Steam atomizing burner

A combustion apparatus comprising:

• a. a first tubular housing having a closed end and an opposite open end whereat an inwardly directed lip is formed to define a first outlet;
• b. an aperture means connected to said first housing for admitting air to said first housing spaced from said first outlet;
• c. a second tubular housing fixedly mounted within said first housing, said second housing having a closed end and an opposite end which defines an exit adjacent and enclosed by said first outlet so that an annular space is defined between the interior of said first housing and the exterior of said second housing extending from said aperture means to said first outlet whereat an annular orifice is formed and said annular space passes a major portion of air admitted to said first housing by said aperture means to emit at said orifice;
• d. means connected to said second tubular housing to admit air from said annular space into said second tubular housing at a location spaced from said exit;
• e. a plurality of fuel nozzles mounted within said second tubular housing wherein an initial mixture of steam and a fluid fuel is formed;
• each of said fuel nozzles of said plurality further having a mixture outlet to emit parts of the initial mixture in a direction toward said exit and a confluence with said major portion of air;
• the major portion providing air for combusting the initial mixture;
• and
• f. a turbulator ring fixedly mounted within and at the exit of said second housing to define a sharp-edged orifice with respect to the initial mixture emitted from said mixture outlets and to define a narrow annular orifice between said turbulator ring and the interior of said second housing.