Abstract: A dual fuel burner system includes a fuel burner housing and a main fuel supply conduit within the fuel burner housing. A main fuel nozzle is positioned proximate to a downstream end of the fuel burner housing and is in fluid communication with the main fuel supply conduit. The main fuel supply conduit is configured to provide 100% of the heat input requirement of the dual fuel burner system. A secondary fuel supply conduit is within the fuel burner housing. The secondary fuel supply conduit is configured to provide 100% of the heat input requirement of the dual fuel burner system. An air circuit is in fluid communication with an outlet of the main fuel nozzle. A direct spark ignitor is positioned proximate to the outlet of the main fuel nozzle.

Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a shell having an interior with an inlet and an outlet wherein a first fluid circuit is defined from the inlet, through a heat exchange volume within the interior of the shell, to the outlet. A tubesheet is mounted within the shell dividing between the heat exchange volume and a plenum of a second fluid circuit within the interior of the shell. A set of tubes extends through the heat exchange volume, a respective interior passage of each tube being in fluid communication with the plenum through a respective opening though the tubesheet. The second fluid circuit includes the plenum and interior passages of the tubes. A spray nozzle is mounted in the plenum of the second fluid circuit with a spray outlet directed toward the tubesheet for cleaning the tubesheet with a submerged impingement jet issued from the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a shell having an interior with an inlet and an outlet wherein a first fluid circuit is defined from the inlet, through a heat exchange volume within the interior of the shell, to the outlet. A tubesheet is mounted within the shell dividing between the heat exchange volume and a plenum of a second fluid circuit within the interior of the shell. A set of tubes extends through the heat exchange volume, a respective interior passage of each tube being in fluid communication with the plenum through a respective opening though the tubesheet. The second fluid circuit includes the plenum and interior passages of the tubes. A spray nozzle is mounted in the plenum of the second fluid circuit with a spray outlet directed toward the tubesheet for cleaning the tubesheet with a submerged impingement jet issued from the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A wall-fired burner includes a fuel tip defining a fuel direction axis and a fuel tip pivot axis perpendicular thereto. A first air tip is adjacent to the fuel tip. The first air tip defines a first air direction axis and a first air tip pivot axis perpendicular thereto. A second air tip is adjacent to the fuel tip, opposite from the first air tip across the fuel tip. The second air tip defines a second air direction axis and a second air tip pivot axis perpendicular thereto. A mechanism operatively connects the fuel tip, the first air tip and the second air tip for at least one of independent and/or joint movement of the fuel tip, the first air tip and the second air tip.

Abstract: A solid fuel nozzle tip for issuing a flow of mixed solid fuel and air to a boiler includes a tip body having an inlet and an outlet defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. The tip body includes a slot on an inlet side of the tip body extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The slot includes an opening facing the inlet side of the tip body and a recess formed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis to at least partially retain a pivot pin. A solid fuel nozzle assembly for issuing a flow of mixed solid fuel and air to a boiler includes a solid fuel nozzle tip with a tip body, as described above, and a locking plate operatively connected to the tip body to assist in retaining a pivot pin within the slot of the tip body.

Abstract: A solid particle distribution controller includes a plurality of division plates proximate a division between an upstream solid particle conveyance pipe and a plurality of downstream pipes. The solid particle distribution controller also includes a plurality of extension plates. Each of the extension plates is movably mounted proximate to a respective division plate for movement in an upstream and downstream direction with respect to the division plate. The plurality of extension plates are configured and adapted for motion in the upstream and downstream direction independent of one another to extend upstream of the division plates as needed to improve solid particle distribution among the downstream pipes.

Abstract: A variable orifice assembly includes a housing defining a flow orifice therethrough and configured to be connected in fluid communication between two pipes of a particle conveyance system. The assembly includes a plurality of blades pivotally mounted to the housing to pivot between a retracted position and an extended position. Each blade includes a gas path edge. In the retracted position, the gas path edges of the blades conform to the flow orifice. In the extended position, the blades extend inward from the flow orifice wherein the gas path edge of each blade is spaced apart from the other blades.

Abstract: A flow splitter distributes solid particles flowing in a fluid, such as coal particles flowing in air, through a piping system. The flow splitter includes a divider housing having an inlet configured to connect to an upstream pipe and having an outlet configured to connect to a plurality of downstream pipes, e.g., by way of a divider head. A divider body is mounted within the divider housing. A plurality of divider vanes is included, each extending from the divider body to the divider housing. The divider housing, divider body, and divider vanes are configured and adapted to reduce non-uniformity in particle concentration from the inlet and to supply a substantially equal particle flow from the outlet to each of the downstream pipes.

Abstract: A variable orifice assembly includes a housing defining a flow orifice therethrough and configured to be connected in fluid communication between two pipes of a particle conveyance system. The assembly includes a plurality of blades pivotally mounted to the housing to pivot between a retracted position and an extended position. Each blade includes a gas path edge. In the retracted position, the gas path edges of the blades conform to the flow orifice. In the extended position, the blades extend inward from the flow orifice.

Abstract: A solid particle distribution controller includes a plurality of division plates proximate a division between an upstream solid particle conveyance pipe and a plurality of downstream pipes. The solid particle distribution controller also includes a plurality of extension plates. Each of the extension plates is movably mounted proximate to a respective division plate for movement in an upstream and downstream direction with respect to the division plate. The plurality of extension plates are configured and adapted for motion in the upstream and downstream direction independent of one another to extend upstream of the division plates as needed to improve solid particle distribution among the downstream pipes.

Abstract: An elbow for a solid particle conveyance system includes an elbow body having an inlet duct and an outlet duct with an interior space defined between the inlet and outlet ducts. An aeration insert is mounted to the elbow body for aerating solid particles passing through the interior space of the elbow body. The aeration insert is mounted to the elbow body to provide aeration from an elevation between that of the inlet duct and the outlet duct to facilitate downward movement of solid particles from the inlet duct across the aeration insert, and out through the outlet duct.

Abstract: A startup system for a solar boiler includes a main fluid circuit having a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy. An auxiliary fluid circuit is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit by a plurality of valves. An auxiliary boiler is operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit. The valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy.

Abstract: A solid particle flow distribution controller includes an extension skirt configured to be mounted to a discharge skirt at a division between an upstream solid particle conveyance pipe and a plurality of downstream pipes. The extension skirt includes a plurality of circumferential segments. Each segment is movably mounted to the discharge skirt for movement in an upstream and downstream direction with respect to the discharge skirt. The segments of the extension skirt are configured and adapted for motion in the upstream and downstream direction independent of one another to extend upstream of the discharge skirt as needed to improve solid particle distribution among the downstream pipes.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a plurality of solar receiver panels. The panels are fluidly connected to one another by way of a steam circuit. At least one spray station is in fluid communication with the steam circuit and is configured and adapted to provide temperature cooling spray into the steam circuit to control the temperatures of the panels.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a plurality of boiler walls arranged end to end surrounding a boiler interior space. Each wall includes a plurality of side by side solar receiver panels. The panels are fluidly connected to one another by way of a steam circuit. The boiler also includes a plurality of conduits each forming a portion of the steam circuit fluidly connecting the panels. The panels and conduits form a plurality of heat transfer passes in the steam circuit. In certain embodiments, the steam circuit includes between two and ten passes, inclusively.

Abstract: An elbow for a solid particle conveyance system includes an elbow body having an inlet duct and an outlet duct with an interior space defined between the inlet and outlet ducts. An aeration insert is mounted to the elbow body for aerating solid particles passing through the interior space of the elbow body. The aeration insert is mounted to the elbow body to provide aeration from an elevation between that of the inlet duct and the outlet duct to facilitate downward movement of solid particles from the inlet duct across the aeration insert, and out through the outlet duct.

Abstract: A solar boiler includes a boiler support defining an axis along an inboard-outboard direction. A hanger rod is rotatably mounted to the boiler support. A bracket is rotatably mounted to the hanger rod, and a solar boiler panel is mounted to the bracket. The solar boiler panel defines a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular with the axis of the boiler support. The hanger rod connects between the boiler support and the bracket to support the weight of the solar boiler panel from the boiler support. The hanger rod and bracket are configured and adapted to maintain a substantially constant orientation of the bracket during inboard and outboard movement of the bracket relative to the boiler support.

Abstract: A solid particle distribution controller includes a plurality of division plates proximate a division between an upstream solid particle conveyance pipe and a plurality of downstream pipes. The solid particle distribution controller also includes a plurality of extension plates. Each of the extension plates is movably mounted proximate to a respective division plate for movement in an upstream and downstream direction with respect to the division plate. The plurality of extension plates are configured and adapted for motion in the upstream and downstream direction independent of one another to extend upstream of the division plates as needed to improve solid particle distribution among the downstream pipes.

Abstract: A solid particle flow distribution controller includes an extension skirt configured to be mounted to a discharge skirt at a division between an upstream solid particle conveyance pipe and a plurality of downstream pipes. The extension skirt includes a plurality of circumferential segments. Each segment is movably mounted to the discharge skirt for movement in an upstream and downstream direction with respect to the discharge skirt. The segments of the extension skirt are configured and adapted for motion in the upstream and downstream direction independent of one another to extend upstream of the discharge skirt as needed to improve solid particle distribution among the downstream pipes.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first receiver panel having a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. A second receiver panel has a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. The boiler tubes of the second receiver panel are substantially parallel to the boiler tubes of the first receiver panel. The first and second receiver panels are separated by a gap. A panel expansion joint is connected to the first and second receiver panels across the gap, wherein the panel expansion joint is configured and adapted to allow for lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels along the boiler tubes, and to allow for lateral thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels toward and away from one another, while blocking solar radiation through the gap.