Abstract: A solar receiver 10 is coated by erecting the solar receiver, coating the erected solar receiver with a curable energy-absorptive coating; and concentrating solar energy 15 on the coated erected solar receiver 10 to cure the energy-absorptive coating.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for evaluating a condition of a surface of a combustion vessel exposed to deposition thereon of a material released during a combustion of a fuel in the combustion vessel during a combustion process. The method preferably comprises the steps of imposing a current on an electrical network arranged relative to the combustion vessel and having at least one electrode and thereafter detecting at least one characteristic of the electrical network during the step of imposing a current on the electrical network. The method further includes the step of evaluating a condition of the deposition exposed surface based upon the at least one detected characteristic of the electrical network.

Abstract: A system for changing the temperature of a working fluid, including amonia, includes a working fluid source and a steel tube. The working fluid source is configured to direct a flow of the working fluid. The working fluid from the source is at a temperature. The steel tube has a treated inner surface layer defining a flow passage. The surface may comprise a mill finish surface, an oxidizing surface and/or a chromized surface. The tube is configured to receive the working fluid from the source and to direct the flow of the received working fluid along a path to change the temperature of the received working fluid.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a chamber. A gas inlet and gas outlet direct the flow of hot gas from a waste heat source to and from the chamber. A working fluid inlet port and working fluid outlet port direct the flow of multicomponent working fluid to and from the chamber. A plurality of heating surfaces are disposed within the chamber. The heating surfaces are formed of tubes which transport the flow of multicomponent working fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port such that the flow of the hot gas from the gas inlet to the gas outlet transfers heat from the hot gas to the flow of multicomponent working fluid.

Abstract: A method for determining the existence of phosphate hideout in a steam generating steam cycle (10) so that the nature of the impact of the phosphate hideout on pH and the PO.sub.4 concentration in the boilerwater of the steam generating steam cycle (10) can be ascertained. The subject method includes the steps of determining from the concentration of PO.sub.4 that is provided to the steam generating steam cycle (10) the input of PO.sub.4 to the steam generating steam cycle (10), determining the loss of PO.sub.4 from the steam generating steam cycle (10) that is attributable to blowdown and contamination and solubility, and thereafter determining as a result of subtracting from the input of PO.sub.4 to the steam generating steam cycle (10) the loss of PO.sub.4 from the steam generating steam cycle (10) whether there exists phosphate hideout and, if so, what the magnitude of the phosphate hideout is as well as what impact the phosphate hideout will have on the pH of and the PO.sub.

Abstract: A centrifugal spreader type feeder that supplies a mixture of particulate limestone and coal to the top of a fluidized bed reactor having a flow of air upward therethrough. Large particles of particulate matter are distributed over the upper surface of the bed to utilize the natural mixing within the bed, while fine particles are adapted to utilize an independent feeder that separates them from the large particles and injects them into the bed.

Abstract: Fluidized bed apparatus comprising a fluidized chamber having a grid plate below said chamber, a feed gas channel below said grid plate, and a fluidized bed gas distributor, said fluidized bed gas distributor comprisinga nipple,a cap,and a bushing,wherein said cap is provided with at least one gas distribution passage, and said nipple includes a central nipple passage and said bushing includes a central bushing passage,said cap being attached to a first end of said nipple said bushing being attached to a second end of said nipple.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system particularly suitable for use in a residential heating system comprising a fluidized bed combustor housing a combustion chamber wherein crushed fuel is burned to generate hot flue gas, a heat exchanger disposed outside of the combustor in the flow path of the flue gas, a particulate collector for removing fine particles entrained in the flue gas before the flue gas is vented to the atmosphere, and an induced draft fan for venting the flue gas to the atmosphere and drawing fluidizing air and recirculated flue gas through the combustion chamber. The combustor is uncooled and heavily insulated so as to provide a substantially adiabatic combustion chamber therein in order to minimize heat loss therefrom. Electric heating means are disposed within the fluidizing region of the combustion chamber to provide the capability of heating the slumped bed during shutdown to maintain bed temperature above the ignition point.

Abstract: A fluidized bed furnace (10) for generating steam (26) is designed to operate over a given load range, for example from 50% of full load to maximum capacity rating (MCR). The air distributor (12) is designed with a constant pressure drop restriction means or "float" (36) in each air inlet (18). As the load varies, the pressure drop across the float (36) will remain constant, reducing the overall fan horse power requirements.

Abstract: An SO.sub.2 flue gas scrubbing system wherein a calcium compound is dissolved in water and recirculated in contact with the flue gases. Calcium sulfite and sulfate formed in this process are also recirculated. A stream of the slurry passing to waste is separated based on the rate of settling of the constituents so that calcium sulfate and undissolved calcium compound is returned to the recirculating system with the calcium sulfite being sent to waste.