Abstract: There is provided a fluidized bed combustor comprising an economizer contained in an upper interior portion and indirect heat exchange conduits suspended in the lower interior portion of the fluidized bed combustor in spaced relation to the interior surfaces of the fluidized bed combustor.

Abstract: A device for fixing a panel of horizontal heat-exchange tubes on vertical tubes 1 or beams provided with longitudinal fins 2. It includes a series of shoulders 4 having upwardly projecting rims on the fins, parts 6 which form latches having noses 9 by which they are fixed on these rims and dogs 14 installed in holes 12 in the lower portions of the parts which form latches. The shoulders, the parts which form latches and the dogs co-operate to prevent the panel of tubes from being detached when it is positioned.

Abstract: The combustion chamber wall consists of tubes which are inclined to the horizontal and which are welded to one another in a gas-tight relationship via webs. Pairs of vertical tension strips bear against the outside of the combustion chamber wall. Each pair is connected to the wall tubes via a plurality of sheet-metal strips distributed over the height of the combustion chamber wall. The sheet-metal strips are disposed perpendicularly to the combustion chamber wall plane and are cut out in the form of a comb at the edge connected to the wall tubes.

Abstract: The reactor for the production of CO and H.sub.2 containing gases by means of a partial oxidation of powdery or liquid high ash fuels in a carburation fluid including free oxygen, at high temperatures and increased pressure, includes a pressure vessel enclosing a gas-tight housing whereby an interspace is formed between the inner wall of the vessel and the outer surface of the housing. Within the housing is arranged a cooling wall enclosing the reaction chamber proper. The cooling wall includes a coil of cooling pipes embedded in a mass of refractory material such as silicium carbide. The pipes are partially supported on web sections projecting from the inner surface of the housing into the refractory lining. The web sections prevent propagation of leaking hot gas from the reaction chamber along the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A tube support structure for a helically coiled fluid heat exchanger including a plurality of support strips interconnected by a plurality of support members. Two tubes are nested between support members against a support strip, a spring plate is placed over the tubes and a second strip is pressed on the assembly to the desired spring pressure and affixed.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is mounted in the upper portion of a fluidized combusting bed for the control of the temperature of the bed. A support, made up of tubes, is extended from the perforated plate of the fluidized bed up to the heat exchanger. The tubular support framework for the heat exchanger has liquid circulated therethrough to prevent deterioration of the support.

Abstract: Floatable tube sheets are provided for use in a reformer furnace or the like wherein a plurality of vertically oriented catalyst tubes are disposed in the fire box with the upper tube ends extending through the fire box roof. The tube sheets are located proximate apertures or channels in the roof through which the upper tube ends protrude and provide a seal to substantially minimize air leakage through the roof. At the same time, the tube sheet plates permit vertical expansion and contraction of the tubes. The tube sheet plates themselves are moveably mounted to the roof so that they can float vertically upwardly and downwardly through a limited distance so as to compensate for tube movement in those instances in which the tubes become bent or bowed during operation. At least a pair of contiguous tube sheet plates surround each tube to facilitate easy tube sheet removal without resulting in attendant removal of any neighboring tubes or, in some instances, furnace shutoff.

Abstract: A support arrangement for horizontal tubes (14) located in a gas pass. Vertical hanger tubes (20) have longitudinal fins (30) on opposite sides thereof, and a U strap (32) is arranged to surround the horizontal tube to be supported with the U strap welded only to the longitudinal fin.

Abstract: The retort chamber for generating gas by applying hot steam to coal in a fluidized bed is heated by meandering tubes, dipping into the bed, and being suspended from long, hollow boxes which, in turn, are particularly suspended in the retort chamber. The boxes support also manifold tubes connected to the heating tubes and being further connected to a heating fluid feed and distribution as well as a collecting and discharge system.

Abstract: A vapor generator is described wherein cross-over loops joining two different tube bundles are positioned in a stagnant area out of the flow of the heating fluid, thus reducing the tube metal temperatures in a highly stressed area. Tube anchor devices are provided to reduce expansion movement and stresses while permitting some relative movement and providing support during seismic disturbances.

Abstract: A vapor generator is provided for producing vapor such as steam to be used for heavy oil recovery and the like. The vapor generator includes an octagonal cross-section furnace, which has evaporator surface arranged to allow for heating of said fluid to final evaporation in a relatively low heat flux portion of the generator to lessen the likelihood of scale formation on heat transfer elements of the vapor generator.

Abstract: An improved rod-baffled heat exchanger in which the tube bundle thereof comprises a plurality of tubes supported intermediate their ends by at least one outer support ring and a plurality of baffle rods carried by the outer ring and extending between parallel tube rows. The baffle rods are movable from a first position wherein the tubes adjacent thereto are loosely supported by the rods to facilitate assembly, to a second position wherein the tubes are firmly engaged and radially supported by the rods. Various novel forms of baffle rods are disclosed along with a novel method of construction of the improved heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for top-supporting a steam generator from a frame which is connected to a base. A plurality of dampers are connected between upstanding frame members and the steam generator, acting to absorb a portion of the energy resulting from dynamic loads imparted between the frame and the steam generator.

Abstract: A system for supporting a bundle of tubes against lateral movement in a heat exchanger, such as a nuclear power plant steam generator, wherein spring collar devices positioned at intervals along the tubes permit lateral movement of the tubes but prevent any relative movement between the tube and its associated spring collar device. Any lateral movement is between adjacent spring collar devices. With this arrangement, fretting and corrosion between the outer surfaces of the tubes and their lateral support members are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: Arrangements for supporting a heat exchanger core within a steel frame structure by a hanger system utilizing flexible members pivotably coupled to overhead support beams. Balancing beams are employed to equalize the load transmitted through the system to the support beams. These support systems permit the heat exchanger core to expand in all directions from thermal growth without restraint relative to the frame structure, thereby minimizing thermal fatigue.

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.

Abstract: In a counterflow non-contact heat exchanger, tube bundles carry fluid back and forth across a hot gas path. As the fluid in the tubes flows vertically downward the temperature of the fluid rises. As the gas rises in the heat exchanger it loses heat due to the heat exchange process. This means that the temperature profile of a tube bundle will show a greater thermal expansion in the lower tubes. The present invention seeks to provide an efficient and improved support arrangement for heat exchanger tubes to accommodate this phenomenon by supplying a pivotally mounted tube support plate which will rotate and translate slightly from a substantially vertical plane to accommodate thermal expansion. Further, if there are multiple tube bundles, additional tube support plate sections will allow a tube support plate to articulate in sections to accommodate thermal movement.

Abstract: A tubesheet for supporting closely spaced heat exchange tubes includes a plurality of sleeves or similar tubular members, through which the heat exchange tubes pass, disposed within a frame such that the longitudinal axes of all the tubular members are parallel. Preferably, each tubular member is welded or otherwise attached to the tubular member adjoining it. The frame is comprised of flanges that are normally welded or otherwise attached to the tubular members that adjoin them. The resultant tubesheet is stronger than conventional tubesheets having the same length of bridge wall separating the tube openings and therefore may be used to obtain a smaller than normal spacing between the tubes.

Abstract: The air cooler section of a steam condenser which is normally untubed is provided with tubes thereby increasing the capacity and/or efficiency of the condenser without interfering with the longitudinal flow of vapor.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a battery of rectilinear tubes of synthetic plastic material connected at their respective ends to headers. At least one of the headers is fixed to the wall of the tower and the remainder of the exchanger is mounted by suspension members to allow free expansion of the tubes of the battery.

Abstract: A safety topdeck for a boiler having a cylindrical shell including a generally horizontal walkway and a frame for supporting the walkway on the cylindrical shell comprising laterally spaced apart, generally upstanding support legs and mechanism for mounting the support legs to opposite sides of the cylindrical shell.

Abstract: A plate tube spacer structure operable for concomitantly effecting both the spacing and the supporting of the individual tubes of a tube bundle, the latter commonly constituting one of the components of a conventionally constructed heat exchanger. The subject plate tube spacer structure includes a plurality of elongated plates that are suitably disposed in stacked, spaced relation so as to allow for a layer of tubes to be interposed between each pair of adjacent plates. The plates each have a multiplicity of tube engaging means formed along each longitudinally extending side edge thereof. The multiplicity of tube engaging means are suitably disposed so as to effectively provide each plate with two parallel rows thereof. The arrangement of the rows of tube engaging means of each plate is such that the multiplicity of tube engaging means of one row thereof are aligned with, but face in a direction opposite to that of the multiplicity of tube engaging means of the other row thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grate for supporting tube plates for assembling in a steam generator or the like. The grate is characterized in that the ends of the plates forming the grating penetrate into and are received, at least partially, without any longitudinal gap or clearance in grooves in the frame body, which frame is preferably formed by three rings, at least partially superimposed, of which the intermediate ring has said grooves, while the other two upper and lower rings are secured to said intermediate ring and enclose therebetween the ends of the individual plates threaded in the grooves of the intermediate ring; a diametrical stiffening device secured by welding is also provided. It is the object of the invention to provide an economical and efficient grate allowing to avoid welding of the plates to one another and between said plates and frame, while ensuring the greatest reliability.

Abstract: There is provided a heat exchanger apparatus comprising a plurality of mutually identical heat exchanger coils. Each coil has the shape of a cup. The coils are placed in close relationship on both sides of a base plate which blocks a flow channel. The base plate exhibits a plurality of orifices, and a coil is placed over each orifice with its rim in contact with the base plate and surrounding the edge of the orifice, but only one coil is assigned to each orifice. Adjacent coils on opposite sides of the base plate are stagger so that their rims overlap each other without covering any part of the orifice assigned to the adjacent coil on the opposite side of the base plate.

Abstract: Vibration of boiler tubes in a bank of parallel tubes of a multidrum boiler is prevented by means of directing a restraining tube in each bank of tubes obliquely between spaced drums. The oblique tube is welded to the parallel tubes at each point of contact to provide mutual support therefor. Boiling water is directed through the oblique tube as well as the parallel tubes so that circulation through the tubes is enhanced while tube vibration is prevented.

Abstract: A tube spacer is provided for use in a tube bundle including a plurality of spaced apart rows of tube sections. The spacer comprises an elongated member having a contour defining a helix, is adapted to extend through the spaces defined between adjacent tube sections of the rows of tube sections and to contact the outside surfaces of the tube sections, and is adapted to be removed from the tube bundle in the direction in which it extends into the tube bundle.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is constructed with an axial guide such that the tube bunch can move axially within a cylindrical jacket in order to compensate for vibrations due, for example, to horizontal earthquake waves. Shoes are secured to the support plates to the tube coils and are slideably mounted within elongated slots in the jacket or vice versa. Should a vertical motion occur, the shoes are able to slide within the slots while the tube coils and their support plates remain supported within the jacket.

Abstract: A vapor generator including an upright furnace section the boundary walls of which are formed by a plurality of tubes, a portion of which extend at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. Fluid is passed through the length of the furnace section to convert a portion of the fluid to vapor or to heat the fluid. A plurality of vertical bars are provided which define support surfaces for the tubes and which are welded to the tubes for supporting same.

Abstract: A water-tube boiler (1) of the "D" type is disclosed which includes a water-cooled rear wall comprising a plurality of vertically disposed riser tubes (14a, b) located at the rear end of the furnace chamber (5). Novel sealing means are disclosed for sealing the aforesaid rear wall to its adjacent vertically extending walls of the furnace chamber (5) and convection section (7). A further aspect of the invention lies in the particular feeder conduit means (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) provided for supplying water to the riser tubes of the water-cooled rear wall and also in the particular return conduit means (15a, b; 16a, b) provided for connecting the riser tubes (14a, b) to the steam drum (3). In yet another aspect of the invention, novel construction is provided associated with the convection section for discharging flue gases from the boiler.

Abstract: Steam generator for pressurized-water nuclear reactors having a steam jacket wherein a multiplicity of rectilinear tubes traversed by primary water is secured between two horizontally disposed tube support plates, and at least one connecting tube for supplying the primary water is secured to the steam jacket through a compensator for length equalization, includes a water chamber respectively disposed within the steam jacket and adjoining each of the tube support plates, and a guide jacket for circulating feed-water supplied into the steam jacket, the guide jacket being mounted within the steam jacket and having a lower portion extending into a space located between the steam jacket and the lower tube support plate.

Abstract: A vapor generator is made up of a tube wall with conducting tubes which are gas-tightly welded together followed by a sheet metal flue gas duct leading to a stack. The tube wall has a temperature zone in which the temperature difference between the medium in the tubes and the flue gas is at its minimum under any operational conditions. In addition to the conducting tubes, the tube wall has a portion with non-conducting tubes which are gas-tightly welded together and through which the medium is non conducted. The non-conducting tubes are aligned with respective tubes of the conducting portion of the tube wall with the interposition of tube transition pieces or T-shape pieces. The T-shape transition pieces include a connection to the conducting tube with a right angle tube leg for the offtake of the vapor and an aligned leg which is welded to the non-conducting tubes of the non-conducting tube section.

Abstract: A furnace enclosure is provided in which one wall includes tubes of different passes which are free to move longitudinally relative to each other. A seal plate and filler means are disposed outside of the enclosure to provide for gas-tightness.

Abstract: The expansion pipe loops which connect the tubes of the heat exchanger to the discharge lines are suspended via double-armed levers which are movably secured at the ends to the mounting system and anchoring system. The points on the pipe loops which are connected to the fulcrum of the respective levers as well as the fulcrums are chosen so as to render the stresses in the pipe loops as low as possible and approximately equal on both sides of the pivots. Pairs of levers with an interconnecting support beam are used to suspend a plurality of the pipe loops in common.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel tubes in the form of at least a first plurality of parallel tube rows and a second plurality of parallel tube rows are supported by a baffle comprising an outer ring capable of surrounding the tubes and a plurality of parallel rods which form a plurality of parallel chords with the outer ring wherein the rods are capable of passing in the spaces between the tubes forming adjacent parallel tube rows of one plurality of parallel tube rows and wherein the number of rods in the baffle is substantially less than the total number of rods which could be positioned in the spaces between the tube rows in the plurality of parallel tube rows.

Abstract: A baffle comprises an outer ring suitable for surrounding a plurality of parallel tubes formed into a tube bundle, said tube bundle having at least a first plurality of parallel tube rows, a second plurality of parallel tube rows, and spaces between the adjacent tube rows, said outer ring positioned in a plane which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube bundle, said plane forming a baffle angle with a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube bundle, and a plurality of parallel rods cooperating with and attached to the outer ring to form a plurality of parallel chords with the outer ring wherein the rods are capable of passing in the spaces between the tubes forming adjacent parallel tube rows of one plurality of parallel tube rows.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved system of providing power having a unique generating means of the nuclear reactor variety adapted with a plurality of steam generators in the form of replaceable modular units of the expendable type for the attainment of the optimum in effective and efficient vaporization of fluid during the process of generating power.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspension of a tube wall, particularly a combustion chamber wall, made for example of helical finned tubes which are welded gas-tight with one another extending horizontally or inclined, on an upper part of a steam generator made of vertical tubes, by means of vertically extending tie rods which are connected with the tube wall over welding bridges. Respectively pairs of tie rods which extend spaced by a small distance from one another are secured on the upper part of the steam generator by means of a common connection piece and are welded on their adjacent longitudinal edges over common welding bridges with the tube wall. The welding bridges are spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the tie rods.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an array of apertured flat plates support the tubes in a heat exchanger. Each aperture has at least three bights that provide individual fluid passageways when the associated tube is lodged in place. At least three inwardly protruding members that separate the bights restrain tube movement. Each of these members define arcs of a circle that has a diameter which is only slightly larger than the outside diameter of the respective tube. During heat exchanger assembly, this slightly larger diameter of the circle defined by the inwardly protruding members accommodates departures in the tubing from a perfectly straight condition. In operation, the individual tubes will tend to lay against one or two of the members in each aperture in almost line contact to prevent "crevice corrosion.

Abstract: A vapor generating system in which a vapor generating section and a superheating section are connected in a series flow relationship with a fluid separating section extending between the vapor generating section and the superheating section. The vapor generating section includes an upright furnace section formed by a plurality of tubes, a portion of which extend at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane for passing fluid through the length of the furnace section to convert a portion of the fluid to vapor or to heat the fluid.

Abstract: A rapid heat recuperative heat exchanger particularly adapted for use with large gas turbine engines, including a heat exchanger core which is composed of a plurality of spaced plate members. The core is supported within a skeleton framework by hanger members, the lower ends of which are slidably attached to horizontal control rods which extend through aligned openings in the core plates and which guide movement of the plates in an axial direction to the rods due to thermal expansion. Pressurized air is introduced to the core by inlet and outlet fittings on the end of the core which are of significantly greater thickness than the plate members. It is undesirable to join active heat exchange members of widely varying masses and differing cross-sections. Therefore, the end plate of the core is made of material having the same thickness as the inlet and outlet fittings. Progressing from the relatively thick end plate, the plates are gradually decreased in thickness until a desired plate dimension is achieved.

Abstract: A tube support for horizontal tubes supported by vertical tubes, including lugs welded to opposite sides of the vertical tubes, and a band encircling two horizontal tubes positioned on opposite sides of the vertical support tube. The band rests on and is supported by the lugs.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for supporting and protecting the coaxially disposed helical coils of a heat exchanger arranged with its axis in the vertical direction. The system includes saddle-shaped vertical spacers secured on selected adjacent convolutions of each coil at selected angular positions about the axis of the coils. The vertical spacers are selectively axially aligned to axially support the convolutions of the respective coils, and are cooperable with axially disposed spacer bars between the radially spaced coaxial coils to transfer horizontal and tangential loads between the coils. The tube support system provides vibration damping and facilitates subassembly of different diameter helical coils prior to coaxial assembly thereof into a coil bundle.

Abstract: An overflow unit for a water heater installation has a plastic, resilient polystyrene pan with a bottom wall for receiving the bottom of the heater and a continuous side wall including inner and outer walls which diverge downwardly in a range of approximately five to fifteen degrees. A bottom edge portion of the outer wall is substantially coplanar with the bottom or outer face of the bottom wall but, preferably, extends outwardly a distance up to approximately 0.0001 inch from the outer face of the bottom wall when the pan is in a relaxed condition. Upon being placed on a supporting surface and receiving the water heater, the bottom edge portion of the outer wall is snugly and closely seated on the supporting surface. A drain coupling for receiving a drain line opens through the inner and outer walls and is in sealed engagement with the inner wall.

Abstract: A system for recovering the waste heat normally exhausted into the atmosphere by chemical or other processing plants. The invented system comprises a substantially self-contained apparatus for receiving hot exhaust gases and extracting the waste heat therefrom for some beneficial use, such as pre-heating inlet air in an inlet plenum. The system may include temperature and pressure controls which enhance the safety and efficiency of the system's operation, and further may include flow controls in a multiple burner installation so that the desired fuel air ratios and heat distribution may be achieved. By building the present invention as a substantially self-contained and self-supporting assembly, on site installation time and the required alternation of pre-existing on site equipment may be minimized, thereby affecting substantial economic savings by minimizing the resulting down time of the processing plant.

Abstract: A tube-type reactor includes a reactor shell surrounding a bundle of vertically-arranged jacketed tube assemblies. An equilateral triangle is formed by lines interconnecting the central axes of the three jacketed tube assemblies in mutual contact. Each jacketed tube assembly includes a reactor tube forming an annular space within a sheathing tube which includes six longitudinally-arranged slots uniformly distributed about its top end and into which connecting elements are received and welded to join together the sheathing tubes. In one form, the connector element includes spacer heads extending along a web to lie within the annular gap between the reactor tube and the sheathing tube and abut against the reactor tube. In a second embodiment, the connector element includes a web having three spider arms with longitudinal recesses, the width of which corresponds to the wall thickness of a sheathing tube.

Abstract: Impact energy absorbing pipe restraints are provided which include a laminated strap for surrounding at least a portion of the circumference of a high energy pipe to restrain the movement of the high energy pipe in at least one direction during rupture. The laminated strap is formed of a ductile material, i.e., one having the property of substantial elongation in the plastic state, to absorb the impact energy of the ruptured pipe. Advantageously, an elastic anchor means is affixed to the ends of the laminated strap to anchor the laminated strap about the high energy pipe and enable pivotal movement of the laminated strap relative to the high energy pipe to minimize any bending moment at the ends of the laminated strap, thereby minimizing any detraction in the allowable strain of the laminated strap.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an economizer for absorbing heat of combustion products, wherein the surfaces of a series of continuous tubes extended through an exhaust gas pipe or duct are lined with glass pipes, the clearance between the exhaust pipe or duct wall and the tubes extended therethrough is sealed with gaskets, and water is circulated through the tubes.

Abstract: A coal-fired steam generator has tubes forming heating surfaces that are suspended above a combustion chamber from support tubes that extend in a given direction and are mutually spaced apart, transversely to the axes of the tubes forming the heating surfaces, a distance that is less than the mutual spacing of the support tubes in the direction of the axes of the tubes forming the heating surfaces. The support tubes located below the lowermost of the tubes forming the heating surfaces suspended therefrom are formed with an initial bend in a plane wherein the support tubes are mutually spaced apart by the lesser distance, and are provided with further bends forming auxiliary heating surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly to the given direction in which the support tubes extend.

Abstract: A buckstay arrangement for a steam generator whereby tube walls of the steam generator are supported by buckstays having retainers that slide longitudinally to permit thermal expansion thereof while providing continuous support for the tube walls.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising an outer heavy structure in the form of an outer cylindrical shell fixed at its upper end to an annular intake head and an annular outlet head for one of the fluids, of which the outer bases are perforated, and an inner lightweight structure subsequently mounted in the heavy structure and formed by an annular nest of tubes inserted and welded at their ends into the perforations in said bases and arranged in the form of concentric layers forming a large central passage which is accessible for installation of the tubes, beginning with the peripheral layer adjacent the outer shell, the concentric layers of tubes being held in several transverse planes by discs formed by concentric rows of rings arranged between these layers and joined together by connecting elements, a wide central shaft subsequently being fixed for internally defining the annular exchange chamber, wherein the discs by which the tubes are held in position and which are formed by the concentric rings are in some cases,