful exhaust gas back outside.

Abstract: Heat exchanger for a high efficiency hot air heating appliance (1), with at least one segment (5) and with a primary section (14) and, viewed in the flow direction (A), followed by a secondary condensing section (15), whereby the segment (5) consists of at least one primary element (16) and at least two secondary condensing elements (19), that form part of the secondary condensing section (15) of the segment (5), and the inputs (20) of each of them are connected in parallel to the output (18) of the primary element (16) in such a way that the gas flow coming from the primary element (16) is divided over the secondary condensing elements (19) connected to it.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot-air furnace module having a furnace space, which is at least partially delimited by walls and is assigned an air-delivery device for producing an airstream and a heat-transfer device for heating the airstream. According to the invention, an incoming-air channel is provided, which is formed between the air-feed device and the furnace space for guiding the airstream delivered by the air-feed device and which is provided with first and second throttle means, which are arranged at a distance from one another in the direction of flow and are intended to even out the airstream before it flows through the furnace space. Furthermore, according to the invention a hot-air furnace is formed from hot-air furnace modules which are rotated through 180 degrees with respect to one another and are in communication with one another.

Abstract: A fuel reformer burner for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system includes a first tube through which a fuel for a fuel reformer is supplied and a second tube through which anode-off gas (AOG) is supplied from a fuel cell stack. The second tube is not connected to the first tube, and an inlet line through which an air is supplied is connected to the first tube.

Abstract: A high efficiency heater system made up of a longitudinally extending combustion chamber located within an external enclosure which is spaced apart from the combustion chamber to provide an air space. A burner assembly provides combustion gases into one end of the combustion chamber which travel down the chamber and are exhausted through flue gas vents at the other end of the chamber. An air path divider separates the air space between the upper portion of the combustion chamber and the enclosure from the air space between a lower portion of the combustion chamber and the enclosure. A blower supplies ambient air which flows into the upper air space, flows along the hottest part of the combustion chamber and then, upon reaching the flue gas end of the combustion chamber, reverses direction and travels back along the lower air space before being exhausted into the ambient air.

Abstract: A multi oil furnace is disclosed wherein the external cabinet shell houses a central burner chamber, an upper bank of conduits and a lower bank of conduits. Headers operably coupling the burner chamber, the upper and lower banks of conduits and a discharge opening define a flow path for the combustion gases created by the ignition of the used oil within the burner chamber. A ventilation chamber positioned between forward and rearward headers allows the passage of ambient ventilation air around the conduits and the burner chamber to effect a transfer of heat from the exhaust gases to the ventilation air while maintaining isolation therebetween.

Abstract: A compact heat exchanger for a fuel-fired heating furnace. The heat exchanger has a radiative heat transfer section including at least one firetube for containing flue gases as the air to be heated passes over the firetube and a convective section including a shell-and-tube heat transfer apparatus arranged to receive flue gases from the firetube in the shell region and the air to be heated after it passes over the firetube in the tubes.

Abstract: The invention provides a compartmented gas fired heater in a cabinet-type outer stove casing. The outer stove casing has a downwardly positioned covered bottom with adjustable legs at four corners and an upwardly positioned opened top edge. A heat chamber insert having a covered bottom and an opened top is fitted inside the outer stove casing and retained so a corridor exists between all wall surfaces and the two bottoms. The top of the two sections are covered over the corridor area by a framing cover leaving the top of the heat chamber insert open as a hot air outlet. A caged outlet cover fits over the hot air outlet. Cool air is passed into the heat chamber insert through an air inlet casing. When a controlled gas burner is fired in the corridor below the bottom of the heat insert chamber, heat spirals up the corridors, is conducted through the outer stove casing and through the heat chamber insert walls and convected up through the top hot air outlet.

Abstract: A total counterflow heat exchanger comprising a system of partitions dividing an interior chamber into a series of channels which coincide with the path of a duct through that interior chamber. A substance at one temperature is passed through the duct, and a substance at a second temperature is passed through the channels, thereby creating a temperature differential gradient over which thermal energy is transfered from one substance to the other as the substances flow through the heat exchanger. The arrangement of the partitions permits a substance to pass back and forth through the channels in the heat exchanger along the same path as the duct, so that while the substance may flow through the heat exchanger at the same net rate as if the partitions were not present, the length of the heat exchange gradient may be increased many times, therefore enhancing the efficiency of the gradient and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Hot gases from a fuel burner in a combustion chamber are exhausted to a flue at the top of the furnace. Air to be heated is drawn into the furnace through an upper inlet, passes through a chamber around combustion gas flow tubes, and then downwardly through sidewall flow spaces along the outside of the combustion chamber. Partially heated air from the sidewall spaces flows to one end of the furnace and then through air tubes above the burner to a plenum at the other end of the furnace where the so heated air is withdrawn by a fan. The fuel can be a solid fuel such as lignite, and the heated air can be used for grain drying.