A method of improving an endothermic process in a furnace utilizing steps a) calibrating the simplified physical model of step c3) by measuring one or more tube temperature for at least a tube impacted by the throttling of a burner in standard and in throttled state, b) acquiring information on a tube temperature for the tubes present in the furnace with all the burners present in the furnace under standard non-throttled conditions, c) getting a map of burners to throttle including c1) choosing at least one parameter representative of the performances of the furnace with a target of improvement, c2) choosing at least one or more power ratio for the burner throttling; c3) utilizing the information of step b) and a simplified physical model of the impact of throttling a burner on the tube temperature, c4) getting a map of burners to throttle, step d) throttling the burners.

A control system for a solid fuel combustion appliance, e.g., a wood burning stove, includes a temperature sensor for sensing an output temperature of the appliance. A controller receives the output temperature and controls a damper associated with air flow through the stove to maintain a predetermined temperature. The system also includes a detector that senses certain conditions of the solid fuel, e.g., wood, that is burned by the stove. When additional fuel is added to the appliance, the system temporarily encourages initial combustion of the new fuel, before returning to maintaining the predetermined temperature.

A thermophotovoltaic generator uses conveniently available liquid hydrocarbon fuels. The fuels are controllably heated and vaporized before ignition to avoid residue and deposits as a result of liquid fuel being prematurely exposed to high temperatures of combustion causing unwanted breakdowns, producing power robbing residues and deposits. Heating fuel and air to right temperatures for ignition is accomplished by drawing combustion air over an exhaust chamber, through a regenerator and through a passage surrounding an IR filter. A separate cooling fan drives air through photovoltaic cell array fins over the recuperator and the exhaust in counterflow to the combustion air.

A method for controlling a catalytic combustion apparatus having a heater capable of heating fuel to be supplied to a catalyst includes a step of supplying oxidant gas to the catalytic combustion apparatus, and an injection step of injecting the fuel into the catalytic combustion apparatus. The injection step also includes an electric power feeding step of supplying electric power to the heater, and a setting step of setting an injection amount of the fuel to be injected into the catalytic combustion apparatus in response to output of the heater.

Techniques for controlling a solid fuel combustion appliance, e.g., a wood burning stove, are disclosed. A control system measures an exhaust gas temperature of airflow through an outlet of the solid fuel combustion appliance. The control system determines a derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time. The derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time is compared to a predetermined threshold. The control system modulates the inlet damper in response to determining that the derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time reaches the predetermined threshold.

An afterburner system and method for reducing the CO.sub.2 and other pollutants produced by the combustion of a fuel in a combustion chamber while maintaining or increasing the efficiency of said combustion includes feeding a catalyst, preferably lithium and/or boron to the afterburner, or a preconditioning afterburner, along with the exhaust from the combustion chamber. The presence of the catalyst in the after burner results in further reduction of pollutants generated by the combustion in the combustion chamber.

A controller monitors temperature in a bio-fuel fired device and automatically controls dampers, blowers and the like to reduce generation of smoke or other pollutants, thereby promoting proper operation of a catalytic converter.

A controller monitors oxygen levels in a bio-fuel fired device and automatically controls dampers, blowers and the like to reduce generation of smoke or other pollutants, thereby promoting proper operation of a catalytic converter.

A method for controlling a catalytic combustion apparatus having a heater capable of heating fuel to be supplied to a catalyst includes a step of supplying oxidant gas to the catalytic combustion apparatus, and an injection step of injecting the fuel into the catalytic combustion apparatus. The injection step also includes an electric power feeding step of supplying electric power to the heater, and a setting step of setting an injection amount of the fuel to be injected into the catalytic combustion apparatus in response to output of the heater.

Techniques for controlling a solid fuel combustion appliance, e.g., a wood burning stove, are disclosed. A control system measures an exhaust gas temperature of airflow through an outlet of the solid fuel combustion appliance. The control system determines a derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time. The derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time is compared to a predetermined threshold. The control system modulates the inlet damper in response to determining that the derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time reaches the predetermined threshold.