Cleaning Patents (Class 122/379)
  • Patent number: 6764030
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a new design of the nozzle and the lance tube of a sootblower to clean the interior of a heat exchanger by impingement of a jet of cleaning medium. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention the sootblower design developed, incorporates a nozzle at the tip of the distal end of the lance tube (downstream nozzle). The lance tube also includes an upstream nozzle positioned opposite and longitudinally apart the distal end nozzle. This design allows for the flow of the cleaning medium to enter into the inlet end of the nozzle without coming to a halt at the end of the lance tube. Further, the present invention also provides for a converging channel to be disposed in the interior of the lance tube to direct the flow of cleaning medium passing the upstream nozzle into the inlet end of the downstream nozzle with minimal hydraulic losses and flow maldistribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony F. Habib, David L. Keller
  • Publication number: 20040134448
    Abstract: An injection lance for injecting a fluid over a predefined target area within a system includes a support block with an inlet side and an outlet side. A plurality of channels are disposed non-parallel with respect to each other within the support block and extend between the inlet and outlet sides of the support block so as to receive fluid at the inlet side and deliver fluid through the support block for injection from the outlet side of the support block over the target area. At least two channels extend from the inlet side toward the outlet side in a direction away from a central axis of the support block, where the central axis intersects the outlet side. The target area includes a plurality of consecutively aligned sectors, and the channels are oriented within the support block so that a central axis of a fluid stream injected from each channel over the target area is centered between longitudinal boundaries defined by a respective sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Scott Macadam, Benjamin Bugeat, Fabienne Chatel-Pelage
  • Patent number: 6758168
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sootblowing a recovery boiler. Sootblowers of the recovery boiler are divided into sootblowing groups, and a sootblowing interval is determined for the sootblowers. A fouling index is produced for each sootblowing group of the recovery boiler, and relative frequency values are calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventors: Jukka Koskinen, Mikko Leskinen, Jaakko Hanhinen
  • Patent number: 6755156
    Abstract: A device, system and method permitting on-line explosives-based cleaning and deslagging of a fuel burning facility (31) such as a boiler, furnace, incinerator, or scrubber. A coolant, such as ordinary water, is delivered to the explosives (101) to prevent them from detonating due to the heat of the on-line facility. Thus, controlled, appropriately-timed detonation can be initiated as desired, and boiler scale and slag is removed without the need to shut down or cool down the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: NorthAmerican Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Zilka, Timothy Zilka, Kurt Prouty, Donald Howard, Christopher Scaringe, William Youngs
  • Publication number: 20040112306
    Abstract: The invention is related to a so-called on-line method and a device for the cleaning of contamination with dirt, resp., caking or slag deposits in vessels and combustion installations by means of blasting technology. For this purpose, an explosive gas mixture is made to detonate in the proximity of the contamination with dirt, resp., caking or slag deposits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Hans Ruegg
  • Patent number: 6748904
    Abstract: A steam producing device capable of performing dual heating processes includes an outer shell, and a heating member inserted in, and secured to the outer shell; the heating member has a steam room, and forms a first, a second, and a third chamber together with an inner side of the outer shell; the second chamber communicates with the first chamber owing to a gap, and communicates with the third chamber owing to a narrow curved passage between the heating member and the outer shell; a hole is formed on the heating member for the steam room to communicate with the third chamber; thus, water, after flowing into the first chamber, can travel through the chambers to go through one heating process, and then travel through the steam room to go through another heating process to be transformed into steam and discharged outside the shell for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Li-Yuan Chiang
  • Patent number: 6736089
    Abstract: A controller determines and adjusts system parameters, including cleanliness levels or sootblower operating settings, that are useful for maintaining the cleanliness of a fossil fuel boiler at an efficient level. Some embodiments use a direct controller to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower operating settings. Some embodiments use an indirect controller, with a system model, to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower settings. The controller may use a model that is, for example, a neural network, or a mass energy balance, or a genetically programmed model. The controller uses input about the actual performance or slate of the boiler for adaptation. The controller may operate in conjunction with a sootblower optimization system that controls the actual settings of the sootblowers. The controller may coordinate cleanliness settings for multiple sootblowers and/or across a plurality of heat zones in the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: NeuCo, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Curt Lefebvre, Daniel W. Kohn
  • Publication number: 20040083986
    Abstract: An upper bundle steam generator cleaning, inspection, and repair system including a deployment support device receivable within the steam generator to raise a cleaning device, an inspection device, and/or a tool up to the upper bundles of the steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Augustus J. Ashton, J. Timothy Lovett, Daniel Fischbach, Steven K. Ruggieri, Alan Brightman, Steven Jens
  • Patent number: 6691646
    Abstract: A water lance blower for cleaning heat installations is disclosed. A water lance linked with a water feed conduit system is swivel-mounted with its orifice disposed in a hatch. The water lance can blow a jet of water through the heating installation in operation and through which flames and/or flue gases are guided to wall areas that can be reached from the hatch. The water lance blower is provided with a drive system with at least two drive units that control the water lance, and with a holding device that fastens the water lance blower onto the heating installation. Further, parts of the water feed conduit system are integrated onto the holding device, thereby substantially limiting the size of the water lance blower to the swivel range of the water lance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Clyde Bergemann GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Bartels, Alois Kessel, Jürgen Schröder, Stephan Simon, Klaus Eimer, Dieter Patzig
  • Patent number: 6684823
    Abstract: An impulse generator produces controlled pressure waves for removing ash deposits from heat exchangers in a boiler. The impulse generator has a fuel inlet, an air inlet, an ignitor, an outlet, and a control system for selectively and intermittently igniting the fuel and air to produce the pressure waves. In a first exemplary embodiment, the impulse generator includes a toroidal-shaped body with a tangential air inlet for inducing a helical swirling flow of the fuel and the air. In a second exemplary embodiment, the impulse generator includes a turbulizer with a corkscrew-shaped vane for inducing a helical swirling flow of the fuel and the air. In addition, an exemplary ash deposit removal method includes adjusting the fuel flow, airflow, ignition dwell time, and/or ignition interval time to selectively adjust the combustion mode between deflagrative and detonative combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Zinovy Z. Plavnik, Arun Mehta
  • Publication number: 20040016445
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for on-line cleaning of internal surfaces of selected sections of a hydrocarbon fuel burning gas turbine and associated heat recovery equipment, during operation. Cleaning solutions containing graphite and/or molybdenum-based particles and oil soluble corrosion inhibitors, aromatic solvents, and surfactants are selectively introduced directly into the combustion chamber (combustor) of the gas turbine, into the fuel stream, water washing system, or the combustion air system (hot gas path). The cleaning process dislodges unwanted ash deposit buildup and, thereby restores the gas turbine to rated power. When introduced into the compressor section, the particles impinge on the metal surfaces, cleaning them prior to entering the hot gas section where the process may be repeated. They may also be carried through the exhaust to additionally clean attendant heat recovery equipment, if present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Koch, Daniel T. Smith, Mark D. Hughes, Thomas Urbas
  • Patent number: 6681839
    Abstract: A heat exchanger exchange-tube cleaning lance positioning system that includes a three axis cleaning lance positioning mechanism that is attachable to the end of a heat exchanger and that is controlled by a lance position computer controller that determines the locations of each of the openings of the exchange-tubes of the heat exchanger by analyzing an image signal generated by a camera mounted to the three axis cleaning lance positioning mechanism and then positions a connected exchange tube cleaning lance into and through each of the exchange-tube passageways to clean the exchange-tube passageways automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Brent A. Balzer
  • Patent number: 6672257
    Abstract: An upper bundle steam generator cleaning, inspection, and repair system including a deployment support device receivable within the steam generator to raise a cleaning device, an inspection device, and/or a tool up to the upper bundles of the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus J. Ashton, III, J. Timothy Lovett, Daniel Fischbach, Steven K. Ruggieri, Alan Brightman, Steven Jens
  • Patent number: 6655322
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automatically maintaining the concentration of scale forming minerals in boiler water for boiler systems utilizing bimodal feedwater pumps that deliver a substantially constant feedwater flow to the boiler drum when activated. According to the present invention, the feedwater supply pump and blowdown rate control valve are synchronized to remove boiler water at a predetermined rate when the feedwater pump is activated. The present invention thereby provides a simplified and less expensive method for controlling the concentration of dissolved solids in boiler water despite variations in the steam loads and/or other boiler operation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: ChemTreat, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Godwin, David A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030217706
    Abstract: An air port or smelt spout cleaning tip presents a wider cleaning area configuration on an insertion phase, and on retraction, the tip collapses to provide a smaller size to prevent against hanging up on adjacent structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Pingel, Michael deSousa
  • Publication number: 20030205210
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sootblowing a recovery boiler. Sootblowers of the recovery boiler are divided into sootblowing groups, and a sootblowing interval is determined for the sootblowers. A fouling index is produced for each sootblowing group of the recovery boiler, and relative frequency values are calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventors: Jukka Koskinen, Mikko Leskinen, Jaakko Hanhinen
  • Patent number: 6609531
    Abstract: A condenser tube cleaning nozzle which is cushioned with resilient washers. The present invention provides a stiffened nozzle adapted to handling high pressure, while at the same time providing cushioning at all contact points on a tube sheet and within a particular tube being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Edward R. Lesko
  • Patent number: 6605254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fumigating closed systems susceptible to microbially influenced corrosion (MIC). The method is particularly useful in a method for mitigating MIC in fire protection sprinkler systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Mark Aguilera, Ronald Gordon Bitney, Stephen Alan Conviser, Barbara Ruth Decaire
  • Patent number: 6581549
    Abstract: A cardon joint is provided for mounting in a wall of a boiler to accommodate a sootblower lance and to allow the lance to be manipulated with respect to the boiler wall. The cardon joint includes a wall box having a central opening. An outer ball having a substantially spherical outer surface and a central bore is mounted for axial rotation about a first axis within the central opening of the wall box. An inner ball having a substantially spherical outer surface and a central bore is mounted for axial rotation about a second axis within the central bore of the outer ball. The first and second axes are mutually orthogonal and the central bore of the inner ball is sized to accommodate the lance of a sootblower. As the lance is manipulated to clean an opposite wall of the boiler, the inner and outer balls rotate about their axes to accommodate the manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Clyde Bergemann, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Stewart, Jeffrey A. Atchley
  • Patent number: 6575122
    Abstract: A sootblower assembly for cleaning heated surfaces within a boiler or other combustion system of the long retracting oscillation type. A kinematic drive mechanism is provided for causing the sootblower lance tube to oscillate such that cleaning medium discharge from nozzles on the lance tube emit jets of clean medium against the surfaces to be cleaned. The kinematics of the oscillation drive mechanisms are related to the lance tube nozzle positions and the distance to the surfaces being cleaned in various positions to provide a constant or nearly constant rate of sootblowing medium jet progression along the surfaces to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Hipple
  • Publication number: 20030070629
    Abstract: A water lance blower for cleaning heat installations is disclosed. A water lance linked with a water feed conduit system is swivel-mounted with its orifice disposed in a hatch. The water lance can blow a jet of water through the heating installation in operation and through which flames and/or flue gases are guided to wall areas that can be reached from the hatch. The water lance blower is provided with a drive system with at least two drive units that control the water lance, and with a holding device that fastens the water lance blower onto the heating installation. Further, parts of the water feed conduit system are integrated onto the holding device, thereby substantially limiting the size of the water lance blower to the swivel range of the water lance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Franz Bartels, Alois Kessel, Jurgen Schroder, Stephan Simon, Klaus Eimer, Dieter Patzig
  • Patent number: 6543392
    Abstract: A deployment system for an upper bundle steam generator cleaning/inspection device, the deployment system including an elongated body feedable through an access in a steam generator shell proximate the tube sheet of the steam generator, the elongated body flexible in one configuration to bend into a position for extension up through flow slots in support plates of the interior of the steam generator, and rigid in another configuration for positioning and supporting cleaning/inspection devices up through the steam generator proximate the upper tube bundles of the steam generator; and a drive device for driving the elongated body up through the support plates and for retracting the elongated body back down through the support plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus J. Ashton, III, Steven K. Ruggieri, Timothy J. Lovett, Alan Brightman, Stephen Jens
  • Patent number: 6536379
    Abstract: A steam cleaning device includes a conduit with a passageway to be aligned and in fluid communication with a duct of a steam generating member secured in a housing. A steam delivering head is removably inserted into and is aligned with the passageway of the conduit such that a channel thereof is in fluid communication with the passageway and such that steam generated by the steam generating member is released out through the passageway and a channel of the steam delivering head. Thus, when the steam delivering head is removed from the passageway, water scales attached to the duct and the channel can be removed by cleaning the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Yin-Tao Liu
  • Patent number: 6523502
    Abstract: A method of controllable cooling of a boiler (10) and removing exfoliated magnetite from the boiler tubes (30, 31) employs flowing dry gas through the boiler tubes (30, 31) at a flow velocity above the terminal velocity of the magnetite flakes as the boiler (10) is cooled from a temperature above the temperature at which exfoliation occurs. A method of removing magnetite blockages (100) from boiler tubes (30, 31) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: C S Energy Ltd
    Inventor: Adrian Robert Hughes
  • Publication number: 20030015151
    Abstract: A sootblower assembly for cleaning heated surfaces within a boiler or other combustion system of the long retracting oscillation type. A kinematic drive mechanism is provided for causing the sootblower lance tube to oscillate such that cleaning medium discharge from nozzles on the lance tube emit jets of clean medium against the surfaces to be cleaned. The kinematics of the oscillation drive mechanisms are related to the lance tube nozzle positions and the distance to the surfaces being cleaned in various positions to provide a constant or nearly constant rate of sootblowing medium jet progression along the surfaces to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: James H. Hipple
  • Patent number: 6431125
    Abstract: A device for regulating and cleaning an air port (3) arranged in the wall (2) of a furnace, especially a soda house furnace, comprises a cleaning arrangement (1) and an arrangement (4) for regulating the air flow through the air port, in which an air casing (5) is arranged around the air port on the outer side of the furnace wall, in which a drum (12) is arranged inside the air casing and air-tightly connected to the wall of the air casing located opposite to the furnace wall. An opening defined by at least a cover member (14) of the regulating arrangement and at least one lateral wall of the drum is arranged with a restricted extension in the circumferential direction of the drum so as to achieve an air jet in towards and through the air port (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: LT-Produkter Skutskär AB
    Inventor: Tore Eriksson
  • Patent number: 6431073
    Abstract: A device, system and method permitting on-line explosives-based cleaning and deslagging of a fuel burning facility (31) such as a boiler, furnace, incinerator, or scrubber. A coolant, such as ordinary water, is delivered to the explosives (101) to prevent them from detonating due to the heat of the on-line facility. Thus, controlled, appropriately-timed detonation can be initiated as desired, and boiler scale and slag is removed without the need to shut down or cool down the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: North American Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Zilka, Timothy Zilka, Kurt Prouty, Donald Howard
  • Patent number: 6425352
    Abstract: Removal of combustion deposits from a fossil fuel boiler surface is optimized by using a sootblower to direct a cleaning medium in accordance with adjustable operating parameters against a surface of the boiler to remove accumulated deposits. Following the sootblowing operation, a parameter indicative of the extent of deposits remaining on the surface is measured to determine the efficiency of the sootblowing operation with the operating parameters used. If deposit removal is inadequate, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters is adjusted to increase its aggressiveness. If deposit removal is acceptable, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters in adjusted to decrease its aggressiveness, thereby reducing operating costs and/or the risk of damage to boiler surfaces. Additional steps of periodically measuring deposit accumulation and initiating a subsequent sootblowing operation when the deposit accumulation reaches a predetermined level can be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Paul E. Perrone
  • Patent number: 6412449
    Abstract: A lance assembly for insertion into a steam generator chamber includes a hinged support for guiding the lance within the chamber which may be stored easily in a smaller space outside the chamber when not in use. One embodiment of the support has left and right side support guides formed from multiple hinged segments that surround the lance when inside the chamber. The hinges are axially offset from one another along a length of the assembly and pivot in opposite directions so that the guide is rigid inside the chamber yet allowing the lance to move therein. In an alternate embodiment, a single guide is used having multiple hinged segments. The hinged segments are locked in place immediately prior to being fed into the chamber. The segments may be folded over each other for storage in a smaller space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Colin Reid, Dana L. Joudrey
  • Patent number: 6382142
    Abstract: A steam/ironing dual mode cleaning apparatus includes a housing defining a receiving chamber, a water tank unit mounted in the receiving chamber and adapted to hold water, a steam boiler mounted in the receiving chamber and adapted to boil water into steam, and a water pump unit mounted in the receiving chamber and horizontally aligned with the water tank unit and the steam boiler, the water pump unit having a water inlet fitting connected to a water output port of the water tank unit through a first water pipe, a water outlet fitting connected to a water input port of the steam boiler through a second water pipe, and a motor pump controlled to pump water from the water tank unit to the steam boiler for boiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Mitco International Ltd.
    Inventor: Shi-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20020011220
    Abstract: In heat supply equipment provided with a plurality of maintenance object units, secure and prompt servicing and maintenance is implemented and a burden on a person in charge of managing the heat supply equipment is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kayahara, Kazuhiro Tachino, Yasuo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20020002956
    Abstract: Removal of combustion deposits from a fossil fuel boiler surface is optimized by using a sootblower to direct a cleaning medium in accordance with adjustable operating parameters against a surface of the boiler to remove accumulated deposits. Following the sootblowing operation, a parameter indicative of the extent of deposits remaining on the surface is measured to determine the efficiency of the sootblowing operation with the operating parameters used. If deposit removal is inadequate, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters is adjusted to increase its aggressiveness. If deposit removal is acceptable, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters in adjusted to decrease its aggressiveness, thereby reducing operating costs and/or the risk of damage to boiler surfaces. Additional steps of periodically measuring deposit accumulation and initiating a subsequent sootblowing operation when the deposit accumulation reaches a predetermined level can be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: Paul E. Perrone
  • Patent number: 6325025
    Abstract: Removal of combustion deposits from a fossil fuel boiler surface is optimized by using a sootblower to direct a cleaning medium in accordance with adjustable operating parameters against a surface of the boiler to remove accumulated deposits. Following the sootblowing operation, a parameter indicative of the extent of deposits remaining on the surface is measured to determine the efficiency of the sootblowing operation with the operating parameters used. If deposit removal is inadequate, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters is adjusted to increase its aggressiveness. If deposit removal is acceptable, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters in adjusted to decrease its aggressiveness, thereby reducing operating costs and/or the risk of damage to boiler surfaces. Additional steps of periodically measuring deposit accumulation and initiating a subsequent sootblowing operation when the deposit accumulation reaches a predetermined level can be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Synergistics, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul E. Perrone
  • Patent number: 6323442
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring a weight of a deposit that forms on a tube bank independently-suspended by one or more hanger rods within a boiler are characterized by having one or more strain sensors, with each strain sensor affixed to a separate hanger rod. The strain sensors are connected to a logic circuit for reading strain readings from the strain sensors and calculating the weight of the deposit as a function of the strain readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Andrew K. Jones
  • Patent number: 6321690
    Abstract: A device, system and method permitting on-line explosives-based cleaning and deslagging of a fuel burning facility such as a boiler, furnace, incinerator, or scrubber. A coolant, such as ordinary water, is delivered to the explosives to prevent them from detonating due to the heat of the on-line facility. Thus, controlled, appropriately-timed detonation can be initiated as desired, and boiler scale and slag is removed without the need to shut down or cool down the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: North American Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Zilka, Timothy Zilka, Kurt Prouty, Donald Howard, Christopher Scaringe, William Youngs
  • Patent number: 6308774
    Abstract: A method for the cleaning of heat exchange tubes and a collecting device for the collection of deposits from heat exchange tubes, include releasing deposits and collecting the deposits with a collecting vessel. The collecting vessel has an inlet orifice that completely encloses the underside of a tube plate in which exit-side tube ends are disposed. The collecting vessel has an inflatable hose for sealing off the collecting vessel. The collecting vessel is capable of being folded together, so that it can be introduced through a service orifice into the heat exchanger. The collecting vessel provides simple handling and positioning and serves, in particular, for use in a nuclear plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Krämer, Franz Ammann
  • Patent number: 6302064
    Abstract: The flow distribution baffle (14) is placed inside the bundle wrapper (7) of the steam generator, at its lower part,-near the steam generator tube plate. Passing through the flow distribution baffle (14) are openings (17, 18) for the passage of tubes of the steam generator bundle and feedwater. The flow distribution baffle (14) comprises a central zone (15) of more or less circular shape with, as its axis, the axis of the steam generator and a radius (R1) smaller than 40% of the internal radius (R) of the bundle wrapper (7), and a more or less annular peripheral zone between the central zone and the outer edge of the flow distribution baffle (14). In the central zone (15) the openings (17) for the passage of tubes and feedwater in the flow distribution baffle have a cross section (S1), the cross-sectional area of which is greater than the cross-sectional area of the cross section (S2) of the openings (8) for the passage of tubes and feedwater in the peripheral zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Framatome
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Billoue, Bernard Cornu, Daniel Destre
  • Patent number: 6283069
    Abstract: A water lance blower for cleaning heating installations, wherein a water lance (6) is movably (5) arranged with its mouth on or in a hatch (2) and can blow a water jet through the heating installation, which is in operation and is flowed through with flames and/or smoke, onto wall areas (A-E) which can be reached from the hatch (2), wherein the water lance (6) is movable by at least one movement element (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) which is stationarily fixed at one end outside a vertical plane through the point of movement (5) of the water lance (6) to the heating installation and by the other end (7.1, 7.2, 7.3) to the water lance (6), wherein path sensors are provided for precise determination of the position of the water lance (6). Preferably three movement elements (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) are provided, the fixing points (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) of which each form in particular an angle of approximately 80° to 140° to the point of movement (5) of the water lance (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Clyde Bergemann GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Bude, Karl Albers, Stephan Simon
  • Publication number: 20010007247
    Abstract: A device, system and method permitting on-line explosives-based cleaning and deslagging of a fuel burning facility such as a boiler, furnace, incinerator, or scrubber. A coolant, such as ordinary water, is delivered to the explosives to prevent them from detonating due to the heat of the on-line facility. Thus, controlled, appropriately-timed detonation can be initiated as desired, and boiler scale and slag is removed without the need to shut down or cool down the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventors: Francis Zilka, Timothy Zilka, Kurt Prouty, Donald Howard, Christopher Scaringe, William Youngs
  • Patent number: 6101985
    Abstract: A water lance blower for cleaning heating installations, wherein a water lance (6) is movably (5) arranged with its mouth on or in a hatch (2) and can blow a water jet through the heating installation, which is in operation and is flowed through with flames and/or smoke, onto wall areas (A-E) which can be reached from the hatch (2), wherein the water lance (6) is configured in a shortened manner, in that the water supply (11, 10) is bent one or more times by in total more than 70.degree., preferably more than 90.degree. (20, 24; 39). In addition steadying of the flow profile is effected by an expanded calming volume (20) arranged in the end of the water lance (6) lying outside the heating installation, in particular an approximately spherical volume (20), so that the jet quality of the water lance is not impaired. The shortened water lance permits more simple drive mechanisms and adjustment to restricted spatial arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventors: Friedrich Bude, Karl Albers, Stephan Simon
  • Patent number: 6073591
    Abstract: A system for preventing boiler low-water failures, caused by obstruction of the working components of low-water cutoff system, which includes a flushing unit attachment. The flushing unit attaches to the boiler low-water cutoff system in place of a manual blowdown unit. The boiler water make-up line is rerouted through the flushing unit, which is in fluid connection with the low-water cutoff system. When the low-water cutoff system detects a low-water level in the boiler it signals the water make-up line to add make-up water to the boiler. The make-up water is routed through the flushing unit, thereby creating a transverse flow of water in the flushing unit. The transverse flow created by the make-up water flushes rust, scale and other debris from the low-water cutoff system and out of the flushing unit. A discharge water line carries the rust, scale and other debris into the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Levi Theriault
  • Patent number: 6073641
    Abstract: A water lance blower for cleaning heating installations, wherein a water lance (6) is movably (5) arranged with its mouth on or in a hatch (2) and can blow a water jet through the heating installation, which is in operation and is flowed through with flames and/or smoke, onto wall areas which can be reached from the hatch (2), wherein the water lance (6) is movable by at least one movement element, wherein path sensors are provided for precise determination of the position of the water lance (6), and wherein at least the area of the hatch (2) is sealed by a housing (31) to which blocking and flushing medium can be admitted. The water lance blower (6) can be guided along certain pre-calculated or previously memorised lines of movement at pre-calculated or previously memorised speeds, in particular dependent upon the position, by means of the measured values. The supply of blocking and flushing fluid can be controlled by pressure and/or temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Friedrich Bude, Karl Albers, Richard Zachay
  • Patent number: 6065202
    Abstract: A deposit removal high pressure spray apparatus for removing heat conduction inhibiting deposits on U-tubes at the top of a shell and tube type of nuclear steam generator (10) tube bundle (16) by crawling along flanged outboard support beams (18) above the U-tubes bundle. The apparatus includes: a crawler (66) with motive means 68 for "inch worm" movement; a rotationally driven base 62 provides movement of the sprayhead to either side of the outboard support beam; a rotationally driven extension arm 60 on rotating base 62 has an elongated reciprocally driven elevator 58 thereon; and, a wrist 52 reversibly and rotatably driven by motor 54a sweeps sprayhead 52 with nozzles 56 to clean the top of the bundle 16 tube lanes of 90.degree., 45.degree. and 135.degree. efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Power, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Ware, John F. Wallin
  • Patent number: 6050227
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a boiler including a boiler enclosure having a plurality of spaced-apart heat exchange tubes positioned therein comprising a movable support positioned outwardly of the boiler enclosure having a first, elongated hollow pipe extending therefrom which is introduced into the boiler enclosure. A pair of spray arms are mounted on the end of the first pipe and rotate with the pipe to supply high pressure cleaning water onto the tubes so that debris is washed from the heat exchange tubes. An optional cooling jacket is also described which may be positioned around the first pipe for cooling the first pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Meylan Enterprises
    Inventor: Robert R. LaMotte
  • Patent number: 5950572
    Abstract: An opening arrangement in which a sliding plate accommodates a soot blower lance to be inserted into a medium-pressure gas-accommodating space through a tube cage in a boiler heated by waste heat. A soot blower box is provided with an elongated slotted hole. A frame is located between the sliding plate and the slotted opening, and a sheet of ceramic fiber is secured in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jurgen Heering, Klaus Kohnen
  • Patent number: 5873408
    Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of manufacturing heat treatment apparatuses such as furnaces for thermally cracking chemical substances, in particular hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Naphtachimie
    Inventors: Serge Bellet, Guy Louradour, Rebecca Paterson
  • Patent number: 5870977
    Abstract: A boiler in which water is heated by passing through a furnace has a plurality of pipes for carrying water through the furnace. Each pipe is formed from high-carbon steel and is provided with a non-magnetic, electrically conductive inner lining. The lining, which is preferably electrically grounded, may be formed for example from copper metal, copper-filled organosilicon or copper-filled fluoroplastic material. In an alternative, or supplementary, implementation of the invention, the water circulation system of the boiler is provided with a plurality of magnetized granules. The granules, which preferably have a density of between about 0.5.times.10.sup.3 and about 1.0.times.10.sup.3 kg m.sup.-3, are carried through the boiler pipes by the water flow and help to reduce corrosion and scale deposition within the pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: New Devices Engineering a.k.a. Ltd.
    Inventor: Victor Isaevich Adamovski
  • Patent number: 5840130
    Abstract: In a combined gas/steam power plant with a once-through forced-flow steam generator, a separation bottle (25) is connected between the evaporator (22) and the superheater (23). To clean the water/steam circuit, in the full-load or the part-load mode, a larger quantity of water than necessary is conveyed through the economizer (21) and the evaporator (22) via a feed pump (20). The quantity of water is selected such that wet steam passes into the separation bottle (25). This water fraction, together with all the impurities contained therein, is separated in the separation bottle and is drawn off via a clarifying line (29). Overfeeding can be regulated in such a way that the fresh steam temperature corresponds to the nominal value of the respective load point. When cleaning of the water/steam circuit is intended in the full-load mode, and without overfeeding the system, steam from a stage of incomplete evaporation can be extracted out of the evaporator and led into the separation bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Erhard Liebig, Christoph Ruchti
  • Patent number: 5836268
    Abstract: A retractable sootblower, having a movable carriage and lance tube assembly for cleaning inside surfaces of a boiler, includes a stationary starter switch for initiating operation of the sootblower and a cable disposed between the movable assembly and the starter switch for transmitting electrical current from the starter switch to the moveable assembly. A limit switch is mounted to and moveable with the moveable assembly. A stationary switch control device is disposed proximate the boiler and configured to cooperate with the limit switch so as to reverse the direction of movement of the moveable assembly during sootblower operation by reversing the direction of the current to the movable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Davis Wall
  • Patent number: RE38542
    Abstract: An upper bundle steam generator cleaning system including a cleaning head deployment and support device receivable through a hand hole of the steam generator and including retractable cylinders which raise the cleaning head up through the flow slots to position a cleaning head about a flow slot of the upper tube bundles; and a cleaning head mounted with the support device for directing fluid about the tubes of the upper bundles of the steam generator for directing fluid about the tubes of the upper bundles of the steam generator thereby cleaning the generator from the top down flushing deposits downward during the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Ashton, Timothy Lovett, Daniel L. Fischbach