Ash guide device and ash guide method

Abstract

In the ash guide device, the impact on the device caused by large ash falling to the device below is mitigated with a simple configuration. [Solution] The ash guide device comprises a chute and a swinging body. The chute causes ash to fall from an upper opening to a lower opening. At least a portion of the swinging body is positioned in the internal space of the chute and supported in a suspended state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the guidance of falling ash.

Background Art

[0002] An ash guiding device for guiding falling ash is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an ash guiding device disposed at the bottom of a steam generating boiler. In Patent Document 1, an extractor and a transition hopper are provided near the bottom of the boiler. The extractor is composed of a conveyor belt and conveys the ash falling from the bottom of the boiler to an external device (for example, a device for pulverizing, cooling, or transporting the ash). The transition hopper is provided between the extractor and the boiler.

[0004] A hatch valve that can be opened and closed by a hydraulic cylinder is attached to the bottom of the transition hopper. Normally, the hatch valve is in a semi-open position and can receive lumps of ash. When there is a lump of ash, the operator fully opens the valve and slowly drops the lump onto the belt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In boiler furnaces, when ash adheres well, it can grow significantly on the furnace walls, reaching sizes such as 3 meters by 2 meters. Even if an operator opens a valve to slowly drop the ash mass onto a conveyor belt, as described in Patent Document 1, the impact of such a heavy mass falling onto the conveyor belt is considerable, causing malfunctions in the conveying equipment. Furthermore, the burden on operators for monitoring and operation is significant, and improvements were desired.

[0007] This disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to mitigate the impact on the device caused by large ash falling to the device below, with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The problems that this disclosure aims to solve are as described above, and next we will explain the means and effects of solving these problems.

[0009] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an ash guide device is provided having the following configuration: the ash guide device comprises a chute and a swinging body. The chute causes ash to fall from an upper opening to a lower opening. The swinging body is supported in a suspended state, with at least a portion of it located in the internal space of the chute.

[0010] A second aspect of this disclosure provides the following ash guiding method: that is, to cause ash to fall from an upper opening of a chute toward a lower opening; and to cause the ash to collide with a swinging body, at least a portion of which is positioned in the internal space of the chute and supported in a suspended state.

[0011] This reduces the impact caused by ash falling through the ash guide device to the device below. Furthermore, by using a suspended oscillating body to weaken the force of the clinker's fall, a simple configuration can be achieved, and the accumulation of ash on top of the oscillating body can be avoided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, the impact on the device caused by large ash falling to the device below can be mitigated with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] A schematic side view of a clinker discharge system including a hopper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the hopper according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Side cross-section view of the hopper. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view AA in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Side cross-sectional view of the hopper of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] A perspective view of the hopper of the third embodiment. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the first modified example in which a weight is suspended. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of the second modified example in which a weight is suspended. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of the third modified example in which a weight is suspended. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a clinker discharge system including a hopper 11 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hopper 11 of the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the hopper 11. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 3.

[0015] The hopper (ash guide device) 11 shown in Figure 1 is connected to the bottom of, for example, a boiler 60 in a coal-fired power plant. In the drawing, only the bottom of the boiler 60 is shown in a simplified manner.

[0016] In boiler 60, coal is burned as fuel to heat water and generate high-temperature, high-pressure steam. This generated steam is used to rotate a steam turbine. The rotation of the steam turbine is input to a generator, which then generates electricity.

[0017] For the purpose of improving combustion efficiency, coal is pre-crushed and supplied to the boiler 60 in the form of fine powder. When the coal burns in the boiler 60, the ash particles may aggregate and solidify to form lumps. In this specification, such lumps may be referred to as clinkers 5.

[0018] The clinker 5 falls from the bottom of the boiler 60 through the hopper 11 and reaches the conveying surface 51 of the conveyor 50. The clinker 5 that has fallen onto the conveying surface is conveyed by the conveyor 50 and sent to the downstream processing device 70. As this processing device 70, a clinker crushing device, a clinker cooling device, etc. may be considered, but it is not limited thereto.

[0019] The hopper 11 of the present embodiment is arranged above the conveyor 50. The conveyor 50 includes a housing 52 that covers the conveying path of the clinker 5. An opening for attaching the hopper 11 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 52.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the hopper 11 includes a chute 20 and a wire (strip body, swing body) 30.

[0021] The hopper 11 guides the clinker 5 that has fallen from the bottom of the boiler 60 to the conveyor 50. In plan view, the hopper 11 is formed to be elongated in one direction, and its longitudinal direction substantially coincides with the conveying direction of the clinker 5 by the conveyor 50. Hereinafter, the conveying direction of the ash by the conveyor 50 may be simply referred to as the conveyor conveying direction D1.

[0022] The chute 20 is formed in a hollow shape from a known refractory material. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, an upper opening 21 and a lower opening 22 are formed in the chute 20. The upper opening 21 and the lower opening 22 are connected through the internal space of the chute 20.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, a tapered section 23 is formed near the upper opening 21 of the chute 20, which becomes smaller in the width direction of the conveyor surface as it approaches the bottom. The width direction of the conveyor surface refers to the direction parallel to the conveying surface 51 of the conveyor 50 and perpendicular to the conveyor conveying direction D1. Hereinafter, the width direction of the conveyor surface may simply be referred to as the conveyor width direction D2.

[0024] The upper opening 21 is formed at the upper end of the chute 20. The upper opening 21 is located below the boiler 60 and faces the bottom of the boiler 60 in the vertical direction.

[0025] The lower opening 22 is formed at the lower end of the chute 20. The lower opening 22 is positioned above the conveyor 50 and faces the conveying surface 51 of the conveyor 50 in the vertical direction.

[0026] Depending on the quality of the coal, clinker 5 may grow for a long period of time while adhering to the furnace wall inside the boiler 60, forming large lumps. If a large piece of clinker 5 were to fall forcefully onto the conveying surface 51 of the conveyor 50, it would cause a significant impact on the conveyor 50, potentially leading to malfunctions.

[0027] Taking this into consideration, in the hopper 11 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, multiple wires 30 for receiving the falling clinker 5 are fixed to the inner wall of the chute 20. Each of the wires 30 is located entirely within the internal space of the chute 20.

[0028] The chute 20 comprises a first wall portion 26 and a second wall portion 27. In the conveyor width direction D2, the first wall portion 26 is located on one side and the second wall portion 27 is located on the other side. The internal space of the chute 20 is formed between the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27. The aforementioned tapered portion 23 is realized by appropriately inclining the upper parts of the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27.

[0029] One end of each wire 30 is connected to the first wall 26, and the other end is connected to the second wall 27. In a plan view, each wire 30 is arranged to divide the internal space of the chute 20.

[0030] The wire 30 has appropriate flexibility and is deformable. This prevents the accumulation of ash on the wire 30. For similar reasons, it is preferable to rotatably connect both ends of the wire 30 to the first wall 26 or the second wall 27, for example, compared to fixing both ends.

[0031] The length of the wire 30 is greater than the straight-line distance between the connection point to the first wall 26 and the connection point to the second wall 27. Therefore, the wire 30 has a certain degree of slack and is curved so as to be convex downwards. This reduces the tension generated in the wire 30 and prevents the wire 30 from breaking.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the inclination at both ends of the wire 30 is substantially the same angle as the inclination of the tapered section 23. As the wire 30 goes downwards, it gradually moves away from the tapered section 23 and the inclination becomes gentler. Therefore, even if clinker falls near the end of the wire 30, it is possible to prevent excessive impact on the wire 30.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, four wires 30 are arranged in a line with a predetermined interval L1 in the conveyor transport direction D1. This ensures that no matter where a large clinker 5 falls into the chute 20, it can almost always be caught by one of the wires 30. The four wires 30 are arranged at substantially equal heights. In this embodiment, the four wires 30 are arranged at equal intervals horizontally, but they may be arranged at unequal intervals.

[0034] In this embodiment, a wire 30 is provided to catch the falling clinker 5 and reduce its momentum. However, instead of the wire 30, a chain, for example, may be used.

[0035] This embodiment allows for the reduction of the force of the large clinker 5 falling with a simple configuration using a wire 30. Furthermore, since the effect is achieved simply by attaching the wire 30, a compact configuration can be realized, and changes in placement are easy. Because it is a simple configuration using a swinging wire 30, it is easy to retrofit to existing hoppers. Modifications to existing equipment can be kept to a minimum, thus reducing costs. Moreover, even if the wire 30 becomes worn out, it can be easily replaced.

[0036] The wire 30 swings around its ends as pivot points, for example, when clinker 5 strikes it. This prevents clinker 5 from accumulating on the top of the wire 30, compared to other configurations.

[0037] The wire 30 is subjected to impact when it collides with the falling clinker 5. Therefore, there is a possibility that the wire 30 may break during the operation of the boiler 60. However, even if the wire 30 breaks in the middle, it will only hang down from both ends inside the chute 20, so there is room to continue operation. In other words, if the frequency of large clinker 5 formation is low, it can be said that there is no need to immediately replace the wire 30. In this way, the configuration of this embodiment can reduce the risk of equipment downtime.

[0038] As described above, the hopper 11 of this embodiment comprises a chute 20 and a wire 30. The chute 20 drops the clinker 5 from the upper opening 21 to the lower opening 22. At least a portion of the wire 30 is positioned in the internal space of the chute 20 and supported in a suspended state.

[0039] As a result, the wire 30 hits the clinker 5 as it is fed in from the upper opening 21, thereby reducing the force of the clinker 5's fall. Consequently, the impact of the clinker 5 hitting the conveying surface 51 of the conveyor 50 is reduced, and the lifespan of the conveyor 50 can be extended.

[0040] In the hopper 11 of this embodiment, the chute 20 comprises a first wall portion 26 and a second wall portion 27. The second wall portion 27 is positioned on the opposite side of the internal space of the chute 20 from the first wall portion 26 in the conveyor width direction D2. The wire 30 is positioned to connect the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27 and is deformable.

[0041] This allows the wire 30 to be positioned so as to cross the internal space of the chute 20, thereby increasing the chances of the clinker 5 falling inside the chute 20 coming into contact with the wire 30.

[0042] In the hopper 11 of this embodiment, the wire 30 can come into contact with the clinker 5 that is fed in from the upper opening 21.

[0043] This allows for a lightweight and simple configuration.

[0044] In the hopper 11 of this embodiment, the internal space of the chute 20 is formed to be elongated in the conveyor transport direction D1 when viewed from above. Multiple wires 30 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the internal space when viewed from above.

[0045] This increases the chances that the clinker 5 falling inside the chute 20 will come into contact with the wire 30.

[0046] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the same or similar parts as in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0047] In the second embodiment shown in Figure 5, the four wires 30 are not at the same height, but are arranged alternately at different heights.

[0048] In the configuration of this embodiment, the spacing L2 between adjacent wires 30 can be substantially wider than the spacing L1 in the first embodiment (L2 > L1). Therefore, the situation in which a large clinker 5 gets caught on two wires 30 simultaneously can be reduced, resulting in good passability.

[0049] As described above, the plurality of wires 30 provided in the hopper 11 of this embodiment include two wires 30 that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the internal space of the chute 20 and have different heights from each other.

[0050] This reduces the likelihood of large clinkers getting caught on both wires 30 simultaneously and failing to fall. As a result, the clinkers can be discharged smoothly from the hopper 11.

[0051] Next, a third embodiment will be described.

[0052] The hopper 11 of the third embodiment shown in Figure 6 comprises two weights 35. Each weight 35 is suspended via a deformable chain (first chain) 34. Each weight 35 is entirely located within the internal space of the chute 20.

[0053] The chain 34 is positioned to extend vertically. The upper end of the chain 34 is fixed to the bottom of the boiler 60 by appropriate means as not shown in the figure. The lower end of the chain 34 is connected to the counterweight 35.

[0054] The two weights 35 are arranged side by side with a predetermined distance between them in the conveyor transport direction D1. A wire 30 is placed between the two weights 35. The configuration of the wire 30 is the same as in the first embodiment described above, so its description is omitted.

[0055] In this embodiment, the weight 35 is formed in a spherical shape. This helps to suppress the accumulation of clinker on the upper surface of the weight 35. The shape of the weight 35 can be arbitrarily changed; for example, the lower half may be spherical and the upper half conical. Alternatively, the weight 35 may be formed in any block shape. The weight 35 can be made of iron, for example, but is not limited to this.

[0056] Since a suitable space is formed around the weight 35, the weight 35 can swing like a pendulum, for example, in response to contact with a large clinker 5. Even if the clinker 5 lands on the top surface of the weight 35, the swinging motion of the weight 35 can cause it to fall downwards as needed. On the other hand, because the weight 35 is heavier than the wire 30, it is less likely to swing. Therefore, when a large falling clinker 5 collides with the weight 35, the effect of crushing the clinker 5 can also be expected.

[0057] The chain 34 in the third embodiment can also be modified as follows, for example.

[0058] In the first modified example shown in Figure 7, the chain 34 is divided into two parts. The lengths of the divided chains 34a and 34b are substantially equal. One side of the divided chain 34a connects the first wall 26 to the weight 35, and the other side of the chain 34b connects the second wall 27 to the weight 35. As a result, the chain 34 as a whole is arranged in a V-shape.

[0059] In this configuration, even if, for example, one side of the divided chain 34a breaks due to impact or the like, the weight 35 can only move within the range of the length of the other side of the chain 34b. Therefore, the situation can be prevented from worsening.

[0060] In this embodiment in particular, even if one of the divided chains 34a breaks due to impact or the like, the weight 35 will not fall onto the conveying surface of the conveyor 50 as long as the other chain 34b does not break. Conversely, the lengths of the respective chains 34a and 34b are determined so that even when the weight 35 is suspended by itself, the lower end of the weight 35 does not come into contact with the conveyor 50. This prevents damage to the conveyor 50.

[0061] As described above, in the hopper 11 of this modified example, the weight 35 can strike the clinker that is fed in from the upper opening 21.

[0062] In this configuration, by increasing the mass of the weight 35, it is also possible to expect the clinker 5 to be shattered upon impact with the weight 35 during its fall.

[0063] In the modified hopper 11, the weight 35 is connected to both the first wall 26 and the second wall 27 via a deformable chain 34.

[0064] This allows the range of movement of the weight 35 to be limited to a predetermined range, even if the chain 34 breaks, thereby preventing the situation from worsening.

[0065] In the second modified example shown in Figure 8, the hopper 11 is provided with a second chain (oscillating body, second chain) 36, in addition to the two divided chains 34a and 34b.

[0066] One end of the second chain 36 is connected to the first wall 26, and the other end is connected to the second wall 27. The location where the second chain 36 connects to the first wall 26 is substantially the same as the location where chain 34 connects to the first wall 26. The location where the second chain 36 connects to the second wall 27 is substantially the same as the location where chain 34 connects to the second wall 27.

[0067] Similar to the wire 30 in the first embodiment, the length of the second chain 36 is greater than the straight-line distance between the connection point to the first wall 26 and the connection point to the second wall 27. Therefore, the second chain 36 has some slack and is curved so as to be convex downwards. However, since the slack is small, the second chain 36 is located above the chain 34.

[0068] In this configuration, for example, the momentum of the clinker 5a falling along one side wall of the tapered section 23 can be weakened by the second chain 36, and the momentum of the clinker 5b falling from the center can be weakened by the weight 35.

[0069] As described above, the hopper 11 of this modified example includes, in addition to the chain 34 and weight 35 mentioned above, a deformable second chain 36 arranged to connect the first wall portion 26 and the second wall portion 27.

[0070] This increases the opportunities to weaken the momentum of the falling clinker 5.

[0071] The hopper 11 of the third modified example shown in Figure 9 differs from the first modified example in that two weights 35 are arranged side by side in the conveyor width direction D2. This configuration increases the opportunities for the clinker 5 to come into contact with the weights 35 when the width dimension of the conveyor 50 is large.

[0072] Preferred embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described above, but the above configuration can be modified as follows, for example. Modifications may be made individually or in any combination of multiple modifications.

[0073] The number of wires 30 or weights 35 in the first to third embodiments and the first to third modified examples can be changed as appropriate.

[0074] The wire 30 may be entirely located within the internal space of the chute 20, or only partially located within the internal space. The same applies to the weight 35.

[0075] The wire 30 may be positioned so as to be inclined with respect to the conveyor width direction D2 in a plan view. The same applies to the second chain 36.

[0076] In the second embodiment, the wires 30 may be arranged so that they become progressively lower or progressively higher as they move downstream in the conveyor transport direction D1.

[0077] In the first modified example shown in Figure 7, the chain 34 is divided, but the chain 34 may also be suspended by connecting the weight 35 to the middle of its longitudinal direction without dividing it.

[0078] In the second modified example shown in Figure 8, a wire may be used instead of the second chain 36.

[0079] The weights 35 described in the third embodiment, etc., may be arranged in a line in the conveyor transport direction D1 with different heights from one another, similar to the second embodiment.

[0080] The chute 20 may be integrated with the housing of another device (for example, the housing 52 of the conveyor 50 or the housing of the boiler 60).

[0081] The ash guide device of this disclosure is not limited to a configuration located at the bottom of the boiler 60. For example, a configuration similar to that of the hopper 11 in the above embodiment and its modifications can be applied to the chute 75 that drops the clinker 5, which is transported by the conveyor 50 shown in Figure 1, towards the processing device 70.

[0082] From the above disclosure, at least the following technical concepts can be understood.

[0083] (Item 1) A chute that drops ash from the upper opening to the lower opening, A swinging body, at least a portion of which is positioned in the internal space of the chute and supported in a suspended state, An ash guide device equipped with the following features.

[0084] (Item 2) The ash guide device described in Item 1, The aforementioned chute is The first wall section and, The first wall portion and the second wall portion are located on opposite sides of the internal space of the chute, Equipped with, The oscillating body includes a deformable strip arranged to connect the first wall portion and the second wall portion, in an ash guide device.

[0085] (Item 3) The ash guide device described in Item 2, A ash guide device in which the strip body includes a wire or chain.

[0086] (Item 4) The ash guide device described in Item 1, An ash guide device in which a weight is included in the oscillating body.

[0087] (Item 5) The ash guide device described in Item 4, The aforementioned chute is The first wall section and, The first wall portion and the second wall portion are located on opposite sides of the internal space of the chute, Equipped with, The weight is connected to both the first and second wall sections via a deformable first strip, in the ash guide device.

[0088] (Item 6) The ash guide device described in Item 5, A ash guide device comprising a deformable second strip body arranged to connect the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

[0089] (Item 7) An ash guide device as described in any one of items 1 through 6, The internal space of the aforementioned chute is formed to be elongated in a plan view, The oscillating body is a gravy guide device in which multiple oscillating bodies are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the internal space in a plan view.

[0090] (Item 8) The ash guide device described in Item 7, A ash guide device comprising a plurality of oscillating bodies, each containing two oscillating bodies adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the internal space and having different heights.

[0091] (Item 9) Let the ash fall from the upper opening of the chute toward the lower opening. A method for guiding ash, wherein at least a portion of the ash is placed in the internal space of the chute and collides with a swinging body that is supported in a suspended state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 11. Hopper (ash guide device) 20 shots 21 Upper opening 22 Lower opening 26 1st wall 27 Second wall section 30 Wire (oscillating body) 34 Chain (First Article Body) 35. Weights (oscillating body) 36. Second chain (second stratified body, oscillating body) 50 Conveyors 51 Conveying surface

Claims

1. A chute that drops ash from the upper opening to the lower opening, A swinging body, at least a portion of which is positioned in the internal space of the chute and supported in a suspended state, An ash guide device equipped with the following features.

2. The ash guide device according to claim 1, The aforementioned chute is The first wall section and, The first wall portion and the second wall portion are located on opposite sides of the internal space of the chute, Equipped with, The oscillating body includes a deformable strip arranged to connect the first wall portion and the second wall portion, in the ash guide device.

3. The ash guide device according to claim 2, A ash guide device in which the strip body includes a wire or chain.

4. The ash guide device according to claim 1, An ash guide device in which a weight is included in the oscillating body.

5. The ash guide device according to claim 4, The aforementioned chute is The first wall section and, The first wall portion and the second wall portion are located on opposite sides of the internal space of the chute, Equipped with, The weight is connected to both the first and second wall portions via a deformable first strip, in the ash guide device.

6. The ash guide device according to claim 5, An ash guide device comprising a deformable second strip body arranged to connect the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

7. The ash guide device according to claim 1, The internal space of the aforementioned chute is formed to be elongated in a plan view, The oscillating body is a gravy guide device in which multiple oscillating bodies are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the internal space in a plan view.

8. The ash guide device according to claim 7, An ash guiding device comprising a plurality of oscillating bodies, each containing two oscillating bodies adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the internal space and having different heights.

9. The ash is dropped from the upper opening of the chute towards the lower opening. A method for guiding ash, wherein at least a portion of the ash is placed in the internal space of the chute and collides with a rocking body that is supported in a suspended state.

Images