Regenerator flow distribution by means of a burner

A method of operating a regenerator of the type which includes a gas pervious bed of refractory material, a gas distributing space communicating with the bed along its length at one side, a flue communicating with the gas distributing space at one end thereof, a plenum communicating with the bed along its length at the opposite side of the bed from the distributing space, a plurality of ports opening onto the plenum at spaced-apart locations along the length of the plenum and communicating with a combustion furnace;

• wherein the regenerator participates in a periodically reversing firing cycle including an exhaust phase in which hot exhaust gases pass from the furnace through the ports into the plenum and then through the bed to the distributing space and out of the regenerator through the flue, and a firing phase wherein incoming combustion air enters the regenerator through the flue and then passes from the distributing space through the bed to the plenum and then to the furnace by way of the ports;
• the improvement comprising:
• impeding the flow of exhaust gases along the plenum in the direction of the flue end of the regenerator during the exhaust phase by directing a stream of gases within the plenum in a countercurrent direction, thereby maintaining a more uniform distribution of exhaust gas flow through the bed.