Patents by Inventor Donald L. Wietzke

Donald L. Wietzke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9989244
    Abstract: A system can quickly cool and de-pressurize a boiler arrangement under non-normal operating conditions such as loss of plant power. A discharge system injects into the furnace a combined stream of steam from a steam discharge system and ambient air, thereby both cooling components of the boiler arrangement and reducing pressure in the steam/water circuit. This reduces or eliminates the additional cost associated with providing extra capacity in a steam drum and/or an independently powered boiler water pump. The system is particularly useful for quickly cooling the U-beams of a circulating fluidized bed boiler during a black plant condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael J Szmania, Donald L Wietzke
  • Publication number: 20170254529
    Abstract: A system can quickly cool and de-pressurize a boiler arrangement under non-normal operating conditions such as loss of plant power. A discharge system injects into the furnace a combined stream of steam from a steam discharge system and ambient air, thereby both cooling components of the boiler arrangement and reducing pressure in the steam/water circuit. This reduces or eliminates the additional cost associated with providing extra capacity in a steam drum and/or an independently powered boiler water pump. The system is particularly useful for quickly cooling the U-beams of a circulating fluidized bed boiler during a black plant condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael J. Szmania, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 9327250
    Abstract: A bubble cap assembly for an air distribution grid includes a stem having a top region and a bottom region, a bubble cap connected to the top region of the stem, a membrane having an opening, the bottom region of the stem communicating with the opening; a flange connected to the bottom region of the stem; at least one clamp for pressing the flange against the membrane, and a gasket squeezed between the flange and the membrane by the clamp to provide an air-tight connection between the flange and the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael J Szmania, Stephen W Borsani, William C Henson, Donald L Wietzke, Joseph C Comanitz
  • Publication number: 20150321153
    Abstract: A bubble cap assembly for an air distribution grid includes a stem having a top region and a bottom region, a bubble cap connected to the top region of the stem, a membrane having an opening, the bottom region of the stem communicating with the opening; a flange connected to the bottom region of the stem; at least one clamp for pressing the flange against the membrane, and a gasket squeezed between the flange and the membrane by the clamp to provide an air-tight connection between the flange and the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Mikhail MARYAMCHIK, Michael J. SZMANIA, Stephen W. BORSANI, William C. HENSON, Donald L. WIETZKE, Joseph C. COMANITZ
  • Patent number: 8047162
    Abstract: A system and method for quickly cooling and de-pressurizing a boiler arrangement in the event of a plant power loss, a.k.a. a black plant condition. A steam discharge system injects steam from the steam/water circuit into the furnace, thereby both cooling components of the boiler arrangement and reducing pressure in the steam/water circuit. This reduces or eliminates the additional cost associated with providing extra capacity in a steam drum and/or an independently powered boiler water pump. The system and method is particularly useful for quickly cooling the U-beams of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler during a black plant condition. In application to boiler arrangements with a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system employing steam as a carrier for a NOx reducing agent, the steam discharge system advantageously uses the discharge nozzles of the SNCR system to inject the steam into the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael J. Szmania, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Publication number: 20090025658
    Abstract: A system and method for quickly cooling and de-pressurizing a boiler arrangement in the event of a plant power loss, a.k.a. a black plant condition. A steam discharge system injects steam from the steam/water circuit into the furnace, thereby both cooling components of the boiler arrangement and reducing pressure in the steam/water circuit. This reduces or eliminates the additional cost associated with providing extra capacity in a steam drum and/or an independently powered boiler water pump. The system and method is particularly useful for quickly cooling the U-beams of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler during a black plant condition. In application to boiler arrangements with a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system employing steam as a carrier for a NOx reducing agent, the steam discharge system advantageously uses the discharge nozzles of the SNCR system to inject the steam into the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael J. Szmania, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 7464669
    Abstract: An integrated fluidized bed ash cooler for a fluidized bed boiler, particularly a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler, employs at least two fluidized bed sections positioned in series along a solids flow path. Each section contains fluidizing means, the first section along the solids path being separated from a following section with a threshold. The first section contains means for measuring a bed temperature in the vicinity of the fluidizing means and at a higher elevation within the fluidized bed. Means are provided for removing oversized bed material from the first section to facilitate the removal of ash while minimizing the possibility of ash plugging during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael J. Szmania, David E. James, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 6967005
    Abstract: A CFB reactor or combustor having a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system (150) employed downstream of the CFB reactor or combustor furnace (10) together with a dry scrubber system (220) to achieve enhanced NOx reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Wietzke, Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael L. Silvey, Michael J. Szmania
  • Patent number: 6863703
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) unit utilizing a mechanical dust collector located in a vertical flue above at least one heat exchange surface, and at least partially underneath the floor of a non-vertical flue, includes a plurality of individual collection elements each having a downward bottom outlet for a flow of cleaned gas conveyed through the collection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Felix Belin, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 6699444
    Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor includes at least one furnace section delimited by side walls and a bottom grid, the at least one furnace section provided for containing a bed of fluidized solid particles therein, and a supply for introducing a gas into the at least one furnace section at a level above the bottom grid. The supply includes (i) a gas source chamber, (ii) at least one opening in at least one of the side walls at a level above the bottom grid, and (iii) at least one conduit, having a first end connected to the at least one opening at a first vertical level and a second end connected to the gas source chamber for introducing gas from the gas source chamber to the at least one furnace section. The at least one conduit provides a solid flow preventing element for preventing solid particles from flowing backward from the at least one furnace section into the at least one conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energia Oy
    Inventors: Donald L. Wietzke, Neil R. Raskin, Scott Darling
  • Patent number: 6681722
    Abstract: A collection element arrangement is provided having sleeve attachments near their lowermost ends which simulate a continuous sloping surface, or floor. The sleeve attachments upper surfaces forming the floor permit collected solids to flow down the sloping surface back into the furnace or reactor chamber. Stainless steel can be used for the collection elements and sleeve attachments since the floating floor accommodates differential thermal expansion between CFB components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael J. Szmania, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Publication number: 20030202913
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) unit utilizing a mechanical dust collector located in a vertical flue above at least one heat exchange surface, and at least partially underneath the floor of a non-vertical flue, includes a plurality of individual collection elements each having a downward bottom outlet for a flow of cleaned gas conveyed through the collection elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Felix Belin, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Publication number: 20030136095
    Abstract: A separator array for a furnace has large scale collection elements which can be formed from water-cooled tube walls and permit walk-through inspection and repair. The collection elements have direct impact surfaces, indirect impact surfaces and stagnation retainer surfaces. The array uses fewer, but larger collection elements than known separator arrays to provide at least the same solids collection efficiency while permitting the use of lower cost materials and easier inspection and repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Walker, Mikhail Maryamchik, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 6532905
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler has one or more bubbling fluidized bed enclosures containing heating surfaces and located within a lower portion of the CFB boiler to provide a compact, efficient design with a reduced footprint area. The heating surfaces are provided within the bubbling fluidized bed located above a CFB grid and/or in a moving packed bed below the CFB grid inside the lower portion of the CFB boiler. Solids in the bubbling fluidized bed are maintained in a slow bubbling fluidized bed state by separately controlled fluidization gas supplies. Separately controlled fluidization gas is used to control bed level in the bubbling fluidized beds or to control the throughput of solids through the bubbling fluidized beds. Solids ejected from the bubbling fluidized beds can be returned directly into the surrounding CFB environment of the CFB boiler, or purged from the system for disposal or recycle back into the CFB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Felix Belin, Mikhail Maryamchik, Sundara M. Kavidass, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Publication number: 20030015150
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler has one or more bubbling fluidized bed enclosures containing heating surfaces and located within a lower portion of the CFB boiler to provide a compact, efficient design with a reduced footprint area. The heating surfaces are provided within the bubbling fluidized bed located above a CFB grid and/or in a moving packed bed below the CFB grid inside the lower portion of the CFB boiler. Solids in the bubbling fluidized bed are maintained in a slow bubbling fluidized bed state by separately controlled fluidization gas supplies. Separately controlled fluidization gas is used to control bed level in the bubbling fluidized beds or to control the throughput of solids through the bubbling fluidized beds. Solids ejected from the bubbling fluidized beds can be returned directly into the surrounding CFB environment of the CFB boiler, or purged from the system for disposal or recycle back into the CFB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Felix Belin, Mikhail Maryamchik, Sundara M. Kavidass, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 6500221
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating solids from flue gas in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler includes plural vertical, impact type particle separators made of cooling tubes located within the CFB in a plurality of staggered rows. One embodiment employs a plurality of stacked, slip fit elements having apertures which accept the cooling tubes. The slip fit elements cooperate with one another to form a collecting channel, typically U-shaped, which separates particles from flue gases conveyed across the particle separators. Shiplap joints in between the individual slip fit elements prevent gas and solids from leaking therebetween and allow for thermal expansion. Alternatively, the impact type particle separators include cooling tubes connected to one another to form a unitary structure. Pin studs welded to the cooling tubes and covered with a coating of refractory; ceramic tiles; metal or ceramic spray coatings; metal or ceramic castings; weld overlay; and/or shields provide erosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: David J. Walker, Mikhail Maryamchik, Sundara M. Kavidass, Felix Belin, Kiplin C. Alexander, David E. James, David R. Gibbs, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 6491000
    Abstract: A tube wall, division wall, or wing wall section (10) for a circulating fluidized bed boiler with improved erosion resistant characteristics has a reduced diameter tube section (40) adjacent the refractory covered by an abrasion resistant refractory tile (60). The refractory tile (60) is mounted to the reduced diameter tube section (40) 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: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke, Gary L. Anderson, Richard F. Romansky, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020182122
    Abstract: A CFB reactor or combustor having a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system (150) employed downstream of the CFB reactor or combustor furnace (10) together with a dry scrubber system (220) to achieve enhanced NOx reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Donald L. Wietzke, Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael L. Silvey, Michael J. Szmania
  • Patent number: 6454824
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating solids from flue gas in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler comprises plural vertical, impact type particle separators located within the CFB in a plurality of staggered rows. The impact type particle separators employ hung elements supported from fluid-cooled tubes which form a collecting channel, typically U-shaped, which separates particles from flue gases conveyed across the particle separators. By separating the support function from the collection shape required by functional performance considerations, the strength requirements of the material used to form the collection shape are reduced and the strength of the material from which the fluid-cooled support is made is much higher due to the lower operating temperature of the material comprising the fluid-cooled support, thereby permitting the use of lower cost materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Kiplin C. Alexander, Felix Belin, David R. Gibbs, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 6395237
    Abstract: A CFB reactor or combustor having a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system employed downstream of the CFB reactor or combustor furnace together with a dry scrubber system to achieve enhanced NO, reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Wietzke, Michael L. Silvey, Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael J. Szmania