Controlling Or Proportioning Feed Patents (Class 431/12)
  • Publication number: 20110302923
    Abstract: A liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport vessel for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) is disclosed which is capable of storing excess boil off gas BOG until needed for combustion in one or more combustion apparatus on the vessel. A method for managing the delivery of the BOG to the combustion apparatus is also described. The LNG vessel includes at least one insulated LNG storage tank which stores LNG. A first stage LNG receiver receives and stores BOG from the at least one LNG storage tank. A second stage or high pressure BOG storage tank receives compressed BOG from the receiver and stores the BOG as needed for combustion by one or more combustion apparatus of the vessel. A pressure regulator allows BOG gas to be delivered to the combustion apparatus if there is sufficient pressure in the high pressure storage tank to passively deliver the BOG at a predetermined delivery pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: John S. Hartono, Paul Martella
  • Patent number: 8075303
    Abstract: Method for homogenizing the heat distribution as well as decreasing the amount of NOx in combustion products when operating an industrial furnace with at least one conventional burner using air as an oxidant. An additional oxidant including at least 50% oxygen gas is caused to stream into the furnace through a lance. The total amount of oxygen supplied is balanced against the amount of fuel being supplied through the air burner. Firstly, the combination of at least 40% of the supplied oxygen is supplied through the additional oxidant, the lance is arranged at a distance from the air burner of at least 0.3 meters, and the additional oxidant streams into the furnace through the lance with at least sonic velocity, and secondly the additional oxidant is supplied only when the air burner is operated at a certain lowest power or at a higher power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: AGA AB
    Inventors: Tomas Ekman, Ola Ritzén, Anders Lugnet, Mats Gartz
  • Patent number: 8075304
    Abstract: A power burner system for use with a heating appliance includes a burner tube, a gas valve for providing gas to the burner tube, and a variable speed combustion air blower for mixing air with the gas provided to the burner tube. The burner system further includes a control in communication with the gas valve and the combustion air blower. The control may also be in communication with various other devices of an appliance, such as a variable speed air-circulating fan, a variable speed exhaust fan, or various sensors associated with the heating appliance. The control modulates the gas valve and the combustion air blower to maintain substantially stoichiometric conditions of the gas and air provided to the burner tube and as a function of signals from at least one of the devices. In one embodiment, the burner system may be used in a conveyor oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wayne/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Cox, Syed Mohammad Shiblee Noman
  • Publication number: 20110300494
    Abstract: A control system for a solid fuel combustion appliance, e.g., a wood burning stove, includes a temperature sensor for sensing an output temperature of the appliance. A controller receives the output temperature and controls a damper associated with air flow through the stove to maintain a predetermined temperature. The system also includes a detector that senses certain conditions of the solid fuel, e.g., wood, that is burned by the stove. When additional fuel is added to the appliance, the system temporarily encourages initial combustion of the new fuel, before returning to maintaining the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: MAXITROL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Masen, Alex Manoulian, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110300493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling a combustion reaction and the products thereof. One embodiment includes a combustion control system having an oxygenation stream substantially comprising oxygen and CO2 and having an oxygen to CO2 ratio, then mixing the oxygenation stream with a combustion fuel stream and combusting in a combustor to generate a combustion products stream having a temperature and a composition detected by a temperature sensor and an oxygen analyzer, respectively, the data from which are used to control the flow and composition of the oxygenation and combustion fuel streams. The system may also include a gas turbine with an expander and having a load and a load controller in a feedback arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Franklin F Mittricker, Loren K. Starcher, Chad Rasmussen, Richard A. Huntington, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Patent number: 8070481
    Abstract: A furnace includes a combustion blower and one or more pressure switches. In some cases, the one or more pressure switches may be used to calculate one or more operating points for the combustion blower. Additional operating points may be calculated by interpolation and/or extrapolation, as appropriate. The furnace may temporarily alter these operating points as necessary to keep the furnace safely operating in response to minor and/or transient changes in the operating conditions of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Chian, Timothy J. Nordberg
  • Patent number: 8070480
    Abstract: A method and device for combustion of liquid fuels is presented which uses a plurality of rotating hydrogen flames to blast atomize and ignite a mechanically dispersed stream of the liquid fuel. This combustion method and device are particularly suited for heavy oil fuels, such as vegetable oils, which are not well burned using conventional burner technologies. This combustion method involves establishing a zone of combusting hydrogen and projecting a mechanically atomized dispersion of the liquid fuel into and through this zone of combusting hydrogen. The combusting hydrogen partially vaporizes and ignites the liquid fuel while the intense turbulence of the hydrogen combustion zone further disperses any remaining liquid fuel droplets. Once ignited and dispersed, the fuel oil continues to burn as it moves away from the hydrogen combustion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Associated Physics of America, LLC
    Inventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper
  • Patent number: 8070484
    Abstract: The invention comprises a combination burner for the gasification of pulverized fuels with an oxidation means containing free oxygen at ambient or higher pressures, as well as temperatures between 800-1800° C., with the ignition device of the pilot burner with flame monitoring and the pulverized fuel burner being integrated as a combination burner and all operating channels being routed separately from each other up to the mouth of the burner and the media carried by the channels only being mixed at the mouth of the burner. When the pilot burner is dismantled the eddy bodies 14 attached to its sleeve in the main burner oxidation means supply 17 can be exchanged quickly and easily and thus the main burner flame adapted in the optimum way to the reaction chamber contour of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tino Just, Christian Reuther, Manfred Schingnitz
  • Patent number: 8070482
    Abstract: A system of detection and analysis of gas or fuel oil flames using optical devices, consisting of a sensor that targets the flame's reaction zone through an optical access, a processing and control module, and an actuator, responsible for controlling the damper. The system optimizes combustion equipment operation by controlling the damper, obtaining better performance and reducing polluting emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Universidad de Concepción, Universidad de la Frontera, ANWO S.A
    Inventors: Oscar Francisco Farias Fuentes, Daniel Gerónimo Sbarbaro Hofer, Robinson Eugenio Betancourt Astete
  • Publication number: 20110294078
    Abstract: With a method for controlling a gas burner, the latter is supplied with gas by an electronically controllable gas valve, wherein it is supplied with gas by the gas valve in a low power range and in a high power range. Only one of the power ranges is available at any point in time, wherein in each of the power ranges a power from a minimum power to a maximum power can be preset at the gas burner using an operating element. The low power range and the high power range differ here by more than 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: E.G.O. Elektro-Geratebau GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Gärtner, Uwe Schaumann
  • Publication number: 20110294077
    Abstract: A method of controlling a boiler plant during a switchover period from an air-combustion mode to an oxygen-combustion mode. The method includes steps of feeding fuel into a furnace of the boiler plant at a rate determined by a fuel feeding scheme, feeding air into the furnace at a rate determined by a descending air feeding scheme, feeding substantially pure oxygen into the furnace at a rate determined by an ascending oxygen feeding scheme, and recirculating flue gas into the furnace at a rate determined by an ascending flue gas recirculating scheme. The fuel feeding scheme, the air feeding scheme and the oxygen feeding scheme are such that the fuel is combusted and the flue gas containing residual oxygen is produced. Also, the fuel feeding scheme, the air feeding scheme and the oxygen feeding scheme are such that the content of residual oxygen in the flue gas is, during at least a portion of the switchover period, greater than during any of the air-combustion mode and the oxygen-combustion mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: FOSTER WHEELER NORTH AMERICA CORP.
    Inventors: Andrew Seltzer, Zhen Fan, Horst Hack
  • Publication number: 20110287372
    Abstract: Methods and a device for monitoring the combustion process in a power station are provided. An actual concentration distribution of a material and/or an actual temperature distribution are measured in the combustion chamber. Conclusions are drawn regarding the type of combustion material on the basis of the measured actual concentration distribution or temperature distribution. A concentration distribution or temperature distribution of a material that has been determined using a sample fuel is compared with the measured actual concentration distribution or temperature distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Meerbeck, Rainer Speh
  • Patent number: 8057218
    Abstract: A method for burning liquid fuels, wherein an amount of total combustion air required for burning is introduced into the liquid fuel in the form of small air bubbles to provide a highly variable overall heat output, particularly at least within a range of one to fifty times the amount of heat output in a similar system, where the liquid fuel/air mixture produced is at least 10 bar. The combustion air is intermittently fed to an injection nozzle protruding into a combustion chamber and is atomized there to produce an explosion at a constant injection pressure. The duration of each of the liquid fuel/air mixtures introduced with each fuel injection pulse is kept constant at a desired value and the total amount of the liquid fuel/air mixture injected per time unit is adjusted between constant fuel injection pulses by varying the duration. The remaining amount of the combustion air is introduced in the combustion chamber through an air nozzle annularly surrounding the port of the injection nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventors: Christoph Glück, Walter Zischka
  • Publication number: 20110269082
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and controllers for controlling gas-fired appliances such as warm air furnaces are disclosed. An illustrative furnace system can include a burner unit in communication with a combustion air flow conduit and heat exchanger, a variable speed inducer fan or blower adapted to provide a flow of combustion air to the burner unit, a furnace controller and motor speed control unit adapted to regulate the speed of the inducer fan or blower, and a pneumatically modulated gas valve adapted to variably output gas pressure to the burner unit based at least in part on the combustion air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20110269081
    Abstract: Combustion systems and processes are disclosed. A cross-limiting override control system is configured to transmit remote set points to flow controllers configured to control the flow rates of a primary firing fuel and air to a combustion apparatus. A temperature controller is configured to transmit a temperature demand signal based on a temperature in a combustion zone in the combustion apparatus. An analyzer controller is configured to transmit a stoichiometric ratio control signal based on an excess oxygen level exiting the combustion zone in the combustion apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience LLC
    Inventor: Jane M. Arnold
  • Patent number: 8046988
    Abstract: A control system for a power system is disclosed. The control system has a first valve mechanism, a second valve mechanism, and a controller in communication with the first and second valve mechanisms. The controller is configured to direct a single electronic control signal to the first and second valve mechanisms. Actuation of the first valve mechanism is initiated in response to the value of the single electronic control signal exceeding a first threshold value, and actuation of the second valve mechanism is initiated in response to the value of the single electronic control signal exceeding a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Heebink, John D. Gierszewski
  • Patent number: 8043388
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of reducing drag in a pipeline and/or improving the combustion efficiency of a fuel burning device by adding a grafted polymer to a hydrocarbon product. The invention also includes a method of improving the combustion efficiency of a gasoline engine by adding a grafted polymer to fuel and combusting the fuel within the gasoline engine, the grafted polymer having a viscoelastic effect in gasoline in the gasoline engine to generally correspond to a duration of the intake stroke/compression stroke/fuel burn sequence in a gasoline engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Himmelsbach Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Paul F. Waters, John B. Waters
  • Patent number: 8033821
    Abstract: A premix burner is provided, with a swirl generator and a downstream mixer tube for combusting gaseous and liquid fuel which during entry of combustion air is introduced into the burner interior space of the swirl generator and/or is introduced into the burner interior of the swirl generator on a burner axis, and also with a fuel lance which is arranged on the burner axis. The premix burner, in the transition section from the swirl generator to the mixer tube, includes at least one additional feed for introducing gaseous and/or liquid premix fuel from the wall region into the burner interior space of the mixer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Adnan Eroglu
  • Patent number: 8021143
    Abstract: A gas fired furnace capable of operating with a 16:1 turndown ratio or greater. The furnace includes a plurality of burners (10) grouped into at least (14a) first and second (14b) groups, each group connected to a source of combustible gas through a control valve (30a, 30b, 30c). The control valve (30c) controlling at least one group of burners is of a modulating type having an output proportional to a control signal applied to the valve. The burners fire into associated heat exchange tubes (20a), each tube having an inlet (24) and an outlet. The tube outlets are connected to a collector chamber (44) that includes a baffle plate (60) that divides the collector into two sections, one of the sections communicating with the outlets of the tubes associated with the first group of burners, the other section communicating with the outlets of the heat exchanger tubes associated with the other group of burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Beckett Gas, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrance C. Slaby
  • Publication number: 20110223548
    Abstract: A method is provided for tuning an oxygen trim controller during the commissioning of a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system, rather than tuning the oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Corporation
    Inventors: Junqiang Fan, Muhidin A. Lelic, Guido Poncia
  • Patent number: 8016590
    Abstract: A combustion burner resulting in low oxides of nitrogen includes a primary combustion zone, for use as an ignition source. The primary combustion zone locating within a combustion chamber, and being separated from the base of the combustion chamber by a wall. A burner provides a secondary oxidant stream that is delivered to the combustion chamber at the base of an exterior wall, to entrain and mix with flue gases present in the combustion chamber. Then secondary fuel is injected into the resulting secondary oxidant-flue gas mixture. Combustion of the secondary fuel with the oxidant flue gas mixture results in lower concentration of oxides of nitrogen emitted to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Convergence Combustron Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew P. Jones
  • Patent number: 8011921
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a combustion state of a boiler, and more particularly to a boiler and a method capable of exactly detecting an abnormal combustion state of a gas boiler using an air pressure sensor and a flame detection unit, thereby improving efficiency of the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Kyungdong Network Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Si-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8011920
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a valve assembly includes a housing. The housing can define a first fuel input and a second fuel input. The housing can further define a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, and a fourth flow path. The assembly can include a fluid flow controller configured to selectively permit fluid communication between the first fuel input and either the first flow path or the second flow path, and configured to selectively permit fluid communication between the second fuel input and either the third flow path or the fourth flow path. The assembly can further include a first nozzle member defining an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the first nozzle member can be in fluid communication with the first flow path. The assembly can further include a second nozzle member defining an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the second nozzle member can be in fluid communication with the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: David Deng
  • Publication number: 20110212404
    Abstract: A method is provided for the automated setup of a metered combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The automated setup process includes both commissioning and controller tuning, rather than tuning the carbon monoxide and/or oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed. The oxygen trim controller or the carbon monoxide trim controller is used to identify the air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Corporation
    Inventors: Junqiang Fan, Muhidin A. Lelic
  • Patent number: 8007274
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly is provided. The assembly includes an outer nozzle body having a first end and a second end and at least one inner nozzle tube having a first end and a second end. One of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel plenum and a fuel passage extending therefrom, while the other of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel injection hole slidably aligned with the fuel passage to form a fuel flow path therebetween at an interface between the body and the tube. The nozzle body and the nozzle tube are fixed against relative movement at the first ends of the nozzle body and nozzle tube, enabling the fuel flow path to close at the interface due to thermal growth after a flame enters the nozzle tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Benjamin Paul Lacey, William David York, Christian Xavier Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20110207062
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for generating oxygenated fuel. In one aspect, a method of producing an oxygenated fuel from biomass waste for use in a combustion system includes dissociating the biomass waste to produce one or more carbon donors. The biomass waste produced carbon donors are reacted with an oxygen donor to produce the oxygenated fuel comprising oxygenated carbon. Reacting the carbon donors with the oxygen donors includes applying waste heat recovered from an external heat source to the reaction of carbon donors and oxygen donor. The oxygenated fuel is combusted in the combustion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20110207063
    Abstract: A hot oxygen stream containing radicals is fed into a gas stream, such as a catalyst regenerator flue gas stream, that contains carbon monoxide to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Kuang-Tsai Wu, Lee Rosen, David Lenhert, Christopher Leger
  • Patent number: 8001957
    Abstract: A gas cooking hob comprising at least one gas burner, a main pipe for supplying gas, a main nozzle on the gas burner, and a control device for adjusting the heating power of the gas burner between a minimum power and a nominal power. In order to further develop said gas cooking hob, a timing member is provided which allows the heating power to be increased beyond the nominal power during a certain interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Stéphane Clauss, Martin Oberhomburg
  • Publication number: 20110195367
    Abstract: The invention relates to a burner assembly with enhanced flexibility, comprising a plurality of fuel rods that can be mounted in and removed from a fuel rod passage and that are connected to a fuel supply device by a flexible line, wherein each flexible line can be individually opened and closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Ex ploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Gabriel Constantin, Rémi Tsiava, Benoit Grand, Olivier Douxchamps, Mohand Amirat, Fabrice Wagemans, Johan Behen
  • Patent number: 7984566
    Abstract: An air drying system and process employs a turbofan jet engine for producing high quality dried products. The air drying system uses both thermal and non-thermal air drying. The turbofan jet engine is housed within an air distribution chamber for directing exhaust air and bypass air from the jet engine into a product drying tube, where it is dried through a combination of thermal drying from heat content in an engine exhaust, and by the kinetic energy of air flowing past the product traveling through the drying tube, that may include a physical impediment for retarding retard the speed of the product solids flowing in the air stream through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: Wesley A. Staples
  • Patent number: 7985066
    Abstract: A furnace includes a combustion blower and one or more pressure switches. In some cases, the one or more pressure switches may be used to calculate one or more operating points for the combustion blower. Additional operating points may be calculated by interpolation and/or extrapolation, as appropriate. The furnace may temporarily alter these operating points as necessary to keep the furnace safely operating in response to minor and/or transient changes in the operating conditions of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Chian, Timothy J. Nordberg
  • Publication number: 20110171587
    Abstract: A liquid fuel-fired furnace installation is composed of at least one fuel tank (1), a fuel evaporation plate (2), a fuel vapor distribution plate (3) and a valve cutting-off the vapor flow, whereas the fuel tank (1) is connected with an evaporation plate (2) via a conduit (7), and the evaporation plate (2) is equipped with a vapor outlet (8) connected with a cut-off valve (4) and a vapor distribution plate (3) is connected with an inlet stub pipe (11), and in its upper part the plate has holes (12) though which the fuel vapors are exhausted. The installation is characterized by having fuel (P) delivered gravitationally via the conduit (7) into the evaporation plate (2) according to the connected vessels rule, which assures that an aerial layer is left over the fuel table (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Miroslaw Nowak, Dariusz Krywalski
  • Publication number: 20110165300
    Abstract: A flameless cooking apparatus for use with liquid fuels and for indoor or outdoor use under field operations. The burner exhibits low CO and hydrocarbon emissions and meets standards for burner thermal efficiency when used with JP-8 fuel. The apparatus employs a catalytic burner having among its parts (i) a combustion catalyst; (ii) a conductive surface, e.g., cooking surface; and (iii) in between the catalyst and the conductive surface and in direct physical contact with both surfaces, a heat spreader for conductively transferring heat of combustion from the catalyst to the conductive surface. Also claimed are a method of heat flux and a method of cooking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Richard T. Mastanduno, Bruce Crowder, Benjamin D. Baird
  • Publication number: 20110159448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel system and to a process for the production of such a fuel system. The fuel System according to the present invention consists of at least two different fossil regular fuels and at least one biogenic carbon carrier, wherein the amount of the biogenic carbon carrier is at least 20% with respect to the total mass. Thus the emission of the carbon dioxide based on fossil carbon is notably reduced during the use of the fuel system according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: TOBIAS LÖHR
    Inventors: Tobias Löhr, Georg Szczendzina
  • Publication number: 20110146450
    Abstract: A method for generating combustion by means of a burner assembly and corresponding burner assembly are disclosed. The burner assembly comprises a refractory block, a fuel supply system and an oxidant supply system. The refractory block defines along one plane P1 at least one fuel passageway extending from a fuel inlet port to a fuel outlet port, and along a second plane P2 at least one oxidant passageway extending from an oxidant inlet port to an oxidant outlet port, said first and second planes intersecting along a line that is beyond said outlet ports, said oxidant supply system comprising a pair of oxidant supply means, an inlet of the inner oxidant supply means being connected to a source of a first oxidant having a first oxygen concentration and an inlet of the concentric outer oxidant supply means being connected to a source of a second oxidant having a second oxygen concentration, the method having improved flexibility in oxygen concentration in the oxidant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Ex ploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Nicolas Docquier, Robert Kalcevic, Magnus Mortberg, Remi Pierre Tsiava
  • Patent number: 7959433
    Abstract: A grill for cooking includes a first set of burners and a second set of burners wherein at least one burner of the first set of burners is interdigitally arranged with burners of the second set of burners. The grill further includes a first valve that controls a flow of fuel to the first set of burners and a second valve that controls a flow of fuel to the second set of burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Meco Corporation
    Inventor: G.L. Huff
  • Patent number: 7955072
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus with an air supply chamber in a lower part partitioned by a partition plate from an arrangement section of a burner unit and a primary air chamber in a front part stands from a front end of the air supply chamber are provided in a combustion housing incorporating the burner unit. Air from a combustion fan connected to an air supply port of the air supply chamber flows to the primary air chamber through the air supply chamber. Primary air is supplied from the primary air chamber to burners of the burner unit. Projected rims extend from the periphery of a portion of the partition plate opposed to the air supply port to a front edge of the partition plate are provided on a lower surface of the partition plate. The height of a downward projection of the projected rims is reduced toward the air supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ojiro, Yoshihiko Takasu
  • Patent number: 7950384
    Abstract: Cooking appliance having an external and control panel equipped with one or more regulating valves, where the rotary regulator organ is equipped with various peripheral openings for supplying a flow Q. According to two embodiments of the cooking appliance, for the supply of one or another type of gas, NG or LPG, either the control knob or a bezel disk in the external panel are interchangeable on the appliance, being chosen between two different available units, one and the other permitting two different angular position limits A2, A3 of the regulator organ for the supply of a constant flow Qmin through one or another opening with calibrated sections, respectively for NG or LP gas. An appendix in the control knob guided in a slide groove on the control panel of the appliance, or a tongue on the bezel disk stopping the rotation of the control knob, determines the travel limit A2 for the supply of Qmin of NG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 7950919
    Abstract: The invention includes method and apparatus for controlling the stability of a burner, preferably a low NOx burner, of a natural draft heater. The method includes measuring the draft over a time period and generating a measured output from which a draft function is determined that defines the relationship between the draft and time during the time period. A value for the burner stability is defined that is representative of a stable burner operation. The draft function is compared to the stable burner value to determine a differential value, and the operation of the fired heater is adjusted in response to the differential value. The apparatus includes means for measuring the draft over a time period and means for generating a measured output from which a draft function is determined that is proportional to the cyclic variation of the draft during the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Gregory Lynn Johnson, William Larry Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7950920
    Abstract: A combustion device in the form of a paraffin stove (10) comprises a fuel reservoir (12), a burner (14), stand pipe (16) which extends between the reservoir (12) and the burner (14) and a stove top (18). The reservoir (12) comprises a rigid, air-tight outer container (22) and a deformable bladder (25) for holding paraffin (27) which is located within the container (22). The bladder has an outlet (44) which is connected to the stand pipe (16). A conduit (51) which can be connected to a source of compressed air is connected to the container (22) for pressurizing the container (22) to exert a force on the bladder (25) sufficient to cause the paraffin to be delivered to the burner (14) where it is ignited to produce a flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Colin Alfred Vale
  • Patent number: 7952064
    Abstract: A method for processing and/or analyzing image information representing radiation in a spatially resolved manner using an optical system coupled to at least one detector includes the step of collecting said image information with said optical system using at least one micromechanical mirror moved such that the image information is scanned and coupled sequentially into the at least one detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventor: Ken Yves Haffner
  • Publication number: 20110123939
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling at least one parameter (1,2) of a combustion facility, said combustion facility comprising an in-feed system feeding fuel to a number of moving grates on which the fuel is fed forward and subjected to successive drying, ignition, combustion and outburning, primary air for the combustion being supplied from beneath the grates and through the layer of fuel on the grates, said method comprising -calculating a coefficient of resistance (?pv) for the air flow through the grates and fuel, -controlling the at least one parameter (1,2) of the combustion facility based on the coefficient of resistance (?pv), and -providing an estimation of the position (Fpv) of the flame front by image analysis of a camera image of the combustion zone and -using said estimated position (Fpv) of the flame front to provide a correction of the control of the at least one parameter (1,2) based on the coefficient of resistance (?pv).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Soeren Nymann Thomsen, Benny Elbaek Soerensen
  • Publication number: 20110113993
    Abstract: A method of operating a furnace having process tubes and multiple burners where it is desired to conform the temperatures of the process tubes to selected target temperature criterion. The present method provides a systematic and quantitative approach to determine how to adjust burner flow rates to result in desired tube wall temperatures, for example to minimize the temperature deviation between tube wall temperatures at a predetermined elevation in the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ali Esmaili, William Robert Licht, Xianming Jimmy Li, Oliver J. Smith, IV
  • Publication number: 20110111353
    Abstract: A burner and ignition assembly, and method include a burner unit, an air intake, and a fuel supply supplying gas and including an air intake. The amount of air entering the air intake can be controlled by momentarily adjusting a choke that is movable relative to the air intake to cover a portion of an opening of the air intake to reduce an amount of air entering the air intake when a cold start condition exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: INTEK MANUFACTURING LLC
    Inventors: Lon LEHMAN, Eugene TIPPMANN, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110111354
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for a heat exchanger system includes a manifold having a plurality of burners, a shutoff valve, a first controller and a second controller. The shutoff valve divides the manifold into a first manifold portion and a second manifold portion. The first controller selectively controls the communication of a fluid within the manifold. The second controller selectively actuates the shutoff valve between a first position and a second position to control a firing rate of the plurality of burners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Brian D. Videto, Ruddy C. Bussjager
  • Publication number: 20110104624
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus of controlling combustion in an oxyfuel combustion boiler are provided which ensure a sufficient furnace heat absorption through prevention of lowering of flame temperature, enabling oxyfuel combustion operations to be performed in a stable manner. A boiler-brought-in oxygen density which is an oxygen density for a total amount of gases introduced into a coal burning boiler is calculated and a flow rate of total recirculating gases is controlled such that the boiler-brought-in oxygen density falls within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicants: IHI CORPORATION, ELECTRIC POWER DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuuhei Terushita, Toshihiko Yamada, Shuzo Watanabe, Terutoshi Uchida, Nobuhiro Misawa
  • Patent number: 7934926
    Abstract: An ejector, such as a venturi, facilitates the delivery of gaseous fuel to the combustion chamber of a burner. A blower forces air through the ejector, and the air flow produces a suction that draws fuel from a fuel inlet to produce a fuel-air mixture. The amount of fuel drawn from the fuel inlet is a function of the air flow such that a substantially constant fuel-air ratio is obtained over a range of air flow rates and temperatures without the need for a separate high-pressure fuel pump. The fuel-air mixture may be provided to a combustion chamber for combustion. Air from the blower may be pre-heated prior to entering the ejector, for example, using a heat exchanger that recovers some of the heat from the combusted fuel-air mixture. Air flow through the ejector may be conditioned, for example, by a swirler, to produce a tangential air flow that can increase fuel flow by increasing air velocity across the fuel inlet and/or produce a swirl-stabilized flame in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Kurt L. Kornbluth, Michael G. Norris
  • Publication number: 20110097675
    Abstract: A safety lighter includes double rotating wheels provided on each side of a sparking wheel, with a buffer wheel between one of the double rotating wheels and the sparking wheel and received around an axle portion of the one rotating wheels. The buffer wheel hinders rotation of the rotating wheels and sparking wheel, idling freely and shielding one of the rotating wheels from a young/small user. Upon sufficient adult force downward on the buffer wheel, however, the axle and aperture surfaces will mate/grip sufficiently to allow the force on the buffer wheel to drive the rotating wheel. Also, some adults will be able to press the buffer wheel (to engage with the axle) and both of the two rotating wheels at the same time to drive the wheel set. The buffer wheel may be included in a common double-wheel lighter wheel system, with little if any change to the total axial length of the wheel assembly, and, hence, little if any change to the lighter structure other than the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: WEICHENG DENG
  • Patent number: 7931466
    Abstract: A plant gas to be flared in the atmosphere is periodically sampled and analyzed as to its Btu content, a first comparison made of 1) the most recent of such analyses with 2) a predetermined steady state set point, a second comparison made of 3) an average of a plurality of such analyses including an historical minimum Btu content with 4) a predetermined dynamic set point, and fuel added to the plant gas based on the larger fuel requirement of these first and second comparisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: William E. McFatter, II
  • Publication number: 20110091824
    Abstract: The present invention explains a method of operating a multi-fuel combustion system. It consist of a first phase and a second phase, wherein the first phase comprises of providing ignition to a combustor basket to ignite a first type of fuel, where the first type of fuel is supplied to the combustor basket through a first conduit. Also in first phase steam is also supplied to the first conduit in addition to the first type of fuel and steam is supplied to the second conduit after the ignition. In the second phase a second type of fuel is supplied to the combustor basket after ignition of the first fuel through the second conduit, while stopping the supply of the first fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Vinayak Barve, Jianfan Wu, Ulrich Wörz, Jaap van Kampen