Abstract: A removable debris shield and method to internally protect a portion of a vessel, such as a pressure vessel, during fabrication. Pliant material sufficient to span a desired interior portion of the vessel has a hem located around the periphery of the material and having at least one opening. A hoop is removably inserted through the opening into the hem to extend the material across the desired interior portion of the vessel. In one embodiment, a spreader bolt spreads the hoop to force it tightly against the walls of the vessel.

Abstract: A hydraulic expansion mandrel for expanding tubes in a heat exchanger tube bundle into a tubesheet is formed from a non-metallic material, such a carbon fiber-reinforced material. The mandrel includes an elongated cylinder having a tip, a fluid supply end and a reduced diameter section. A pair of O-rings separates the reduced diameter section from the tip and fluid supply end of the elongated cylinder. An adjustment shim, located between a threaded collar and a locking stop collar, adjusts the length of the mandrel inserted into a tube.

Abstract: A flue for improving gas flow characteristics is used to supply a flue gas flow with particulate material entrained therein to a selective catalytic reduction reactor. Conduits have an inlet for receiving the gas flow and an outlet for emitting the gas flow. Compartments are disposed adjacent the conduits. Each compartment has an intake end positioned in flow communication with the conduit outlet and a discharge end for discharging the gas flow proximate the selective catalyst reduction reactor. The intake end of the compartment and the outlet end of the conduit are positioned on the same horizontal plane. A device supplies ammonia into the gas flow.

Abstract: A support plate for retaining tube array spacing within a heat exchanger tube and shell structure. The support plate having a plurality of individual tube receiving apertures formed therein. Each apertures has at least three inwardly protruding members and bights are formed therebetween when the tube associated therewith is lodged in place to establish secondary fluid flow through the support plate. The inwardly protruding members terminate in flat lands that restrain but do not all contact the outer surface of the respective tube. These flat lands minimize fretting wear and eliminate potential gouging of the outer wall of the tube. The plate wall forming each aperture has an hourglass configuration which, inter alia, reduces pressure drop, turbulence and local deposition of magnetite and other particulates on the support plates.

Abstract: A modified air heater gas inlet plenum for a tubular air heater which permits retrofit installation of additional flue gas environmental treatment equipment. A divider plate is located within the inlet plenum to subdivide it into first and second flue gas passages. The first flue gas passage created by the divider plate merely conveys the hot flue gas through the inlet plenum and into flues which convey the flue gas to the new equipment. Return flues convey the flue gas back to the second flue gas passage created in the inlet plenum which, in turn, conveys the flue gas into the tubular air heater heat exchanger tubes. By taking advantage of the large size of a conventional air heater gas inlet plenum, the first and second flue gas passages created by the divider plate still have sufficient cross sectional area so that acceptable flue gas velocities are preserved.

Abstract: A method for forming a chromium-rich layer on the surface of a nickel alloy workpiece containing chromium includes heating the workpiece to a stable temperature of about 1100° C., and then exposing the workpiece to a gaseous mixture containing water vapor and one or more non-oxidizing gases for a short period of time. The process conditions are compatible with high temperature annealing and can be performed simultaneously with, or in conjunction with, high temperature annealing.

Abstract: A meter equipped with thermocouples which measure the combustion gas temperature used to calculate the heat flux at selected locations of a boiler furnace wall comprised of a series of tubes conveying pressurized water and separated by membranes. The meter extends through an opening in the membrane and is mounted on the outside of the furnace wall.

Abstract: A modified air heater gas inlet plenum for a tubular air heater which permits retrofit installation of additional flue gas environmental treatment equipment. A divider plate is located within the inlet plenum to subdivide it into first and second flue gas passages. The first flue gas passage created by the divider plate merely conveys the hot flue gas through the inlet plenum and into flues which convey the flue gas to the new equipment. Return flues convey the flue gas back to the second flue gas passage created in the inlet plenum which, in turn, conveys the flue gas into the tubular air heater heat exchanger tubes. By taking advantage of the large size of a conventional air heater gas inlet plenum, the first and second flue gas passages created by the divider plate still have sufficient cross sectional area so that acceptable flue gas velocities are preserved.

Abstract: A combined removal system for separating carbon dioxide and sulfur oxide gases from furnace flue gases employs a single vessel having two chambers. The chambers are separated by a series of baffles and drains. The lower, primary chamber contains reagent and a delivery system for removing sulfur oxides (SO2 and SO3) from the flue gases. The upper, secondary chamber has a reagent, typically an amine solution, for removing carbon dioxide from the flue gases. The baffles and drains permit the flue gases to rise from the primary chamber into the secondary chamber, while collecting the amine solution which is used to trap the carbon dioxide. Alternatively, the primary and secondary chambers may be separated by a horizontal segment or a combination of horizontal and vertical sections.

Abstract: A CFB reactor or combustor having a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system employed downstream of the CFB reactor or combustor furnace together with a dry scrubber system to achieve enhanced NO, reduction.

Abstract: A method of hydraulically prestraining the tubes of a once-through steam generator by welding the tubes to their respective tubesheets prior to the application of hydraulic expansion to produce tensile stresses which shorten the tubes an equal and predetermined amount to increase the margin to buckling and increase the natural frequency of the tubes reducing flow induced vibration.

Abstract: A boiler attachment used to support a boiler component within the furnace or boiler chamber is composed of a similar material to the boiler component it is welded to, in order to eliminate the dissimilar weld failure. The boiler attachment is coated using a diffusion coating method to cover the attachments with a coating of aluminum, chromium, silicon or a combination thereof.