Water Tube Boiler Patents (Class 122/392)
  • Patent number: 11326844
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers may include a cleaning lance for cleaning a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger and an examination lance for examining a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger. The apparatus may further include a first feeder configured to extend and retract the cleaning lance and a second feeder configured to extend and retract the examination lance. The apparatus may further include a controller configured to control the first feeder to feed the cleaning lance into a first bore, to control the cleaning lance to clean the first bore, and to control the first feeder to retract the cleaning lance from the first bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Amerapex NDT LLC
    Inventors: John Ferguson, Deric Puckitt, Steven Christopher, William Parker
  • Patent number: 11192154
    Abstract: A Knuckle Jointed Lance (KJL), comprising a segmented lance including a plurality of elongate and hollow KJL segments in a concatenated string thereof. The first segment end of one KJL segment is rotatably connected to the second segment end of a neighboring KJL segment via a pinned connection. Neighboring pairs of KJL segments together provide an interlocking toothed connection such that each interlocking toothed connection restrains relative torsional displacement between the neighboring pair of KJL segments. In other embodiments, pinned connections also provide ears, each with cooperating ear ledges and ear ledge recesses to strengthen the pinned connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Thomas Engineering Solutions & Consulting, LLC
    Inventor: William C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11105569
    Abstract: A heat exchanger cleaning arrangement includes a spray tube array configured to be attached to a heat exchanger. The spray tube array includes at least one tube, a plurality of nozzles, and a connector. The plurality of nozzles is configured to port pressurized fluid from the at least one tube toward the heat exchanger. The connector is in operable communication with the spray bar array and is configured such that a pressurized fluid source can be attached to the connector for porting fluid from the pressurized fluid source to the plurality of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Pess, Donald E. Army
  • Patent number: 10907822
    Abstract: The present provides a waste heat boiler and a hammering device, a heating tube mounting structure thereof. The waste heat boiler which a boiler, heating tubes provided in the boiler and a hammering device; the boiler is provided with an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet; the heating tubes are in a horizontal grid tube arrangement; a surface of the heating tubes is provided with fins, and the heating tubes are connected to support assemblies in an unfixed way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: ANHUI CONCH KAWASAKI ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ANHUI CONCH KAWASAKI ENERGY CONSERVATION EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yukihiro Takenaka, Fengwa Zhao, Chuanli Kao, Tatsuo Ino, Mihan Zhao, Takuro Nozoe, Hao Zhang, Xiaobing Wang, Ning Wang, Jieyu Xiao, Wei Fang, Dazhu Liu, Jian Zhou
  • Patent number: 10670546
    Abstract: A process fluid temperature calculation system includes a first temperature sensor disposed to measure an external temperature of a process fluid conduit. The process fluid temperature calculation system has a stem portion having a known thermal impedance. A second temperature sensor is spaced from the first temperature sensor by the stem portion. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the first and second temperature sensors. A microprocessor is coupled to the measurement circuitry to receive temperature information from the measurement circuitry and to provide an estimate of temperature of process fluid within the process fluid conduit using a heat flux calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Jason H. Rud, Yury Nickolayevich Kuznetsov, Sait Saitovich Garipov, Aleksey Aleksandrovich Krivonogov, Sergey Andreyevich Fomchenko, Vladimir Victorovich Repyevsky
  • Patent number: 10502510
    Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a shell having an interior with an inlet and an outlet wherein a first fluid circuit is defined from the inlet, through a heat exchange volume within the interior of the shell, to the outlet. A tubesheet is mounted within the shell dividing between the heat exchange volume and a plenum of a second fluid circuit within the interior of the shell. A set of tubes extends through the heat exchange volume, a respective interior passage of each tube being in fluid communication with the plenum through a respective opening though the tubesheet. The second fluid circuit includes the plenum and interior passages of the tubes. A spray nozzle is mounted in the plenum of the second fluid circuit with a spray outlet directed toward the tubesheet for cleaning the tubesheet with a submerged impingement jet issued from the spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Babcock Power Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Nitzken
  • Patent number: 10400916
    Abstract: A T-piece preformer for forming a T-piece in a pipe-in-pipe (PIP) pipeline for a marine environment, the PIP pipeline has at least inner and outer pipes having an annular space thereinbetween, and one or more cables extending along the annular space. The T-piece preformer includes at least: (a) inner and outer longitudinal collars; (b) annular walls between the inner and outer collars; (c) cable apertures through each annular wall; and (d) one or more guide points on the outer collar radially offset from the or each cable apertures, to guidance for a hole into the T-piece performer. The T-piece preformer can be assembled into a PIP pipeline, and requires a final hole during laying. The T-piece preformer has cable apertures through each annular wall, for allowing continuation of cables in the annular space through the PIP pipeline and T-piece preformer, and the T-piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: TECHNIP FRANCE
    Inventors: Brian Lynch, Dominique-Louis Delaporte, Dominique Popineau, Henri Marie Louis Robert Romazzotti
  • Patent number: 10087104
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for improving the combustion of a secondary fuel supplied in a first stream in a rotary kiln, wherein the rotary kiln has a burner assembly comprising a main burner and a plurality of feed channels for various media, of which one is designed for the supply of a secondary fuel, in particular in the form of particles or shreds in a stream of compressed air. According to the invention, a tubular oxygen lance for an oxygen-rich gas, in particular, technical grade gaseous oxygen, or an oxygen-rich liquid, in particular, technical grade liquid oxygen, with an angled nozzle at its end, is arranged in or on a feed channel of the burner assembly, whereby the oxygen lance is brought into such a position that the oxygen emerging from a nozzle forms a second stream that strikes a first stream of secondary fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Frank Rheker, Dirk Hölscher, Robert Klein
  • Patent number: 9839925
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a submerged surface covered by a liquid medium includes injecting a cleaning liquid with a submerged fluid jet through the liquid medium at the submerged surface. The method may also include introducing at least one of a non-reactive gas and a reactive gas with the cleaning liquid through the submerged fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, Brian S. Triplett, Brett J. Dooies
  • Publication number: 20150007782
    Abstract: Systems and methodologies for detection and monitoring of the soot build up and clinker formation in coal fired power stations in which there is disclosed early identification of soot build up and hard sintered formation and adopting corrective measures for soot cleaning by automatic cleaning events based on observed levels of heat transfer within the boiler region of the power station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: IT-1 ENERGY PTY LTD
    Inventor: Vladimir Medic
  • Patent number: 8924024
    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 state 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: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: NeuCo, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Curt Lefebvre, Daniel W. Kohn
  • Publication number: 20140261247
    Abstract: A sootblower having a nozzle that includes one or more deep reaching jets aligned with its respective platen bank to clean slag deposits inset from the leading edge of the platen bank. The nozzle also includes one or more edge cleaning jets substantially angled with respect to the platen bank for cleaning the leading edges of the platen bank. For most applications, the major axis of the sootblower is perpendicular to the major axis of its respective platen bank, resulting in a sootblower with a nozzle having angled and perpendicular jets, referred to as angled-perpendicular nozzles. The jet sizes are selected to balance the opposing components of force perpendicular to the sootblower to avoid the imposition of torque on the lance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CLYDE BERGEMANN POWER GROUP AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Danny S. Tandra
  • Patent number: 8800500
    Abstract: A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Eric R. Haberman, Jerod J. Rudish, David W. Selfridge
  • Patent number: 8757104
    Abstract: A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Eric R. Haberman, Jerod J. Rudish, David W. Selfridge
  • Patent number: 8646416
    Abstract: A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Eric R. Haberman, Jerod J. Rudish, David W. Selfridge
  • Patent number: 8628629
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and other embodiments associated with cleaning elongated tubes are presented. An apparatus includes a rail, a lance a cart and a door. The rail has a left side and a right side. The lance sprays material into elongated tubes. The first cart supports the lance the cart can move in the rail in a forward direction and in a reverse direction. The first door is movably attached to the rail and moves to an open position when the cart moves in the forward direction and moves to a closed position when the cart moves in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Terydon, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry D. Gromes, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8578551
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of rebuilding a sootblowing system of a recovery furnace, said sootblowing system including a plurality of sootblowers (1), and each sootblower (1) including a frame (10), a moveable carriage (14) supported by the frame (10), a motor (2) for moving the carriage (14), a lance tube (11) mounted on the carriage (14) to be insertable into and retractable from the recovery furnace (8), said lance tube (11) having at least one nozzle (12), and a steam feed tube (45, 35, 15) connected to the lance tube (11) for feeding sootblowing steam to be ejected through said at least one nozzle (12) into the recovery furnace, said steam feed tube (45, 35, 15) having a first valve (3) arranged to admit steam through said at least one nozzle (12) only when the carriage with the lance tube (11) is in an activated position, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Soottech Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Erik Dahlén, Daniel Eliasson
  • Patent number: 8498746
    Abstract: A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: NeuCo, Inc.
    Inventors: John Robert James, John McDermott, Stephen Piche, Fred Pickard, Neel J. Parikh
  • Publication number: 20130152973
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method for cleaning heat transfer surfaces in a boiler using a temperature measuring system for measuring and monitoring wall temperature of an annular wall of the tube of a lance of one or more sootblowers. Controlling a flow of steam or other fluid through the tube during the cooling portions of the strokes based on wall temperature measurements from the temperature measuring system. Infrared or thermocouple temperature measuring systems may be used. The steam or other fluid may be flowed at a default flowrate that may be substantially zero until the temperature measuring system indicates the wall temperature of the annular wall begins to exceed a predetermined temperature limit which may be the softening point of the annular wall. Then the steam or other fluid is flowed at a rate greater than the default flowrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8447431
    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 state 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: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: NeuCo, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Curt Lefebvre, Daniel W. Kohn
  • Patent number: 8381690
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method for cleaning heat transfer surfaces in a boiler using a temperature measuring system for measuring and monitoring wall temperature of an annular wall of the tube of a lance of one or more sootblowers. Controlling a flow of steam or other fluid through the tube during the cooling portions of the strokes based on wall temperature measurements from the temperature measuring system. Infrared or thermocouple temperature measuring systems may be used. The steam or other fluid may be flowed at a default flowrate that may be substantially zero until the temperature measuring system indicates the wall temperature of the annular wall begins to exceed a predetermined temperature limit which may be the softening point of the annular wall. Then the steam or other fluid is flowed at a rate greater than the default flowrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Andrew K Jones
  • Patent number: 8340824
    Abstract: A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: NeuCo, Inc.
    Inventors: John Robert James, John McDermott, Stephen Piche, Fred Pickard, Neel J. Parikh
  • Patent number: 8238510
    Abstract: A method of cleaning sludge from the tube sheet (34) of a nuclear steam generator (10) includes introducing a moveable sludge lance (76) said moveable sludge lance having duel lance heads (77) through handholes (62) in the side of the generator and into a central tube lane (60) having a central stay rod (61) and sludge lancing with high pressure fluid through the row 1 tubes (85) in the tube lane, where the distance (200) between the dual lance heads (77) is wide enough to allow the dual lance heads to extend beyond the central stay rod (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Eric R. Haberman
  • Publication number: 20110232545
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct contact steam generation for a variety of industrial processes including heavy oil recovery, power generation and pulp and paper applications. The steam generation system consists of a combustor (10) and a steam generator (70) and is constructed to be operable at elevated pressures. The fuel, at least one oxidant and a fluid supply including water are supplied at pressure to the combustor. Flue gas from the combustor (10) is delivered to the direct contact steam generator (70) at pressure, and upon direct contact with water, produces a flue gas stream consisting primarily of steam. This product stream can then be cleansed and used for industrial applications. The combustor (10) can be operated with low grade fuel and low quality water with high solids and hydrocarbon contents. The apparatus and method reduce the environmental footprint by reducing air emission, concentrating CO2 to enable capture and reducing clean water requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Clements
  • Publication number: 20110132282
    Abstract: This disclosure may relate generally to systems, devices, and methods for a injecting a solid compound in line with a pressurized fluid, typically through a sootblower, to be delivered to targeted areas on the inside of a utility furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher L. Abeyta
  • Publication number: 20100199930
    Abstract: A sootblower having a nozzle that includes one or more deep reaching jets aligned with its respective platen bank to clean slag deposits inset from the leading edge of the platen bank. The nozzle also includes one or more edge cleaning jets substantially angled with respect to the platen bank for cleaning the leading edges of the platen bank. For most applications, the major axis of the sootblower is perpendicular to the major axis of its respective platen bank, resulting in a sootblower with a nozzle having angled and perpendicular jets, referred to as angled-perpendicular nozzles. The jet sizes are selected to balance the opposing components of force perpendicular to the sootblower to avoid the imposition of torque on the lance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Danny S. Tandra
  • Publication number: 20090010378
    Abstract: A method of cleaning sludge from the tube sheet (34) of a nuclear steam generator (10) includes introducing a moveable sludge lance (76) said moveable sludge lance having duel lance heads (77) through handholes (62) in the side of the generator and into a central tube lane (60) having a central stay rod (61) and sludge lancing with high pressure fluid through the row 1 tubes (85) in the tube lane, where the distance (200) between the dual lance heads (77) is wide enough to allow the dual lance heads to extend beyond the central stay rod (61).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Eric R. HABERMAN
  • Patent number: 7458342
    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 state 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: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: NeuCo, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Curt Lefebvre, Daniel W. Kohn
  • Patent number: 7367288
    Abstract: An upper bundle cleaning system of steam generator is disclosed which can clean heat transfer tubes and a plurality of tube support plates that support the heat transfer tubes and have slots, using a cleaning device transferred along a guide rail installed to an upper hand hole of the steam generator. The cleaning device is installed to an ascending/descending mechanism which is vertically transferable. The cleaning device includes a frame, at least one or more guide component, a spray component, and a hinge unit, such that the cleaning device is ascended and descended by the ascending/descending mechanism to clean the heat transfer tubes and the tube support plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventor: Kyung-sub Kim
  • Patent number: 7162981
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivering tooling, suction pickup, and alignment platforms to a stay dome region of a stem generator or the tube-free lane regions adjacent to the stay dome region and includes a suction device positioned in the stay dome region of a steam generator capable of rotating 360° about a vertical axis which also acts as a platform for mounting inter-bundle tooling and alignment devices used to position the suction device radially at any given tube location around the stay dome region to align it with an annulus based spray nozzle tube cleaning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Framatome Anp, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Leon Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7028926
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a sootblower design incorporates a downstream nozzle positioned on a nozzle block body and an upstream nozzle positioned longitudinally from the position of the downstream nozzle farther from a distal end of the nozzle block than that of the downstream nozzle. The upstream nozzle has a geometry that is different than the geometry of the downstream nozzle. By having nozzles of different geometries, each nozzle can be individually optimized for the flow conditions each nozzle experiences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony F. Habib, David L. Keller, Steven R. Fortner
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20010014992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in a cleaning installation for removing soot or similar inside deposits in a flow channel in a processing system such as a boiler, heat exchanger, flue gas filter or the like, by intermittently blasting a fluid or gaseous medium into the processing system, said device comprising a flow passage between the associated valve means and the flow channel, wherein the flow passage is provided with an inlet allowing for a continuous flow of protective gas around the flow passage into the flow channel in the processing system. By the present invention, corrosion is reduced since a cushion of air is generated at the end of the flow passage during off-cycles of the cleaning operation as air is constantly drawn or forced in through the inlet. This means that the components are covered by this cushion and protected against corrosive gasses in the heat exchanger or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: OKR Cleaning
    Inventor: Knud Sundgaard
  • Patent number: 6192904
    Abstract: A flexible lance for machining or inspecting a tube bottom of a steam generator includes a flexible metallic strip which has recesses disposed one after the other in its longitudinal direction. A flexible supply line is threaded through the recesses and a machining or inspection head is disposed on a free end of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Otto Secknus, Rudolf Henglein
  • Patent number: 6170117
    Abstract: A multiple rake sootblower reciprocates over an area to clean an entire surface using a minimum of space for the sootblower stroke. An internal valving manifold and a plurality of bushings inside of a plenum isolate the rakes from each other and operate one rake at a time. This maintains the required sootblowing media pressure at the nozzles of each of the rakes. The internal valving manifold may either be reciprocated or rotated to select the desired rake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Batt
  • Patent number: 6145583
    Abstract: A device for inspecting the interior of steam generators capable of visually inspecting interior of tubes in steam generators, including upper portions steam generator tubes, tops and bottoms of support plates, wrapper-to-support plate welds, and other internal structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: R. Brooks Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gay, Terry M. Radigan, Gregory J. Yadzinski, William J. Harris, Cedric G. Chang, Donald R. Lefebvre
  • 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: 6092491
    Abstract: A washer for the flueways of a boiler which has an adjustable collar that is inserted between the boiler hood and the exhaust pipe. The collar has an opening through which a spray nozzle is inserted. The spray nozzle is connect to a hot water supply, and has a low voltage solenoid valve which can be connected to a thermostat to turn on and off the supply of hot water as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: William Masters
  • 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: 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