Abstract: A regenerative firing system is disclosed which functions in a heat treating furnace or other high temperature technology. The system comprises a plurality of regenerator heat transfer boxes which absorb the heat contained in high temperature exhaust from the furnace. Each regenerator box transfers this absorbed heat to a flow of ambient air. The now heated air flows from the regenerator box into a common air stream which is then fed to a plurality of burners. The preheated air stream is supplied to a common air stream that is then simultaneously provided to each of a plurality of burners. In addition, the current invention comprises a method of heat recovery for a furnace utilizing the inventive system.

Abstract: A purge air control for a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) having a plurality of exhaust towers containing a heat-exchange media includes a controller to determine an amount of clean air needed to purge the media. The controller opens a balancing damper to draw the determined amount of air into the RTO to purge the solvent-laden air from the heat-exchange media. As such, by determining the precise amount of air needed to purge the heat-exchange media, energy consumption associated with the purge process is reduced.

Abstract: A method for producing cement clinker in a plant that includes: a first cyclone preheater and a second cyclone preheater for preheating first and second portions of a raw material, respectively; a precalcinator using a combustion gas for burning a fuel, the fumes released by the precalcinator being directed to the second cyclone preheater; a rotary furnace provided with a fuel burner, the fumes released by the rotary furnace being directed to the first cyclone preheater; and a clinker cooler that blows cooling air across the clinker at the outlet of the rotary furnace. According to the method, the precalcinator combustion gas contains between 90 and 100 vol % of oxygen. The precalcinator may consist of a fluidized bed, the fluidization gas being the combustion gas. The invention also relates to a plant as such.

Abstract: A heat accumulating-type burner that operates by alternately repeating heat accumulation and combustion where the heat accumulating element is heated by exhaust gas to accumulate heat therein, and combustion air is passed through the heat accumulating portion to preheat the combustion air by thermal exchange with the heat accumulating element that holds the heat accumulated therein, and the preheated combustion air is used to carry out combustion. The cross-sectional area of the heat accumulating portion at the furnace-inner side is made to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the heat accumulating portion at the air supply/discharge port side, and in addition, the thickness of the fireproof heat insulating member that covers the heat accumulating portion is made to be thick at the furnace-inner side of the heat accumulating portion, and is made to be thin at the air supply/discharge port side of the heat accumulating portion.

Abstract: A kiln and method of firing a kiln are provided for use in connection with the firing of small-scale pottery firing. The kiln includes a kiln wall that defines a main kiln volume that is no larger than 60 cubic feet and is less than 10 cubic feet in one embodiment. The main kiln volume is structured to receive a pottery item for firing. The kiln further includes a combustion chamber that is thermally connected to the main kiln volume. A feeder automatically feeds solid fuel to the combustion chamber to reach and maintain at least a cone 10 temperature within the main kiln volume. In use, solid fuel is automatically provided to a combustion chamber at a controlled rate and is combined with combustion air in the combustion chamber. The solid fuel is combusted in the combustion chamber to warm a thermally-connected main kiln volume.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon streams are heated uniformly and directly using one or more flameless oxidation burners. Flameless oxidation burners may control the temperature within a range of about 50° C. to reduce the tendency to coking due to localized “hot spots”. The hydrocarbon streams, which may be monomer streams, may pass cross-current (perpendicular) to burners having a longitudinal design or configuration, or may pass parallel to such burners.

Abstract: A device including a burner (6) for directing a fuel/air mixture into a reaction chamber (2) for flameless oxidation of fuels. The burner (6) discharges a fuel/air jet transversely to a longitudinal axis (A) of the burner and an exhaust gas channel (17) is arranged in or on the burner concentric or parallel to the burner longitudinal axis (A). An outlet direction (R) of the fuel/air jets from the burner and the direction (A) of the exhaust gas channel cross each other. Hence, the burner introduces fuel parallel or at an angle to the wall into the furnace chamber where the burner is mounted for flameless oxidation of the fuel.

Abstract: Switching valve utilizing a rotatable seal suitable for use in a regenerative thermal oxidizer, and oxidizer including the switching valve. The valve of the present invention exhibits excellent sealing characteristics and minimizes wear. The valve has a seal plate that defines two chambers, each chamber being a flow port that leads to one of two regenerative beds of the oxidizer. The valve also includes a switching flow distributor that provides alternate channeling of the inlet or outlet process gas to each half of the seal plate. The valve operates between two modes: a stationary mode and a valve movement mode. In the stationary mode, a tight gas seal is used to minimize or prevent process gas leakage. The gas seal also seals during valve movement.

Abstract: Valve and valve lift system suitable for use in a regenerative thermal oxidizer, and oxidizer including the switching valve. The valve of the present invention exhibits excellent sealing characteristics and minimizes wear. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is sealed with pressurized air during its stationary modes, and unsealed during movement to reduce valve wear.

Abstract: Valve and valve lift system suitable for use in a regenerative thermal oxidizer, and oxidizer including the switching valve. The valve of the present invention exhibits excellent sealing characteristics and minimizes wear. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is sealed with pressurized air during its stationary modes, and unsealed during movement to reduce valve wear.

Abstract: A setter for burning, which has no influence on the burning behavior of ceramic electronic parts to be situated thereon, is provided. A honeycomb structure is formed in which a plurality of ventilation cells that is formed by each partition wall having a thickness of 0.05 to 1.0 mm in a thick direction of the setter for burning from a side of a front surface of an electronic part placement surface of the setter for burning and that is each partitioned in a pitch of 0.5 to 5.0 mm passes through. A supporting member is provided in a side of a rear surface of the electronic part placement surface. Therefore, the setter for burning can be situated in a floating state.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating gaseous pollutants in an air stream such as a regenerative thermal oxidizer or a selective catalytic reduction system, including a reaction chamber wherein the reaction media bed within the chamber comprises a plurality of nonprismatic ceramic blocks each having end faces, side faces and a chamfered face extending at an angle relative to the side faces of the blocks. The ceramic blocks are stacked in end-to-end and side-to-side relation within the reaction chamber and the ceramic blocks each include spaced parallel passages extending through the end and chamfered faces. The chamfered faces of adjacent blocks form voids between the blocks promoting turbulent gas flow through the voids and equalizing the pressure within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Switching valve and a regenerative thermal oxidizer including the switching valve. The valve of the present invention exhibits excellent sealing characteristics and minimizes wear. The valve has a seal plate that defines two chambers, each chamber being a flow port that leads to one of two regenerative beds of the oxidizer. The valve also includes a switching flow distributor which provides alternate channeling of the inlet or outlet process gas to each half of the seal plate. The valve operates between two modes: a stationary mode and a valve movement mode. In the stationary mode, a tight gas seal is used to minimize or prevent process gas leakage. The gas seal also seals during valve movement.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a regenerative thermal oxidizer is described which includes at least one heat exchange column provided with a multi-layer of packing material including at least one layer of randomly packed and specially shaped and sized particles, each particle being formed of a high temperature stable material and preferably having a cylindrical outer wall and internal reinforcing vanes extending from the cylindrical outer wall to the center of the particle, and at least one layer of structured monolithic media having a plurality of flow passages in the direction of gas flow through the column.

Abstract: Switching valve and a regenerative thermal oxidizer including the switching valve. The valve of the present invention exhibits excellent sealing characteristics and minimizes wear. The valve has a seal plate that defines two chambers, each chamber being a flow port that leads to one of two regenerative beds of the oxidizer. The valve also includes a switching flow distributor which provides alternate channeling of the inlet or outlet process gas to each half of the seal plate. The valve operates between two modes: a stationary mode and a valve movement mode. In the stationary mode, a tight gas seal is used to minimize or prevent process gas leakage. The gas seal also seals during valve movement.

Abstract: In order to create a regenerative, energy-saving fuel firing for an industrial furnace, particularly for a metal smelting furnace, that can flexibly take all possible time and space operating conditions and demands of the furnace to be heated as well as the thermic conditions of the respectively employed, heat-storing regenerators exactly into consideration, it is inventively proposed that at least two regenerator/burner modules (3) are switchable from burner mode (7) into regenerator mode (7r) (exhaust gas extraction mode) or, respectively, vice versa independently of one another proceeding from the process controller of the industrial furnace (1), namely with employment of reverse valves (11) or reversible ventilators or, respectively, two-stream ventilators.

Abstract: A method of cooling a regenerative thermal oxidizer down rapidly includes the steps of increasing the cycle time of the heat exchangers once a decision has been made to shut the regenerative thermal oxidizer down. By increasing the cycle time, the regenerative thermal oxidizer rejects more heat from the system. That is, the efficiency of the system goes down, and more heat is lost. In this way, the system approaches an ambient temperature much more quickly then in known systems. In one method of performing this invention, the cycle time is increased as much as possible, and as rapidly as possible while monitoring the outlet temperature on the outlet gas. The cycles are reversed only when the outlet temperature approaches a maximum safe operating temperature. In a second method, the cycle times are increased in pre-programmed steps. By utilizing the present invention, one is able to cool a regenerative thermal oxidizer to ambient temperatures in less than half the time of the prior art systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas recirculating furnace which aims to enable generation of a high-temperature strong recirculating current and comprises heat sources 3A and 3B for heating a recirculating gas outside the furnace and an out-of-furnace circulating path 4 for taking combustion gas in the inner space of the furnace 18 to the outside of the furnace and flowing it back to the inside of the furnace 18 from a different position.

Abstract: A furnace having sidewalls to form an enclosure to contain a melt. One or more burners are positioned to fire into the enclosure to maintain the melt and one or more charge wells are separated from the enclosure by the sidewalls. A charge of material to be melted is loaded into the charge wells and melted. Submerged openings defined in the sidewall circulate melt to the charge well(s) and to circulate the melt back to the enclosure. Submerged pumps effectuate the circulation. Flue gas openings defined in the sidewall(s) are configured to direct flue gas into the charge well(s) and on to said the charge of material. Two opposed charge wells and pumps may be provided as wells as flue gas openings to heat the charge of material deposited into the charge wells. The flue gas openings allow flue gas to impinge onto the charge of material to be melted so that heat that would otherwise be lost in the flue gas is used to help melt the charge of material.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus includes a combustion chamber and a single-type regenerative combustion burner. The burner is arranged with respect to the combustion chamber so that a direction in which burnt gas returns to the burner is not opposed to a direction in which fuel and supply air are expelled from the burner. This combustion apparatus is applicable to various types of industrial furnaces including various types of boilers, for example, a crucible-type furnace.

Abstract: A cassette regeneration system (10) for an oxy-fuel regeneration assembly (52) having oxy-fuel burners (54) includes a first regeneration assembly (62) having at least one removably connected cassette regenerator (32), a second regeneration assembly (62') having at least one removably connected cassette regenerator and an exhaust reversal valve assembly (82) in flow communication with the first and second regeneration assemblies and configured to selectively direct exhaust gas from the furnace to a selected one of the first and second regeneration assemblies. The system further includes an air supply conduit (98), at least one preheated air conduit (102) and an air reversal valve assembly (80) in flow communication with the air supply conduit and the at least one preheated air conduit and configured to selectively direct air from the air supply air conduit to a selected one of the first and second regeneration assemblies to the at least one preheated air conduit.

Abstract: A method for processing an air stream using a thermal oxidizer, by pre-heating the air stream, without the use of auxiliary heat, and substantially eliminating the condensation of organic or inorganic compounds within the air stream to be treated. Alternatively, or in combination, the system used for this pre-heat method can also be used to accommodate intermittent higher volumes of organic or inorganic compounds without the need for additional bypass hardware or any unnecessary waste of energy or capital costs.

Abstract: Techniques for increasing the thermal efficiency of high temperature combustion sources such as glass and other process furnaces are disclosed. These techniques include one or more of the steps of co-firing of a carbonaceous solid fuel or heavy fuel oil with the primary fuel in the primary combustion zone such that the co-fired fuel is cracked and thereby generates a high number density of carbonaceous particles sufficient to improve soot radiation; providing enhanced mixing of first burnout air with the flue gas in a first burnout zone; and promoting instability of boundary layer gases adjacent refractory packings.

Abstract: A regenerative atmosphere-gas heating system includes at least three regenerative heaters. Each of these regenerative heaters successively cycles through a combustion state, an atmosphere gas heating state and an atmosphere gas sucking state. As a result, the atmosphere gas can be recovered for reuse and the developed heat of the recovered atmosphere gas can be converted into developed heat of the combustion air for an improvement in thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for combustion of a fuel and oxidant in which a first portion of a fuel is mixed with an oxidant to form a fuel-lean fuel/oxidant mixture in a fuel-lean combustion zone. The remaining portion of fuel is mixed with the fuel-lean fuel/oxidant mixture downstream of the fuel-lean combustion zone, forming a substantially stoichiometric fuel/oxidant mixture. The stoichiometric fuel/oxidant mixture is ignited, forming a primary flame having high luminosity and low NO.sub.x emissions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying oxygen to an oxy-fuel fired furnace that has been preheated by heated flue gas recycled from the furnace. One or more regenerators are provided each having at least a first and a second regenerator bed. The beds are alternately cycled so that one is being preheated with hot flue gas exhausted from the furnace while the other is preheating oxygen through its already heated bed for supply to the furnace burner. The amount of hot flue gas supplied to the regenerator beds is controlled by continuously venting a portion of the total furnace flue gas so as to bypass the regenerators, and the regenerator beds are purged of residual oxygen by recycled cooled flue gas which is then supplied to the furnace before the regenerator beds are heated by the flue gas.

Abstract: Furnace for processes and treatments in a sub-stoichiometric atmosphere, includes a combustion chamber (1) provided with a fuel-feeding mechanism, feeding mechanism (3) for combustion promoter and an extraction mechanism (4) for the gases produced in the interior of the chamber (1). The feeding mechanism (3) for combustion promoter and the extraction mechanism (4) for the gases are connected, in an alternating way with suitable selection mechanisms (203, 213, 104, 114), to the furnace through at least one device (2) connected by a suitable mechanism (402) to an open port (121) on the combustion chamber (1) of the furnace. The device achieves post-combustion (102) of the gases, heat exchange and heat storage (112).

Abstract: A system for the abatement of industrial process emissions comprises a horizontal regenerative catalytic oxidizer (RCO). The system utilizes at least two regenerative chambers and at least two catalytic chambers in a controlled abatement process. Pollutants injected into the RCO from the process emissions are catalytically oxidized. The horizontal configuration of the RCO reduces the size of the RCO per cubic foot of emissions treated, and also simplifies maintenance requirements in removing and replacing, or regenerating, the catalyst. Chutes and valves situated above and below the catalyst provide maintenance means without the associated contamination concerns typically caused by catalytic migration throughout vertically configured RCOs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the automatic and energy-saving dedusting of organic deposits on heat exchangers of regenerative afterburning systems without secondary emissions. Through a special guiding of the exhaust gas, the partial exhaust-air stream is returned without interruption of the main exhaust gas stream from the tower to be burnt off completely into the crude gas (FIG. 1). With this, the entire system is returned without any additional operations again into the original clean initial state and the burdening of the atmosphere is avoided.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and a device for the heat treatment of workpieces, which are heated with radiant heat generated through the combustion of gaseous fuel. Some of the workpieces are subjected to a carburisation atmosphere formed by a heated mixture of hydrocarbon containing gas and carbon dioxide, where the carbon dioxide has been separated from the exhaust gas of the gaseous fuel combustion. Other workpieces may be subjected to a nitrocarburisation atmosphere formed by a mixture of ammonia and the exhaust gas remaining after the carbon dioxide has been separated. By recycling some of the products of the combustion process, the present invention improves the efficiency of the carburisation process while reducing pollutant emissions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for combustion of a fuel and oxidant in which a first portion of a fuel is mixed with an oxidant to form a fuel-lean fuel/oxidant mixture in a fuel-lean combustion zone. The remaining portion of fuel is mixed with the fuel-lean fuel/oxidant mixture downstream of the fuel-lean combustion zone, forming a substantially stoichiometric fuel/oxidant mixture. The stoichiometric fuel/oxidant mixture is ignited, forming a primary flame having high luminosity and low NO.sub.x emissions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for oxidizing components of a feed gas mixture in a heat regenerative reactor are provided. The heat regenerative reactor comprises a vessel having a two ends, the interior of which defines an unfired heat exchange/reaction zone containing a gas-permeable bed comprising heat exchange material in which the components of the feed gas mixture are oxidized. A gas handling system selectively introduces the feed gas mixture into one end of the vessel and discharges reacted gas through the other end of the vessel such that the direction of gas flow through the vessel may be reversed. At the time of flow reversal, a bypass system introduces the feed gas mixture into the vessel at a point intermediate the two ends of the vessel so that the feed gas mixture bypasses a portion of the gas-permeable bed. During bypass, a purging system purges unreacted feed gas mixture from the heat exchange/reaction zone.

Abstract: Improved methods for the treatment of liquid chemical compounds and process systems for practicing those methods are provided. The methods are practiced by spraying the liquid chemical compounds into a matrix bed of heat resistant materials at temperatures sufficiently high to oxidize the chemical compounds. The sprayed liquid chemical compound is preferably heated to its gaseous state prior to contacting the matrix bed. Processing steps for removing coke deposits in the matrix bed are also provided. The methods are particularly advantageous for the destruction of chemical agents and munitions.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer unit comprising two heat regenerator units in which a gas to be purified from VOCs passes through the units in an essentially horizontal direction.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer is provided with a combustion chamber and a plurality of heat transfer columns. Heat transfer media within the columns include solid surfaces which define vapor flow passages. To permit higher volumetric vapor flow rates nearer the combustion chamber, the passages are larger in cross-sectional area and the solid surfaces have less total surface area in those portions of the heat transfer media nearer the combustion chamber than in those portions away from the combustion chamber. The larger cross-sectional area of the passages and reduced area of the solid surfaces decreases the resistance to vapor flow and allows the passages to accommodate the higher volumetric flow rate of the vapor stream passing through the hotter portions of the heat transfer media.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer includes a heat exchange column formed of a body which defines at least one entire flow passage through the heat exchanger. The structure of the heat exchange column assists in purging residual gas to be cleaned from the heat exchanger prior to that regenerative heat exchanger moving into a mode where it receives the cleaned gas. The heat exchanger columns preferably have 70 to 80 percent of their surface area used as the flow passages. In a further geometric arrangement made possible by the inventive heat exchanger described above, two heat exchanger columns are positioned on opposed sides of a combustion chamber. End faces of the two opposed heat exchangers transfer radiative heat energy from the hotter of the two heat exchanger end faces to the cooler of the two heat exchanger end faces. In this way, radiative heat energy is not lost, but is reused to heat the other of the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A combustion system for use in the steckel mill provides for the controlled mixing of combustible fluids to each furnace incorporated in the steckel mill while also harnessing at least a portion of the heat developed during the operation of the mill to increase the overall operation efficiency of the steckel mill. The invention also contemplates enhancing the manner in which combustion products are drawn from the furnaces which also aids in recovering heat developed during the operation of the steckel mill as well as improving the operation of the overall combustion system. These features are obtained by providing a supply system for the air or other combustible gas delivered to each of the steckel mill coil furnaces and to direct at least a portion of the flow of this combustion gas through at least one recuperator that is in-line with an exhaust duct associated with the steckel mill.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a combustion apparatus capable of providing satisfactory sealing between an open end of an oxidizing agent duct and a regenerative structure. A regenerator includes a high-temperature section constituted by a regenerative unit made of a ceramic material and a low-temperature section constituted by a regenerative unit made of a metal material. The regenerator is formed with a plurality of communication passages which permit a combustion chamber and a suction/exhaust duct structure to communicate with each other. The communication passages are provided by a plurality of through-holes formed in the regenerative units. The number of the through-holes and an equivalent diameter thereof are determined so as to permit a pressure loss gradient in the low-temperature section positioned on the side of the suction/exhaust duct structure to be larger than that in the high-temperature section positioned on the side of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An inventive cam actuation structure provides a separate cam member for opening each of the valves in a regenerative thermal oxidizer. The separate cam structures allow the arrangement of the flow passages in any desired relationship relative to the other passages. In addition, the use of the separate cams allows great variability in the adjustment of the valve profiles relative to each other. Two valve actuation structure embodiments are disclosed. In a second feature of this invention, the inlet manifold is received within the outlet manifold. The heated gas in the outlet manifold preheats the gas in the inlet manifold, ensuring that impurities will not liquify within the inlet manifold. In a further feature of this invention, gravitational controls are used for the purge valve. A connection between the inlet valve and the weights for opening the purge valve ensures that the purge valve will not be opened when the inlet valve is opened.

Abstract: A single rotary valve is designed to control feed, purge and exit flow in a multiple bed regenerative fume incinerator system thereby replacing the large number of valves heretofore used to operate such a system. The housing of the rotary valve has ports for connection to at least one feed conduit, to at least one exit conduit, to at least 3 regenerator bed conduits and includes an annular opening on the valve axis for a purge gas conduit. The purge gas conduit extends through the annular opening and connects to an interior cavity of the valve rotor which has a peripheral opening registrable individually with the regenerator bed ports. The valve rotor divides the interior chamber of the valve housing into a feed subchamber and an exit subchamber and includes a sealing plenum preventing leakage from the feed subchamber to the exit subchamber.

Abstract: A rotary kiln (10) is employed which is inclined downwardly from its charge end (12) to its discharge end (14) and has a maximum length to breadth ratio of 5:1. The interior space of the kiln (10) is heated by means of at least one burner (B1, B2) directed into the kiln from one end thereof to a substantially constant elevated process temperature. Material is fed into the kiln (10) so that it occupies a maximum of 10% of the cross-sectional area of the internal space of the kiln (10) at the charge end (12). Upon entering the kiln the material is subjected almost immediately to the required process temperature. As it moves along the bottom of the kiln (10) from the charge to the discharge end (14), heat transfer to the material is primarily by radiation from the combustion space and from the lining of the kiln (10).

Abstract: A regenerative combustion furnace system including a combustion chamber, a pair of primary regenerators, a pair of secondary regenerators, and a gas flow assembly. The gas flow assembly provides gas flow to and from each of the secondary regenerators which are in communication with each respective primary regenerator, and each primary regenerator is in communication with the combustion chamber. Each of the secondary regenerators includes a plurality of flues and a plenum. Each flue includes a primary regenerator port, a plenum port, and a variable position valve.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer having regenerative heat exchangers includes a heat exchange column formed of a body which defines at least one entire flow passage through the heat exchanger. The heat exchange column assists in purging residual gas to be cleaned from the heat exchanger prior to that regenerative heat exchanger moving into a mode where it receives the cleaned gas. This reduces inadvertent emissions of gas to be cleaned to the environment. In one embodiment, a monolithic body includes all of the flow passages. In a second embodiment, a plurality of blocks are utilized to form the heat exchanger column. In a third embodiment, a number of cylindrical tubes are utilized. The heat exchanger columns preferably have 70 to 80 percent of their surface area used as the flow passages.

Abstract: A damper system for three bed thermal regenerative oxidizers is disclosed, which employs two blades pivotally mounted in a body having two chambers separated by a septum. The first chamber receives an inlet gas through a first aperture and has a second aperture providing a flow path to a first regenerator bed. The second chamber incorporates a third aperture communicating with a second regenerator and a fourth aperture communicating with a third regenerator. The septum intermediate the first and second chambers incorporates a fifth aperture for communication between the chambers. Positioning of the first damper blade to seal the fifth aperture allows flow from the inlet to the first regenerator bed. Repositioning of the first blade to a second position covering the second aperture allows flow from the inlet through the aperture in the septum into the second chamber and through the third aperture to the second regenerative bed.

Abstract: Particulate carbon is reactivated by heating it for an effective reactivation time at a reactivation temperature in a stationary vertical annular heating zone of an unlined metal kiln.

Abstract: An apparatus having an incineration chamber and at least one burner for oxidizing fumes is provided. First and second regenerators are in fluid communication with the incineration chamber, as is a bypass which introduces unburnt fumes to the incineration chamber without passing them through either of the regenerators. While the fumes are in the bypass, a purging device, including a purge fan and accompanying conduits and valves, introduces a purge gas to either one of the regenerators to force unburnt fumes therefrom. The purged fumes and the purge gas are mixed with the incoming fumes from the bypass in an annular plenum downstream of the purged regenerator before they are introduced to the incineration chamber for oxidation. The flow of incoming fumes to the system may be continuous, even during purging, and the purge fan may also be continuously operated.

Abstract: A plant having a combustion chamber can employ at least one heat pipe. The heat pipe is mounted to exchange heat between flue gas in a flue gas path and combustion air in a combustion air path. A protection system has a dual passage for separately conducting the flue gas and the combustion gas. The dual passage has a wall separating the flue gas path from the combustion air path. The heat pipe is mounted through the wall. A sensor is mounted about the heat pipe for providing a temperature signal signifying the temperature at the heat pipe. A damper is coupled to the sensor and communicates with the dual passage for mixing relatively cooler air with the flue gas in the dual passage, upstream of the heat pipe, in response to the temperature signal violating a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A linear combustion emitter regenerator process capable of operating at high temperatures for sustained periods of time, that includes flowing reactants including fuel and air to a combustion zone; adding regenerated heat to at least one of the reactants flowing to the zone; combusting the reactants at the zone to produce combustion products at high temperature, to heat radiant emitter; operating the emitter to radiate energy from the zone passing selective wavelengths of said radiated energy spectrum through an optical filter and converting the radiation from the emitter into photovoltaic-produced electricity; mounting optical filter on water-cooled window to act as a heat shield to protect photovoltaic cells from overheating; reflecting back to the emitter portions of the spectral emission not able to activate the photovoltaic cells; extracting heat absorbed by liquid-cooled window by means of a heat exchanger to transfer heat to incoming combustion air; extracting heat from the combustion products for retu

Abstract: A method of operating an industrial furnace, the steps that include providing a process heating zone containing heat exchange tubing for flowing process fluid through the zone; providing first and second fuel combustion zones, and first and second heat regeneration zones; during a first time interval flowing a first stream of air through the first regeneration zone to be preheated therein, flowing the preheated air stream to the first combustion zone to support combustion of fuel therein producing a flame and hot combustion gases, transferring heat from the flame and the hot gases to the heat exchange tubing in the process heating zone, and then flowing the hot gases to the second heat regeneration zone for extracting heat from the gases at the second regeneration zone; and during a second time interval flowing a second stream of air through the second regeneration zone to be preheated therein, flowing the second preheated air stream to the second combustion zone to support combustion of fuel therein producin

Abstract: An air heating apparatus for air that is to be supplied to a blast furnace. The apparatus includes a number of separate air heater devices connected together in series flow relation so that the total temperature increase is the sum of the heating actions produced in the individual devices. Each device includes a tube-shell heat exchanger and a plurality of burner units oriented around the shell to direct flames against outer surfaces of the tubes.