Inlet head

Abstract

An inlet head assembly 1 for capping a combustion chamber of an abatement apparatus, comprises a plurality of inlet nozzles 3 extending through a head plate 2 and conveying an effluent gas stream into the combustion chamber. A burner element 5 is between the inlet nozzles and conveys a fuel gas into the combustion chamber and an ignition nozzle 4 extends through the head plate and ignites fuel gas exiting the burner element to provide a standing flame which initiates combustion of the effluent gas stream. The burner may be on a central axis of the assembly with the inlet nozzles arranged about an outer circumference of the burner element, and the nozzles may extend parallel to the central axis. A distribution chamber or plenum 7 may have a fuel supply port 8 and an outlet port 9 conveying fuel gas into the combustion chamber. The outlet port may be annular to produce a ring-shaped standing flame. Fuel gas may leave the annular output port in a parallel (D1, Fig. 5A), perpendicular (D2, Fig. 5A), or angled (D3, Fig. 5A), direction relative to the effluent gas flow. Abatement apparatus and a corresponding method are also claimed. [Fig. 1]