DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of feed water systems for boilers.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Shell – The term ‘shell’ hereinafter in the complete specification refers to a pressure vessel having a generally tubular hollow body with closed ends.
The definition is in addition to those expressed in the art.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
A typical boiler feed water system comprises a feed water tank, a deaerator, and a heat recovery unit such as an economizer or a water preheater. The deaerator is mechanical equipment that is used to heat boiler feed water and to remove oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other dissolved gasses from boiler feed water, prior to the water being fed to the boiler. If not removed from the feed water, oxygen and carbon dioxide contained within feed water can cause significant corrosion in a steam system, namely the boiler tubes, steam lines, condensate lines, and heat transfer equipment. The heat recovery unit is another mechanical equipment which utilizes the heat contained within the flue gases to preheat the feed water.
In the conventional feed water systems, the deaerator, the feed water tank, and the heat recovery unit are separate equipment that are in fluid communication with the boiler by means of piping and ducting. These equipment are typically located at different locations at different elevations, thereby requiring different structures for support and mounting. This impacts the ease of operation and maintenance. This also increases the footprint of the feed water system.
Therefore, there is felt a need for a feed water system that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks of the conventional feed water systems.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a feed water system for a boiler, which has reduced footprint as compared with the conventional feed water systems.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a feed water system for a boiler, which eliminates the need of different structures for supporting a deaerator, a heat recovery unit, and a feed water tank.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a feed water system for a boiler that has reduced joineries and piping.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a feed water system for a boiler that is easy to operate and maintain.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an integrated feed water system for a boiler. The system comprises a shell, a plurality of tubes, support means, and at least one inlet. The shell is configured to store feed water therewithin. The shell has a feed water inlet for allowing entry of cold water in the shell, and a feed water outlet for allowing exit of feed water from the shell. The plurality of tubes is disposed within the shell. The tubes are configured to facilitate flow of a hot gas therethrough. The support means is disposed within the shell, and is configured to support the tubes within the shell. The at least one inlet is configured on the shell to facilitate introduction of steam in the feed water resident in the shell. In an embodiment, the system includes a first steam inlet for introducing flash steam in the shell, and a second steam inlet configured on the shell to facilitate introduction of live steam in the shell.
The system further includes an inlet smoke chamber and an outlet smoke chamber. The inlet smoke chamber is connected to the shell, and is configured to facilitate entry of the hot gas into the plurality of tubes. The outlet smoke chamber is connected to the shell, and is configured to facilitate exhaust of the hot gas from the plurality of tubes. In an embodiment, the inlet smoke chamber is connected to a first operative end of the shell, and the outlet smoke chamber is connected to a second operative end of the shell. In another embodiment, both of the inlet smoke chamber and the outlet smoke chamber are connected to a first operative end of the shell or a second operative end of the shell.
The system further includes an air vent, access doors, a drain port, a condensate inlet, a makeup water inlet, a dosing port, a level gauge, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An integrated feed water system for a boiler, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an integrated feed water system for a boiler, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the feed water system of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 illustrates a sectional front view of the feed water system of Figure 1.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – System
102 – Shell
104 – Tubes
106 – End Plates
108 – Inlet smoke chamber
110 – Outlet smoke chamber
112, 114 – Access door
116 – Deaerator head
N1 – Overflow outlet
N2 – Drain port
N3 – Air vent
N4 – Access manhole
N5 – Level Gauge Connections
N6 – Condensate inlet
N7 – Makeup water inlet
N8 – First (Flash) steam inlet
N9 – Outlet
N10 – Second (Live) steam inlet
N11 – Socket
N12 – Dosing port
N13 – Safety valve
N14 – Condensate Connection
N15 – Gas inlet
N16 – Gas outlet
N17 – Deaerator head mounting connection
N18 – Vent / Vacuum breaker connection
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a”, "an", and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", “including”, and “having” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on", “engaged to”, "connected to", or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages an integrated feed water system which performs functions of a feed water tank, a deaerator, and a heat recovery unit. The feed water system, of the present disclosure, eliminates the need of constructing separate support structures for mounting or supporting the deaerator and the heat recovery unit. Therefore, the footprint of the feed water system, of the present disclosure, is relatively less than conventional feed water systems.
The integrated feed water system (hereinafter also referred to as system), of the present disclosure is now described with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3.
Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, a system 100 is shown. The system 100 comprises a shell 102, a plurality of tubes 104, support means, and at least one inlet N8, N10.
The shell 102 is configured to store feed water therewithin.
A feed water inlet is configured on the shell 102 to allow entry of cold water in the shell 102. A feed water outlet N9 is configured on the shell 102 to allow exit of feed water from the shell 102.
In an embodiment, the feed water inlet is in fluid communication with a source of feed water (which is cold water). The feed water outlet N9 is configured to allow exit/discharge of the feed water, which is deaerated and preheated, from the shell 102. In an embodiment, the feed water outlet N9 is in fluid communication with the boiler to which the feed water is to be fed. In another embodiment, the feed water outlet N9 is configured at an operative bottom portion of the shell 102.
The shell 102 is a pressure vessel configured to hold fluids/materials at high pressure. In an embodiment, the shell 102 has a tubular body with closed ends. The body defines a space therewithin to store a fluid, in this case feed water, within the shell. In an embodiment, the shell 102 is a cylindrical vessel. The ends of the cylindrical vessel are closed using heavy metal plates 106. The shell 102 can be in horizontal or vertical orientation. In another embodiment, the shell 102 is a rectangular vessel.
The plurality of tubes 104 is disposed within the shell 102. The tubes 104 are configured to facilitate flow of a hot gas therethrough. When the system 100 is connected to a boiler (not specifically shown in figures), the hot gases are the flue gases generated in the boiler during combustion of the fuel in the boiler.
The support means is disposed within the shell 102. The support means is configured to support the tubes 104 within the shell 102. In an embodiment, the support means includes a pair of end plates 106. Each of the end plates 106 is provided with a plurality of holes configured thereon. Each of the tubes 104 is passed through a hole configured on each of the end plates 106. In an embodiment, the tube 104 is secured to the end plate 106 by welding the tube 104 to the end plate 106 at the periphery of the hole through which the tube is passed. In another embodiment, the tubes 104 are expanded in the holes through which they are passed to secure the tubes 104 to the end plates 106.
The location of the support means, more specifically the end plates 106, in the shell 102 is determined as per the application requirement. In an embodiment, the end plates 106 are arranged in a spaced apart configuration (as shown in Figure 1). In another embodiment, the end plates 106 can be arranged on the same side of the shell 102, wherein the tubes 104 can have a U-shaped configuration. It should be noted that the number, length, number of passes, and arrangement of the tubes 104 within the shell 102 are determined as per conventional design considerations.
In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the support means, more specifically end plates 106, form the operative ends of the shell 102. In such case, the body of the shell 102 extends axially between the end plates 106.
In case the end plates 106 do not form the operative ends of the shell 102, other plates are welded to the body of the shell 102 at operative ends thereof.
The at least one inlet is configured on the shell 102 to facilitate introduction of steam in the feed water resident in the shell 102. In an embodiment, the system 100 includes two inlets, i.e., a first steam inlet N8 and a second steam inlet N10. The first steam inlet N8 is configured on the shell 102 to facilitate entry of steam in the shell 102. In an embodiment, flash steam is introduced in the shell 102 through the first steam inlet N8. The system 100 further includes a second steam inlet N10 configured on the shell 102 to facilitate entry of steam in the shell 102. In an embodiment, live steam is introduced in the shell 102 through the second steam inlet N10 for facilitating pre-heating and deaeration of the feed water within the shell 102. The second steam inlet N10 can be provided proximal either at an inlet or an outlet of the shell 102.
The system 100 further comprises an inlet smoke chamber 108 and an outlet smoke chamber 110. The inlet smoke chamber 108 is connected to the shell 102, and is configured to facilitate entry of the hot gas into the tubes 104. More specifically, after connecting to the shell 102, the inlet smoke chamber 108 is in fluid communication with an inlet of each of the tubes 104.
The outlet smoke chamber 110 is connected to the shell 102, and is configured to facilitate exhaust of the hot gas from the plurality of tubes 104. More specifically, when connected to the shell 102, the outlet smoke chamber 110 is in fluid communication with an outlet of each of the tubes 104, and receives the hot gas from the tubes 104.
The smoke chambers 108, 110 can be connected to the shell 102 at various locations such that the chambers 108, 110 are in fluid communication with the inlets and the outlets of the tubes 104 respectively. In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the inlet smoke chamber 108 is connected to a first operative end of the shell 102, and the outlet smoke chamber 110 is connected to a second operative end (which is opposite to the first operative end) of the shell 102. In another embodiment, both of the inlet smoke chamber 108 and the outlet smoke chamber 110 are connected to the first operative end of the shell 102 or the second operative end of the shell 102.
The inlet smoke chamber 108 has a gas inlet N15 configured to facilitate entry of the hot gas in the inlet smoke chamber 108. Further, the outlet smoke chamber 110 has a gas outlet N16 configured to facilitate exhaust of the hot gas from the outlet smoke chamber 110. The number of the gas inlets N15 and gas outlets N16 vary depending on the number of flue gas sources. Further, the gas inlet N15 is in fluid communication with single boiler or multiple boilers to receive flue gases therefrom.
Further, each of the inlet smoke chamber 108 and the outlet chamber 110 has at least one access door 112, 114 configured at an operative end thereof. The access doors 112, 114 provide access to the inlet smoke chamber 108 and the outlet smoke chamber 110 for allowing maintenance and inspection thereof.
The system 100 further includes an overflow outlet N1 configured on an operative upper side of the shell 102 to allow outflow of feed water accumulated above the level of the overflow outlet N1, thereby limiting water level inside the shell 102 below the overflow outlet N1.
The system 100 further includes a drain port N2, an air vent N3, at least one access manhole N4, a condensate inlet N6, and a makeup water inlet N7 provided on the shell 102.
The drain port N2 is configured at an operative bottom portion of the shell 102 for draining the feed water from the shell 102, if required. The air vent N3 facilitates passing of air out of the shell 102 from within the shell 102. More specifically, the air vent N3 facilitates venting out residual air inside the shell 102. The residual air is the air resulting from the deaerating operation performed on the feed water.
The access manhole N4 provides access to the interior of the shell 102 for maintenance and inspection.
The condensate inlet N6 is configured to facilitate entry of the condensate inside the shell 102. The makeup water inlet N7 is configured to facilitate entry of makeup water inside the shell 102. The makeup water is added when the feed water level within the shell 102 falls below a threshold level. In an embodiment, the system 100 comprises a deaerator head 116 mounted on the shell 102. The deaerator head 116 facilitates mounting of the condensate inlet N6, the makeup water inlet N7, and the first steam inlet N8 on the deaerator head 116. The mechanical deaerator head 116 improves mechanical mixing of cold water, returning condensate, and flash steam, if available. An additional vent/vacuum breaker connection N18 is available for fixing air vent/vacuum breaker.
The system 100 further includes a level gauge, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor. The level gauge is mounted on the shell 102 to monitor the water level within the shell 102. A provision, preferably in the form of level gauge connections N5, is provided on the shell 102 to facilitate fixing of the level gauge on the shell 102 and monitoring of water level using the level gauge. The temperature sensor is mounted on the shell 102, and is configured to measure temperature of water inside the shell 102.
The pressure sensor is mounted on the shell 102, and is configured to measure pressure inside the shell 102. A socket N11 is provided on the shell 102 to facilitate mounting of the pressure sensor on the shell 102, and measuring pressure inside the shell 102. In an embodiment, an additional socket (not specifically shown in figures) is provided on the shell 102 to facilitate mounting of the temperature sensor on the shell 102.
The system 100 further includes a dosing port N12 configured on the shell 102 for adding chemicals and/or additives in the feed water within the shell 102 to maintain correct water parameters in the shell 102.
The system 100 further comprises a safety valve N13 that functions as a pressure relieving valve. An additional condensate connection N14 is also provided on the shell 102 for connecting a circulation return to the shell 102.
The system 100 further comprises a provision, in the form of deaerator head mounting connection N17 configured on an operative top surface of the shell 102, for fixing the deaerator head 116 on the shell 102.
The operation of the system 100 is now described in subsequent paragraphs.
The system 100 performs functions of a feed water storage tank, a heat recovery unit, and a deaerator. The feed water is stored in the shell 102, which is in fluid communication with a feed water source and a boiler for receiving and supplying feed water respectively. Thus, the shell 102 performs the functions of a feed water tank. Initially, the hot gas, which is flue gas received from the boiler, is introduced in the inlet smoke chamber 108 through the gas inlet N15. Thereafter, the hot gas travels through the tubes 104. Further, the feed water is introduced in the shell 102. The heat exchange between the hot gas and the feed water causes the feed water to heat as well as to deaerate. Thus, the system 100 performs the function of the heat recovery unit by pre-heating the feed water before supplying it to the boiler. After travelling through the tubes 104, the hot gas enters the outlet smoke chamber 110 and is discharged from the outlet smoke chamber 110 via the gas outlet N16.
For facilitating deaeration of the feed water, steam is introduced in the shell 102 through the first steam inlet N8 and/or the second steam inlet N10. Thus, the system 100 performs the function of the deaerator.
The system 100 is supported on saddles or legs, and can be placed at a convenient location.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an integrated boiler feed water system:
• has reduced footprint as compared with the conventional feed water systems;
• eliminates the use of different structures for supporting the deaerator, heat recovery unit, and the feed water tank;
• provides ease of operation and maintenance since all different equipment are integrated; and
• has reduced joineries and piping;
• reduces the number of equipment;
• is compact;
• reduces dissolved oxygen in feed water, thereby drastically reducing chances of corrosion; and
• increases efficiency of boiler system.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM
1. An integrated feed water system (100) for a boiler, said system (100) comprising:
a shell (102) configured to store feed water therewithin;
a feed water inlet configured on said shell (102) for allowing cold water entry in said shell (102);
a feed water outlet (N9) configured on said shell (102) for allowing exit of feed water from said shell (102);
a plurality of tubes (104) disposed within said shell (102), and configured to facilitate flow of a hot gas therethrough;
support means (106) disposed within said shell (102), and configured to support said plurality of tubes (104) in said shell (102); and
at least one inlet (N8, N10) configured on said shell (102) to facilitate introduction of steam in said feed water resident in said shell (102).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which comprises:
an inlet smoke chamber (108) connected to said shell (102), and configured to facilitate entry of said hot gas into said plurality of tubes (104); and
an outlet smoke chamber (110) connected to said shell (102), and configured to facilitate exhaust of said hot gas from said plurality of tubes (104).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said inlet smoke chamber (108) is connected to a first operative end of said shell (102), and said outlet smoke chamber (110) is connected to a second operative end of said shell (102).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein both of said inlet smoke chamber (108) and said outlet smoke chamber (110) are connected to a first operative end of said shell (102) or a second operative end of said shell (102).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said inlet smoke chamber (108) has a gas inlet (N15) configured to facilitate entry of said hot gas in said inlet smoke chamber (108), and said outlet smoke chamber (110) has a gas outlet (N16) configured to facilitate exhaust of said hot gas from said outlet smoke chamber (110).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one access door (112, 114) is configured at an operative end of each of said inlet smoke chamber (108) and said outlet smoke chamber (110).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes:
a first steam inlet (N8) configured on said shell (102) to facilitate introduction of flash steam in said shell (102); and
a second steam inlet (N10) configured on said shell (102) to facilitate introduction of live steam in said shell (102).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means form operative ends of said shell (102).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hot gas is a flue gas generated in said boiler.
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means include a pair of plates (106), and each of said plates (106) has a plurality of holes configured thereon to support said plurality of tubes (104).
11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of tubes (104) passes through a hole of said plurality of holes, and is welded at periphery of said hole.
12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes an overflow outlet (N1) configured on an operative upper side of said shell (102) to allow outflow of feed water accumulated above the level of said overflow outlet (N1), thereby limiting water level inside said shell (102).
13. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feed water outlet (N9) is configured at an operative bottom portion of said shell (102).
14. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes:
an air vent (N3) provided on said shell (102) to pass out air from within said shell (102);
an access manhole (N4) provided on said shell (102) for accessing the interior of said shell (102);
a drain port (N2) configured at an operative bottom portion of said shell (102) for draining said feed water from said shell (102);
an condensate inlet (N6) configured on said shell (102) to facilitate entry of condensate inside said shell (102); and
a makeup water inlet (N7) configured on said shell (102) to facilitate entry of makeup water inside said shell (102).
15. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes:
a level gauge mounted on said shell (102) to monitor water level within said shell (102);
a temperature sensor mounted on said shell (102), and configured to measure temperature of water inside said shell (102); and
a pressure sensor mounted on said shell (102), and configured to measure pressure inside said shell (102).
16. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a dosing port (N12) configured on said shell (102) for adding chemicals and/or additives in said feed water within said shell (102).