Plants Patents (Class 122/1R)
  • Patent number: 6101982
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for preheating the fuel for a firing plant which is operated with liquid or gaseous fuel, which is fed to the firing plant via a feed line, having at least one heat-exchanger unit which is thermally coupled to the feed line and through which heat is transferred from a heating medium, which is directed in a heating circuit, to the fuel.The invention is distinguished by the fact that the pressure at which the fuel is directed in the feed line is greater than the pressure at which the heating medium is directed in the heating circuit, at least in the region of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Kurt Fischer, Ralf Kuske, Erhard Liebig
  • Patent number: 6009840
    Abstract: When a boiler plant (100), which is equipped with an air plenum (104), is in operation, during the startup phase the admission pressure in this air plenum (104) is lowered in terms of time and amount via a blowoff device (106) with respect to combustion air (7) and startup air (105) made available from this air plenum (104). The air coefficient to the burner is consequently reduced. This ensures that, by means of such a near-stoichiometric fuel/air mixture, favorable ignition conditions are provided in the burner and the pollutant emissions during the startup phase are greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Jurgen Haumann, Hans Peter Knopfel, Thomas Sattlemayer
  • Patent number: 5979549
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the viscosity of clogging hydrocarbons in an oil well. The apparatus is preferably trailer mounted for portability. It includes a tube type heat exchanger enabling heated gases to pass within feed water coils to heat the water to a predetermined temperature and at a pressure which prevents any flashing or phase change of the feed water within the heat exchanger. From the heat exchanger the heated feed water passes through a conduit which empties into the oil well. The well is open to atmosphere so that the feed water undergoes a phase change or flashing when it is introduced into the oil well. The resulting combined steam and hot water reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbons sufficiently to facilitate their flow out of the oil well. One embodiment of the heat exchanger includes special coil arrangements to promote heating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas Meeks
  • Patent number: 5735235
    Abstract: A direct contact gas-to-liquid method and system for heating a liquid with a burning source being wholly submerged and producing-power is disclosed. A liquid is heated by an internal combustion engine means, which is submerged in a container and can utilize the inherent swelling power from the burning gases in the engine means to draw large air into the engine means to support the burning without any other drift device, and to further drive other devices supplying and heating the liquid in the heating method and the heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Weicheng Li
  • Patent number: 5732664
    Abstract: Apparati and methods for controlling the distribution of steam to a number of boilers, and for optimizing the performance of a steam boiler. The distribution of steam to the boilers is controlled by a master control system in communication with the boilers, steam subheaders, steam-flow sensors, a comparator module, a summer module, a main steam-supply header, and a pressure sensor in the main steam-supply header. The performance of an individual boiler is optimized by (a) maintaining a constant steam pressure in the boiler, (b) measuring the relative humidity of the air supply for fuel combustion, and (c) supplying and controlling the amount of steam to be mixed with the air supply to optimize the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph W. Badeaux, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5619933
    Abstract: When burning problematic fuels, the hot flue gas produced is held physically separate from the superheater (4) of the plant, a part of the hot flue gas being made to flow towards a heat exchanger (3), in which an energy carrier is heated and transfers the heat to the superheater (4). In this manner, problems due to high-temperature corrosion are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Ansaldo Volund A/S
    Inventor: Ole S. Kristensen
  • Patent number: 5570578
    Abstract: A heat recovery method is disclosed suitable for combined gas turbine/steam turbine cycles including at the exhaust of a gas turbine a waste heat boiler in which water is first treated in a degassing unit connected to a first evaporator and comprising a certain number of heat exchangers. The boiler uses an ultrasupercritical steam cycle with four pressure levels with subcritical fluid intermediate evaporator stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Stein Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Fran.cedilla.ois Saujet, Pascale Amadieu, Georges Hubert, Francine Hrisafovic, Jean-Xavier Morin
  • Patent number: 5560209
    Abstract: A device for increasing efficiency of a power plant operated by burning fossil fuel has a boiler for heating a process medium. An inlet line is connected to the boiler for feeding a first process gas in the form of combustion air into the boiler. An outlet line is connected to the boiler removing a second process gas in the form of flue gas from the steam generator. A heat exchanger for heating the combustion air by regaining some of the heat contained in the flue gas is provided. At least one device for preheating the combustion air is connected upstream of the heat exchanger. The device for preheating the combustion air preheats the combustion air with heat energy contained in the process medium which is at a low pressure level. At least one device for transferring a portion of the heat energy, introduced into the combustion air by preheating, from at least one of the process gases to the process medium at a high pressure level is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: BDAG Balcke-Durr Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Kienbock, Olivier Brasseur
  • Patent number: 5525053
    Abstract: A method of using internal combustion engine exhaust in a combined cycle power plant is disclosed, wherein the quality and distribution of exhaust to the boiler space of a steam generated electric power plant is controlled to achieve greater system efficiencies. Outside air is blended only with that portion of the exhaust that passes through the burner ports as secondary or higher level combustion gas. The remainder of the exhaust is provided to the boiler space by a route other than through the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Wartsila Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: F. Mack Shelor
  • Patent number: 5517822
    Abstract: A cogeneration apparatus comprising: a transporting structure, including a support frame, for transporting the cogeneration apparatus; an electrical generator, mountable on the support frame, for generating an electrical current; a driver, mountable on the support frame, for driving the electrical generator, said driver producing an exhaust gas when operated; and a heat recovery assembly, mountable on the support frame, for recovering heat from the exhaust gas. A novel valve and a novel boiler system preferred for use in the inventive cogeneration apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Applied Energy Systems of Oklahoma, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Haws, James W. King, Glenn R. Gilbert, Donald E. Payne, Dennis L. Denton, William P. Helean, Cordell Cullens, James L. Coombs, Dennis L. Messner, Tommy R. Cox, Jackie L. Hutson, David M. Ketrick, James H. Tighe, George W. Schwerzel, Dennis J. Cousino
  • Patent number: 5474034
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed boiler comprises a fluidized bed combustion chamber, a recirculating system for recirculating fluidized solids through the combustion chamber, and a plurality of tubes for withstanding supercritical pressure are disposed around the walls of the combustion chamber for circulating cooling fluid between an inlet header at the bottom of the chamber and an outlet chamber at the top of the combustion chamber. A water steam separator directs steam to a superheater and is bypassed during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Pyropower Corporation
    Inventor: Ponnusami K. Gounder
  • Patent number: 5450821
    Abstract: A multi-stage combustion apparatus and method for use with externally fired power plants that allows the temperature of the heat released at any stage to be matched to the thermal characteristics of the working fluid from the power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Exergy, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 5375562
    Abstract: A catalytic incinerator system for oxidation/combustion of volatile organic compounds (VOC's). The system is relatively compact, is designed to accommodate the thermal stresses within the system without adversely affecting the system components, and to provide substantially uniform temperature distribution in the VOC's and combustion air. The system includes a dual shell housing having an inner shell and an outer shell, wherein the inner shell is capable of thermal expansion and movement relative to the outer shell. Also included is a multi-pass tube-type heat exchanger suspended or otherwise mounted within a heat exchange chamber. The heat exchanger is mounted within the heat exchange chamber so that one end is unfixed and thus the heat exchanger can freely expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations within the heat exchange chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Joseph A. Brinck
    Inventors: Joseph A. Brinck, Stephen L. Reis
  • Patent number: 5335628
    Abstract: A fuel cell and a boiler are coupled in such a manner that the water used to capture excess heat generated by the fuel cell is used for boiler feedwater heating. In one embodiment, steam generated by the boiler is used in an operation that converts the steam to condensate, and the condensate is returned to the fuel cell for use as a heat sink for the thermal energy generated within the fuel cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Aqua-Chem, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 5325821
    Abstract: A method of utilizing the high energy values of fossile fuels in central heating boiler systems. The boiler system comprises a processor which includes an air heat pump (5) which functions to cool the system flue gases by condensation. A first fan (10) generates a first circulation (C.sub.1) of boiler room air, via the air heat pump (5), this circulation of air also passing through a heat exchanger (4) where heat exchange takes place with the flue gases. A second air circulation (C.sub.2) is generated with the aid of a flue-gas fan (7) which removes flue gases from the boiler by suction, thereby generating a subpressure in the boiler room so that fresh air will be drawn in from the ambient surroundings, this air passing through the heat exchanger (4). A lower pressure is maintained on that side of the heat exchanger (4) on which the air/flue gas mixture (C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: Stig Gloersen
  • Patent number: 5320070
    Abstract: A method and a device for using excess heat of flue gas that is not required for operating a flue gas desulfurization device of a power plant is presented. Before being introduced into the flue gas desulfurization device. The flue gas is guided through preheaters for heating the combustion air and an electrostatic filter. The combustion air preheating step is achieved with two air preheaters, one arranged upstream of the electrostatic filter and one arranged downstream of the electrostatic filter. A partial flue gas stream is branched off at least before the first air preheater arranged upstream of the electrostatic filter. The partial flue gas stream is used to generate steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Balcke-Durr Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Kienbock, Manfred Kehr
  • Patent number: 5303678
    Abstract: In a process for low-pollutant combustion in a power station boiler (22) for steam generation, at least one precombustion chamber (24) acts at the boiler itself, which precombustion chamber is operated with at least one burner (25a-c). At least a part of the primary air (26) initially flows through a heat exchanger (24c) , in which a caloric treatment of this air takes place to give combustion air (26a). This combustion air (26a) then flows into the burner (25a-c), where a mixing, and subsequent combustion with fuel (12) or with another mixture takes place. A further air stream as secondary air (27) is injected directly into the precombustion chamber (24), this taking place directly before the actual join of the precombustion chamber (24) to the boiler (22). Downstream of the precombustion chamber (24), a tertiary air stream (29) is fed into the boiler (22). Using this configuration, a process with double air staging is proposed, the boiler (22) being operated with air deficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Haumann, Thomas Sattelmayer
  • Patent number: 5279260
    Abstract: A water to fuel electrolysis system for providing hydrogen and oxygen gases to a steam boiler for the production of heat and steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: John F. Munday
  • Patent number: 5247907
    Abstract: A process furnace and method of operating a furnace are disclosed. The furnace comprises a radiant heating chamber, a primary convection section leg, a secondary convection section leg with two or more parallel flow channels, convection burners to heat the primary and/or secondary convection sections and dampers to adjust flue gas flow and temperature through the parallel flow channels. Combustion air comprising a mixture of gas turbine exhaust and fresh air which has been preheated in one of the parallel flow channels s supplied to the burners. The split flue design facilitates greater control of the flue gas temperature for improved operating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Jing M. Lee, Larry G. Hackemesser, William J. Bracken
  • Patent number: 5243922
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for generating electricity from coal comprising a vertically stacked, three-stage combustor in which a sorbent is calcined in a calciner zone of the combustor and transferred to a carbonizer zone disposed below the calciner zone, coal introduced into the carbonizer zone is carbonized, producing char and spent sorbent, both of which are transferred to a combustor zone disposed below the carbonizer zone, in which the char is combusted at a substoichemetic air-to-coal ratio, producing a fuel gas. The fuel gas is cleaned and combusted in a turbine combustor, producing a flue gas which is introduced into a gas turbine for producing electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Amirali G. Rehmat, Lev Dorfman
  • Patent number: 5161488
    Abstract: A steam boiler (2) including a fire tube (21) and convection heating surfaces (22) is preceded by a combustion chamber (30) including a surface burner (34) for high excess air. The combustion chamber (30) and the fire tube (21) are internally thermally insulated (33). The combustion air supply opening (37) of the burner (34) is connected by way of a blower (40) with an exhaust air source (1). A fuel control valve (36) is controlled as a function of the boiler load. A plurality of heat exchangers (47, 48, 49) are incorporated in the flue gas channel (45) following the convection heating surfaces (22). The most upstream heat exchanger (47) is connected on the water inlet side by way of a pump (51) to the water chamber (23) and on the water outlet side by way of a baffle (53) to the water-steam circuit of the boiler (2). With this system it is possible to purify all of the exhaust air from the exhaust air source (1) over a broad boiler (2) load range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Koenig AG
    Inventor: Arthur Natter
  • Patent number: 5134944
    Abstract: Gasification, slagging, melting, and vaporizing components of waste materials and reactive carbon fuel, in variable proportions, at low pressures, using oxygen and steam reactants, effects very high temperatures, producing syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide), molten slag and molten metals. Integration provides steam and electricity from cogeneration plants. Thermal separation of coal-methanol suspensoids, delivered by pipeline, provides reactive carbon fuel. Methanol produced from cleaned syngas and ethanol produced by corn fermentation are blended, some gasoline or diesel fuel and other additives are used, safer, cleaner-burning, cost-competitive automotive fuels are produced. Light-weight, rock-like nodules (aggregates) and rock wool are produced from slag. Recovery of metals effects optimum recycling. Some metals are produced by reducing reactions. Ethanol coproducts combined with corn, other grains, alfalfa, molasses, minerals and vitamins, provide superior feeds for ruminant animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventors: Leonard J. Keller, Austin N. Stanton
  • Patent number: 5060600
    Abstract: A condenser structure wherein both ends of at least one tube, which is physically located among the other (numerous) tubes of the condenser's tube bundles, is not connected to the inlet water box nor to the outlet water box; instead, this tube is provided with separate inlet and outlet connections. The separate inlet connection is preferably provided with a separately-controlled admixture of water treatment chemicals. Also disclosed is an innovative method of operating a steam condenser. One or more tubes, which are physically located among the other (numerous) tubes of the condenser, are isolated to provide a real-time test loop. The tube thus isolated is chosen to be among the tubes with the highest heat load, so that this tube provides a worst-case proxy for scaling in the other condenser tubes. The isolated tube is frequently inspected for scaling (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Texas Utilities Electric Company
    Inventors: David S. Brown, W. Cave Baum
  • Patent number: 5027720
    Abstract: An emissionless furnace boiler and effluent gas recovery system includes a pressure vessel having a fluid input and fluid output. The system is capable of maintaining an entropy characteristic equal to at least the condensing pressure of the lowest entropy gas of the gases constituting a processed effluent gas discharge. There is also provided a hollow, annular jacket having a surface in thermal communication with the pressure vessel, the jacket having an axis in substantial alignment with the gravity vector and the jacket including a fluid input and fluid output. The system also includes a fluid path beginning internally of said pressure vessel, passing through the vessel, through the fluid output means, continuing externally of the vessel, and extending between the vessel and the input of the jacket. Within the fluid path, but prior to the input of the jacket, there is provided an expansion valve for selectively changing the volume of fluid flowing from the vessel prior to its entry into the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventors: Thomas D. Merritt, Alexander Blake
  • Patent number: 5012766
    Abstract: A safeguard arrangement for a plant, which comprises a plant auxiliary provided with a lid and so designed that the lid is opened for maintenance of the inside thereof, switching means installed on a piping connected to said plant auxiliary, and driving means to give a driving output to the switching means in response to an opening or closing instruction signal for said switching means, and which is employed when operations for maintenance of the aforesaid plant auxiliary are executed, is provided additionally with lid opening detecting means to detect the opening of the lid of the afore-said plant auxiliary or the release of locking means thereof, in gearing with either of them, and checking means to check the opening of the aforesaid switching means on the basis of the opening instruction signal for the switching means when it is detected by said lid opening detecting means that the lid is opened or to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiitsu Nigawara, Takehiko Ikematsu, Masayuki Fukai
  • Patent number: 4957049
    Abstract: The invention comprising an organic waste fuel combustion and tempering gas flow control system integrated with a gas turbine combined cycle steam generating plant. The gas turbine exhaust, wherein the oxygen content is partially consumed is used to dry and support combustion of an organic fuel high in moisture content after said fuel has been dewatered and pelletized. A portion of the gas turbine exhaust gas stream dries the pelletized waste fuel while a parallel portion of the gas turbine hot gas stream is used to support combustion and furnish oxygen in the ignition zone of the pelletized waste combustor. The drying stream also tempers secondary combustion gas temperature. The two gas streams are combined downstream of the combustion zone. The regenerated combined stream is then utilized in a steam generating section to generate steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Electrodyne Research Corp.
    Inventor: Charles Strohmeyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4953479
    Abstract: Methacoal Integrated Combined Cycle Power Plants comprise a thermal separation plant for producing condensate liquid fuel and particulate carbonaceous fuel from Methacoal fuels, coal-methanol suspensoids or slurries; gas turbine generator plants for burning the liquid fuel to produce electric power; steam turbine generator plants for producing electric power; a boiler plant for producing steam for steam turbines; a small firebox for burning reative particulate carbonaceous fuel, with minimum retention time for high temperature combustion gases and minimum oxygen required for combustion, thus minimizing emissions of nitrogen oxides and hazardous ultra-fine particulates; and means for controlling ash fusion and slagging problems. The two generating plants are respectively sized to provide the capacity required, and to consume the two fuels in the proportions produced from the Methacoal fuels, during normal operations, allowing fuel inventory control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventors: Leonard J. Keller, Austin N. Stanton
  • Patent number: 4928635
    Abstract: A power plant including a coal-fired boiler, having a boiler space, heat exchanging means for generating steam, one or more air ports and exhaust means. The power plant also includes an internal combustion engine having an exhaust means, wherein the exhaust means of the engine are connected to the air ports of the boiler. A thermal NO.sub.x reduction system is disposed in the boiler for reducing the NO.sub.x content of both the internal combustion engine and boiler emissions. The engine further includes water cooling means, and heat is transferred from the engine to the heat exchanging means for generating steam. The exhaust means are connected to the boiler space either by secondary air ports adjacent or surrounding the coal nozzles of the boiler, by overfire air ports, by underfire air ports or by any combination of these ports. Means are preferably provided for removing SO.sub.2 and particulate pollutants from the exhaust of the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: Mack Shelor
  • Patent number: 4911107
    Abstract: A system for protecting components including the heat exchangers of a fluidized bed boiler against thermal mismatch. The system includes an injection tank containing an emergency supply of heated and pressurized feedwater. A heater is associated with the injection tank to maintain the temperature of the feedwater in the tank at or about the same temperature as that of the feedwater in the heat exchangers. A pressurized gas is supplied to the injection tank to cause feedwater to flow from the injection tank to the heat exchangers during thermal mismatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Larry G. Crispin, Paul S. Weitzel
  • Patent number: 4858562
    Abstract: A power generation plant comprising a gas turbine and a waste heat recovery boiler in which feed water is heat-exchanged with exhaust gas from the gas turbine to produce vapor. A steam turbine system incorporates a reheat turbine and a high pressure turbine to which the vapor is supplied from the waste heat recovery boiler, with a generator being driven by the steam turbine system and condenser for condensing vapor from the stream turbine system into condensate and for supplying the condensate to the waste heat recovery boiler as the feed water. The waste heat recovery boiler is provided with a secondary reheater, a super heater, a primary reheater reheating vapor to be supplied to the secondary reheater and an evaporator for evaporating the feed water from the condenser into vapor and for supplying the vapor to the super heater, in order with respect to the exhaust gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Arakawa, Tsuguo Hashimoto, Akihiro Kawauchi
  • Patent number: 4779574
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power plant for combustion of a fuel, for example carbon, in a combustion chamber (2) in a bed (10) of fluidized particulate material, primarily a PFBC power plant. The plant includes a multi-stage steam turbine (13) and an intermediate superheater (12) for superheating steam between the turbine stages. The combustion chamber (2) is divided into a first and a second part (2a, 2b) by a wall (4) having one or more openings (42, 43) which takes up a minor part of the cross-section in the bed region and makes possible a limited exchange of bed material. The first part (2a) includes a nest of boiler tubes (11) for generating steam. The second combustion chamber part (2b) includes a nest of boiler tubes (12) for intermediate superheating of steam between the turbine stages. The combustion chamber parts (2a, 2b) are each connected to a fuel supply system (20, 21, 22 and 23, 24, 25, respectively).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: ASEA AB
    Inventors: Karl-Johan Nilsson, Krishna Pillai
  • Patent number: 4686938
    Abstract: A method, and a system for practicing the method, of heating liquid in a separator utilizing heat from a glycol regenerator. The system employs a gas pressure operated pump for pumping heat exchange fluid through a closed loop flow path. A gas burner in the regenerator vessel has a pilot light. Piping connects combustible gas to the burner and to the gas pressure operated pump and from the gas pressure operated pump to the pilot light. A thermostatically controlled valve is positioned in the heat exchange closed loop fluid flow path and opens and closes in response to the temperature of the liquid in the separator vessel, the valve opening to permit flow of heat exchange fluid in response to a detected low liquid temperature. Flow of gas through the pump remaining substantially constant at all times and providing a fuel source for the continuous operation of the pilot light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Process Equipment & Service Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 4637350
    Abstract: A system for recovering drain which recovers two or more flows or drain of different temperatures, which is applied to a generating plant provided with feed-water heaters in which drain is recovered into a condensation system downstream from a condenser through a drain tank by a drain pump and which comprises a high temperature recovered drain inlet, which is at high temperature and contains much flush steam, and a low temperature drain inlet. The high temperature recovered drain inlet is positioned at a lower part and the low temperature side drain inlet is positioned above the former. This system effects efficient degassing of drain which has high content of dissolved oxygen and efficient control of dissolved oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youshun Horibe, Yoshikuni Ohshima, Toyohiko Masuda
  • Patent number: 4601262
    Abstract: The process described is a novel use of two complementary processes, the first of which provides the product to be converted into energy by the second process, related in such a way that the two combined provides an alternative to conventional fuels at a significant economical advantage. Specifically, the burning of sulfur with air or oxygen produces sulfur dioxide which can be combined with water to form sulfuric acid and by electrolysis, the sulfuric acid and water is converted to hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas is burned as has been the sulfur, each producing thermal energy which is used to produce steam. The steam produced by burning the two fuels, sulfur and hydrogen gas, is used in the pulp mill in exactly the same manner as has been steam produced by burning fuels such as natural gas, fuel oil, coal and wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Inventor: Dallas W. Jones
  • Patent number: 4572110
    Abstract: A gas turbine cogeneration plant having a combined heat recovery and emission control system with a first steam boiler having a bank of steam generating tubes upstream of a NOX emission reduction unit and second and third steam boilers having banks of steam generating tubes downstream of the NOX emission reduction unit and wherein the upstream steam boiler has a temperature responsive control system which regulates the upstream boiler pressure and thereby regulates the temperature and heat exchange rate of its steam generating tubes to regulate the temperature of the exhaust gas stream at the NOX emission reduction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Energy Services Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Haeflich
  • Patent number: 4562795
    Abstract: The process and the equipment for reducing emissions of pollutants in flue gases from furnace installations (1, 6) comprises a first furnace installation (1) operated with an air excess of, for example, 15%, and a second furnace installation (6) in which afterburning within the stoichiometric range is carried out, with consumption of the residual oxygen. The flue gases leaving the second furnace installation (6) no longer contain any free oxygen, but contain unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide as pollutants. The first-mentioned pollutants--unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides--are converted on a multi-functional catalyst into carbon dioxide, water vapor and nitrogen. The sulphur of the flue gas is oxidized by means of an oxidation catalyst (12) to sulphur trioxide which reacts with the water vapor contained in the flue gas to give sulphuric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Firma Ferdinand Lentjes Dampfkessel- und Maschinenbau
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus, deceased
  • Patent number: 4495899
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing for low pressure operation of a high pressure boiler including a low pressure relief valve mounted on the boiler and adapted to release steam from the boiler at a steam pressure lower than the pressure developed during high pressure operation of the boiler. An electrically operated control valve is provided for selectively connecting the low pressure relief valve to the boiler, and the valve is controlled for precluding connection of the low pressure relief valve to the boiler until the steam pressure in the boiler drops below the relief pressure of the low pressure relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Victor V. Carberry
  • Patent number: 4493186
    Abstract: Steam power plant, including a steam turbine having a high pressure section with an exhaust steam outlet, a steam generator having a live steam side connected upstream of the high pressure section of the steam turbine, the steam generator having a combustion chamber and a convection space formed therein, an intermediate superheater heating surface having an outlet and having an inlet being connected to the exhaust steam outlet of the high pressure section of the steam turbine, a device for applying combustion air to the combustion chamber of the steam generator, and a device disposed at the outlet of the intermediate superheater heating surface for regulating steam temperature thereat, the regulating device including a nozzle terminating in the convection space of the steam generator between the combustion chamber and the intermediate superheater heating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Emsperger, Reiner Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 4421068
    Abstract: A system and process is provided for controlling a steam generation and distribution system including a plurality of headers. Each of the headers is coupled to steam using devices such as steam turbines and steam supplying devices such as boilers. The process includes measuring the pressure at each header and when the pressure changes, identifying each path beginning at the particular header and terminating at a boiler, and determining the alteration of a boiler and any particular steam turbines required to restore the required pressure at the header while doing so at the least incremental cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Measurex Corporation
    Inventor: Gurcan Aral
  • Patent number: 4421062
    Abstract: A heating chamber is provided for receiving well effluent therein including oil, water and gas and a heated chamber is also provided for containing a heat exchange liquid to be heated. Liquid heat exchange coils are disposed in the chambers and are serially connected in a closed loop flow path with gas pressure operated pump structure operatively associated with the closed loop flow path for pumping liquid therethrough. Gas fired heating structure is operatively associated with the heated chamber for heating liquid therein and a gas outlet from the heating chamber comprises a source of well gas under pressure directed through supply structure supplying well gas to the pump and burner structures. The supply structure includes a gas flow line, in which the pump structure is serially disposed, extending from the gas source to the pump structure and thereafter to the burner structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Isaac F. Padilla, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4398501
    Abstract: System for recovering latent and sensible heat of effluent gases from a cupola for cast iron production or other similar melting installation consequent intermittent operation thereof, for obtaining heat energy or potential electric energy in the form of hot water and/or steam, comprising a thermal unit including an air burner and combustion chamber for burning the effluent gases to form hot combustion gases, two vertical waste heat boilers disposed in series along a flow path downstream of the combustion chamber, the first being a water tube boiler and the second being a fire tube boiler, both having vertical tubes arranged so that the hot gases pass upwardly through the water tubes, thereby licking such tubes, and upon flow reversal thence pass downwardly through the fire tubes, thereby enhancing the self-cleaning thereof, an economizer and optionally a combustion air preheater downstream of the second boiler, and a chimney for the fumes at the end of the flow path, as well as a common external steam separa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignees: Costruzioni Meccaniche F.B.M.S.p.A., Teksid S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Mischiatti
  • Patent number: 4398603
    Abstract: Steam is produced from low quality feedwater. A feedwater stream and a superheated steam stream are introduced into a contactor vessel where the superheated steam is contacted with the feedwater thereby producing saturated steam in the contactor vessel and precipitating minerals from the feedwater in the contactor vessel. The produced steam is withdrawn from the contactor vessel and divided into a primary stream and a secondary stream. The primary stream of produced steam is flowed to a use terminal such as a well for injecting the same into a subsurface formation as part of a steam flood system or such as a steam turbine. The secondary stream of steam is superheated and recycled to the contactor vessel. Waste water containing the solid minerals precipitated from the feedwater within the contactor vessel is withdrawn from the contactor vessel through a waste water discharge conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Hudson's Bay Oil and Gas Company Limited
    Inventor: Leonard G. Rodwell
  • Patent number: 4301650
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the pressure of water in a closed hot water circuit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a closed hot water circuit and a steam circuit, which water circuit and steam circuit are both heated by relatively hot waste gases exhausted from a gas turbine power plant. Two water lines link the water circuit to the steam circuit. A valve in each of these lines regulates a flow of water through each of the lines. A pressure sensor senses the pressure of the water in the water circuit. The pressure sensor communicates said pressure to a valve regulator, which valve regulator regulates the opening and closing of the valves in the water lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans-Rudolf Gubser, Rolf Kehlhofer
  • Patent number: 4290389
    Abstract: A once through steam generator (10) for sliding pressure operation from supercritical pressure at high loads into the subcritical range at low loads, having vertical tubes (14) lining the furnace (12) walls and passing their entire length without a mixing header. The furnace tubes are internally rifled and have orifices (47) associated with them to proportion the flow at full load. A steam separator (26) receiving effluent from the tubes sends steam to the superheater (70) and at low ratings returns water (32,40) to the tubes for recirculation therethrough. The tubes (14) are sized in accordance with a specified criteria based on the mass flow rate at full load, or on the ratio of friction drop to static head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1981
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: David Palchik
  • Patent number: 4286548
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulate matter from a flue gas stream exiting a vapor generator and recirculating said gas back to the generator. The apparatus includes a back face, a bottom face and a recirculation duct. The recirculation duct is located in front of the apparatus, thereby increasing the access area in the vicinity of the generator burners and facilitating maintenance of said burners. The back face, bottom face and recirculation duct envelope ash hoppers and other internal components of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: Leslie O. Brash
  • Patent number: 4258668
    Abstract: A closed pressurized feed water system supplying flash steam to a lower pressure process and with no steam loss in the closed system. The flash steam delivered to the lower pressure process is sufficient to reduce the pressure in the feed water system so that a steam trap in the closed system will operate and permit the hot condensate to be returned to the boiler. Also, new make up water may be added to the system to compensate for any steam loss. In the high pressure closed system about 96.68% of the condensate is returned to the boiler and only about 3.32% is needed for new make up water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Inventor: Martin Bekedam
  • Patent number: 4242988
    Abstract: A system of production and distribution of condensable vapor in a close circuit, at approximately constant pressure and temperature serving two systems of stations utilizing vapor at respectively high pressure and low pressure, comprising a transfer lock arrangement, for transferring condensates from a low-pressure condensate reserve to a high-pressure condensate reserve, wherein the low-pressure condensate return line and the drain conduit connecting the two condensate reserves are respectively provided with two motor-actuated stop valves and whose servo-motors are respectively connected to the monitoring member of the level controller of the low-pressure condensate reserve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Inventor: Pierre E. Regamey
  • Patent number: 4241722
    Abstract: A continuous process for the combustion of carbonaceous fuels under conditions such that oxides of nitrogen are not formed and oxides of sulfur and particles of ash are effectively prevented from contaminating the gaseous products released to the atmosphere. Fuel is charged as a slurry in alkaline aqueous solution and contacted with combustion air so that the catalytic properties of both water and alkali operate to permit rapid and complete combustion at unusually low temperatures. Useful heat is extracted from the heated mixture. At the low combustion temperatures, sulfur in the fuel oxidizes to the trioxide which dissolves completely in the alkaline liquid phase which also retains particles of ash and unburned fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Inventor: Norman L. Dickinson
  • Patent number: 4223640
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to permit the burning of high and varying moisture content fuels without requiring supplemental fuel (oil or gas) firing. The invention provides in-situ drying of the high and varying moisture content fuels by modulating the temperature of the combustion air entering the furnace (11) of the vapor generator (10). The variable flow paths taken by the air and flue gas are functions of the moisture content of the fuel being fired. The flue gas may be selectively by-passed around an economizer (20) for direct introduction into a first air heater (30). The gas is then passed through a precipitator (34) and a second air heater (40). Combustion air is passed through the second air heater (40) and may be then apportioned between the first air heater (30) and a by-pass (60) around the air heater (40) before introduction into the furnace (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Rochford, Robert S. Leckonby, Ronald C. Lutwen, Gerald A. Cymny
  • Patent number: 4217861
    Abstract: An apparatus for reheating stack gases leaving a plurality of scrubbers which uses water within an associated steam generator as the heating source. A heat exchanger receives heat from the boiler water transferring it to a low pressure fluid which is circulated through heat exchange surfaces downstream of each of the scrubbers. The flow of the high pressure boiler water is controlled in response to a temperature of the low pressure fluid thereby providing a means for minimizing the flow and return temperature of the high pressure water. The high pressure water is taken from a circulating pump discharge and returned to the circulating pump suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Angelini