Abstract: Rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a rotor containing a mass of heat absorbent element that is slowly rotated about a vertical axis in order that the element may be alternately exposed to a heating fluid and to a fluid to be heated. The rotor is surrounded by a housing including a sector plate at opposite ends thereof adapted to separate the several fluids. The sector plate is divided into a plurality of radially adjacent sections, each of which is independently actuated into a preferred sealing relationship with the adjacent face of the rotor.

Abstract: A gas-liquid heat exchange device that utilizes a plurality of heat absorbent discs mounted on a horizontal axis and adapted to be rotated between a liquid and a gas stream to transfer heat from the liquid to the gas. The discs are imparted a rotational force by driving means that utilizes the gravitational force attracting the heavier liquid.

Abstract: A bag filter and a filter bag tension means for providing a predetermined tension on the filter bag. The tension may be quickly varied or even completely removed to provide an optimum tension for dust collecting or rapid bag removal.

Abstract: An air preheater comprising a housing that encloses a cylindrical rotor carrying a mass of heat absorbent material alternately between a passageway carrying a stream of hot gas and a passageway carrying a stream of cooler air. Special axially disposed sealing means are disposed in the annular space between the rotor and the rotor housing to preclude fluid by-passing the heat absorbent material of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotor construction for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger in which sector-shaped compartments are formed between imperforate diaphragms that extend radially outward from a central rotor post. The diaphragms serve to form the sector-shaped compartments that are packed with heat absorbent plates, while they simultaneously serve as imperforate barriers which preclude fluid flow laterally between compartments as the rotor is being moved alternately between a heating fluid and a fluid to be heated. In order to simplify construction of the rotor and to improve the operating efficiency thereof, the heat absorbent element plates are arranged in a radial pattern whereby they serve as radial sealing members while they simultaneously serve as heat absorbent element.

Abstract: Rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a horizontal rotor post about which there are secured a plurality of axially spaced layers of heat absorbent element through which a heating fluid and a fluid to be heated are alternately directed. The heating element is contained in a plurality of sector-shaped compartments in juxtaposed relation that are pivotally attached to the rotor post. Sealing means are designed to be inserted as radial strips that extend between adjacent compartments in frictional engagement therewith to preclude the flow of fluid through the space therebetween. The sealing means are independent from the rotor structure at all times to permit complete freedom of movement whereby the sealing means will find an optimum relationship intermediate the element compartments.

Abstract: An infrared ray viewing device for an air preheater having a clamping ring that holds a lens in a predetermined position and simultaneously provides an air flow passageway around the periphery of the lens to exhaust a stream of cleaning air radially over the surface of the lens to remove dust deposits therefrom.

Abstract: Rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a rotor of heat absorbent material that is alternately exposed to hot and cold fluids in order that heat from the hot fluid may be transferred to the cold fluid through the intermediary of the heat absorbent material. The rotor is surrounded by a housing including sector plates that cooperate with a rotor post seal at opposite ends of the rotor to separate the several fluids. A unique support for the sector plate and the rotor post seal is adapted to move axially while permitting radial expansion effected by thermal variations of the rotor to provide an optimum sealing arrangement.

Abstract: An adjusting means for rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus by which a sealing plate that lies adjacent an end of a rotor containing a mass of heat absorbent element is adjusted axially to maintain a closely spaced relationship whereby there will be a minimum clearance space to permit fluid leakage therebetween.

Abstract: A detector that monitors infra-red ray emission from an air preheater to detect a temperature rise that precedes a fire within the air preheater. The detector of infra-red rays is alternately moved between a "detecting" stage within the air preheater and a "cleaning" stage in clean ambient air where particulate matter deposited thereon by dirty gas may be removed to maintain the detector at a high degree of operating efficiency.

Abstract: A boiler furnace that is adapted to burn slag producing pulverized coal in suspended form at the upper end of the furnace in which solid fuel is being burned on a subjacent grate. The boiler furnace has an upright combustion chamber with baffles intermediate the upper portion of the furnace and the grate to effectively arrest slag that falls from the upper portion of the furnace before it reaches the subjacent grate.

Abstract: A holder for apparatus that is positioned in an air preheater to detect an increase in infra-red ray emission therefrom indicating a temperature rise that precedes conditions conducive to a fire in the air preheater.

Abstract: A device used when assembling rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having a rotor disposed about a vertical rotor shaft by which the rotor thereof may be quickly aligned vertically over a subjacent support bearing to preclude mis-alignment during operation.

Abstract: A coal fired steam generating boiler of high thermal capacity that is shop assembled and transported as a complete unit for installation at a given site. The boiler includes a pulverized coal burner at opposite ends thereof and an intermediate tube bank section that is adapted to increase the capacity of the shop assembled unit. Alternatively, the arrangement may be used with oil or gas fired burners at opposite ends thereof to achieve a maximum capacity in a minimum of space.

Abstract: A band type spacing means that is used to maintain a predetermined spacing of elongate tubes as contained in a boiler furnace, superheater, or any of various types of reactor. The spacing means is adapted to combine simplicity of design and installation with the ability to remain continuously effective throughout a wide range of temperature and severe conditions of corrosion.

Abstract: An arrangement for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger in which sector-shaped compartments containing a mass of heat absorbent material are pivotally connected to a central rotor post that is disposed about a vertical axis. The pivotal arrangement includes an independent spherical bearing which is trapped between confronting cavities that lie intermediate the rotor post and a radially adjacent basket to provide a limited degree of universal movement therebetween.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a rotary regenerative air preheater that precludes the leakage of gas or air through the clearance space between a cylindrical rotor shaft and an end plate of a relatively fixed surrounding housing structure. The sealing arrangement includes an annular flange concentrically fixed at one end to the rotor shaft and adapted to extend into spaced relation with the housing structure to provide a clearance space therebetween. The clearance space is adapted to carry a plurality of discrete bands of packing material with a pressurized air seal therebetween to resist the flow of fluid therethrough, while the annular flange is subjected to wear and attrition that would otherwise be imposed upon the rotor post.

Abstract: A recuperative heat exchanger for a gas turbine or similar source of intermittent heat having an auxiliary heating unit that provides heat to maintain the heat exchanger at a substantially constant temperature when heat being exhausted from the gas turbine varies. Included also are controls that vary the supply of heat being given off by the auxiliary heating unit to compensate for changing operating conditions and provide a gradual heating or cooling of the unit to preclude thermal distortion and structural damage from an unstable temperature.

Abstract: A cleaning arrangement for a bag filter in which the bags thereof are subjected to a recipricatory motion as effected by an electro-magnetic attraction whereby a collection of dust clinging to the outer surface thereof is jarred free and caused to fall to the bottom of a surrounding filter housing from which it may be removed.