Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of the thermal section of a large scale power plant heat generator in which combustible fuels such as fossil fuels, refuse or other materials are burned are described. Flue gas generated in the heat generator and combustion air are passed in heat exchange relationship at diametrally opposite sides of a rotary type air preheater. The heat exchange relationship is selected so that it causes removal of a substantial amount of heat from the flue gas whose temperature is consequently lowered to a level where a corrosive pollutant such as SO.sub.3 in the form H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 condenses out. The heat exchange elements of the rotor are sized so that the cross-sectional area of the passages therebetween are small enough to prevent the formation of aerosols of sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A heat exchange element in the form of a tube, lies in a particulate laden gas flow and is charged with an electrostatic charge of the same polarity as an electrostatic charge on particles suspended in the gas flow, in order to prevent accumulation on any part of the heat exchange element which would interfere with the rate at which thermal energy can be transferred through the heat exchange element or restrict flow of gas through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An air preheater water jet apparatus is provided for cleaning fly ash, soot and the like from a rotating or stationary heat exchange basket on a air preheater used to improve the efficiency of a boiler in an electric utility generating plant. The air preheater cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning assembly with water jet nozzles, thereon, attached to a carriage which moves along a track, such as a channel beam, affixed radially above and adjacent to the air preheater basket. A drive assembly and an idler bracket assembly with a roller chain therebetween are disposed on the channel beam. The carriage assembly is attached to the roller chain and as the carriage is driven, the cleaning assembly is moved along the channel beam. Thus, when the basket, or the air preheater cleaning apparatus, is rotated and the carriage is moved inward, a circular path of the basket is cleaned.

Abstract: A regenerative air heater is comprised of a matrix of heating surface elements contained in a compartmented housing with heat transfer being effected by alternately exposing the heating surface elements to hot gas and cooler air, thereby heating the exiting air stream. Un-burned products of combustion present in the gas may collect on the heating surface and, under certain operating conditions, ignite spontaneously in one or more local areas. In some instances, the local combustion can become severe enough to cause the heat transfer surface itself to burn, seriously damaging the heat exchanger. An elongated expansion element, made of a material having a high coefficient, of thermal expansion relative to the compartment structure, is used to sense the presence of a hot spot in any air heater compartment. The resulting thermal initiated expansion of the element activates a device to indicate the presence of a hot spot in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A process and device for cleaning a rotary regenerative heat exchanger with a rotating part and a storage mass, for the transfer of heat from a higher-temperature, contaminated gas stream to a lower-temperature clean gas stream, in which upon reduction of the rotatory speed of the rotating part, jets of a cleaning agent and, immediately thereafter, jets of a gaseous drying agent, are sprayed onto the storage mass, with a continuous or step-wise radial displacement of the jets from the circumference to the center of the rotating mass and vice versa. The device includes a carriage, which is guided and driven radially over the storage mass. At least one nozzle each for a cleaning agent and a drying agent are on the carriage. A drive is associated with the rotor for establishing variable running speeds and lower cleaning speeds and for varying the rotatory speed of the rotor depending on the position of the carriage between the center and the circumference.

Abstract: Gas liquefaction apparatus contaminated with mercury is decontaminated by circulating through the apparatus a solvent containing sulfur or a gas containing a sulfur reactant such as sulfur, hydrogen sulfide or alkyl thiol.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the heat-exchanging surface of a storage medium of a regenerative heat exchanger which has a rotatably driven hood. The device utilizes rinsing or cleaning fluid which is discharged from at least one spray nozzle essentially parallel to the planes of the heat-exchanging surfaces. The spray nozzles are movable relative to the storage medium. In order to provide a structurally simple, light-weight cleaning device which can be housed in a space-saving manner, the spray nozzle is disposed at the end of an at least two-part, telescopic nozzle holder which is mounted on the hood of the regenerative heat exchanger and is connected by a supply line with a transfer mechanism disposed in the center of rotation of the hood. The transfer mechanism includes a tubular piece which rotates with the hood, and a stationary housing which is sealed off relative to the tubular piece. The adjustment movement of the movable part of the nozzle holder can be derived from the rotational movement of the hood.

Abstract: A compact and maintenance-free means and method of regenerating the sensible heat from flue gases of fossil fuel furnaces by heat exchange through two circular layers of rock beds rotating under two semi-circular mantles with the first mantle applying hot flue gases to the beds and the second withdrawing preheated ambient air needed for combustion by said furnaces. When used for power plant flue gas treatment, layers of acid-resistant pipes containing boiler feedwater are sandwiched between the two rock bed layers to usefully recover the heat units arising from moisture condensation. The enormous water of condensation collects flyash and sulphur dioxide thus removing these pollutants from the stack gases. The heavy rock beds rotate slowly beneath the fixed mantles in a circular, pan-shaped, steel vessel floating on and cooled by a circular pond of water. Friction of rotation is minimal and gas leakage principally prevented by liquid seals. When flue gas temperature rises, as above 600 degrees F.

Abstract: A simple method to prevent air pollution from the particulate and gaseous pollutants from power plants, by recuperating the heat in the flue gases down to atmospheric temperature and pre-heat the air needed from combustion in the boilers. Most fly ash is removed at the face of the regenerators. Condensed moisture from the flue gases dissolves SO.sub.2 and forms a smog, with remaining fly ash particles acting as condensation nuclei, which are caught on the wetted surfaces within the regenerator, washed therefrom to vessels to settle out solids, and the liquid is then treated by vacuum to recover the dissolved SO.sub.2, which is compressed to liquid SO.sub.2 and stored in refrigerated tank cars, to be sold as a valuable byproduct. The bulk of the fly ash, which settles on the face of (45 degree) sloping "snow fences" built across the top of the pebble bed, slides like snow off of a sloping roof and into gutters with perforated false bottoms, up which flows a little gas and carry it to downspouts and bins.

Abstract: A regenerative heat exchanger having a heat-exchanging storage medium which is provided with a plurality of flow channels. At each end there is provided a respective hood, which divides the storage medium via radial sealing members into at least one portion which receives heat-emitting gases, and at least one portion which receives heat-absorbing gases, with said portions, as a result of a continual relative rotation between the storage medium and the hood, alternately receiving the two types of gases. Sealing members are also disposed along the periphery between the hoods and a housing which accommodates the storage medium. In order to simplify the construction, reduce the amount of space required, and to improve the efficiency and avoid periodic down times for cleaning and in particular the leading edges of the storage medium, the radial sealing members are embodied as sealing strips which rest yieldingly directly against the respective planar end face of the storage medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning the heat-exchanging surfaces of the storage elements of rotary regenerative heat exchangers. The apparatus has a row of nozzles oriented substantially at a tangent and in a radially displaceable manner before the end face of the storage element (1) in the interior of the heat exchanger, which cause the cleaning material, delivered to them from a source of cleaning material, to emerge in an aimed manner onto the storage element (1). The nozzles are provided on at least two spaced-apart nozzle heads (19; 17) disposed a tube (11; 13) extending substantially radially over one half of the end face of the storage element (1), the tube being guided into the interior of the heat exchanger in a sealed manner and being movable by a drive means radially back and forth above the storage element (1). Via movable connecting means, the tube (11; 13) is connected to at least one external, stationary material line delivering the cleaning material.

Abstract: An element basket for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger having an array of heat absorbent plates that comprise heat transfer elements therefor. Retaining means are affixed at opposite ends to basket walls to positively position the element plates within the basket. The element plates have curved recesses at opposite ends thereof to receive the retaining means, the recesses having a dimension greater than that of a transverse section of the adjacent retaining means to permit freedom of movement therebetween and to preclude a concentration of stresses that would effect premature failure thereof.

Abstract: A simple and profitable means to prevent air pollution from the particulate and gaseous pollutants from power plants, by recuperating the heat in the flue gases down to atmospheric temperature and pre-heat the air needed from combustion in the boilers. Most fly ash is removed at the face of the regenerators. Condensed moisture from the flue gases dissolves SO.sub.2 and forms a smog, with remaining fly ash particles acting as condensation nuclei, which are caught on the wetted surfaces within the regenerator, washed therefrom to vessels to settle out solids, and the liquid is then treated by vacuum to recover the dissolved SO.sub.2, which is compressed to liquid SO.sub.2 and stored in refrigerated tank cars, to be sold as a valuable byproduct.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger 10 having a rotor 12 mounted to a central rotor post 18 for rotation within a surrounding housing 20 whereby heat absorbent material carried in the rotor is alternately exposed to a flow of heating gas and a gas to be heated. A radial seal assembly 50 including a flexible sealing strip 72 is mounted to the hot end edge of each radially extending partition 16 of the rotor 12 to establish a seal across the gap between the radially extending partitions 16 and the confronting face of the sector plate 24 of the housing 20 as the rotor is rotated. Each radial seal assembly 50 is provided with a back support leaf 64 having an outward portion 68 which provides a backstop to limit the backward bending of the flexible sealing strip 72 so as to preclude stressing of the sealing strip beyond its yield point.

Abstract: Methods for removing deposits formed in the heat exchange tube of waste heat recovery boilers for glass furnaces in which sodium aluminum silicate fine particles are introduced into the waste gases before they enter the heat exchange tubes.

Abstract: The synthesis gas cooler is provided with a movable platform in the space between the inner and outer flue. The platform may be constructed in segments with separate cable and winch means provided for raising and lowering of the platform segments via suspension structures. The suspension structures may also be secured in a raised position by bars which pass through fittings at the upper end of the suspension structures and which are supported in a partition above the movable platform.

Abstract: Heat-transferring elements for regenerative heat exchange in a gas-gas fluidized bed heat exchanger. The elements are in the form of separate, freely movable saddle-shaped bodies. The saddle-shaped elements may have one or more holes, and may also, or alternatively, have one or more hollow spaces or chambers which are filled entirely or partially with materials of high heat-retaining capacity, and/or with latent storage masses.

Abstract: In a plant having a dryer for organic materials, especially wood chips through which hot gas from a combustion chamber can be passed, and the exhaust gases, laden with combustible contaminants, can be passed through indirect heat exchangers, by-pass ducts carrying exhaust gas from the dryer are associated with the heat exchangers, along with hot gas ducts to and from the combustion chamber. After a heat exchanger has been shut off from the exhaust gas stream from the dryer, the same heat exchanger can be connected for cleaning to a portion of the hot gas from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a housing that is divided into two parallel passages. A fan in one passage causes air from the outside of a building to flow through one of the passages into the building and a fan in the other passage causes air to be exhausted from inside the building to the outside. A flapper valve prevents entrance of air into the building through either passage when the fans are not operating. A series of media disks, two embodiments of which are disclosed, constitute successive stages, picking up heat and/or moisture from one passage and transferring the heat and/or moisture to the other passage as the disks are rotated within recesses formed in stationary separators. A special drive mechanism is utilized for rotating the disks. Provision is also made for spraying the disks in order to clean them and/or to control the humidity within the building.

Abstract: A means for recovering the heat of a room space and for ventilation, consisting of at least two heat accumulators, to which the outgoing air delivers its heat and from which the incoming air takes up heat, and each of which has one end connected to the room space outflow duct and inflow duct, in which ducts the direction of flow is always the same under control by a flap. The opposite ends of the heat accumulators have been connected to the fresh air intake duct and to the outgoing exit duct, in which ducts the direction of flow is always the same under control by another flap.

Abstract: A pack of heat transfer plates for regenerative heat exchangers comprising superimposed profiled plates. Each plate is provided with spaced parallel double ridges protruding symmetrically from both sides of the plate and extending obliquely relatively to the general direction of the fluid flow through the pack. The plates are disposed such that the ridges of one plate lie transverse to the ridges of adjacent plates so that the plates are in contact with each other solely at points spaced along the crests of the ridges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a heat generator in which combustible fuels such as fossil fuels, refuse, or other materials are burned is described. Flue gas generated in the heat generator and combustion air are passed in heat exchange relationship in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is selected so that it removes a substantial amount of heat from the flue gas, whose temperature is consequently lowered to a level where a corrosive pollutant such as SO.sub.3 in the form of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is likely to condense out. A pollutant removing liquid is applied onto the portion of the heat exchanger where the flue gas passes through both to scrub the flue gas and protect that portion of the heat exchanger from corrosive effects from condensed pollutants.

Abstract: Heat exchanger cleaner for temporary installation in a heat exchanger or similar assembly to clean the heat exchange surfaces therein wth a jet of pressurized cleaning fluid. The cleaner has an arm temporarily pivotally attached to the inside wall of the housing of the heat exchanger assembly to support a spray head. The arm is free to swing in a radial plane adjacent one end of the core assembly. A drive, preferably having its working parts positioned outside the heat exchanger housing, swings the arm at a measured rate of speed to effect radial travel of the spray head across the exposed end of the core assembly. Circumferential coverage of the core assembly is provided by rotating the core assembly within the heat exchanger housing, employing the usual core assembly drive.The cleaner can be installed in a heat exchanger through an access opening in the housing adjacent one end of the core assembly. The swing arm of the cleaner drive can telescope to fit heat exchangers of varying diameter.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger comprises a plurality of moving sector-like rotor compartments carrying regenerative heat exchange material, in which leakage of a gaseous medium having a lower pressure and being trapped by a stationary section plate in the sector-like compartments to a gaseous medium of a higher pressure is at least reduced by the provision of a means for adjusting the sector plate to such an axial clearance with respect to the end of the rotor that an intentional amount of direct leakage of the high pressure medium is maintained between the rotor end and the sector plate, giving rise to forcing out the low pressure medium from compartments that are about to leave the low pressure medium passage and replacing it with high pressure medium.

Abstract: To prevent disruptions in downstream processes due to non-uniform flows arising from the switching operation in two interchangeable regenerator systems, both the feed of a cold fluid to the cooled regenerator and the feed of a hot fluid to the heated regenerator are interrupted, the hot fluid is then introduced into the cooled regenerator while the cold fluid is first conducted through a heat accumulator connected in parallel with the regenerators; a portion of the fluid heated in the heat accumulator is fed into the heated regenerator to purge residual hot fluid therefrom and subsequently the cold fluid is passed in its entirety through the heated regenerator. Particular application is in preventing disruption in the flow, composition and temperature of air of combustion preheated by flue gas.

Abstract: A heat pipe heat exchanger for transferring heat from a high temperature fluid such as, for example, exhaust gas of a boiler, to a low temperature fluid comprises a first flow path (13,14,15,16,17) along which the high temperature fluid flows, a second flow path (18,19,20,21,22) along which the low temperature fluid flows, and a rotor (28) formed by a plurality of heat pipes (8) disposed across the two flow paths with such intervals that the high temperature fluid or the low temperature fluid can pass therebetween and transferring heat from the high temperature fluid to the low temperature fluid, and the rotor (28) has a separating member (9) fixed to the rotor and separating the first flow path (14,15,16) therein from the second flow path (19,20,21) and is rotatable. By this, corrosion, decreased wall thickness and clogging of the heat pipes is prevented from being localized in a particular portion thereof and the maintenance work of the heat exchanger can be facilitated.

Abstract: An infrared ray sensing device for the rotor of a rotary rengenerative heat exchanger that includes a sensor 34 having a viewing lens 38 at the end of a moving support arm 36. The sensor is adapted to view the infrared ray emission from the rotor. As the arm moves along a path adjacent the rotor it comes into alignment with a fixed nozzle 44 that ejects a blast of cleaning fluid over the entire surface of the lens to remove dust deposits therefrom and thus maintain the lens in a clean condition.

Abstract: Regenerative heat exchange apparatus (12) for the transfer of heat from a heating fluid (hot gas) to a fluid to be heated such as air. Valve means (16-A, 18-A, 22-A, 24-A) control the flow of heating fluid and the fluid to be heated to and through their respective ducts in the heat exchanger. A bypass duct (38) reversely directs heating fluid through the heat exchanger (12) to displace heated air trapped therein after the valve (24-A) controlling the air supply has been closed.

Abstract: Heat recovery and replacement air preheating apparatus for use in textile heat treatment machinery is disclosed as including a pair of thermal recovery and storage units wherein each storage unit contains a plurality of thermal mass disks which operate as heat sponges to pick up heat from exhausts as it leaves the dryer and subsequently to put that heat into entering replacement air whereby the cost in elevating the replacement air is greatly reduced. A control valve connected between the two thermal storage units cycles the reverse exhaust and replacement air flows alternately through the thermal storage units in a manner that a substantial amount of the exhaust heat does not reach the ambient environment and the alternating replacement air flow maintains the thermal heat recovery and storage units and associated apparatus cool and clean of lint and the like residuals.

Abstract: A regenerative heat exchanger. The rotor is an annular body and includes several rotationally symmetrical chambers which are separated from one another by walls, with the axially parallel dividing walls being permeable for the gaseous heat-dissipating or heat-receiving medium, and the radial dividing walls being permeable for the gaseous medium; heat-transferring elements for the regenerative heat exchange are arranged in the chambers accompanied by formation of a whirl layer during operation. The chambers have radial flow therethrough.

Abstract: An air jet cleaning apparatus for use with throttling devices mounted in ventilation ducts in which the throttling device includes a body having opposite air inlet and outlet sides and a plurality of fine through passages for conveying air flowing from the inlet to the outlet sides thereof. The apparatus includes a deflector shield mounted adjacent the inlet side of the body to allow for relative movement between the deflector and the body. The shield has an opening facing the inlet side of the body which is caused to sweep over the inlet side during relative movement between the shield and body. A duct provides communication between the shield and the outlet side of the throttling device whereby the drop of pressure across the throttling device diverts a partial air flow through the shield in another direction than the main air flow into the body of the throttling device in order to clean the surface of the inlet side of the body.

Abstract: An improved method of removing particulate matter from the plates of electrostatic precipitators includes applying tensile loads to the plates thus inducing high frequency stress whereby the particulate matter tends to break and slide down the surfaces of the plates with minimal reintroduction of the particulate matter into the fluid stream.

Abstract: The heat content of corrosion and dust particle-laden gases is recovered in a process employing at least two regenerators cyclically interchangeable. In the heat-release cycle, hot waste gases are passed through the regenerator in one direction, thereby releasing their heat content to the packing, e.g., quartzite rocks or porcelain Raschig rings. In the heat recovery cycle, a clean gas, e.g., superatmospheric air, is passed through the hot regenerator in the opposite direction, thereby recovering the heat content of the packing. Immediately prior to switching the regenerator from the heat release cycle to the heat recovery cycle, at least a portion of the high pressure recovery gas (e.g., air) from the regenerator operated in the heat recovery cycle is introduced into the warm end of the regenerator in the heat release cycle, thereby creating a high pressure switching surge.

Abstract: A fire detection system for rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having multiple detectors, each detector being mounted independently on an arcuately reciprocable scanning arm. The several arms are laterally adjustable by a system of opposed screws in an articulated yoke to permit the selective positioning of each arm independent from the other scanning arms of the system.

Abstract: In a rotary regenerative air heater, an improved annular heat exchanger stack composed of several layers of heater lamellae packages and grate-like guide screen layers arranged on both ends of each lamellae package. The guide screen layers guide the flows of flue gas and air between stack layers and also serve to hold together the lamellae of each lamellae package with the aid of connecting tie rods.

Abstract: A dynamic heat-exchanger with rotor having radial passages disposed, in relation to two circulation ducts, so that there flows radially therethrough, on one sector, a hot fluid flowing in one of the two ducts, and, on another sector, a cold fluid flowing in the other duct. This exchanger comprises a fluid jet cleaner provided for acting by blowing in the passages of the rotor, this blowing taking place between two facing outer and inner sealing zones disposed on the outer and inner cylindrical surfaces of the rotor. This exchanger further comprises a preheater for blowing heated gas through the passages to warm them before hot fluid flows through the passages.

Abstract: A method of disrupting vapor films formed in film boiling in boilers, in which method transient electrical discharges are effected either in the boiler liquid or in a body of liquid in acoustic communication with the boiler liquid. The electrical discharges are effected at one or more selected locations in the boiler to produce shock waves which act on surfaces of the boiler liquid space where vapor films are to be disrupted. By disrupting such vapor films there is enabled an improvement in the heat transfer rates per unit area across the interface between the fire space and the liquid space of a boiler. There are also disclosed various arrangements in boilers for generating these shock waves. Electrical discharges may be effected between a pair of electrodes mounted in the boiler or between an electrode and an adjacent wall of the boiler, and several mounting configurations for electrodes in boilers are described.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning the heat exchanging surfaces of the heat transfer plates of rotary regenerative heat exchangers comprising low to medium pressure gas and/or steam operated nozzles of the injection type having injection tubes for moving by suction ambient heat exchanging gas or air into the interspaces between the heat transfer plates. The nozzles may be designed as supersonic nozzles, especially Laval nozzles.

Abstract: A system of lances for washing a rotating heat exchanger. The lances extend from a cylindrical manifold wherein a hollow cylinder is rotatably mounted to distribute a washing fluid successively to the different lances, and thereby to different annular areas of the rotating heat exchanger.

Abstract: A combustion device comprising a plurality of regenerative units formed by a plurality of separate radially extending compartments each containing a plurality of corrugated highly conductive metal plates compressed together with the corrugations in the adjacent plates intersecting each other at right angles so as to provide meandering passages for the gases between the adjacent corrugated plates; a rotary switching valve provided at one end of said regenerative means for controlling the flow of said waste gases flowing therethrough; a reaction zone provided at the other end of said regenerative means in which said waste gases are reacted; and a temperature-adjusting chamber located within said reaction zone and provided with an auxiliary combustion burner and an excess-heat disposal branch conduit.

Abstract: A fire detection apparatus in a rotary regenerative air preheater comprises a plurality of temperature sensitive detectors which produce an electrical signal, and means for differentiating the electrical signals from the detectors. The differentiated signals are passed through a low pass filter having a large time constant and are then fed to a comparator which actuates a signalling device when the low pass filter output signal exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An infrared ray viewing device for an air preheater having a clamping ring that holds a lens in a predetermined position and simultaneously provides an air flow passageway around the periphery of the lens to exhaust a stream of cleaning air radially over the surface of the lens to remove dust deposits therefrom.

Abstract: A detector that monitors infra-red ray emission from an air preheater to detect a temperature rise that precedes a fire within the air preheater. The detector of infra-red rays is alternately moved between a "detecting" stage within the air preheater and a "cleaning" stage in clean ambient air where particulate matter deposited thereon by dirty gas may be removed to maintain the detector at a high degree of operating efficiency.

Abstract: An installation for the de-dusting of hot gases, in particular the exhaust air of product coolers for cement, lime and dolomite furnaces or similar furnaces, in which the hot gases are conveyed from an exhaust gas chamber, cooled in the presence of fresh air, and then conducted into a web or fabric filter for the de-dusting thereof.

Abstract: A holder for apparatus that is positioned in an air preheater to detect an increase in infra-red ray emission therefrom indicating a temperature rise that precedes conditions conducive to a fire in the air preheater.