Method and apparatus for removal of particulate material from refinery processes and power generation system
View Patent ↗Apparatus and methods are provided whereby a component can be cleaned while the furnace is operational. Additionally, particulates that have accumulated on the component can be collected and retained. The apparatus may include a portable frame, a tubular lance supported by the frame and having a nozzle at a distal end thereof, and a suction generator operatively connected to a proximal end of the lance to generate a suction at the nozzle. Manipulation of the lance to move the nozzle across a component allows accumulated particulates to be removed therefrom through the lance.
1. An apparatus for removing accumulated particulates from a component comprising:
a portable frame;
a tubular lance supported by the frame and having a nozzle at a distal end thereof;
a venturi device suction generator having inlet and outlet ends for passage therethrough of a flow of pressurized fluid, and a suction port; and
a flexible hose connecting a proximal end of the lance to the suction port of the venturi device suction generator, wherein
manipulation of the lance to move the nozzle across a component allows accumulated particulates to be removed therefrom through the lance.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is comprised of graphite.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the lance is at substantially a right angle relative to a longitudinal axis thereof.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a guide collar assembly having a tubular supporting collar surrounding the lance.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the guide collar assembly comprises a support cradle, and wherein the supporting collar is movably connected to the support cradle by a connection pin.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises:
a separated pair of upright supports, and
a gantry beam attached to and spanning the upright supports.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a trolley movably coupled to the gantry beam; and
a counterbalance device interconnecting the trolley and the lance.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the counterbalance device comprises a retractable tethering cable connected to the proximal end of the lance.
9. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises caster wheels.
10. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises at least one stabilization assembly for attachment to adjacent support beams in a vicinity of the component.
11. The apparatus as in claim 10 , wherein the stabilization assembly comprises a coupling member connectable to the frame, a connecting plate connectable to an adjacent support beam in the vicinity of the component, and a turnbuckle assembly interconnecting the coupling member and the connecting plate.
12. The apparatus as in claim 6 , wherein the pair of upright supports are height adjustable.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising
a filter assembly having an inlet end fluid-connected to the outlet end of the venturi device and a discharge end, wherein the filter assembly receives a flow of pressurized fluid with entrained particulates from the outlet end of the venturi device and discharges a substantially particulate-free pressurized fluid flow through the discharge end thereof.
14. A method for removal of particulates from a component by suction comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning an apparatus according to claim 1 adjacent a component from which particulates are to be removed;
(b) operating the venturi device suction generator to generate a suction at the nozzle of the lance;
(c) manipulating the lance to move the nozzle across the component to cause particulates to be removed therefrom by the generated suction; and
(d) transporting the removed particulates from the component through the lance.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein step (d) comprises:
(d1) entraining the particulates in a flow of air,
(d2) directing the flow of air and entrained particulates to a filter assembly,
(d3) removing the entrained particulates from the flow of air within the filter assembly, and
(d4) discharging a substantially particulate-free flow of air from the filter assembly.
16. The method according to claim 14 , which comprises suspending the lance by a counterbalance device.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the counterbalance device comprises a tethering cable, and wherein the method further comprises attaching a proximal end of the lance to the tethering cable.
18. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising providing a gantry beam having a moveable trolley, and dependently supporting the counterbalance device from the trolley.
19. An apparatus for removing accumulated particulates from a component comprising:
a portable frame;
a tubular lance supported by the frame and having a nozzle at a distal end thereof; and
a suction generator operatively connected to a proximal end of the lance to generate a suction at the nozzle, wherein manipulation of the lance to move the nozzle across a component allows accumulated particulates to be removed therefrom through the lance, wherein
the frame comprises a guide collar assembly having a tubular supporting collar surrounding the lance, and wherein
the supporting collar comprises a support cradle and a connection pin for movably connecting the supporting collar to the support cradle.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the frame comprises:
a separated pair of upright supports, and
a gantry beam attached to and spanning the upright supports.
21. The apparatus according to claim 20 , further comprising:
a trolley movably coupled to the gantry beam; and
a counterbalance device interconnecting the trolley and the lance.
22. The apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the counterbalance device comprises a retractable tethering cable connected to the proximal end of the lance.
23. The apparatus as in claim 19 , wherein the frame comprises caster wheels.
24. The apparatus as in claim 19 , wherein the frame comprises at least one stabilization assembly for attachment to adjacent support beams in a vicinity of the component.
25. The apparatus as in claim 24 , wherein the stabilization assembly comprises a coupling member connectable to the frame, a connecting plate connectable to an adjacent support beam in the vicinity of the component, and a turnbuckle assembly interconnecting the coupling member and the connecting plate.
26. The apparatus as in claim 20 , wherein the pair of upright supports are height adjustable.