Laser removal of sludge from steam generators
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorHenry D. Nachbar
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Abstract
A method of removing unwanted chemical deposits known as sludge from the metal surfaces of steam generators with laser energy is provided. Laser energy of a certain power density, of a critical wavelength and frequency, is intermittently focused on the sludge deposits to vaporize them so that the surfaces are cleaned without affecting the metal surface (sludge substrate). Fiberoptic tubes are utilized for laser beam transmission and beam direction. Fiberoptics are also utilized to monitor laser operation and sludge removal.
Claims13
A method of removing sludge from steam generator interior surfaces, comprising the steps of:
- generating a source of coherent light energy being laser light;
- accessing the interior surfaces of said steam generator with a fiberoptic transmission pipe;
- transmitting said laser light into said steam generator sludge surface through said fiberoptic transmission pipe;
- focusing said laser light from said fiberoptic transmission pipe onto said sludge surface;
- and
- vaporizing said sludge with the energy of said focused light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.