Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the final feedwater temperature associated with a regenerative Rankine cycle, said cycle commonly used in thermal systems such as conventional power plants, whose steam generators are fired with a fossil fuel and whose regenerative Rankine cycle employs a reheating of the working fluid. This invention involves the placement of an Exergetic Heater System in the feedwater path of the regenerative Rankine cycle. The Exergetic Heater System conditions and heats feedwater such that the temperature of the cycle's final feedwater as it enters the steam generator has reached a desired value. The Exergetic Heater System receives its driving steam from an Intermediate Pressure turbine extraction.

Abstract: This invention relates to any fossil fueled thermal system, and especially relates to large commercial steam generators used in power plants, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining fuel chemistry in essentially real time based on effluents resulting from combustion, associated stoichiometrics, and the genetics of the fossil fuel. Knowing the system's fuel chemistry, the fuel calorific value, the fuel flow and the thermal performance associated with the thermal system may then be determined in essentially real time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of combustion gases entering a pollution reduction process when such a process is applied to a steam generator burning fossil fuel having at least one heat exchanger. Improved operation of the pollution reduction process is achieved by controlling the temperature of combustion gases entering such a process through changes in the working fluid being heated by the combustion gases. This invention is applicable to all pollution reduction processes as associated with the combustion of fossil fuels, said processes being sensitive to the temperature of the combustion gases, said processes typically include NOX reduction processes, SOX reduction processes, and any pollution reduction process which employs a catalysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to any fossil fueled thermal system, and especially relates to large commercial steam generators used in power plants, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining fuel chemistry in essentially real time based on effluents resulting from combustion, associated stoichiometrics, and the genetics of the fossil fuel. Knowing the system's fuel chemistry, the fuel calorific value, the fuel flow and the thermal performance associated with the thermal system may then be determined in essentially real time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the final feedwater temperature associated with a regenerative Rankine cycle, said cycle commonly used in thermal systems such as conventional power plants. This invention involves the placement of a new heat exchanger, termed an Exergetic Heater, in the feedwater path downstream from the highest pressure feedwater heater to assure that the feedwater is properly heated to its final temperature before entering the steam generator. The heating of the feedwater is accomplished by routing steam from the Intermediate Pressure turbine, which normally is routed to the second highest pressure heater. Control of the final feedwater temperature is achieved through a control valve whose actuation adjusts the amount of steam flow being routed from the Intermediate Pressure turbine to the Exergetic Heater.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recovery boiler as used by the pulp and paper industry burning black liquor, and, more particularly, to a method for rapid detection of tube failures and the location of the affect heat exchanger within the recovery boiler, without need for direct instrumentation, thereby preventing more serious equipment damage, preventing boiler explosion, preventing injury to operators and minimizing repair time on the affected heat exchanger. This method is applicable to Input/Loss methods of monitoring recovery boilers.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system such as a power plant or steam generator is quantified by obtaining the amount of carbon dioxide produced from inorganic materials and, with this information, applying corrections to processes related to the Input/Loss Method and similar methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fossil-fired thermal system such as a power plant or steam generator, and, more particularly, to a method for improving the control of a power plant or steam generator through use of computed output obtained from any of the Input/Loss methods. Typically such computed output may consist of As-Fired fuel flow, fuel heating value, fuel Firing Correction, and other similar terms which might effect the operating control system of a power plant or steam generator.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fired thermal system is quantified by recognizing and correcting data collections which must be synchronized to improve the accuracy of analytical models which determine fuel chemistry, fuel heating value, boiler efficiency, fuel energy flow and/or system heat rate.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by a method for continuously monitoring the thermal system at a location remote from the system, advising the system operator of corrections, improvements and warnings which improve system operations, such advise may include diagnostic information, Dynamic Heat Rate and notice of tube failures.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recovery boiler as used by the pulp and paper industry burning black liquor, and, more particularly, to a method for rapid detection of tube failures and the location of the affect heat exchanger within the recovery boiler, without need for direct instrumentation, thereby preventing more serious equipment damage, preventing boiler explosion, preventing injury to operators and minimizing repair time on the affected heat exchanger. This method is applicable to Input/Loss methods of monitoring recovery boilers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fossil-fired thermal system such as a power plant or steam generator, and, more particularly, to a method for rapid detection of tube failures without direct instrumentation, thereby preventing serious damage to heat exchangers. This method is applicable to Input/Loss methods of monitoring fossil-fired thermal systems.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by a method for determining correction factors to Choice Operating Parameters, including effluent CO2 and other parameters, such that combustion stoichiometric consistency and thermodynamic conservations are both achieved. Correcting Choice Operating Parameters is accomplished through multidimensional einimization techniques operating on certain System Effect Parameters. The corrected Choice Operating Parameters may then be supplied to Input/Loss methods as used to monitor and improve system heat rate.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by employing the F Factor and other operating parameters to determine and monitor the unit's heat rate and to determine the emission rates of its pollutants.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fossil-fired thermal system such as a power plant or steam generator, and, more particularly, to a method for rapid detection of tube failures and their location with the steam generator, without need for direct instumentation, thereby preventing more serious damage and minimizing repair time on the effected heat exchanger. This method is applicable to Input/Loss methods of monitoring fossil-fired thermal systems.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by obtaining an unusually accurate boiler efficiency. Such a boiler efficiency is dependent on the calorimetric temperature at which the fuel's heating value is determined. This dependency affects the major thermodynamic terms comprising boiler efficiency.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by obtaining effluent flow, the L Factor and other operating parameters to determine and monitor the unit's heat rate and to determine the emission rates of its pollutants.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by obtaining a reference fuel chemistry before on-line operation, and thereafter operating on-line. In on-line operation, a set of measurable operating parameters is measured, including at least effluent concentrations of O2 and CO2, and optionally the concentration of effluent H2O and the concentration of effluent SO2. An indicated Air/Fuel ratio is obtained, as are the ambient concentration of O2, and air pre-heater leakage and dilution factors. The fuel ash and fuel water are calculated, and the complete As-Fired fuel chemistry is calculated. From the complete As-Fired fuel chemistry, the pertinent systems parameters such as reference fuel heating value, boiler efficiency, system efficiency, fuel flow rate, total effluent flow rate, individual effluent flow rates, and individual emission rates are determined in a fully consistent manner. The Method has been reduced to software which is fully benchmarked and operational.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by obtaining effluent flow, the L Factor and other operating parameters to determine and monitor the unit's heat rate and to determine the emission rates of its pollutants.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for: (1) determining and improving the thermal efficiency of a fossil fuel power plant, such as a combustion turbine system, by indirect assessment of input fossil fuel flow rate, and direct observation of various gaseous effluents; (2) determining total effluent gas flow rates; (3) determining input fuel mass flow rates; and (4) determining flow rates of various constituent gases making up the effluent gas.