Steam Patents (Class 122/441)
  • Patent number: 10982567
    Abstract: A condensate and feedwater system includes: a deaerator circulation pump that returns condensate water flowing out from a deaerator to a part of a condensate line between a heater and the deaerator; an apparatus to be supplied with part of the condensate water flowing from the heater toward the deaerator, through a supply line branched from the condensate line; a supply line shutoff valve that switches between communication and interruption of the supply line; and a controller that controls opening/closing of the supply line shutoff valve and driving/stopping of the deaerator circulation pump. The controller closes the supply line shutoff valve from an open state at normal operation and at least temporarily drives the deaerator circulation pump from a stopped state at normal operation, in condenser throttling in which supply of extraction steam of a steam turbine to the heater and the deaerator is reduced as compared to that at normal operation and a deaerator water level control valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fukunaga, Supriyo Datta
  • Patent number: 9255709
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic water supply-type steam generator using vapor pressure for creating the optimum vacuum pressure inside a pressurized water supply tank, and for smoothly providing water to the pressurized water supply tank by using the strong aspiration force that is created by means of the vacuum pressure while continuously generating steam. The present invention is characterized by allowing control of the vacuum pressure to the optimum state when creating the vacuum pressure inside the pressurized water supply tank by introducing an adequate amount of outside air from the atmosphere through an air vent. In addition, the present invention is characterized by providing a means for cooling the pressurized water supply tank so as to control the vacuum pressure inside the tank to the optimum state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Joo Hyuk Yim
  • Publication number: 20150114319
    Abstract: The feedwater preheating system includes a feedwater tank and a constant volume recirculation pump. The feedwater tank is adapted to store the feedwater. The feedwater tank includes feed and return lines. The feed line is adapted to feed the feedwater to the HRSG, and the return line enables returning of the feedwater into the feedwater tank. The return line precludes a control valve, and is configured to the feedwater tank to reduce component loss while feedwater recirculation. The constant volume recirculation pump is configured in the feed line to recirculate the feedwater between the HRSG and the feedwater tank. The pump is capable of recirculating the feedwater at constant speed and volume to reduce heat loss while feedwater recirculation, as against the prior art feedwater preheating systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Paul DROUVOT, Torbjörn STENSTRÖM, Joerg DIETZMANN, François DROUX
  • Publication number: 20150033742
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the efficiency of electric power generation in pressurized water nuclear power plants, comprising steps of superheating a main steam and reheating the reheated steam by means of an auxiliary circuit, where the streams for the superheating and the reheating work in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Borja Herrazti Garcia, Antonio Lopez Garcia, Irune Gutierrez Larrañaga
  • Publication number: 20150007567
    Abstract: A plant (10, 110) for the production of electric energy comprises a fuel boiler (11) in which a fluid is heated in order to produce steam, a turbine (15) which is connected to an electric generator (16) and to which said steam is conveyed, and a condenser unit (19) which re-condenses the fluid output from the turbine so that it may be conveyed back to the steam generator. The return fluid along the path from the condenser unit (19) to the boiler passes through a preheating unit (22) which receives heat from the turbine steam bleed-offs (23) and from a thermodynamic solar field (25). By making suitable use of the heat produced by the solar field (25) and contained in the heat-carrier fluid which passes through it, it is possible to increase the overall efficiency of the plant (10, 110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Falck Renewables Spa
    Inventors: Piero Manzoni, Di Persico Lorenzo, Michele Scapolo
  • Publication number: 20140223823
    Abstract: A process and a reactor for the of a carbonaceous feed. The reactor has a reactor chamber; steam generating heat exchange units; at least one steam drum; and recirculation lines for circulating water and steam between one or more of the heat exchange units and the steam drum. The steam drum further includes a steam feed line for transporting steam via a heat exchange unit and a superheated steam line to a superheated steam header. The superheated steam line is split into a return line leading to a heat exchange line through the steam drum, and a header feed line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Ibrahim Kar, Manfred Schmitz-Goeb
  • Publication number: 20140150736
    Abstract: A heat recovery apparatus recovers steam drain including at least one of steam used in a different device and drain where the steam used in the different device is condensed so as to recover heat contained in the steam drain. The heat recovery apparatus includes a pump, which circulates water accumulated in a tank through circulation pipes, an ejector, which is interposed in the circulation pipes and suctions the steam drain and mixes the steam drain with the circulating water so as to recover the steam drain, and a ball tap and a temperature controller, which perform temperature control of the water in the tank by replenishing the tank with tap water after a part of the water in the tank is discharged in the case where the water in the tank has reached a preliminarily set first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: VICTOR TOKUHAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Hirata
  • Publication number: 20140130499
    Abstract: A steam turbine installation that has a steam turbine, a steam generator and a feed water pre-heating unit operated by process steam is provided. The steam turbine has an overload bypass line with which main steam can be fed to the feed water pre-heating unit between the steam turbine input and the extraction point during overload operation of the steam turbine, wherein the feed water pre-heating unit has an auxiliary extraction line that is connected to the overload bypass line in such a way that process steam can be extracted from the steam turbine during partial load operation of the steam turbine and added to the feed water pre-heating unit for the additional pre-heating of feed water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Carsten Graeber, Thomas Loeper, Michael Wechsung
  • Patent number: 8635976
    Abstract: An economizer arrangement particularly suitable for new or retrofit application to existing steam generators provides a water cooled stringer support tube system which can accommodate firing a wide range of fuels with varying characteristics in the steam generator. The economizer arrangement according to the present invention is particularly suited for retrofit applications to large supercritical steam generators. The use of water cooled stringer tube supports allows for higher flue gas temperatures in comparison to conventional non-cooled mechanical economizer supports. These features are provided in a design which fits within the existing economizer envelope of the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeb W. Gayheart, Donald E. Ryan, Robert M. McNertney, Peter W. Waanders, Geza G. Csatlos
  • Publication number: 20110139094
    Abstract: A method for operating a continuous flow steam generator with an evaporator heating surface is provided. A target value for a supply water mass flow is fed to a device for adjusting the supply water mass flow. In order to improve the quality of a predictive supply water or mass flow control and to maintain the enthalpy of the flow medium at the evaporator outlet particularly stable especially when load changes occur, a correction factor is taken into consideration during production of the target value for the supply water mass flow. The correction factor is a characteristic of the temporal derivative of enthalpy or the density of the flow medium at the input of one or more heating surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Jan Brückner, Joachim Franke, Frank Thomas
  • Patent number: 7552727
    Abstract: A boiler for generating steam has a substantially enclosed housing configured to contain an amount of water to be boiled, the housing having one or more thermally conductive sidewalls which form a substantially enclosed water chamber and a reflection chamber, the reflection chamber including a closed top portion and a opening through which light rays may pass, the opening being vertically disposed below the top portion of the chamber so that the reflection chamber may trap heat, wherein at least one of the thermally conductive sidewalls is disposed so as to divide the water chamber from the reflection chamber. The boiler also include a support structure attached to or integral with the housing, which support structure supports the housing in a substantially fixed position during use of the boiler, and reflecting means for reflecting sunlight through the opening of the reflection chamber and onto a focal point on one or more inner surfaces of the top portion of the reflection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Floyd E. Matthews, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080282997
    Abstract: An economizer arrangement particularly suitable for new or retrofit application to existing steam generators provides a water cooled stringer support tube system which can accommodate firing a wide range of fuels with varying characteristics in the steam generator. The economizer arrangement according to the present invention is particularly suited for retrofit applications to large supercritical steam generators. The use of water cooled stringer tube supports allows for higher flue gas temperatures in comparison to conventional non-cooled mechanical economizer supports. These features are provided in a design which fits within the existing economizer envelope of the steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Jeb W. Gayheart, Donald E. Ryan, Robert M. McNertney, Peter W. Waanders, Geza G. Csatlos
  • Patent number: 7214354
    Abstract: The invention relates to an autoclave for medical appliances and instruments with a chamber (13) in which the appliances to be sterilized are located, with a steam generator (5) and a condensate collector (11), whereby the steam generator is connected with the chamber (13) by a steam pipe (9) and the condensate collector (11) is connected with the chamber (13) by a feed pipe (35) of the condensate. The invention is characterized in that the condensate collector (11) is positioned above the steam generator (5), staggered with respect to the steam generator (5), by positioning a check valve (41) between the condensate collector (11) and the steam generator (5) and by providing a check valve (39) at the mouth of the feed pipe (35) of the condensate to the condensate collector (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: W & H Sterilization srl
    Inventor: Daniele Giovanni Ongaro
  • Patent number: 6926874
    Abstract: The invention relates to an autoclave for sterilising medical and in particular dental appliances and instruments, with a chamber (13), in which the appliances to be sterilised are located, with a steam generator (5), connected with the chamber (13) and a condensate pipe (34) connecting the chamber (13) with a condenser (19), and a further pipe (39) connecting the condenser (19) with a vacuum pump (20) and finally leading into a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: W & H Sterilization srl
    Inventor: Daniele Giovanni Ongaro
  • Publication number: 20040045513
    Abstract: A passive system for recovering energy and nitrogen oxides from flue gas produced by a boiler employs a particular arrangement of economizer surface to ensure the temperature of the flue gas entering a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reactor is maintained within a required range over a wide range of boiler loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Robert M. McNertney, Steven P. Iannacchione
  • Patent number: 6173680
    Abstract: The steam generator comprises a cylindrical outer jacket (2) arranged with its axis vertical, a bundle wrapper (4) arranged coaxially with respect to the outer jacket and a space (9) in which feed water can flow between the bundle wrapper (4) and the outer jacket (2) or a guide skirt (8, 8a). A water supply device (10) placed towards the top of the space (9) in which the feedwater flows comprises a torus-shaped manifold (12), the upper wall of which is traversed by a number of flow openings (18) distributed in the circumferential direction of the manifold (12). A feed pipe (13) opens into the manifold and the feedwater is guided by a guide device towards the annular flow space (9). Radial dividing walls (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) are arranged transversely in a water flow space delimited between the manifold (12) and the guide device (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Framatome
    Inventors: Gilles Dague, Guy Desfontaines-Leromain, Daniel Destr{acute over (e)}
  • Patent number: 5596953
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas boiler which has a simple structure, which is easy to be installed, and which is manufactured at a low cost. The typical water tank is partitioned into an upper casing and a lower casing which are capable of communicated with each other. A circulation pump and a three-way valve are mounted to the lower casing in a row in the vertical direction, and a plurality of pipelines are arranged by using the above perpendicular arrangement as a reference. The circulation pump is coupled to the lower casing and the three-way valve is coupled to the circulation pump. Therefore, the size of the gas boiler is minimized and the manufacturing cost thereof is economized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woong S. Hong
  • Patent number: 5476525
    Abstract: A steam condensate recovery component particularly useful for pressurized deaerator units, the recovery component being a vertical extension pipe of thermally conductive material connected to a system air vent and extending into the atmosphere. The extension pipe includes a thermally controlled steam trap at the distal end of the extension pipe for blocking escape of steam and allowing return of recovered condensate to the deaerator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Martin Bekedam
  • Patent number: 5067446
    Abstract: An apparatus for degassing and heating water by means of steam comprises a column (1) with packing bodies (2) arranged therein, with a distributor (12) arranged at the column head for the water to be degassed, with a water supply line (7) and steam supply line (8) in each case arranged upstream of the column, with a water outlet line (19) and venting line (18) in each case arranged downstream of the column for the gas/steam mixture to be exhausted. The four lines open into housings (3, 14) which are connected above and below the preferably cylindrical column to the latter. A conical mixing chamber (4) into which the water to be degassed is injected via nozzles (6) is provided upstream of the distributor. The conical mixing chamber has an outer boundary wall (5) which is surrounded by a steam distribution chamber (9) and communicates with the latter via slot-type openings (10) in the boundary wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Francisco Blangetti, Werner Muri, Mustafa Youssef
  • Patent number: 4981113
    Abstract: A deaerator tray in the form of a horizontally elongated trough for receiving a quantity of liquid to be deaerated. The trough has a flat bottom having a pair of spaced, elongated sides having upper liquid overflow edges. Guide structure is provided for directing the flow of liquid overflowing from the edges, the guide structure includes a pair of flat elongated inclined wall members each directly connected to a respective one of the sides below the upper liquid overflow edges along the length thereof. The wall members extend outwardly away from each other and downwardly away from the respective upper liquid overflow edges. Each wall member is inclined relative to the vertical and terminates in a lower edge to enhance deaeration of the liquid as the latter is guided down the wall members and falls from the lower edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Crane, Co.
    Inventors: Raghavachari Kannan, John T. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 4967699
    Abstract: Steam generators are used in pressurized water-cooled nuclear reactors for generating steam which issues from the generator through a large bore steam outlet. Heat-exchange tubes through which feed water flows are surrounded by hot cooling water from the reactor. The tubes must be capable of being inspected and repaired. To simplify inspection and repair, the tubes are U-shaped and each end of each tube is connected upwardly to a tube plate in the steam generator, whereby each end of each tube can be reached in a simple manner through an outgoing steam outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: AB Asea-Atom
    Inventor: Kare Hannerz
  • Patent number: 4878457
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for steam returning from industrial processors to a pressurized receiver for return to a boiler with recovery of the thermal energy in the spent steam wherein the flow of water from a flash condenser connected to processor traps is regulated by the level of water in a water sink in the flash condenser for maximizing heat exchange and minimizing flash steam loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Inventor: Martin Bekedam
  • Patent number: 4864970
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing clean steam by placing impure steam in heat exchange relationship with clean water but physically separated therefrom to produce superheated clean water and vapor, and permitting expansion of the fluids to form clean steam and recyclable hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: GEA Food and Process Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Samuel B. Bardoff
  • Patent number: 4858564
    Abstract: A feedwater heater in which a bundle of tubes is disposed in a vessel in the flow path of steam through the vessel. Feedwater is introduced into the tubes for passing in a heat exchange relation with the steam to condense at least a portion of the steam and to add heat to the feedwater. An impingement plate is disposed immediately below the inlet in the flow path for deflecting the steam in a direction transverse to the direction of flow of the steam, and at least one vane is disposed in the vessel in the path of the deflected steam for distributing steam more uniformly throughout the tube bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Charles V. Maffei
  • Patent number: 4679529
    Abstract: A steam generator feed water heater comprises a pressurized enclosure inside which is a heat exchanger through which the feed water is caused to flow. There is at least one horizontal condensate inlet tube, as well as at least one condensate outlet tube at a low point on the enclosure. A double screen device associated with the condensate inlet tube comprises an inner screen with a cylindrical side wall and, surrounding this inner screen, an outer screen having one end linked to the inner screen. A bottom wall common to both screens constitutes an impact wall facing the inner screen. Passage areas are provided by perforations in the screens not facing each other over most of the perimeter of their transverse cross-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Electricite de France Service National
    Inventor: Gerard Mancel
  • Patent number: 4637350
    Abstract: A system for recovering drain which recovers two or more flows or drain of different temperatures, which is applied to a generating plant provided with feed-water heaters in which drain is recovered into a condensation system downstream from a condenser through a drain tank by a drain pump and which comprises a high temperature recovered drain inlet, which is at high temperature and contains much flush steam, and a low temperature drain inlet. The high temperature recovered drain inlet is positioned at a lower part and the low temperature side drain inlet is positioned above the former. This system effects efficient degassing of drain which has high content of dissolved oxygen and efficient control of dissolved oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youshun Horibe, Yoshikuni Ohshima, Toyohiko Masuda
  • Patent number: 4541366
    Abstract: In a feed water preheater of horizontal type with an integrated desuperheater, the last deflection chamber of the desuperheater is provided with lateral steam outlet ports (13). As a result, the desuperheated steam does not reach the condensation zone directly as hitherto by passing into the free cross-section of the tube bundle but, instead, it passes into the free space surrounding the condensation bundle (2) on which it can then act from the outside inwards at minimum flow velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri & Company, Limited
    Inventors: Helmut V. Lang, Son LeMong
  • Patent number: 4465027
    Abstract: The exhaust gas vapor generator has a main working medium flow which passes via a feed pump and economizer into an evaporator. Working medium is bled off as a component flow between the economizer and evaporator in order to heat the degasser. The heat of the component flow may be supplied via a heat exchanger disposed within the degasser or by a heat exchange with the condensate line within a heat exchanger separate from the degasser.The part-flow is returned to the main flow between the feed pump and the economizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Hans-Rudolf Steinegger
  • Patent number: 4461244
    Abstract: A steam duct (5) enclosing the preheater tube-bundle (6) leads, upwards, from the desuperheater box (2) and via a deflecting quarter-bend (9), opens into a flat steam-distribution duct (8). The heating steam flows from this distribution duct (8), through steam outlet openings (12) on the vertical narrow sides (11), and thereafter flows radially through the preheater tube-bundles (6), from the outside to the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri & Company, Limited
    Inventors: Helena Riegger, Jorg Schwander, Gunter Volks
  • Patent number: 4461346
    Abstract: A horizontal feedwater heater for use in heat power stations, of the type having a shell, a plurality of U-bent heat transfer tubes extended in the longitudinal direction of the shell and a vent tube extended in the longitudinal direction of the shell substantially at the center of the latter and adapted for extracting and discharging non-condensed gas. The feedwater heater has a baffle disposed at each side of the vent tube and having a horizontal plate portion extended horizontally from the vent tube and an inclined plate portion inclined downwardly from the end of the horizontal plate portion at an obtuse angle to the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Hoshino, Shyuichi Imazu, Masahiko Miyai, Yoshikuni Oshima, Masakiyo Izumiya
  • Patent number: 4420373
    Abstract: A mechanical energy conversion method and system for the restoration of dissipated heat energy, contained in natural or artificial water bodies at or near ambient temperatures, to industrial process heat, mainly in the form of steam up to 200.degree.-400.degree. C. The sensible heat contained in a water body is concentrated as latent heat in low pressure water vapor which is thermo-compressed by steam ejection to an intermediate pressure level, wherefrom mechanical compression takes over, generating highly superheated output steam. The ejecting steam is not generated in a boiler, but is continuously regenerated by the compressor and routed back for repeated ejection. The compressor is driven by a heat engine whose reject heat is collected and upgraded as well. The output of heat energy is essentially equal to the sun of the heating value of the fuel consumed and the intake of latent heat and amounts thus to substantially more than the heating value of the fuel alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Inventor: Dan Egosi
  • Patent number: 4380431
    Abstract: A technique for elevating the temperature of a heat transfer liquid is disclosed. The liquid, at a low temperature (e.g., 70.degree. F.), is directed through a coil (72) located in the upper portion of an enclosed chamber (71). Condensing, hot vapor on the coils (72) heats the liquid (e.g., 200.degree. F.) passing therethrough. The heated liquid from the coil (72) passes, via a conduit (73) into a reservoir in the lower portion of the chamber (71) where immersion heaters (76-76) heat the liquid (e.g., 400.degree. F.) to the desired temperature. The heated liquid is then discharged from the chamber (71) via an outlet pipe (74). Advantageously, the vapor from the heated liquid in the reservoir is the same vapor which condenses on the coils (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Assignee: Western Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy C. Carlson, Jr., Edward J. March
  • Patent number: 4357911
    Abstract: A steam boiler for use in small industry or business comprising in combination a holding tank and steam generation unit. Water from the holding tank flows into the steam generation unit at the same rate that steam exits the unit thereby maintaining a constant amount of water in the steam generation unit. The steam generation unit has a small water reservoir for producing steam rapidly when heat is applied by a burner. Steam exits the generation unit through a pipe which passes through the holding tank, thereby heating water in the holding tank and reducing the heat needed to generate steam. The steam exits the holding tank and is preferably directed back through the burner to be reheated before use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Inventor: Byron J. Sessions
  • Patent number: 4347321
    Abstract: A method and apparatus particularly suitable for the production of alcohol from fermentable substances such as grain. In this method, mash cooking, fermentation, and boiling are carried out sequentially in a single vessel. Boiling produces a first vapor rich in alcohol which is partially condensed to form a liquid condensate and a second vapor which is further enriched in alcohol. The liquid condensate is returned to the vessel and an alcohol product is recovered from the second vapor, preferably without the addition of external heat. Alcohol recovery is effected by passing the second vapor to a second vessel. Vapor from the second vessel is partially condensed to form a third vapor which is still further enriched in alcohol and a liquid condensate which is returned to the second vessel where it is contacted by the second vapor introduced thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: Bio-Systems Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lionelle, Jeffrey A. Staffa, William L. McCormick
  • Patent number: 4282070
    Abstract: A mechanical energy conversion method and system for the restoration of dissipated heat energy, contained in natural or artificial water bodies at or near ambient temperatures, to industrial process heat, mainly in the form of steam up to 200.degree.-400.degree. C. The sensible heat contained in a water body is concentrated as latent heat in low pressure water vapor which is thermo-compressed by steam ejection to an intermediate pressure level, wherefrom mechanical compression takes over, generating highly superheated output steam. The ejecting steam is not generated in a boiler, but is continuously regenerated by the compressor and routed back for repeated ejection. The compressor is driven by a heat engine whose reject heat is collected and upgraded as well. The output of heat energy is essentially equal to the sum of the heating value of the fuel consumed and the intake of latent heat and amounts thus to substantially more than the heating value of the fuel alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Dan Egosi
  • Patent number: 4254825
    Abstract: A multitubular heat exchanger used as a feedwater heater in a power generating plant and the like includes a shell, a high temperature tube bundle and a low temperature tube bundle composed of a multiplicity of U-shaped heat transfer tubes arranged in the shell and a vent tube interposed between the two tube bundles. A laterally-closed flow passage is defined in at least one of the high temperature tube bundle and the low temperature tube bundle to induce part of a heating medium flowing between the shell and the tube bundle to flow to a position deep in the tube bundle and near the vent tube, so that a noncondensable gas stagnating zone formed in the tube bundle can be moved near to the vent tube and noncondensable gas can be removed from the shell by extraction through the vent tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Syuichi Imazu
  • Patent number: 4249485
    Abstract: A feed water preheater is disclosed having warm and cold tube bundles. The warm tube bundle is divided into first and second warm tube bundles with the first warm tube bundle forming a desuperheater bundle and the second warm tube bundle forming a condenser bundle. The first and second warm tube bundles are isolated with respect to one another with a steam distribution duct arranged between the warm and the cold tube bundles. Preferably, the warm and cold tube bundles are U-shaped with a steam inlet arranged perpendicularly with respect to the tube bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri & Company Limited
    Inventors: Jakob Brul, Helena Riegger
  • Patent number: 4226283
    Abstract: A multitubular heat exchanger mainly used in thermal and nuclear power plants having a plurality of tube bundles located within a shell and including a large number of U-shaped heat transfer tubes for permitting a medium to be heated to flow therethrough, and a vent tube interposed between the tube bundles and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the shell, further includes at least one flow guide plate with or without at least one slit disposed in or near the outer marginal portion of one of the tube bundles for inducing streams of a heating medium to flow toward the vent tube. The provision of the guide plate with or without the slit has the effect of moving a heating medium stagnating zone, which has hitherto been located in one of the tube bundles, to a position which is in the vicinity of the vent tube to thereby prevent corrosion of the heat transfer tubes by noncondensable gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Furukawa, Tamotsu Yamane
  • Patent number: 4224981
    Abstract: A feed-water preheater for a steam power plant is disclosed. Feed-water at a relatively low temperature is conducted through bundles of heater tubes in heat exchange relation with steam from the turbine. The heater tubes are arranged in a U-shaped bundle, with one leg of the U serving as the cold inlet side and the other leg of the U serving as the warm outlet side of the heat exchanger. A partition extends lengthwise of the heater tubes between the legs and the U-shaped bundle. The steam inlet is located at the warm outlet side of the tubes and the housing forms a steam chest around the tubes. Deaerating pipes are provided on each side of the partition in the center of the bundle of heater tubes with openings spaced along the length of the deaerating pipes for receiving the noncondensable gases from the steam, and to draw off the gases through the deaerating pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri & Company Limited
    Inventors: Rudolf Datz, Helena Riegger-Dreher
  • Patent number: 4219077
    Abstract: A multitubular heat exchanger used in a power plant is provided with a bundle of U-shaped heat transfer tubes and a vent tube. The vent tube is located between an upper portion and a lower portion of the bundle of U-shaped heat transfer tubes. A steam flow guide plate is located above a hole of the vent tube and below the upper portion of the bundle of U-shaped heat transfer tubes. The steam flow guide plate obstruct a downward steam flow from the upper portion of the bundle toward the vent tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Furukawa, Yoshikuni Ohshima
  • Patent number: 4207842
    Abstract: A mixed-flow feedwater heater having a regulating device is disclosed including a feedwater tank having a deaerating dome. Steam is conveyed from a low pressure steam drum to a feedwater tank to heat and deaerate the feedwater. Feedwater is supplied from the feedwater tank either to the low pressure steam drum or to an evaporator. The water level in the low pressure steam drum is regulated to a desired level. The feedwater tank is connected to the steam drum by a steam pipe having a pressure-regulating valve which is subjected to the pressure in the mixed flow feedwater tank. The valve controls the pressure in the feedwater tank so that the pressure does not exceed a pre-determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri & Co.
    Inventor: Rolf Kehlhofer
  • Patent number: 4205632
    Abstract: Feedwater preheater having a multiplicity of tubes conducting feedwater, in combination with a device for separating moisture from moisture-bearing steam, includes structural components disposed transversely to a steam flow toward the heating tubes in vicinity of a steam inlet to the preheater, the structural components being in the form of a plurality of rod-shaped rows of profile members disposed between respective tubes of the feedwater preheater and the steam inlet, adjacent rods of the rows of profile members being spaced from one another, the spaces therebetween being mutually offset from one row of profile members to another in direction toward the tubes of the feedwater preheater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Herbert Tratz
  • Patent number: 4089304
    Abstract: Apparatus for supplying feedwater to a steam generator, such as a waste-heat boiler, includes the feature of degassing feedwater at a degassing station by way of a suitable degassing means, the feedwater being degassed by being heated to boiling temperature. Prior to reaching the degassing means at the degassing station the feedwater supplied thereto is heated by being placed in a heat-exchanging relationship with respect to water which has already been degassed by the degassing means at the degassing station. The degassed water which is thus cooled by giving up its heat to the water supplied to the degassing means is then delivered to the steam generator at a temperature which is substantially less than the temperature of the water at the degassing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Assignee: Waagner-Biro Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Georg Beckmann
  • Patent number: 4075978
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a fluid in which a vapor generator is provided which includes a furnace section for combusting a fuel and means to pass water in a heat exchange relation to the furnace section to convert the water to steam. A heat exchanger is provided in fluid flow communication with the furnace section for receiving the steam and for passing the steam in a heat exchange relation with the fluid to preheat the fluid. An additional heat exchanger is provided adjacent the furnace section for receiving the combustion gases from the furnace section and passing same in a heat exchange relation with the preheated fluid to apply additional heat to the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Jan L. Friedrich, Ronald L. Davies
  • Patent number: 3938588
    Abstract: A feedwater heater has a condensate inlet, and a flow distributor cooperatively associated with the condensate inlet, a plurality of U-shaped tubes forming a tube bundle, a vent condenser portion enclosing a portion of the cold leg of the tube bundle and a trough centrally disposed within the tube bundle to provide deaeration of the condensate. The trough has its lengthwise opening in fluid communication with the cold leg portion of the tube bundle and one end thereof in fluid communication with the vent condenser for channeling the non-condensibles to the vent condenser where they are vented from the feedwater heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Roland L. Coit, Robert G. Slebodnick