Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed boiler comprises a fluidized bed combustion chamber, a recirculating system for recirculating fluidized solids through the combustion chamber, and a plurality of tubes for withstanding supercritical pressure are disposed around the walls of the combustion chamber for circulating cooling fluid between an inlet header at the bottom of the chamber and an outlet chamber at the top of the combustion chamber. A water steam separator directs steam to a superheater and is bypassed during normal operation.

Abstract: An expansion joint and flexible seal for refractory lined flues includes a baffle system in combination with a filter element and an air purge system for preventing egress of flue particulates. The baffle system is slideably positionable to accommodate relative lateral displacement of the flues.

Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed combustor comprises a fluidized bed combustion chamber, a recirculating system for recirculating fluidized solids through the combustion chamber, and a plurality of fluid injection nozzles disposed around the walls of the combustion chamber above the loop seal returns for injecting a high velocity fluid for improved mixing gases and solids in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A power generating system for processing and converting low grade coal to electrical power comprises apparatus for grinding a stream of coal into fine powder, separating the coal into high grade coal and low grade coal, a suspension burner for burning the high grade coal and generating heat for powering a gas turbine, a circulating fluidized burner for burning the low grade coal for generating heat, and a combination of heat exchangers combining a portion of the heat from the suspension burner with the heat from the circulating bed burner for generating steam for powering a steam turbine.

Abstract: An expansion joint and flexible seal for refractory lined flues includes a flexible insulating body having a pair of end faces, a pair of lateral faces and a longitudinal dimension. The flexible seal further includes a filter element positioned adjacent to one of the end faces and extending in the longitudinal dimension. The filter element is attached to the insulating body and the assembly may be placed with other seal assemblies in endwise fashion around the periphery of a pair of opposing flue members. A further external pressure seal is provided, mounted to each end of the flue elements.

Abstract: A power plant having a system for converting coal to power in a gas turbine comprises a coal fed pressurized circulating bed for converting coal to pressurized gases, a gas turbine having a compressor for pressurizing air for the pressurized circulating bed and expander for receiving and expanding hot combustion gases for powering a generator, a first fast acting valve for controlling the pressurized air, a second fast acting valve means for controlling pressurized gas from the compressor to the expander.

Abstract: A power plant having a fluidized bed steam boiler for supplying steam for powering a turbine generator comprises low pressure and high pressure feed water heaters, and combustion air heater is provided with a gas turbine for burning sulfur containing fuels, with heat recovery economizers for reducing the exhaust temperature of the gas turbine and directing the exhaust gas from the gas turbine into the fluidized bed for reducing the emissions therein.

Abstract: A combined cycle power generation system is disclosed. The system includes a fluidized bed boiler, a hot separator, a steam turbine system and a gas turbine system. The gas turbine system is provided with a source of high temperature compressed air heated in three stages by a recuperator connected to an output of the gas turbine, an external bed heater connected to the hot separator, and a gas turbine combustor fueled by natural gas and/or coal gas provided by a gasification process.

Abstract: Filter assemblies, such as ceramic or super alloy filter tubes, for combustible gases laden with particles, are safely cleaned by providing a back pressure pulse of a clean combustible gas. The clean combustible gas, such as methane, ethane, propane, or butane, and may either be stored in an accumulator or tank as gas, or may be stored in liquid form and flashed into a gas before use. The pulsing gas may pass through a venturi, intermittent or periodic control of the valve to supply the back pressure gas through the venturi being provided. The cleaned combustible gas mixes with the clean combustible gas and passes through the filter assembly to a use station, such as a combustor where the gases are burned.

Abstract: A power plant having multiple steam boilers for supplying steam for processing and for powering a turbine generator comprises a steam turbine having first and second stages, a steam powered processing unit, a plurality of steam boilers, each having a primary steam generator and a reheater, a system of steam lines for conducting primary steam from the steam boilers to said turbine, and to the process unit, return lines for returning cold steam from the first stage of the turbine to the reheaters for reheating, and lines for conducting reheated steam from the reheaters to the second stage of the turbine; and isolating valves in the lines with pressure relief valves on each side of the isolating valves for selectively isolating each of the boilers from the turbine and conducting primary steam through the reheaters of the boiler and to the processing unit.

Abstract: A steam generator having a fluidized bed combustion system that includes a fluidized bed combustor and at least one hot separator, includes a superheater and a reheater with at least first and second or final stages disposed in a flue gas pass with the superheater upstream of the final stage reheater has a cold steam bypass system for controlling the temperature of the second or final stage reheater by dividing reheat steam into selective first and second portions and directing the first portion to the first stage reheater and recombining said first and second portions and directing them through the second or final stage reheater.

Abstract: A multistage vortex reactor for contacting a gas stream with a gas, a fluid or other stream, comprising a housing having end walls and a peripheral side wall defining an elongated generally cylindrical vortex chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end, a first inlet in the inlet end of the vortex chamber for introducing a first gas stream in a swirling motion into the vortex chamber, a second inlet for introducing a second gas stream adjacent the inlet end of the vortex chamber for flowing around at least a part of the vortex chamber for separating the first stream from said chamber walls, a supply duct divides a gas stream into at least a first gas stream and a second gas stream and introduces the first gas stream into the first inlet in the vortex chamber and the second gas stream into the second inlet, an injector for introducing a liquid into the first gas stream in the vortex chamber, and an outlet for continuously removing gas from the vortex chamber.

Abstract: A steam generator having a fluidized bed combustion system that includes a fluidized bed combustor and at least one hot separator, includes a superheater and a reheater with at least first and second or final (possibly more) stages disposed in a flue gas pass has a cold steam bypass system for controlling the temperature of the second or final stage reheater by dividing reheat steam into selective first and second portions and directing the first portion to the first stage reheater and recombining said first and second portions and directing them through the second or final stage reheater.

Abstract: NO.sub.x reduction in a combustion product flue gas stream is greatly improved by the efficient mixing of the reducing agent, e.g., NH.sub.3 or an NH.sub.3 precursor, with the stream in the absence of a catalyst, such as CaO or CaCO.sub.3, that promotes undesirable combination of NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 to form additional NO.sub.x. By employing a high-temperature cyclone separator of the like and by injecting the reducing agent into the stream within such hot cyclone at a location where there is a strong vortex region, extremely efficient mixing of the NO.sub.x reducing agent and the combustion product flue gas is promoted after particulates which are harmful to the reaction that promotes NH.sub.3 and NO.sub.x reduction have been separated from the flue gases. A refractory-lined cyclone separator may be employed, and a plurality of injectors used which discharge liquid or gas into the strong vortex region.

Abstract: A combustion boiler is described for use with low quality feedwater. A combusting fluidized bed is circulated through a substantially vertical elongated combustion chamber in an upward path from the lower end of the combustion chamber to the upper end. A single layer of a tubular fluid conduit surrounds the outer periphery of the combustion chamber. The configuration is such that an ascending helical flow path is provided for fluid passing therethrough. This configuration is designed to minimize solids decomposition leading to the tube burnout.