Apparatus and method for delivery of combustion air in multiple zones

An air register for feeding combustion air to a combustion device so as to divide the air into at least two discrete flow paths to provide at least two flows each of which is susceptible of accurate flow measurement, the air register comprising:

• a) a register body;
• b) means for creating a first air flow path having measurable characteristics representing the characteristics of a first portion of combustion air fed to the combustion device;
• c) means for creating a second air flow path having measurable characteristics representing the characteristics of a second portion of combustion air flow to the combustion device;
• d) means for both measuring the actual flow in each flow path to obtain the overall air flow in each path, and based on said air flow measurements, controlling said air flow through the air register to control combustion in the combustion device;
• e) means for independently regulating the flow of air in the first flow path and adding fuel thereto such that the first flow produces a higher kinetic energy of combustion air in the combustion device than the second flow to provide high intensity mixing of the first air flow and a fuel, so as to provide for good ignition production at full load when the flows are discharged into the combustion device,
• f) means for independently regulating the flow of air in the second flow path to provide a smoother air flow near a perimeter of said air register to minimize nitrous oxide production of a very intense flame of said combustion device, and;
• g) means for discharging said first and second air flows into the combustion device such that the first flow which produces the higher kinetic energy of combustion air in the combustion device is concentrically surrounded by the second flow.