Aerodynamic tube shields

Abstract

Novel aerodynamic tube shields are presented herein. One embodiment may be comprised of a body, such as a semi-cylindrical body, for protecting against a tube's hostile environment and first and second fins, which may be tapered, for redirecting the flow of gas in the area around the tube.

1 . A tube shield for protecting a tube and simultaneously directing the flow of gas, said tube shield comprising:
 a. a body configured for protecting a tube, said body having a first edge and a second edge;   b. first and second fins configured for directing the flow of a gas, wherein said first fin extends longitudinally along said first edge of said body and said second fin extends longitudinally along said second edge of said body.   
     
     
         2 . The tube shield of  claim 1 , wherein said tube shield is configured for insertion onto a tube in a boiler, gasifier, or heat exchanger. 
     
     
         3 . The tube shield of  claim 1 , wherein said body is semi-cylindrical. 
     
     
         4 . The tube shield of  claim 3 , wherein said body has a radius substantially the same as an outer radius of said tube. 
     
     
         5 . The tube shield of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second fins each have first and second ends and are tapered such that each said fin is wider at its first end than at its second end. 
     
     
         6 . The tube shield of  claim 1 , wherein said body and first and second fins are formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         7 . The tube shield of  claim 1 , wherein said body and first and second fins are comprised of steel. 
     
     
         8 . The tube shield of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . The tube shield of  claim 8 , wherein said fasteners are snaps, clips, bolts, or straps. 
     
     
         10 . An aerodynamic tube shield, said aerodynamic tube shield comprising:
 a. a body; and   b. a first fin and a second fin, wherein said first fin extends longitudinally along a first side of said body is tapered and said second fin extends longitudinally along a second side of said body and is tapered;   c. wherein said body and first and second fins are configured for protecting a tube and simultaneously directing the flow of gas.   
     
     
         11 . The aerodynamic tube shield of  claim 10 , wherein said aerodynamic tube shield is configured for insertion onto a tube in a boiler, gasifier, or heat exchanger. 
     
     
         12 . The tube shield of  claim 10 , wherein said body is a semi-cylindrical body having a radius substantially equal to an outer radius of a tube. 
     
     
         13 . The tube shield of  claim 10 , wherein said body and first and second fins are formed from a single piece of metal. 
     
     
         14 . The tube shield of  claim 10 , further comprising fastening means that can be used to secure said tube shield to a tube. 
     
     
         15 . An aerodynamic tube shield, said aerodynamic tube shield comprising:
 a. a body having a first edge, a second edge, a first end, and a second end, said body being configured for protecting a tube; and   b. means for redirecting the flow of gas in an environment having unequal gas flow distribution.   
     
     
         16 . A method for redistributing gas flow across and protecting tubes in a system having unequal gas flow distribution using aerodynamic tube shields, wherein said system has multiple rows of tubes, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. obtaining a plurality of aerodynamic tube shields having tapered fins configured for redistributing the flow of a gas and a body configured for protecting a tube;   b. installing an aerodynamic tube shield on one or more tubes in a first row of tubes in said system; and   c. installing an aerodynamic tube shield on one or more tubes in a second row of tubes in said system.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said system is a boiler, gasifier, or heat exchanger. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said first row of tubes is at an inlet in an area in said system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said second row of tubes is at an outlet in an area in said system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of, before installing each aerodynamic tube shield, depositing a thin layer of a high thermal conductivity material under said aerodynamic tube shield or on a surface of the tube on which the aerodynamic tube shield is to be installed. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said high thermal conductivity material is mortar. 
     
     
         22 . A system for improving unequal gas flow distribution and protecting tubes, said system comprising:
 a. one or more rows of tubes;   b. a plurality of aerodynamic tube shields, wherein each said aerodynamic tube shield is comprised of a body and one or more fins tapered for directing the flow of gas and wherein said plurality of aerodynamic tube shields are installed on one or more tubes in a first row of tubes and one or more tubes in a second row of tubes.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said one or more rows of tubes are in a boiler, gasifier, or heat exchanger. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said first row of tubes is at an inlet in a first area of said boiler, gasifier, or heat exchanger and said second row of tubes is at an outlet in said first area of said boiler, gasifier, or heat exchanger. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said plurality of aerodynamic tube shields are installed on said first row of tubes and said second row of tubes along a rear wall of said boiler, gasifier, or heat exchanger.