Patents Assigned to The Babcock & Wilcox Company
  • Wall protection from downward flowing solids
    Patent number: 6044805
    Abstract: A tube wall, division wall, or wing wall section for a circulating fluidized bed boiler with improved erosion resistant characteristics has a reduced diameter tube section adjacent the refractory covered by an abrasion resistant refractory tile. The refractory tile is mounted to the reduced diameter tube section with the upper edge of the refractory tile outside of or not extending beyond a solids fall line of solids in the fluidized bed to eliminate exposed discontinuities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Intrados induction heating for tight radius rotary draw bend
    Patent number: 6038902
    Abstract: A boost bend method of making tight radius bends in boiler tubes, such as bends having a radius of 1.times.D or less, in which a selected portion of the intrados of the tube is heated in a controlled manner thereby reducing the necessary tube wall thickness relative to the diameter of the tube for 180.degree. bends. Tubes bent using the method may have wall thicknesses of about 6.6% of the tube diameter and suffer less than about 7% thinning of the extrados tube wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Laroul J. Talley, Theodore F. Yurek, Douglas D. Ziegler, Ross G. Robinson
  • Retrofit of a center inlet type scrubber with absorption/gas distribution tray to improve gas-liquid contact in the absorption zone
    Patent number: 6036756
    Abstract: An improvement in a center inlet type scrubber that retrofit the scrubber with a perforated tray made up of rectangular or partially rectangular sections supported on beam supports in the annulus of the scrubber. The supports can be modified to form turning vanes or additional turning vanes can be employed. One or more perforated trays may be installed in the annulus to help correct the problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Wadie F. Gohara, Norman D. Nelson
  • Cyclone furnace for retrofit applications
    Patent number: 6021724
    Abstract: An improved Cyclone furnace particularly suitable for retrofit applications to an existing boiler incorporates a Cyclone furnace and an integrated de-slagging chamber as a single manufactured piece. The Cyclone furnace and the de-slagging chamber are provided with a water cooling circuit which is separate from a water cooling circuit of the existing boiler to which it may be coupled, permitting the improved Cyclone furnace to be easily retrofitted to existing boilers or furnaces, even those not originally designed for Cyclone firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignees: The Babcock & Wilcox Company, McDermott Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manvil O. Dahl, Hamid Farzan, John E. Granger, Gerald J. Maringo
  • Oxidation detection for sulfite/sulfate systems
    Patent number: 6010664
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the oxidation rate in a flue gas desulfurization system having a slurry comprises locating a monitor in the system for accessing the slurry. A sample is periodically drawn from the slurry by the monitor wherein a titration is performed on each sample. The titration performed on each sample comprises adding a potassium iodate KIO.sub.3 solution, a potassium iodide KI starch solution and an acid solution to the sample in the monitor for causing the sample to exhibit a color corresponding to the oxidation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Dennis W. Johnson, Pervaje A. Bhat
  • Retainer shield for split ring castings
    Patent number: 6006702
    Abstract: A retainer shield for a split ring retains boiler tubes aligned therein and dissipates heat from a front weld thereon. The retainer shield is preferably made from about 50% chromium and about 50% nickel and is welded to one end of the split ring to assist in holding the two halves of the split ring together. The retainer shield draws heat therefrom and dissipates it to prevent oxidation of the welds holding the two halves of the split ring together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: George H. Harth, James W. Flanagan
  • Distributive integral gas burner
    Patent number: 5961321
    Abstract: A burner apparatus useful in steam producing or waste heat boilers. The apparatus includes a fuel delivery means placed between two airfoils that define an elongated venturi throat. The airfoils may be provided with a plurality of perforations to allow a secondary gas (ambient air and/or spent flue gas) to be supplied to the venturi throat for reducing NO.sub.x production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Vetterick, Clifford F. Eckhart, John V. Koslosky
  • Variable pressure once-through steam generator upper furnace having non-split flow circuitry
    Patent number: 5934227
    Abstract: A once-through steam generator having single pass non-split fluid flow upper furnace circuitry with a one to one connection of tubes of the lower furnace spiral or vertical tube assembly being connected to the vertical tubes of the upper furnace assembly to prevent steam water separation and provide a fully drainable flow circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Calvin E. Phelps
  • Method for chromizing small parts
    Patent number: 5912050
    Abstract: An improved process for chromizing commercial quantities of small, industrial, ferrous-based parts, such as but not limited to threaded connectors, pins, bolts, nuts, washers, fasteners, fittings, couplings, studs, etc., uses a retort filled with layers of parts coated with a chromium-containing slurry. The plurality of parts are arranged in layers on sheets of refractory felt paper and are heat treated simultaneously for causing the chromizing reaction between the slurry and the ferrous-based parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignees: McDermott Technology, Inc., The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Douglas D. Zeigler, James M. Tanzosh, Walter R. Mohn
  • Variable pressure once-through steam generator upper furnace having non-split flow circuitry
    Patent number: 5901669
    Abstract: A once-through steam generator having single pass non-split fluid flow upper furnace circuitry with a one to one connection of tubes of the lower furnace spiral or vertical tube assembly being connected to the vertical tubes of the upper furnace assembly to prevent steam water separation and provide a fully drainable flow circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Calvin E. Phelps, Sr.
  • Wedge splash plate for kraft recovery furnace black liquor burners
    Patent number: 5901527
    Abstract: A wedge shaped form is mounted on the splash plate of a black liquor nozzle with the sharp edge of the wedge located at the exhaust of the nozzle to split the black liquor from the nozzle into two flat sheets on each side of the wedge with no droplet formation at the center of the nozzle exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: John B. Parisi, Scott C. Moyer, Edward E. Gayhart, Jr., Larry A. Hiner
  • Field serviceable fill tube for use on heat pipes
    Patent number: 5895868
    Abstract: A field serviceable fill tube apparatus for use on a heat pipe employs a quick-disconnect fitting on one end of the heat pipe to facilitate filling, sealing and servicing the heat pipe, both during manufacture and afterwards in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Giammaruti, Morten Licht
  • Erosion protection at line discontinuity for enclosure and internal walls in fluidized bed combustors and reactors
    Patent number: 5893340
    Abstract: A water tube wall or heat transfer surface for use in a circulating fluidized bed combustor or reactor having reduced erosion at a transition between a protective refractory material and the upper wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Felix Belin, David J. Walker
  • Dynamic classifier with hollow shaft drive motor
    Patent number: 5884776
    Abstract: A dynamic classifier for a coal pulverizer has an improved drive mechanism which is mounted on top of a pulverizer and concentric with the classifier axis of rotation and is directly controllable. The drive mechanism is a variable-speed DC or AC electric motor having a hollow motor shaft. The motor can produce classifier rotor rotational speeds of between 50 and 200 rpm. The classifier rotor is supported from the hollow motor shaft. A coal feed pipe passes through the hollow motor shaft and classifier rotor shaft into the pulverizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Piepho, Donald R. Dougan
  • Integrated reburn system for NO.sub.x control from cyclone-fired boilers
    Patent number: 5878700
    Abstract: An integrated reburn system for a cyclone-fired boiler has a reburn fuel feed nozzle through a cyclone burner into the cyclone barrel, or furnace, at a region of low-velocity fuel and air movement. The reburn fuel is injected at high velocity and mostly does not mix with the combustion fuels and gases within the cyclone barrel. The reburn fuel passes through the re-entrant throat of the cyclone into the main furnace, where it forms a reburn zone having a reducing atmosphere in which the reburn fuel reacts with combustion gases from the main combustion zone to convert NO.sub.x to N.sub.2, thereby reducing the amount of NO.sub.x emissions produced by the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignees: The Babcock & Wilcox Company, McDermott Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Farzan, Gerald J. Maringo
  • Fiber optic sensing system for monitoring restrictions in hydrocarbon production systems
    Patent number: 5845033
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus and method for identifying a restriction in the flowline of a hydrocarbon production system, utilizes an optical fiber or optical fiber cable which is engaged along and preferably spirally wound around and along the flowline. Spaced apart strain gauges which are advantageously in the form of Bragg grating sensors, are engaged with the optical fiber at spaced locations along the flowline. The strain gauges are also engaged with the flowline to measure strain in the flowline. The hoop strain in particular indicates a change in pressure which can be measured by light signals supplied to and received from the optical fiber. Differences in strain along the flowline indicate pressure gradients in the flowline which in turn identify restrictions in the flowline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: John W. Berthold, Daniel P. Birmingham
  • Electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) for ultrasonic inspection of liquids in containers
    Patent number: 5837898
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection technique using a specially designed electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) launches and receives longitudinal ultrasonic waves into a thin metal wall or thin metal foil seal of a container, causing it to vibrate and launch ultrasonic compressional waves into liquid contained therein. The contents of plastic containers having a metal foil seal forming one wall are easily inspected. The EMAT establishes a magnetic field in the surface of the metal parallel to the surface. Radio frequency (RF) eddy currents are also induced by the EMAT in the surface of the metal. A Lorentz force is generated in the metal surface according the vector product of J, the current density, and H, the magnetic field, and the force generated by the interaction of the perpendicular components of the magnetic field H and the eddy currents J is directed normally to the surface of the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Daniel T. MacLauchlan
  • Pulverized coal burner
    Patent number: 5829369
    Abstract: A burner having lower emissions and lower unburned fuel losses by implementing a transition zone in a low NO.sub.x burner. The improved burner includes a pulverized fuel transport nozzle surrounded by the transition zone which shields the central oxygen-lean fuel devolatilization zone from the swirling secondary combustion air. The transition zone acts as a buffer between the primary and the secondary air streams to improve the control of near-burner mixing and flame stability by providing limited recirculation regions between primary and secondary air streams. These limited recirculation regions transport evolved NO.sub.x back towards the oxygen-lean fuel pyrolysis zone for reduction to molecular nitrogen. Alternate embodiments include natural gas and fuel oil firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Sivy, Larry W. Rodgers, John V. Koslosy, Albert D. LaRue, Keith C. Kaufman, Hamid Sarv
  • Compound burner vane
    Patent number: 5827054
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Hamid Sarv, Jeffrey A. LaRose, Albert D. LaRue, Peter W. Waanders
  • High velocity integrated flue gas treatment scrubbing system
    Patent number: 5826518
    Abstract: An integrated flue gas treatment desulfurization system for treating flue gas exhausted from an electrostatic precipitator and passing at a flue gas flow velocity in the range of 10-20 ft./sec. or more through a condensing heat exchanger and a wet flue gas scrubber. The scrubber sprays a reagent throughto the flue gas effectively remove pollutants and metals prior to exhausting same in a dry form after treatment by mist eliminators located downstream of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Pervaje A. Bhat, Dennis W. Johnson, Robert B. Myers