One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing inorganic spheroidized particles which can significantly reduce the amount of warming gas generated and suppress the generation of soot during combustion. The present invention provides an apparatus (10) for producing inorganic spheroidized particles, including a burner (11) for producing inorganic spheroidized particles, a vertical spheroidizing furnace (15), an ammonia supply source (12), an oxygen supply source (13), an ammonia supply line (L1) located between the ammonia supply source (12) and the burner (11) for producing inorganic spheroidized particles, and an oxygen supply line (L2) located between the oxygen supply source (13) and the burner (11) for producing inorganic spheroidized particles.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing inorganic spheroidized particles which can significantly reduce the amount of warming gas generated and suppress the generation of soot during combustion. The present invention provides an apparatus (10) for producing inorganic spheroidized particles, including a burner (11) for producing inorganic spheroidized particles, a vertical spheroidizing furnace (15), an ammonia supply source (12), an oxygen supply source (13), an ammonia supply line (L1) located between the ammonia supply source (12) and the burner (11) for producing inorganic spheroidized particles, and an oxygen supply line (L2) located between the oxygen supply source (13) and the burner (11) for producing inorganic spheroidized particles.

A method and apparatus which provides the ability to capture natural gas which would otherwise be vented from control valves and use the captured natural gas to power a low pressure pilot light of a burner and/or to power a natural gas engine. In one embodiment, the captured natural gas can be supplemented with an additional supply of natural gas to ensure operation of the pilot and/or natural gas engine in the even that the captured natural gas is not sufficient to provide continuous power of the pilot and/or engine. Optionally, the captured natural gas can be sequestered in a storage vessel.

Cooktop appliances are provided. A cooktop appliance can include a gas burner; a manifold having a gas input; a primary line extending between the manifold and the gas burner, wherein the primary line operates as a non-modulated minimum gas flow line when the cooktop appliance is in an automatic mode; a secondary line extending between the manifold and the gas burner, wherein a gas flow rate of the secondary line is controllable by a flow control valve; a primary valve in fluid communication with at least the primary line; and a control system including: a sensor configured to detect a temperature corresponding to the gas burner; and a controller regulating: (i) the flow control valve in response to the detected temperature to achieve a desired temperature, and (ii) the primary valve when the flow control valve is closed and the detected temperature exceeds the desired temperature.

Cooktop appliances are provided. A cooktop appliance can include a manifold having a gas input; a first burner in fluid communication with the manifold through a first burner supply line having a first valve; and a second burner in fluid communication with the manifold through a second burner supply line having a second valve, the second burner arranged coaxially with respect to the first burner, wherein the second burner supply line comprises a primary line, a secondary line, and a sum line, the sum line providing a combined flow of gas from the primary line and the secondary line to the second burner, wherein the secondary line of the second burner comprises a third valve.

Cooktop appliances are provided. A cooktop appliance can include a gas burner; a manifold having a gas input; a primary line extending between the manifold and the gas burner, wherein a gas flow rate in the primary line is controllable by a user selectable interface; and a secondary line extending between the manifold and the gas burner, wherein a gas flow rate in the secondary line is controllable by a flow control valve.

A steam generator system configured to burn hydrogen and oxygen at stoichiometry along with a increased-pressure water and steam. Said steam generator system comprise a hydrogen source, an oxygen source, a nitrogen source, a water source, a steam source, a hydrogen-oxygen handling unit, a cooling unit, a one or more H2-O2 steam generators and a control unit. Said steam generator system is configured to provide said hydrogen source to said hydrogen-oxygen handling unit through an oxygen passage, said oxygen source to said hydrogen-oxygen handling unit through a hydrogen passage, and said nitrogen source to selectively purge said oxygen passage and said hydrogen passage. Said water source provide water to said cooling unit. Said cooling unit is configured to receive said water source and said steam source.

A method of controlling a proportional solenoid valve whose valve opening degree is controlled by excitation of a proportional solenoid includes: generating a driving current (id) that excites a proportional solenoid (28); reversing a polarity of the driving current (id) at a cycle faster than movement of a valve body (18); and controlling the valve opening degree by a current level of the driving current (id). As a result, an alternating magnetic field is generated in the proportional solenoid so that a desired valve opening degree is obtained by the driving current level while obviating the influence of the residual magnetism.

A method of controlling a proportional solenoid valve whose valve opening degree is controlled by excitation of a proportional solenoid includes: generating a driving current (id) that excites a proportional solenoid (28); reversing a polarity of the driving current (id) at a cycle faster than movement of a valve body (18); and controlling the valve opening degree by a current level of the driving current (id). As a result, an alternating magnetic field is generated in the proportional solenoid so that a desired valve opening degree is obtained by the driving current level while obviating the influence of the residual magnetism.

A multi-deck burner assembly for a conveyor-type oven can include a central manifold feeding fuel to upstream and downstream arrays of burners. Other burner assemblies can include pilot burners disposed at approximately a midway point along a longitudinal direction of the burners, thereby enabling the use of longer burners, and thus more efficient burner assembly design. Some burner assemblies can include both a centrally located manifold feeding upstream and downstream arrays and pilot burners disposed at approximately midpoints along the longitudinal lengths of both the upstream and downstream arrays.