Abstract: A soot blower lance tube indexing mechanism including a pinion, first and second pinion ratchet/sprocket assemblies, a spindle, first and second spindle sprockets, and a clutch. The clutch is operable to link the first pinion ratchet/sprocket assembly with the first spindle sprocket to rotatably drive the spindle in a first direction when the lance tube is extended. The clutch is further operable to link the second ratchet/sprocket assembly with the second spindle sprocket to rotatably drive the spindle when the lance tube is retracted. In an alternative embodiment, the lance tube rotates in a single direction regardless of whether the lance tube is being extended or retracted.

Abstract: A poppet valve has a flow restrictor downstream of the poppet which is externally adjustable by rotation of the poppet valve stem. The restrictor is in the form of a throttle ring threadedly mounted on a valve guide and the throttle ring has a diameter less than that of the valve port sealed by the poppet so that the assembly of the throttle ring is removable through the valve port while inadvertent removable is prevented by projecting cap screws on the throttle ring extending to a diameter greater than that of the valve port. The valve poppet is also provided with a contour area adjacent the seat which provide a restriction after initial opening movement of the poppet to minimize erosive wear on the poppet sealing surfaces when the pressure drop occurs adjacent these surfaces.

Abstract: A ceramic element for a sootblower element is disclosed in which the element is manufactured by winding a ceramic fiber around a mandrel and subsequently densifying the composite using a sol-gel process. Separate elements are coupled together using a ceramic coupling member. Ceramic nozzle bodies are inserted into the elements. The sootblower tubes disclosed herein can withstand greater temperatures and more corrosive environments than currently used metallic lance tubes, thus enabling the sootblower element to be permanently installed within a boiler and eliminating the need for a retracting element type sootblower.