Abstract: A unique nozzle [20] for a fluidized bed reactor is described that may be replaced efficiently. This employs a collar [30, 130, 230] attached to a vertical section [15] of a feed pipe [11] that provides fluidizing gases. The vertical section [15] has a plurality of nozzle openings [17] at its upper end. A nozzle cap [19] fits over the upper end of the vertical section [15] and the nozzle openings [17]. The collar [30, 130, 230] extends radially outward from the vertical section [15] at a location just below the nozzle cap [19] supporting it in its operational position. During replacement of the vertical section [15] and the nozzle cap [19], the collar acts as a guide to direct cutting equipment to the proper location and facilitate proper cuts. The collar [30, 130, 230] also acts as a support to hold the vertical section [15] and the nozzle cap [19] in proper position to facilitate welding.

Abstract: A plurality of optical monitoring systems 220,320 sense the concentration of at least one constituent in flue gasses of a furnace 1 and its emission control devices. The monitoring devices 220,320 includes at least one optical source 221 for providing beams 223 through a sampling zone 18 to create a combined signal indicating the amount of various constituents within the sampling zone 18. The combined signal may be fed forward to emission control devices to prepare them for oncoming emissions. The combined signals may also feed backward to adjust the emission control devices. They may also be provided to a control unit 230 to control stoicheometry of the burners of furnace 1. This results in a more efficient system that reduces the amount of emissions released.

Abstract: A monitoring and control apparatus (220) adapted to monitor the combustion of each individual burner (224) in a furnace (1). It includes at least one laser (221) for providing a beam (223) through a flame of a burner (224) in a furnace (1), and at least one detector (222) for detecting the beams (223) after they pass through/near the flame. The monitored signal is passed to an electronics unit (215) that calculates optimum conditions for this burner (224). The electronics unit (215) then causes control unit (214) to adjust the fuel, primary air and secondary air feeds each individual burner (224) to result in a more efficient system that reduces the amount of emissions released.

Abstract: A combustion control system [100] for a combustion system [7] having a plurality of fuel pipes [5]. The combustion control system [100] including a plurality of flow meters [10], a controller [8], fuel flow controls [11] and secondary air controls [61,62,72]. Each meter [10] is adapted to monitor flow of fuel within a respective one of the fuel pipes [5] by sensing a pressure field within the fuel pipe [5]. A controller [8] receives the flow information from each of the flow meters [10], to evaluate performance of the combustion system [7]. Controller [8] also providing control information for controlling the flow of secondary air dampers [61,62,71] into the combustion system [7], and optionally controlling the flow of fuel in each fuel pipe [5].

Abstract: A method and an assembly for efficiently converting waste water to a gaseous state in a fossil fuel-fired power generation system is provided. The method includes feeding the slurry to the spray dryer reactor, the slurry having a predetermined ratio of liquid to absorbent, and controlling the feed rate of the slurry into the spray dryer reactor as a function of the monitored sulfur oxide level such that the sulfur oxide level is maintained within an acceptable range. The method also includes supplying supplemental liquid in the form of waste water into the spray dryer reactor in a non-proportionate manner relative to the feed of absorbent into the spray dryer reactor such that the ratio of liquid to absorbent in the spray dryer reactor changes.

Abstract: A method is provided which refurbishes a Rankine cycle vapor generator initially having a plurality of Rankine heaters for supporting a Rankine cycle subsystem. The method removes at least one of the Rankine heaters, and replaces the at least one removed Rankine heater with a non-Rankine heater for a Kalina cycle subsystem. The vapor generator comprises a first plurality of tubes for receiving a first working fluid, and a second plurality of tubes for receiving a second working fluid. The first plurality of tubes are directed along a first path exposed to heat from a heat source to increase the temperature of the first working fluid within the first plurality of tubes. The second plurality of tubes are directed along a second path exposed to heat from the heat source to increase the temperature of the second working fluid within the second plurality of tubes.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system is disclosed and in particular a fluidized bed combustion system particularly well suited for the combustion of oil shale, generating steam thereby. The fluidized bed combustion system includes a furnace volume having a multi-chambered upper segment thereof, a deentrainment zone, a fluidized bed having a plurality of isolatable segments thereof, a fluidized bed ash cooler having a plurality of isolatable segments thereof wherein the fluidized bed ash cooler is in fluid communication with the furnace volume, a fuel supply means in fluid communication with the furnace volume for delivering oil shale thereto for combustion therein, a backpass volume defined by a plurality of backpass wall tubes integral to a thermodynamic steam cycle and in fluid flow relation with the furnace volume and a plurality of circulatory fluid flow paths integral to a thermodynamic steam cycle and operative to conduct the flow of steam or water therethrough.

Abstract: A control scheme for large circulating fluidized bed steam generators (CFB) wherein direct control is effected therewith over the temperature of the large circulating fluidized bed steam generators (CFB) and wherein independent control is effected therewith over the final superheat steam temperature of the large circulating fluidized bed steam generators (CFB) as well as over the final reheat steam temperature of the large circulating fluidized bed steam generators (CFB).

Abstract: A method for enhancing the minimization of NO.sub.x control in a circulating fluid bed steam generator into which there is injected fuel, fluidizing air, a lower level of combustion air and an upper level of combustion air. The fuel is injected at a first location, the fluidizing air is injected at a second location, the lower level of combustion air is injected at a third location and the upper level of combustion air is injected at a fourth location. In order to enhance the minimization of NO.sub.x control within a circulating fluid bed steam generator the lower level combustion air as well as the upper level combustion air are each biased in the horizontal plane as well as the vertical plane so as to thereby control the lower level combustion air flow and the upper level combustion air flow such that local stoichiometries within the circulating fluid bed steam generator are maintained within a range of 70% stoichiometry to 90% stoichiometry.

Abstract: A kraft black liquor gasification system is provided with a hot flue gas generator which serves both as a means for generating a hot flue gas to warm-up the gasifier in preparation for start-up and as a means for generating an inert purge gas to purge the gasifier of flammable gases in the event of an emergency trip of the gasifier. A control system controls the operation of the burner during warm-up in response to the gasifier temperature and during the purge in response to the purge gas composition and temperature.

Abstract: A fluidized bed system which includes a housing and a floor comprising a plurality of generally parallel tubes joined by fins intermediate adjacent tubes. A plurality of nozzle assemblies extend generally vertically in mutually parallel relationship from the floor. Each of the nozzle assemblies includes a generally cylindrical body having a centerline disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to the floor and each of the bodies includes a plurality of heads extending generally radially therefrom at an axial extremity thereof remote from the floor. In some embodiments of the invention each of the heads are uniformly spaced around the circumferential extent of each of the bodies and each of the heads is generally cylindrical and has a centerline. Each of the centerlines of the heads may be disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane and the angle may be approximately twenty degrees.

Abstract: A black liquor gasification system intended for use as a replacement for a Tomlinson cycle, Chemical Recovery Unit, and which operates at a temperature below the ash melting temperature thereby removing the potential for smelt-water reactions and explosions. The subject black liquor gasification system is based on the use of a circulating fluidized bed operating at atmospheric pressure that produces dry, recoverable salts as well as low calorific gases to be used within the paper-making process.

Abstract: A slag tap system for a pressurized gasifier system that includes a reaction vessel and a pressure vessel in surrounding relation to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A black liquor gasification system intended for use as a replacement for a Tomlinson cycle, Chemical Recovery Unit, and which operates at a temperature below the ash melting temperature thereby removing the potential for smelt-water reactions and explosions. The subject black liquor gasification system is based on the use of a circulating fluidized bed operating at atmospheric pressure that produces dry, recoverable salts as well as low calorific gases to be used within the paper-making process.

Abstract: An entrained flow coal gasifier having a combustor zone (16) and a reductor zone (18) separated by a centrally located baffle (14). The baffle (14) covers the projected plan area of a slag tap (44) whereby cool slag falling from the reductor (18) will be heated before flowing through the slag tap.

Abstract: A pressurized coal gasification system having double wall containment vessels (2,10) is disclosed. The gasification vessel (2) is provided with a gas tight water seal (36) for connecting the lower end of the inner water-cooled vessel (4) with the bottom supported slag tank (32). The seal (36) prevents gas leakage between the vessel interior and the pressurized annular volume (24) formed between the inner and outer gasification chambers (4,6). A flow of clean, particulate-free product gas (60) is routed into the contiguous annular volume (24,26,28) formed between the inner water-cooled gas directing members (4,20,12) and the outer, pressure containing members (6,22,16) to prevent either leakage of raw product gas into the annular volume or dilution of the product gas (46) by leakage of the sealing gas (60) into the hot product gas flowstream.

Abstract: A first portion (50) of a sulfur and nitrogen-bearing carbonaceous fuel is gasified in a gasification reactor (20) in the presence of a reducing atmosphere of air to produce a hot, char-containing, carbon-monoxide-rich fuel gas (42) having a low Btu content. After cooling, the char-containing carbon-monoxide-rich fuel gas (42) is introduced into a steam generating furnace (10) and combusted therein with a second portion (40) of the carbonaceous fuel in the presence of at least sufficient additional air to substantially complete combustion whereby a hot flue gas is produced. A sulfur-capturing material (60) is introduced into both the gasification reactor (20) and the combustion zone of the steam generating furnace (10) to absorb a substantial portion of the sulfur-containing gases produced during the gasification and combustion processes.

Abstract: A wet-bottom, solid fuel gasifier has a slag tap through which a portion of the product gas is back-flowed through the slag tap to maintain the temperature of the slag hot enough to maintain continuous slagging. The reverse flow of the product gas portion is controlled by the negative pressure generated in the throat of the gasifier.

Abstract: A method of operating an entrained flow coal gasifier (10) via a two-stage gasification process. A portion of the coal (18) to be gasified is combusted in a combustion zone (30) with near stoichiometric air to generate combustion products. The combustion products are conveyed from the combustion zone into a reduction zone (32) wherein additional coal is injected into the combustion products to react with the combustion products to form a combustible gas. The additional coal is injected into the reduction zone as a mixture (60) consisting of coal and steam, preferably with a coal-to-steam weight ratio of approximately ten to one.

Abstract: A soot blower assembly (10) for use in combination with a coal gasifier (14). The soot blower assembly is adapted for use in the hot combustible product gas generated in the gasifier as the blowing medium. The soot blower lance (20) and the drive means (30) by which it is moved into and out of the gasifier is housed in a gas tight enclosure (40) which completely surrounds the combination. The interior of the enclosure (40) is pressurized by an inert gas to a pressure level higher than that present in the gasifier so that any combustible product gas leaking from the soot blower lance (20) is forced into the gasifier rather than accumulating within the enclosure.