Abstract: A heater or article of cookware is formed of a metal sheet with a first and second surface. A metal oxide layer is formed on the first surface of the sheet and a combustion catalyst is impregnated into the metal oxide layer. Fuel and air is then supplied to the first side of the metal sheet resulting in flameless catalytic combustion which heats the metal sheet.

Abstract: The method can include injecting fuel from a liquefied fuel source into a combustion chamber having a combustion path, by circulating the fuel out from an inlet conduit into an evaporator housing, along the evaporator housing in a direction opposite the combustion path and across an evaporator element receiving fuel in the liquid state and exposing a multiplied surface of the liquid fuel to heat from the combustion path to evaporate the liquid fuel, and conveying the evaporated fuel into the combustion chamber and into the combustion path.

Abstract: A fuel injector for injecting an over-enriched fuel and air mixture to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a spray nozzle, a gaseous carrier, a fuel mixing and evaporation chamber and an injector nozzle. During operation, both a liquid fuel and the gaseous carrier are supplied to the fuel mixing and evaporation chamber of the injector through the spray nozzle, where they are mixed and evaporated as a result of elevated temperature, and the mixture reaches the combustion chamber. The gaseous carrier is air or, flue gas, at elevated pressure and temperature and having a composition that prevents the initiation of flame combustion, and the gaseous carrier has an oxygen content low enough to prevent the initiation of combustion, even under conditions of elevated pressure and temperature.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for implementing the method so as to alleviate the disadvantages of a reciprocating combustion engine and gas turbine when generating power. The invention is based on the idea of arranging a multifunction valve inside a combustion chamber to create more favorable conditions for combustion process. The multifunction valve may act as an output valve, but it can also provide additional final compression to contents of the compression chamber and it may even capture part of energy released in a combustion process.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator having one or more actuators coupled to one or more heating elements in which the actuator(s) are used to improve the transfer of thermal energy from heating element(s) to one or more fuel units contained within the generator. In one embodiment, an actuator allows insertion and/or removal of packaged fuel units without the need of removing the heating element(s) and/or the actuator(s). When the actuator is in a retracted state (e.g., a low temperature state), the packaged fuel unit may be inserted and/or removed from a cavity of the hydrogen generator. When the actuator is in an extended state (e.g., a higher temperature state), the actuator forces contact between itself or the heating element and the fuel unit when a prescribed operating temperature is reached.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing dilute combustion for use in a cold-walls type combustion chamber comprises a burner. The burner comprises at least one oxidant inlet and at least one fuel inlet. The oxidant and fuel inlets opening separately into the chamber at a distance suitable for establishing combustion which is highly diluted by internal re-circulations of combustion products toward a burner zone. The device comprises a heating element configured to heat, during steady operating conditions, the combustion products to sustain self-ignition conditions. The heating element is positioned in a dilution zone and surrounds a set of oxidant and fuel jets.

Abstract: Provided is a gas-liquid mixing nozzle (10) including an internal air discharge path (A), an external air discharge path (D), at least one liquid introduction path (B, C) which is disposed between the internal air discharge path (A) and the external air discharge path (D) and introduces a liquid having water and/or fuel as a main component into a nozzle discharge opening (18), and an impact member (22) with which a mixture of the air and the liquid mixed with each other in the outlets of the internal air discharge path (A) and the liquid introduction path (B, C) collides, the outlet of the internal air discharge path (A) and the outlet of the liquid introduction path (B, C) being disposed on the inside of a nozzle in relation to the nozzle discharge opening (18), and the impact member (22) being disposed between, the outlets of the internal air discharge path (A) and the liquid introduction path (B, C) and the nozzle discharge opening (18).

Abstract: A device for stabilizing dilute combustion for use in a cold-walls type combustion chamber comprises a burner. The burner comprises at least one oxidant inlet and at least one fuel inlet. The oxidant and fuel inlets opening separately into the chamber at a distance suitable for establishing combustion which is highly diluted by internal re-circulations of combustion products toward a burner zone. The device comprises a heating element configured to heat, during steady operating conditions, the combustion products to sustain self-ignition conditions. The heating element is positioned in a dilution zone and surrounds a set of oxidant and fuel jets.

Abstract: A combustor for generating and supplying hot combustion gases to a fuel reformer includes an annular passage defined by a swirler having a central hub and an outer wall. One or more vanes are disposed in the annular passage to impart angular momentum to a gas flowing axially through the annular passage. At least one opening is defined in the central hub for introducing a first fuel into the annular passage, and at least one opening is defined in the outer wall in for introducing a second fuel into the annular passage. In a further aspect of the invention, the fuel introduced into the annular passage through the outer wall is a gaseous fuel, for example effluent gas from a fuel cell, and the fuel introduced into the annular passage through the central hub is a vaporized liquid fuel, for example vaporized diesel fuel.

Abstract: To provide a combustion apparatus that has a vaporizer capable of vaporizing liquid fuel completely without complicating the structure of the combustion apparatus. The combustion apparatus has an evaporating part for heating and vaporizing the liquid fuel into combustion gas, and a premixed gas spout part for spouting out premixed gas in which the combustion gas is mixed with primary air, with an inflow port of the premixed gas spout part being provided at a position higher than the evaporating part. By configuring the combustion apparatus like this, a space for accumulating unvaporized liquid fuel is formed between the evaporating part and the inflow port, and sufficient time to completely vaporize the liquid fuel can be afforded. Therefore, unevaporated fuel in a liquid state can be prevented from flowing into the premixed gas spout part.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tuyere, a plasma torch positioned to inject hot gas into the tuyere, and a plurality of nozzles configured to inject a combustible material into the tuyere for combustion of the combustible material within the tuyere. The apparatus can be used to practice a method including: injecting a combustible material into a plurality of tuyeres in a wall of a reactor vessel, using a plasma torch to inject hot gas into the tuyeres to ignite the combustible material, and directing heat from combustion of the combustible material into the reactor vessel to preheat the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A fuel oil supply system for a portable fuel oil consuming device, representatively a portable oil fired construction heater includes supply and return fuel lines in communication with a remote fuel container in an anti-siphon configuration. One or more electrical heaters heat the fuel lines adjacent an integral pump of the consuming device. The fuel lines communicate with a partitioned volume of fuel within the container which is heated relative to a remaining volume as the fuel circulates. The pump and a combustion air blower of the device are located together with the heaters within an enclosure on the device such that air is drawn into the enclosure over the heaters and heat conducting surfaces of the pump by the blower for directing heated air through a combustion air duct of the blower which surrounds the burner and a main fuel line from the pump to the burner.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a turbine engine fuel nozzle having an air path, a fuel path, and a surface along the air path. The fuel path may be directed toward the surface. The turbine engine fuel nozzle also may include a heating element configured to heat the surface.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor (1) is provided for combustion of gaseous and liquid fuels, which combustor comprises a housing (2) having an inlet (3) and an outlet (4) through which an airflow is directed, and a fuel injector (10) for injecting fuel in the airflow. The combustor also comprises at least one catalytic element (12, 14, 15) for combusting the mixture of air and fuel. A fuel-evaporating device (7) is arranged for evaporating a liquid fuel, which device is heated by the catalytic element (12), either through combustion therein or by means of an electrical heating element (13) arranged adjacent thereto.

Abstract: An improved electrically-heated contact vaporizer (EHCV) for a catalytic hydrocarbon reformer. The EHCV has an electrically-heated vaporization surface and a helical-wound flow director. Preferably the EHCV includes a port and internal passages to permit controlled entry of an oxygen-containing gas, preferably air, into a flowing stream of vaporized fuel near the exit of the EHCV to mix with the vaporized fuel and spontaneously combust, forming hot gases for heating the reforming catalyst. A third wall may be provided to surround the outer wall of the air passage to provide further thermal insulation against heat loss.

Abstract: A fuel storage device in accordance with a present invention includes a fuel containing substance and a heater in thermal communication with the fuel containing substance.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of methods, systems, and apparatus for changing characteristics of noise of premixed flames supported on burners by heating burner passageways by an amount that attenuates combustion noises arising from premixed flames.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor (1) is provided for combustion of gaseous and liquid fuels, which combustor comprises a housing (2) having an inlet (3) and an outlet (4) through which an airflow is directed, and a fuel injector (10) for injecting fuel in the airflow. The combustor also comprises at least one catalytic element (12, 14, 15) for combusting the mixture of air and fuel. A fuel-evaporating device (7) is arranged for evaporating a liquid fuel, which device is heated by the catalytic element (12), either through combustion therein or by means of an electrical heating element (13) arranged adjacent thereto.

Abstract: An evaporative burner, particularly for a vehicle heating device, includes a combustion chamber housing and, in the combustion chamber housing, an evaporative medium for receiving liquid fuel and for delivering fuel vapor into a combustion chamber. A heating coil arrangement is on a side of the evaporative medium remote from the combustion chamber, and an ignition region of the heating coil arrangement extends over the evaporative medium into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Fuel for supply to the carburetor of an engine is vaporized in a container having a first and second chamber divided by a transverse heating plate against which the fuel is impacted from a fuel injection nozzle a form vapour therefrom so be discharged under pressure from the vaporization through an outlet duct for supplying the vapour from the first chamber to the engine. The heating plate is heated by a heating liquid heated by a thermostatically controlled electrical heating element within the second chamber. The injector is controlled by a pressure switch in the first chamber.

Abstract: A boil-off gas processing system for reliably burning a boil-off gas. The system processes a boil-off gas produced from a liquid hydrogen tank which is built in a hydrogen fueled vehicle. The system includes a mixing device for introducing air into a discharge passage through which the boil-off gas from the liquid hydrogen tank passes and for mixing the air and the boil-off gas and outputting a mixed gas; a catalytic combustor for burning the mixed gas which was mixed by the mixing device, the catalytic combustor having an inlet through which the mixed gas is introduced and an outlet for discharging combustion gas; an electric heater provided at the inlet side of the catalytic combustor; and a control section for controlling energizing of the electric heater.

Abstract: A fluid heater having a first heat exchanger block with a fluid heating tube encased therein, and having a first surface, a second heat exchanger block with a fluid heating tube encased therein and having a second surface adjacent to the first surface. A cavity is formed in the surface of the first block, or, alternatively, formed in each of the surfaces of the first and second blocks. A heating element is positioned within the cavity and completely encapsulated by the first and second blocks. The heating element may include first and second bus plates and a plurality of PTC elements sandwiched between the bus plates in an electrically parallel configuration, each PTC element including first and second conductive plates, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient heating stones sandwiched between the conductive plates in an electrically parallel configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vaporizing liquid fuel. The apparatus includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end; a fluid control valve for placing the inlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage in fluid communication with the liquid fuel source and introducing the liquid fuel in a substantially liquid state; a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage; and means for cleaning deposits formed during operation of the apparatus. The flow passage can be a capillary tube heated by a resistance heater or a section of a tube heated by passing electrical energy therethrough.

Abstract: A device and method of preheating oil in a combustion system that uses a heated liquid to convey heat energy to oil. The device is made of a thermally conductive material which has a passageway for oil and a passageway for a heated liquid. Heat energy from the heated liquid conductively transfers to the oil within the device. This method of preheating oil for combustion eliminates carbon creation and minimizes oil preheat temperature fluctuations thereby significantly lowering the cost and maintenance to operate a multi oil combustion system.

Abstract: An evaporative burner, particularly for a vehicle heating device, includes a combustion chamber housing and, in the combustion chamber housing, an evaporative medium for receiving liquid fuel and for delivering fuel vapor into a combustion chamber. A heating coil arrangement is on a side of the evaporative medium remote from the combustion chamber, and an ignition region of the heating coil arrangement extends over the evaporative medium into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus 2 has a fuel spraying nozzle 12, a feed canal 16 and a return canal 17, both the canals connected to the nozzle, with the former canal 16 feeding a fuel to the nozzle and with the latter canal 17 allowing an un-sprayed portion of the fuel to flow back. An electro-magnetic pump 18 disposed in the feed canal 16 serves to compress the fuel towards the nozzle 12, and an injector valve 25 is disposed in the return canal 17. The injector valve 25 is accommodated in a casing 50 consisting essentially of an inlet joint 46 and an outlet joint 17.

Abstract: A vaporizer having a pair of heat exchanger blocks each with a vaporization tube formed therein. The heat exchanger blocks are in face-to-face arrangement and the vaporizer tubes are coupled together in series. A plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements are clamped in position between the heat exchanger blocks to provide the heat for vaporization of the liquefied gas. A capacity control valve controls the flow of liquefied gas into the vaporizer tubes.

Abstract: A catalyst combustion apparatus, includes: a fuel feed course for feeding liquid fuel; an air feed course for feeding air; a mixing unit for mixing fuel to be fed from the fuel feed course with air to be fed from the air feed course; a vaporizing unit for heating mixture-obtained by mixing in the mixing unit to vaporize the liquid fuel; a catalyst heating unit disposed on the downstream side of the vaporizing unit in contact with or in close proximity to the vaporizing unit in terms of conduction of heat, for carrying an oxidation catalyst component; and a catalyst combustion unit provided on the downstream of the catalyst heating unit, having a multiplicity of conductive holes, and the vaporizing unit is capable of utilizing heat from the catalyst heating unit.

Abstract: A vaporization module is provided that includes a capillary member to convert non-pressurized liquid to pressurized vapor. The pressure is sustained by capillary pressure of the liquid in the capillary member. The capillary member has low thermal conductivity and small-sized pores that permits liquid to travel by capillary action toward the vaporization zone. Often, the pores of the capillary member are substantially uniform in size. The capillary member may comprise ceramic material. The module also includes an orifice plate that has one or more orifices to permit release of pressurized vapor, e.g. as a pressurized vapor jet. The orifice plate is associated with a sealing member to form an at least partial enclosure of the module so that vapor may accumulate and pressure may be increased within the module. In addition, other aspects of the present invention relating to the vaporization and pressurization of liquid are described.

Abstract: A burner for liquid fuel has an electric heating device for start up heating a fuel vaporization chamber to a selected temperature, a flame retention baffle being fitted on the vaporization chamber with a temperature sensor sensing temperature of the vaporization. When the vaporization chamber is heated to a desired temperature of about 350 degrees celsius by deflected hot exhaust gas products from the burner operation and such temperature is sensed, the sensor outputs a signal so that the electric heating device can be shut down, vaporization chamber heating then being maintained by the deflected hot exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: A device that maintains the thermal stability for oil-fired heating systems with above ground oil storage tanks. This device maintains a system fluid temperature through a series of functions. When a thermal sensor detects a drop in fluid temperature in the above ground oil storage tank and the oil-fired heating system is operating, a switching device and temperature controller supplies heating power to the fluid heating coil. When a prescribed temperature of the fluid is achieved, the device deactivates until the next drop in fluid temperature is detected. The fluid temperature is maintained through the de-active cycle with a protective, thermally insulating oil tank blanket.

Abstract: There is provided a catalytic combustion apparatus that allows power consumption of a carburetor heater to be significantly reduced, and allows a fuel consumption amount to be reduced. A catalytic combustion apparatus including: a fuel tank 1 for feeding fuel and others, an air feeding fan 5 for feeding air and others, a carburetor 8 for evaporating the above described fuel, a gas mixture space 15 that holds the above described evaporated fuel and the above described air, a catalytic combustion unit 17 adjacent to the above described gas mixture space, and a catalyst heating element 10 provided in the gas mixture space 15, characterized in that the catalyst heating element 10 has a first heating compartment 11 and a second heating element compartment 12 provided from upstream to downstream of a flow of the above described gas mixture, and that the compartments carry catalysts on all or part thereof and are provided with a first gas mixture vent 13 and a second gas mixture vent 14.

Abstract: A vaporization module is provided that includes a capillary member to convert non-pressurized liquid to pressurized vapor. The pressure is sustained by capillary pressure of the liquid in the capillary member. The capillary member has low thermal conductivity and small-sized pores that permits liquid to travel by capillary action toward the vaporization zone. Often, the pores of the capillary member are substantially uniform in size. The capillary member may comprise ceramic material. The module also includes an orifice plate that has one or more orifices to permit release of pressurized vapor, e.g. as a pressurized vapor jet. The orifice plate is associated with a sealing member to form an at least partial enclosure of the module so that vapor may accumulate and pressure may be increased within the module. In addition, other aspects of the present invention relating to the vaporization and pressurization of liquid are described.

Abstract: A method for causing a very fine atomization or vaporization of a liquid or liquid-like fluid, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution is entered into engine, instrument or area for the fluid to be in mixed. The ability of the near supercritical atomizer to produce very fine droplets of a wide range of liquids without any aspirant is very important for number of industrial applications. Especially when the drop size can be so finely controlled. Industries needing such fine atomization include applications such as combustion, engines, scientific equipment, chemical processing, waste disposal control, cleaning, etching, insect control, surface modification, humidification and vaporization. It is important in these applications not to cause a decomposition of the material being atomized.

Abstract: A mixed gas supply portion 1 for mixing fuel with air, a mixed gas ejection portion 2 for ejecting the mixed gas mixed by the mixed gas supply portion 1, a breathable first catalyst body 5 provided downstream of the mixed gas supply portion 2, a breathable second catalyst body 7 provided downstream of the first catalyst body 5, a separation board a 6 for increasing gas flow resistance provided between the first catalyst body 5 and the second catalyst body 7, a heat exchange portion 13 having a heated fluid passage 14 positioned on the peripheral part, a radiant heat reception portion 3 provided upstream of the first catalyst body 5 and integrated with the heat exchange portion 13, and a separation board b 8 and a separation board c 10 provided downstream of the second catalyst body 7 for increasing flow resistance of the mixed gas and/or the combustion gas thereof are provided, and the separation board a 6, the separation board b 8, the separation board c 10 and the heat exchange portion 13 are integrated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pre-vaporizing and pre-mixing burner for liquid fuels which has a fuel feed line (56), a pump which pressurizes the fuel in the feed line, a mixing region (123) and a fuel valve (119) which opens out into the mixing region and by means of which the fuel is atomized and fed to the air for combustion (127). According to the invention, the fuel is vaporized in an optimum manner in that the fuel valve opens automatically as from a given fuel pressure, and a heating device (128) is associated with the fuel valve.

Abstract: A vaporization/pressurization module employs a porous member having a low thermal conductivity and a substantially uniform, small pore size. Liquid feed is introduced to the porous member and is heated, vaporized, and pressurized within and/or on a surface of the porous member to produce a vapor jet having a pressure higher than that of the liquid feed. A substantially vapor impermeable barrier facilitates accumulation and pressurization of the vapor, which is released from the module as a pressurized vapor jet from one or more restricted passages. The vaporization/pressurization module is especially useful for liquid fuel combustion applications.

Abstract: A method for causing a very fine atomization or vaporization of a liquid or liquid-like fluid, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution is entered into engine, instrument or area for the fluid to be in mixed. The ability of the near supercritical atomizer to produce very fine droplets of a wide range of liquids without any aspirant is very important for number of industrial applications. Especially when the drop size can be so finely controlled. Industries needing such fine atomization include applications such as combustion, engines, scientific equipment, chemical processing, waste disposal control, cleaning, etching, insect control, surface modification, humidification and vaporization. It is important in these applications not to cause a decomposition of the material being atomized.

Abstract: A compact torch for use in semiconductor processing which may be used both to produce steam and to perform wet or dry dichlorethylene (DCE) oxidation at varying concentrations with no reconfiguration of the torch, providing full temperature of control of the oxidation product gases, with redundancy to provide automatic backup of heating and ignition elements, and with non-mechanical flow control of the oxidation product gases.

Abstract: A vaporization/pressurization module employs a porous member having a low thermal conductivity and a substantially uniform, small pore size. Liquid feed is introduced to the porous member and is heated, vaporized, and pressurized within and/or on a surface of the porous member to produce a vapor jet having a pressure higher than that of the liquid feed. A substantially vapor impermeable barrier facilitates accumulation and pressurization of the vapor, which is released from the module as a pressurized vapor jet from one or more restricted passages. The vaporization/pressurization module is especially useful for liquid fuel combustion applications.

Abstract: A heavy oil emulsion fuel combustion apparatus is arranged, in a combustion apparatus using a heavy oil emulsion fuel, to prevent a decrease in the combustion efficiency due to water content in the fuel and to prevent an increase in the sulfuric acid dew point due to water content in the exhaust gas. A heavy oil emulsion fuel 101 from a fuel tank 100 is led to a fuel heater 110 and is heated. Then the heated heavy oil emulsion fuel 102 is led to a water content evaporator 120. In the water content evaporator 120, the heavy oil emulsion fuel 102 is heated by the use of extraction steam from a steam turbine facility 160 or steam produced through a steam converter 166, and the resulting fuel is led to a steam separator 140. In the steam separator 140, the fuel 111 is separated into steam and light oil combustible gas vapor 121 and a heavy oil portion 122, the latter 122 being used as boiler fuel 131.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a catalyst combustion apparatus includes a ring-shaped catalyst body for catalytically burning the mixture of the fuel and the air, which is disposed in a combustion cylinder. In the combustion cylinder, a fuel nozzle and an inlet for the air are disposed at one end side of the catalyst body, and the premixing chamber is formed at the other end side. The fuel and the air are supplied from one end side of the catalyst body through a through-hole formed at a center portion of the catalyst body and is mixed in the premixing chamber. In the premixing chamber, a flow direction of the mixture is turned toward the catalyst body. A part of the exhaust gas is introduced into the air at one end side. In this way, it is possible to simplify and downsize the combustion apparatus, while securing the preheating effect of the air by the circulation of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A method and device for producing heat energy by bringing water into contact with pre-heated oil in a chamber within a reaction vessel is disclosed. When the water and the oil meet, a violent reaction results in which a flame-like eruption of very hot gases is emitted. The heat energy released by this reaction is more than can be obtained by simply burning oil alone.

Abstract: A heavy oil emulsified fuel combustion apparatus is provided in which steam bubbles generated in the pressure reduction operation for dewatering a heavy oil emulsified fuel before combustion are prevented from mixing into a dewatered heavy oil side resulting in lowering of a dewatering efficiency.In a heavy oil emulsified fuel combustion boiler, a heavy oil emulsified fuel 101 is heated by a heater 110 and dewatered by a flusher 120 and then introduced into a boiler 10 for combustion, and water 152 obtained by the dewatering is sent to a water utilizing system of the boiler. The heavy oil emulsified fuel 102 is heated in a high pressure and then introduced into a pressure reducing device 200 to be applied by a pressure reduction by multi-stage orifices 201 for dewatering. The pressure reduction is done with a pressure reduction per stage of 1 to 3 ata.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of combusting a water/fossil fuel mixed emulsion, which comprises elevating the temperature of a water/fossil fuel mixed emulsion, and vaporizing the emulsion, with a temperature-elevating and vaporizing apparatus 3, jetting the water/fossil fuel mixed gas thus formed by that elevation of the temperature and that vaporization from a burner 7, and bringing a Brown's gas flame of a Brown's gas combustion burner 5, in contact with the flow of the mixed gas, thereby combusting the water/fossil fuel mixed gas. There is also disclosed an apparatus for combusting a water/fossil fuel mixed emulsion. According to the combusting method and the combustion apparatus, it is possible to combust the water/fossil fuel mixed emulsion with good energy efficiency, and to obtain high calories resulting from the combustion.

Abstract: An oil burner capable of ensuring normal combustion of quality-deteriorated kerosine. A burner body including a vaporization section is fed with fuel and air from a fuel pump and an air fan, respectively. A combustion control unit controls the fuel pump and air fan to control a combustion quantity in the burner body. The combustion control unit increases the combustion quantity to a combustion level sufficient to permit tar collected in the vaporization section to be burned at a predetermined time interval. Also, the combustion control unit keeps the combustion quantity increased to the combustion level for a predetermined period of time which permits tar collected in the burner body prior to an increase in combustion quantity to the combustion level to be substantially exhausted. This permits the combustion quantity to be intermittently increased, to thereby ensure substantial exhaustion of tar collected in the burner body.

Abstract: According to a combustion apparatus comprising a mixing unit 3 for preparing a fuel-air mixture by mixing a fuel with combustion air, a first catalytic combustion chamber 4 incorporating a first catalyzer 7 for catalytically burning the mixture and a fin 5 for collecting a thermal energy generated by the catalytic combustion and a second catalytic combustion chamber 12 incorporating a second catalyzer 14 for catalytically burning the mixture that is not catalytically burnt by the first catalyzer 7, an operation of catalytic combustion at a high load can be achieved. An operation for improving characteristics of an exhaust discharged at the time of ignition can be also obtained, as a result, a combustion apparatus reduced in emission of NOx is provided.

Abstract: A smoke generator apparatus and method are provided in which the apparatus has a pump connected to a reservoir of liquid smoke agent and to an electrical resistance heating tube incorporated into an electrical circuit. The electrical resistance heater tube has first and second end portions. The first end portion has an inside tube diameter larger than the second end portion inside tube diameter. The heating tube is activated by a control circuit for activating the pump and the electrical circuit to thereby heat the electrical resistance heating tube and pump a fluid from a reservoir into the heating tube. A pressure relief valve located between the pump and the electrical resistance heating tube input portion helps control the pressure and works in combination with the multisized heating tube to allow a low thermal mass of heater for use of a high temperature smoke agent which can be used in an open flame environment.

Abstract: A fuel control and preheating module for use with an oil-burning furnace including a fuel line providing a passageway section through which oil is routed from a reservoir to the furnace for burning includes an electrically-powered positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element mounted in heat transfer relationship with oil contained with the passageway section. During the operation of the PTC element, the PTC element heats the oil contained within the passageway section to a preselected temperature and maintains the oil contained within the passageway section at the preselected temperature. Also associated with the module is a movable diaphragm and shutoff plate which is responsive to the internal pressure changes in the air passageway of the furnace upon shutdown and start-up of the furnace to withdraw oil from and shut off delivery of oil to the nozzle upon furnace shutdown and to push oil toward the nozzle upon start-up of the furnace.

Abstract: The invention is an improved boiler for generating vapor at low pressure from liquid in reservoirs that are not pressurized. Liquid from a reservoir is fed through a supply wick by capillary action to a boiler wick in which the liquid is heated and boiled to a vapor. The heat for vaporization is transmitted by a porous hot seat which sits atop and is in contact with the boiler wick. The boiler wick and hot seat are contained within an insulating cylindrical shroud, which forms a tight seal with the edges of the boiler wick. If the liquid to be vaporized is a fuel for a burner, then combustion heat can be used to supply the heat to the boiler. A resistive heat source can also be used to heat the hot seat and boiler wick.