US3916844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steam generator blowdown apparatus
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1974-07-29
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1994-07-29
Abstract
Abstract Removal of suspended particulate material in the secondary liquid circulated through a vapor generator of the shell and tube type is effected by the arrangement in the shell interior of baffle means defining a settling chamber therein. The baffle means is operative to retard the flow of secondary liquid and to effect an abrupt change in its direction of flow through the settling chamber whereby the suspended particles are caused to gravitate to the bottom thereof. Continuous or periodic flushing of the settling chamber is effected through a perforated blowdown pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 Don Stuart Cassell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:28
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/02; F22B37/48; F22B37/483; F22B37/22; F22B37/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
In a shell and tube heat exchanger for the generation of vapor by the indirect transfer of heat from a heating fluid to a secondary liquid including a pressure shell having a transverse tube sheet defining a vapor generating region enclosing a bundle of heat exchange tubes emanating from said tube sheet, means for passing heating fluid through said tubes and means for circulating said secondary liquid through said vapor generating region exteriorly of said tubes, the improvement comprising means for the removal of suspended particulate material from said circulating secondary liquid, said means including: a. baffle means defining a settling chamber forming a low liquid flow velocity region within the interior of said pressure shell; b. said settling chamber having an opening for the reception of secondary liquid flowing within said vapor generating region and defining a flow path in which said secondary liquid undergoes an abrupt change of direction; and c. a blowdown pipe operatively disposed in said settling chamber and communicating with the exterior of said pressure shell for the discharge of settled particulate material from said settliNg chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a shell and tube heat exchanger for the generation of vapor by the indirect transfer of heat from a heating fluid to a secondary liquid including a pressure shell having a transverse tube sheet defining a vapor generating region enclosing a bundle of heat exchange tubes emanating from said tube sheet, means for passing heating fluid through said tubes and means for circulating said secondary liquid through said vapor generating region exteriorly of said tubes, the improvement comprising means for the removal of suspended particulate material from said circulating secondary liquid, said means including: a. baffle means defining a settling chamber forming a low liquid flow velocity region within the interior of said pressure shell; b. said settling chamber having an opening for the reception of secondary liquid flowing within said vapor generating region and defining a flow path in which said secondary liquid undergoes an abrupt change of direction; and c. a blowdown pipe operatively disposed in said settling chamber and communicating with the exterior of said pressure shell for the discharge of settled particulate material from said settliNg chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The organization according to claim 1 in which said heat exchanger includes a generally cylindrical baffle enclosing said bundle of heat exchange tubes in circumferentially spaced relation from the interior surface of said pressure shell to define an axial riser passage and an annular downcomer passage and said settling chamber is disposed in said downcomer passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The organization according to claim 2 in which said secondary liquid circulating means includes feedwater inlet means communicating with said downcomer passage upstream in the secondary liquid flow sense from said settling chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The organization according to claim 2 in which said baffle means includes a substantially cylindrical plate concentrically spaced between said cylindrical baffle and the interior surface of said pressure shell defining an annular settling chamber about said downcomer passage, said plate being imperforate at least over a substantial portion of its length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The organization of claim 4 in which said baffle plate includes an out-turned flange disposed adjacent the inlet opening of said settling chamber, said flange having an end surface in closely spaced concentric relation to said cylindrical baffle, and means forming perforations in said baffle plate adjacent said flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The organization of claim 4 in which said pressure shell includes an enlarged diameter upper shell portion and a reduced diameter lower shell portion, a conical transistion member connecting said shell portions, said baffle plate cooperating with the internal surface of said transition member to form said settling chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The organization of claim 6 in which the lower end of said baffle plate is sealedly connected to said pressure shell at the juncture of said transition member and said lower shell portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The organization of claim 4 in which said cylindrical plate is attached to said pressure shell and including a second annular member attached to said cylindrical baffle in concentrically spaced relation to said cylindrical plate and cooperating therewith to define a tortuous fluid path between said settling chamber and said downcomer passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The organization of claim 4 in which said second annular member is angular in section and telescopically encloses said cylindrical plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |