Abstract: A combustion air supply apparatus 9 of alternating heat exchange type supplies combustion air and discharges combustion exhaust gas at a flow velocity of 80 to 200 m/sec. A burner assembly 4 is configured in such a manner that low-caloric fuel gas is pre-heated with heat of pre-combusting high-caloric fuel gas before the low-caloric fuel gas reaches a mixing starting space CA in the combustion chamber where the pre-combusting high-caloric fuel gas and the low-caloric fuel gas come to burn together in a full scale in the mixing starting space CA. When an air amount of the combustion air supplied through the high-temperature air supply ports of the plurality of fuel gas combustion apparatuses is defined as Q1 and an air amount of the pre-combustion air to be mixed with the high-caloric fuel gas, supplied from the fuel gas combustion apparatuses, is defined as Q2, a total air amount (Q1+Q2) is 1.02 to 1.10 times more than a theoretical air amount QS required for combustion, and a ratio of Q2/(Q1+Q2) is 0.

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.

Abstract: A single-ended, internally recuperated, radiant tube annulus system in which at least part of the heat recovery takes place within the furnace to which the system is attached and in which the oxidant and/or fuel are preheated not only by heat transfer from the exhaust gases, but also directly from the combustion process. The system includes a plurality of concentric radiant tubular members arranged in a manner providing an outer annular region in which the combustion process is carried out, an inner tubular member through which exhaust gases are exhausted from the system, and intermediate annular regions between the inner tubular member and the outer annular region through which preheated oxidant is provided to the outer annular region for the combustion process. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the internal recuperator is used as a fuel reformer.

Abstract: A pilot flame or burner apparatus for supporting a flame provided by a gaseous fuel and air mixture which is induced to flow to a flame nozzle by an eductor into which gaseous fuel is ejected and mixed with combustion air to flow through a fuel-air mixing chamber to the nozzle. Combustion air enters the eductor by way of an opening formed by a shroud and a heat exchanger member disposed concentrically around the flame nozzle and the flame supported thereby so as to preheat the air to minimize the formation of ice at the eductor inlet. Generally horizontal and vertically disposed embodiments of the apparatus are useful as flare pilots for flaring gases in oil and gas production and refining operations. The combustion air inlet may be arranged to face the same direction as the flame nozzle to minimize the effect of wind blowing against the nozzle.