Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes and apparatuses for reducing the content of pollutants in a boiler system flue gas resulting from combustion of fuel. The present invention discloses improved slurry injection techniques, re-circulation of flue gas to provide momentum to the injected slurry, a measurement system for obtaining system profile information and a system to optimize the reduction of pollutants in a flue gas by adjusting the injection of slurry suspension based on system profile information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes and apparatuses for reducing the content of pollutants in a boiler system flue gas resulting from combustion of fuel. The present invention discloses improved slurry injection techniques, re-circulation of flue gas to provide momentum to the injected slurry, a measurement system for obtaining system profile information and a system to optimize the reduction of pollutants in a flue gas by adjusting the injection of slurry suspension based on system profile information.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of reducing nitrogen oxides in coal combustion exhaust gases and preventing fire and explosion in pulverized coal systems. The present invention first cools the flue gas exiting a boiler of the pulverized coal system with an air preheater. The present invention removes any particles such as fly ash from the cooled flue gas with an electro-static precipitor or a bag house and recirculates the flue gas. The temperature of the recirculated flue gas is adjusted to a desired temperature and is injected into the pulverizer with combustion air from the air preheater, creating a safer environment for pulverizing the fuel. This mixture of pulverized fuel, air and flue gas is then burned in the boiler, resulting in a cleaner output containing significantly less nitrous oxide.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the slagging and fouling of the surfaces of the waterwalls, firebox, superheater, and reheater of the furnace of a coal-fired steam boiler. The process reduces the firebox exit temperature to below the specific ash melting temperature by injecting the following, either alone or in combination, into ports located in the upper section of the firebox: recirculated flue gas from downstream of the electrostatic precipitator, atomized water, or a sorbent water slurry. All of these materials have a lower temperature than the main flue gas or require additional heat for evaporation. Mixing these materials with the main flue gas from the furnace will not affect the coal combustion process, yet will reduce the temperature of any fly ash particles in the main flue gas to below the specific ash fusion temperature, and thus, prevent slagging and fouling within the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the slagging and fouling of the surfaces of the waterwalls, firebox, superheater, and reheater of the furnace of a coal-fired steam boiler. The process reduces the firebox exit temperature to below the specific ash melting temperature by injecting the following, either alone or in combination, into ports located in the upper section of the firebox: recirculated flue gas from downstream of the electrostatic precipitator, atomized water, or a sorbent water slurry. All of these materials have a lower temperature than the main flue gas or require additional heat for evaporation. Mixing these materials with the main flue gas from the furnace will not affect the coal combustion process, yet will reduce the temperature of any fly ash particles in the main flue gas to below the specific ash fusion temperature, and thus, prevent slagging and fouling within the furnace.

Abstract: A method for increasing the reliability and remaining useful life of a system of boiler tubes. The present condition of boiler tubes is ascertained and a temperature profile is developed. Additional operating parameters are obtained and used to model the tube system. The model is manipulated to predict a modification which will cause increased tube system life and reliability. The tubes are modified according to the model.

Abstract: A method for detecting and monitoring corrosion by sensing the spontaneous propagation of elastic waves produced in materials as the result of corrosion phenomena. Certain corrosion reactions generate elastic waves (sounds) which may be detected by sufficiently sensitive instrumentation to provide an identifiable acoustic signature. Correlation of these signatures with known standards provides a non-destructive inspection technique for monitoring invisible or hidden corrosion. In addition to acoustic emissions generated by the low-level oxidation/reduction reactions characteristic of corrosion processes, the invention includes the application of a thermal input to the test specimen to enhance the acoustic signals produced by the corrosion phenomena. By measuring the rate of acoustic pulse emission, the cumulative count of acoustic pulses generated, and the pulse amplitudes of the acoustic emissions, correlation may be made with empirically obtained data to permit failure prediction.