Burner assembly and systems incorporating a burner assembly

Systems and methods are disclosed that include providing a cooking system that comprises a burner assembly and a heat exchanger, the burner assembly having a high velocity burner configured to provide the necessary high velocity, volumetric flowrate through the heat exchanger, and the burner assembly also having a low velocity burner configured to significantly reduce and/or substantially eliminate “lift off” that could result from operation of only the high velocity burner.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Food service equipment often includes heat generation equipment and/or heat transfer equipment to produce and/or transfer heat to a cooking medium contained in a cooking vessel for cooking consumables prior to packaging. Such heat generation equipment and/or heat transfer equipment often includes a burner configured to combust an air/fuel mixture to produce heat and a heat exchanger to transfer the heat produced by the burner to the cooking medium. Traditional food service burners and/or heat exchangers may often be inefficient at transferring heat to the cooking medium and/or require frequent monitoring and/or replacement of the cooking medium.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a burner including a body that defines a first cavity, and a burner coupled to the body that is configured to combust an air/fuel mixture. The burner has a central axis and includes a first sub-burner in fluid communication with the first cavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at a first flowrate, and a second sub-burner in fluid communication with the first cavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at a second flowrate. The second flowrate is lower than the first flowrate. The burner assembly also includes an igniter configured to ignite the air/fuel mixture in each of the first sub-burner and the second sub-burner. In some embodiments, the second sub-burner is circumferentially disposed about the first sub-burner with respect to the central axis. In some embodiments, the burner further includes a combustion chamber in fluid communication with each of the first sub-burner and the second sub-burner. In some embodiments, the first sub-burner includes a plurality of axially extending first bores in fluid communication with each of the first cavity and the combustion chamber, and the second sub-burner includes a plurality of radially extending second bores in fluid communication with each of the first cavity and the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the body further includes an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the first cavity extends from the upstream end, and the burner extends from the first cavity to the downstream end. In some embodiments, the burner includes a burner bore extending through the body from the downstream end to the first cavity, and an insert disposed within the burner bore, wherein the insert includes each of the plurality of first bores and the plurality of second bores. In an embodiment, the combustion chamber is defined by the burner bore, between the insert and the downstream end. In some embodiments, the insert also comprises a second cavity that is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of first bores, the plurality of second bores, and the first cavity, wherein each of the plurality of first bores has a smaller diameter than the second cavity.

Other embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a burner assembly including a body that defines a first cavity, and a plurality of burners coupled to the body, each burner being configured to combust an air/fuel mixture. Each burner has a central axis and includes a first sub-burner in fluid communication with the first cavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at a first flowrate, and a second sub-burner in fluid communication with the first cavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at a second flowrate. The second flowrate is lower than the first flowrate. The burner assembly also includes an igniter configured to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the first sub-burner and the second sub-burner in each of the plurality of burners. In some embodiments, each burner further includes a combustion chamber in communication with each of the first sub-burner and the second sub-burner. In some embodiments the burner assembly further includes a plurality of slots, wherein the combustion chamber of each of the burners is in fluid communication with the combustion chambers of each of the other burners through the plurality of slots. In some embodiments, the central axis of each of the plurality of burners is parallel to the central axis of each of the other burners, and each of the slots extend radially with respect to the central axis of at least one of the burners. In some embodiments, for each burner the second sub-burner is circumferentially disposed about the first sub-burner with respect to the central axis. In some embodiments the first sub-burner comprises a plurality of axially extending first bores in fluid communication with the first cavity, and the second sub-burner of each burner comprises a plurality of radially extending second bores in communication with the first cavity. In some embodiments, the body further includes an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the first cavity extends from the upstream end, and each of the plurality of burners extends from the first cavity to the downstream end. In some embodiments each of the plurality of burners includes a burner bore extending through the body from the downstream end to the first cavity, and an insert disposed within the burner bore, wherein the insert comprises each of the plurality of first bores and the plurality of second bores, and a second cavity, the second cavity is in fluid communication with the plurality of first bores, the plurality of second bores, and the first cavity, and each of the plurality of first bores has a smaller diameter than the second cavity.

Still other embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a cooking system including a first burner assembly comprising a body and a burner coupled to the body, the burner having a central axis and being configured to combust a first air/fuel mixture. The burner includes a first sub-burner in fluid communication with a first cavity defined by the body and configured to combust the first air/fuel mixture at a first flowrate, and a second sub-burner in fluid communication with the first cavity that is configured to combust the first air/fuel mixture at a second flowrate, the second flowrate being lower than the first flowrate. In addition, the cooking system includes a first heat exchanger comprising a fluid duct that is configured to receive the combusted air/fuel mixture from the first sub-burner and the second sub-burner. In some embodiments, the cooking system also includes a cooking vessel configured to receive a cooking fluid and a food item to perform a cooking reaction, wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to provide the cooking fluid to the cooking vessel, and a thermal oxidizer fluidly coupled to the cooking vessel, the thermal oxidizer is configured to receive an exhaust emitted from the cooking reaction, and the thermal oxidizer comprises a second burner assembly that is configured to combust a second air/fuel mixture to increase a temperature of the exhaust. The second burner assembly includes a second body and a second burner coupled to the second body, the second burner having a central axis and being configured to combust a second air/fuel mixture, wherein the second burner further includes third sub-burner in fluid communication with a second cavity defined by the second body and configured to combust the second air/fuel mixture at a third flowrate and a fourth sub-burner in fluid communication with the second cavity that is configured to combust the second air/fuel mixture at a fourth flowrate, the fourth flowrate being lower than the first flowrate. In some embodiment, the cooking system also includes a second heat exchanger comprising a fluid duct that is configured to receive the exhaust from the thermal oxidizer. In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger is configured to increase the temperature of the cooking fluid to a first temperature and emit the cooking fluid to the first heat exchanger, and first heat exchanger is configured to increase the temperature of the cooking fluid from the first temperature to a second temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some cases, it may be desirable to provide a cooking system with a burner assembly having a high velocity burner to force combusted air and fuel through a heat exchanger and a low velocity burner to maintain a continuous combustion process and prevent so-called “lift off” where a flame and/or combustion process may be extinguished by a high velocity combustion process that exceeds the ignition capabilities of the burner. For example, a heat exchanger may comprise a plurality of compactly-arranged tubes comprising a plurality of fluid circuits. Alternatively, a heat exchanger may be submerged in a cooking vessel and comprise a plurality of compactly-arranged, interstitially-spaced vertical and horizontal tubes that are open to the cooking vessel to allow ingress and egress of a cooking fluid. In either of these example heat exchangers, resistance to fluid flow through a fluid duct of the heat exchanger may be excessive, such that traditional burners would fail to pass combusted air and fuel through the heat exchanger and would suffer from “lift off” if the velocity and/or flowrate of combustion was increased.

Accordingly, embodiments of cooking systems are disclosed herein that comprise one or more burner assemblies with a high velocity burner (or sub-burner) configured to provide the necessary high velocity flowrate through the tubes of a heat exchanger (e.g., whether the tubes are arranged in multiple fluid circuits of compactly-arranged tubes disposed perpendicularly and interstitially to one another, or whether the tubes comprise compactly-arranged and interstitially-spaced vertical and horizontal tubes that are open to the cooking vessel to allow ingress and egress of a cooking fluid). In addition, the burner assemblies also include a low velocity burner (or sub-burner) configured to significantly reduce and/or substantially eliminate “lift off” that could result from operation of only the high velocity burner.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-5, various views of a burner assembly100are shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The burner assembly100generally comprises a body102, a manifold110, a plurality of runners112joining the body102to the manifold110, a plurality of first burners126, a plurality of second burners138, a ribbon burner146, and a plurality of deflectors122. The body102comprises a lower portion104joined to an upper portion106. In some embodiments, the lower portion104may be bolted to the upper portion106using fasteners124disposed through holes in the lower portion104and threaded into the upper portion106. In some embodiments, a gasket108may be disposed between the lower portion104and the upper portion106of the body102to prevent leakage and/or seepage of any fluid flowing within the cavity105from escaping between the lower portion104and the upper portion106. When assembled, the lower portion104and the upper portion106generally form a cavity105through which fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture may flow.

The burner assembly100also comprises a manifold110configured to deliver the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture into the cavity105through a plurality of parallel runners112. Each runner112comprises a lower threaded portion114, an upper threaded portion116, and a butt joint118that joins the lower threaded portion114to the upper threaded portion116. In some embodiments, it will be appreciated that each runner112may be a solid piece and comprise the lower threaded portion114and the upper threaded portion116joined by the butt joint118. The lower threaded portion114may generally be threaded into and extend into an inner opening of the manifold110, such that fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture may flow from an internal volume of the manifold110through an internal volume of the lower threaded portion114and into an internal volume of the butt joint118. The upper threaded portion116may generally be threaded into the lower portion104of the body102and extend into the cavity105of the body102. Accordingly, an internal volume of the upper threaded portion116may receive fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture from the internal volume of the butt joint118. It will be appreciated that each runner112thus comprises a fluid flow path that extends through internal volumes of the lower threaded portion114, the butt joint118, and the upper threaded portion116. Furthermore, the upper threaded portion116comprises a plurality of fuel delivery holes120that may distribute the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture received from the manifold110evenly throughout the cavity105. Additionally, in some embodiments, an upper distal end of the upper threaded portion116may be closed and/or substantially abut a substantially flat surface of the upper portion106of the body102so that the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture that passes through the runner112only escapes the upper threaded portion116through the fuel delivery holes120.

The burner assembly100comprises a plurality of first burners126arranged adjacently along a length of the upper portion106of burner assembly100. Additionally, the plurality of first burners126are arranged along a centerline of the upper portion106of the body102, such that the centerline of the body102intersects a center axis of each first burner126. Each first burner126comprises a cylindrically-shaped first bore128configured to receive the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture from the cavity105. The first bore128also comprises a plurality of holes132disposed about the first bore128that are configured to allow the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture to flow from the first bore128to a combustion chamber134that is formed by a cylindrically-shaped third bore130. Each first burner126also comprises a cylindrically-shaped second bore129that is axially aligned with and disposed downstream from the first bore128with respect to the flow of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the burner assembly100and that comprises a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the first bore128. The second bore129may also receive the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture from the first bore128. In some embodiments, the smaller diameter of the second bore129may be sized to control a pressure drop through the second bore129and/or the plurality of holes132disposed about the first bore128.

Accordingly, the first burner126may define a first flow path131from the cavity105through the first bore128and the second bore129into the combustion chamber134and further define a plurality of second flow paths133from the cavity105through the first bore128, through the plurality of holes132, and into the combustion chamber134. Furthermore, as will be discussed herein in further detail, to ignite the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture in the first burner126, each first burner126also comprises a groove136disposed in the third bore130that forms the cylindrically-shaped combustion chamber134on each of an opposing left side and right side of the combustion chamber134so that fuel through the first flow path131and the plurality of second flow paths133of the first burner126may be ignited by the ribbon burner146. Thus, the first burner126may further define a first sub-burner125in fluid communication with the cavity105via the first flow path131, and a second sub-burner127in fluid communication with the cavity105via the second flow paths133. The second sub-burner127extends circumferentially about the first sub-burner125with respect to a central axis of burner126(not shown).

In some embodiments, the flowrate, velocity, and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the first flow path131of the first burner126may be greater than the flowrate, volume, and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the plurality of second flow paths133through the first burner126. In particular, without being limited to any particular theory, the radial flow of fluids along second flowpaths133causes impact of the fluids with the inner walls of third bore130, thereby reducing the kinetic energy for these fluid flows and decreasing their velocity as compared to the fluids flowing through first flow path131. As a result, the first sub-burner125(including flow path131) may be referred to herein as a “high velocity sub-burner” and second sub-burner127(including flow path133) may be referred to herein as a “low velocity sub-burner”. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the first flow path131of the first burner126(i.e., through the first sub-burner125and the second sub-burner127) may be equal to or less than the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the plurality of second flow paths133through the first burner126. This adjustment of the relative velocities of flow paths131,133may be accomplished by, for example, adjusting the sizes (e.g., diameters) of the first bore128and holes132.

The burner assembly100also comprises a plurality of second burners138disposed on each of a left side and a right side of the upper portion106of the body102of burner assembly100. Each second burner138may generally be configured as a low flow-rate ribbon burner146that comprises a plurality of feeder holes140, a cavity142, and a plurality of upper holes144. The feeder holes140are configured to receive the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture from the cavity105and allow the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture to flow into a cavity142that houses the ribbon burner146. The second burner138also comprises a plurality of upper holes144that are disposed on the left and right sides of the cavity142and the ribbon burner146. The upper holes144receive fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture from the cavity142. Accordingly, the second burner138may define a first flowpath141from the cavity105through a plurality of feeder holes140, into the cavity142, and through a plurality of upper holes144. Furthermore, as will be discussed herein in further detail, the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture flowing through the upper holes144may be ignited by the ribbon burner146.

Additionally, the ribbon burner146comprises a plurality of small perforations148that may also allow fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture to pass through a plurality of second flowpaths143from the cavity142through the perforations148, where they may be ignited by the ribbon burner146. In some embodiments, the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the first flowpath141of the second burner138may be greater than the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the plurality of second flowpaths143through the second burner138. However, in other embodiments, the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the first flowpath141of the second burner138may be equal to or less than the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the plurality of second flowpaths143through the second burner138. Additionally, in some embodiments, the combined flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through a first burner126may be greater than the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through a second burner138. However, in alternative embodiments, the combined flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through a first burner126may be equal to or less than the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through a second burner138.

In some embodiments, the burner assembly100may comprise one or more infrared burners. Accordingly, the first burner126, the second burner138, and/or the ribbon burner146may be configured as an infrared burner. Accordingly, first burner126, the second burner138, and/or the ribbon burner146may comprise additional components, including but not limited to, ceramic components and/or other components necessary to configure and/or operate the first burner126, the second burner138, and/or the ribbon burner146as an infrared burner. However, in some embodiments, the first burner126, the second burner138, and/or the ribbon burner146may alternatively be configured as any other suitable burner.

In operation, the burner assembly100is configured to combust fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture through a plurality of first burners126and a plurality of second burners138. In some embodiments, the burner assembly100may also comprise a separate igniter and/or a plurality of igniters configured to ignite the air/fuel mixture in each of the first burners126and the second burners138. In this embodiment, the combined flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or air/fuel mixture through the first burners126is greater than the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the plurality of second burners138. Accordingly, the velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture through the first burners126is higher than the velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture through the second burners138.

Because the velocity of the combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the first burners126exits the first burners126at such a high velocity, traditional burners may experience so-called “lift off” where the flame is extinguished due to the high velocity. As such, the lower velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture exiting the second burners138may prevent this “lift off” by continuously burning fuel at a lower flowrate and/or delivering a combusted air/fuel mixture at the lower velocity. Additionally, the burner assembly100also comprises a deflector122on each of a left side and a right side of the upper portion106of the body102of burner assembly100that is secured to the upper portion106of the body102by a plurality of fasteners124. The deflectors122may be angled towards a center of the upper portion106and extend over the second burners138in order to deflect the combusted air/fuel mixture exiting the second burners138towards the combusted air/fuel mixture exiting the first burners126. Accordingly, the deflectors122may also aid in preventing “lift off” by directing the lower velocity combusted air/fuel mixture exiting the second burners138towards the higher velocity combusted air/fuel mixture exiting the first burners126.

Further, within the first burner126itself, the velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the fuel mixture through the first sub-burner125may be such that the first sub-burner125may also experience “lift off.” However, the relatively slower velocity of the combusted fluid flow from second sub-burner127may prevent this “lift off” of the first sub-burner125by continuously burning fuel at a lower flow rate and/or delivering combusted fuel or fuel/air mixture at a lower velocity.

Referring now toFIGS. 6-8, a pair of perspective views and a back view of a burner assembly200is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Burner assembly200comprises a generally cylindrical body211that includes a central axis205, a first or upstream end200a, a second or downstream end200bopposite upstream end200a, and a radially outer surface200cextending axially between ends200a,200b. Radially outer surface200cfurther includes a first upstream cylindrical surface207extending from upstream end200a, a second or downstream cylindrical surface201extending axially from downstream end200b, and a frustoconical surface203between surfaces201,207. In this embodiment, downstream cylindrical surface201has a larger diameter about axis205than upstream cylindrical surface207such that frustoconical surface203extends radially outward moving axially from upstream cylindrical surface207to downstream cylindrical surface201. A plurality of mounting bores204extend axially from frustoconical surface203to downstream end200bthat are evenly circumferentially spaced about axis205. As will be described in more detail below, mounting bores204are configured to receive bolts, screws, rivets, or other suitable mounting members to secure burner assembly200to another member or structure (e.g., a heat exchanger, vessel, etc.). In addition, a plurality of mounting bores209also extend into body211from upstream end200a. Mounting bores209may be used to couple piping or other supply conduits to burner assembly200(e.g., such as to supply fuel or a fuel air mixture to burner assembly200).

Body211of burner assembly200also includes a cylindrical recess or cavity202extending axially from upstream end200aand a plurality of burners220extending axially from cavity202to downstream end200b. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, each burner220has a central or longitudinal axis225that extends parallel to axis205of burner assembly200. In this embodiment, burner assembly200includes a total of seven burners220with one of the burners (identified as burner220′) coaxially aligned with burner assembly200and the remaining six burners220evenly circumferentially spaced about axis205. In particular, in this embodiment, axis225of central burner220′ is aligned with axis205of burner assembly200, and the axes225of the remaining burners220are all parallel to and radially offset from axis205of burner assembly200. It should be appreciated that generic references to burners220is meant to encompass all of the burners220on burner assembly200(including central burner220′).

Referring now toFIGS. 9 and 10, cross-sectional views of burner assembly200and central burner220′ are shown. It should be appreciated that the details described below for burner220′ are also applicable to describe the features of the other burners220, except that axis225of the remaining burners220are not aligned with axis205as previously described above. Thus, a detailed description of the other burners220is omitted herein in the interest of brevity.

In this embodiment, burner220′ comprises a bore222(bore222may be referred to herein as a “burner bore222”) extending axially from downstream end200bof body211to cavity202and an insert230disposed within bore222. Insert230is coaxially aligned with axis225and includes a first or upstream end230a, a second or downstream end230bopposite upstream end230a, a recess or cavity232extending axially from upstream end230a, a plurality of first bores234extending axially from cavity232to downstream end230b, and a plurality of second bores236extending radially from cavity232. As best shown inFIG. 10, insert230is disposed within bore222such that upstream end230aengages or abuts with a radially extending annular shoulder224within bore222such that cavity232is in communication with cavity202of body211. In addition, bore222and upstream end200bof burner assembly200are in communication with cavity232(and thus also cavity202) through each of the plurality of first bores234and the plurality of second bores236.

Each burner220′ defines a plurality of first flow paths239extending from cavity232, axially through bores234and into bore222toward downstream end200b, and a plurality of second flow paths237extending from cavity232radially through bores236and then axially through bore222toward downstream end200b. As will be described in more detail below, bore222(or the portion of bore222that is not occupied by insert230) forms a combustion chamber226that receives fuel (or an air/fuel mixture) from both the first flow paths239and the second flow paths237that may be ignited therein. However, because the fuel (or air/fuel mixture) flowing through the plurality of second flow paths237first flows radially from cavity232into bore222(or combustion chamber226), the fluids flowing along second flow paths237flow at a slower velocity (and thus at a lower flow rate) than the fluids flowing along plurality of first flow paths239. In other words, without being limited to any particular theory, the radial flow of fluids along second flow paths237causes impact of the fluids with the inner wall of bore222, thereby reducing the kinetic energy for these fluid flows and decreasing their velocity as compared to the fluids flowing axially through first flow paths239. Also, the relatively smaller diameter of the bores234compared with cavity232causes an increase in velocity of the fluids flowing along flow paths239upon entering bores234. As a result, burner220′ defines a first sub-burner240(or high velocity burner) fed by flow paths239, and a second sub-burner241(or low velocity burner) fed by flow paths237(seeFIG. 10). In particular, in this embodiment, second sub-burner241is annularly or circumferentially disposed about first sub-burner240with respect to axis225.

In addition, the increased velocity through flow paths239due to the constrictions created within the relatively smaller diameter first bores234also allows for higher velocities of combusted fuel (or air/fuel mixture) through the first sub-burner240from relatively smaller flow rates of fuel (or fuel/air mixture) through cavity202. This may further enhance the ability of burner assembly200to deliver a flow of combusted fluids at a sufficiently high velocity to overcome any back pressure imposed by the internal structure of an associated heat exchanger (e.g., heat exchangers300,500described below).

Referring back now toFIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of slots210extend through burner assembly200to place the combustion chambers226of adjacently disposed burners220in fluid communication with one another. As a result, in this embodiment, the combustion chambers226of all of the burners220on burner assembly200are in fluid communication with one another either directly or indirectly via the slots210. Further, a pair of spark plugs208(or other suitable igniter member) are inserted partially into the combustion chambers226of two of the burners220(however, more or less than two spark plugs208may be used in other embodiments) through corresponding angled bores206extending from frustoconical surface203. As a result, spark plugs208may be utilized to ignite fuel (or air/fuel mixture) disposed within combustion chambers226of burners220.

Referring now toFIGS. 6, 7, and 10, in operation, burner assembly200is configured to combust fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture through the plurality of burners220. Initial combustion (or ignition) of the fuel and/or air/fuel mixture within burners220is achieved via one or both of the spark plugs208, and this initial combustion subsequently spreads to the other burners220via slots210. Within each burner220, the fuel and/or fuel mixture enters chamber226via sub-burners240,241and ignites therein. In at least some operations, the velocity of the combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the first-sub burners240is such that they may experience so-called “lift off” where the flame is extinguished due to the high velocity. However, the lower velocity of the combusted fuel and/or fuel/air mixture exiting second sub-burners241(which have a slower flow rate due to the radially directed bores236as previously described) may prevent this “lift off” by continuously burning fuel at a lower flowrate and/or delivering a combusted air/fuel mixture at a lower velocity. In addition, if any of the burners220should experience a total loss of combustion (e.g., due to “lift-off,” temporary lack of fuel, or another reason), then the fluid communication between the burners220via slots210may allow for re-ignition from an adjacent burner220that is still combusting fuel therein.

Additionally, while not shown specifically inFIGS. 6-10, additional adjacent burners (e.g., ribbon burners146inFIG. 2) or deflectors (e.g., deflectors122inFIG. 2) may also be incorporated onto or adjacent to burner assembly200in the same or a similar manner to that described above for burner assembly100, so that additional reliability may be achieved during operations with burner assembly200. Further, as described above for burner assembly100, in some embodiments, burner assembly200may comprise one or more infrared burners. Accordingly, the burners220(including sub-burners240,241) and/or the possible additional adjacent burners discussed above may comprise additional components including but not limited to, ceramic components and/or other components necessary to configured and/or operate burners220(or the additional adjacent burners) as infrared burners.

Referring now toFIGS. 11-13, an oblique side view, an oblique cross-sectional side view, and an oblique end view of a heat exchanger300are shown, respectively, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The heat exchanger300comprises a first fluid circuit301having a first inlet302, a plurality of top headers304, a plurality of downward tubes306, a plurality of bottom headers308, a plurality of upward tubes310, and a first outlet212. The first inlet302is connected in fluid communication with a first top header304′ and is configured to receive a fluid there through and allow the fluid to enter the first top header304′. The first top header304′ is connected in fluid communication with a first set of downward tubes306, which is connected in fluid communication with a bottom header308. Fluid from the first top header304′ may flow through the first set of downward tubes306into a bottom header308. The bottom header308may also be connected in fluid communication with a set of upward tubes310that may carry fluid from the bottom header308through the upward tubes310and into another top header304. Accordingly, this pattern may continue along the length of the heat exchanger300, such that each top header304transfers fluid through a set of downward tubes306into a bottom header308and subsequently from the bottom header308through a set of upward tubes310into an adjacently downstream located top header304.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that downward tubes306may be associated with carrying a fluid from a top header304in a downward direction towards and into a bottom header308, and upward tubes310may be associated with carrying a fluid from a bottom header308in an upward direction towards and into a top header304. This pattern may continue along the length of the heat exchanger300until a last set of downward tubes306carries fluid through into a final bottom header308′ and out of the first outlet312. Accordingly, the first fluid circuit301comprises passing fluid from the first inlet302into the first top header304′ through a repetitive serpentine series of downward tubes306, a bottom header308, a set of upward tubes310, and a top header304until passing through a final set of downward tubes306into the final bottom header308′ and exiting the heat exchanger300through the first outlet312. Furthermore, in other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the first inlet302and/or the first outlet312may alternatively be disposed both in a top header304, both in a bottom header308, or in opposing top and bottom headers304,308.

The heat exchanger300also comprises a second fluid circuit313having a second inlet314, a plurality of left headers316, a plurality of rightward tubes318, a plurality of right headers320, a plurality of leftward tubes322, and a second outlet324. The rightward tubes318and the leftward tubes322may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the downward tubes306and the upward tubes310of the first fluid circuit301. The second inlet314is connected in fluid communication with a first left header316′ and is configured to receive a fluid there through and allow the fluid to enter the first left header316′. The first left header316′ is connected in fluid communication with a first set of rightward tubes318, which is connected in fluid communication with a right header320. Fluid from the first left header316′ may flow through the first set of rightward tubes318into a right header320. The right header320may also be connected in fluid communication with a set of leftward tubes322that may carry fluid from the right header320through the leftward tubes322and into another left header316. Accordingly, this pattern may continue along the length of the heat exchanger300, such that each left header316transfers fluid through a set of rightward tubes318into a right header320and subsequently from the right header320through a set of leftward tubes322into an adjacently downstream located left header316.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that rightward tubes318may be associated with carrying a fluid from a left header316in a rightward direction towards and into a right header320, and leftward tubes322may be associated with carrying a fluid from a right header320in a leftward direction towards and into a left header316. This pattern may continue along the length of the heat exchanger300until a last set of rightward tubes318carries fluid through into a final right header320′ and out of the second outlet324. Accordingly, the second fluid circuit313comprises passing fluid from the second inlet314into the first left header316′ through a repetitive serpentine series of a set of rightward tubes318, a right header320, a set of leftward tubes322, and a left header316until passing through a final set of rightward tubes318into the final right header320′ and exiting the heat exchanger300through the second outlet324. Furthermore, in other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the second inlet314and/or the second outlet324may alternatively be disposed both in a left header316, both in a right header320, or in opposing left and right headers316,320. Additionally, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the heat exchanger300may comprise only one of the first fluid circuit301and the second fluid circuit313.

First Fluid circuit301and the second fluid circuit313may comprise different lengths. Accordingly, the first inlet302and/or the first outlet312may be disposed in any of the top headers304or bottom headers308, and the second inlet314and/or the second outlet324may be disposed in any of the left headers316and the right headers320to vary the length of the fluid circuits301,313, respectively. By altering the length of the fluid circuits301,313, the heat exchanger300may be configured to maintain a temperature gradient, reduce a pressure drop, and/or otherwise control the temperature and/or pressure of the fluid though each of the fluid circuits301,313.

The tubes306,310,318,322of the heat exchanger300may generally be arranged to provide a compact, highly resistive flowpath through the fluid duct328. In order to effectively and/or evenly distribute the heat produced by a coupled burner assembly (which may comprise burner assembly100or burner assembly200, each previously described above) through the tubes306,310,318,322, sets and/or rows of tubes306,310may be interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with sets and/or rows of tubes318,322. In the shown embodiment, two rows of downward tubes306, two rows of rightward tubes318, two rows of upward tubes310, and two rows of leftward tubes322are interstitially and/or alternatively spaced, respectively, along the length of the heat exchanger300. However, in alternative embodiments, a single row of tubes306,310,318,322may be interstitially and/or alternatively spaced, respectively, along the length of the heat exchanger300. In other embodiments, however, heat exchanger300may comprise any number of rows of tubes306,310,318,322interstitially and/or alternatively spaced along the length of the heat exchanger300. For example, heat exchanger300may comprise three rows of downward tubes306, two rows of rightward tubes318, three rows of upward tubes310, and two rows of leftward tubes322may be interstitially and/or alternatively spaced. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the number of rows of tubes306,310,318,322interstitially and/or alternatively spaced may vary, so long as at least one row of vertically-oriented tubes306,310is disposed adjacently with at least one row of horizontally-oriented tubes318,322along the length of the heat exchanger300.

Heat exchanger300also comprises a plurality of mounting holes326disposed through a mounting flange327that is disposed at the distal end of the heat exchanger300located closest to the first inlet302and the second inlet314. The mounting holes326may generally be configured to mount the heat exchanger300to a burner assembly (e.g., either the burner assembly100ofFIGS. 1-5or the burner assembly200ofFIGS. 6-10). In some embodiments, the heat exchanger300may be secured to a burner assembly via fasteners such as bolts, rivets, etc. (e.g., fasteners124). However, in other embodiments, the heat exchanger300may be secured to a burner assembly through an alternative mechanical interface (e.g., plate, adapter, etc.). While mounting flange327is shown as having a rectangular (or square) shape, it should be appreciated that flange327may be differently shaped or formed (e.g., flange327may be circular or curved in shape) to accommodate the connection between the chosen burner assembly (e.g., burner assembly100,200) and heat exchanger300. The heat exchanger300is secured to the chosen burner assembly so that combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture is forced through a plurality of inner walls of the heat exchanger300that form a fluid duct328through the heat exchanger300. Accordingly, heat from the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture may be absorbed by a fluid flowing through the tubes306,310,318,322of the heat exchanger300. The heated fluid may exit the heat exchanger300through the first outlet312and the second outlet324of the first fluid circuit301and the second fluid circuit313, respectively, and therefore be used to heat and/or cook consumable products (i.e., chips, crackers, frozen foods).

In operation, the configuration of tubes306,310,318,322provides a compact, highly resistive flow path through the fluid duct328. Accordingly, to force combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the fluid duct328requires high velocity. Accordingly, the velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture through the high velocity burners (or sub-burners) of the chosen burner assembly (e.g., first burners126of the burner assembly100; first sub-burners240of burner assembly200, etc.) is high enough to provide the requisite velocity needed to overcome the resistance to flow through the heat exchanger300. Furthermore, the lower velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture through the low velocity burners of the chosen burner assembly (e.g., second sub-burners127or second burners138of the burner assembly100; second sub-burners241of burner assembly200, etc.) prevents “lift off” so that the combustion process remains constant through the burner assembly (i.e., burner assembly100or200).

Referring now toFIG. 14, a schematic of a cooking system400is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Cooking system400generally comprises at least one burner assembly100, at least one heat exchanger300, at least one cooking vessel402(e.g., a fryer), at least one oil input line403, and at least one oil output line404. In this embodiment, cooking system400utilizes burner assembly100; however, it should be appreciated that cooking system400may alternatively or additionally include burner assembly200as described in more detail below. As previously disclosed, the burner assembly100may be mounted to at least one heat exchanger300. However, in this embodiment, the burner assembly100may be mounted to a plurality of heat exchangers300. Furthermore, while not shown, in some embodiments, multiple burner assemblies100may be mounted to multiple heat exchangers300in the cooking system400. The burner assembly100is configured to provide a high velocity flow of combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the fluid duct328of the heat exchangers300.

Fluid, such as a cooking fluid (e.g., oil, water, etc.) may be pumped into the first inlet302and/or the second inlet314of the heat exchangers300(seeFIGS. 11-13) through a plurality of oil input lines303, each oil input line303being associated with a respective inlet302,314. Fluid may enter the oil input lines403from a reservoir and/or may be circulated through the heat exchangers300from the cooking vessel402. The fluid may be pumped and/or passed through the tubes306,310,318,322of the heat exchangers300(seeFIGS. 11-13). Heat produced from the combustion of fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture in the burner assembly100may be transferred to the fluid flowing through the tubes306,310,318,322of the heat exchangers300(seeFIGS. 11-13). The heated fluid may exit the heat exchanger300through the first outlet312and the second outlet324and be carried into the cooking vessel402through a plurality of oil output lines404, each oil output line404being associated with a respective outlet312,324. In some embodiments, the heated fluid may be carried into the cooking vessel402at different locations to maintain a proper temperature, temperature gradient, and/or temperature profile within the cooking vessel402. As stated, in some embodiments, fluid from the cooking vessel402may be recirculated through the oil input lines403and reheated within the heat exchangers300. Furthermore, it will be appreciated while burner assembly100is disclosed in the context of food service equipment (e.g., fryer, boiler), the burner assembly100may be used for any application or industry that requires a fluid to be heated rapidly, consistently, and efficiently.

Additionally, as previously mentioned above, in some embodiments burner assembly200may be used in place of burner assembly100within cooking system400. In these embodiments, fuel and/or air/fuel mixture is forced through burner assembly200from upstream end200ato downstream end200b(i.e., through cavity202and burners220) so that the fuel (or mixture) combusts within combustion chambers226and is emitted through fluid duct328of heat exchangers300in the same manner as described above for burner assembly100(seeFIGS. 6, 7, 10, and 11-14).

Referring now toFIG. 15, a schematic of a cooking system450is shown according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Cooking system450may be substantially similar to cooking system400ofFIG. 14. However, cooking system450comprises a plurality of burner assemblies475(which may each comprise burner assembly100, burner assembly200, or a combination of burner assembles100,200), a plurality of heat exchangers300, at least one cooking vessel402(i.e., a fryer), at least one oil input line403per heat exchanger300, and at least one oil output line404per heat exchanger300. As previously disclosed, each burner assembly475may be associated with at least one heat exchanger300. However, in this embodiment, each burner assembly475may be mounted to a single heat exchanger300. Each burner assembly475is configured to provide a high velocity flow of combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the fluid duct328of the associated heat exchanger300(seeFIGS. 11-13).

Fluid, such as a cooking fluid (e.g., oil) may be pumped into the first inlet302and/or the second inlet314of the heat exchanger300through a plurality of oil input lines403, each oil input line403being associated with a respective inlet302,314(seeFIGS. 11-13). Fluid may enter the oil input lines403from a reservoir and/or may be circulated through the heat exchangers300from the cooking vessel402. The fluid may be pumped and/or passed through the tubes306,310,318,322of the heat exchanger300(seeFIGS. 11-13). Heat produced from the combustion of fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture in the burner assemblies475may be transferred to the fluid flowing through the tubes306,310,318,322of each respective heat exchanger300(seeFIGS. 11-13). The heated fluid may exit the heat exchangers300through the first outlet312and the second outlet324of each heat exchanger300and be carried into the cooking vessel402through a plurality of oil output lines404, each oil output line404being associated with a respective outlet312,324.

In some embodiments, the heated fluid may be carried into the cooking vessel402at different locations to maintain a proper temperature, temperature gradient, and/or temperature profile within the cooking vessel402. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that each burner assembly475may be individually controlled by a burner controller (not pictured). As such, in some embodiments, each burner assembly475may be operated at substantially similar temperatures. However, in other embodiments, each burner assembly475may be operated at different temperatures to maintain a temperature gradient across the cooking vessel402and/or to control a cooking process requiring different temperatures. Still further, while multiple burner assemblies475and multiple heat exchangers300are pictured, in some embodiments, a single burner assembly475may be associated with a single heat exchanger300to provide heated fluid to the cooking vessel402. As stated, in some embodiments, fluid from the cooking vessel402may be recirculated through the oil input lines403and reheated within the heat exchangers300. Furthermore, it will be appreciated while burner assembly475is disclosed in the context of food service equipment (e.g., fryer, boiler), the burner assembly475may be used for any application or industry that requires a fluid to be heated rapidly, consistently, and efficiently.

Referring now toFIGS. 16 and 17, an oblique side view and an oblique cross-sectional side view of a heat exchanger500are shown, respectively, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The heat exchanger500generally comprises a top wall504, a bottom wall506, a left side wall508, and a right side wall510that define a fluid duct522having an inlet502and an outlet512through the heat exchanger500. Heat exchanger500also comprises a plurality of vertical tubes514that extend between the top wall504and the bottom wall506. The plurality of vertical tubes514may extend through the top wall504and the bottom wall506to allow ingress and egress of fluid into the vertical tubes514through each of the top wall504and bottom wall506. Additionally, heat exchanger500also comprises a plurality of horizontal tubes516that extend between the left side wall508and the right side wall510. The plurality of horizontal tubes516may extend through the left side wall508and the right side wall510to allow ingress and egress of fluid into the horizontal tubes516through each of the left side wall508and the right side wall510.

The vertical tubes514and the horizontal tubes516of the heat exchanger500may generally be arranged to provide a compact, highly resistive flow path through the fluid duct522. In order to effectively and/or evenly distribute the heat produced by a burner assembly (e.g., burner assembly100or200) through the vertical tubes514and the horizontal tubes516, sets and/or rows of vertical tubes514may be interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with sets and/or rows of horizontal tubes516. In the shown embodiment, two rows of vertical tubes514are interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with two rows of horizontal tubes516along the length of the heat exchanger500. However, in alternative embodiments, a single row of vertical tubes514may be interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with a single row of horizontal tubes516along the length of the heat exchanger500. In other embodiments, however, heat exchanger500may comprise any number of rows of vertical tubes514interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with any number of rows of horizontal tubes516along the length of the heat exchanger500. For example, heat exchanger500may comprise three rows of vertical tubes514interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with two rows of horizontal tubes516. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the number of rows or vertical tubes514interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with rows of horizontal tubes516may vary, so long as at least one row of vertical tubes514is interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with at least one row of horizontal tubes516along the length of the heat exchanger500.

The heat exchanger500also comprises a plurality of mounting holes518disposed through a mounting flange520that is disposed at the distal end of the heat exchanger500located closest to the inlet502. The mounting holes518may generally be configured to mount the heat exchanger500to a burner assembly (e.g., either the burner assembly100ofFIGS. 1-5or the burner assembly200ofFIGS. 6-10). In some embodiments, the heat exchanger500may be secured to a burner assembly via fasteners such as bolts, rivets, etc. (e.g., fasteners124). However, in other embodiments, the heat exchanger500may be secured to a burner assembly through an alternative mechanical interface (e.g., plate, adapter, etc.). While mounting flange520is shown as having a rectangular (or square) shape, it should be appreciated that flange520may be differently shaped or formed (e.g., flange520may be circular or curved in shape) to accommodate the connection between the chosen burner assembly (e.g., burner assembly100,200) and heat exchanger500. The heat exchanger500is secured to the chosen burner assembly so that combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture is forced through the fluid duct522of the heat exchanger500. Accordingly, heat from the combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture may be absorbed by a fluid flowing through the tubes514,516of the heat exchanger500. The heated fluid may exit heat exchanger500through the tubes514,516and therefore be used to heat and/or cook consumable products (i.e., chips, crackers, frozen foods).

In operation, the configuration of tubes514,516provides a compact, highly resistive flow path through the fluid duct522. Accordingly, to force combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the fluid duct522requires high velocity. Accordingly, the velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture through the high velocity burners of the burner assembly (e.g., first burners126of the burner assembly100; first sub-burners240of burner assembly200, etc.) is high enough to provide the requisite velocity needed to overcome the resistance to flow through the heat exchanger500. Furthermore, the lower velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture through the low velocity burners of the burner assembly (e.g., second sub-burners127or second burners138of the burner assembly100; the second sub-burners241of burner assembly200, etc.) prevents “lift off” so that the combustion process remains constant through the burner assembly (i.e., burner assembly100or200).

Referring now toFIGS. 18 and 19, a schematic top view and a schematic side view of a cooking system600are shown, respectively, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Cooking system600generally comprises at least one burner assembly100, at least one heat exchanger500, and at least one cooking vessel602(e.g., a fryer). In this embodiment, cooking system600utilizes burner assembly100; however, it should be appreciated that cooking system600may alternatively or additionally include burner assembly200as described in more detail below. As previously disclosed, the burner assembly100may be mounted to at least one heat exchanger500. However, in this embodiment, the burner assembly100may be mounted to a plurality of heat exchangers500. Furthermore, while not shown, in some embodiments, multiple burner assemblies100may be mounted to multiple heat exchangers500in the cooking system600. The burner assembly100is configured to provide a high velocity flow of combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the fluid duct522of the heat exchanger500(seeFIGS. 16 and 17). The heat exchangers500may generally be submerged in the cooking vessel602.

Fluid, such as a cooking fluid (e.g., oil) contained within the cooking vessel602, may be free to flow through the vertical tubes514and horizontal tubes516of the heat exchanger500(seeFIGS. 16 and 17). Heat produced from the combustion of fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture in the burner assembly100may enter the inlet502of the heat exchanger500from the burner assembly100and be transferred to the fluid flowing through and/or contained within the tubes514,516of the heat exchanger500. Accordingly, in embodiments comprising multiple heat exchangers500, the heat exchangers500may be disposed throughout the cooking vessel602at substantially similar intervals and/or uniformly spaced to maintain a substantially uniform temperature within the cooking vessel602. However, in other embodiments comprising multiple heat exchangers500, the heat exchangers500may be disposed to maintain a temperature gradient and/or temperature profile within the cooking vessel602. The heated fluid may flow through and exit the tubes514,516of heat exchanger500back into cooking vessel602. In some embodiments, the outlet512of duct522(which carries combusted fluids from burner assembly100) may extend through the cooking vessel602and be discharged to an outside environment through a collective exhaust header (not shown) and/or any other ductwork to expel the combusted gases. In some embodiments, fluid from the cooking vessel602may be circulated within the cooking vessel602by a pump (not shown) to increase and/or promote fluid flow through the tubes514,516of the heat exchanger500. Furthermore, it will be appreciated while burner assembly100is disclosed in the context of food service equipment (e.g., cooking vessel, fryer, boiler), the burner assembly100may be used for any application or industry that requires a fluid to be heated rapidly, consistently, and efficiently.

Additionally, as previously mentioned above, in some embodiments burner assembly200may be used in place of burner assembly100within cooking system600. In these embodiments, fuel and/or air/fuel mixture is forced through burner assembly200from upstream end200ato downstream end200b(i.e., through cavity202and burners220) so that the fuel (or mixture) combusts within combustion chambers226and is emitted through fluid duct522of heat exchangers500in the same manner as described above for burner assembly100(seeFIGS. 6, 7, 10, and 11-14).

Referring now toFIG. 20, a schematic top view of a cooking system650is shown according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Cooking system650may be substantially similar to cooking system600ofFIGS. 18 and 19. However, in this embodiment, cooking system650comprises a plurality of burner assemblies675, wherein each burner assembly675may be mounted to a single heat exchanger500. As is similarly described above for burner assemblies475inFIG. 15, burner assemblies675may each comprise burner assembly100, burner assembly200, or a combination of burner assemblies100,200. The burner assembly675is configured to provide a high velocity flow of combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the fluid duct522of the heat exchanger500(seeFIGS. 16 and 17). The heat exchangers500may generally be submerged in the cooking vessel602. Fluid, such as a cooking fluid (e.g., oil) contained within the cooking vessel602, may be free to flow through the vertical tubes514and horizontal tubes516of the heat exchanger500(seeFIGS. 16 and 17). Heat produced from the combustion of fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture in the burner assembly675may enter the inlet502of each heat exchanger500from the burner assembly675and be transferred to the fluid flowing through and/or contained within the tubes514,516of the heat exchanger500. Additionally, heat may be transferred to the fluid within the cooking vessel602that contacts any outer surface of the heat exchangers500.

In this embodiment, the heat exchangers500may generally be disposed throughout the cooking vessel602at substantially similar intervals and/or uniformly spaced to maintain a substantially uniform temperature within the cooking vessel602. However, in other embodiments, the heat exchangers500may be disposed at any other interval and/or spacing based on a desired temperature profile across the cooking vessel602and/or the configuration of the cooking vessel602. Thus, in some embodiments, the burner assemblies675and heat exchangers500are disposed to maintain a temperature gradient and/or temperature profile within the cooking vessel602. In addition, to accomplish control of the burner assemblies675, each burner assembly675may be controlled by a burner assembly controller604. As such, the burner assembly controller604may control each burner assembly675to a specified amount of heat in order to maintain a temperature gradient and/or temperature profile of the fluid within the cooking vessel602. However, in other embodiments, the burner assemblies675may be controlled to provide a substantially similar amount of heat to maintain a substantially similar temperature of the fluid throughout the cooking vessel602. In such embodiments, multiple burner assemblies675may, at least in some instances, be controlled by a single burner assembly controller604. The heated fluid may flow through and exit the tubes514,516of heat exchanger500back into cooking vessel602. In some embodiments, the outlet512of duct522(which carries combusted fluids from burner assembly100) may extend through the cooking vessel602and be discharged to an outside environment through a collective exhaust header (not shown) and/or any other ductwork to expel the combusted gases. In some embodiments, fluid may be circulated within the cooking vessel602by a pump (not shown) to increase and/or promote fluid flow through the tubes514,516of the heat exchanger500. Furthermore, it will be appreciated while burner assembly675is disclosed in the context of food service equipment (i.e., cooking vessel, fryer, boiler), the burner assembly675may be used for any application or industry that requires a fluid to be heated rapidly, consistently, and efficiently.

Referring now toFIG. 21, a schematic view of a cooking system700is shown according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Cooking system700generally includes a reservoir702, a first heat exchanger706, a plurality of second heat exchangers708a,708b, a cooking vessel712, and a thermal oxidizer740. In addition, cooking system700includes a cooking fluid circuit comprising conduits730,732,734,736,738, an exhaust system comprising conduits724,726, and a fuel system comprising conduits722and header720. Each of the conduits730,732,734,736,738,724,726,722may comprise any suitable fluid conveyance member capable of channeling fluids there through. For example, conduits730,732,734,736,738,724,726,722may comprise pipes, hoses, open channels, or other fluid conveyances.

Cooking vessel712may comprise any suitable vessel or tub for containing a cooking fluid704(e.g., oil, water, etc.) at a high temperature. For example, cooking vessel712may be similar to cooking vessels402,602previously described above (seeFIGS. 14, 15, and 18-20). Reservoir702may comprise a tank or vessel (or collection of vessels) that is configured to hold or store the cooking fluid704for use within cooking system700.

Heat exchangers706,708a,708bmay comprise any suitable device for transferring heat between two fluids (e.g., such as heat exchangers300,500, previously described). In this embodiment, each of the heat exchangers706,708a,708bis the same (or similar to) heat exchanger300ofFIGS. 11-13. As will be described in more detail below, heat exchangers706,708a,708bare utilized within cooking system700to transfer heat to cooking fluid704so that cooking fluid704is at a sufficient temperature to carry out the desired cooking reaction (e.g., frying) within cooking vessel712. Each of the heat exchangers708a,708binclude a burner assembly716that may comprise burner assembly100or burner assembly200previously described above (it should be appreciated that heat exchangers708a,708bmay share a single burner assembly716in other embodiments). In this embodiment, burner assemblies716each comprise the burner assembly200previously described above (seeFIGS. 6-10). As with cooking systems400,600, burner assemblies716are used to combust fuel (e.g., natural gas) to provide heat to the cooking fluid704as it flows through heat exchangers708a,708b. In addition, as will be described in more detail below, in this embodiment heat exchanger706does not include a burner assembly716and instead utilizes heat from thermal oxidizer740(described below) to increase the temperature of cooking fluid704flowing therein.

Referring now toFIG. 22, a schematic side cross-sectional view of thermal oxidizer740is shown. Thermal oxidizer740is a vessel comprising a first or upstream end740a, a second or downstream end740bopposite upstream end740a, and an internal chamber742. An inlet744into internal chamber742is disposed at upstream end740a, and an outlet746from internal chamber742is disposed proximate downstream end740b. A plurality of burner assemblies716are disposed at upstream end740aand extend into chamber742. In this embodiment, the burner assemblies716on thermal oxidizer740are evenly circumferentially disposed about inlet744(or a central axis of inlet744). The burner assemblies716on thermal oxidizer740may comprise burner assembly100or burner assembly200previously described above. In this embodiment, each of the burner assemblies716on thermal oxidizer740comprise the burner assembly200ofFIGS. 6-10. Fuel (e.g., natural gas, propane, etc.) is provided to burner assemblies716from fuel header720(which is shown inFIG. 21) via a plurality of fuel supply conduits722. Fuel header720may comprise a supply pipe (or other conduit) or tank that provides a flow of fuel to conduits722. In some embodiments, fuel header720is a main supply pipe of natural gas provided from a local utility service.

A manifold748is coupled to thermal oxidizer740at upstream end740a. In this embodiment, manifold748is an annular chamber that surrounds oxidizer740at upstream end740a. A supply line747provides air (or oxygen) to manifold748, which is then supplied to fuel supply conduits722upstream of burner assemblies716. As a result, an air/fuel mixture is supplied to burner assemblies716via conduits722,749during operations. Upon entering the burner assemblies716, the air/fuel mixture is combusted in the manner described above for burner assemblies100,200(depending on whether burner assembly100or200is used) such that hot combusted fluids are emitted into thermal oxidizer740at upstream end740a.

Referring now toFIGS. 21 and 22, during operations, a food item (e.g., chips, crackers, frozen foods, etc.) may be placed into cooking vessel712to perform a cooking operation (e.g., frying, boiling, etc.). To facilitate the cooking operation, hot cooking fluid704is flowed into cooking vessel712via conduits734,736. Subsequently, the cooking fluid704exits cooking vessel712via conduit738and flows to heat exchanger706. In addition, cooking fluid704may be flowed to heat exchanger706from reservoir704via conduit730as shown inFIG. 21. As a result of the interaction between the hot cooking fluid704and the food item within vessel712, hot exhaust gases are emitted from vessel712that are captured by vent hood714and transferred to inlet744of thermal oxidizer740via conduit724(a blower or other suitable compressing or pumping assembly may be included along conduit724to facilitate the flow of fluids from vessel712into chamber742of thermal oxidizer740). Upon entering internal chamber742, the exhaust fluids from cooking vessel712are heated by the hot combusted gases also emitted into chamber742by burner assemblies716. In some embodiments, at least some of the exhaust fluids entering chamber742at inlet744are also ignited by the combustion within burner assemblies716. The heated gases are flowed through chamber742from upstream end740ato downstream end740bwhere they are emitted from chamber742at outlet746and communicated to heat exchanger706via conduit726.

Within heat exchanger706, heat is transferred from the exhaust fluids entering exchanger706via conduit726to the cooking fluid704entering heat exchanger706via conduits730,738. As previously described, in this embodiment, heat exchanger706(as well as heat exchangers708a,708b) is configured the same as heat exchanger300previously described above. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the hot fluids emitted from outlet746of thermal oxidizer740flow through duct328of exchanger706, while the cooking fluid704flows through the tubes306,310,318,322(seeFIGS. 11-13). As a result, the temperature of cooking fluid704is increased as it flows within exchanger706, and the hot exhaust fluids from thermal oxidizer740are eventually emitted from duct328either into the atmosphere or to another tank, vessel, or process.

Referring now toFIG. 21, upon exiting exchanger706, the heated cooking fluid704then flows in parallel to each of the heat exchangers708a,708b, via conduits732. Fuel (e.g., natural gas, propane, etc.) is provided to burner assemblies716within heat exchangers via conduits722and is combusted therein in the same manner described above for burner assemblies100,200(depending on whether burner assembly100or200is used) to provide hot combusted fluids (e.g., gases) that are flowed through heat exchangers708a,708bto further increase the temperature of cooking fluid704also flowing there through. In particular, the hot combusted fluids from burner assemblies716are flowed through ducts328of heat exchanger708a,708b, while the heated cooking fluid704is flowed through tubes306,310,318,322of heat exchangers708a,708b(seeFIGS. 11-13). As a result, additional heat is transferred to the cooking fluid704from the combusted fluids emitted from burner assemblies716within heat exchangers708a,708bsuch that the cooking fluid704is eventually emitted from heat exchangers via conduits734,736at a final cooking temperature. Conduits734,736thereafter provide this heated cooking fluid704to vessel712to perform the cooking operation as previously described. In some embodiments, air or oxygen may be mixed with the fuel flowing to burner assemblies716within exchangers708a,708bto facilitate the combustion of the fuel therein.