U.S. patent application number 12/112145 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-05 for methods and systems for reducing piping vibration.
Invention is credited to Cliff Yi Guo.
Application Number | 20090272034 12/112145 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41255658 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090272034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guo; Cliff Yi |
November 5, 2009 |
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REDUCING PIPING VIBRATION
Abstract
Methods and systems for a gasifier system are provided. The
gasifier system includes a first substantially cylindrically shaped
conduit that includes a radially inner surface, a second conduit at
least partially within and substantially concentrically aligned
with the first conduit, and at least one support member extending
between a radially outer surface of the second conduit and the
radially inner surface of the first conduit wherein the support
member is positioned along a length of the second conduit to
facilitate reducing a vibratory response of at least one of the
first and second conduits to a flow of fluid through at least one
of the first and second conduits.
Inventors: |
Guo; Cliff Yi; (Sugar Land,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN S. BEULICK (17851);ARMSTRONG TEASDALE LLP
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE, SUITE 2600
ST. LOUIS
MO
63102-2740
US
|
Family ID: |
41255658 |
Appl. No.: |
12/112145 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
48/62R ;
29/890 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10J 3/84 20130101; Y10T
29/49345 20150115; Y02E 20/12 20130101; F23G 2209/102 20130101;
C10K 1/101 20130101; F01K 23/067 20130101; F23G 2201/40 20130101;
Y02E 20/18 20130101; F23G 2209/101 20130101; C10J 2300/1223
20130101; F23G 2206/202 20130101; C10J 3/506 20130101; C10J 2200/09
20130101; F23G 2206/203 20130101; C10J 3/845 20130101; C10J
2200/152 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
48/62.R ;
29/890 |
International
Class: |
B21D 51/16 20060101
B21D051/16 |
Claims
1. A gasifier system comprising: a first substantially
cylindrically shaped conduit, said first conduit comprising a
radially outer surface, a radially inner surface, and a thickness
of material extending between the outer and inner surfaces, said
first conduit further comprising a supply end, a discharge end and
a length extending therebetween; a second conduit at least
partially within and substantially concentrically aligned with said
first conduit, said second conduit comprising a radially outer
surface, a radially inner surface, and a thickness of material
extending between the outer and inner surfaces, said second conduit
further comprising a supply end, a discharge end, and a length
extending therebetween, said second conduit discharge end coupled
to said first conduit discharge end; and at least one support
member extending between said radially outer surface of said second
conduit and said radially inner surface of said first conduit, said
support member positioned along a length of said second conduit
such that a vibratory response of at least one of the first and the
second conduits to a flow of fluid through at least one of the
first and second conduits is facilitated being reduced.
2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one
support member comprises a length, a width, and a thickness wherein
the length is greater than the width and the width is greater than
the thickness, said length of said support member aligned with the
length of said second conduit.
3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support member
comprises at least a first and a second cross-sectional area
wherein the first cross-sectional area is less than the second
cross-sectional area, said support member aligned such that the
first cross-sectional area faces the flow of fluid through the
first conduit.
4. A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a set of
a plurality of support members spaced circumferentially about said
outer surface of said second conduit at a single axial position
along the length of the second conduit.
5. A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of sets of support members spaced circumferentially about
said outer surface of said second conduit, the sets of support
members spaced along the length of the second conduit.
6. A method of assembling a gasifier feed injector comprising:
providing a first feed pipe having a first outside diameter, the
first pipe including a supply end, a discharge end, and a length
extending therebetween; providing a second feed pipe having a first
inside diameter, the second pipe including a supply end, a
discharge end, and a length extending therebetween; coupling a
support member to an outside surface of the first pipe at a
position along the length of the first pipe that is determined to
facilitate reducing a vibratory response of the first pipe to a
flow of fluid through at least one of the first pipe and the second
pipe, the support member sized to extend from the outside surface
of the first pipe to an inside surface of the second pipe; and
inserting the first pipe into the second pipe such that the first
pipe and the second pipe are substantially concentrically
aligned.
7. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the support member
includes a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being
greater than the width and the width being greater than the
thickness and wherein coupling a support member to an outside
surface of the first pipe comprises aligning the length of the
support member with the length of the first pipe.
8. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the support member
includes a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being
greater than the width and the width being greater than the
thickness and wherein coupling a support member to an outside
surface of the first pipe comprises aligning the length of the
support member normally with the outer surface of the first
pipe.
9. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein coupling a support
member to an outside surface of the first pipe comprises shaping
the support member to a profile that facilitates laminar flow of
the flow of fluid through the second pipe.
10. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein coupling a support
member to an outside surface of the first pipe comprises shaping
the support member to a profile that facilitates turbulent flow of
the flow of fluid through the second pipe.
11. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein inserting the first
pipe into the second pipe comprises slidingly engaging a distal end
of the support member to the first inside diameter such that the
support member remains wedged between the first pipe and the second
pipe when fluid is flowing in at least one of the first pipe and
the second pipe.
12. A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising
determining a position of the support members that facilitates
reducing vibration of at least one of the first and the second
pipe.
13. A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising
determining a position of the support members that facilitates
increasing the lowest natural frequency of the first pipe.
14. A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising
determining a position and profile of the support members that
facilitates reducing an irregularity of flow through the second
pipe.
15. A method in accordance with claim 6 determining a position of
the support members that facilitates increasing the lowest natural
frequency of the first pipe from approximately 27 Hz to 107 Hz.
16. A gasification system comprising: a pressure vessel for
partially oxidizing a fuel; a feed injector configured to inject a
fuel into the pressure vessel; wherein the feed injector further
comprises: a first substantially cylindrically shaped first
conduit, said first conduit comprising a radially outer surface, a
radially inner surface, and a thickness of material extending
between the outer and inner surfaces, said first conduit further
comprising a supply end, a discharge end and a length extending
therebetween; a second conduit at least partially within and
substantially concentrically aligned with said first conduit, said
second conduit comprising a radially outer surface, a radially
inner surface, and a thickness of material extending between the
outer and inner surfaces, said second conduit further comprising a
supply end, a discharge end, and a length extending therebetween,
said second conduit discharge end coupled to said first conduit
discharge end; and at least one support member extending between
said radially outer surface of said second conduit and said
radially inner surface of said first conduit, said support member
positioned along a length of said second conduit to facilitate
reducing a vibratory response of the second conduit to a flow of
fluid through at least one of the first and second conduits.
17. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said at least one
support member comprises a length, a width, and a thickness wherein
the length is greater than the width and the width is greater than
the thickness, said length of said support member aligned with the
length of said first conduit.
18. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said support
member comprises at least a first and a second cross-sectional area
wherein the first cross-sectional area is less than the second
cross-sectional area, said support member aligned such that the
first cross-sectional area faces the flow of fluid through the
first conduit.
19. A system in accordance with claim 16 further comprising a set
of a plurality of support members spaced circumferentially about
said outer surface of said second conduit at a single position
along the length of the second conduit.
20. A system in accordance with claim 16 further comprising a
plurality of sets of support members spaced circumferentially about
said outer surface of said second conduit, the sets of support
members spaced along the length of the second conduit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to integrated gasification
combined-cycle (IGCC) power generation systems, and more
specifically to advanced methods and apparatus for injecting feed
into a gasifier.
[0002] At least some known gasifiers convert a mixture of fuel, air
or oxygen, steam, and/or limestone into an output of partially
oxidized gas, sometimes referred to as "syngas." The syngas is
supplied to the combustor of a gas turbine engine, which powers a
generator that supplies electrical power to a power grid. Exhaust
from the gas turbine engines may be supplied to a heat recovery
steam generator that generates steam for driving a steam turbine.
Power generated by the steam turbine also drives an electrical
generator that provides electrical power to the power grid.
[0003] The fuel, air or oxygen, steam, and/or limestone are
injected into the gasifier from separate sources through a feed
injector that couples the feed sources to a feed nozzle. At least
some know gasification feed injectors include relatively long
concentric conduits, for example, nine feet long that extend from
sources external to the gasifier to an opposite end terminating
inside the gasifier. The feed flows through the conduits at
relatively high velocities may induce a vibratory response in one
or more of the concentrically configured conduits. The vibrations
tend to induce fatigue failure of components of the feed
injector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one embodiment, a gasifier system includes a first
substantially cylindrically shaped conduit that includes a radially
outer surface, a radially inner surface, and a thickness of
material extending between the outer and inner surfaces. The first
conduit further includes a supply end, a discharge end and a length
extending therebetween. The gasifier system further includes a
second conduit at least partially within and substantially
concentrically aligned with the first conduit. The second conduit
includes a radially outer surface, a radially inner surface, and a
thickness of material extending between the outer and inner
surfaces. The second conduit further includes a supply end, a
discharge end, and a length extending therebetween. The second
conduit discharge end is coupled to the first conduit discharge
end. The gasifier system also at least one support member extending
between the radially outer surface of the second conduit and the
radially inner surface of the first conduit wherein the support
member is positioned along a length of the second conduit to
facilitate reducing a vibratory response of the second conduit to a
flow of fluid through at least one of the first and second
conduits.
[0005] In another embodiment, a method of assembling a gasifier
feed injector includes providing a first feed pipe having a first
outside diameter. The first pipe further including a supply end, a
discharge end, and a length extending therebetween. The method also
includes providing a second feed pipe having a first inside
diameter, a supply end, a discharge end, and a length extending
therebetween coupling a support member to an outside surface of the
first pipe at a position along the length of the first pipe that is
determined to facilitate reducing a vibratory response of the first
pipe to a flow of fluid through at least one of the first pipe and
the second pipe. The support member is sized to extend from the
outside surface of the first pipe to an inside surface of the
second pipe. The method also includes inserting the first pipe into
the second pipe such that the first pipe and the second pipe are
substantially concentrically aligned.
[0006] In yet another embodiment, a gasification system includes a
pressure vessel for partially oxidizing a fuel, and a feed injector
configured to inject a fuel into the pressure vessel wherein the
feed injector further includes a first substantially cylindrically
shaped first conduit, a second conduit at least partially within
and substantially concentrically aligned with said first conduit,
and at least one support member extending between a radially outer
surface of the second conduit and a radially inner surface of the
first conduit. The first conduit includes a radially outer surface,
a radially inner surface, and a thickness of material extending
between the outer and inner surfaces. The first conduit further
includes a supply end, a discharge end and a length extending
therebetween. The second conduit includes a radially outer surface,
a radially inner surface, and a thickness of material extending
between the outer and inner surfaces. The second conduit further
includes a supply end, a discharge end, and a length extending
therebetween. The support member is positioned along a length of
the second conduit to facilitate reducing a vibratory response of
the second conduit to a flow of fluid through at least one of the
first and second conduits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary known
integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) power generation
system; and
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an
advanced solids removal gasifier that may be used with the system
shown in FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the feed
injector shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the feed injector shown
in FIG. 3 taken along view 4-4; and
[0011] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are side elevation views of the
feed injector 208 shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The following detailed description illustrates the
disclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. The
description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use
the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations,
variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including
what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the
disclosure. The disclosure is described as applied to a preferred
embodiment, namely, systems and methods of injecting feed into a
reactor. However, it is contemplated that this disclosure has
general application to piping systems in industrial, commercial,
and residential applications.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary integrated
gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) power generation system 50. IGCC
system 50 generally includes a main air compressor 52, an air
separation unit 54 coupled in flow communication to compressor 52,
a gasifier 56 coupled in flow communication to air separation unit
54, a gas turbine engine 10, coupled in flow communication to
gasifier 56, and a steam turbine 58. In operation, compressor 52
compresses ambient air. The compressed air is channeled to air
separation unit 54. In some embodiments, in addition or alternative
to compressor 52, compressed air from gas turbine engine compressor
12 is supplied to air separation unit 54. Air separation unit 54
uses the compressed air to generate oxygen for use by gasifier 56.
More specifically, air separation unit 54 separates the compressed
air into separate flows of oxygen and a gas by-product, sometimes
referred to as a "process gas." The process gas generated by air
separation unit 54 includes nitrogen and will be referred to herein
as "nitrogen process gas." The nitrogen process gas may also
include other gases such as, but not limited to, oxygen and/or
argon. For example, in some embodiments, the nitrogen process gas
includes between about 95% and about 100% nitrogen. The oxygen flow
is channeled to gasifier 56 for use in generating partially
combusted gases, referred to herein as "syngas" for use by gas
turbine engine 10 as fuel, as described below in more detail. In
some known IGCC systems 50, at least some of the nitrogen process
gas flow, a by-product of air separation unit 54, is vented to the
atmosphere. Moreover, in some known IGCC systems 50, some of the
nitrogen process gas flow is injected into a combustion zone (not
shown) within gas turbine engine combustor 14 to facilitate
controlling emissions of engine 10, and more specifically to
facilitate reducing the combustion temperature and reducing nitrous
oxide emissions from engine 10. IGCC system 50 may include a
compressor 60 for compressing the nitrogen process gas flow before
being injected into the combustion zone.
[0014] Gasifier 56 converts a mixture of fuel, the oxygen supplied
by air separation unit 54, steam, and/or limestone into an output
of syngas for use by gas turbine engine 10 as fuel. Although
gasifier 56 may use any fuel, in some known IGCC systems 50,
gasifier 56 uses coal, petroleum coke, residual oil, oil emulsions,
tar sands, and/or other similar fuels. In some known IGCC systems
50, the syngas generated by gasifier 56 includes carbon dioxide.
The syngas generated by gasifier 52 may be cleaned in a clean-up
device 62 before being channeled to gas turbine engine combustor 14
for combustion thereof. Carbon dioxide may be separated from the
syngas during clean-up and, in some known IGCC systems 50, vented
to the atmosphere. The power output from gas turbine engine 10
drives a generator 64 that supplies electrical power to a power
grid (not shown). Exhaust gas from gas turbine engine 10 is
supplied to a heat recovery steam generator 66 that generates steam
for driving steam turbine 58. Power generated by steam turbine 58
drives an electrical generator 68 that provides electrical power to
the power grid. In some known IGCC systems 50, steam from heat
recovery steam generator 66 is supplied to gasifier 52 for
generating the syngas.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an
advanced solids removal gasifier 200 that may be used with system
50 (shown in FIG. 1). In the exemplary embodiment, gasifier 200
includes an upper shell 202, a lower shell 204 and a substantially
cylindrical vessel body 206 extending therebetween. A feed injector
208 penetrates upper shell 202 to channel a flow of fuel into
gasifier 200. The fuel is transported through one or more passages
in feed injector 208 and exits a nozzle 210 that directs the fuel
in a predetermined pattern 212 into a combustion zone 214 in
gasifier 200. The fuel may be mixed with other substances prior to
entering nozzle 210 or may be mixed with other substances while
exiting from nozzle 210. For example, the fuel may be mixed with
fines recovered from a process of system 50 prior to entering
nozzle 210 and the fuel may be mixed with an oxidant, such as air
or oxygen at nozzle 210 or downstream of nozzle 210.
[0016] In the exemplary embodiment, combustion zone 214 is a
vertically oriented substantially cylindrical space co-aligned and
in serial flow communication with nozzle 210. An outer periphery of
combustion zone 210 is defined by a refractory wall 216 comprising
a structural substrate, such as an Incoloy pipe 218 and a
refractory coating 220 configured to resist the effects of the
relatively high temperature and high pressure contained within
combustion zone 210. An outlet end 222 of refractory wall 216
includes a convergent outlet nozzle 224 configured to maintain a
predetermined back pressure in combustion zone 214 while permitting
products of combustion and syngas generated in combustion zone 214
to exit combustion zone 214. The products of combustion include
gaseous byproducts, a slag formed generally on refractory coating
220, and fine particular carried in suspension with the gaseous
byproducts.
[0017] After exiting combustion zone 214, the flowable slag and
solid slag fall by gravity influence into a lockhopper 226 in
bottom shell 204. Lockhopper 226 is maintained with a level of
water that quenches the flowable slag into a brittle solid material
that may be broken in smaller pieces upon removal from gasifier
200. Lockhopper 226 also traps approximately ninety percent of fine
particulate exiting combustion zone 214.
[0018] In the exemplary embodiment, an annular first passage 228 at
least partially surrounds combustion zone 214. First passage 228 is
defined by refractory wall 216 at an inner periphery and a
cylindrical shell 230 coaxially aligned with combustion zone 214 at
a radially outer periphery of first passage 228. First passage 228
is closed at the top by a top flange 232. The gaseous byproducts
and remaining ten percent of the fine particulate are channeled
from a downward direction 234 in combustion zone 214 to an upward
direction 236 in first passage 228. The rapid redirection at outlet
nozzle 224 facilitates fine particulate and slag separation from
the gaseous byproducts.
[0019] The gaseous byproducts and remaining ten percent of the fine
particulate are transported upward through first passage 228 to a
first passage outlet 238. During the transport of the gaseous
byproducts through first passage 228, heat may be recovered from
the gaseous byproducts and the fine particulate. For example, the
gaseous byproducts enter first passage 228 at a temperature of
approximately 2500.degree. Fahrenheit and when exiting first
passage 228 the temperature of gaseous byproducts is approximately
1800.degree. Fahrenheit. The gaseous byproducts and fine
particulates exit first passage 228 through first passage outlet
238 into a second annular passage 240 where the gaseous byproducts
and fine particulates are redirected to a downward flow direction.
As the flow of gaseous byproducts and the fine particulates is
transported through second passage 240, heat may be recovered from
the flow of gaseous byproducts and the fine particulates using for
example, superheat tubes 242 that remove heat from the flow of
gaseous byproducts and the fine particulates and transfer the heat
to steam flowing through an inside passage of superheat tubes 242.
For example, the gaseous byproducts enter second passage 240 at a
temperature of approximately 1800.degree. Fahrenheit and exit
second passage 240 at a temperature of approximately 1500.degree.
Fahrenheit. When the flow of gaseous byproducts and the fine
particulates reach a bottom end 244 of second passage 240 that is
proximate bottom shell 204, second passage 240 converges toward
lockhopper 226. At bottom end 244, the flow of gaseous byproducts
and the fine particulates is channeled in an upward direction
through a water spray 246 that desuperheats the flow of gaseous
byproducts and the fine particulates. The heat removed from the
flow of gaseous byproducts and the fine particulates tends to
vaporize water spray 246 and agglomerate the fine particulates such
that the fine particulates form a relatively larger ash clod that
falls into lower shell 204. The flow of gaseous byproducts and the
remaining fine particulates are channeled in a reverse direction
and directed to an underside of a perforated plate 448 plate forms
an annular tray circumscribing bottom end 244. A level of water is
maintained above perforated plate 448 to provide a contact medium
for removing additional fine particulate from the flow of gaseous
byproducts. As the flow of gaseous byproducts and the remaining
fine particulates percolates up through the perforations in
perforated plate 448, the fine particulates contact the water and
are entrapped in the water bath and carried downward through the
perforations into a sump of water in the bottom shell 204. A gap
250 between a bottom of lockhopper 226 and bottom shell 204 permits
the fine particulates to flow through to lockhopper 226 where the
fine particulates are removed from gasifier 200.
[0020] An entrainment separator 254 encircles an upper end of lower
shell 204 above perforated plate 248 and the level of water above
perforated plate 248. Entrainment separator 254 may be for example,
a cyclonic or centrifugal separator comprises a tangential inlet or
turning vanes that impart a swirling motion to the gaseous
byproducts and the remaining fine particulates. The particulates
are thrown outward by centrifugal force to the walls of the
separator where the fine particulates coalesce and fall down a wall
of the separator bottom shell 204. Additionally, a wire web is used
to form a mesh pad wherein the remaining fine particulates impact
on the mesh pad surface, agglomerate with other particulates drain
off with the aid of a water spray by gravity to bottom shell 204.
Further, entrainment separator can be of a blade type such as a
chevron separator or an impingement separator. In the chevron
separator, the gaseous byproducts pass between blades and are
forced to travel in a zigzag pattern. The entrained particulates
and any liquid droplets cannot follow the gas streamlines, so they
impinge on the blade surfaces, coalesce, and fall back into bottom
shell 204. Special features such as hooks and pockets can be added
to the sides of the blades to facilitate improving particulates and
liquid droplet capture. Chevron grids can be stacked or angled on
top of one another to provide a series of separation stages.
Impingement separators create a cyclonic motion as the gaseous
byproducts and fine particulates pass over curved blades, imparting
a spinning motion that causes the entrained particulates and any
liquid droplets to be directed to the vessel walls, where the
entrained particulates and any liquid droplets are collected and
directed to bottom shell 204.
[0021] In the exemplary embodiment, entrainment separator is a
chevron type separator, although other types of separators are
contemplated and may be used in place of or in tandem with chevron
type separators.
[0022] The flow of gaseous byproducts and any remaining fine
particulates enter separator 254 where substantially all of the
remaining entrained particulates and any liquid droplets are
removed form the flow of gaseous byproducts. The flow of gaseous
byproducts exits the gasifier through an outlet 256 for further
processing.
[0023] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of feed injector
208 (shown in FIG. 2) in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, feed injector 208
includes a central feed stream conduit 302, and concentric annular
feed stream conduits 304 and 306 that converge at an outlet end 308
of nozzle 210 to form an outlet orifice 310.
[0024] During operation, fuel injector 208 provides a feed stream
of carbonaceous fuel through conduit 304 and primary and secondary
oxidizer flow through conduits 302 and 306. In an alternative
embodiment, conduit 304 provides a pumpable liquid phase slurry of
solid carbonaceous fuel such as, for example, a coal-water slurry.
The oxygen containing gas and carbonaceous slurry stream merge at a
predetermined distance beyond the outlet orifice 310 of fuel
injector nozzle 210 in close proximity to the nozzle outlet end 308
to form a reaction zone (not shown) wherein the emerging fuel
stream self-ignites. Self ignition of the fuel stream is enhanced
by the breakup or atomization of the merging fuel streams as they
exit from the nozzle outlet orifice 310. Such atomization promotes
the product reaction and heat development that is required for the
gasification process. As a result, the reaction zone that is in
close proximity to the outlet end 308 of the fuel injector nozzle
210 is characterized by intense heat, with temperatures ranging
from approximately 2400.degree. F. to 3000.degree. F. To propel the
streams sufficiently for the reaction zone to form a distance away
from nozzle outlet orifice 310, the streams travel through conduits
302, 304, and 306 at a relatively high velocity. Such relatively
high velocities of coal slurry flow and oxygen flow at operating
conditions may induce vibrations into conduit 302. Such vibrations
tend to cause fatigue failure of various components of fuel
injector 208. To facilitate reducing vibrations of conduit 302, a
plurality of support members 312 are coupled to a radially outer
surface 314 of conduit 302. Support members 312 extend radially
outwardly from outer surface 314 to a radially inner surface 316 of
conduit 304 in the annular space between outer surface 314 and
inner surface 316.
[0025] Support members 312 include a length 318 in the direction of
fluid flow, a width 320 between outer surface 314 and inner surface
316, and a thickness (not shown in FIG. 3). In the exemplary
embodiment, length 318 is greater than width 320 and width 320 is
greater than the thickness. Also in the exemplary embodiment,
length 318 is aligned with the length of the first conduit. Such an
orientation presents the smallest cross-sectional area of support
member 312 to the flow of fluid in second conduit 304 to facilitate
reducing head loss in second conduit 304 due to support member 312.
Length 318 may be selected to facilitate reducing head loss in
second conduit 304 and/or for flow straightening. In various
alternative embodiments, support member 312 may be a
cylindrically-shaped rod having a length extending from outer
surface 314 to inner surface 316. Additionally, in other
embodiments, support member 312 may include an airfoil-shape, a
teardrop shape or other shape that provides stiffness to conduit
302 along its length and tends to not increase head loss in conduit
304. Adding stiffness tends to alter the vibratory mode of conduit
302 such that with fluid flow through conduit 302 and/or conduit
304 fatigue failure of injector 208 is facilitated being
reduced.
[0026] A set of support members 312 comprising a plurality of
support members 312 may be spaced circumferentially about outer
surface 314 at a single position along the length of conduit 302.
In other embodiments, a plurality of sets of support members 312
may be spaced circumferentially about outer surface 314 spaced
axially along the length of conduit 302. Support members 312 or
sets of support members 302 may be positioned equidistant along the
length of conduit 302 or may be spaced at positions determined to
facilitate reducing the vibratory mode or amplitude of conduit 302
and/or conduit 304.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of feed injector 208 taken
along view 4-4 (shown in FIG. 3). In the exemplary embodiment, feed
injector 208 includes conduits 302, 304, and 306 illustrated
concentrically aligned. A plurality of support members 312 are
illustrated extending from outer surface 314 to inner surface 316
within conduit 304. In the exemplary embodiment, support members
312 are coupled to outer surface 314, for example, by welding and
are frictionally engaged with inner surface 316 such that conduit
302 is held firmly within conduit 304. Such a connection between
conduit 302 and conduit 304 through support members 312 permits
differential expansion between conduit 302 and conduit 304 while
adding stiffness to conduit 302 and conduit 304. Additionally,
other concentrically aligned conduits (not shown) that may be
positioned within, outside of, or between conduit 302 and conduit
304 may benefit from such a connection. In various embodiments,
appropriately sized support members may also be installed between
an outer surface 402 of conduit 304 and inner surface 404 of
conduit 306 within conduit 306. Similarly, any number of
concentrically aligned conduits may utilize support members as
shown herein to facilitate reducing a vibratory response to flow in
the annular passages between adjacent conduits. In the exemplary
embodiment, four support members 312 comprise a set 408 of support
members that are positioned axially adjacent with respect to each
other and spaced circumferentially about conduit 302. In various
other embodiments, other numbers of support members may be used in
a set 408, for example, but not limited to three (illustrated by
dotted outline within conduit 304.
[0028] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are side elevation views of feed
injector 208 (shown in FIG. 3) in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment,
the support members 312 are shown positioned between conduit 302
and conduit 304 in the flow stream of a flow of fluid through
conduit 304. A support member 502 includes an airfoil shaped
cross-section. A support member 504 includes a substantially
circular cross-section, and a support member 506 includes a
tear-drop shaped cross-section. A support member 508 includes an
angular cross-section having a pointed profile into the flow of
fluid. The shape of the cross-section may be determined based on a
material flowing through conduit 304 including process parameters
associated with the material including but not limited to a flow
velocity, a pressure, a temperature, a viscosity, and a
density.
[0029] As used herein "fluid" refers to refers to any composition
that can flow such as but not limited to semi-solids, pastes,
solutions, aqueous mixtures, gels, lotions, creams, dispersions,
emulsions, foams, suspensions, microemulsions, and other such
compositions.
[0030] The above-described methods and systems of injecting feed
are cost-effective and highly reliable. The methods and systems
facilitate operating a gasifier system using a plurality of streams
of feed from separate sources of supply to a common reaction zone
in a cost-effective and reliable manner.
[0031] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the claims.
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