Spray pipe assembly

Abstract

A valve seat and nozzle assembly includes a valve seat coaxially disposed within a nozzle / throttle assembly, the valve seat including a valve seat housing; the flash vessel flange comprises a central hole, the valve seat is arranged in the central hole and extends to penetrate through the central hole, and the spray pipe / throttling assembly comprises a far end face; the distal face extends radially relative to the flash vessel flange and contacts at least one of a proximal face of the flash vessel flange or a proximal face of the cladding.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional Application No. 18 / 381,973, filed on October 19, 2023, entitled “BLAST TUBE ASSEMBLIES” (hereinafter referred to as the '973 application). The '973 application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 417,852, filed on October 20, 2022, entitled “BLAST TUBE ASSEMBLIES” (hereinafter referred to as the '852 application). The '973 application and the '852 application are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes. Background Art

[0003] In various industrial processes, such as in metal refining, solids and liquids may be transferred from one container to another at high temperatures and pressures. Flow control may be required between the two containers so that the flow can be stopped from time to time. Summary of the invention

[0004] In various embodiments, a valve seat and nozzle assembly includes: a valve seat, which is coaxially disposed within a nozzle / throttle assembly, the valve seat including a valve seat housing; a flash vessel flange, the flash vessel flange including a center hole, the valve seat being disposed within the center hole and extending through the center hole, the nozzle / throttle assembly including a distal face, the distal face extending radially relative to the flash vessel flange and contacting at least one of a proximal face of the flash vessel flange or a proximal face of a cladding.

[0005] In various embodiments, a valve seat and nozzle assembly includes: a valve seat, which is coaxially arranged in a nozzle / throttling assembly, and the valve seat includes a valve seat shell; a flexible sleeve, which is circumferentially arranged around the valve seat shell; a flash vessel flange, the flash vessel flange includes a center hole, the valve seat is arranged in the center hole and extends through the center hole, the valve seat shell includes a valve seat shell flange, and the valve seat shell flange extends radially relative to the flash vessel flange and contacts at least one of the proximal surface of the flash vessel flange, the proximal surface of the cladding, or the flexible sleeve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Various embodiments are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Following is a brief description of the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0007] Figure 1 An industrial process with a plug valve according to various embodiments is shown;

[0008] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a valve seat and nozzle assembly according to various embodiments;

[0009] Figure 3 Shown according to various embodiments Figure 2 An exploded view of the valve seat and nozzle assembly;

[0010] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a valve seat and nozzle assembly according to various embodiments;

[0011] Figure 5 Shown according to various embodiments Figure 4 Exploded view of the valve seat and nozzle assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments in a graphical and optimal manner. Although these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention, it should be understood that other embodiments can be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and logical, chemical and mechanical changes can be made. Therefore, the detailed description presented herein is only for illustrative purposes, not for limiting purposes. For example, the steps described in any method or process description can be performed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. In addition, many functions or steps may be outsourced to or performed by one or more third parties. In addition, any reference to the singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include singular embodiments or steps. In addition, any reference to attachment, fixing, connection or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, complete and / or any other possible attachment options.

[0013] In various embodiments, the valve seat and nozzle assembly disclosed herein provides the ability to accommodate flash vessel flanges of various thicknesses. Given that the systems discussed herein are expected to be used in environments with high-speed flows (supersonic flows in some cases) at high temperatures, in various embodiments, the fit of the valve seat and nozzle becomes relevant to managing flow while reducing or tending to reduce the life of parts and simplifying the ability to perform field repairs. In various embodiments, by configuring the nozzle to reach the top (most proximal portion) of the flash vessel flange, and in various embodiments, extending completely through the flash vessel flange, the thickness of the flash vessel flange becomes less relevant to the fit of the valve seat and nozzle. In this regard, the thickness of the flash vessel flange can fluctuate without interfering with the fit of the valve seat and nozzle.

[0014] The mixture of solids and liquids (which may be referred to as a slurry) may be subjected to high temperature and / or pressure in the autoclave 102. For example, the ore may be mixed with a strong acid (e.g., H 2 SO 4 ) or a strong base (such as NaOH or NH 3 ) and may be subjected to temperatures of 80°C to 300°C or higher and total pressures of about 10 psi (~68 kPa) to 900 psi (~6,205 kPa). The pH of the slurry may be between 1 and 4 (in acidic applications) or between about 10 and 14 (in alkaline applications). This process may be referred to as pressure leaching.

[0015] The autoclave 102 may be sized according to industry needs, but in various embodiments is greater than 200 m 3 The size of the discharge line 110 may also vary, but in various embodiments its diameter is greater than 50 mm.

[0016] The plug valve 104 may include an angle-type isolation valve and may be considered a full-bore or near-full-bore valve in various embodiments. The plug valve 104 may be configured in a "downstream" orientation because the flow tends to force the valve open, as opposed to an "upstream" valve, in which the flow tends to force the valve closed. In this regard, the slurry is configured to flow from the autoclave 102 to the high-pressure flash tank 106.

[0017] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , a cross section of the valve seat and nozzle assembly 200 is shown. For convenience, the axial-radial-circumferential (ARC) axis is shown in this figure and other figures. It should be noted that the first component shown displaced in the positive axial direction relative to the second component can be referred to as being located at the distal end of the second component. The valve seat and nozzle assembly 200 can be used in a variety of valve configurations, including a valve 120 coupled to a high pressure flash tank 106, etc. The valve seat and nozzle assembly 200 can be coupled to the high pressure flash tank 106 downstream of the plug valve 120.

[0018] The valve seat and nozzle assembly 200 may connect the valve body 202 to the flash vessel nozzle 224. The valve body 202 and the flash vessel nozzle 224 may include one or more metallic materials, such as various metals and metal alloys known in the industry. The plug may be configured to interface with the valve seat 206 to prevent mass flow from the valve body 202 through the valve seat and nozzle assembly 200, and more specifically, through the valve seat 206. The valve seat and nozzle assembly 200 allows the valve body 202 to achieve fluid communication through the flash vessel flange 218.

[0019] In various embodiments, the plug may include a ceramic material. Ceramics are particularly suitable for high corrosion applications. The plug may have varying geometries. For example, the geometry may be spherical, parabolic, planar, or any other suitable geometric configuration. There may also be a translation axis coupled to the plug. In various embodiments, the plug may include: one or more metals, such as, for example, various steel alloys, stainless steel, titanium; ceramics, such as silicon carbide (SiC), boron carbide (B 4 C), tungsten carbide (WC) and zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ); and nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys, such as those sold under the trademark INCONEL. Nickel-chromium alloys may be well suited for high temperature environments.

[0020] The valve seat 206 includes a valve seat housing 204 and a valve seat bushing 203. The valve seat housing 204 may be coaxially disposed with the valve seat bushing 203, but in various embodiments, the valve seat housing 204 may not be coaxially disposed with the valve seat bushing 203. The valve seat housing 204 may be mated with the valve seat bushing 203 by any suitable connection method, such as an interference fit or a press fit, etc. The valve seat housing 204 may also be coupled to the valve seat bushing 203 using adhesives, mortar, or other connection compounds.

[0021] In various embodiments, the valve seat bushing 203 may include one or more ceramics, such as silicon carbide (SiC), boron carbide (B 4 C), tungsten carbide (WC) and zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 The seat bushing 203 is generally cylindrical in geometry with a constant inner diameter (ID) over at least a portion of the axial length of the seat bushing 203, but in various embodiments, the ID may taper (decrease) or expand (increase) from axial end to axial end. In various embodiments, the seat bushing 203 spans the axial length of the nozzle assembly 200.

[0022] The valve seat housing 204 may be made of one or more metals, such as, for example, various steel alloys, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-6AI-4V), and nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys sold under the trademark INCONEL. Nickel-chromium alloys may be well suited for high temperature environments. The valve seat housing 204 may include a valve seat housing flange 205, which may contact, abut, or otherwise abut the valve body 202. The valve seat housing 204 may fit within the bore of the flash vessel flange 218 and be disposed coaxially therewith. In this regard, the valve seat housing 204 and the distal-most portion of the flash vessel flange 218 may be formed into any suitable geometry, but in various embodiments, the flash vessel flange 218 includes an annular disk having a central bore 270. The cladding 216 lines the central bore 270 of the flash vessel flange 218 along the axial length of the flash vessel flange 218 and extends around at least one radial face of the flash vessel flange 218. The cladding 216 may comprise any suitable material, including various steel alloys, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-6AI-4V), and nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys, such as an austenitic nickel-chromium alloy sold under the trademark INCONEL. In this regard, the cladding 216 contacts the distal end face 280 of the nozzle / throttle assembly 214.

[0023] The valve seat housing flange 205 extends radially relative to the flash vessel flange 218 and is coupled to, abuts, or otherwise adjoins a proximal face 281 of the nozzle / throttle assembly 214. In this regard, the valve seat housing flange 205 prevents the valve seat 206 from leaving the central bore 270 by interference between the valve seat housing flange 205 and the distal face 281 of the nozzle / throttle assembly 214. In turn, the proximal face 280 of the nozzle / throttle assembly 214 prevents the nozzle / throttle assembly 214 from leaving the central bore 270 by interference between the proximal face 281 of the nozzle / throttle assembly 214 and at least one of the proximal face 272 of the flash vessel flange 218 or the proximal face 274 of the cladding 216.

[0024] The nozzle / throttle assembly 214 at least partially receives the valve seat 206 and is disposed coaxially therewith. The nozzle / throttle assembly 214 includes a nozzle bushing 210, an adhesive 212, and a nozzle housing 208.

[0025] The nozzle housing 208 may comprise any suitable material, including various steel alloys, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-6AI-4V), and nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys sold under the trademark INCONEL. The nozzle housing 208 is received by the central hole of the flash vessel flange 218. The nozzle housing 208 may contact the cladding 216. The adhesive 212 includes a compound for connecting and / or thermally insulating the burster bushing 210. The adhesive 212 may include mortar, acid-resistant brick, and / or PTFE. The adhesive 212 is used to retain the nozzle bushing 210 within the nozzle housing 208, and is also used to thermally insulate the nozzle bushing 210. The thermal insulation tends to reduce the effects of thermal creep on the nozzle housing 208.

[0026] Nozzle liner 210 may include one or more ceramics, such as silicon carbide (SiC), boron carbide (B 4 C), tungsten carbide (WC) and zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ). The nozzle bushing 210 can be divided into two parts, an upper nozzle bushing 261 and a lower nozzle bushing 260. The upper nozzle bushing 261 is disposed at the proximal end of the lower nozzle bushing 260.

[0027] The upper nozzle bushing 261 is configured to have a constant or nearly constant ID over the axial length. In this manner, the upper nozzle bushing 261 receives the valve seat housing 204. More specifically, the valve seat housing 204 is received within the upper nozzle bushing 261. In this regard, the upper nozzle bushing 261 can contact the outer diameter surface of the valve seat housing 204.

[0028] The lower nozzle bushing 260 is disposed proximal to the upper nozzle bushing 261. In various embodiments, the lower nozzle bushing 260 and the upper nozzle bushing 261 are shown as two separate, discrete components that can be abutted against each other. However, in various embodiments, the lower nozzle bushing 260 and the upper nozzle bushing 261 can include a single, unitary component having an inner surface geometry and / or ID variation that varies over the axial length.

[0029] The lower nozzle bushing 260 includes a proximal step to receive the valve seat housing 204 and prevent the valve seat housing 204 from moving in the axial distal direction. In addition, the ID of the lower nozzle bushing 260 is smaller than the ID of the upper nozzle bushing 261. In various embodiments, the ID of the lower nozzle bushing 260 can be configured to be the same or approximately the same as the ID of the valve seat bushing 203, where the term "approximately" in this context only means + / - 5%. By matching the ID of the valve seat bushing 203, the lower nozzle bushing 260 can help control the radial expansion of the fluid flow within the valve seat bushing 203. The lower nozzle bushing 260 has an ID diameter that increases toward the proximal end of the lower nozzle bushing 260, thereby presenting a trumpet-like geometry.

[0030] The nozzle / throttle assembly 214 may extend axially through the central hole 270 of the flash vessel flange 218. In various embodiments, the nozzle / throttle assembly 214 terminates at or about the distal radial face of the flash vessel flange 218, but in various embodiments, the nozzle / throttle assembly 214 may extend axially beyond this point.

[0031] The flash vessel nozzle 224 is disposed at a distal end of the flash vessel flange 218. The flash vessel nozzle 224 may be coupled to the flash vessel. The flash vessel nozzle 224 includes a flash vessel nozzle flange 220 configured to mate with the flash vessel flange 218. Similar to the cladding 216, the cladding 221 surrounds the inner diameter of the flash vessel nozzle 224 and extends radially outward across at least a portion of the flash vessel nozzle flange 220.

[0032] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a cross section of the valve seat and nozzle assembly 300 is shown. For convenience, the axial-radial-circumferential (ARC) axis is shown. The valve seat and nozzle assembly 300 can be used in a variety of valve configurations, including valve 120, etc. The valve seat and nozzle assembly 300 can be coupled to the high pressure flash tank 106 downstream of the plug valve 120.

[0033] The valve seat and nozzle assembly 300 can connect the valve body 302 to the flash vessel nozzle 324. The valve body 302 and the flash vessel nozzle 324 can include one or more metallic materials, such as various metals and metal alloys known in the industry. The plug can be configured to interface with the valve seat 306 to prevent mass flow from the valve body 302 through the valve seat and nozzle assembly 300, and more specifically, through the valve seat 306. The valve seat and nozzle assembly 300 allows the valve body 302 to achieve fluid communication through the flash vessel flange 318.

[0034] In various embodiments, the plug may include a ceramic material. Ceramics are particularly suitable for high corrosion applications. The plug may have varying geometries. For example, the geometry may be spherical, parabolic, planar, or any other suitable geometric configuration. There may also be a translation axis coupled to the plug. In various embodiments, the plug may include: one or more metals, such as, for example, various steel alloys, stainless steel, titanium; ceramics, such as silicon carbide (SiC), boron carbide (B 4 C), tungsten carbide (WC) and zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ); and nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys, such as those sold under the trademark INCONEL. Nickel-chromium alloys may be well suited for high temperature environments.

[0035] The valve seat 306 includes a valve seat housing 304 and a valve seat bushing 303. The valve seat housing 304 may be coaxially disposed with the valve seat bushing 303, but in various embodiments, the valve seat housing 304 may not be coaxially disposed with the valve seat bushing 303. The valve seat housing 304 may be mated with the valve seat bushing 303 by any suitable connection method, such as an interference fit or a press fit, etc. The valve seat housing 304 may also be coupled to the valve seat bushing 303 using adhesives, mortar, or other connection compounds.

[0036] In various embodiments, the valve seat bushing 303 may include one or more ceramics, such as silicon carbide (SiC), boron carbide (B 4 C), tungsten carbide (WC) and zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ). The geometry of the valve seat bushing 303 is generally cylindrical, having a constant inner diameter (ID) over at least a portion of the axial length of the valve seat bushing 303, but in various embodiments, the ID can taper (decrease) or expand (increase) from axial end to axial end. In various embodiments, the valve seat bushing 303 spans the axial length of the nozzle assembly 300. As shown, the valve seat bushing 303 has a constant ID from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0037] The valve seat housing 304 can be made of one or more metals, such as, for example, various steel alloys, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-6AI-4V), and nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys sold under the trademark INCONEL. Nickel-chromium alloys may be well suited for high temperature environments. The valve seat housing 304 may include a valve seat housing flange 305, which may contact, abut, or otherwise abut the valve body 302. The valve seat housing 304 may fit within the bore of the flash vessel flange 318 and be coaxially disposed therewith. In this regard, the valve seat housing 304 and the distal-most portion of the flash vessel flange 318 may be formed into any suitable geometry, but in various embodiments, the flash vessel flange 318 includes an annular disk having a central bore 370. The cladding 316 lines the central bore 370 of the flash vessel flange 318 along the axial length of the flash vessel flange 318 and extends around at least one radial face of the flash vessel flange 318. The cladding 316 may comprise any suitable material, including various steel alloys, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys (eg, Ti-6AI-4V), and nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys, such as those sold under the trademark INCONEL.

[0038] The flexible sleeve 350 is disposed radially inwardly of the cladding 316. The flexible sleeve 350 is configured to be disposed within and / or at least partially lined within the axial surface of the central hole 370 of the flash vessel flange 318. The flexible sleeve 350 may have a constant ID over the entire axial length of the flexible sleeve 350. The flexible sleeve 350 may include one or more of a thermoplastic and / or a thermosetting plastic and / or a polymer material. The compliant material includes, for example, rubber, silicone, synthetic rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded PTFE, and other similar materials. For example, the flexible sleeve 350 may include rigid or semi-rigid PTFE. In various embodiments, the flexible sleeve 350 includes carbon-filled PTFE. The carbon-filled PTFE may include a mixture of PTFE and a carbon form (e.g., carbon powder). The carbon-filled PTFE may include 0.2% carbon powder to 40% carbon powder by weight, with the remainder being PTFE. The carbon-filled PTFE may include PTFE and graphite. In various embodiments, the compliant sleeve 350 includes a non-polymer material, such as a silicon-based compound or a metallic material. For example, at high temperatures (such as, for example, above 260° C.), the silicon-based compound or the metallic material may have a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), which may improve the performance of the compliant sleeve 350 (compared to the performance of a polymer material at the same high temperature).

[0039] The valve seat housing flange 305 extends radially relative to the flash vessel flange 318 and is coupled, abutted, or otherwise adjacent to the proximal surface 372 of the flash vessel flange 318. In this regard, the valve seat housing flange 305 prevents the valve seat 306 from leaving the central bore 370 by interference between the valve seat housing flange 305 and at least one of the proximal surface 372 of the flash vessel flange 318 or the proximal surface 274 of the cladding 216.

[0040] The compliant sleeve 350 may function to allow the valve seat 306 to be easily removed from the flash vessel flange 318 during maintenance. Additionally, the compliant sleeve 350 may have a higher CTE than the cladding 316 and / or the valve seat housing 304 and / or the flash vessel flange 318. In this regard, in response to an increase in temperature, the compliant sleeve 350 may expand at a higher rate, thereby forming a more secure seal.

[0041] The nozzle / throttle assembly 314 at least partially receives the valve seat 306 and is disposed coaxially therewith. The nozzle / throttle assembly 314 includes a nozzle bushing 310, an adhesive 312, and a nozzle housing 308.

[0042] The nozzle housing 308 may comprise any suitable material, including various steel alloys, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-6AI-4V), and nickel-chromium alloys, such as austenitic nickel-chromium alloys, such as those sold under the trademark INCONEL. The nozzle housing 308 is received by the central hole of the flash vessel flange 318 and may contact the cladding 316. The adhesive 312 includes a compound for connecting and / or thermally insulating the burster bushing 310. The adhesive 312 may include mortar, acid-resistant brick, and / or PTFE. The adhesive 312 is used to retain the nozzle bushing 310 within the nozzle housing 308 and is also used to thermally insulate the nozzle bushing 310. The thermal insulation tends to reduce the effects of thermal creep on the nozzle housing 308. The nozzle bushing 310 may include one or more ceramics, such as silicon carbide (SiC), boron carbide (B 4 C), tungsten carbide (WC) and zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ).

[0043] The nozzle / throttle assembly 314 is coupled to the flash vessel flange 318. The valve seat 306 extends distally beyond the flash vessel flange 318 to be disposed within the nozzle / throttle assembly 314. In this regard, the valve seat 306 abuts, contacts, or otherwise adjoins the nozzle / throttle assembly 314. The sealing ring 357 may circumferentially surround the valve seat housing 304 and axially abut the nozzle bushing 310. The size and configuration of the sealing ring 357 may be designed to transition the valve seat housing 304 to the nozzle bushing 310 while reducing or tending to reduce interference with fluid dynamics. The ID of the nozzle bushing 310 may be greater than the ID of the valve seat bushing 303. Although in various embodiments, the nozzle bushing 310 may have the same ID as the valve seat bushing 303 as shown in the figure, the ID of the nozzle bushing 310 may be greater than the valve seat bushing 303. In this regard, the ID of the distal internal volume 352 is greater than the proximal internal volume 354. This configuration affects the flow dynamics and can be used in various scenarios depending on the flow dynamics requirements.

[0044] Benefits and other advantages have been described herein for specific embodiments. In addition, the connecting lines shown in the various figures included herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical connections between the various elements. It should be noted that there may be many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections in the actual system. However, benefits, advantages, and any elements that may cause any benefit or advantage to appear or become more significant should not be interpreted as key, necessary or essential features or elements of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims, wherein the reference to the singular element is not intended to represent "one and only one", unless explicitly stated, but "one or more". In addition, when a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B or C" is used in the claim, the phrase should be interpreted as meaning that A can exist alone in the embodiment, B can exist alone in the embodiment, C can exist alone in the embodiment, or any combination of elements A, B and C can exist in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

[0045] Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to "various embodiments," "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," and the like indicate that the described embodiments may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but each embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such wording does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it should be considered that it is within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art to make such feature, structure, or characteristic work in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, a person skilled in the relevant art will understand how to implement the present disclosure in alternative embodiments.

[0046] In addition, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly described in the claims. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112 (f), unless the element is explicitly described using the phrase "means for". As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, method, article, or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but may also include other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or device.

Claims

1. A valve seat and nozzle assembly, include: a valve seat, the valve seat being coaxially disposed within the nozzle / throttle assembly, the valve seat comprising a valve seat housing; A flash vessel flange including a central bore, the valve seat being disposed within and extending through the central bore, the nozzle / throttle assembly including a distal face extending radially relative to the flash vessel flange and contacting at least one of a proximal face of the flash vessel flange or a proximal face of the cladding.

2. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the cladding lines the central bore and circumferentially surrounds the valve seat housing.

3. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 2, wherein the cladding contacts a distal surface of the flash vessel flange.

4. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 3, wherein the valve seat comprises a ceramic valve seat bushing, the ceramic valve seat bushing comprising silicon carbide (SiC), boron carbide (B 4 C), tungsten carbide (WC) and zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) at least one of.

5. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 4 wherein the nozzle / throttle assembly comprises a ceramic nozzle bushing.

6. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 5, wherein the ceramic nozzle bushing contacts the ceramic valve seat bushing.

7. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 6, wherein the inner diameter of the ceramic valve seat bushing increases in a distal direction.

8. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 5, wherein the inner diameter of the ceramic valve seat bushing is smaller than the inner diameter of the ceramic nozzle bushing.

9. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 8, further comprising a valve body coupled to the valve seat.

10. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 9, further comprising mortar disposed radially outwardly of the ceramic nozzle bushing.

11. A valve seat and nozzle assembly, include: a valve seat, the valve seat being coaxially disposed within the nozzle / throttle assembly, the valve seat comprising a valve seat housing; A flexible sleeve, the flexible sleeve is circumferentially arranged around the valve seat housing; A flash vessel flange, the flash vessel flange including a central hole, the valve seat being disposed within and extending through the central hole, the valve seat housing including a valve seat housing flange extending radially relative to the flash vessel flange and contacting at least one of a proximal face of the flash vessel flange, a proximal face of the cladding, or the flexible sleeve.

12. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 11 wherein said cladding lines said central bore and circumferentially surrounds said compliant sleeve.

13. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 12, wherein the cladding contacts a distal surface of the flash vessel flange.

14. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 13, wherein the valve seat comprises a ceramic valve seat bushing comprising silicon carbide (SiC), boron carbide (B 4 C), tungsten carbide (WC) and zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) at least one of.

15. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 14, wherein the nozzle / throttle assembly includes a ceramic nozzle bushing.

16. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 14, wherein the sealing ring contacts a proximal portion of the nozzle.

17. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 16, wherein the inner diameter of the ceramic valve seat bushing is constant over the axial length of the ceramic valve seat bushing.

18. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 16, wherein the sealing ring circumferentially surrounds the valve seat housing.

19. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 18, further comprising a valve body coupled to the valve seat.

20. The valve seat and nozzle assembly of claim 9, further comprising mortar disposed radially outwardly of the ceramic nozzle bushing.

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