Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot water storage boiler having a scale prevention function, the boiler being able to prevent scale without an additive or an ultrasonic device. Low-temperature water is sprayed toward the bottom portion of the combustion chamber using the spray pipe. This consequently lowers the temperature of the bottom portion of the combustion chamber, thereby reducing production of scale.

Abstract: A dual-headed paint spray wand with a central feed tube split into two arms, where the arms are separated at a distance from one another to permit a paint overlap when paint is sprayed from the two arms, and where the two arms are offset from one another vertically to allow one arm to spray ahead of the other.

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.

Abstract: A pulse detonation cleaning system is provided and includes a common tube, which is fluidly coupled to a vessel, a first array, including a plurality of elongate detonation tubes arrayed about a common axis, each of the plurality of the detonation tubes being disposed upstream from and fluidly coupled to an interior of the common tube and a second array, including a plurality of detonators arrayed about the common axis, each of the plurality of the detonators being disposed upstream from and operably coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of the detonation tubes such that actuation of each of the plurality of the detonators leads to combustion in the corresponding one of the plurality of the detonation tubes.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for inspecting a structure including a heating tube, a tube sheet supporting the heating tube, and a flow distribution baffle, which are installed in a steam generator of a nuclear power plant, and more particularly, an apparatus for visually inspecting and removing a foreign object in gaps of a bundle of heating tubes of an upper portion of a tube sheet of a secondary side of a steam generator, in which a detector is inserted into gaps of a bundle of heating tubes of an upper portion of a secondary side of a steam generator so as to inspect sludge or foreign objects, and a foreign object remover removes foreign objects when foreign objects are discovered in the gaps of the heating tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus that visually inspects a state of sludge and foreign substances found between steam generator bundles positioned at an upper portion of a tube sheet of a steam generator of a nuclear power plant using a visual inspector mounted in a robot moving on an inner wall surface of the steam generator for removing the foreign substances.

Abstract: A sootblower for cleaning a plurality of surfaces within an interior volume of a combustion device is provided. The sootblower includes a combustion assembly configured to generate a pressure wave and a delivery assembly having an outlet for delivering the pressure wave into the interior volume of the combustion device.

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.

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.

Abstract: A multi-media rotating sootblower that includes multiple rotating and individually controlled cleaning fluid applicators, such a set of steam nozzles and two sets of water nozzles, and an automatic boiler cleaning system using these sootblowers. The boiler superheater typically includes a system of these sootblowers to clean a number of large platens that are arranged in rows. The boiler may also include additional boiler cleaning equipment, including water cannons to clean the furnace, and conventional steam sootblowers to clean other heat exchangers of the boiler. A number of sensors, including heat transfer gauges that measure the heat transfer at the furnace wall, strain gauges that measure the weight of slag deposits on platens, and boiler cameras are used to monitor slag accumulations within the boiler. A control system uses this sensor data to automatically operate the boiler cleaning system to implement an automatic boiler cleaning regimen.

Abstract: A boiler incidental facility includes at least one jet nozzle, equipped in an air supply duct or an air exhaust duct connected with a furnace. During operation, steam is heated and supplied to the jet nozzle and spurted in a direction in alignment with an air flow in an air supply duct or in an air exhaust duct. Reactive and meditative chemicals may be injected into the air flow either through the net nozzles or adjacent to the net nozzles.

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.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the emissions of nitrogen oxides from a combustion system includes at least one nozzle assembly having an array of openings for delivering droplets of a fluid chemical agent to a flue gas within the combustion system; a controller operatively coupled to the at least one nozzle assembly for controlling the size and distribution of each droplet; an excitation mechanism operatively coupled to the at least nozzle assembly for providing additional control over the size and distribution of each droplet; and the array of openings arranged for deflecting the droplets to prevent droplet collisions.

Abstract: A water heater has a cold water inlet bushing which screws into a threaded boss in the side wall of a hot water tank near its bottom. Cold water is injected through a pipe into the inlet bushing. A blind passageway is formed within the inlet bushing which extends radially inwardly from the tank outer wall. An outlet port intersects the blind passageway at 90 degrees, and is positioned tangent to the circular outer wall of the hot water tank at the point the tank is penetrated by the inlet bushing. The inlet bushing creates a jet of water which results in the water within the tank rotating. When turbulent mixing and circulation are created by the inlet water jet, smaller particles of sediment which are placed into suspension can be removed from the hot water tank along with the hot water.

Abstract: A liquid delivery apparatus for vaporizing a liquid to produce a vapor therefrom. The apparatus incorporates a vaporizer with a surface arranged to receive liquid thereon. A liquid feed assembly is provided, including (i) a liquid source and (ii) a liquid flow circuit coupled to the liquid source and arranged to discharge liquid onto the vaporizer surface during liquid vaporization operation. The apparatus features a burst purging assembly including a pressurized gas source joined in gas flow communication with the liquid flow circuit. The pressurized gas source is arranged to introduce a clearance burst of pressurized gas into the liquid flow circuit after completion of the liquid vaporization operation, so that hold-up liquid in the liquid flow circuit and/or vaporizer following completion of the liquid vaporization operation is discharged onto the vaporizer surface and vaporized.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: An inlet is provided for delivering water into a water heater through a port in its top. The inlet includes a conduit having a distal portion that extends downwardly toward a bottom of the water heater. The inlet includes means for deflecting the water flow through openings in the inlet's wall in order to reduce the generation of temperature gradients that otherwise tend to develop within water heater tanks. A water heater assembly including such an inlet is also described.

Abstract: A nozzle for a sootblower is used to project a cleaning agent against the internal surfaces of a boiler for removing fireside deposit. The nozzle of the present invention incorporates a passageway having a convergent segment between its entrance end most narrow point, the throat. Extending from the throat to the nozzle's exit is an expansion chamber in which the cleaning fluid passing therein expands and drops in pressure to substantially ambient pressure. The flow streams of the jet of the cleaning agent discharged from the nozzle is essentially parallel to the center axis of the nozzle. Additionally, the nozzles can be mounted diametrically opposed or spaced along the longitudinal axis of the lance tube. Moreover, the nozzles mounted in a lance tube can be mounted flush with the outside surface of the lance tube, contoured to its shape.

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.

Abstract: An automated sludge lance and method is described for cleaning sludge from tubes in a steam generator. The lance guide and waterlance are moved inside the steam generator to direct a fluid between the tubes to effectively clean sludge from the tubes. The remote control system is mounted outside the steam generator where it is readily serviceable. The automated sludge lance and method can be used in the no-tube-lane, in the annular chamber, or in combination.

Abstract: A nozzle for a sootblower is used to project a cleaning agent against the internal surfaces of a boiler for removing fireside deposit. The nozzle of the present invention incorporates a passageway having a convergent segment between its entrance end most narrow point, the throat. Extending from the throat to the nozzle's exit is an expansion chamber in which the cleaning fluid passing therein expands and drops in pressure to substantially ambient pressure. The flow streams of the jet of the cleaning agent discharged from the nozzle is essentially parallel to the center axis of the nozzle. Additionally, the nozzles can be mounted diametrically opposed or spaced along the longitudinal axis of the lance tube. Moreover, the nozzles mounted in a lance tube can be mounted flush with the outside surface of the lance tube, contoured to its shape.

Abstract: Sludge is removed from a reboiler while the reboiler is supplying heat to a fractionator, by using sludge removal apparatus added to the reboiler. The reboiler to which the sludge removal apparatus is added comprises an evaporative type shell and tube heat exchanger in which sludge can accumulate as a residue from evaporated liquid, and further in which unevaporated liquid is withdrawn from the reboiler as a product. Sludge removal is accomplished by drawing a relatively small liquid flush stream from the reboiler liquid product stream, pressuring the flush stream through a pump, and then recycling the flush stream to a sparger appropriately disposed in the heat exchanger shell. Sludge dislodged by the sparger is removed along with the reboiler liquid product in a flow path along the bottom surface of the shell through cut-outs provided in the lower edge of the weir and baffle plates in the reboiler which without the cut-outs would block the flow path for the sludge.

Abstract: Sediment can be removed from hot water heaters via the method and apparatus of the invention. The tank is drained and the drain tube is used for access to the bottom of the tank. Water jet probes connected via a hose to a water supply are inserted through the drain valve opening, and are directed in such a way that the sediment is forced into suspension and runs out of the tank through the drain tube, around the probe. Preferably, the water and sediment drain into a pan, and preferably a pump is provided to pump water from the pan to a drain or other remote discharge location.

Abstract: A water cannon, having an air gun disposed within its breach, for explosively discharging a quantity of water from the muzzle, which may include a constricted directional nozzle, to dislodge sludge from the tube sheet of a heat exchanger, and a method of cleaning the tube sheet of a heat exchanger are disclosed.

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: An apparatus for cleaning a residential water heater 10 or the like. The water heater is generally vertically disposed and has a cylindrical side wall 12, a top 14, and a bottom 16. A water supply tube 20 terminates in a nozzle 22 which permits entry of a stream of water 24 in a generally horizontal spray pattern along the bottom to flush and agitate any foreign matter 38 along the bottom. A drain cock 28 is provided within the heater side wall and opposite the nozzle, the drain cock being opened upon flushing of the bottom of the water heater so that any foreign matter is removed through the drain cock. In lieu of a simple, single-orificed nozzle, a multiple-orificed nozzle 22b or a plurality of nozzles may be provided.

Abstract: A water heater including a tank having a hot water outlet in the top portion thereof and a cold water inlet in the lower portion thereof. An agitator assembly connected to the cold water inlet and mounted in the bottom portion of the tank. The agitator assembly includes a circular tubular member having a first row of orifice members mounted along the inner side thereof, a second row of orifice members mounted along the outer side thereof and a third row of orifice members mounted along the top side thereof.

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 lance assembly designed to clean sludge from the portion of the OTSG tube bundle which is inaccessible from the open tube lane. A track assembled between the OTSG outer shell and circular shroud around the tube bundle substantially opposite the open tube lane has a motorized carriage driven on the track which directs high pressure fluid through a plurality of nozzles toward the tube bundle through windows in the circular shroud. The nozzles are attached to a nozzle block which is capable of being moved vertically on the carriage to vary the flow impact area on the tube bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a residential water heater 10 or the like without the need for draining and re-filling the tank. The water heater is generally vertically disposed and has a cylindrical side wall 12, a top 14, and a bottom 16. A water supply tube 20 terminates in a nozzle 22 which permits entry of a stream of water 24 in a generally horizontal spray pattern along the bottom to flush and agitate any foreign matter 38 along the bottom. A drain cock 28 is provided within the heater side wall and opposite the nozzle, the drain cock being opened upon flushing of the bottom of the water heater so that any foreign matter is removed through the drain cock. In lieu of a simple, single-orificed nozzle, a multiple-orifices nozzle 22b or a plurality of nozzles may be provided.

Abstract: An improved rotary cleaning device for cleaning the inner surface of a cylindrical housing is disclosed, characterized by a unique mounting and fluid distribution shaft. A flixed support is axially arranged within the housing and the shaft is mounted on the support for longitudinal displacement along the housing axis. A swivel device is rotatably connected with the shaft and a pair of cleaning lances are connected with the swivel. High pressure cleaning fluid is delivered to the lances via the shaft and the swivel to abrasively clean the inner wall surface of the cylindrical housing. A drive mechanism is connected with the swivel to rotate the swivel and cleaning lances about the shaft. When the drive mechanism is operated to rotate the swivel and when the shaft is axially displaced along the support, the cleaning lances traverse both orbital and linear paths to direct the cleaning fluid against th entire interior surface area of the cylindrical wall of the housing.

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 sludge collection system for a vertically oriented nuclear steam generator is provided with an upwardly open chamber for receiving separated liquid and incoming feedwater that contain sludge particulates. A plurality of sludge collecting containers are positioned within the chamber and include a top rim encompassing an opening leading into the interior of each container. Generally flat perforated covers are positioned over each container such that a gap is formed between the cover and the adjacent top rim. Particulate material in the water entering the container can settle within the container because of relatively stagnant conditions. Sludge agitation and removal means are provided for remotely cleaning the containers. The sludge collection system components are sized to permit retrofitting this system into existing steam generators.

Abstract: An externally controllable apparatus for cleaning the slag deposits from the inner surfaces of a cyclone burner includes a support structure having a carriage slidably mounted thereon. A fluid-conducting swivel is mounted on the carriage for providing a rotatable coupling to a pipe extending through the cyclone. The carriage is moved along the support by a suitable movement mechanism so that fluid lances movably mounted on the pipe are properly disposed at selectable longitudinal positions within the cyclone burner. The fluid lances are transversely movable so that they can be moved toward or away from the side wall of the cyclone burner. A plurality of pairs of nozzles are used for directing a spray of cleaning fluid toward respective portions of the cyclone.

Abstract: Tube lane manipulator for the high-pressure blowdown of heat exchangers having tubes being spaced apart by a given pitch forming tube lanes therebetween with tubes on opposite sides and having closeable servicing openings formed therein providing access to the tube lanes, including a car being insertible into the tube lanes through the servicing openings and being movable therein by remote control, a spraying head being supported on the car and having nozzles with orifices for spraying jets of blowdown water in a given direction into spaces between the tubes, suction lines having suction stubs for pumping off accumulated blowdown water, and extendible and retractible clamping feet disposed on the car for clamping the car to the tubes on at least one side of a tube lane along a clamping plane in conformity with the given tube pitch, the nozzles being positioned in spraying positions of a spraying position sequence by the clamping feet clamping the car, the given spraying direction from the orifices of the nozz

Abstract: A steam generator is provided which contains a manifold with a plurality of nozzles for breaking up and washing away sludge which has formed on the upper surface of its tube sheet. The manifold is rigidly attached to the upper surface of the tube sheet and remains in place during conventional operation of the steam generator. The portions of the present invention which are contained within the steam generator do not contain any moving parts and, thus, does not require human intervention in close proximity to components of the steam generator which may be possibly radioactive. High velocity streams of water are used to break up and remove sludge from the upper surface of the tube sheet and openings are provided through the wall of the steam generator for removal of the slurry in which the sludge is entrained.

Abstract: A self-cleaning liner for high pressure boilers. The self-cleaning liner comprising a tubular liner and a sprayhead assembly. To minimize thermal shock, the sprayhead assembly protrudes into a cavity created by the formation of a bump in the tubular liner, shielding the sprayhead assembly from high temperatures. The sprayhead assembly may also incorporate a thermal sleeve to decrease thermal shock caused by the temperature difference between the sprayhead assembly and the cleaning medium.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a cleaning apparatus used for cleaning a steam generator includes a valve manifold which is controlled by a control console to direct a pressurized fluid to either a jetting outlet or a flushing outlet of the cleaning apparatus associated with the steam generator. The control console also controls a motor controller which defines the incremental distance that the jetting outlet is moved within the steam generator to clean different portions of the steam generator. The motor controller is remotely controllable from a platform control device so that the position of the jetting outlet can be changed by a person located on or near the steam generator during initial alignment and limit switch positioning. The control console also controls an evacuation circuit which extracts the fluid pumped into the steam generator and the sludge or other substances loosened therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deslagging boilers and the like while steaming, wherein a quenching-type stream of water is first applied to the outer surface of the hot slag to induce the formation of fissures by embrittlement and contraction of the slag and thereafter while the fissures are still present the fissured surface of the slag is impacted by a high velocity pulsed jet which drives water into the fissures, whereby dislodging of the slag is aided by the expansive force of water which vaporizes in the fissures. A generally conventional blower is illustrated, equipped with dual liquid supply and projecting means, and pulsing mechanism for interrupting the flow of blowing medium to one of the projecting means, to create the pulsed jet.

Abstract: An economizer construction for use in recovering heat from flue gases is disclosed including a housing with a flue gas passage therethrough, a helically wound heat transfer coil positioned in the flue gas passage for placing a heat transfer fluid in a heat exchange relation with the flue gases passing through the flue gas passage where the heat transfer coil defines a generally vertically extending central opening therethrough, and a soot blower assembly with an elongate soot blower lance rotatably mounted in the coil central opening for directing a pressurized cleaning fluid over the heat transfer coil to periodically clean it. Different embodiments of the rotary mounting of the soot blower lance are disclosed. Also, different embodiments of the drive means for rotating the soot blower lance are disclosed.

Abstract: An economizer construction for use in recovering heat from flue gases is disclosed including a housing with a flue gas passage therethrough, a helically wound heat transfer coil positioned in the flue gas passage for placing a heat transfer fluid in a heat exchange relation with the flue gases passing through the flue gas passage where the heat transfer coil defines a generally vertically extending central opening therethrough, and a soot blower assembly with an elongate soot blower lance rotatably mounted in the coil central opening for directing a pressurized cleaning fluid over the heat transfer coil to periodically clean it. Different embodiments of the rotary mounting of the soot blower lance are disclosed. Also, different embodiments of the drive means for rotating the soot blower lance are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing sludge that may be deposited on a tubesheet of a steam generator comprises placement of fluid headers at the elevation of the sludge to be removed establishing a circumferential fluid stream at that elevation. A fluid lance is moved along the line between the headers emitting a pulsating fluid jet perpendicular to a line of movement of the fluid lance at an elevation substantially corresponding to the level of sludge deposits. The fluid jet forces the sludge to the periphery of the tubesheet where the sludge is entrained in and carried away by the circumferential fluid stream.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing sludge that may be deposited on a tubesheet of a steam generator comprises fluid headers at the elevation of the sludge to be removed for establishing a circumferential fluid stream at that elevation. A fluid lance is also provided for being moved along the line between the headers emitting a pulsating fluid jet perpendicular to a line of movement of the fluid lance at an elevation substantially corresponding to the level of sludge deposits. The fluid jet forces the sludge to the periphery of the tubesheet where the sludge is entrained in and carried away by the circumferential fluid stream.

Abstract: A system for removing sludge that may be deposited on a tube sheet of a steam generator. Headers are arranged at the elevation of the sludge to be removed establishing a circumferential fluid stream at that elevation. A fluid lance is moved along the line between the headers emitting a fluid jet perpendicular to the line of movement of the fluid lance at an elevation substantially corresponding to the level of sludge deposits. The fluid jet forces the sludge to the periphery of the tube sheet where the sludge is entrained in and carried away by the circumferential fluid stream.

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.