Patent ID: 6652265
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: F23C,F23N

Abstract:
A method of operating a burner apparatus defining a reaction zone, a process chamber adjoining said reaction zone, an oxidant supply structure configured to direct oxidant to flow into said reaction zone, a primary fuel supply structure configured to direct primary fuel gas to flow into said reaction zone for mixing with said oxidant to create a combustible mixture in said reaction zone, an igniter operative to ignite said combustible mixture in said reaction zone and thereby to initiate combustion that provides thermal energy to said process chamber, and a secondary fuel supply structure configured to direct secondary fuel gas to flow into said process chamber, said method comprising:providing input flows of oxidant and fuel gas through said supply structures in a plurality of distinct combustion modes; said combustion modes including a startup combustion mode in which input flows of said oxidant and said primary fuel gas are ignited by said igniter and are provided simultaneously with an input flow of said secondary fuel gas until said process chamber reaches the auto-ignition temperature of said secondary fuel gas; said modes further including a subsequent combustion mode in which input flows of said oxidant and said secondary fuel gas are provided simultaneously to the exclusion of an input flow of said primary fuel gas.