Various embodiments include a combustion apparatus comprising: a control facility for open- and/or closed-loop control of the apparatus; a combustion chamber; an actuator adjusting an air supply; and a combustion sensor in a region of a flame of the chamber. The control facility stores a list of support points. A first air supply value is assigned to each support point. A drift test value and an index for ascertainment of a test result are assigned to each support point. The controller: generates a specified air supply; selects a support point as a function of the air supply; and decides on a test result using the index for the support point. To ascertain a test result: receives a signal from the combustion sensor; determines a new test result; ascertains a changed drift test value for the selected support point; and stores the changed drift test value as the drift test value.

Various embodiments include a combustion apparatus. An example apparatus includes: a burner; a side duct; and a feed duct. The side duct comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a mass flow sensor between the inlet and the outlet of the side duct. The mass flow sensor is configured to detect a signal corresponding to an amount of flow of a fluid through the side duct. The side duct comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the side duct comprises the mass flow sensor. The first portion of the side duct is arranged within the feed duct.

A burner includes an atomizing chamber, a flame tube in front of the atomizing chamber adapted to direct combusting fuel introduced by the atomizing chamber along an interior of the flame tube, and a controller. The controller is programmed to independently control rate of fuel flow to the atomizing chamber, rate of atomizing air flow to the atomizing chamber, and rate of combustion air to the flame tub. The controller is also programmed to perform operations including regulating, based on output of a gas sensor, at least the rate of combustion air to the flame tube to substantially maintain a first predetermined amount of excess air in the flame tube.

A process for oxidizing a sulfur stream includes supplying at least one sulfur stream into a furnace; supplying oxygen-enriched combustion air into the furnace; separately supplying pure oxygen into the furnace; and at least partially oxidizing the at least one sulfur stream in the furnace. A related apparatus is also provided and includes a furnace; an inlet for supplying at least one sulfur stream into the furnace; an inlet for supplying a stream of an oxygen-enriched combustion air into the furnace; and an inlet for supplying a pure oxygen stream into the furnace separately from the supplying of the oxygen-enriched combustion air.

A process for oxidizing a sulfur stream includes supplying at least one sulfur stream into a furnace; supplying oxygen-enriched combustion air into the furnace; separately supplying pure oxygen into the furnace; and at least partially oxidizing the at least one sulfur stream in the furnace. A related apparatus is also provided and includes a furnace; an inlet for supplying at least one sulfur stream into the furnace; an inlet for supplying a stream of an oxygen-enriched combustion air into the furnace; and an inlet for supplying a pure oxygen stream into the furnace separately from the supplying of the oxygen-enriched combustion air.

A system and method for optimizing combustion in boiler. The optimization of the combustion in the boiler involves obtaining various data relating to the flow of fuel and air to burners of the boiler and the flame in the burner zone of the boiler that is generated from the introduction of the fuel and air into the burner zone. The data is used to determine air flows to the burners. The data and air flows are used to balance air and fuel at individual burners by manipulating air to match the fuel flow. The balancing of air and fuel at individual burners by manipulating air to match the fuel flow uses a guided search optimization algorithm that mixes stoichiometry determinations with a custom search algorithm that accounts for measurement inaccuracies and unexpected interactions between burners.

A fuel nozzle apparatus can include a nozzle that functions with two or more modes of operation with respect to a group of fuels, and an air shroud fixed over the nozzle. The air shroud blocks air through the nozzle or allows air through the nozzle in a predefined pattern. When a position of the air shroud is varied, the amount of the air and the location of the air into the nozzle is changed to facilitate the two or more modes of operation with respect to the group of fuels.