摘要 |
<p>Apparatus for controlling the combustion of natural gas in a natural gas fired appliance is described. Exhaust gases are sampled and maintained at a predetermined constant temperature between the dew point and the steam point. The relative humity of the constant temperature gas is monitored by a hygrometer. Relative humidity deviations from a predetermined value result in output signals from the hygrometer to a control circuit. The control circuit is connected to regulators in the air intake or chimney of the applicance which regulate air intake to keep the relative humidity substantially constant and hence control combustion of the gas. In another embodiment the relative humidity of the exhaust gases and the combustion air intake are monitored by separate hygrometers which are linked to each other so that a change in the relative humidity of a gas affecting one hygrometer will compensate the other hygrometer and control combustion as before. The latter arrangement is useful when the relative humidity of the combustion intake air is very high as occurs in hot, humid summer weather.</p> |