Combustion chamber to accommodate a split-stream of recycled gases

A combustion chamber adapted to receive and process secondary gases, the chamber comprising:

• a body having a first end and a second end, said body having an inner surface defining an inner combustion area, said body defining a first secondary gas introduction port disposed proximate said first end, an outlet port disposed proximate said second end for conveying heated gases from the combustion area, a secondary vent gas port disposed between said first secondary gas introduction port and said outlet port, and a second secondary gas introduction port disposed between said secondary vent gas port and said outlet;
• a burner disposed adjacent said first end of said body so that the flame of said burner when lit will extend into said combustion area;
• a first annular insert disposed in said combustion area proximate said first end and generally surrounding the flame of said burner when lit, said first insert defining a first secondary gas introduction zone in fluid communication with the first secondary gas introduction port for introducing secondary gases into said combustion area so that the secondary gases can be oxidized by the burner flame, said first insert having an annular inner surface having at least one opening for allowing fluid communication between said first secondary gas introduction zone and said combustion area;
• and
• a second annular insert disposed in said combustion area between said first insert and said outlet port, said second insert having a generally planar annular top plate, a generally planar annular bottom plate disposed between said top plate and said outlet port, a generally planar annular divider plate disposed between said top plate and said bottom plate, a cylindrical outer wall coupled said inner surface of said body between said top plate and said bottom plate, and an annular inner wall located radially inwardly from said outer wall and extending between said top plate and said bottom plate, said top plate cooperating with said outer wall, said inner wall and said divider plate to define a secondary vent gas zone, said bottom plate cooperating with said outer wall, said inner wall and said divider plate to define a second secondary gas introduction zone, said divider plate separating said vent gas zone and said second secondary gas introduction zone, said annular inner wall having at least one opening therein allowing fluid communication between said combustion area and said vent gas zone, said annular inner wall further having at least one opening therein allowing fluid communication between said combustion area and said second secondary gas introduction zone;
• wherein said vent gas zone is in fluid communication with said vent gas port, and said second secondary gas introduction zone is in fluid communication with said second secondary gas introduction port;
• wherein secondary gases may be introduced into said combustion chamber for oxidation through said first annular insert, a portion of the secondary gases introduced through said first insert being removed from said chamber after oxidation through said vent gas zone and the vent gas port, another portion of the secondary gases may be introduced through said second secondary gas introduction port and the second secondary gas introduction zone, said secondary gases not removed by said vent gas zone and said gases introduced through said second secondary gas introduction zone exiting the combustion chamber through the outlet port.

A combustion chamber including an insert, the chamber having an inner combustion area defined by an inner surface, said inner surface having a vent gas port and a secondary gas introduction port, the chamber adapted to receive and process secondary gases, the insert comprising:

• a generally horizontal annular bottom plate coupled to said inner surface of the combustion chamber;
• a generally horizontal annular divider plate disposed above said bottom plate, said divider plate being coupled to said inner surface of the combustion chamber;
• a generally horizontal annular top plate disposed above said divider plate, said top plate being coupled to said inner surface of the combustion chamber;
• and
• an annular inner wall located radially inwardly from said inner surface and extending between said top plate and said bottom plate, said inner wall cooperating with said inner surface, said top plate and said divider plate to define a secondary vent gas zone, said inner wall cooperating with said inner surface, said divider plate and said bottom plate to define a secondary gas introduction zone, said divider plate separating said vent gas zone and said secondary gas introduction zone;
• wherein said annular inner wall has at least one first opening therein allowing fluid communication between said combustion and said vent gas zone, said annular inner wall further having at least one second opening therein allowing fluid communication between said combustion area and said second secondary gas introduction zone;
• wherein said vent gas zone is in fluid communication with the vent gas port, and said secondary gas introduction zone is in fluid communication with said secondary gas introduction port;
• wherein secondary gases may be introduced into said combustion chamber for oxidation and a portion of the secondary gases introduced can be removed from said chamber after oxidation through the vent gas zone and the vent gas port, another portion of secondary gases may be introduced through said secondary gas introduction port and the secondary gas introduction zone.