A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a perforated reaction holder configured to hold a combustion reaction that produces very low oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

To grasp a state of a combustion apparatus based on a flame state of a burner, a discharge number measurement unit measures the number of discharges of a flame sensor per unit time. A light emission information generation unit generates, as light emission information, information obtained based on a value obtained by dividing a total (accumulation) of the number of discharges per unit time measured by the discharge number measurement unit by a total measurement time. A determination unit determines the state of the combustion apparatus to be inspected based on the light emission information generated by the light emission information generation unit as described above.

A remotely actuated pilot valve provides for a pilot gas valve that includes safe lighting and complete shutoff capabilities in the event that the flame that is heating a thermocouple is extinguished, the pilot valve having a pilot flow interrupter to provide pilot gas only when initially opened. A heater system that utilizes such a pilot gas valve is provided as is a method whereby the pilot gas valve used in such a system can be remotely and electronically actuated when required. Remote actuation is accomplished by use of a solenoid that is incorporated within the valve design and which is controlled by a remote operator.

An improved and high capacity gas igniter for furnaces and burners. The igniter can include an igniter tip that is annular in shape and includes various holes of different sizes and angular projections distributed throughout. The igniter tip may utilize a slip-joint-like mechanism or sleeve that connects inner and outer tubes of a guide tube that allows the inner tube to slide when undergoing thermal expansion. This configuration alleviates stress from building up on the inner tube and igniter tip, preventing damage.

A burner assembly includes a base body. A cap is positioned on the base body such that the base body and the cap collectively define a plurality of flame ports. A pilot insert is mounted to the base body. The pilot insert and the base body collectively defining a pilot port. An igniter is configured to generate an ignition spark. An upper spark target is positioned proximate the plurality of flame ports, and a lower spark target is positioned proximate the pilot port. An electrode of the igniter is positionable proximate either the upper spark target or the lower spark target.

A spark ignited, gas fueled pilot assembly compromising a bracket and a metal gas tube extending through the bracket and having an outlet end. The gas tube is surrounded by a ceramic jacket which is of such a length as to extend beyond the outlet end of the gas tube by approximately 0.03″ such that the gas tube outlet is recessed into the ceramic jacket. The assembly further comprises a pair of ignitor electrodes carried by the bracket and arranged and located relative to the recessed gas supply tube to ignite fuel emanating therefrom.

Systems and methods of injecting hydrate inhibiting chemicals into a gaseous fuel line of a burner are described. One system includes: an oilfield burner; a gaseous fuel line connected to the oilfield burner; a storage tank containing hydrate-inhibiting chemicals; a hydrate-inhibiting chemical supply line connected between the storage tank and the gaseous fuel line; and a control valve connected to control flow in the hydrate-inhibiting chemical supply line in response to the operation of the oilfield burner. A kit may be provided with at least the hydrate-inhibiting chemical supply line and control valve.

Sparkless igniters for pilot services comprising hot surface igniter elements, and methods for operating these igniters without the use of flame rods or thermocouples. The electrical resistance of the hot surface igniter element is measured and used to control the operation of the igniters using a suitable burner management system. The measured electrical resistance may also be manipulated to yield a control parameter for use in the burner management system. The igniters are designed to prevent quenching of the hot surface elements by the fuel-air mixture. The igniters optionally permit easy swap out of hot surface igniter elements.

A modulating burner apparatus includes a burner and a blower placed upstream of the burner. A venturi is placed upstream of the blower. A damper valve is placed upstream of the venturi. The damper valve has an open position and a restricted position. A smaller gas valve and a larger gas valve are communicated with the venturi. A controller is operably associated with the system to select a position of the damper valve and to select the appropriate one of the gas valves so as to provide a low output operation mode and a high output operation mode, which in combination provide an overall turndown ratio of at least 25:1.

A premix burner for combusting premixed gas containing fuel and air mixed in advance includes a plurality of combustion nozzles including a first nozzle having an ignition rod disposed therein and a second nozzle other than the first nozzle, a first premixed gas passage for supplying the premixed gas to the first nozzle, and a second premixed gas passage for supplying the premixed gas to the second nozzle. The first premixed gas passage and the second premixed gas passage are fluidically isolated from each other.