Abstract: A process chamber system adapted for both vacuum process steps and steps at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure. The chamber door may utilize a double door seal which allows for high vacuum in the gap between the seals such that the sealing force provided by the high vacuum in the seal gap is higher than the opposing forces due to the pressure inside the chamber and the weight of the components.

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air are discharged from the burner into a process chamber, and a nonfiring cycle in which a quantity of gas is withdrawn from the process chamber through a regenerative bed associated with the burner.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 A second step of responding to the detected temperature reduces the quantity of gas to be withdrawn from the process chamber through the regenerative bed in a subsequent nonfiring cycle.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: A method for operating a regenerative heater including a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber having a burner arranged therein, the second chamber having heat storage means; the method including: a heating cycle where fuel and oxidizing gas are fed to the burner of the first chamber and allowed to burn and where hot flue gasses are led through the second chamber to heat the heat storage means; and a blowing cycle where a process gas is fed through the second chamber to pick up heat from the heat storage means where the heating cycle includes the following steps: feeding a first stream of fuel to the burner of the regenerative heater; feeding a second stream of fuel to a pre-combustion chamber; feeding oxygen to the pre-combustion chamber; allowing the second stream of fuel and the oxygen to interact so as to form oxidizing gas; feeding the oxidizing gas to the burner of the regenerative heater, where, at the end of the heating cycle, the supply of oxygen to the pre-combustion chamber is disco

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 flow of air is provided from a hot air main into a combustion chamber at a time when a burner is firing into the combustion chamber to heat a bed of regenerative media. The flow of air into the combustion chamber helps to keep products of combustion from flowing into the hot air main. In preferred embodiments, sensors sense pressure in the combustion chamber and the hot air main. A controller shifts a valve back and forth within a range of open conditions to regulate the flow of air in response to the sensed pressures.

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: The present invention provides a fuel feeding apparatus and method for improving the controllability of mixing process and mixing ratio of fuel and combustion air, and a combustion system and method for effecting new combustion properties. The fuel feeding apparatus of the combustion system has fuel feeding means, combustion gas extraction means, steam supply means, mixing means and fuel gas introduction means. The combustion gas extraction means extracts combustion gas of a combustion area therefrom. The mixing means mixes the fuel of fuel feeding means with at least one of combustion gas extracted from the furnace and steam of a steam generator. The fuel gas introduction means introduces a mixed fluid of combustion gas, steam and fuel to the combustion area as a fuel gas, and allows the fuel gas to be mixed with the combustion air.

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: A boiler system includes combustion air conduit for directing the flow of combustion air through a first air heater (e.g., A-side heater) to a boiler and flue gas conduit for directing the flow of flue gas generated by the boiler to a second air heater (e.g., B-side heater). The combustion air conduit is configured to direct the majority of the combustion air to the first air heater, and the flue gas conduit is configured to direct the majority of the flue gas from the boiler to the second air heater.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic power generating apparatus that heats an emitter by a combustion gas produced by fuel and air, and converts light radiated from the emitter into electric power by using photoelectric conversion elements. An air pipe is disposed in an internal hollow portion of the emitter, and a combustion gas supplier for supplying the combustion gas toward the emitter is disposed outside the emitter. The photoelectric conversion elements that receive radiated light are disposed further outside of the emitter. Therefore, residual heat of the combustion gas that has heated the emitter is utilized to heat the air needed for the combustion of fuel, and light radiated from the heated emitter is received by the photoelectric conversion elements. Thus, electric power generating efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A process and furnace for melting glass is set forth wherein the majority of the combustion energy over the melting zone of the furnace is provided by oxy-fuel combustion while a majority of the combustion energy over the fining zone of the furnace is provided by air-fuel combustion. In many cases, it will be preferable to provide greater than 70% and up to and including 100% of the combustion energy over the melting zone by oxy-fuel combustion and greater than 70% and up to and including 100% of the combustion energy over the fining zone by air-fuel combustion. By proper tailoring of the combustion space atmosphere through oxy-fuel and air-fuel firing, the present invention can result in an improvement in glass productivity and quality. The present invention can be applied in the construction of a new furnace or can be applied to existing air-fuel furnaces.

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 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 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: A thermally integrated burner/emitter/recuperator (BER) for a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) electric generator achieves improved energy efficiency using either liquid or gaseous fuels. A mixed ceramic and metallic alloy heat exchanger, together with a high temperature emitter, achieves increased energy density in a compact and lightweight assembly.

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: 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. Process air is directed into heat exchange media in one of said columns via an annular distribution system, which allows for the uniform flow of gas in the apparatus, and greatly reduces the flushing volume. Oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber, where one or more burners are located. From the combustion chamber, the air flows vertically downward 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.

Abstract: A three-bed regenerative fume incinerator system includes a single rotary fluid control valve which effects three operational cycles in a repeating sequence. A valve body has a cylindrical inner surface about a central axis. Six main conduit connection openings at 60.degree. angular intervals are organized as three regenerator connection openings and three interspersed functional connection openings. The regenerator connection openings are connected via conduits to the lower end of the three respective thermal regenerators, the upper ends of which are connected to a common combustion chamber. Respectively connected to the functional connection openings are a contaminated feed gas inlet, treated gas outlet, and a source of purge gas. A valve rotor within the body has a pair of generally parallel plates spaced apart a distance corresponding to the angular extent of the openings, and supported substantially equidistant from the central axis for rotation between three functional valve positions.

Abstract: A flow switching apparatus has a simple structure and enables a rapid flow switching operation between two systems of flow, e.g., flows in which two kinds of fluid each having a temperature different from each other flows without causing any gas leakage. The apparatus comprises: a casing 18 partitioned by partition walls 5, 6 and 7 into four chambers among which two are defined as fixing chambers 2a and 2b connected to flows of two systems in which the flow directions of fluid are fixed and the remaining two are defined as switching chambers 4c and 4d connected to two systems of flow in which the flow directions of fluid are alternately switched. Communicating holes 8ac 8bc 8ad and 8bd are formed in the partition wall 7 and communicate each of the fixing chambers 2a and 2b with the switching chambers 4c and 4d.

Abstract: A valve flushing system supplies a cleaning gas to a relatively large plenum, which in turn communicates with a restricted passage directing the flow along a face of the valve disk. In a main feature of this invention, a flushing gas flow moves through a restricted path along a face of a valve disk away from a valve disk contact area with a valve seat. In this way, the flushing gas prevents a potential leakage gas flow from approaching the valve/valve seat interface. In this way, leakage is reduced. Although the efficiency of the system may be reduced by a small amount, the resulting prevention of leakage more than justifies this potential small decrease in efficiency. The use of the relatively large plenum ensures that there will be complete and adequate coverage of the valve disk preventing any leakage across the valve disk. In an important feature of this invention, supply passages extend into the plenum along a direction which does not include a component moving in the direction of the valve disk.

Abstract: A multiple bed regenerative incinerator is cycled at regular intervals by an automatic control which causes fuel gas to be added to the impure inlet air for a first part of each cycle interval and interrupts the flow of fuel gas to the impure air inlet during a last part of each cycle interval thereby improving the purging of fuel gas from the regenerator being fed the impure air. Fuel gas flow may be adjusted by the control in response to signals from a monitor sensing the lower explosive limit of the impure air/fuel gas mixture. The control may cause the fuel gas to be delivered to a burner in a combustion chamber interconnecting the hot ends of the regenerators during the last part of each cycle interval. High dilution of fuel limits fume temperature and NOx production.

Abstract: A unique valve mechanism for opening and closing inlet, outlet, and purge valves in a regenerative incinerator is disclosed. The valves are mechanically opened and closed by a cam arrangement which insures proper timing, and optimal volume flow through the valves during each cycle. Further, a method of the present invention begins the purge mode while the inlet valve is opened, and completes it after the outlet valve has opened. This reducing the required time for each cycle of operation.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer for removing pollutants from industrial exhaust gas flows by high temperature oxidation is composed of at least two regenerative units having a modular construction and a much more compact design than previously achieved in units of comparable size. The more compact design is achieved without any sacrifice in thermal efficiency by providing a regenerative bed having one hot-face area and two cold-face areas connected by an inlet/outlet crossover duct. The bed has "w"-shaped cross-section to support and contain interlocking heat-exchange elements without the use of hot-face or cold-face area retaining members. Each unit has inlet and outlet flow dividing mechanisms, an inlet duct, and an outlet duct. The inlet duct contains the inlet flow dividing mechanism and communicates with an inlet manifold and the cold-face areas for conducting process gas to the cold-face areas during inlet mode.

Abstract: A compact regenerative incinerator for incinerating an effluent includes a single vessel with two compartments separated by a partition. Each compartment includes an opening and a combustion chamber, and these are separated by a thermal storage medium. The incinerator also has a bypass system, which includes a bypass opening in the vessel and a bypass thermal storage medium separating the opening from the combustion chambers. Valving, which includes one or more flushed control valves, directs the effluent to flow into one of the compartment openings and directs the products of incineration to flow out of the other. The valving is also adapted to direct the effluent into the bypass opening while reversing the flow direction in the incinerator.

Abstract: A unique valve mechanism for opening and closing inlet, outlet, and purge valves in a regenerative incinerator is disclosed. The valves are mechanically opened and closed by a cam arrangement which insures proper timing, and optimal volume flow through the valves during each cycle. Further, a method of the present invention begins the purge mode while the inlet valve is opened, and completes it after the outlet valve has opened. This reducing the required time for each cycle of operation.

Abstract: A method of cleaning flow structure within a regenerative fume incinerator of the type having a plurality of heat exchange chambers for directing fluid into and out of a combustion chamber. Each of the heat exchange chambers have a separate inlet and outlet line which are cyclically opened such that air to be cleaned is continuously being directed into the combustion chamber through one of the chambers, and cleaned air is continuously directed out of the combustion chamber through an alternative one of the chambers. The flow structure, valves and manifolds may become clogged with residue from the air being combusted. An alternate inlet line communicates from the source of fluid directly into the combustion chamber. That line is opened when cleaning of the flow structure is desired. At the same time flow to the normal inlet manifold is closed.

Abstract: A ceramic gas burner for a hot-blast stove has a burner crown essentially composed of a plurality of shaped bricks which define terminal portions of at least one combustion air duct and at least one gas duct of said burner for flow of respectively combustion air and gas. A simple and inexpensive structure is obtained when the bricks are of at most two principal types in respective layers. The bricks of each type are identical, but may be of a subsidiary type of which two bricks combine to form one brick of the principal type.

Abstract: A regenerative burner includes a chamber containing heat storage bodies which extract heat from hot products of combustion flowing through the burner during one part of a cycle of operation and yield up that heat to incoming air during a further part of the cycle.

Abstract: In a method for the thermal treatment of wastes (combustible, poorly combustible and incombustible), especially those which cannot be harmlessly dumped, air is preheated in a first regenerator (2) to a temperature of 800.degree. to 1200.degree. C. and fed through a first combustion chamber (7) to a melting vessel (6) into which wastes are dumped for thermal treatment. The flue gas from the melting vessel is fed through a second combustion chamber (7') to a second regenerator (2'). The two regenerators contain sections for thermal storage (3, 3'), for the adsorption (4, 4') of flue gas impurities and for the further treatment (5, 5') of the flue gas. The air and flue gas flow is reversible, i.e., air preheated in the second regenerator (2') is fed to the melting vessel (6) through the second combustion chamber (7'). The flue gas is fed through the first combustion chamber (7) to the first regenerator (2).

Abstract: A regenerative burner system comprises two burners alternately fired and each having an air and fuel supply thereto traversing separate heat exchangers. The arrangement is such that the hot gases exhausted from the furnace during firing of the one and the other burners traverse the heat exchangers associated with the other and the one burners, respectively, relinquishing heat thereto whereby both the fuel and the air supply to each burner extracts heat from its associated heat exchanger during the firing cycle of that burner. By heating both the fuel and the air input to the regenerative system, fuels of low calorific value, e.g. blast furnace gas or any gases low in or devoid of hydrocarbons may be efficiently utilized to provide a stable high temperature flame without the need for enrichment with `pilot` fuels.

Abstract: A method of combusting fuel in a furnace having a pair of regenerative burners, each burner having a combustion chamber and a regenerative bed having an exhaust means incorporated therewith introducing simultaneously into said combustion chamber of each burner approximately identical amounts of fuel and approximately identical amounts of oxidizing gases from at least two sources of oxidizing gases having different oxygen concentration to produce two approximately identical flame patterns directed toward the interior of said furnace; terminating the supply of fuel and said oxidizing gases to one of said burners to create a non-firing burner having a non-firing period while maintaining the production of a flame in the remaining burner to create a firing burner having a firing period; applying negative pressure to the exhaust end of the regenerative bed of said non-firing burner to initiate the exhausting of flue gases produced by said firing burner; alternating the introduction of fuel and at least one oxidizin

Abstract: A high efficiency, high temperature radiant heating system utilizing regeneratively coupled combustors. The combustor/regenerator units each comprise a porous body with combustion supported in one layered zone and regeneration occurring in an adjacent layered zone in a subsequent cycle. Each combustor/regenerator unit cycles between combustion and regeneration operational modes and is gas flow coupled with a similar unit operating simultaneously in a mode opposite that of the former. Heat in the combustion products produced at one combustor/regenerator unit is received at the regenerator zone of the other coupled unit and vice versa.

Abstract: A regenerative burner includes a chamber containing heat storage bodies which extract heat from hot products of combustion flowing through the burner during one part of a cycle of operation and yield up that heat to incoming air during a further part of the cycle.

Abstract: A non-ferrous metal smelting furnace including a preheating tower includes a smelting chamber, provided below the preheating tower, a combustion chamber, provided adjacent to the preheating tower, a lower portion of which communicates with the smelting chamber, the combustion chamber being provided with a burner for generating a combustion gas on its upper furnace body, and a gas diffusion mechanism, provided in the smelting chamber, and including retaining members for constituting a plurality of openings distributed between the smelting chamber and the preheating chamber in the preheating tower and for retaining a material in the preheating tower.

Abstract: A regenerative heating system comprises two heat regenerators 1 and 2 of the type which are operable so that while one is being heated by waste gas the other is heating air for the combustion of fuel. The regenerators 1 and 2 communicate with each other adjacent one end to form a chamber 11 into which fuel gas is injected by means of a fuel pipe 3. The waste gas enters its respective regenerator by way of end 8 and passes through the bed 5 of the regenerator which stores the heat. Air travelling in the opposite direction is heated in the bed 5 and entrains the fuel gas. The steps 12 provide a venturi or choke effect on the air causing the pressure in the regenerator heating air to be lower than that in the regenerator being heated by waste gas. Fuel gas is thereby drawn into the air stream for admixture therewith and ignition for combustion by means of a pilot light 14.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for incinerating combustible gases. The apparatus has first and second perpendicularly joined pipes and an igniter in the second pipe. Combustible gases laminarly flow into the second pipe and oxygen turbulently flows into the first. The gases turbulently mix, ignite and centrifugally swirl from the first pipe to the second pipe and then out the first pipe again. Fuel flow is regulated by flame, temperature and seismic detectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a negative pressure atmosphere, e.g. a regenerative furnace atmosphere during an exhaust cycle, has aspirating facilities for aspirating an atmospheric sample from the negative pressure atmosphere and moving the sample past an analyzer for content analysis thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method of recovering a portion of the waste heat produced in a high temperature industrial process, such as a glass melting furnace, where the furnace has at least a pair of regenerators which are alternately used to preheat the combustion air and serve as hot exhaust heat storage means. The hot exhaust gases from the process are passed through a heat exchanger where the heat is indirectly transferred to the clean compressed air at 100 psi from the compressor of a Brayton cycle energy recovery system with the hot compressed air being expanded in a high performance turbine. The exhaust from the turbine will be at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature between 750.degree. F. and 900.degree. F. This turbine exhaust is fed to the opposite side regenerator as clean preheated combustion air.

Abstract: A regenerative incinerator comprising at least two vertical heat exchanger chambers each having horizontal grates in an intermediate region thereof, a combustion chamber above the heat exchanger chambers connected at its bottom side to the top side of the heat exchanger chambers and an inlet duct connected into a region below the grates of each of the heat exchange chambers. A first valve resides in each of the inlet ducts and an exhaust duct is connected to another region below the grate of each heat exchanger chamber. A second valve resides in each exhaust duct and a timing means is provided having alternating first and second cycles, the first cycle of the timing means opening a portion of the valves and closing the second valves of the heat exchanger chambers having open first valves and opening a second valve of another heat exchanger chamber having a closed first valve and the second cycle of the timing means closing the first valve and opening the second valve of the heat exchanger chambers.

Abstract: The furnace system has a heating chamber wherein a rich combustion mixture is fed. The mixture has been preheated within a regenerator and the flue gas is ducted to another regenerator which is also fed with secondary air to more completely oxidize the flue gas. Part of the hot flue gas leaving the second regenerator is tapped and recirculated to the heating chamber and the remaining flue gas being fully oxidized is vented to the atmosphere. When the first mentioned regenerator becomes too cold to preheat the combustion mixture, given valves are opened and closed so that the combustion mixture first is preheated within the second regenerator, then burned, and directed to the heating chamber and the incomplete combustion flue gases are now ducted to the first mentioned regenerator to be completely oxidized as described before, and, in turn, to heat this regenerator.

Abstract: A hole through each of opposed walls of a combustion chamber of a glass melting apparatus and piping interconnect the chamber atmosphere to an oxygen analyzer. A sample of the chamber atmosphere is continuously moved through each of the holes and piping to the analyzer by the biasing action of the positive pressure differential between the chamber atmosphere and the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: Separate intake air and exhaust gas manifolds along each long checker-brick regenerator, each of which manifolds have separate adjustable sideports, valves, or gates in each branch duct that do not have to be readjusted each regeneration cycle, and which gates may be preadjusted and/or at-will adjusted from a common and even remote location.