Surface Combustion, Inc.

Michael J Huber

Ralph Paul Poor

Garry W Barbee

Jerry P Jason

A drying system is disclosed for drying wet gases, typically produced by a gas generator to dew points less than 32.degree. F. The system uses a refrigeration cycle having a single compressor to dry the wet gas in a first evaporator while simultaneously defrosting the ice buildup on a second evaporator. The cycle then switches from the first evaporator to the second evaporator after the second evaporator is defrosted. The switching is preceded by a changeover phase in which cooled refrigerant is pulsed to the defrosted evaporator and both evaporators go on line for a short time before the system phase change occurs thus assuring control of the dried gas temperature while avoiding shock to the refrigeration system.

Low dew point gas generator cooling system

A variable gas generator is disclosed which is capable of producing a wide variety of product gas compositions heretofore produced only by either exothermic gas generators or endothermic gas generators or a combination of gas generators. The variable gas generator includes a nitrogen membrane module producing a nitrogen-oxygen feed gas which is combined with a hydrocarbon fuel and fed into a conventional endothermic gas generator. By controlling the nitrogen membrane module to produce a desired oxygen-nitrogen feed gas and by controlling the addition of methane and the catalyst bed temperature of the gas within the endothermic generator, a wide variety of product gas composition with carbon potential varying anywhere from one to 80% combustibles can be produced.

Industrial variable carbon potential gas generator

A system for use in sensing the oxygen content of an industrial furnace gas typically containing hydrocarbons or hydrogen is disclosed. The system utilizes a conventional automotive EGR oxygen sensor probe positioned in an especially configured housing employing downstream flow regulating means in combination with an orificing plate in the housing to provide uniform distribution of the endothermic gas at a low temperature about the sensor to insure accurate sensor readings with minimal carbon deposition. The electrical contacts at the oxygen sensor's inner and outer electrolyte surfaces are periodically switched to an electrical power supply to cause current to flow through and heat the electrolyte to elevated temperatures while air is flowed over the electrolyte's surfaces to achieve burn out of any carbon deposits and restore the life of the oxygen sensor probe. In addition, a portion of the sensor is thermally shielded to maintain somewhat equal reference air and furnace gas temperatures to produce consistent and reliable output signals from the oxygen sensor probe.

Gas analysis system for furnaces and the like

A system for use in sensing the oxygen content of an industrial furnace gas typically containing hydrocarbons or hydrogen is disclosed. The system utilizes a conventional automotive EGR oxygen sensor probe positioned in an especially configured housing employing downstream flow regulating means in combination with an orificing plate in the housing to provide uniform distribution of the endothermic gas at a low temperature about the sensor to insure accurate sensor readings with minimal carbon deposition. The electrical contacts at the oxygen sensor's inner and outer electrolyte surfaces are periodically switched to an electrical power supply to cause current to flow through and heat the electrolyte to elevated temperatures while air is flowed over the electrolyte's surfaces to achieve burn out of any carbon deposits and restore the life of the oxygen sensor probe. In addition, a portion of the sensor is thermally shielded to maintain somewhat equal reference air and furnace gas temperatures to produce consistant and reliable output signals from the oxygen sensor probe.

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Toledo, OH, United States of America

Michael J Huber