Piping, header, and tubing arrangements for solar boilers

Abstract

A header system for fluid circulation in a boiler includes a header configured to conduct fluid therethrough for circulating fluids in a boiler. A plurality of suction lines are connected in fluid communication with the header. Each suction line is configured and adapted to connect a respective pump in fluid communication with the header. A plurality of downcomers are connected in fluid communication with the header. Each downcomer is configured and adapted to connect the header in fluid communication with a steam drum. The header, suction lines, and downcomers are configured and adapted to draw substantially equal amounts of fluid from each of the downcomers even when flow is uneven among the suction lines. A plurality of cascaded headers can fluidly connect the circulation header to a steam generator. The plurality of cascaded headers is configured and adapted to provide a substantially equal flow to panels of the steam generator.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 547, 650, filed Aug. 26, 2009. This application is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 620,109, filed Nov. 17, 2009. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12 / 547,650 and 12 / 620,109 each claim priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 151,984, filed Feb. 12, 2009, to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 152,011, filed Feb. 12, 2009, to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 152,035, filed Feb. 12, 2009, to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 152,049, filed Feb. 12, 2009, to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 152,077, filed Feb. 12, 2009, to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 152,114, filed Feb. 12, 2009, and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 152,286, filed Feb. 13, 2009. Each of the above-referenced applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[00...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This development has lead to new challenges in handling the intense solar heat without damage to the system.

This high heat transfer rate intensifies problems related to maintaining even heating and flow distribution throughout known designs of boiler panels.

The high heat transfer rate gives rise to high pressures and temperatures in the boiler tubing and related structures.

In the event of failure of one or more of the pumps, the functioning pump or pumps draw uneven amounts of water from the drum through the different downcomers, creating an unbalance of flow in the drum.

Unbalance along the length of the drum can lead to varying drum water level along the length of the drum.

Uneven water level in the drum can cause many problems including high carry-under (when saturated fluid enters the downcomers) to a false low water level alarm or low water level trip.

Prolonged operation with large unbalances in drum water level can also lead to constant water level alarms, water level trips, long-term fatigue and metallurgical problems from overheating, and affect the life and performance of the circulation pump.

This header arrangement, when applied to solar boiler applications, can lead to uneven flow from panel to panel, which can give rise to panel failure due to the intense heating described above.

This, together with the with the circulation header arrangement described above, can result in detrimental uneven flow throughout the boiler system, and causes a risk of emergency shutdown or even failure of key components.

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