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US 5,570,660 AGranted
Automated sludge lance
AssigneeThe Babcock & Wilcox Company
InventorJames P. Vandenberg
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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.
Claims5
A method for removing sludge located between a plurality of tubes within a steam generator, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a lance guide having a waterlance movably contained therein in a handhole of the steam generator;
- remotely advancing the lance guide and the waterlance with a first drive means to a selected position inside the steam generator;
- then remotely inserting the waterlance between the tubes of the steam generator with a second drive means;
- directing a fluid between the tubes to remove sludge therefrom;
- and
- removing sludge from between the tubes with the lance guide and waterlance situated in a no-tube-lane of the steam generator.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.