Abstract: Lubrication devices for lubricating wire rope on a crane. Spray nozzles may be permanently mounted to the multi-sheaved wire block assemblies. A controller and oil supply located near the base of the crane are used to control and deliver oil to the spray nozzles. A telescopic spray unit is used to lubricate the vertical stationary wire rope. A crawler that rides on the wire rope is used to lubricate the stationary wire rope between the anchor point and the first sheave of the block assembly. Improved clamshell units are used to lubricate the wire rope between the drums storing wire rope and the first sheave.

Abstract: An access door for a boiler or furnace has a water-cooled jacket mounted on a door panel frame for use in high temperature regions of furnaces and boilers. The door is large enough to permit a stretcher to pass through unobstructed. The water-cooled jacket has a series of baffles which direct water in a serpentine path through the jacket. Plant water, as opposed to boiler quality water, may be used to cool the door. A viewing port may be provided in the door as well.

Abstract: A lance assembly for insertion into a steam generator chamber includes a hinged support for guiding the lance within the chamber which may be stored easily in a smaller space outside the chamber when not in use. One embodiment of the support has left and right side support guides formed from multiple hinged segments that surround the lance when inside the chamber. The hinges are axially offset from one another along a length of the assembly and pivot in opposite directions so that the guide is rigid inside the chamber yet allowing the lance to move therein. In an alternate embodiment, a single guide is used having multiple hinged segments. The hinged segments are locked in place immediately prior to being fed into the chamber. The segments may be folded over each other for storage in a smaller space.

Abstract: A modified air heater gas inlet plenum for a tubular air heater which permits retrofit installation of additional flue gas environmental treatment equipment. A divider plate is located within the inlet plenum to subdivide it into first and second flue gas passages. The first flue gas passage created by the divider plate merely conveys the hot flue gas through the inlet plenum and into flues which convey the flue gas to the new equipment. Return flues convey the flue gas back to the second flue gas passage created in the inlet plenum which, in turn, conveys the flue gas into the tubular air heater heat exchanger tubes. By taking advantage of the large size of a conventional air heater gas inlet plenum, the first and second flue gas passages created by the divider plate still have sufficient cross sectional area so that acceptable flue gas velocities are preserved.

Abstract: A pipeline recovery tool is made from steel plates welded together instead of forging and machining. The rigged-up tool is lowered over the pipeline and engaged with the pipeline such that a fixed claw engages the collar on the pipeline. An ROV is used to cause a movable dog on the tool to engage the collar and then lock the fixed claw in position. Rigging on the fixed claw side of the tool is released. The pipeline is then lifted to the surface by a lift arm on the first end of the tool.

Abstract: A combined removal system for separating carbon dioxide and sulfur oxide gases from furnace flue gases employs a single vessel having two chambers. The chambers are separated by a series of baffles and drains. The lower, primary chamber contains reagent and a delivery system for removing sulfur oxides (SO2 and SO3) from the flue gases. The upper, secondary chamber has a reagent, typically an amine solution, for removing carbon dioxide from the flue gases. The baffles and drains permit the flue gases to rise from the primary chamber into the secondary chamber, while collecting the amine solution which is used to trap the carbon dioxide. Alternatively, the primary and secondary chambers may be separated by a horizontal segment or a combination of horizontal and vertical sections.

Abstract: A CFB reactor or combustor having a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system employed downstream of the CFB reactor or combustor furnace together with a dry scrubber system to achieve enhanced NO, reduction.

Abstract: A universal catenary riser support that can be designed to accommodate all riser pipe diameters typically considered for production of offshore hydrocarbons and allows the catenary riser to exit from the vessel at any azimuth angle and at a wide range of angles from the vertical. The support structure at the keel of the offshore structure is provided with a receptacle to receive a curved riser segment. The curved riser segment is adapted to be received in the receptacle. The curved riser is also adapted to receive a vertical riser section through the offshore structure. Relative motions between the catenary riser and the offshore structure are accommodated by a tapered section of riser or flexible joint attached to the curved riser section. A removable plug may be provided in the curved riser section to prevent water from entering the catenary riser during installation in the offshore structure.

Abstract: A compound spin vane (CSV) for use in an air passage of a fossil fuel-fired burner. In one embodiment, the CSV is a multi-piece construction of platelike outer and inner vane elements connected to an intermediate platelike rail element. In another embodiment, the CSV includes at least two and possibly three vane portions, rigidly interconnected in spaced lateral relationship with respect to each other. If desired, the vane portions may be simple, curved planar surfaces, and may be arranged with trailing edges arranged at angles with respect to each other. The invention may be employed as a replacement for flat spin vanes found in secondary air passages of known single and dual register burners. When used in such manner in a single register burner, the invention changes secondary air flow characteristics so as to mimic those commonly found in a dual register burner.

Abstract: An improved main shaft for a coal pulverizer having a selected portion of the main shaft provided with an intervening material such as a thermally sprayed ceramic coating.

Abstract: This application discloses a method of extracting hydrocarbons from a submarine well, which is characterized in that a displacement fluid, e.g. water, is injected under pressure into the submarine well, or into a reservoir connected to the submarine well, from a submerged buoy or from a submerged part of a buoy. Typically, the injection fluid is rawwater. A buoy is also disclosed which comprises an upper section (2) arranged to extend above the sea level; and a lower, submerged section (1), characterized in that the lower, submerged section comprises means for providing a displacement fluid under pressure to an output which is connected or is connectable to a submarine well.

Abstract: A mercury removal system for removing mercury from combustion flue gases is provided in which alkaline sorbents at generally extremely low stoichiometric molar ratios of alkaline earth or an alkali metal to sulfur of less than 1.0 are injected into a power plant system at one or more locations to remove at least between about 40% and 60% of the mercury content from combustion flue gases. Small amounts of alkaline sorbents are injected into the flue gas stream at a relatively low rate. A particulate filter is used to remove mercury-containing particles downstream of each injection point used in the power plant system.

Abstract: A multi-use construction vessel designed to receive a variety of float-on modules that accommodate project specialty equipment and still allow the mother vessel to operate in the traditional construction mode. The vessel may be formed as a new construction or by converting an existing vessel. The vessel is provided with a lowered center section between the bow and stern. The center section is adapted to receive and secure float-on modules containing the equipment required for the desired operation. The center section may also be provided with a moon pool for laying pipeline directly through the vessel. The vessel is ballasted to position the center section below the water line so that the float-on modules may be installed or removed. The stern section of the vessel includes a derrick crane for normal construction lifts and moving pipe and equipment on the center section as necessary.

Abstract: A lattice high bar for a nuclear steam generator tube support bar array has scalloped indentations along its length. The scalloped indentations are located at points on the high bar where water tubes will contact the high bar. The indentations extend from one edge of the high bar to about two-thirds of the distance across the bar. When the high bars are used in a lattice bar array, only the unscalloped portion of the high bar contacts an adjacent supported tube, thereby reducing the contact area and the likelihood of corrosion and cracking and also reducing the length over which inspection is impeded. Additionally, the flow path created by opposed but overlapping scallops at the 120° intersections at certain points along the high bars improves the flow sweeping over the surface of the supported tube.

Abstract: A pile driving transition piece. The transition piece avoids the shock loading in the stabbing points of pile driving transition pieces that otherwise would be induced when the pile driving hammer strikes the transition piece. Avoiding the shock loading prevents the characteristic fatigue cracks from forming in the stabbing point and the consequent failure of the stabbing points from rapid growth of the fatigue cracks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a wellhead fluid mixture containing oil and gas phases obtained from hydrocarbon production systems into its constituent parts employs a pressure vessel having an inlet for entry of the wellhead fluids mixture and an outlet for exit of a separated gas referred to as export gas. A primary centrifugal separator is provided in the pressure vessel for centrifugally separating a first portion of the oil from the wellhead fluids mixture to produce a wet gas containing some remaining oil. A second centrifugal separator is also provided in the vessel and performs a second centrifugal separation operation on the wet gas to remove substantially all of the remaining oil from the wet gas to produce the export gas which is conveyed out of the pressure vessel. The oil and remaining oil separated from the wellhead fluids mixture is conveyed from the pressure vessel via another outlet.

Abstract: A method of hydraulically prestraining the tubes of a once-through steam generator by welding the tubes to their respective tubesheets prior to the application of hydraulic expansion to produce tensile stresses which shorten the tubes an equal and predetermined amount to increase the margin to buckling and increase the natural frequency of the tubes reducing flow induced vibration.

Abstract: A device measures cylindricity of a cylinder having an axial end, a circumference and an inside diameter. The device includes a track for placement at an axial end of the cylinder to be measured. The track extends around the circumference of the cylinder. A pair of trucks are mounded to the track for movement around the cylinder circumference. A sighting beam generator, in particular, a laser, is connected to each truck for aiming sighting beams axially along the inside diameter of the cylinder. A micrometer adjustment is connected between each laser and its truck for adjusting a radial position of each sighting beam.

Abstract: A pipe in pipe assembly. A coupling is used to join the ends of the inner pipe. The inner pipe is centralized within the inner pipe to provide axial resistance but minimum restraint transverse to the axis of the assembly. This provides sufficient flexibility of the inner pipe to accommodate the necessary tolerances to permit the use of the coupling. The inner pipe may be centralized within the outer pipe by the use of foam injected between the inner and outer pipe and a corrugated web sleeve around the ends of the inner pipe. The inner pipe may also be centralized within the outer pipe by the use of a corrugated web bulkhead that fits around the inner pipe and within the outer pipe.

Abstract: A drone vessel for an ROV. The drone vessel utilizes dynamic positioning. The drone vessel is remotely controlled by radio telemetry, preferably modular in construction, and may be semi-submersible. The vessel contains a radio telemetry package, one or more generators, an umbilical winch for lowering and raising an ROV, space for receiving and storing an ROV, and ballast control. The central compartment in the drone vessel is free flooding and houses the drum for storing umbilical line and the winch for paying out umbilical line to the ROV. The central compartment also includes space for the ROV.