Laser system for slag removal
First Claim
1. A boiler deslagging system comprising:
- a laser for removing slag from a boiler;
a targeting system having a laser gun operationally connected to the laser; and
a computer system for controlling the operation of the laser and targeting system, wherein the targeting system is driven by a laser targeting software and wherein the targeting system includes an optical targeting system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for removing slag from a boiler includes a laser, a targeting system, and a computer system for controlling the operation of the laser and targeting system. Preferably, the laser includes chemicals contained in a mixing pre-chamber. A pump connects to the pre-chamber, and an iodine laser diode connects to the pump. The laser unit also has a power source, cooling system, and a raw beam laser. The targeting system is driven by targeting software and includes an optical targeting system. Preferably, the system also includes a mobile trailer with a computer control room, a main laser operating unit, and a portable optical targeting system connected to the laser unit. Fiber optic cable connects the targeting system and the laser. The online deslagging method includes transporting and setting-up the system, relaying set-up information, feeding targeting information, activating and operating the laser to remove slag from within the boiler.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A boiler deslagging system comprising:
- a laser for removing slag from a boiler;
a targeting system having a laser gun operationally connected to the laser; and
a computer system for controlling the operation of the laser and targeting system, wherein the targeting system is driven by a laser targeting software and wherein the targeting system includes an optical targeting system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 20)
- a laser for removing slag from a boiler;
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4. A slag removal system for a boiler comprising:
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a mobile trailer including a control room;
a main laser operating unit connected with the trailer;
a portable optical targeting system operationally connected to the laser unit;
a computer in the control room for operating the laser unit and the targeting system;
fiber optic cable connecting the targeting system and the laser unit; and
wherein the laser unit includes a power source, and a cooling system.
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5. A method of deslagging a boiler while the boiler is still in operation comprising the steps of:
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transporting a deslagging system;
setting-up the deslagging system including the steps of;
booting-up a computer in a control room, warming up a laser to include mixing chemicals to power a laser, laying-out fiber optics needed to reach the boiler, and connecting the fiber optics to a gun targeting system and the laser;
setting-up the gun;
relaying the set-up information to the control room;
feeding targeting information from the control room;
activating the deslagging system; and
operating the deslagging system to remove slag from internal structures within the boiler. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
training personnel to operate the deslagging system.
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7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of:
removing the slag starting from the bottom of the boiler.
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8. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of:
applying the laser beam to the slag build up in the tubes within the boiler starting from the ground level of the boiler and proceeding in an upward direction.
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9. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of:
cleaning a boiler to produce a by-product of ash; and
reducing the amount of dust created.
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10. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of removing platenization from the tubes for a non-destructive inspection.
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11. A system for extending the typical maintenance schedule of a power plant comprising:
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an on-line boiler including walls, an observation portal and a boiler tube having surfaces;
a laser main unit having a laser which does not pit and groove the surfaces of the tube and reduces the mess normally associated with tube cleaning;
a fiber optic cable connected to the laser main unit;
a gun connected to the cable for targeting and safely removing slag from the boiler tube through the observation portal outside the walls of a boiler; and
a measuring system to help determine the distance the slag is from the portal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
a rugged design for handling environments in a power plant;
a storage device containing individual boiler parameter data.
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13. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer control systems is located in a trailer.
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14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a wireless controller for targeting and imaging inside the boiler while online.
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15. The system of claim 13, wherein the storage device includes reference points from the observation portal to the tube and from the portal.
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16. The system of claim 15, wherein the reference points are accessed in at least one of the following ways:
- from on the tubes, from outside the boiler, and as electronic files to provide a fixed spot to start and reference from, and wherein the points are updated regularly to record any changes to the inside of the boiler.
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17. The system of claim 15, wherein the computer system includes 800+ GHz processor and 500+ MB of ram, a high-capacity hard drive, and a system to cool the computers.
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18. The system of claim 15, wherein the laser has, a front and a rear, and the front of the laser is cooled by an air curtain between the observation portal and the laser, said air curtain is comprised of at least one of:
- cold air and a nitrogen gas.
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19. The system of claim 18, wherein the laser further comprises a sapphire crystal, an optical system, and a power generator for appropriately powering the laser to affect the slag material and not the boiler tube substrate;
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wherein the laser heats the slag to the point in which the slag falls off the tube surface;
wherein the laser is properly calibrated to take into account the wavelength of light inside the boiler and the light generated by the laser-heated slag;
wherein the laser is calibrated to take into account the airflow inside the boiler; and
wherein the laser is calibrated according to the thickness of the slag build up on the tubes.
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Specification