Patent ID: 8496472

Claim:
A combustion apparatus for combustion of a high viscosity, low heating value liquid fuel having an ambient viscosity of greater than 15 cSt and having a heating value in the range of about 10 MJ/kg to about 75 MJ/kg, the apparatus comprising: an outer shell; a combustion chamber having a combustion zone being open to about ambient pressure, and having an inner surface providing radiant and convective feedback heating at a combustion temperature in the range of about 600° C. to about 1,200° C.; a central fuel tube for introduction of the high viscosity, low heating value liquid fuel into the combustion chamber; an atomizer apparatus attached to the central fuel tube for atomizing the high viscosity, low heating value liquid fuel prior to introduction of the high viscosity, low heating value liquid fuel into the combustion chamber; and a plurality of air ports positioned on the shell for providing an air flow that is one or both of axial and tangential to the flow of the high viscosity, low heating value liquid fuel through the central fuel tube; one or more components that create dynamic recirculation within the combustion chamber and increase the residence time of combustion products within the combustion zone; and an exhaust for venting the combustion chamber, wherein the exhaust comprises one or more components for limiting heat flow, air flow, or heat and air flow out of the combustion chamber.