Abstract: A method of operating a fossil fuel-fired power generation system (10, 10', 10", 10'") in order to thereby optimize the operating efficiency thereof.

Abstract: A regenerative bed incinerator 10 is provided with a gas recirculation duct 80 through which a controlled amount of gaseous fuel is injected in the contaminated process exhaust gases 3 prior to admission to the regenerative bed incinerator 10 to increase the heating value of the process exhaust gases 3 so as to improve overall contaminated destruction efficiency for process exhaust gases which have a low level of combustible contaminants therein.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system (10) particularly suited for use to effect the incineration, i.e., combustion, therewith of wood waste/sludge mixtures that have high moisture and ash content which makes them difficult to burn. The fluidized bed combustion system (10) includes a fluidized bed combustor (12) embodying a fluidized bed (24) composed of bed solids. Air is injected into the fluidized bed (24) through an air distributor (28) to establish a first controlled fluidizing velocity zone and a second controlled fluidizing velocity zone therewithin. Material (42b) is introduced into the fluidized bed combustor (12) above the second controlled fluidizing velocity zone. Bed solids are projected from the first controlled fluidizing velocity zone to the second controlled fluidizing velocity zone whereupon the bed solids rain down upon the material (42b) and effect a covering thereof. The material (42b) is then dried and thereafter combusted.

Abstract: A temperature measuring device for a gasifier of a gasifier system wherein the gasifier has a through opening formed thereon. The temperature measuring device includes a slag shield mounted on the gasifier so that a portion of the slag shield extends into the interior of the gasifier through the opening with which the gasifier is provided for this purpose, and a temperature measuring instrument mounted in supported relation within the slag shield so that a line-of-sight exists from the temperature measuring instrument into the interior of the gasifier whereat the temperature is desired to be measured. The slag shield is designed to protect the temperature measuring instrument from the slag flow within the gasifier.

Abstract: A high efficiency exhauster which is capable of attaining operating efficiencies of up to 70% when employed in a solid fuel pulverizer firing system that includes a pulverizer which is operative to effect the pulverization therewithin of the solid fuel supplied thereto and a furnace into which the pulverized solid fuel is injected for combustion therewithin. The high efficiency exhauster includes a casing, an inlet ring supported on the casing, a rotor mounted on the casing for rotation therewithin, a multiplicity of blades, each of a preestablished length and width, mounted in spaced relation one to another on the circumference of the rotor so as to extend at a preestablished angle, and an outlet formed in the casing.

Abstract: An advanced overfire air system for NO.sub.x control designed for use in a firing system of the type that is particularly suited for use in fossil fuel-fired furnaces and a method of operating such a furnace which embodies an advanced overfire air system. The advanced overfire air system for NO.sub.x control includes multi-elevations of overfire air compartments consisting of a plurality of close coupled overfire air compartments and a plurality of separated overfire air compartments. The close coupled overfire air compartments are supported at a first elevation in the furnace and the separated overfire air compartments are supported at a second elevation in the furnace so as to be spaced from but aligned with the close coupled overfire air compartments.

Abstract: An integrated low NO.sub.x tangential firing system (12) that is particularly suited for use with pulverized solid fuel-fired furnaces (10), and a method of operating a pulverized solid fuel-fired furnace (10) equipped with an integrated low NO.sub.x tangential firing system (12). The integrated low NO.sub.x tangential firing system (12) when so employed with a pulverized solid fuel-fired furnace (10) is capable of limiting NO.sub.x emissions therefrom to less than 0.15 lb./10.sup. 6 BTU, while yet maintaining carbon-in-flyash to less than 5% and CO emissions to less than 50 ppm. The integrated low NO.sub.x tangential firing system (12) includes pulverized solid fuel supply means (62), flame attachment pulverized solid fuel nozzle tips (60), concentric firing nozzles, close-coupled overfire air (98,100), and multi-staged separate overfire air (104,106).

Abstract: A black liquor gasification system intended for use as a replacement for a Tomlinson cycle, Chemical Recovery Unit, and which operates at a temperature below the ash melting temperature thereby removing the potential for smelt-water reactions and explosions. The subject black liquor gasification system is based on the use of a circulating fluidized bed operating at atmospheric pressure that produces dry, recoverable salts as well as low calorific gases to be used within the paper-making process.

Abstract: A nozzle damper assembly (10) for installation in a duct (12) operative for measuring and controlling the flow of a gaseous medium through the duct (12). The subject nozzle damper assembly (10) includes enclosure means (24) cooperatively associated with the duct (12), shaft means (26) suitably supported from the sidewalls (32, 34, 36, 38) of the enclosure means (24), damper blade means (16,18) rotatable mounted on the shaft means (26) for movement within the enclosure means (24), damper blade operating means (28) operative for purposes of effecting the movement of the damper blade means (16,18) within the enclosure means (24), and flow measurement means (20,22) supported at a first location and at a second location relative to in lieu thereof the damper blade means (16,18) and operative to measure the flow of the gaseous medium through the nozzle damper assembly (10) such that control may be exercised over the flow of the gaseous medium through the duct (12) based on such measurements.

Abstract: An advanced overfire air system for NO.sub.x control designed for use in a firing system of the type that is particularly suited for use in fossil fuel-fired furnaces and a method of operating such a furnace which embodies an advanced overfire air system. The advanced overfire air system for NO.sub.x control includes multielevations of overfire air compartments consisting of a plurality of close coupled overfire air compartments and a plurality of separated overfire air compartments. The close coupled overfire air compartments are supported at a first elevation in the furnace and the separated overfire air compartments are supported at a second elevation in the furnace so as to be spaced from but aligned with the close coupled overfire air compartments.

Abstract: A funnel-shaped arrangement (1) for drying and/or cooling vehicles or parts thereof. The funnel-shaped arrangement (1) is longitudinally divided into a number of sections each of which is provided with a plurality, preferably 60-250, of nozzles (7,20,21,22,23,24,25) which are substantially evenly distributed over the curved inner surface of the section and through which the gases are supplied and blown against the vehicle or the parts thereof passing through the arrangement (1), the pressure drop of the gases is measured across the nozzles (7,20,21,22,23,24,25) and the temperature of the gases before the nozzles (7,20,21,22,23,24,25). The measured pressure drop values are then compared with predetermined desired values corresponding to the prevailing temperature, whereupon a pressure increase or a pressure reduction signal is supplied to a first pressure changing means (29) for suplying the gases to the arrangement (1), depending on whether the measured values are below or above the desired values.

Abstract: An integrated manufacturing system operative for managing the distribution to a factory floor as well as throughout a factory of the information that is necessary to effectuate the production of products on the factory floor. The information required for this purpose encompasses, but is not necessarily limited to, both the design information which is generated within the engineering enterprise and the scheduling information which is generated within the manufacturing resource planning system. This information consisting of design and manufacturing data pertaining to the product to be produced is in turn stored in a central repository for all shared information from whence as needed it is capable of being distributed in a logical and efficient fashion through operation of the integrated manufacturing system to the factory floor as well as throughout the factory so as to thereby enable the product to be produced on the factory floor in a most timely and most cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A clustered concentric tangential firing system (12) particularly suited for use in fossil fuel-fired furnaces (10) and a method of operating such furnaces (10) equipped with a clustered concentric tangential firing system (12).

Abstract: A narrow stationary impact attenuation system (10) for reducing the severity of vehicular collisions occasioned by an errant vehicle striking an immovable object at narrow hazard sites. The subject narrow stationary impact attenuation system (10) includes crash cushion means (12), lateral stability means (14), backup means (16), support means (18), lateral deflection means (20), vehicle anti-vaulting means (22), redirection means (24), and base means (26). The lateral stability means (14) extends the length of the crash cushion means (12) on either side thereof. The backup means (16) is positioned in juxtaposed relation to the crash cushion means (12) at the rear thereof. The support means (18) is positioned in juxtaposed relation to the crash cushion means (12) at the front thereof. The lateral deflection means (20), the vehicle anti-vaulting means (22) and the redirection means (24) are each mounted in supported relation at selected positions relative to the crash cushion means (12).

Abstract: A chromium coating process for coating large size articles such as boiler tubes and boiler tube assemblies, comprises the steps of: (a) mounting on a stationary foundation a retort having a removable cover; (b) covering the articles to be coated in the retort by a chromium source powder containing 3% of ammonium chloride and 42% ferrochromium, the balance consisting of alumina; (c) sealing the cover on the retort; (d) heating the retort to a uniform temperature of 2100.degree. F. for 10 hours; (e) supplying concurrent with the commencement of the heating an inert gas to the interior of the retort; (f) terminating the heating of the retort and shutting off the flow of the inert gas to the retort; (g) cooling the retort and the articles within the retort uniformly throughout to a temperature of 400.degree. F.; (h) removing the cover from the retort; (i) removing the coated articles therefrom.

Abstract: A particle size measuring device for effecting with regard to particles present in a fluid substance the simultaneous measurement in situ of two parameters thereof; namely, particle size distribution and volumetric density. The particle size measuring device comprises a laser light source (14), a laser light conveying device (40), a collimator, a first focusing device (64), a defined sample path (74) through which particles to be measured pass, a second focusing device (78) and a detector device (82). The mode of operation of the particle size measuring device is such that the laser light from the laser light source (14) is conveyed by means of the laser light conveying device (40) to the collimator. After being collimated the laser light is transmitted to the first focusing device (64) whereby the laser light is focused and is then made to pass across the sample path (74).

Abstract: A system (10) particularly suited for employment for purposes of effectuating the monitoring, diagnosing and controlling of the chemistry of the water and steam in a steam generator steam cycle (46). The subject system (10) is operative to monitor water and steam quality at a number of critical locations (70,72,74,76) in the steam generator steam cycle (46). Based on the information gathered through such monitoring of water and steam quality, the subject system (10) is designed to be operative to provide diagnoses of potential causes of upsets in the steam generator steam cycle chemistry and to suggest corrective actions as appropriate. Furthermore, historical data is also readily available from the subject system (10) which can be utilized for identifying trends and for assessing the operational chemistry of the steam generator steam cycle (46) both on a short-term basis and on a long-term basis.

Abstract: A pulverizing mill (10) wherein the pulverized material is classified by a vertical separator (38) as the pulverized material exits the pulverizing mill thus permitting the height of the mill to be reduced.

Abstract: A pulverizer auxiliary lubrication system (12) particularly suited for use with a pulverizer bowl mill (10) of the type that is operative for effecting the grinding of material. The subject auxiliary lubrication system (12) is designed to be employed to supplement the pulverizer bowl mill's (10) existing lubrication system (48) whereby the beneficial features of the latter are retained while the disadvantages thereof are eliminated. To this end, the subject auxiliary lubrication system (12) includes an oil pump (72), an electric motor (74) coupled (76) to and operative for driving the oil pump (72), one or more filters (78), a pressure relief valve (80), connecting piping (82, 84, 86, 88), gauges (68, 94, 96) and controls (90, 92, 98, 100, 110), and means to supply oil to (86, 88) and draw oil from (82, 84) the pulverizer bowl mill (10).

Abstract: A gland seal for addition to a boiler and furnace structure which has pipes (20) passing through a waterwall (12) and seal box (30). The gland seal includes a packing (40) of ceramic rope of square cross-section wrapped on the pipes (20) adjacent the front plate (34) of the seal box (30) with a hose clamp (41) radially constricting the packing and a pressure plate (42) driven by nuts (46) on threaded studs (44) adjacent the pipes (20) axially constricting the packing to eliminate ash leakage through the waterwall joint.