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

1. A method for controlling the output of coal in a plurality of coal outlet pipes in a coal pulverizer, the method comprising:

modifying, or retrofitting, a portion of the coal pulverizer with a turret, the turret comprising:

a frusto-conical shaped body; and

a plurality of static straightening vanes arranged interior to the frusto-conical shaped body, the vanes dividing the frusto-conical shaped body into a plurality of sections, with each section in fluid communication with one of the plurality of coal outlet pipes;

extending a feed pipe through the frusto-conical shaped body of the turret, wherein the feed pipe and the frusto-conical shaped body are concentric, and wherein each of the plurality of straightening vanes extends radially from the feed pipe to an inner peripheral wall of the frusto-conical shaped body;

utilizing the coal pulverizer to grind a supply of raw coal into pulverized coal of a desired fineness that is outputted from the plurality of coal outlet pipes and provided to a boiler; and

controlling the output of coal between each of the plurality of coal outlet pipes with the turret.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:

the turret is positioned in an upper portion of the coal pulverizer above a classifier of the coal pulverizer and is in fluid communication with the classifier.

3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:

within the classifier of the coal 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.

4. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising:

transporting the plurality of flows of coal into the plurality of coal outlet pipes associated with each of the sections;

wherein the plurality of flows of coal are generally vertical through the turret.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:

the number of the plurality of straightening vanes is equal to the number of coal outlet pipes in the coal pulverizer.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

adjusting a height of at least one of the plurality of straightening vanes in response to a coal flow imbalance between the coal outlet pipes.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein:

each of the plurality of straightening vanes includes four segments;

wherein in an extended position the height of a respective vane is 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.

8. A coal pulverizer, comprising:

a feed pipe configured to receive a supply of raw coal;

a grinding mechanism configured to transform the raw coal into pulverized coal;

a classifier configured to receive the pulverized coal from the grinding mechanism 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 above the classifier, the turret having a frusto-conical body and a plurality of static straightening vanes arranged interior to the body, the straightening vanes dividing the frusto-conical body into a plurality of sections, wherein the feed pipe extends through the frusto-conical body, wherein the feed pipe and the frusto-conical shaped body are concentric, and wherein each of the plurality of straightening vanes extends radially from the feed pipe to an inner peripheral wall of the frusto-conical shaped body; and

a plurality of coal outlet pipes in fluid communication with the interior of the turret;

wherein the plurality of straightening vanes within the turret are in fluid communication with the plurality of coal outlet pipes, wherein the plurality of straightening vanes are configured to straighten the swirling flow of coal as it enters the turret, and to divide the swirling flow of coal into a plurality of straightened flows of coal that are communicated to the coal outlet pipes.

9. The coal pulverizer of claim 8 , 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 coal pulverizer.

10. The coal pulverizer of claim 8 , wherein:

each of the plurality of straightening vanes is selectively extendable and retractable in a vertical direction for adjusting a height of each of the straightening vanes.

11. The coal pulverizer of claim 10 , wherein:

each of the plurality of straightening vanes includes four segments;

wherein in an extended position the height of a respective straightening vane is equal to a combined height of the four segments; and

wherein in a retracted position the height of a respective straightening vane is equal to a height of a single segment.