Abstract: A sealpot for a combustion power plant includes a downcomer standpipe which receives solids of the combustion power plant, a bed including a first end and a second opposite end, the first end connected to the downcomer standpipe, a discharge standpipe disposed at the second opposite end of the bed, and an orifice plate disposed between the bed and the discharge standpipe separating the discharge standpipe from the bed. The orifice plate includes apertures disposed at a height above the bed which allow transport of fluidized solids and gas through the orifice plate.

Abstract: A sealpot for a combustion power plant includes a downcomer standpipe which receives solids of the combustion power plant, a bed including a first end and a second opposite end, the first end connected to the downcomer standpipe, a discharge standpipe disposed at the second opposite end of the bed, and an orifice plate disposed between the bed and the discharge standpipe separating the discharge standpipe from the bed. The orifice plate includes apertures disposed at a height above the bed which allow transport of fluidized solids and gas through the orifice plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solids flow control valve comprising a standpipe; a shoe; and a transport pipe; wherein the standpipe is in operative communication with the shoe and lies upstream of the shoe; the standpipe comprising a first end and a second end, where the first end is in contact with a source that contains disposable solids and the second end is in fluid contact with the shoe; the shoe being operative to restrict the flow of the disposable solids; the transport pipe being disposed downstream of the shoe to receive and transport the solids from the shoe.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an orifice plate comprising one or more plates having orifices disposed therein; the orifices being operative to permit the flow of solids from a moving bed heat exchanger to a solids flow control system; where the orifice plate is downstream of a tube bundle of the moving bed heat exchanger and upstream of the solids flow control system and wherein the orifice plate is operative to evenly distribute the flow of solids in the solids flow control system.

Abstract: A sealpot for a combustion power plant includes a downcomer standpipe which receives solids of the combustion power plant, a bed including a first end and a second opposite end, the first end connected to the downcomer standpipe, a discharge standpipe disposed at the second opposite end of the bed, and an orifice plate disposed between the bed and the discharge standpipe separating the discharge standpipe from the bed. The orifice plate includes apertures disposed at a height above the bed which allow transport of fluidized solids and gas through the orifice plate.

Abstract: A moving bed heat exchanger (155) includes a vessel having an upper portion (200), a lower portion (210) with a floor (272) including a discharge opening therein, and an intermediate portion (205). The vessel directs a gravity flow of hot ash particles (140) received thereby from the upper portion (200) through the intermediate portion (205) to the floor (272) of the lower portion (210) of the vessel, where the hot ash particles (140) are collected. Tubes in the intermediate portion (205) of the vessel direct a flow of working fluid in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the gravity flow of the hot ash particles (140) through the intermediate portion (205) of the vessel such that heat from the hot ash particles (140) is transferred to the working fluid thereby cooling the hot ash particles (140).

Abstract: A sealpot for a combustion power plant includes a downcomer standpipe which receives solids of the combustion power plant, a bed including a first end and a second opposite end, the first end connected to the downcomer standpipe, a discharge standpipe disposed at the second opposite end of the bed, and an orifice plate disposed between the bed and the discharge standpipe separating the discharge standpipe from the bed. The orifice plate includes apertures disposed at a height above the bed which allow transport of fluidized solids and gas through the orifice plate.

Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a solar receiver disposed on a tower that receives radiant heat reflected from a field of solar collectors. The solar receiver includes an evaporator having a plurality of vertically oriented tubes to form a panel for receiving a fluid, such as water and/or steam, wherein the tubes have a rifled internal surface. The fluid within the tubes has a mass flow greater than 0.2×106 lb/hr/ft3 at a pressure in the range of 100-2850 psia, wherein radiant heat fluxes on the outside of the tubes exceed 185,00 but/hr/ft2.

Abstract: A continuous moving bed solar steam generation and storage system is provided to generate steam for production processes after loss or reduction of received solar energy. The system includes a receiver 10 that receives a flowing stream of particulate material 30 that absorbs solar radiant energy 15 as it passes through beams of the energy 15 received from collectors 14. The heated stream of material 30 passes into a first chamber 40 to heat a tube bundle 42 therein. Heat from the particulate material 30 is transferred to the bundle 42, evaporating the water to generate, reheat (RH) and/or superheat (SH) steam 46. The cooled material 30 passes to a second chamber 60. The material 30 is drained from the second chamber 60 and carried to a cyclone 80 in the receiver 10. The material 30 drains from the cyclone 80 to complete the flow cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an orifice plate comprising one or more plates having orifices disposed therein; the orifices being operative to permit the flow of solids from a moving bed heat exchanger to a solids flow control system; where the orifice plate is downstream of a tube bundle of the moving bed heat exchanger and upstream of the solids flow control system and wherein the orifice plate is operative to evenly distribute the flow of solids in the solids flow control system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solids flow control valve comprising a standpipe; a shoe; and a transport pipe; wherein the standpipe is in operative communication with the shoe and lies upstream of the shoe; the standpipe comprising a first end and a second end, where the first end is in contact with a source that contains disposable solids and the second end is in fluid contact with the shoe; the shoe being operative to restrict the flow of the disposable solids; the transport pipe being disposed downstream of the shoe to receive and transport the solids from the shoe.

Abstract: A sealpot for a combustion power plant includes a downcomer standpipe which receives solids of the combustion power plant, a bed including a first end and a second opposite end, the first end connected to the downcomer standpipe, a discharge standpipe disposed at the second opposite end of the bed, and an orifice plate disposed between the bed and the discharge standpipe separating the discharge standpipe from the bed. The orifice plate includes apertures disposed at a height above the bed which allow transport of fluidized solids and gas through the orifice plate.

Abstract: A continuous moving bed solar steam generation and storage system is provided to generate steam for production processes after loss or reduction of received solar energy. The system includes a receiver 10 that receives a flowing stream of particulate material 30 that absorbs solar radiant energy 15 as it passes through beams of the energy 15 received from collectors 14. The heated stream of material 30 passes into a first chamber 40 to heat a tube bundle 42 therein. Heat from the particulate material 30 is transferred to the bundle 42, evaporating the water to generate, reheat (RH) and/or superheat (SH) steam 46. The cooled material 30 passes to a second chamber 60. The material 30 is drained from the second chamber 60 and carried to a cyclone 80 in the receiver 10. The material 30 drains from the cyclone 80 to complete the flow cycle.

Abstract: A standby heat supply system is provided for a solar receiver steam generator to maintain the system at a relatively constant temperature during the nocturnal period when solar radiation is unavailable. An exemplary solar steam generator having a standby heat supply system includes a steam loop having at least one solar panel, a steam drum and circulating pump, whereby solar energy heats the water to generate steam which is provided to the steam drum. The standby heat supply system includes an external standby heater wherein the water from the steam drum is provided to the external standby heater. A heat isolation valve is actuated during the nocturnal period to allow the water to circulate through the standby heater. Another exemplary embodiment of a solar steam generator includes an internal standby heat supply system having heater elements immersed in the steam drum for direct heating of the water during nocturnal periods.

Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a solar receiver disposed on a tower that receives radiant heat reflected from a field of solar collectors. The solar receiver includes an evaporator having a plurality of vertically oriented tubes to form a panel for receiving a fluid, such as water and/or steam, wherein the tubes have a rifled internal surface. The fluid within the tubes has a mass flow greater than 0.2×106 lb/hr/ft3 at a pressure in the range of 100-2850 psia, wherein radiant heat fluxes on the outside of the tubes exceed 185,00 but/hr/ft2.

Abstract: A moving bed heat exchanger (155) includes a vessel having an upper portion (200), a lower portion (210) with a floor (272) including a discharge opening therein, and an intermediate portion (205). The vessel directs a gravity flow of hot ash particles (140) received thereby from the upper portion (200) through the intermediate portion (205) to the floor (272) of the lower portion (210) of the vessel, where the hot ash particles (140) are collected. Tubes in the intermediate portion (205) of the vessel direct a flow of working fluid in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the gravity flow of the hot ash particles (140) through the intermediate portion (205) of the vessel such that heat from the hot ash particles (140) is transferred to the working fluid thereby cooling the hot ash particles (140).

Abstract: A liquid-vapor separator for two-phase fluids in general and specifically a steam-water separator in a steam drum of a steam generator includes axial or radial spinner blades to create a centrifugal motion which causes liquid to be forced outward against the outer wall and the vapor to be concentrated in the center. Conical extraction skimmers systematically extract and discharge the liquid outwardly and downwardly through the side walls such that it impinges on an optional discharge screen surrounding the skimmers. The vapor flows out the top through a central opening and enters a secondary separator packed with crimped wire mesh encased in a perforated enclosure. The conical extraction skimmers include an outwardly protruding rim portion which forms an enlarged annular chamber between the rim and the underlying conical extraction skimmer. This forms a converging-diverging flow path out between skimmer sections and an outwardly extending ring forms a tortuous path.

Abstract: A liquid level measuring system for the steam drum of a steam generator employs a plurality of bubblers spaced along the length of the drum to obtain a level profile. The steam pressure to the bubblers is supplied by tubes connected to the steam/water inlet space which has a pressure significantly higher than the steam space in the drum. Horizontal pressure taps on each bubbler transmit the pressure to pressure cells external to the drum where the bubbler pressure is compared to the pressure in the steam space. These reading can then be converted to liquid level readings.

Abstract: A liquid-vapor separator for two-phase fluids in general and specifically a steam-water separator in a steam drum of a steam generator includes axial or radial spinner blades to create a centrifugal motion which causes liquid to be forced outward against the outer wall and the vapor to be concentrated in the center. Conical extraction skimmers systematically extract and discharge the liquid outwardly and downwardly through the side walls such that it impinges on an oval discharge screen surrounding the skimmers. The vapor flows out the top through a central opening and enters a secondary separator packed with crimped wire mesh encased in a perforated enclosure.

Abstract: A liquid-vapor separating drum has a screen dryer mounted in the upper portion between the primary separators and the vapor outlet. The screen dryer is constructed and mounted in such a way that only minimal access is required in the space above the screen dryer whereby the space can be minimized. A central pair of dryer rows is installed first when there is easy access. The two outside rows are then merely clipped in place which does not require any access. The bottoms of the rows are joined by drain panels which form a flow barrier and which serve to collect the liquid extracted by the screens. Hanging rods are used to support these drain panels and thereby indirectly support the bottoms of the rows. Vortex breakers in drain apertures of the drain panels improve the drainage rate.