US 5,495,752 AGranted

Erosion detector for a feed water steam nozzle

OwnerJohnnie V. Townsendinventor

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Abstract

A feed water steam nozzle erosion detector composed of an erosion detection pipe alongside and immediately adjoining the feed water steam nozzle, and at least one sensor connected with the erosion detection pipe to detect that the erosion of the feed water steam nozzle has proceeded to the point of eroding into the erosion detection pipe. It is preferred that three sensor modalities be provided. A temperature sensor detects a rise in temperature occasioned because of steam entry into the erosion detection pipe. A metal fragment sensor detects the presence of metal fragments associated with the erosion of the erosion detection pipe and the feed water steam nozzle. A steam pressure sensor detects a build-up of steam pressure in the erosion detection pipe and further serves as a steam discharger with built-in pressure relief. Each of the sensors is associated with an electrical circuit which provides one or more signals to the boiler operator when erosion has been detected by the sensors.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An erosion detector for detecting steam caused erosion of holes of a feed water steam nozzle and for signaling the detection of steam caused erosion, said erosion detector comprising:

erosion detection pipe means for receiving thereinto steam from an adjoining feed water steam nozzle, said erosion detection pipe means having a sidewall having a predetermined sensitivity to steam caused erosion, wherein steam is received into said erosion detection pipe means responsive to said sidewall being eroded by the steam;
conduit means connected with said erosion detection pipe means for providing a conduit for steam or steam borne metal fragments from said erosion detection pipe means;
sensor means connected with said conduit means for detecting at least one of steam and steam borne metal fragments in said conduit means to thereby provide detection of steam caused erosion of said sidewall of said erosion detection pipe means;
signal means connected with said sensor means for providing a signal that steam caused erosion of said sidewall of said erosion detection pipe means has been detected by said sensor means;
and
discharge means for atmospherically discharging the steam from said conduit;
wherein the detected steam caused erosion of said sidewall of said erosion detection pipe means is responsive to steam caused erosion of at least one hole of a feed water steam nozzle adjoining said erosion detection pipe means, wherein the detected steam caused erosion of said sidewall of said erosion detection pipe means is such that steam from the feed water steam nozzle enters into said erosion detection pipe means and thereupon passes into said conduit means.

4 more elements

In a boiler apparatus including a feed water vessel;

and a feed water steam nozzle, said feed water steam nozzle comprising a pipe having a predetermined length, said feed water steam nozzle having a plurality of mutually spaced apart hole rows, each hole row having a plurality of mutually spaced apart holes along said length, said feed water steam nozzle providing steam through said holes for heating feed water in said feed water vessel;
wherein an improvement thereto comprises:
an erosion detector for detecting steam caused erosion of said holes of said feed water steam nozzle and for signaling the detection of steam caused erosion, said erosion detector comprising:
erosion detection pipe means adjoining said feed water steam nozzle for receiving thereinto steam from said feed water steam nozzle, said erosion detection pipe means having a sidewall having a predetermined sensitivity to steam caused erosion, said erosion detection pipe having a predetermined cross-section, a predetermined length and a predetermined cross-sectional shape for locating said sidewall selectively adjacent at least one said hole row, wherein steam is received into said erosion detection pipe means responsive to said sidewall being eroded by the steam;
conduit means connected with said erosion detection pipe means for providing a conduit for steam or steam borne metal fragments from said erosion detection pipe means;
sensor means connected with said conduit means for detecting at least one of steam and steam borne metal fragments in said conduit means to thereby provide detection of steam caused erosion of said sidewall of said erosion detection pipe means;
and
signal means connected with said sensor means for providing a signal that steam caused erosion of said sidewall of said erosion detection pipe means has been detected by said sensor means;
wherein the detected steam caused erosion of said sidewall of said erosion detection pipe means is responsive to steam caused erosion of at least one hole of said feed water steam nozzle adjoining said erosion detection pipe means, wherein the detected steam caused erosion of said sidewall of said erosion detection pipe means is such that steam from said feed water steam nozzle enters into said erosion detection pipe means and thereupon passes into said conduit means.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.