Abstract: The steam saving device for a steam explosion system for the hydrothermal pre-treatment of biomass comprises a tubular body 30 with a first open end 32 and a second open end 34. The first open end 32 being adapted to be coupled to an outlet opening 14 of a steam explosion reactor vessel 10, the second open end 34 being adapted to be coupled to a discharge line 18. The inner surface 36 of the tubular body 30 of the nozzle 16 may comprise an engraved helical structure 38.

Abstract: An adaptive equalizer with coefficients determined by averaging an estimated filter coefficient over a number, N, of past and future symbols. Estimated filter coefficients may be optimized by optimization of the number N, an averaging window function and a scaling factor using a metric. The metric also allows estimation of the amount of noise that may be compensated by an adaptive equalizer consistent with the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method for generating steam from a feedwater inlet stream including impurities is disclosed. The method involves receiving the feedwater inlet stream at an inlet of a steam generator and causing the feedwater stream to flow through a tubing circuit to an outlet of the tubing circuit, the tubing circuit having a substantially un-rifled bore defined by a metal wall. The method also involves delivering a heat flux to the feedwater stream through the metal wall of the tubing circuit to generate steam by causing evaporation of feedwater within the tubing circuit, and controlling at least one of a flow rate of the feedwater stream and the heat flux to cause generation of an outlet stream at the outlet includes a steam portion and liquid phase portion, the steam portion being greater than about 80% of the outlet stream by mass. The steam portion provides sufficient cooling of the metal wall to maintain a wall temperature at less than a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for generating a steam flow for a solar-thermal power plant, including a casing for receiving a casing-side fluid, pipes arranged within the casing for a pipe-side fluid, and a fluid inlet conduit which is connected to an inlet opening for the casing-side fluid and which encloses at least a part of the pipes in such a manner that the fluid inlet conduit is configured as a preheater and/or a flow director for the casing-side fluid entering the casing, wherein heat is transmitted via the pipes from the pipe-side fluid to the casing-side fluid. The casing-side fluid is water, and the pipe-side fluid is a thermal oil or salt.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be a fired heater for a hydrocarbon conversion process. The fired heater includes inlet and outlet headers or manifolds, a set of heater tubes with each heater tube having an inlet and an outlet, at least one restriction orifice adjacent the inlet of at least one heater tube. The restriction orifice may be within the inlet manifold and adjacent the inlet of a heater tube, or between the inlet manifold and the inlet to the heater tube. A process may include passing a hydrocarbon stream through the fired heater described herein during the course of operating a hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are storage type water heaters having means for improved mixing of cold water supply with water stored in the water tank of a water heater, means for limiting surges of water into and out of a water tank, and means for disrupting formation and propagation of convection currents and water streamers in a water tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for introducing black liquor into a furnace of a recovery boiler, said arrangement comprising an elongated tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface, through which tube the black liquor being fed into the furnace is supplied, whereby the black liquor is taken into contact with said interior surface prior to being sprayed into the furnace. The interior surface of said elongated tube is provided with heat transfer elements and surfaces, such as fins or grooves. The heat transfer element or surface increases the heat conductivity between the tube and the black liquor above the conductivity achieved with a normal tube passage.

Abstract: A feed water preheater has an integral desuperheater and an integral supercooler through which passes the feed water tube bundle. To prevent the penetration of steam into the supercooler at the point where the feed water tube bundle passes from the supercooler into the condensation space through a support plate, the tubes of the tube bundle are surrounded by sleeves which are fixed to the support plate. Steam flowing through the sleeves condenses and fills the sleeves to prevent the entry of steam into the supercooler. Sleeves are also provided at points where the tubes pass between the desuperheater and condensation space to reduce the velocity of steam traveling from the former to the latter. The latter sleeves can be oriented vertically in the case of a vertical preheater, as long as they are longer than the thickness of condensate disposed on the support plate in the condensation space.