A catalytic flameless combustion apparatus has a fuel inlet, a combustion-supporting gas inlet, a gas premixer, a combustion plate, an igniter, a gas deflector, a flameless combustion cavity, a catalyst filled in the flameless combustion cavity, a gas collection chamber and an exhaust port. The method for starting the catalytic flameless combustion apparatus includes initially combusting and heating the flameless combustion cavity and the catalyst filled therein with low power flame; and then increasing flow velocity and switching to high power flame for conducting catalytic flameless combustion. The catalytic flameless combustion apparatus can be used for various non-solid fuel combustion and heat extraction processes.

A catalytic flameless combustion apparatus has a fuel inlet, a combustion-supporting gas inlet, a gas premixer, a combustion plate, an igniter, a gas deflector, a flameless combustion cavity, a catalyst filled in the flameless combustion cavity, a gas collection chamber and an exhaust port. The method for starting the catalytic flameless combustion apparatus includes initially combusting and heating the flameless combustion cavity and the catalyst filled therein with low power flame; and then increasing flow velocity and switching to high power flame for conducting catalytic flameless combustion. The catalytic flameless combustion apparatus can be used for various non-solid fuel combustion and heat extraction processes.

A heater is provided which has a heating chamber divided into a plurality of heating compartments, each operably to provide heat in a respective heating direction. The heater includes a respective heating element for each heating compartment, and the operation of at least one of the heating elements is independently controllable from the operation of at least one other heating element. There is also provided a gas burner assembly the heat and a control system controlling the operation of the heating element.

The handheld snow melter is a handheld propane or stabilized methylacetylene-propadiene fueled parabolic heated intended for use in removing snow and ice. The handheld propane or stabilized methylacetylene-propadiene torch is used to heat a ceramic cone. The ceramic cone is mounted in a parabolic reflector that is used to direct the heat towards the snow or ice targeted by the user. The handheld snow meiter comprises a reflector, a torch attachment, and a grip.