Abstract: A self-aligning wing structure and method of assembly utilizes a main spar formed with spaced apart notch openings. The main spar is positioned on a substantially flat surface for receiving a plurality of ribs formed with leading edge slot openings and trailing edge slot openings. A leading edge core member is slid into the rib leading edge slot openings and a trailing edge core member is slid into the rib trailing edge slot openings. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a self-aligning aerodynamic wing structure in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor and method of operating same in which a bed of particulate material including fuel is formed in a furnace section. A stripper-cooler is located adjacent the furnace section for receiving particulate material from the furnace section. The particulate material is selectively passed to the stripper-cooler and cooled before being discharged from the stripper-cooler.

Abstract: A method for reducing gaseous emission of halogen compounds in a fluidized bed reactor in which the fine particles entrained in flue gases are used to form a temporary layer of particles on the baghouse filter to absorb halogen gases.

Abstract: A system and method for resisting thermoacoustic oscillations in systems comprised of hot and cold components is disclosed. More particularly, a combined cycle power generation system 32 having a gas turbine 40, a gas turbine discharge duct 34, and a gas turbine recuperator 36 and 38 is disclosed. The system 32 is designed to resist severe thermoacoustic oscillations over its entire load range by providing for an asymmetrical arrangement of the hot section L-l, including the gas discharge duct 34 and the plenum 36 of the recuperator, and the cold section L-l, including the heat exchange tubes 38 of the recuperator. Also disclosed is a steam generation system 42 having a plenum 46, a burner 48, and a furnace 44. The steam generation system 42 is also designed to resist severe thermoacoustic oscillations by providing for an appropriate burner length L and by providing for an asymmetrical arrangement of a hot burner section L-l and a cold burner section l within the burner 48.

Abstract: An orbital type welding apparatus adapted for use in welding tubes into a tubesheet by an inert gas electric arc welding process. The welding apparatus includes a housing, a rotor rotatably mounted within the housing, and a pilot probe unit extending from the housing lower side. The pilot probe unit contains a plurality of resiliently-mounted convex projections such as balls, which are spaced apart both circumferentially and longitudinally with respect to the pilot probe unit. The balls are mounted in transverse openings in the pilot unit. The spring-loaded projections serve to center the pilot unit and welding apparatus more quickly and accurately within a tube being electric arc welded to a tubesheet. Alternatively, a pilot probe unit having a plurality of transverse grooves can be used for welding tubes which are essentially round.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system in which a fluidized bed of particulate fuel material is established in a furnace. A duct is formed in the upper portion of said furnace for passing a mixture of flue gases and entrained particulate fuel material to a separator located adjacent the furnace outlet. A heat exchanger is also disposed in the upper portion of the furnace at approximately the same height as the duct so that a portion of the mixture passes over the heat exchanger and then exits via the duct and another portion of the mixture exits directly through the duct.

Abstract: A combined cycle power generation system incorporates a carbonizer and a pressurized fluidized bed reactor for the generation of fuel gas and flue gases, respectively. A combustor is provided for the combustion of the fuel gas in the presence of the flue gases to produce hot gases. The hot gases are passed through a gas turbine where the gases expand and cool while performing work in the generation of electrical power. The exhaust gases from the gas turbine are passed though a heat recovery unit for the production of steam. The exhaust gases are then combined with air and passed to the pressurized fluidized bed reactor to provide excess secondary gas to aid in driving the gas turbine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating electrical energy utilizing a boiler and a gas turbine powered by a carbonizer. A carbonizer is provided which produces low-Btu gases which are passed to a gas turbine for driving the turbine, and a char which is passed to a boiler for powering the boiler. The turbine utilizes the low-Btu gases as its sole source of power and is operated independently of the boiler.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system and method in which a recycle heat exchanger is located adjacent the furnace section of the recycle heat exchanger. Heat exchange surfaces are provided in a compartment of the recycle heat exchanger for removing heat from the solids, and a bypass compartment is provided through which the solids directly pass to the furnace during start-up and low load conditions. The flow of solids between compartments is selectively controlled and an L-valve connects one of the compartments to the furnace section. Air is passed into the L-valve to promote the flow of the separated materials from the latter compartment to the furnace. The flow rate of the air is modulated to vary the duty of the recycle heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gas introduced into a vessel containing a particulate material at a temperature less than that of the gas in a manner so that said material reduces the temperature of the gas and the gas entrains at least a portion of the material. The entrained material is then separated from the gas and passed to a heat exchanger to cool the material while the separated gas is passed to a turbine to drive same. At least a portion of the exhaust gas from the turbine is passed to the heat exchanger in a manner to fluidize the material in the heat exchanger and the cooled separated material is returned back to the vessel.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for lowering NO.sub.x levels in flue gases of a fluidized bed reactor using selective non-catalytic reduction. A reactor is connected to a separator by a duct, and a reactant is introduced into the duct for decreasing NO.sub.x levels in the flue gases passing from the reactor, through the duct, and into the separator. The reactant, such as ammonia or urea, is selectively injected into a gaseous-rich region of the duct, near an upper, inner portion of the duct, so that a high degree of mixing of the reactant with flue gases is achieved while maintaining a low degree of mixing of the reactant with the particulate materials. The point of injection of the reactant into the duct is also at a location nearer to the reactor than to the separator to provide for increased residence time. In this manner, the reactant is used efficiently while obtaining the desired lowering of NO.sub.x levels in the flue gases.

Abstract: A mounting and linkage system for mounting an air or air-fuel discharge device for pivotal and axial movement relative to a furnace in a manner so that the device is isolated from the walls of the furnace. The system includes a linkage apparatus extending between the furnace walls and connected to the device for pivoting same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operating a fluidized bed reactor for combusting refuse derived fuel is disclosed. The reactor includes a fluidized furnace section 30 and stripper/cooler section 80. A downwardly sloping grid 28 extends across the furnace section 30 and stripper/cooler section 80 to a drain 78 in the stripper/cooler section 80, and directional nozzles 38 disposed in the grid fluidize the beds in the furnace section 30 and stripper/cooler section 80 and forcibly convey relatively large particulate material across the grid 28, through the furnace section 30 and stripper/cooler section 80, and to the drain 78 for disposal. A refractory layer 36 is provided along the grid 28 surface to reduce the height of the nozzles 38 within the furnace section 30, thereby helping to prevent relatively large particulate material from becoming entangled with or stuck to the nozzles 38.

Abstract: A combined cycle power generation system and method in which a fluidized bed reactor is incorporated in a combined cycle system to recover heat from the hot exhaust gases from the gas turbine and to drive a series of steam turbines. Additional heat is provided by a combustor receiving fuel gas from a fuel gas generator and the hot gases thus generated are used to drive the gas turbine. The hot exhaust gases from the gas turbine are used as the primary fluidizing gas for the circulating fluidized bed reactor. The reactor is used to recover heat from the hot exhaust gases from the gas turbine and to generate steam to power a series of steam turbines. Additional heat is recovered, and pollutants are removed from flue gases by a condensing lower economizer.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor in which a plurality of air bars are supported by a plurality of tubes in an upright enclosure. The air bars support a bed of particulate material and discharge air into the bed to fluidize the material. A cooling fluid is passed through the tubes to transfer heat from the air bars.

Abstract: A closure device adapted for attachment onto the upper head of a coking drum to prevent hot vapors escaping during drum decoking operations. The closure device includes a cylindrical-shaped housing having a rotatable ball valve and horizontal elongated stem provided in its lower portion, and a cover unit including a packing gland provided at the housing upper end. A rotatable cutting tool provided within the housing above the ball valve has a drive rod extending upwardly through the cover unit packing gland. During operations, the ball valve is opened and the drive rod and its attached cutting tool can be extended downwardly through the ball valve cylindrical-shaped opening into the coking drum and rotated, so as to cut and dislodge coke deposited in the drum.

Abstract: A burner assembly in which an annular passage is provided for transporting an fuel/air mixture to a furnace inlet. A conical divider member is disposed within the annular passage for dividing the stream of fuel/air passing through the passage into two radially-spaced coaxial, passages. A plurality of angularly-spaced walls are disposed within one of said passages for dividing the latter passage into a plurality of segments for splitting up fuel/air stream so that, upon ignition of said fuel, a plurality of flame patterns are formed. Ribs are provided on one of the surfaces defining the other passage to concentrate the fuel portion of the mixture flowing through said latter passage to form an additional flame pattern which is surrounded by the above-mentioned plurality of flame patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operating a fluidized bed reactor for combusting refuse derived fuel is disclosed. The reactor includes a fluidized furnace section 30 and stripper/cooler section 80. A downwardly sloping grid 28 extends across the furnace section 30 and stripper/cooler section 80 to a drain 78 in the stripper/cooler section 80, and directional nozzles 38 disposed in the grid fluidize the beds in the furnace section 30 and stripper/cooler section 80 and forcibly convey relatively large particulate material across the grid 28, through the furnace section 30 and stripper/cooler section 80, and to the drain 78 for disposal. A refractory layer 36 is provided along the grid 28 surface to reduce the height of the nozzles 38 within the furnace section 30, thereby helping to prevent relatively large particulate material from becoming entangled with or stuck to the nozzles 38.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system and process is disclosed, in which full load stoichiometry is maintained at lower loads. The system and process includes an enclosure and a partition disposed in the enclosure to define a furnace section and an overfire air plenum section. A bed of combustible particulate material is formed in the furnace section and air is passed into the bed in quantities sufficient to fluidize the material and insufficient to completely combust the material. Overfire air is passed into the overfire air plenum, through control dampers in the partition and into the furnace section in quantities sufficient to completely combust the material.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor having a furnace strip-air system and method for reducing heat content and increasing combustion efficiency of drained furnace solids in which a bed of particulate material is supported in a furnace section. A portion of the bed receives a greater amount of fluidizing gas to increase the stoichiometric conditions in the bed portion, strip relatively fine material from the particulate material in the bed portion and increase the amount of heat transferred to the flue gases. A cooler is located adjacent the furnace section for receiving particulate material from the bed portion.