Abstract: An energy efficient method of drying and curing insulation on wire, especially magnet wire, is disclosed. Heated gases are used separately to dry and cure a curable insulating coating such as a phenolic resin. Gases exhausted from the drying and curing operations and containing volatile combustible materials evolved from the drying and curing of the coating, is passed to a heat exchanger where they pick up heat from the exhaust gases of a fume burner. The hot gases are then passed to the fume burner where the combustible materials are burned to add heat of combustion to the gas stream, which is then cycled back as the fume burner exhaust through the heat exchanger, mixed with air, and passed to the drying section of the wire oven. This recapture of the heat from the combustion provides the heat needed for drying of the coating, thus maximizing the energy efficiency of the process. Apparatus to perform the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the production of applicable coating material for coating road surfaces, by which the old coating material together with aggregates and/or new coating material is mixed in a mixer device provided on a vehicle and is heated in an indirect manner. The apparatus comprises a mixer drum arranged on a vehicle rotatable along its longitudinal axis and including a heating device extending along a substantial portion of the drum length as well as guide fins provided at the interior circumference thereof rotating in a first direction of rotation the material in the mixer drum and in a second direction of rotation conveying the mixed material out of the mixer drum.

Abstract: A temperature controlled oven for heat treating materials such as solid state electronic devices in which a housing forms an enclosure and has an opening for receiving a first sub assembly which forms a second enclosure with an aperture confronting the opening in the housing, and a second sub assembly is disposed within the first sub assembly and removable through the aperture of the first sub assembly to permit external cleaning, the second sub assembly having an opening confronting the opening of the housing and forming a closed air circulation path which contains a heater, blower, and filter for the purpose of maintaining the atmosphere in the second sub assembly relatively particle free.

Abstract: A fume incineration system for an industrial process site such as a paint-drying oven (10) producing a combustible effluent. A first duct system (34, 38, 42) conveys effluent to the incinerator (14). A second duct system (44, 48) conveys incinerated effluent back to the site. A third duct system (52, 56) conveys part of the incinerated effluent to an atmospheric vent (57). Control dampers (50, 74) in the duct systems operate sequentially to handle temperature changes, and control damper (84) controls system air flow balance. All ducts and thermal devices except the incinerator are located in an insulated housing (12). A thermal incinerator (14) having an internal preheater comprising an annular tube bundle is disclosed.

Abstract: A combined oven and fume incinerator having an enclosed housing. A combustion chamber serving as a heat source and fume incinerator is connected by a heat recovery air duct to a process zone which in turn opens into a cool air inlet passage leading to the combustion chamber and blower means are provided to circulate air through the housing, combustion chamber, heat recovery duct, process zone, cool air inlet passage and back to the combustion chamber. The heat recovery duct is in direct thermal contact with the cool air inlet passage. An exhaust fan is located in the cool air inlet passage at a point where there is the least pollution to exhaust a portion of the air in the passage to atmosphere.

Abstract: The specification discloses a curing oven (10) and a control system (120) therefor. The oven (10) includes a heat exchanger (70) which preheats process air from the work chamber (36) before thermal oxidation. A separate recirculating fan (78), mixing box (84), and set of motorized dampers (92, 94) are provided for each zone (40, 42) of the work chamber (36) for controlling mixture of hot and cold air and delivery thereof to the work chamber for better temperature control. The motorized dampers (92, 94) are preferably controlled by microprocessors (124) responsive to temperature sensors (126, 128) located in the work chamber (36). Discharge of the exhaust fan (76) is adjusted by a motorized damper (96) through a controller (136) responsive to a pressure sensor (138) inside the oven (10).

Abstract: Elongated webs of paper, textile, non-woven, and the like are heated by gas-fired burners, and where the webs are porous the hot combusted gas is sucked through the webs to add to the heating action. Where the webs contain an atmosphere-contaminating substance such as a coating having a vaporizable organic solvent, a shallow layer of the burner's gaseous combustion products can be swept over the coated web face as it is exposed to the burner's heating, to flush off the vaporized substance in relatively concentrated form in a fraction of the gaseous products. The flushed off concentrate contains little or no oxygen so that combustible vapors are not likely to form explosive mixtures. Separating the flushed off vapor from the concentrate is also easier.

Abstract: In order to avoid incrustation and an excessively strong thermal attack on the afterburning chamber, the exhaust gases which contain gaseous and solid constituents which are combustible are afterburned in a plurality of stages, which are connected in series. The rate at which oxygen is supplied to each stage is so controlled that part of the combustible constituents is afterburned in each stage. The gas which is about to enter each succeeding stage is cooled by injected water.

Abstract: Pollution control apparatus and method are disclosed in which hot exhaust gas containing pollutants including solid particles and hydrocarbon vapors is treated by transmitting such exhaust gas through a container containing wood members, such as wood chips, which serve as a filter media for filtering out such pollutants by causing such solids to deposit and such hydrocarbon vapors to condense upon the surface of the wood members. The contaminated wood chips are discharged from the filter and further processed into chip board or other commercial wood products thereby disposing of the pollutants. Lumber may be used as the wood members of the filter in a lumber kiln by deposition of solid particles on the rough surface of such lumber. The contaminated surfaces of the lumber are removed by a planer which produces smooth finished lumber and contaminated wood chips that may be processed into chip board or other commercial wood products.

Abstract: A recirculating oven in which air and oxidized gases from a burner tube are directed to evaporation zone outlets at the bottom of the oven and curing zone outlets at the top and fed into a pair of wire work chambers, the gas streams mixing between the zones and return with volatile substances through a return duct to a burner mounted in the upper portion of the burner tube. The burner tube is mounted within a burner tube housing partitioned so that the volatile fumes returning to the burner are maintained separately from the oxidized gases and air exiting from the burner tube. The burner is electrically energized and has a cylindrical housing supporting a number of radial vanes supported between spaced baffle plates, the vanes imparting a vortex pattern to the gases entering holes in the housing periphery. A support plate on the top of the housing carries two high temperature ceramic igniter heater elements surrounded by a multiplicity of resistance type electrical heating elements.

Abstract: An improved asphaltic concrete recycling apparatus comprises an elongated drum having an open inlet port at a first drum end and a product recovery port adjacent a second and opposite drum end, a burner adjacent the first drum end for introducing hot gases of combustion into the inlet port, and an elongated sleeve extended along the interior of the drum intermediate the first and second ends for directing the hot gases of combustion toward the second drum end. In the preferred embodiment, the first end of the sleeve is located in a portion of the drum where a veil of composition is avoided during drum rotation, and the second sleeve end is located in a drum portion where a curtain or veil of composition is formed.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating wet spent carbon containing volatile impurities wherein the wet spent carbon is dried in a drying zone utilizing incinerated reactivation zone gaseous effluent. The improvement of the invention provides that the portion of reactivation zone gaseous effluent used to dry the wet spent carbon in the drying zone is continuously recycled to the reactivation zone for incineration to remove any volatile impurities which may have been removed from the wet spent carbon during drying. The balance of the reactivation zone gaseous effluent may be discharged into the atmosphere without further incineration.

Abstract: A recirculating air heater for an oven is fired by a burner and connected with the oven by a return air duct and an outlet duct. The return air duct has two sets of louvers for admitting controlled amounts of return air to a combustion chamber and a burner bypass chamber in the oven. The combustion gases and return air in the combustion chamber are mixed and directed through a catalytic converter before being mixed with the return air in the burner bypass chamber and directed back into the oven. A portion of the gases directed through the catalytic converter are discharged to atmosphere and an equal amount of preheated fresh air is admitted to the heater. The inlet and exhaust ducts are provided with blowers and dampers so that the mass flow rates of fresh air and exhaust air are substantially equal. During oven preheating some of the combustion gases and heated return air are caused to bypass the catalytic converter and flow directly back into the oven.

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: An improved process for heat-treating pellets in a pelletizing machine in which hot gases are generated and passed through a bed of pellets includes charging solid carbonaceous fuel onto the surface of the pellet bed and burning the carbonaceous fuel to generate at least a portion of the hot gases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying coal in which the coal is dried by a hot gas and then quickly cooled with ambient air to reduce the oxidation rate and in which the air heated in the cooler is supplied to support the combustion that generates the hot gas. The drying gas exhausted from the dryer is utilized to extract coal product, to produce the fuel necessary to generate the hot drying gas and to provide a tempering gas to help maintain the combustor within a desired temperature range. Condensation of the exhaust drying gas is prevented by utilizing the hot gas discharged from the combustor, bypassing the dryer, and supplying it to the exhaust gas at a plurality of different points.

Abstract: A rotatable drum is equipped at a front end with a burner for liquid waste materials and at a rear end has a tiltable charging mechanism for solid waste materials and waste materials stored in barrels. The rear end of the drum is sealed by a fixed casing enveloping the charging mechanism. Adjacent that end there is a gas outlet projecting through a dome-like gas inlet connection of a fixed secondary combustion chamber. The drum shell is stepped such that a refractory lining of the semicylindrical lower drum part cooled by means of water spray nozzles is thinner than a refractory brick material of the semicylindrical drum upper part by an amount equal to the depth of the drum step. Due to rotationally reciprocating or rocking movement of the drum, the waste materials undergo pyrolysis, the pyrolysis gases flowing through a gas outlet into the secondary combustion chamber.

Abstract: Combustion gas recirculating system for a gas-fired furnace of the type which includes a plenum with a cold air inlet duct and a warm air exhaust duct, a combustion chamber where gas is burned to form hot combustion gases, a heat exchanger in the plenum for receiving the hot combustion gases and including an outer surface configuration past which air can flow and be heated, an outlet in the heat exchanger for the hot combustion gases, and a blower for moving air through the plenum and past the heat exchanger. A recirculation duct connects the combustion gas outlet with the cold air inlet duct and a thermostatically controlled valve regulates the flow of hot combustion gases from the combustion gas outlet to the cold air inlet duct by opening when the hot combustion gases reach a predetermined temperature and closing when the hot combustion gases are below said predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A low-cost energy-conserving system for heating and cooling the equipment and environment of a manufacturing installation, and more particularly, a printing plant, including an incinerator for burning waste paper generated as a result of the printing process, a first heat exchanger for utilizing exhaust gases from the incinerator for heating air to be supplied to a heat treating device or apparatus, and more particularly, a web press oven, first ductwork for conducting heated air from the first heat exchanger to the web press oven for heating purposes, second ductwork for conducting solvent-laden air from the web press oven to the incinerator where the solvents are burned to utilize their heating value and to also produce pollution-free gases, a second heat exchanger utilizing exhaust gases from the incinerator for heating air to be provided to the plant for environmental heating purposes, an outside air duct for providing air to be heated by the second heat exchanger, third ductwork for conducting heated air

Abstract: A hot combustion gas recycle apparatus for a starved-air combustor for mixing hot combustion gas with significant amounts of air to heat the air. The heated air is injected as underfire air into the first combustion zone of the combustion chamber to heat and to dry the fuel in the fuel bed as an aid to combustion efficiency. The recycle device includes a temperature control system for controlling the ratio of gas to air and a control valve to completely shut off the flow of combustion gas to the recycle device if the gas and air mixture exceeds a preset maximum.

Abstract: The tail gas from a sulfur process is added directly to the fuel gas supplied to an incinerator burner. The H.sub.2 S in the tail gas is converted by the burner to SO.sub.2 to enable the sulfur process to meet environmental air pollution requirements.

Abstract: An oven is disclosed as having a plurality of chambers which are sealed from the ambient atmosphere, and to which gas, heated to a high temperature outside the chambers, is circulated to each of the chambers for admixture with gas which is cool compared to the high temperature gas, to produce in the chambers a mixture of hot and cool gas at a predetermined temperature. The hot gas is circulated to the chambers at a certain desired pressure, wherein the cool gas is circulated to the chambers at a certain rate of flow. Gas is exhausted from the oven also at a fixed rate of flow. The gas pressure in the first oven to be encountered by an element passing through the oven, is monitored and triggers a change in the flow of cool gas when the pressure varies from a desired norm. This change in flow of cool gas influences the temperature which is also monitored. A change in the temperature produces a corresponding change in the mixture of hot and cool gas to return the oven temperature to the desired level.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for recycling asphaltic concrete comprises a rotatable drum having a first port at one end open to atmosphere, a burner adjacent the first end, a second port at a second end of the drum with means for closing the second port, means for recovering the composition from the second port and whereby the closure means and composition recovery means at the second port cooperate to maintain the second port closed except to the extent necessary to recover composition.

Abstract: A recirculating processing oven heater (10) disclosed includes first and second flow paths (22,26) with an internal heat exchanger (36) located downstream from a burner (24) and upstream from a conical mixing member (28) that deflects gas from the first path outwardly for mixing with bypass gas that flows along the second path. Thermal incineration of unburned combustible gases takes place along the first path (22) after heating thereof by the burner and prior to passage thereof through the internal heat exchanger (36). Heat extracted by the internal heat exchanger (36) is supplied to the upstream end of one of the flow paths (22,26), preferably the first flow path (22) so as to provide most efficient operation of the heater.

Abstract: A batch type pipe burnout oven is provided with improved pollution control and heat recovery features. The oven is elongated with an end opening for introduction of a movable support or cart with pipe supported thereon. The oven is brought to burnout temperature faster than prior art ovens and an improved system is provided for pollution control by incineration of hydrocarbon fumes together with recovery of heat which results in superior fuel economy. The oven is provided with a pair of oppositely positioned plenums along the sides thereof which supply heated air in large volume and high velocity through a plurality of nozzle slots to the pipe-containing chamber and are themselves supplied from a recirculation burner chamber on the top of the oven. A relatively small volume of air, laden with volatile, combustible fumes, is withdrawn from the oven at a relatively low velocity by an exhaust fan.

Abstract: An improved process for cleaning asphaltic concrete recycle gases comprises introducing a flame into the exhaust gas stream at the opposite drum end that heating gases are introduced.

Abstract: In order to increase or maintain the capacity of fluid bed calciners in the calcination of phosphate rock containng large amounts of organic matter ("hot rocks"), the calciner is modified to permit a pyrolysis reaction to occur in the freeboard zone of the calciner. The hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide gas produced by the pyrolysis reaction are removed from the calciner and burned in an afterburner unit. Dust and fines entrained in the exhaust from the calciner are sent to a dust oxidation chamber outside the calciner for oxidation by addition of air.

Abstract: Emission gas to be scrubbed of sulfur dioxide or the like has turbulent flow through a mixing vessel. At a mixing zone in the vessel, comminuted lime is fed into the gas and carried out of the vessel with the gas to a cyclone separator. A substantial portion of the dust from the cyclone is recycled back to the mixing zone of the mixing vessel. The gas from the cyclone is passed through a quench zone and excess dust from the cyclone is introduced into the gas stream for additional sulfur-dioxide removal, and quenching of the gas and dust from the cyclone is accomplished in a quenching zone prior to the gas being utilized in the system. Off-gas from the preheat zone which contains unburned combustibles is burned in a booster heater with the heat being utilized as process heat. Excess preheat off-gas not required for preheat process is delivered to a second combustion furnace for burning the combustibles therein and the heat utilized for drying.

Abstract: A recirculating oven having dual air plenum chambers each controlled by an individual blower receiving air and oxidized gases from a burner tube intermediate the plenums. The gases leaving the burner tube are drawn by the blowers into the respective plenum and enter a pair of evaporation zone modules at the bottom of the plenums and a curing zone module at the top are fed into a pair of wire work chambers, both air streams mixing between the zones and return with volatile fumes through a return module to a burner mounted in the upper portion of the burner tube which receives the mixture in a swirling fashion from a vortex generator between the tube and burner. The burner tube is mounted within a burner tube housing partitioned so that the volatile fumes returning to the burner are maintained separately from the oxidized gases and air exiting from the burner tube.

Abstract: A lateral exhaust manifold system for the preheat section of a tunnel kiln comprises a longitudinal duct and input tube. The duct is triangular in shape and has a plurality of spaced apart apertures and a corresponding plurality of cones, the large diameter end of each cone circumposing a respective one of said apertures. The input tube is disposed adjacent the opposite side of the tunnel kiln and has a plurality of spaced apart jets each disposed opposite a respective aperture in the longitudinal duct, and a plurality of spaced apart apertures each located intermediate the jets, the spaced apart apertures and for venting air laterally across the kiln and upwardly along the adjacent wall. A blower vents an exhaust stack connected to an end of the duct. Air curtains control the entrance and exit of the preheat section of the kiln.

Abstract: A balancing air device for a heating unit in a building having a flue for the passage of waste combustion gases from a combustion chamber of the heating unit into a stack capable of having a draft flowing therein, comprising, a fresh outside air line connected to the combustion chamber of the heating unit for supplying air from outside the building and an air return line connected directly between the outside fresh air line and the stack for returning air supplied from outside the building to the stack when the heating unit is not operating. The cross-sectional flow areas of the outside fresh air line extending to the combustion chamber and the air return line are chosen so that, when the heating unit is not operating, the air return line satisfies a substantially constant draft flowing in the stack so that fresh outside air is not supplied to the combustion chamber when the heating unit is not operated.

Abstract: A dryer system, such as is used in a pulverizing mill assembly, includes a hot gas generator which supplies drying gas to the starting point for a gas circulation system. The drying gas passes through the circulation system commingling with particles to be dried. The dried particles are removed whereupon the system gas flow is divided into a return portion and a spent portion for expulsion to ambient. Part of the system return flow is further freed of particles, compressed, and supplied to the hot gas generator as secondary gas. The return gas flow into the generator is regulated to control hot gas temperature in response to generator flow temperature. In addition, hot gas temperature may be controlled in response to system gas temperature by regulation of fresh primary air flow to the generator. Exhaust gases from the hot gas generator are introduced into the system return flow at the circulation starting point to repeat the process.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for directly heat treating articles in a sealed treatment chamber of the heat treatment furnace. A burner means fires into a precombustion chamber which is connected in communication with the treatment chamber. Combustion is completed in the precombustion chamber and the products of combustion are fed into the treatment chamber. Additional treatment gas such as an endothermic gas is fed directly into the furnace treatment chamber.

Abstract: A method for preventing fires and explosions and thus controlling excess temperature within a burn-off or reclamation furnace including a water injection nozzle within the furnace, an automatic valve assembly connected to a source of water under pressure to turn the water on and off, an input burner to heat contaminate materials, an afterburner to burn volatile gases given off by the contaminate materials as they are heated, a temperature sensor located in the discharge from the afterburner to actuate the automatic valve assembly open and closed responsive to the temperature of the discharge, the temperature of the discharge depending on the rate of emission of volatile gases from the contaminate material so that if a high emission rate causes a predetermined temperature to be exceeded the valve assembly opens and the water injection nozzle sprays water on the contaminate materials to cool them and decrease the emission rate until the valve assembly closes.

Abstract: A system for the combustion of waste products for the extraction of heat energy in a clean pollutant-free medium. The system includes a swirling air-cyclonic type incinerator having means for controllably consuming fuel in the form of waste products of various grades and heating values. Incinerator outlet means are provided for transmitting gaseous combustion products to a heat exchanger, a filtering device, and ultimately to a point of beneficial utilization. Through a plurality of ducts, control valves, and pumping means, a selectably variable volume of oxygen necessary to support combustion is taken from the ambient. The remaining gas flow to the incinerator for such purposes as creation of a swirling flow and cooling is pumped from the outlet side of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for controlling the combustibility of volatile hydrocarbons and particulate matter in an exhaust gas stream driven off from a carbon product being baked in a furnace. In a prebaking stage, the carbon product is heat treated in a temperature range of 300.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. in order to drive off the volatile hydrocarbons and particulate matter and form the exhaust gas stream. The exhaust gas stream is heated to a temperature of at least 900.degree. C. and at least one heat transfer medium is force-drafted and mixed into the exhaust gas stream so that the stream contains at least approximately 6% oxygen. The volatile hydrocarbons and particulate matter in the exhaust gas stream are combusted into non-polluting compounds having an opacity less than 40% for exhaustion from the furnace into the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: To dry wet fabrics, a hot drying gas is introduced into a drying chamber containing the fabrics. The drying chamber is maintained at a sufficiently high pressure greater than atmospheric pressure so that a portion of the gas in the drying chamber can be discharged directly to the atmosphere. The remainder of the gas in the drying chamber is withdrawn, and at least a portion of the withdrawn gas is used to produce the hot drying gas introduced into the drying chamber. This is effected by increasing the pressure of the withdrawn gas, heating the withdrawn gas, and combining it with a dilution gas. The amount of the dilution gas which is combined with the withdrawn gas comprises from about 5 to about 20% by volume of the hot drying gas introduced into the drying chamber. Before the withdrawn gas is heated, preferably it is filtered by a lint screen for removal of lint and other contaminants. Novel lint screens capable of self-cleaning during a cooling mode of operation are described.

Abstract: In order to increase or maintain the capacity of fluid bed calciners in the calcination of phosphate rock containing large amounts of organic matter ("hot rocks"), the calciner is modified to permit a pyrolysis reaction to occur in the freeboard zone of the calciner. The hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide gas produced by the pyrolysis reaction are removed from the calciner and burned in an afterburner unit. Dust and fines entrained in the exhaust from the calciner are sent to a dust oxidation chamber outside the calciner for oxidation by addition of air.

Abstract: A system for drying and preheating small metallic particles such as chips, turnings, borings and the like to remove volatiles therefrom which includes a dryer working in conjunction with a briquetting press. The dryer includes a drying and preliminary combustion chamber includng a revolving drum therein through which the chips pass. The drying and preliminary combustion is heated and is atmospherically sealed and operated with a reducing atmosphere. The volatiles driven from the metallic particles are passed to a combustion completion chamber which is maintained at a temperature sufficient to burn the combustibles and into which air is injected to complete the combustion. The hot metallic particles are thermally insulated and sealed from the atmosphere while being conveyed from the drying and preliminary combustion chamber to the briquetting press where they are compressed into briquettes for subsequent introduction into induction furnaces and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for continuously treating a flowing gas with a liquid to remove unwanted materials from the gas. Packing elements are directed downwardly along a predetermined zigzag path of travel, with the packing elements being maintained in the form of a relatively thin layer. A liquid is directed onto the layer of packing elements while a flowing gas is directed upwardly along a sinuous path of travel repeatedly passing back and forth through the downwardly moving layer of packing elements successively from opposite sides thereof. The packing elements are discharged from the lower end of the path of travel while clean packing elements are directed into the upper end to replace those which are discharged. The discharged packing elements are cleaned and recycled for reuse.

Abstract: A high efficiency system and method for supplying heat energy to a combustible effluent producing primary process, such as to a paint drying oven, in which the output of an incinerator-heater is controlled in order to be matched to the heat energy requirements of the process. At the same time, the incinerator burner temperature is sufficiently high to incinerate the combustible effluent developed by the primary process. Effluent laden air is circulated from the process site through a preheat heat exchanger into which is transferred a portion of the heat of the incinerated air prior to entry into the incinerator chamber. The incinerated air is recirculated to the process site in order to provide the heat energy requirements of the drying oven or other process. A proportion of the incinerated air is vented to an exhaust stack via an air-to-air heat exchanger which preheats incoming fresh air circulated to the process site to make up the vented flow of incinerated air.

Abstract: A method and ducting system for collection of hot exhaust gases from paint curing oven heaters is disclosed for heat energy recovery in which a large collector duct is extended above the paint curing oven and into which is drawn large volumes of slightly warmed air heated by radiation from the paint curing oven or from secondary warm air sources. The vent stack of each paint curing oven heater is extended into the interior of the collector duct, directing the hot exhaust gases into the center of the large volume air stream in order to cool the gases and allow the collection without the need for insulated collection ducting, thermal expansion joints or flow balancing dampers. The heated air volume is passed through the heat recovery exchanger unit prior to being exhausted to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A control system for multiple burners or heaters in an afterburner section of a metal scrap dryer is provided. The control system provides for cascade and sequential control including selective and sequential ignition as well as selective and sequential deenergization of the burners or heaters.

Abstract: An exothermic injector adapter that allows a light weight gasoline engine to operate with the efficiency of a diesel engine. The adapter includes a body, a ceramic sleeve, a retainer, ground wires, power supply wires and a catalytic deflector. The adapter is used with any type of diesel fuel injector to replace the spark plug. It utilizes a heated catalytic deflector in close proximity to the outlet of a fuel injector to ignite the fuel charge efficiently. The catalyst used is exothermic or heat producing under certain conditions and has the ability to fracture the heavy and complex hydrocarbon molecules found in most automotive and diesel fuels. The catalyst is plated to the deflector in a porous configuration so that it has colloidal sized crystals. The catalytic deflector is electrically preheated to its level of exothermic activity.

Abstract: A scrubber bypass damper comprises a plate pivotally-mounted to a shaft running across the bypass duct transverse to gas flow. The damper plate self-actuates and rotates about the shaft in response to any pressure differential established across it. A scrubber booster fan is disposed in the main flue at a location downstream of the scrubber and upstream of the outlet of the scrubber bypass into the main flue. When the scrubber is in operation, the pressure rise imparted to the flue gas by the scrubber booster fan is adjusted to keep the damper plate disposed transverse to gas flow through the bypass duct thereby preventing gas flow therethrough. When the scrubber is taken out-of-service, the booster fan is shutdown and the damper plate self-actuates, opening in response to pressure forces exerted on it by the induced draft fan, thus preventing over-pressurization of the furnace.

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 system of drying ovens is disclosed with associated means for heat reclamation and air pollution control. The ovens are primarily for drying or baking paint or other coatings on pipes or the like where the emissions are primarily hydrocarbons.In this system of ovens, hydrocarbon fumes are concentrated at the ends of the oven. Solvent laden fumes are, therefore, collected where the concentration is the highest. The exhaust from the oven is located at the central portion and leads to a combustion/incineration chamber where it is exhausted to atmosphere after incineration and a major part of the heat is recovered and recirculated to the oven. In a sequence of ovens, the exhaust from one oven is circulated to the next at a high linear velocity, but low volume (at 25% LEL) and heated to a high temperature (1400.degree. F.) by in-line incineration of the fumes.

Abstract: A forced draft fan creates within a furnace fuel cell a pressure which is high enough to provide a pressure gradient effective to force the combustion gases from the cell all the way to the dryer. The combustion gases are provided by waste wood products which are forced by a special feeding system into the fuel cell against the resistance of the relatively high air pressure within the cell, to create a burning pile. The feeding system blocks most of the smoke and combustion gases from back-feeding through the fuel passageway, and then removes the part that is not blocked. The combustion gases during the drying process become wet. A part of these wet gases are vented at the dryer but a recirculation fan effects the return of a portion to a blending chamber where they are mixed with hot combustion gases to be again directed to the dryer. The other portion of the wet gases is directed to the combustion chamber for augmenting its operation.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for generating combustible gas from cellulosic fiber material. A gas production chamber contains an inclined support chute having a grate perforated with alternately angled ports for admission of a controlled amount of air through the grate portion for performing first a lifting function and then a propelling function on cellulosic material entering at the top and undergoing progressive destructive to form combustible gases in the chamber. The chamber atmosphere has an oxygen content insufficient for complete combustion. The combustible gases are withdrawn, additional secondary air is blended in the gas, and complete combustion of the blend is effected in a combustion chamber. The heated gases formed are then forced by a recirculation blower to a point of use, such as the interior atmosphere of a lumber drying kiln.

Abstract: A process for heat-treating and, in particular, for drying and/or fixing a continuously moved fabric web in a treatment unit comprising at least two treatment zones through which the fabric web successively passes, using a hot gas stream recirculated in the treatment unit, a certain quantity of waste gas being continuously removed from the treatment unit and freed from constituents present in it and some of the waste gas thus treated being returned to the treatment unit after reheating, the rest of the waste gas being released into the atmosphere.