System and method for injecting compound into utility furnace

Abstract

This disclosure may relate generally to systems, devices, and methods for a injecting a solid compound in line with a pressurized fluid, typically through a sootblower, to be delivered to targeted areas on the inside of a utility furnace.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a nozzle configured to receive a compound, wherein the nozzle is further configured to mix the compound with a fluid to be injected into a utility furnace.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is Magnesium Hydroxide and the fluid is one of a compressed air or steam. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle receives the compound from a compound feed mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is configured to be retrofitted between a valve and a feed tube. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the poppet valve and feed tube are located on a sootblower. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is an integrated component of a sootblower. 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 attaching a compound feed to a nozzle connected inline with a fluid supply;   supplying a compound to the nozzle;   mixing the compound with a fluid; and   delivering the compound and fluid to a utility furnace.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the compound is supplied from a hopper to the nozzle by a vacuum. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid supply is delivered to a sootblower. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 retrofitting the sootblower with the nozzle, wherein retrofitting comprises: separating a feed tube and a valve on the sootblower; inserting the nozzle between the feed tube and the valve; and connecting the nozzle, the feed tube, and the valve together. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 reacting the compound with an element in the utility furnace. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 removing the nozzle for one of a future use or use on another sootblower.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the element is slag. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compound is Magnesium Hydroxide. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a fluid supply configured to deliver a fluid;   a valve connected to the fluid supply wherein the valve is operable to control the fluid from the fluid supply;   a feed tube configured to connect to the valve and transport the fluid;   a delivery device configured to connect to the feed tube and configured to eject the fluid into a utility furnace;   a solid agent capable of improving efficiency of the utility furnace;   a hopper configured to hold a quantity of the solid agent;   an auger connected to the hopper and operable to transfer solid agent from the hopper; and   a nozzle operable to receive the solid agent from the auger and combine the fluid with the solid agent wherein, the nozzle is configured to be removably connected between the valve and the feed tube.   
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein the solid agent is Magnesium Hydroxide. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein the fluid supply, valve, feed tube, and delivery device are components of at least one of a retractable or a wall mounted sootblower installed on a utility furnace. 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein the solid agent, hopper, pumping mechanism, and nozzle are integrated with at least one of a retractable or a wall mounted sootblower installed on the utility furnace. 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein the system is adjustable to operate the fluid supply at the same peak impact pressure with the nozzle compared to without the nozzle. 
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 18 , wherein the utility furnace is a coal burning boiler.