Abstract: Flame stability of a burner that is operated with a mixture of oxygen and flue gas as the oxidant, is enhanced by including a second burner that combusts fuel with oxidant having a high O2 content.

Abstract: The method according to the invention for operating a PFR lime kiln having at least two shafts, which each have a preheating zone, a combustion zone and a cooling zone, and an overflow channel which connects the two shafts, substantially comprises the following method steps: the two shafts are operated alternately as a combustion shaft and exhaust gas shaft, combustion air and fuel are supplied to the combustion shaft, a corresponding flame length being formed, and the hot gases which are produced in the combustion shaft reach the exhaust gas shaft via the overflow channel, at least one parameter of the hot gases which is characteristic of the formation of the flame length being established by means of direct or indirect measurement in the region of the overflow channel and the ratio of fuel to combustion air being adjusted in accordance with this parameter in order to adjust a predetermined flame length.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of operating a regenerative burner in cycles, including a firing cycle in which fuel and combustion air are discharged from the burner into a process chamber, and a nonfiring cycle in which a quantity of gas is withdrawn from the process chamber through a regenerative bed associated with the burner. The method further includes steps of detecting and responding to a temperature that differs from a predetermined temperature at a location in the process chamber. In a first step of responding to the detected temperature, a flue damper system is operated to vary a flow of gas within the process chamber relative to the location of the detected temperature. A second step of responding to the detected temperature reduces the quantity of gas to be withdrawn from the process chamber through the regenerative bed in a subsequent nonfiring cycle.

Abstract: Burner device (2) for an industrial furnace (1) comprising a channel (3) for fuel, a channel (4) for a first oxidant, an outlet (9) for flue gases, a control device (10) and a heat buffer (7), where the first oxidant and the flue gases alternatingly are led through the heat buffer (7). The invention is characterized in that a separate lancing device (6) is arranged to supply a second oxidant to the burner device (2).

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: Alternating regenerative furnace and process of operating an alternating regenerative furnace, in which during the transition phase in which the respective regenerators switch between heat-recovery mode and pre-heating mode and vice-versa, the regenerator or regenerators which before the transition phase were in heat-recovery mode inject a mixture of flue gas and oxygen-containing gas into the combustion chamber of the furnace, which mixture combusts with fuel injected into the combustion chamber to produce heat.

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: The present invention provides a regenerative thermal oxidizer which burns and eliminates harmful process gases generated in industrial sites. The present invention provides the regenerative thermal oxidizer in which different parts of the rotor are used as inlet and outlet process gas flow paths to increase the ability to process the process gases. According to the present invention, the ability to process the process gases is enhanced in spite of the rotor being similar in size to typical rotors and, as well as, the structure of the rotor and adjacent components is simplified.

Abstract: Method of controlling a reheat furnace (1) for reheating iron and steel products, for example slabs, blooms, ingots or billets, making it possible for the product to be reheated to be brought to the desired temperature for rolling, the furnace being equipped with a heat recuperator (A). The furnace is equipped mostly with regenerative-type burners which include regenerators and operate in on/off mode; the burners operate in time modulation mode; a portion of the combustion gases passes through the regenerators of the regenerative burners so as to preheat one of the fluids (either the fuel or the oxidizer) participating in the combustion; and the remainder of the combustion gases passes through the heat recuperator (A) in order to preheat the fluid (either the oxidizer or the fuel) other than that preheated in the regenerators.

Abstract: In a system for processing metal, a furnace is provided which receives the metal being processed. At least one heating burner is provided in the furnace together with at least one atmosphere burner of substantially a same construction as the heating burner. An exhaust of the atmosphere burner at least partially provides an atmosphere within the furnace for the metal processing. An exhaust of the heating burner is separate from the exhaust of the atmosphere burner. A fuel feed for the atmosphere burner and a fuel feed for the heating burner are each separately controllable.

Abstract: A steam generator in a heat regenerative engine includes a cylindrical combustion chamber that encloses a circularly wound coil of densely bundled tubes. The tube bundle is heated by two combustion nozzle assemblies, each having an air blower, a fuel atomizer, and an igniter. The igniter burns atomized fuel that exits the atomizer and is mixed with preheated air. The flames and heat from the combustion nozzle assemblies are directed in a centrifuge within the circular combustion chamber. This cyclonic circulation of combustion gases within the combustion chamber creates higher efficiency in the engine by subjecting the coil of tubes to multiple passes of heat, thereby promoting greater heat saturation relative to the amount of fuel expended. The relatively small diameter and large surface area of the tubes in the bundle allows the water and steam in the tubes to be heated to higher temperatures and pressures within a compact space, providing a highly efficient steam generator.

Abstract: Device for pollution control where a polluted stream of air or gas is purified from both oxidisable material and nitrogen oxides simultaneously by a combination of regenerative high temperature treatment and catalytic treatment.

Abstract: A control system for a regenerative thermal oxidizer in which contaminated air is first passed through a hot heat-exchange bed and into a communicating high temperature oxidation (combustion) chamber, and then through a relatively cool second heat exchange bed. The apparatus includes a number of internally insulated, ceramic filled heat recovery columns topped by an internally insulated combustion chamber. Contaminated air is directed into heat exchange media in one of said columns, and oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber. From the combustion chamber, the now clean air flows through another column containing heat exchange media, thereby storing heat in the media for use in a subsequent inlet cycle when the flow control valves reverse. The resulting clean air is directed via an outlet valve through an outlet manifold and released to atmosphere or is recirculated back to the oxidizer inlet.

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: A method and apparatus for on-line wash-down of a heat sink media bed in a regenerative heat exchanger of a regenerative fume incinerator is disclosed. When a heat sink media bed requires cleaning, the selected regenerative heat exchanger is cooled while the remaining regenerative heat exchangers are operated in their normal mode of operation. When the selected media bed reaches a temperature which is less than the thermal-shock temperature of the media material, a cleaning fluid is sprayed on the media surfaces through spray-pipes which are installed within the media bed. After the media surfaces are washed down, the selected regenerative heat-exchanger is reverted back to its normal mode of operation. The regenerative heat exchanger can also be automatically burnt-out of deposited gasifiable matter prior to the wash-down. Random or sequential burn-out and wash-down of the regenerative heat-exchangers can be performed.

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: In order to regenerate the heat exchanger material located in the various segments of a housing section (2) of a regenerative post-combustion device (1), fresh air is fed via the flushing air connection (11) into the combustion chamber (8) of this post-combustion device (1), is heated there by a burner (9), and is fed to the rotary distributor (5) via a segment of the heat exchanger material. Heated air which, when passing through the heat exchanger material has picked up contaminants deposited thereon is fed to the inlet or outlet connection (4, 10) of the post-combustion device (1) via the rotary distributor (5) and, from there, is introduced once again into the combustion chamber (8). The rotary distributor (5) of the thermal post-combustion device (1) stops during this process which is continued until the heat exchanger material is heated to a temperature at which the contaminants absorbed by the heat exchanger material are released and combusted in the combustion chamber (8).

Abstract: A steam/hydrocarbon reformer employing a convection-heated pre-reformer is disclosed. The pre-reformer comprises catalyst-filled tubes disposed in the transition section between the radiant and convection sections. The pre-reformer tubes are transverse to the flow of flue gas from the radiant section. The pre-reformer achieves 10-20% of the total reforming load, and can be installed as a module or modules between the radiant and convection sections without increasing the size of the reformer.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating supply of gaseous fluid 1 heats a relatively low temperature gaseous fluid and feeds a heated supply flow to a high temperature gaseous fluid introduction equipment. The heating apparatus has heat exchangers 11, 12 provided with fluid passages through which the low temperature fluid flow passes, a splitting area 15 for dividing a heated supply flow H of gaseous fluid, which is heated by the heat exchanger, into first and second heated gaseous streams H1, H2, and combustion areas 13, 14 in which a combustion reaction of combustible matter takes place in the existence of the first heated gaseous stream. The heated supply flow or the first stream is introduced into the combustion area and the combustible matter is fed thereto, and the combustion area causes the combustion reaction of combustible matter in the existence of the heated supply flow or the first stream. Hot gas produced by the combustion reaction is exhausted through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A burner that utilizes venturi action for induction of combustion air. The action of the venturi draws in surrounding air present around the nozzle to supply the necessary combustion air, provide forward moment to the burning gases to distribute their heat, and control the location of the heat release. The burner can thus be used to accomplish fuel gas injection directly into the combustion chamber of an oxidizer, and does not require a separate gas train or suffer from the other various drawbacks typical of conventional fuel gas injection systems. A stable flame is generated, and efficient heat-up accomplished. No extra combustion air is necessary.

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: The present invention relates to regenerative thermal or catalytic oxidizers and methods of operation thereof for oxidizing combustible components of feed gas mixtures. In accordance with the disclosed invention, operation of the heater used to supply supplemental heat to regenerative heat transfer oxidizers is controlled such that the input load to the heater is varied between a maximum input load and a nominal input load in response to a measured control temperature. The present invention provides improved temperature uniformity across the system for more efficient operation.

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 regenerative furnace without flue gas circulation to the regenerator beds is heated by combusting synthesis gas with an oxidant. The synthesis gas is produced from steam and methane in a first regenerator bed, heated in the previous cycle while a second regenerator bed, cooled in the previous cycle, is heated by passing through it a hot flue gas from a source other than the furnace. Once the first regenerator bed is cooled through the endothermic chemical reaction of the steam and methane, it is heated by hot flue gas, while steam and methane are reacted in the second, now hot, bed thereby cooling it.

Abstract: A method and assembly is provided for modifying a regenerative or a recuperative furnace system having air-fuel burners for use with synthetic air. A portion of the exhaust gases from the furnace is recycled and mixed with oxygen gas to form synthetic air. The synthetic air is then used to support combustion in the furnace. A cassette regenerative oxy-fuel cross-fired furnace system is also provided. The cassette regenerative furnace system utilizes synthetic air containing a mixture of recycled exhaust gases and oxygen in combination with cassette regenerators.

Abstract: A valving system for diverting fluids from one location to another. The valving system includes a valve housing and two or more dampers. The dampers are rotatably coupled to one or more shafts and are designed to move in a synchronized manner such that when opens and closes prior to the other damper or dampers doing so. The valving system of the present invention is particularly useful in the field of regenerative incineration where it is necessary to rapidly change the movement of a hazardous fluid from one regeneration bed to another. However, it may be used in any environment in which switching of the fluid flow over relatively short time periods is desired. The valving system diverts the fluid in a switchable manner that minimizes energy usage without diverting raw fluid directly to an output. A sealing system is located at the ends of the dampers.

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 honeycomb regenerator for receiving a waste heat in an exhaust gas by passing an exhaust gas and a gas to be heated alternately therethrough, which is constructed by stacking a plurality of honeycomb structural bodies, is disclosed. In the honeycomb regenerator according to the invention, cell open rates of the honeycomb structural bodies positioned at an inlet portion of the exhaust gas and at an inlet portion of the gas to be heated are larger than those of the honeycomb structural bodies positioned at a center portion.

Abstract: A two chamber regenerative thermal oxidizer has a pair of poppet valves actuated by an eccentric mechanical drive assembly having a single drive shaft. Gas flow through the RTO is reversed by the simultaneous opening and closing of the poppet valves. Deceleration of the valve discs is controlled using a variable speed motor to reduce valve damage. In another configuration, the mechanical eccentric drive controls two sets of butterfly valves in an RTO.

Abstract: With respect to a radiant tube burner to be used for heating a heating furnace or the like, to suppress the generation of NOx accompanying combustion, to make the structure thereof fit for a radiant tube burner equipment, to simplify the control of a fuel supply system and an air supply system, and to prevent the coking. Furthermore, to provide a combustion control scheme appropriate to a radiant tube burner. For these purposes, the present invention placed the respective tips of a fuel nozzle, e.g., pilot burner joint-use nozzle (11), and an air throat (13) in the end of a radiant tube (3) and moreover has a combustion air injection port (33) of the air throat (13) provided to be deviated in contact with or near to the inner circumferential wall surface of the radiant tube (3). In addition, a control device (307) for making a burner burn alternately.

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: According to the present invention, gas which contains no impurities and has a high temperature of approximately 700 to 1400.degree. C. can be supplied for a long period with a short preparation time, and fluctuation in the temperature during supply can be reduced.

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: The present invention relates to a low nitrogen oxygen regenerative burner, a regenerative burner system and a regenerative burning method. The low nitrogen oxide regenerative burner is comprised of one or more pairs of regenerators having a regenerating section inside and air supply and exhaust ports which open directly opened into a furnace; and one or more fuel injection nozzles for each of the air supply and exhaust ports, which also open directly into the furnace at locations apart from the corresponding air supply and exhaust port. The regenerative burner system consists of a furnace body, the low nitrogen oxide regenerative burner and a control means. The regenerative burning method is the process whereby air is preheated in the regenerator, injected from the air supply and exhaust ports of the regenerators into the furnace, fuel from the fuel injection nozzles located apart from the air supply and exhaust ports, is injected.

Abstract: A continuous system and method for purging waste gases from dual heat exchange beds associated with a regenerative thermal oxidizer are disclosed. The system includes a purge recovery tank, a stack open to the atmosphere, a stack bypass, a stack valve in the stack, and a stack bypass valve in the stack bypass. The purge recovery tank is in fluid communication with two heat exchange beds, the stack, and the stack bypass. The stack is in fluid communication with the stack bypass and the heat exchange beds. A purge recycle control valve is used to recycle untreated waste gases from the purge recovery tank to the heat exchange beds and into the regenerative thermal oxidizer. A second embodiment wherein the purge recovery tank is positioned between the two heat exchange beds is also disclosed.

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: A boiler is provided with a radiation heat transfer section in its combustion chamber, which has therein, at least one regenerative-heating burner system including a pair of burners each with a regenerative bed. The burners receive combustion air and exhaust combustion gas which passes through the regenerative beds. Combustion is alternately effected in one of the burners and combustion gas is passed into the other burner, and exhausted through the corresponding regenerative bed of this other burner. Surplus thermal energy which is not completely consumed in the radiation heat transfer section is recovered in the regenerative bed. Combustion air than passes through the heated regenerative bed to heat the air. The boiler temperature is kept flat across the boiler. That is, the temperature is kept almost constant across the combustion chamber. This is done by maintaining a high rate of forced supply of more than 60 m/s for the combustion air.

Abstract: A method of quick purging beds of a regenerative fume incinerator which is practically applicable for use in 2, 3 and 4 bed incinerators. For a very short purge period near the end of an operating time cycle, the bed being switched from receiving impure gases to discharge of clean gas is purged of impure gases by being supplied with clean gas discharged by the incinerator. The quick purging takes less than 4% of the cycle time and thus inflow of impure gases is stopped for a very brief period when this quick purge method is used in a 2 bed incinerator. When using this quick purge method in a three or four bed regenerative fume incinerator there is always at least one bed receiving impure gases. This quick purge method improves the quality of the discharged clean gas without significant loss of thermal efficiency and without significant reduction in operating capacity.

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 regenerative heat exchange system performs heat exchange by alternately passing combustion exhaust gas as high-temperature fluid and combustion air as low-temperature fluid through a fixed regenerator. A regenerative burner carries out combustion using preheated air from the exchange system. The regenerative heat system comprises: a permeable regenerator partitioned into three or more chambers in the circumferential direction; a double-pipe outlet/inlet partitioned into a supply chamber and an exhaust chamber; and changeover member which isolates the regenerator from the outlet/inlet and by which the regenerator selectively communicates with the outlet/inlet by a supply communicating hole and an exhaust communicating hole which are provided with such a positional relation that the supply communicating hole and the exhaust communicating hole do not simultaneously lie in any of the partitioned chambers.

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: 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: 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 for processing an air stream using a thermal oxidizer, by pre-heating the air stream, without the use of auxiliar heat, and substantially eliminating the condensation of organic or inorganic compounds within the air stream to be treated.

Abstract: A mixing method insures adequate mixing of gases in a glass furnace that employs a reburning process. Because of the mixing method, a novel glass furnace can be constructed that strikes an optimum balance between a reduction in nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x) emissions and the cost of the reburn process, particularly, the number of requisite reburn and overfire air jets as well as reburn fuel. The glass furnace is constructed as follows. A combustion housing defines a primary zone for receiving combustible fuel, a reburn zone connected to the primary zone for receiving exhaust from the primary zone and reburn fuel to generate a first gas mixture. A burnout zone is connected to the reburn zone and receives the first gas mixture and overfire air to generate a second gas mixture.

Abstract: A gaseous flow reversing system is disclosed for use with a regenerative furnace. The reversing system includes a combustion air inlet unit for receiving combustion air, and a valve unit. The valve unit is slidable between first and second positions with respect to the combustion air inlet unit for alternately directing the flow of combustion air from between the combustion air inlet unit and a first regenerator port when the valve unit is in the first position, and from between the combustion air inlet unit and a second regenerator port when the valve unit is in the second position. The valve unit includes valve flow distribution channels for distributing the flow of the combustion air into at least one of the regenerator ports from among a plurality of locations extending along the valve unit.