Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a process and an apparatus for recovering energy from the low energy density waste gas stream. The process and the apparatus allow a thermal oxidizer to oxidize the low energy density waste gas stream using a low energy density fuel gas such as syngas, BF gas, or biogas without the need for auxiliary high energy density sources.

Abstract: The invention discloses an opposed-injection aluminum melting furnace uniform combustion system which comprises: a furnace body, a first heat storage unit, a second heat storage unit, and four fuel injection guns disposed diagonally on two end walls of the furnace body comprising a first fuel injection gun located on the first end wall of the furnace body adjacent to the second heat storage unit, a second fuel injection gun located on the second end wall of the furnace body adjacent to the first heat storage unit, a third fuel injection gun on the second end wall of the furnace body adjacent to the second heat storage unit, and a fourth fuel injection gun located on the first end wall of the furnace body adjacent to the first heat storage unit, the gas injection direction of the first fuel injection gun is parallel with that of the second fuel injection gun with a spacing H between the axes thereof, the gas injection direction of the third fuel injection gun is parallel with that of the fourth fuel injection

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the controlled operation of an industrial oven which is heated in a regenerative manner and which comprises an oven chamber, in particular a melting tank, in particular for glass, having the following steps: injecting fuel into the oven chamber via at least one fuel injector, which is designed to inject fuel, practically without combustion air in particular, conducting combustion air to the oven chamber in a first period duration and conducting exhaust gas (AG) out of the oven chamber in a second period duration separately from the fuel in a periodically alternating manner by means of a left regenerator and right regenerator which are associated with the at least one fuel injector and which are designed to regeneratively store heat from the exhaust gas and transmit heat to the combustion air. A supply of the combustion air is automatically controlled by means of a control loop.

Abstract: An apparatus and a corresponding method for heating plastic bits, including a heating zone in which introduced plastic bits can be heated, and a heating device which is suited to conduct heat into the heating zone, the apparatus further including filling bodies which can be introduced into the heating zone and are suited to give off absorbed heat to the plastic bits in the heating zone.

Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.

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: The invention relates mixer/flow distributors and their use, e.g., in regenerative reactors. The invention encompasses a process and apparatus for controlling oxidation, e.g., for thermally regenerating a reactor, such as a regenerative, reverse-flow reactor.

Abstract: Equipment and a method for preheating a continuously moving steel strip, in particular before feeding the same into a continuous annealing or hot-dip galvanizing furnace, involves the continuous movement of the steel strip in a preheating chamber including a preheating circuit having at least one preheating tube, the inner surface of which is in contact with externally-recovered burnt gases (e.g. from the furnace). A portion of the outer surface of the preheating tube is disposed directly opposite a surface of the strip in order to provide a first preheating mode by irradiating heat onto the strip and the walls of the chamber, and a second preheating mode, mainly by convection, of a gas constituting a controlled atmosphere in the preheating chamber.

Abstract: Support assembly for supporting heat regeneration checker work in a hot blast stove for a blast furnace. The assembly includes a supporting grid for supporting the checker work, and supporting columns for supporting the supporting grid. The assembly includes a cast iron material. The cast iron material includes a ferritic matrix and a dispersion of graphite particles wherein the shape of the graphite particles is substantially vermicular or nodular.

Abstract: There is provided a heat treatment unit which uses a multi-layered heat treatment furnace (1) comprising a layer of fluidized bed (2) composed of particles and another layer of atmosphere layer (3) composed of gases, the former being excellent in thermal efficiency and uniformity of heat distribution and the latter being positioned in the free board section over the fluidized bed (2), in which these layers operate at temperature levels different from each other, and the work piece is heat-treated by being partly immersed in the fluidized bed (2) having a given temperature with the other part being exposed in the atmosphere layer (3) also operating at a given temperature, according to desired mechanical properties of the work piece at each position. This heat treatment unit is improved from the conventional one in that it can give desired mechanical properties which are required by each part of metallic work requires without increasing the investment cost.

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 of using nuclear waste material and exploiting heat generated by radioactive decay of said radioactive waste, comprising the steps of incorporating solid nuclear waste into glass, ceramic, or cementitious blocks, covering the blocks in heat absorbing sealed containers, placing the sealed containers in a columnar arrangement in a gas tight containment room, circulating a heat exchange gas around said containers, passing the heated gas through a sealed heat exchanger, and using the heated water for useful work.

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: A thermal method for continuously processing waste having a calorific value and any degree of moisture, wherein waste is put in a flow of hot, heat-resistant, heat-exchanging material which is warmer than 100.degree. C. The heat exchanging material cools due to heat exchange, the waste dries and the non-evaporated waste components are heated. The cooled, heat-exchanging material is subsequently separated from the dried waste materials and the separated dried waste material is mixed with a percentage of the separated heat-exchanging material. The dried waste material and heat-exchanging material mixture is subsequently heated to pyrolyze waste material and heat the heat exchanging material in preparation for its subsequently use in the continuous process.

Abstract: Heated surrogate medium is placed in heat transfer relation with high moisture content waste material where water is evaporated to steam. By agitating the mixture of waste material and heated surrogate medium, particulate matter from the waste material is entrained in the steam. A separator separates the steam and dried waste material and supplies the dried waste material to a burner for heating the surrogate medium. The separated steam flows to a stack or to the surrogate medium and oversized waste material discharged through an outlet of the drying zone for flowing additional particulate material from the waste material flowing through the discharge outlet back into the drying zone. The discharged surrogate medium and the oversized waste material are separated and the separated surrogate medium is recycled into the heating zone.

Abstract: The presence of the oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust gas leaving a regenerator is limited by injecting water or water vapour into the regenerator 1 during its firing phase and causing the water or water vapour to reach the combustion chamber 26 of the regenerator 1 by way its heat storage bed 11 which has been preheated during a previous heat collecting phase.

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: Nitrous oxide emissions are reduced in an industrial thermal process and system which operates a gas fired burner at substantially sub-stoichiometric conditions to produce products of combustion rich in combustibles and control flame temperatures at temperatures which do not exceed predetermined levels. Completion air at stoichiometric proportions is subsequently employed to burn the combustibles. Regenerative and recuperative means to cool gases after each partial combustion step are used to extract heat and use is in conventional heating processes. A novel regenerative heat exchange system is used to extract heat from the gases so that the gases never exceed a temperature whereat nitrous oxide formation tends to occur.

Abstract: The method is to determine a leak in a breast wall of a regenerative heat recuperator having a combustion chamber and a heat storage chamber containing a heat storage medium adjacent to the combustion chamber and separated therefrom by a breast wall. The combustion chamber has inlet means for fuel and air and the heat storage chamber has outlet means for the flue gases which pass into it from the combustion chamber. To achieve a simple and accurate determination, the method comprises the steps of (i) while passing gas through the recuperator, introducing to the inlet means a marker gas which undergoes an irreversible change at a temperature prevailing in the recuperator, and (ii) detecting the presence of the marker gas in the gases passing out of the outlet means.

Abstract: The presence of the oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust gas leaving a regenerator is limited by injecting water or water vapor into the regenerator 1 during its firing phase and causing the water or water vapor to reach the combustion chamber 26 of the regenerator 1 by way its heat storage bed 11 which has been preheated during a previous heat collecting phase.

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 method and apparatus for repressing NOx formation in twinned regenerative burner pairs includes inducing a stream of hot flue gas, preferably containing enriched products of combustion, from the main hot flue gas exhaust stream and vitiating the preheated combustion air with the hot flue gas in the firing burner. An interconnecting duct communicating with the twinned burner pair includes a coaxial gas nozzle for injecting a high kinetic energy gas stream into the exhausting hot flue gas to induce a portion of the hot flue gas into the interconnecting duct to pass the hot flue gas to the firing burner for vitiation purposes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for pre-heating waste metal for furnaces, fuel gases generated in a furnace (1) being supplied simultaneously or sequentially to two pre-heating places (3, 4) with waste metal containers (14), said flue gases being made to flow through a combustion chamber (19) provided with a burner (20) before being supplied to the pre-heating places (3, 4), said burner (20) producing a variable amount of hot gases for admixture with the flue gases from the furnace (1) and superheating thereof. After flowing through the waste metal containers (14) burnt flue gases are supplied to a gas cleaning plant (5) for flue gases and unburnt flue gases to the combustion chamber (19) for further combustion, after which the flue gases now burnt are supplied to said gas cleaning plant (5).

Abstract: A regenerator for a regenerative heating system comprises a chamber 2 for storing a heat storage bed in the form of discrete particles 45, a closable inlet 16 for introducing fresh particles into the chamber 2 to replace contaminated particles and a closable outlet 18 for removing the contaminated particles from the chamber 2 so that the fresh particles may be introduced.

Abstract: A heat recovery and storage system for use in connection with a melting furnace. In such system, heat from the exhaust gas of a melting furnace is recovered and used to preheat scrap metal and to maintain such preheated scrap metal in its preheated form until it is charged into the melting furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing the vapor includes at least one chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and at least one chamber in which the vapor is condensed. The apparatus has a conveyor inlet channel preferably at one end of the vaporizing chamber, and a conveyor outlet channel preferably at the opposite end of the vaporizing chamber. A conveyor for moving items to be treated through the apparatus extends through the conveyor inlet channel into the vaporizing chamber and out of the vaporizing chamber through the conveyor outlet channel. The apparatus includes a heat emitting device in the vaporizing chamber providing a surface temperature above the vaporizing temperature for substantially instantaneously vaporizing the liquid condensate maintaining a predetermined vapor level in the vaporizing chamber, and a cooling device in the condensate chamber for condensing the vapor.

Abstract: A method of removing coatings from scrap glass is disclosed. The scrap glass is milled in the presence of particulate batch, preheated and fed to a glass melting furnace. The particulate batch aids in the milling of the scrap glass. The process removes the coatings from the scrap during preheating and provides clean material for melting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous firing of green ceramic articles, such as capacitors. In accordance with the invention a mixture of articles to be fired and heat resistant particulate matter in selected proportions is caused to descend a heated tube defining a furnace. Articles and particulate material such as sand are continuously introduced at the upper end of the furnace and removed at the lower end, after a predetermined dwell time within the furnace to effect firing. Removal is effected by progressively advancing a conveyer which is in partial blocking condition of the lower end of the furnace across the lower end of said furnace whereby the mixture of sand and fired ceramic articles is removed at a selected rate which is a function of the speed of the conveyer, whereby the dwell time in the furnace is closely controlled.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for preheating scrap before charging in an electric furnace and for preventing the release of malodorous or noxious gas. The system includes a first duct leading from the furnace exhaust gas outlet to a chimney; a branching duct is connected in the first line for passing part of the gas to the chimney and for diverting the remainder of the gas to a scrap preheater. After preheating the scrap, the diverted gas is recirculated back to the first line at a junction which is adjacent the furnace outlet. The system further includes gas combustion means connected in the first line between the junction and the branching duct, and a heat equalizer-accumulator in the first line between the combustion means and the chimney. The system may further include a heat exchanger connected in the first line downstream of the branching duct and a second line for passing the diverted gas through the heat exchanger after it leaves the scrap preheater.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating materials such as metal rods whereby hot combustion gases are blown against the material and allowed to pass through a gas-permeable partition located inside the heating apparatus so that the partition is heated to radiate a great amount of heat into the apparatus, further increasing the temperature of atmosphere in the apparatus heated by the hot combustion gases so as to accelerate the heating of the material. After the combustion gases have thus passed through the partition, heat is further transferred from the gases to a recuperator means located inside the apparatus so that the gases are then allowed to discharge into a flue under lowered temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preheating particulate glass batch comprises a rotatable drum for mixing the batch with particulate heat transfer media in a heat transfer relationship where the batch is separated from the media in a media exit vestibule having a screen through which the batch passes and having compartments mounted for rotation about the axis of the drum for lifting the separated batch to the batch inlet conduit where it is directed back into the drum.

Abstract: A process for heat treatment of a metal workpiece, such as a casting (steel, aluminum based alloy or white cast iron). The casting is heated in a fluidized particulate bed (sand) to a relatively constant first temperature. Then, the casting is held (e.g., 3 hours) tightly packed against shape changes in the unfluidized bed until internal structural changes have occurred. Next, the casting is cooled in a fluidized particulate bed (sand) to a relatively constant second temperature. Then, the casting is held (e.g., 3 hours) tightly packed in the unfluidized bed until the desired internal structural changes are completed. The casting is removed from the bed for utilization as a heat treated product.

Abstract: A method for preheating steel scrap by an exhaust gas from a steelmaking electric furnace, which comprises: directing, when manufacturing steel from steel scrap in an electric furnace, an exhaust gas produced in said electric furnace to an exhaust gas combustion chamber provided in the middle of a discharge duct of said exhaust gas to cause combustion of carbon monoxide contained in said exhaust gas to form a combustion exhaust gas; and selectively directing part of said combustion exhaust gas into at least one scrap preheating chamber provided in the middle of a branch duct branching off from said discharge duct to preheat steel scrap charged in said scrap preheating chamber to a prescribed temperature; said method being characterized by: feeding back all of said combustion exhaust gas after preheating said steel scrap charged in said scrap preheating chamber to said exhaust gas combustion chamber to cause combustion of an incomplete-combustion gas which is produced by the incomplete combustion of combustibl

Abstract: A burner tip for passing fuel into a glass melting chamber having a fuel passageway and discrete cooling fluid passageways therein for cooling and shielding the burner tip from attack by a hostile gaseous chamber environment. A ceramic collar member is provided for minimizing inspirated air and cooling fluid may be passed through the burner tip during both the firing cycle and off-firing cycle. The burner tip is provided with small diameter cooling fluid passageways to establish a low volume, high velocity flow of cooling fluid sufficient to shield the burner tip from sting-out attack.

Abstract: A system for recovering heat from combustion flue gas, which transfers heat from the flue gas into combustion-supporting air, which is then used to burn a fuel in a combustion zone in a furnace or the like, so that useful heat is generated and a hot combustion flue gas is formed. Two heat sinks are provided, each for alternate absorption of heat from the hot flue gas, and desorption of heat into ambient combustion air so that the air is preheated. A reversible fan or blower is associated with each sink. The hot flue gas is passed successively through one heat sink and fan to atmospheric discharge for a finite time interval, while concomitantly passing cold and usually ambient combustion air successively through the other fan and heat sink so that the air is heated and a preheated combustion air stream is formed, which is subsequently passed to the combustion zone. After the finite time interval, the reversible fans are reversed for another finite time interval usually equal to the first time interval.

Abstract: A system of air pollution control and heat recovery is provided for an arrangement of industrial ovens, especially for drum manufacture.A plurality of paint bake ovens of various capacities, lengths and heat input are provided for multi-stage processing in the manufacture of drums and lids therefor. A supply of high temperature water is provided for multi-stage cleaning and rinsing in the manufacturing operation.The combined exhaust from all of the ovens at 25% LEL is preheated in a heat exchanger and then all of the combustible components are burnt off by passing through the flames of an incinerator grid burner. The effluent from the burner first passes through the heat exchanger to preheat said oven exhaust gases and then through hot water coils to provide all of the necessary hot water for the system. High pressure hot water (275.degree.) is provided in this heat exchange operation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating materials, such as solid, particulate material, wherein the particulate material is introduced into a heat transfer medium, the density of such medium being different from that of the particulate material and the temperature of such medium being higher than that of the particulate material when so introduced. The particulate material, the individual particles of which are preferably introduced separately, travels through the medium and becomes heated thereby to a generally flowable state. The flowable particles of the particulate material thereupon leave the fluid and coalesce to form a flowable mass thereof external to the heat transfer medium.

Abstract: The operation of a battery of coke ovens with regenerative change of draught on heating flues includes adjustably controlling the combustion of gases in the heating flues to insure uniform vertical heating of the coking coal in the coke oven chambers. Control elements for the operation of discrete heating flues in each heating wall are adjusted to insure uniform heating of the coking coal along the length of the heating walls. A gas supply rate is selected for the delivery of gas into the heating flues to define a carbonizing time corresponding to a high output capacity of coke from the coke oven battery. The heat consumption by the coking coal in the coke oven chambers is reduced during each regenerative half period by interruptions to the supply of gas at the gas supply rate without modifying or adjusting the control elements employed to insure uniform heat distribution in the heating flues.

Abstract: In a regenerative furnace of the type used for melting glass, localized overheating of the regenerator packing is minimized, heating of the regenerator packing is made more uniform, and regenerator efficiency is improved by employing a movable baffle in the space beneath the regenerator packing and/or by a baffle in the plenum above the packing.

Abstract: This invention provides a furnace system for and method of melting metal charges which utilizes hot gases generated by a burner, and are ordinarily discharged from the furnace as waste, for the dual purpose of preheating metal to be subsequently melted and preheating combustion air which is used to provide more efficient operation of the furnace burner.

Abstract: A heat transfer liquid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure at least equal to the temperature at which a soldering, fusing or brazing operation is to be performed, is floated on a pool of a liquifiable metal having a density greater than, a melting point below, and a heat of vaporization above, that of the liquid. The metal is heated to a temperature between its melting and boiling points, and at least to the boiling point of the liquid, to continuously boil the liquid to establish a body of hot, saturated vapor having a density greater than that of air at atmospheric pressure. An article on which the soldering, fusing or brazing operation is to be performed is extended into the body of vapor to condense the vapor thereon. The latent heat of vaporization of the condensing vapor heats the article to the temperature for the operation, and the article is then withdrawn from the vapor for cooling.