System, method and apparatus for controlling the flow distribution of solid particles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017246643-A1
Application number	US-201615055981-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 29, 2016
Priority date	Feb 29, 2016
Publication date	Aug 31, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A turret includes a generally frusto-conical shaped body and a plurality of static straightening vanes arranged interior to the body, the vanes dividing the body into a plurality of substantially equal sections. The vanes are configured to straighten a swirling flow of solid particles as they enter the body, and to divide the swirling flow into a plurality of straightened flows that are communicated to a plurality of coal outlet pipes.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A turret for a pulverizer, comprising:
a generally frusto-conical shaped body; and a plurality of static straightening vanes arranged interior to the body, the vanes dividing the body into a plurality of sections; wherein the vanes are configured to straighten a swirling flow of solid particles as they enter the body, and to divide the swirling flow into a plurality of straightened flows that are communicated to a plurality of coal outlet pipes.

2 . The turret of claim 1 , wherein:
the number of straightening vanes is equal to the number of coal outlet pipes in the pulverizer.

3 . The turret of claim 2 , wherein:
each of the straightening vanes is selectively extendable and retractable in a vertical direction for adjusting a height of each of the vanes.

4 . The turret of claim 3 , wherein:
the height of each straightening vane is designed to be individually adjusted.

5 . The turret of claim 4 , wherein:
each of the straightening vanes includes four segments; wherein in an extended position the height of a respective vane is substantially equal to a combined height of the four segments; and wherein in a retracted position the height of a respective vane is substantially equal to a height of a single segment.

6 . The turret of claim 1 , wherein:
a feed pipe extends through the body, the feed pipe and the body being substantially concentric; wherein each of the straightening vanes extends radially from the feed pipe to an inner peripheral wall of the body.

7 . The turret of claim 2 , wherein:
the plurality of straightening vanes is seven straightening vanes.

8 . The turret of claim 1 , wherein:
the solid particles are pulverized coal particles.

9 . A method for controlling the output of coal in a plurality of coal outlet pipes in a coal pulverizer, the method comprising the steps of:
modifying, or retrofitting, a portion of a coal pulverizer with a turret, the turret comprising:
a generally frusto-conical shaped body; and
a plurality of static straightening vanes arranged interior to the body, the vanes dividing the body into a plurality of sections.

10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein:
the turret is positioned in an upper portion of the pulverizer above a classifier of the pulverizer and is in fluid communication with the classifier.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
within the classifier of the pulverizer, generating a swirling flow of coal; within the turret, dividing the swirling flow of coal into a plurality of flows equal in number to the number of sections within the turret; and within each of the sections of the turret, straightening the flows of coal.

12 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
transporting the plurality of flows of coal into the plurality of coal outlet pipes associated with each of the section; wherein the plurality of flows of coal are generally vertical through the turret.

13 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein:
the number of straightening vanes is equal to the number of coal outlet pipes in the pulverizer.

14 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
adjusting a height of at least one of the straightening vanes in dependence upon a detected coal flow imbalance between the coal outlet pipes.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein:
each of the straightening vanes includes four segments; wherein in an extended position the height of a respective vane is substantially equal to a combined height of the four segments; and wherein in a retracted position the height of a respective vane is substantially equal to a height of a single segment.

16 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein:
a feed pipe extends through the turret, the feed pipe and the body of the turret being substantially concentric; and wherein each of the straightening vanes extends radially from the feed pipe to an inner peripheral wall of the turret.

17 . A coal pulverizer, comprising:
a grinding mechanism configured to transform raw coal into pulverized coal; a classifier configured to receive the pulverized coal from the grinding platform and to generate a swirling flow of coal, the classifier being further configured to reject coarse particles of the pulverized coal from the swirling flow; a turret arranged generally above the classifier, the turret having a generally frusto-conical body and a plurality of static straightening vanes arranged interior to the body, the straightening vanes dividing the body into a plurality of sections; and a plurality of coal outlet pipes in fluid communication with the interior of the turret; wherein the straightening vanes within the turret are configured to straighten the swirling flow of coal as it enters the turret, and to divide the swirling flow into a plurality of straightened flows that are communicated to the coal outlet pipes.

18 . The pulverizer of claim 17 , wherein:
the classifier includes a reject cone that is configured to receive the coarse particles rejected by the classifier and to transport the rejected coal particles to a grinding platform of the pulverizer.

19 . The pulverizer of claim 17 , wherein:
each of the straightening vanes is selectively extendable and retractable in a vertical direction for adjusting a height of each of the straightening vanes.

20 . The classifier of claim 19 , wherein:
each of the straightening vanes includes four segments; wherein in an extended position the height of a respective straightening vane is substantially equal to a combined height of the four segments; and wherein in a retracted position the height of a respective straightening vane is substantially equal to a height of a single segment.

Assignees

• General Electric Technology Gmbh

Inventors

• Bianca Joseph David
• Chapman Paul John

Classifications

• B02C23/12

  with return of oversize material to crushing or disintegrating zone · CPC title

• B07B7/02 Primary

  by reversal of direction of flow · CPC title

• B07B7/086

  generated by the winding course of the gas stream · CPC title

• B02C23/32

  with return of oversize material to crushing or disintegrating zone (B02C23/34 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B02C2015/002

  combined with a classifier · CPC title