STARTUP BURNER ASSEMBLY FOR SNOW MELTING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SNOW MELTING

摘要

A startup burner assembly for use in snow melting applications, and which permits initiation of snow melting without first supplying water as a coolant. The startup burn er assembly comprises a fuel burner having adjustable combustion output and a nozzle through which products of combustion may emerge, and a combustion chamber having a first portion in substantially air-tight communication with the fuel burner and enclosing the nozzle and a second portion shaped and dimensioned such that the second portion may be placed into a snow melting receptacle or pit. The combustion chamber has a plurality of discharge holes formed at least on the second portion thereof through which products of combustion from the fuel burner may emerge into, agitate, and melt snow loaded into the tank or pit. The startup burner assembly also includes an air cooling assembly for supplying air to cool at least the first portion of the combustion chamber.