A hydro injection system for generating steam from the heat exchanged between a stream of hot combustion gases and a countercurrent flow of warm water sprays which contact hot tubes transporting the hot combustion gases is disclosed. The system comprises i. a continuous supply of hot combustion gases and means for propelling the gases through the system; ii. a continuous supply of cold water and means for warming said cold water prior to steam generation; iii. a pressure vessel means for conducting the heat exchange; and iv. a condensate receiver means for recirculating and equilibrating water in the system.

This invention relates to an improvement in direct contact water heaters and in methods of effecting heat exchange between hot gas and cold water. In a typical direct contact water heater cold water is sprayed downwards within a main chamber where it meets hot gas passing upwardly in a counter-current fashion. A direct contact water heater according to this invention includes an antechamber through which the hot gas is passed before entering the main chamber. The hot gas passing upwardly in a counter current fashion to hot water which is at a temperature higher than the dew point of the gas raises the dew point of the hot gas before it enters the main chamber so that the cold water entering the main chamber is heated in an efficient manner to higher temperatures than could previously be effected.

A method and device for producing heat energy by bringing water into contact with pre-heated oil in a chamber within a reaction vessel is disclosed. When the water and the oil meet, a violent reaction results in which a flame-like eruption of very hot gases is emitted. The heat energy released by this reaction is more than can be obtained by simply burning oil alone.