Method and apparatus for cooling and repairing of power plant boiler

Abstract

A method for repairing power plant boilers provides for a water mist insertion into the furnace to provide for more rapid cooling, which allows personnel to enter into the furnace to conduct repairs in a shorter time. Water mist is provided by air-water mixing atomizing sprayers that are inserted into the boiler. Existing power plant oil igniter lighters may be switched from oil to water to provide the air-water mixed atomized mist.

1 . A method for repairing a power plant comprising the steps of: 
 identifying a condition in a power plant that requires repair;    shutting down of the power plant;    switching oil igniter fluid from oil to water;    turning on the oil igniter to provide an atomized water mist inside of a combustion area of the power plant;    measuring temperature inside of the power plant;    initiating repair when the temperature is reduced to a first predetermined level which is tolerable by a human being inside of a work area of the power plant, and    repairing the power plant.    
   
   
       2 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 turning on the oil igniter atomized water mist that provides the atomized water mist when power plant burners are turned off.    
   
   
       3 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 2  further comprising the step of: 
 turning off the oil igniter atomized water mist when repair is being made in an area where the mist interferes with repair procedures.    
   
   
       4 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 2  further comprising the step of: 
 turning off the oil igniter atomized water mist when it is no longer required to maintain temperature at a tolerable level in a work area.    
   
   
       5 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 2  wherein the step of measuring temperature comprises measuring wet and dry bulb temperatures in the work area.  
   
   
       6 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of oil igniters that produce atomized water when switched from oil to water.  
   
   
       7 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 1  wherein the oil igniter is a lighter used in a coal fired boiler.  
   
   
       8 . A method for repairing in a power plant according to  claim 1  wherein the oil igniter is a lighter that inserts a mixture of oil and air into the boiler during boiler start up.  
   
   
       9 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 1  wherein the step of switching from oil to water comprises activating a transfer valve which switches feed fluid to a oil igniter nozzle from oil to water.  
   
   
       10 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 1  wherein the oil igniter as a lighter used in a coal fueled power plant.  
   
   
       11 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 1  wherein the oil igniter is a primary burner used in an oil fueled power plant.  
   
   
       12 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 1  wherein the repair is a tube repair.  
   
   
       13 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 1  wherein the lighter or igniter internally mixes air with water in a nozzle.  
   
   
       14 . A method for repairing a power plant boiler according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 spraying said mist into corners of said boiler.    
   
   
       15 . A method for repairing a power plant boiler comprising the steps of: 
 identifying a tube leak condition in a power plant boiler;    shutting down of the power plant;    inserting into the boiler an air and water mixing nozzle;    turning on the air and water mixing nozzle that provides an atomized water mist inside of a combustion area of the boiler;    measuring temperature inside of the power plant boiler;    initiating tube repair when the temperature is reduced to a first predetermined level which is tolerable by a human being in a work area of the power plant boiler, and    repairing the power plant.    
   
   
       16 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 15  further comprising the step of: 
 turning on the atomized water mist when power plant burners are turned off.    
   
   
       17 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 15  further comprising the step of: 
 turning off the oil igniter atomized water mist when repair is being made in an area where the mist interferes with repair procedures.    
   
   
       18 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 15  further comprising the step of: 
 turning off the oil igniter atomized water mist when it is no longer required to maintain temperature at a tolerable level in a work area.    
   
   
       19 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 15  wherein the step of measuring temperature comprises measuring wet and dry bulb temperatures.  
   
   
       20 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 15  wherein there are a plurality of nozzles.  
   
   
       21 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 15  wherein the nozzle is an internal or external air and water mixing nozzle which is placed on the end of a tube which conveys both air and water to the nozzle.  
   
   
       22 . A method for repairing a power plant according to  claim 15  wherein the air and water mixing nozzle is a nozzle of an oil ignitor lighter.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus for cooling a power plant boiler comprising: 
 a port located in a wall of the boiler;    an air and water mixing mister which is inserted into the port; and    an air and water supply that is connected to said mixing mister;    wherein the air and water mixing mister inserts an air water mist into the power plant boiler and cooling is provided by evaporation of the mist.    
   
   
       24 . An apparatus for cooling a power plant boiler in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the air and water mister is an oil igniter that has water inserted into oil lines.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus for cooling a power plant boiler in accordance with  claim 24  wherein the oil igniter is an ignitor used to ignite a coal fired boiler.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus for cooling a power plant boiler in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the air and water mister is an air and water mixing nozzle on the end of an insertion pipe.