Abstract: A method for retrofitting a solid fuel pulverizer and exhauster system includes replacing the bowl drive motor 38 with a new drive motor which is operable to drivingly rotate the bowl 12 at the pre-retrofit speed but which provides relatively more horsepower than the replaced bowl drive motor 38 and replacing the original exhauster fan coupling with a new exhauster fan gear set 46, 48 which effects rotation of the exhauster fan 30 at a relatively higher rotational speed than the pre-retrofit speed. A solid fuel pulverizer and exhauster system of the present invention acting in cooperative association with a fuel-fired steam generating power plant includes an exhauster fan transmission assembly 50, 52 operable to translate the rotation of the drive shaft 54 of the exhauster fan drive motor 44 through ninety (90) degrees to thereby effect rotation of the fan by the exhauster fan drive motor 44.

Abstract: An exhauster assembly for a solid fuel pulverizer has an exhauster housing defining an inlet opening. A fan rotatably mounts in the exhauster housing and a duct defining an air stream flow path is in fluid connection with the inlet opening. An inlet guide vane assembly is positioned in the duct adjacent the inlet opening. The inlet guide vane assembly has a plurality of first and second guide vanes defining a plurality of the flow channels generally parallel the air stream flow path. The first and second guide vanes are generally planar and arranged generally orthogonally to each other in cross section.

Abstract: A high efficiency exhauster which is capable of attaining operating efficiencies of up to 70% when employed in a solid fuel pulverizer firing system that includes a pulverizer which is operative to effect the pulverization therewithin of the solid fuel supplied thereto and a furnace into which the pulverized solid fuel is injected for combustion therewithin. The high efficiency exhauster includes a casing, an inlet ring supported on the casing, a rotor mounted on the casing for rotation therewithin, a multiplicity of blades, each of a preestablished length and width, mounted in spaced relation one to another on the circumference of the rotor so as to extend at a preestablished angle, and an outlet formed in the casing.

Abstract: A combination inerting and fire extinguishing system particularly suited for employment in a pulverizing bowl mill (10) of the type that is operative for effecting the grinding of material and that includes a substantially closed separator body (16) in which a grinding table (18) is supported for rotation relative thereto and a plurality of grinding rolls (22) are also supported therewithin such that the plurality of grinding rolls (22) cooperate with the rotating grinding table (18) to effect a grinding of the material disposed upon the grinding table (18). The subject inerting and fire extinguishing means includes a continuous purging means, a backup inerting means, a pulverizing bowl mill clearing means and a water injection fire suppression means. The continuous purging means is operative during any inerting sequence to cause an inerting medium to flow continually through the pulverizing bowl mill (10) so as to ensure that there is no buildup of volatile gases therewithin.