A method of cooling a liner in a plasma chamber. A recycle gas is contacted with or passed through the liner to cool the liner and pre-heat the recycle gas. The pre-heated gas is then recycled through the plasma chamber to become part of the plasma forming process. The method further comprises the liner is graphite, the recycle gas passes through at least one cooling channel present in the liner, at least one of the cooling channels are covered with at least one removable liner/channel cover, carbon deposits are formed from the presence of hydrocarbons in the recycle gas, at least one channel is formed in a spiral cooling channel pattern, at least one channel is formed in a substantially straight cooling channel pattern, and a plenum to aid in the production of an even distribution of cooling gas in the channels.

A furnace assembly for use with a gas fuel that includes a cabinet and a burner located in the cabinet that is operable to ignite the gas fuel. The furnace also includes a heat exchanger assembly in communication with the burner and open to receiving the ignited gas fuel, the heat exchanger assembly including tubes. Each tube includes a first section with an inlet, a horizontal section having a first internal diameter, and a vertical section. Each tube also includes a second section extending from the first section and having a second internal diameter less than the first internal dimeter. The second section also includes a serpentine flow path up and down in the vertical direction and an outlet. The gas fuel entering a tube stays in the tube until flowing out of the tube. The furnace also includes a blower operable to move air through the cabinet and over the heat exchanger assembly.

A heat exchanger for a cooking system is provided. The heat exchanger includes a central axis and a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber includes a central flow path, an inlet manifold, and an outlet manifold axially spaced from the inlet manifold. The inlet manifold and the outlet manifold extend annularly about the central flow path. A plurality of outer walls extend axially between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold, wherein the plurality of outer walls are arranged about a radially outer perimeter of the central flow path. A burner assembly includes one or more burners that are configured to emit a combusted air/fuel mixture into the central flow path.

Described is a device for recovering heat and fumes from slag resulting from the steel production cycle which allows the heat emitted by the slag during the cooling to be used without the need to collect the slag in tubs which must then be transported to the cooling surface and tipped in order to discharge the slag; at the same time, this device allows the fumes and consequently the heat and the pollutants which the slag emits during the tipping and the time on the cooling surface to be conveyed and treated.

A thermal energy storage system comprises a heat storage unit having a thermally insulated housing containing a heating core of thermal storage material, such as a plurality of thermal storage bricks. An electric heating element is provided for heating the thermal storage bricks forming the core to a desired temperature. Heat extraction apparatus is provided for extracting thermal energy from the core. The heat extraction apparatus comprises a first air heat exchanger connected to the core to heat air in the first air heat exchanger. An air circulation pipe is connected between the first air heat exchanger and a compartment to be heated, such as an oven. An air circulation fan is mounted in the air circulation pipe between the air heat exchanger and the compartment. A fan controller is operable for controlling operation of the fan to regulate temperature in the compartment.

All of a cast-iron or cast-copper stave cooler's weight is supported inside a furnace containment shell by single gas-tight steel collar on the backside. All the coolant piping in each cooler has every external connection collected and routed together through the one steel collar. A wear protection barrier is disposed on the hot face. Such is limited to include at least one of horizontal rows of ribs and channels that retain metal inserts or refractory bricks, or pockets that assist in the retention of castable cement and/or accretions frozen in place from a melt, or an application of an area of hardfacing that is welded on in bead, crosshatch, or weave pattern.

A furnace assembly for use with a gas fuel that includes a cabinet and a burner located in the cabinet that is operable to ignite the gas fuel. The furnace also includes a heat exchanger assembly in communication with the burner and open to receiving the ignited gas fuel, the heat exchanger assembly including tubes. Each tube includes a first section with an inlet, a horizontal section having a first internal diameter, and a vertical section. Each tube also includes a second section extending from the first section and having a second internal diameter less than the first internal dimeter. The second section also includes a serpentine flow path up and down in the vertical direction and an outlet. The gas fuel entering a tube stays in the tube until flowing out of the tube. The furnace also includes a blower operable to move air through the cabinet and over the heat exchanger assembly.

A thermal energy storage system comprises a heat storage unit having a thermally insulated housing containing a heating core of thermal storage material, such as a plurality of thermal storage bricks. An electric heating element is provided for heating the thermal storage bricks forming the core to a desired temperature. Heat extraction apparatus is provided for extracting thermal energy from the core. The heat extraction apparatus comprises a first air heat exchanger connected to the core to heat air in the first air heat exchanger. An air circulation pipe is connected between the first air heat exchanger and a compartment to be heated, such as an oven. An air circulation fan is mounted in the air circulation pipe between the air heat exchanger and the compartment. A fan controller is operable for controlling operation of the fan to regulate temperature in the compartment.

A heat exchanger for a cooking system is provided. The heat exchanger includes a central axis and a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber includes a central flow path, an inlet manifold, and an outlet manifold axially spaced from the inlet manifold. The inlet manifold and the outlet manifold extend annularly about the central flow path. A plurality of outer walls extend axially between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold, wherein the plurality of outer walls are arranged about a radially outer perimeter of the central flow path. A burner assembly includes one or more burners that are configured to emit a combusted air/fuel mixture into the central flow path.