Abstract: A nuclear steam generator including a vessel, means to introduce vaporizable fluid into the bottom portion of the vessel, an outlet near the top through which vapor is discharged, a horizontal tube sheet extending across the vessel, a plurality of U-shaped tubes, having each end secured to and extending through the tube sheet, means for introducing heating fluid to one end of each of the U-shaped tubes, means for removing heating fluid from the other end of each of the U-shaped tubes, tube support means positioned within the vessel for preventing tube vibration, the tube support means including horizontally positioned means closely surrounding, but slightly spaced from each tube, means through which access can be had to the vessel interior beneath the tube sheet when the steam generator is not in operation, and testing means for determining whether or not a tube is locked into a tube support means including a longitudinal member, with a first end located inside the tube to be tested, and a second end located

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and injecting solid fuel in particulate form into a combustion chamber (10) in measured quantities and at variable rates and intermittencies is described. The apparatus (30) is comprised of a fuel hopper (31), at least one circular disk (50) rotatably mounted with at least a portion of its circumference in communication with the fuel hopper (31). A plurality of pockets (51) are spaced apart around the circumferential periphery of disk (50) for receiving and dispensing fuel from fuel hopper (31) at rates and intermittencies corresponding to the speed of rotation of circular disk (50) and the volumetric capacity and spacing of pockets (51). Circular disks (50) are mounted on a common drive shaft (52) which is driven by a variable speed motor (54). A venturi (80) is provided for dispersing fuel into combustion chamber (10).

Abstract: A ash-removal conveyor used in combination with an ash-quenching trough has a drive wheel above and spaced from the trough, horizontally spaced reversing and guide wheels in the trough below the liquid level therein, and an endless conveyor chain spanned over the wheels and having a horizontal lower stretch extending between the reversing and guide wheels, an inclined lower stretch extending between the guide and drive wheels, and an at least partially inclined upper stretch extending between the reversing and drive wheel. The drive wheels are tensioned away from the other wheels and to tension the belt. A drive connected to the drive wheel moves the chain to pick up ash in the trough and conduct the picked-up ash from the trough. The conveyor has a floor immediately beneath and extending along the upper stretch between the reversing and drive wheels and above the lower stretches.

Abstract: Two types of boilers for generating high pressure steam from gaseous effluents containing abrasive and corrosive solids are provided. Both types of boilers are vertical boilers of the fire-tube type with the gas flowing within the boiler tubes and with the water and steam surrounding the boiler tubes.In one type of boiler according to this invention, the solids-containing gas is downfed through the boiler tubes with the gas emerging from the tubes and impinging on a concave, conical deflector and a convex nose cone located below the deflector. The deflector and nose cone serve to disengage solids from the gas.In the other type of boiler according to the invention, the solids-containing gas first impinges on a baffle plate which serves to disengage solids from the gas. The solids flow down for removal, while the gas flows up the boiler tubes to generate steam.

Abstract: In combination, a top-supported furnace (10) in which an ash-bearing fuel is burned, opening means (12) in the furnace bottom, a bottom supported tank (16) open at its upper end and containing water (18) positioned beneath the furnace opening means (12), into which the ash from the furnace (10) falls, means (20) for removing the ash from the tank (16), an intermediate transition piece (26) hydraulic drive means (30) carried by the tank (16) for moving the transition piece (26) between a first position spaced from the furnace bottom, and a second position in engagement with the furnace bottom, means (32, 34) for removably securing the transition piece (26) to the furnace bottom, seal means (36) which completely surround the furnace bottom for sealing the space between the transition piece (26) and the furnace bottom when the transition piece (26) is in its second position, stop means (38) for limiting the movement of the transition piece (26) towards the furnace bottom to prevent the seal means (36) from becom

Abstract: Apparatus for bulk curing tobacco comprising a barn having a heat exchanger therein defining interior flow paths for heated water and exterior heat exchange surfaces disposed within the curing air flow path within the barn, hot water storage tank unit, a power operated pump for circulating hot water between the hot water storage tank unit and the heat exchanger, a hot water heating unit and a power driven pump for continuously circulating water between the hot water heating unit and the hot water storage unit.

Abstract: A solid fuel burner of the type having a cylindrical combustion chamber with a horizontal axis, in which the solid fuel is introduced tangentially into at one end, ignited, and moved spirally to the other end. The chamber is lined with fire resistant material. At least part of the bottom portion of the chamber has an opening therein for admitting a combustion-supporting gas into the chamber to both support combustion and fluidize the material being burnt. The openings are formed by spacing apart the fire-resistant lining of the chamber to define a plurality of slots through which the combustion-supporting gas is blown.

Abstract: A superheater supported in a furnace and composed of a plurality of piping lengths in which the individual pipe lengths are supported in the furnace by a pair of hanger rods pivotally mounted to the pipe lengths substantially at the ends of the pipe lengths, the rods being slidably mounted to a support surface exterior of the furnace whereby the rods are free to move in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe lengths. The inlet and outlet headers to and from the superheater can comprise the support surface for the hanger rods.

Abstract: In a boiler or an industrial furnace, a temperature detecting sensor is mounted at the heat absorbing side of a heat pipe of a waste heat recovery device which is disposed in part of the path of exhaust gas. With an output signal of the temperature detecting sensor, a flow rate control valve is controlled, and a liquid discharging shield is utilized to maintain the flow rate of the liquid to be supplied in correspondence with the flow rate of the liquid to be discharged. The effective area of the heat pipes coming in contact with the liquid is varied to maintain the temperature at a heat absorbing side higher than the dew point of sulfur oxide, thus preventing the heat pipes from corrosion, exhaust ducts and so on, and allowing heat absorbing operation to be performed in accordance with the exhaust gas discharge temperature.

Abstract: In order to improve upon the prior arrangement of a valve within a liquid distributor head for a mixing pre-heater degasifier it is proposed that a valve containing a valve plate, valve shaft, valve spring and spring plate, is arranged within the mixing pre-heater centrally within a deflection screen or baffle and at the same time the valve is surrounded by a protective housing in order to prevent that, in the event of possible rupture of the valve spring any broken pieces thereof will drop into the mixing pre-heater.

Abstract: A spiral wound furnace has the spiral wound tubes (18) terminated at the upper end by a vertically sinuous tube (25) with an upper return bend (36) and a lower return bend (38). The lower return bend (38) has a restricted area connection (42) connected to spiral wound tube (18), while the upper return bend (36) has a restricted area connector (44) fluidly connected to header (16).