Abstract: A method for distributed ignition is disclosed wherein a combustion fuel and an ignition mixture are combined where the ignition mixture comprises ignition agents and fuel and where ignition agents can be nano-metallic particles in combination with single-walled carbon nano-tubes (SWCNTs). The combination of ignition mixture and combustion fuel in the presence of oxygen are exposed to light causing heating of the ignition agents and combustion of the fuel within which the ignition agents are interspersed. A system for igniting fuels using the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure may disclose a system and method for superadiabatic counterflow reactors. The system may include a first channel configured to communicate gas in a first direction, a second channel formed adjacent the first channel and configured to communicate gas in a second direction, the second direction substantially opposite the first direction, and the first channel having a first heat source positioned such that gas flowing through the first channel preheats gas in the second channel and the second channel having a second heat source positioned such that gas flowing through the second channel preheats gas in the first channel.

Abstract: An improved burner and a method for combusting fuel used in furnaces such as those found in steam cracking. The burner includes a burner tube having a downstream end and an upstream end, a burner tip adjacent a first opening in the furnace, so that combustion of the fuel takes place at the burner tip, a lighting chamber adjacent to the first opening in the furnace, and a removable lighting chamber plug having a shape effective to substantially fill the lighting chamber when positioned within the lighting chamber.

Abstract: Processes and compositions are provided for decreasing emissions of mercury upon combustion of fuels such as coal. Various sorbent compositions are provided that contain components that reduce the level of mercury and/or sulfur emitted into the atmosphere upon burning of coal. In various embodiments, the sorbent compositions are added directly to the fuel before combustion; are added partially to the fuel before combustion and partially into the flue gas post combustion zone; or are added completely into the flue gas post combustion zone. In preferred embodiments, the sorbent compositions comprise a source of halogen and preferably a source of calcium. Among the halogens, iodine and bromine are preferred. In various embodiments, inorganic bromides make up a part of the sorbent compositions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the operation of a burner used for heating liquid glass feeders of a glass furnace. A burner is supplied with a fuel and oxygen. An additional gas is injected so that the sum of the oxygen flow, the fuel flow and the additional gas flow is greater than a minimum cooling flow for the burner.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for treating an effluent fluid stream from a semiconductor manufacturing process tool. The apparatus comprises a combustion chamber, means for heating the combustion chamber, and a nozzle for injecting the effluent stream into the combustion chamber. The apparatus is configured to enable a fuel and an oxidant to be selectively injected into the effluent stream as required to optimise the combustion conditions for a particular effluent stream. In one to embodiment, a lance projecting into the nozzle selectively injects an oxidant into the effluent stream, and a sleeve surrounding the nozzle selectively injects a fuel into the effluent stream.

Abstract: A method is provided for initiating and sustaining a combustive reaction in a solid fuel. The method includes generating at least one pulsed optical signal and directing the pulsed optical signal to a plurality of ignition points within at least one combustion chamber containing a solid fuel. The pulsed optical signal is generated by an optical source, e.g. a laser pump, and modulated using an intensity profiler. The intensity profiler modulates the pulsed optical signal to initially have a first peak power sufficient to initiate a combustive reaction in a solid fuel. The intensity profiler further modulates the pulsed optical signal to subsequently have a second peak power sufficient to sustain the combustive reaction until sufficient exothermic energy is released by the combustive reaction to make the reaction self-sustaining.

Abstract: Fuel composition which combusts instantaneously, comprising from 40 to 95% by weight of an instantaneously combusting fossil fuel and from 60 to 5% by weight of a non-fossil solid fuel chosen from the group comprising urban solid waste, elastomeric and non-elastomeric polymer materials and mixtures thereof, this fuel being suitably treated so as to be instantaneously combustible. Method and plant for the instantaneous combustion of the said composition.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide in combustion exhaust gas can be effectively separated and the combustion exhaust gas including the other exhaust gas components condensed through the separation of carbon dioxide can be discharged to the atmosphere. Air 7 is separated by an air separation unit 8 into oxygen 9 and other nitrogen-prevailing gas 10a. The obtained oxygen 9 and coal 1 are burned by a burner 5a of a combustion furnace 4. Exhaust gas treatment is conducted for the resultant combustion exhaust gas from the furnace 4. Then, part of the combustion exhaust gas is recirculated to the burner 5a and the remaining unrecirculated combustion exhaust gas is compressed to take out liquefied carbon dioxide 29. The other exhaust gas components 31 unliquefied through the compression is mixed and diluted with the other nitrogen-prevailing gas 10a in the separation of the oxygen 9 from the air 7 in the air separation unit 8 and is discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A vaporizer device that uses a flame for vaporizing flavor and psychoactive compounds from smoking materials such as tobacco. The present device has a filter unit 34 with a porous flame filter 36. The flame filter 36 can be made of open-cell ceramic or metal foam, sintered ceramic or metal granules or other porous, heat resistant materials. In use, flame is supplied to the flame filter, and inhalation causes ambient air to enter the flame filter as well. The flame exhaust and ambient air are mixed within the flame filter and produce an air stream of intermediate temperature. The intermediate temperature air stream is hot enough to vaporize desirable components from the smoking material. The filter unit and pipe can attach with a ground glass joint.

Abstract: A water jet assembly and method of use comprising a tank with cutting fluid, fuel and oxidizer lines, and a tank discharge lines. In operation, the tank is filled with oxidizer; the oxidizer line is closed and cutting fluid is supplied compressing the oxidizer. When the fluid reaches a level, the fluid line is closed and fuel is injected. A spark generator ignites the fuel/oxidizer mixture thereby raising the tank pressure. As the pressure rises, a low pressure valve simultaneously closes at a prescribed level. The vent line and a discharge to a nozzle are opened thereby, forming a gas bubble. When the bubble reaches a desired size and pressure drops below a level, the vent closes, allowing combustion expansion to force fluid through the nozzle to form a cutting jet. The bubble allows the jet to retain coherence between the nozzle and a cutting surface.

Abstract: A lighter for heating-up a smokeless cigarette comprises a housing having a fuel reservoir connected with a burner nozzle via a valve. An igniting device is disposed near the burner nozzle. The valve is openable by an actuator provided on the housing, whereby a flame is ignited by the igniting device. A receptacle is disposed adjacent to the burner nozzle and the igniting device, is accessible through a hole in the housing and is formed in the interior of the housing. The end of a cigarette body facing away from a mouthpiece is inserted into the receptacle so that the corresponding end of a heating pipe, which faces towards the burner nozzle, is heated by the flame in order to vaporize a stimulant in the cigarette. The cigarette can be removed from the receptacle after the stimulant begins to vaporize.

Abstract: A method for reducing acid gases in a flue gas, the method comprising reacting biosolids comprising a scrubbing agent with a flue gas comprising an acid gas, thereby reducing the amount of acid gas in the flue gas is disclosed. Also disclosed is a flue gas scrubbing process comprising: combusting a fossil fuel and biosolids comprising a scrubbing agent, thereby producing a flue gas comprising an acid gas, wherein the flue gas has a reduced amount of acid gas compared with flue gas produced from the combustion of the fossil filet alone. A flue gas scrubbing process comprising providing a stream of biosolids that includes a hydroxide or an oxide of a Group IA or IIA element, providing a flue gas comprising an acid gas, and reacting the biosolids stream with the flue gas so as to reduce the amount of acid gas in the flue gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sorbent compositions for coal contain nitrogenous components that reduce the level of mercury and/or sulfur emitted into the atmosphere upon combustion. The sorbent compositions are added directly to the fuel before combustion; directly into the fireball during combustion; are added to the fuel before combustion and into the flue gas post combustion zone; or are added completely into the flue gas post combustion zone, preferably where the flue gas temperature is at least 500° C. The sorbent compositions comprise a source of nitrate ions, a source of nitrite ions, or a combination of nitrate and nitrite sources. The sorbents are added as solids or as solutions in water. In various embodiments, the sorbent compositions further comprise a source of halogen such as bromide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the clean and convenient combustion of high viscosity liquid fuels, such as glycerol, as well as an apparatus useful for carrying such processes. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a process for glycerol combustion comprising providing a combustion apparatus with a glycerol combustion chamber that facilitates reflective heating, pre-heating the glycerol combustion chamber, atomizing the reduced viscosity glycerol, and combining the atomized glycerol with air in the glycerol combustion chamber to thereby completely combust the glycerol. In one embodiment, such as when using a pressure-atomizing nozzle, the inventive method may further comprise treating the glycerol to reduce the glycerol viscosity.

Abstract: A process for burning coal or other carbonaceous fuels captures sulfur and other undesirable compounds are captured and retained in non-reactive ceramic-like form after the combustion phase. The process involves addition of multiple element alkali powders and/or sorbents preferably containing oxidizing anions such as nitrates and nitrites, preferably based on calcium. In various embodiments, the remediation materials when applied in a complex powder and/or liquid containing multiple elements, result in higher sulfur capture than the materials would otherwise achieve on an individual basis. In a preferred embodiment, the sorbents contain elements that minimize or lower the melting point of the ash. This leads to lowered cohesiveness and toughness of the ash so that less ash builds up on the boiler and better heat transfer is obtained.

Abstract: Solid fuel compositions consisting essentially of wet processed biomass are provided. Processes for preparing solid fuel are provided that can include pelletizing wet-processed biomass material. Combustion processes are provided that can include initiating combustion of a pelletized wet processed biomass material. Energy generation processes are included that can include gasifying a biomass pellet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oxygenated fuel composition suitable for use in compression ignition internal combustion engines, equipped with inlet air heater and catalytic alcohol dehydration equipment suitable for chemical equilibrium conversion of methanol and higher alcohol to their associated ether plus water.

Abstract: A method for increasing the nitrogen oxide emissions by either removing or modifying fuel rich nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction processes thereby improving combustion efficiencies especially with low volatile low sulfur coals, and remove unburned carbon, reduce sulfur dioxide and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, while using post-primary combustion urea or ammonia injection with or without a reburn fuel NOx reducing process to restore NOx to regulated emission levels. Furthermore, adding lime or limestone to the urea or ammonia solution to further reduce SO2 and to increase the concentration of the carbon free fly ash to cementitious concentrations. Furthermore, by proper number and disposition of the injectors in the post combustion zone and by further water diluting the mixture, this NOx reduction process is effective at substantially higher gas temperatures than conventional Selective Non-Catalytic NOx Reduction and with no ammonia slip. This method significantly increases the profitability of power plants.

Abstract: A gas-air premixing burner for gas turbines includes an air swirler and an annular burner tube surrounding a bluff centerbody. The bluff body serves to stabilize the flame by defining a recirculating vortex. Cooling air is directed to impinge against the bluff face of the centerbody and the spent impingement cooling air flows in a reverse direction towards the air swirler within the centerbody and is discharged through holes at the outer diameter of the centerbody, where it mixes with the fuel/air mixture prior to reaching the flame zone.

Abstract: The invention can be summarized as follows. There is provided a method for oxidizing elemental mercury in a combustion process comprising, adding a composition comprising an aluminum silicate to a combustion chamber, boiler or kiln downstream from the burner region combustion zone. There is further provided a method for reducing the emission of one or more heavy metals in a combustion process by adding a composition comprising an aluminum silicate to a combustion chamber downstream from the burner region combustion zone. There is also provided a composition comprising an aluminum silicate that may be employed to oxidize elemental mercury generated in a combustion process. The composition also may be employed to reduce the emission of one or more heavy metals generated in a combustion process.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is separated from a feed gas, preferably derived from flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process, in a membrane separation system to produce separated carbon dioxide gas which is fed to the oxyfuel combustion process to improve the performance of the process.

Abstract: A lighter comprises two spaced apart electrodes, a fuel emitting structure adjacent at least one of the electrodes, a voltage generating device electrically connected to each one of electrodes and timer circuitry electrically connected between the voltage generating device and at least one of the electrodes. The timer circuitry precludes operation of the voltage generating device causing ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure during a wait time interval and enables operation of the voltage generating device to cause ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure after the wait time interval passes.

Abstract: A method and system for burning a first and second fuel includes injecting a first fuel into a super-heated highly compressed stream at approximately one-fourth of a stoichiometric ratio to the oxygen in the highly compressed stream. Combustion of the first fuel further heats the highly compressed stream. The highly compressed stream is admitted into a combustion vessel to fluidize a bed of a second fuel with the highly compressed stream. The second fuel is combusted to create a compressed effluent which fluidizes an adsorbent bed to remove sulfur from the compressed effluent.

Abstract: A specific electrode arrangement for a burner already exists with which the flame of the burner is influenced by using electrical fields, whereby these electrical fields pass through only areas of the flame in which a stabilizing and pollutant-reducing action occurs. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the electrodes used to this end simultaneously serve both as probes for detecting flame properties as well as active field electrodes for influencing the flame properties. The probe signals can react to the voltage applied in an inertia-free manner to the electrodes without the involvement of mechanical elements. According to the associated device equipped with a burner and associated electrodes and with a power supply unit, the power supply unit furnishes a voltage that varies over time, and at least one measuring transducer exists that detects the current generated in the flame by the voltage between both electrodes and provides feedback to the power supply unit after amplification.

Abstract: The cooking appliance (1) having a control panel (2) is equipped with one or more gas flow (Q) regulating valves, wherein the rotary regulating plug (6) is provided with various peripheral through holes (16-19). The control knob (9) being interchangeable for fitting to the actuating shaft (7), is chosen from the two units available, one and the other permitting different angular limit positions of the regulating plug (6) for the supply of a constant minimum gas flow Qmin, adjusted each one for a different type of gas N gas or LP gas. The outlet conduit (5) of the valve is equipped with a further injector nozzle (21,23) for adjusting a constant gas flow Qmax to be fed into the conduit (25) of the correspondent burner, when the cooking appliance is supplied with a LP gas.

Abstract: A method of heating a fluid utilizing a process heater having one or more first combustion zones and one or more second combustion zones. The combustion of a fuel is divided between the first and second combustion zones. The oxygen is provided for combustion within the first combustion zone by one or more oxygen transport membranes that contribute between about 50 and 99 percent of the stoichiometric amount of oxygen required for complete combustion of the fuel passing through the process heater. A supplemental or secondary oxidant is introduced into second combustion zone to complete combustion of the fuel and thereby produce a flue gas stream containing between about 1 and 3 percent oxygen to ensure complete combustion of the fuel. In this manner, the surface area of the oxygen transport membranes may be reduced below the surface area that otherwise would be required if 100 percent of the oxygen were contributed by the oxygen transport membranes.

Abstract: Zone Master 2002 was designed as a two-part process that enables the installer to regulate the amount of heat required to efficiently heat any established area or “zone” in a building or residence. With the ability to shut off part of the burners, you can adjust from 20,000 to 120,000 BTU output on the same furnace. The control board allows for up to eight zones, a universal fit, and the ability to combine inputs from multiple thermostats and readjust as thermostats are satisfied.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the combustion process by stimulating one or more components of a fuel/air mixture using nuclear resonance to selectively reduce or increase the oxidation of selected components of the combustion reaction, e.g., nitrogen (N-14) or hydrogen (H-1). The method can utilize either nuclear magnetic resonance for H-1 or nuclear quadrupole resonance for N-14. Stimulation of the components can occur before, during, or after the combustion reaction in the combustion area. Stimulation with an electromagnetic pulse can be synchronized with the combustion reaction. A feedback system is used to sense one or more operating parameters of the combustion reaction, and adjust the nuclear resonance stimulation based on sensed operating parameters. For example, if the stimulation is an RF signal having a beginning frequency, this frequency can be adjusted based on sensory information regarding gas levels or temperature in an exhaust stream.

Abstract: A firefighting trainer includes a tank for containing a volume of a non-combustible dispersion medium such as water. The water resides within the tank having an upper surface of the water exposed through an open upper end of the tank. A fuel distribution system distributes a combustible fuel into the tank beneath the water surface. An air distribution system distributes an oxygen containing gas (such as air) into the tank beneath the upper water surface. An ignition system ignites a mixture of a vapor of the fuel and the air at the upper surface of the water. A screen covers the open end of the tank and is spaced from the upper surface of the water. The screen has open spaces permitting passage of flame through the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a supplier of air and/or fuel, a main passageway fluidly coupled to the supplier to receive air and/or fuel therefrom to provide a fuel-rich air-and-fuel main mixture in the main passageway, and a pilot flame generator mounted in the main passageway. The pilot flame generator defines therein a pilot passageway that is fluidly coupled to the supplier to receive air and/or fuel therefrom and is fluidly coupled to the main passageway to receive air and/or fuel therefrom to provide an air-and-fuel pilot mixture in the pilot passageway. The pilot flame generator comprises an ignition device configured to ignite the pilot mixture to generate a pilot flame that initiates a partial oxidation reaction of the main mixture so as to generate reformate gas. An associated method is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for stabilizing combustion while minimizing NOx generation by using high-flame-speed additives to stabilize the flame front in combustors operating at relatively low temperatures and/or under oxygen constraints. The system is adapted for use in coal-fired boilers, oil-fired boilers, and gas turbine engines. The methods stabilize the flame front to permit stable combustion under an expanded range of part-load conditions. The system provides substantially complete combustion of coal in coal boilers resulting in ash saleable for use in concrete manufacturing.

Abstract: Methods for reducing and eliminating carbon dioxide from the emissions of solid fuel fired power plants, particularly coal fired power plants, and to sequester the carbon dioxide, typically by using existing equipment. In some embodiments, the methods involve pyrolyzing the solid fuel to remove volatile matter and using the volatile matter to produce hydrogen. Additionally, the methods may involve burning the solid fuel or pyrolized solid fuel at very fuel rich stoichiometric conditions. Sequestration may include the production of a carbon dioxide-containing solution and the pumping of the solution into the ground, particularly in areas high in limestone.

Abstract: The invention provides improved burners, combustion apparatus, and methods for carbon nanomaterial production. The burners of the invention provide sooting flames of fuel and oxidizing gases. The condensable products of combustion produced by the burners of this invention produce carbon nanomaterials including without limitation, soot, fullerenic soot, and fullerenes. The burners of the invention do not require premixing of the fuel and oxidizing gases and are suitable for use with low vapor pressure fuels such as those containing substantial amounts of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The burners of the invention can operate with a hot (e.g., uncooled) burner surface and require little, if any, cooling or other forms of heat sinking. The burners of the invention comprise one or more refractory elements forming the outlet of the burner at which a flame can be established. The burners of the invention provide for improved flame stability, can be employed with a wider range of fuel/oxidizer (e.g.

Abstract: A process for mitigation of fouling deposits within a combustion zone, capturing of toxic metal emissions, and reduction of visible sulfur emissions attributable to sulfuric acid mist during coal combustion. SO3 formed during coal combustion is reduced by the addition to the coal of raw, unprocessed magnesium-containing minerals such as magnesite ore or brucite ore. The minerals are pulverized to a fine particle size and combined with pulverized coal to provide a mixture of the particles. The mixture is combusted and the ore particles calcine and decrepitate to very fine magnesium oxide particles that have a significant particle surface area. The magnesium oxide particles react with the SO3 produced during combustion of the coal and also capture toxic metals to reduce the quantity of undesirable stack discharge components.

Abstract: A hydrocarbonaceous fuel additive, fuel composition, and method all lower both carbon particulate emissions and improve slag properties in combustion systems including, for instance, utility furnaces and boiler systems. The mixed metal catalyst may include a transition metal-containing compound, an alkali metal compound, and a magnesium-containing compound.

Abstract: The performance of a combustion apparatus is improved by providing a burner tile therein which includes a coating of a high-emissivity (high-E) material. Preferably, the high-E material has an emissivity of greater than about 0.80, usually between about 0.85 to about 0.98. In some embodiments, the high-E material has an emissivity of about 0.92. The coating thickness on of the high-E material on the burner tile can be between about 0.0005 to about 0.025 inch, preferably between about 0.001 to about 0.002 inch. In especially preferred embodiments, the high-E material is ceramic. A burner tile comprising a coating layer of the high-emissivity material may therefore be incorporated into a combustion apparatus so as to improve its combustion performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the injection of fuel into an internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel is firstly enriched in a gas enrichment device (20) with a gas or a gas mixture, in particular oxygen or air. The fuel is atomized and the gas or gas mixture dissolved into the atomized fuel and the enriched fuel is then injected directly into at least one cylinder (12), or indirectly into a preceding region (17), in particular the intake manifold of the engine, with the result of further atomization. The fuel, at least in the enriched state, is cooled up until the final atomization such as to counteract a release of the gas or gas mixture from the fuel before said final atomization. The invention further relates to an injection unit for carrying out said process.

Abstract: The use of the cementitious ash in building products as total or partial replacement for Portland cement results in reduced carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise result form the manufacture of Portland cement. In addition to avoided carbon dioxide emissions from calcining of limestone to make Portland cement and the burning of fossil fuels to provide the energy needed to make Portland cement, use of the sorbent components tends to increase the efficiency of energy production from burning of coal, further reducing greenhouse emissions from the burning of fossil fuel to produce energy.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustor (10), to provide intimately mixed hot combusted gas (44) for a gas turbine (46), includes feeding gaseous oxidant (12) and gaseous fuel (16) into the combustor (10) near a combustion flame (28) which has a tip end (39) and a root end (29), where corona discharge occurs through adjustment of an electric field (34), and where the corona discharge causes ionized particles (36) to form and also causes intimate turbulent mixing of the gases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition and process for improving the combustion of any kind of combustible. Also the invention relates to a process and device for obtaining such composition. The variant destined to the firing installations using common liquid/gaseous combustible as well as those ones using solid combustibles and, simultaneously liquid/gaseous combustibles for enhancing the combustion contain ?20% of 6% watery solution of potassium dichromate, treated with monochromatic light having/=480?490. 10?9 m; 0.02 ammonia; 0.3% non-additivated mineral oil and ?80% demineralized water. The variant destined to the firing installations using solid combustibles ?10% of 5% watery solution of potassium permanganate, treated with monochromatic light having/=595?625. 10?9 m; 0.05% urea 0.3% non-additivated mineral oil and ?90% de-mineralized water.

Abstract: A method for gasifying carbonaceous materials to fuel gases comprises the formation of an ultra-superheated steam (USS) composition substantially containing water vapor, carbon dioxide and highly reactive free radicals thereof, at a temperature of about 2400° F. (1316° C.) to about 5000° F. (2760° C.). The USS composition comprising a high temperature clear, colorless flame is contacted with a carbonaceous material for rapid gasification/reforming thereof. The need for significant superstoichiometric steam addition for temperature control. Methods for controlling a gasification/reforming system to enhance efficiency are described. A USS burner for a fluidized bed gasification/reforming reactor, and methods of construction, are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for improved process control in combustion applications, and particularly those relating to the steelmaking industry. An apparatus is provided for process control in a combustion application comprising a laser to transmit a near-infrared laser beam through off-gas produced by the combustion application, a detector to detect the transmitted laser beam and convert the detected laser beam to an electrical signal, and a control system for providing adjustment of select inputs to the combustion application in response to the electrical signal from the detector. The method of this invention comprises transmitting a near-infrared laser beam through off-gas produced by the combustion application, detecting the transmitted laser beam, and adjusting select inputs of the combustion application in response to the detected transmitted laser beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerated aging of an automotive catalytic converter under conditions incorporating volatilized oil consumption.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing nitrogen oxides in combustion flue gas is provided. The method includes combusting a fuel in a main combustion zone such that a flow of combustion flue gas is generated wherein the combustion flue gas includes at least one nitrogen oxide species, establishing a fuel-rich zone, forming a plurality of reduced N-containing species in the fuel rich zone, injecting over-fire air into the combustion flue gas downstream of fuel rich zone, and controlling process parameters to provide conditions for the reduced N-containing species to react with the nitrogen oxides in the OFA zone to produce elemental nitrogen such that a concentration of nitrogen oxides is reduced.

Abstract: Materials with a perovskite structure in form of solid solutions with general formula: AzZr1?xBxO3 Where A is Ba or a rare earth element, B is Pt, Ir, Rh or Ce z is 1 when A is Ba and is ? when A is a rare earth, x is in the range 0.01 and 0.8.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for the combustion synthesis of carbon nanotubes characterized with the combustor having an oxidizing agent inlet, a fuel inlet and an inert gas inlet, such that the inverse diffusion flame occurs within the combustor, thereby producing carbon nanotubes without using vacuum, and a method for the combustion synthesis of carbon nanotubes using the same. According to the present invention, it is possible to directly collect samples including carbon nanotubes without oxidation and a substrate may be installed with ease. Moreover, the manufacturing cost can be lowered to a level suitable for mass production so that the carbon nanotube technology can be extended to various applications.

Abstract: A partially open fired heater regenerative cycle, wherein the fired industrial type heater cycle's heat transfer fluid replaces the air predominant nitrogen heat transfer fluid employed in a conventional air/fuel combustion heater, is disclosed. The heater cycle's method and apparatus are susceptible to providing a significant percent mass flow reduction of fugitive nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide mass flow emissions as emitted by current art Low-NO.sub.x art heaters on a rated per million Btu per hour basis, and is further capable of developing exceptionally high steady-state heat transfer system cycle thermal efficiencies.

Abstract: A method and device are for influencing combustion processes, and include an electrical device. The electrical device engages with the flame front so that the electrical field thus produced, only penetrates areas of the flame front in which a stabilizing and harmful-substance-reducing effect is produced. The electrodes of the burner are arranged outside the region of the flame in the associated device.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling operation of a fuel-fired burner includes a housing having an air inlet which is open to an interior chamber of the housing. An air pump is positioned in the interior chamber of the housing and has an air inlet which is open to the interior chamber of the housing. The air pump generates reduced air pressure in the interior chamber which draws air into the housing and into the pump's inlet. This flow of air cools an electronic controller along with other components position in the housing. The air pump may be operated to draw air from the interior chamber of the housing and supplies the air to a combustion chamber of the fuel-fired burner to facilitate operation of the burner. An associated method of advancing air to a fuel-fired burner is also disclosed.