Abstract: A device for cleaning a combustion device such as a boiler coincidentally with operation of the boiler. The apparatus comprises a means for rotation of a lance and rotatable cleaning head attached to the lance. The lance also moves in a linear direction and out of a combustion chamber. The invention requires the presence of the linear and rotational driving mechanism exterior to the boiler to allow operation of the device while the combustion chamber is at high temperature. During operation, a high pressure water jet is expelled from the nozzles of the rotatable cleaning apparatus at greater than 10,000 psi. A microprocessor controls the system to allow a repeatable, consistent, and tailored cleaning of the internal components of a combustion device.

Abstract: Tube lane blocking is accomplished by a plurality of removable blocks which can be fitted and extracted from the central region, in the inner casing of the steam generator. The blocks are superposed in a stack resting on the tube plate, and are immobilized at their ends by a holding fixture. An anti-liftoff blocking member at opposite ends of the blocks prevents them from being lifted off the tube plate. When maintenance or repair of the tube plate is required, the holding fixture and anti-liftoff blocking member can be withdrawn in order to permit access to the tube plate and the adjacent tube bundle.

Abstract: A steam generator for supplying steam to cooking equipment comprises a water-filled boiler comprising an automatic, level-regulated water emission, a steam discharge for automatic introduction of hot steam into a cooking chamber for the cooking equipment as needed, a heating unit operating at intervals and a decalcification arrangement having a water drain arranged close to the floor and to a side wall of the boiler for, as needed, at least partial emptying of the boiler for the purpose of flushing-out lime particles that flake off and collect on the floor of the boiler. Preferably, the decalcification arrangement comprises an arrangement for generating a flow in the steam generator that automatically kicks in at preferably adjustable intervals dependent on the operating duration and/or temperature of the heating unit to supply water to an elimination device.

Abstract: A steam generator includes a vertically elongated housing. A horizontal tube plate and a U-shaped tube bundle are disposed in the housing. The tube bundle has mutually spaced apart legs defining an intermediate space therebetween and tube ends disposed in the tube plate. The tube plate has a horizontal blow-down line formed therein. The tube plate has holes formed therein leading from the blow-down line into the intermediate space.

Abstract: Built-up deposits on the top surface of a tubesheet and on adjacent tube sections in a tube bundle heat exchanger are removed by inducing vigorous turbulent flow of cleaning liquid radially along the surface of the tubesheet by repetitively and periodically injecting gas pulses into the liquid to form an expanding and retracting gas bubble proximate the plate center. The gas pulse rise time is smoothed by controlling the actuation time of a discharge valve and by a surge volume downstream of the valve to thereby avoid harmful pressure shock waves in the heat exchanger. The cleaning liquid is recirculated through an external filter loop to remove suspended foreign materials dislodged by the turbulent flow.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for preventing the formation of stagnate volumes and associated sludge deposition sites in the lower central regions of the steam generating fluid contained in a vertical-tube heat exchanger of a steam generator. The fluid in the steam generator is injected into the heat exchanger by diametrically-opposed flow vanes which direct the fluid in opposite directions near the central region of a heating tube support plate or tube sheet at the lower end of the heat exchanger. The fluid is injected closely adjacent and parallel to the tube sheet surface to thereby induce an initial rotational flow in the fluid, the rotational flow thus introduces horizontal and outwardly directed radial flow components into the vertically flowing fluid in the generator. The unique construction of the flow vanes induces a complex system of vertical, radial and rotational (horizontal) flow components into the steam generating fluid.

Abstract: The invention represents part of well known solar drain-back systems which store and transfer the collected solar heat to a conventional home hot water system. Heat transfer occurs only while hot water is being drawn, i.e. during water flow through heat exchangers located in a solar liquid storage tank. A thermally well insulated liquid storage tank receives heat by circulating the stored liquid over a conduit through solar energy collectors which are located such that gravitational drainage of the liquid back to the tank is assured. The unpressurized and vented liquid storage tank has external level indicator for seasonal changes of liquid storage volumes.A pipe having heat exchange turns is located in the area above the highest of the variable liquid storage levels in the tank, the pipe and conduit are sealed to form a double pipe counterflow section. A pump when active, circulates the liquid from near the bottom of the tank to the solar heater and then to the conduit.

Abstract: A scale agitator for tank type liquid heaters employs a flexible non-cathodic tube through which liquid can flow. The liquid can be obtained from the tank or the supply of makeup liquid to be heated can be used. The tube may be fastened to a clean-out cover mounted to the exterior of the tank so that the tube can be inserted into and removed from the tank through the opening behind the clean-out cover.

Abstract: A steam generator includes a vertically elongated housing. A horizontal tube plate and a U-shaped tube bundle are disposed in the housing. The tube bundle has mutually spaced apart legs defining an intermediate space therebetween and tube ends disposed in the tube plate. The tube plate has a horizontal blow-down line formed therein over the width of the tube bundle. The tube plate has vertical bores formed therein leading from the blow-down line into the intermediate space.

Abstract: A sludge trap, or mud drum, for use in nuclear steam generators includes internal baffles defining multiple laminar flow paths having decreased vertical settling distances. The baffling arrangements take advantage of the diverging nature of circular geometry of sludge traps such that flow path cross-sectional areas are maintained and increased in the direction of flow, to avoid undesired, detrimental flow acceleration; turbulence as well is minimized, thereby to achieve a desired quiescent environment for effective gravitational settlement of sediment and particulate matter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing from the tube sheet and transfer tubes of a nuclear steam generator sludge deposits which occur from the use of all volatile treatment water chemistry. A continuously activated suction apparatus maintains at a low level the water/sludge inventory on the tube sheet. A high pressure first water lance is oscillated and stepped inwardly along the central tube lane of the generator to dislodge the sludge from the tube plate and heat exchange tubes. After this lance has been stepped inwardly to a predetermined position, a low pressure second water lance is activated and periodically advanced to a position just short of the first lance and functions both to dislodge sludge and to form a water barrier which prevents redeposition of sludge in the clean area.

Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger (2) having a vertical dam (50) surrounding one of the steam-water separators (26a), so as to create a low flow velocity or quiescent area where solids will settle out. The dam encircles an area seven times greater than the average area per-separator throughout the rest of separating deck, so that there is a low flow velocity. Also, an orifice (52) is positioned in the inlet to the dammed in separator, to further reduce the flow velocity. The settled out solids are removed from the steam generator through a blowdown pipe (60).

Abstract: A sludge trap, or mud drum, for use in nuclear steam generators includes internal baffles defining multiple laminar flow paths having decreased vertical settling distances. The baffling arrangements take advantage of the diverging nature of circular geometry of sludge traps such that flow path cross-sectional areas are maintained and increased in the direction of flow, to avoid undesired, detrimental flow acceleration; turbulence as well is minimized, thereby to achieve a desired quiescent environment for effective gravitational settlement of sediment and particulate matter.

Abstract: The high-pressure lance is shiftably mounted in a bearing bush which is swingably mounted in a base which is to be secured over an opening in the wall of the steam generator. On the base are mounted a revolving cylinder which can swing the bearing bush to-and-fro over 180.degree. and a cylinder-piston unit which can shift the lance. A pneumatic control mechanism couples the lance either by means of clamping-cylinders to the bearing bush during its swinging or by means of another clamping cylinder to the piston of the cylinder-piston unit during its shifting.

Abstract: A blowdown apparatus for effectuating the removal of contaminants entrained within the boiler water of a vapor generator. The apparatus comprising a perforated blowdown pipe vertically oriented within the generator. In addition, a blowdown and drain connection is provided near the lower end of the pipe so that contaminant bearing blowdown fluid may be expelled from the generator.