Abstract: A retractable chemical injection device especially adapted for introducing a chemical reactant solution into a large scale combustion device such as a fossil fuel fired boiler. The device incorporates a lance tube mounted to a elongated frame located outside of the combustion device which enables the lance tube to be extended into and retracted from the combustion device flue gas stream. The lance tube carries a plurality of axially distributed discharge nozzles enabling the chemical reactant entrained in an injection carrier to be ejected from the nozzles. The injection device provides for atomization of the chemical reactant solution before the mixture passes into the lance tube which provides the beneficial effects of cooling the lance tube and providing a uniform distribution of the chemical solution to the distributed discharge nozzles.

Abstract: A lance tube for a sootblower device for cleaning internal surfaces of large scale combustion devices. The lance tube includes two sets of nozzles for ejecting fluid cleaning media. A readily accessible fluid flow restriction device is positioned between the two sets of nozzles and accommodates interchangeable plug elements providing different fluid flow restrictions. One set of nozzles is optimized for steam as the cleaning media whereas the other is designed for ejecting water. This lance tube configuration is especially adapted for selectively ejecting steam or water blowing medium as cleaning requirements dictate.

Abstract: A device for determining the level of water and/or steam in a boiler is disclosed. The device is a liquid level gauge (10) of the Blackburn type and utilizes an optical fiber cable (44) to intercept the light that passes in a relatively straight path through a cross passage (16) in the body (12) of gauge (10). Due to the difference in the indices of refraction of steam and water, the optical fiber cable (44) intercepts the light when steam is present in the gauge (10) but does not intercept the light when water is present.

Abstract: A long retracting sootblower for boiler cleaning of the type having a lance tube which is advanced into and out of a boiler and simultaneously rotated, and having one or more nozzles discharging a jet of blowing medium which trace helical paths. An indexing mechanism is provided to change the positioning of the helical paths traced by the nozzles between successive actuation cycles to minimize boiler erosion and mechanical stress caused by repeated blowing medium impact against surfaces within the boiler. the indexing mechanism includes relatively slidable longitudinal advancement rack sections which cause the engaging pinion gears to index by one or more teeth upon each actuation cycle. A movable rack portion is biased by a compliant element to remain in a normal position until initial advancement of the lance carriage which causes the movable portion to be indexed with respect to the fixed portion of the rack.