Piping, header, and tubing arrangements for solar boilers

Abstract

A header system for fluid circulation in a boiler includes a header configured to conduct fluid therethrough for circulating fluids in a boiler. A plurality of suction lines are connected in fluid communication with the header. Each suction line is configured and adapted to connect a respective pump in fluid communication with the header. A plurality of downcomers are connected in fluid communication with the header. Each downcomer is configured and adapted to connect the header in fluid communication with a steam drum. The header, suction lines, and downcomers are configured and adapted to draw substantially equal amounts of fluid from each of the downcomers even when flow is uneven among the suction lines. A plurality of cascaded headers can fluidly connect the circulation header to a steam generator. The plurality of cascaded headers is configured and adapted to provide a substantially equal flow to panels of the steam generator.

1 . A header system for fluid circulation in a boiler comprising:
 a) a header configured to conduct fluid therethrough for circulating fluids in a boiler;   b) a plurality of suction lines connected in fluid communication with the header, each suction line being configured and adapted to connect a respective pump in fluid communication with the header; and   c) a plurality of downcomers connected in fluid communication with the header, wherein each downcomer is configured and adapted to connect the header in fluid communication with a steam drum, wherein the header, suction lines, and downcomers are configured and adapted to draw substantially equal amounts of fluid from each of the downcomers even when flow is uneven among the suction lines.   
     
     
         2 . A header system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the header defines a longitudinal axis and has an inlet section and an opposed outlet section that is spaced apart from the inlet section along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the suction lines are all connected to the outlet section of the header, and wherein the downcomers are all connected to the inlet section of the header. 
     
     
         3 . A header system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein there are four downcomers, an inner two of the downcomers being inboard with respect to two outboard downcomers. 
     
     
         4 . A header system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each inner downcomer is connected to the header at a first common axial position on the header, and wherein each outer downcomer is connected to the header at a second common axial position on the header, and wherein the first and second axial positions are spaced apart axially along the longitudinal axis of the header. 
     
     
         5 . A header system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the downcomers are oriented perpendicular to the header where connected thereto. 
     
     
         6 . A header system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the downcomers are all oriented parallel to one another at inlet ends thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A header system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the suction lines are oriented perpendicular to the header where connected thereto. 
     
     
         8 . A header system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the suction lines are all oriented parallel to one another at outlet ends thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A header system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein two suction lines are staggered axially with respect to one another where connected to the header. 
     
     
         10 . A header system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein two suction lines are axially aligned with respect to one another where connected to the header. 
     
     
         11 . A header system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a third suction line is connected to the header in axial alignment therewith. 
     
     
         12 . A header system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein two suction lines are axially aligned with respect to one another where connected to the header, and wherein a third suction line is connected to the header in axial alignment therewith. 
     
     
         13 . A solar boiler for solar power production comprising:
 a) a steam generator and a superheater each connected in fluid communication with a steam drum;   b) a plurality of downcomers connected in fluid communication with the steam drum;   c) a vertically oriented circulation header fluidly connected to the downcomers; and   d) a plurality of suction lines in fluid communication with the circulation header, the suction lines each being configured and adapted to place a circulation pump in fluid communication with the circulation header, wherein the circulation header, suction lines, and downcomers are configured and adapted to draw substantially equal amounts of fluid from each of the downcomers even when flow is uneven among the suction lines.   
     
     
         14 . A solar boiler as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the circulation header defines a longitudinal axis and has an inlet section and an opposed outlet section that is spaced apart from the inlet section along the longitudinal axis, wherein the inlet section is above the outlet section, and wherein the suction lines are all connected to the outlet section of the header, and wherein the downcomers are all connected to the inlet section of the header. 
     
     
         15 . A solar boiler as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of cascaded headers fluidly connecting the circulation header to the steam generator, wherein the plurality of cascaded headers is configured and adapted to provide a substantially equal flow to panels of the steam generator. 
     
     
         16 . A boiler for power production comprising:
 a) a steam generator and a superheater each connected in fluid communication with a steam drum;   b) a circulation header in fluid communication with the steam drum and the steam generator for circulating water from the steam drum into the steam generator; and   c) a plurality of cascaded headers fluidly connecting the circulation header to the steam generator, wherein the plurality of cascaded headers is configured and adapted to provide a substantially equal flow to panels of the steam generator.   
     
     
         17 . A boiler as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of cascaded headers includes a flow path that passes through a series of progressively smaller headers from the circulation header to the panels of the steam generator. 
     
     
         18 . A boiler as recited in  claim 17 , wherein there are at least three header sizes between the circulation header and individual tubes of the steam generator panels. 
     
     
         19 . A boiler as recited in  claim 16 , wherein a second plurality of cascaded headers fluidly connects the steam generator to the steam drum to provide a saturated mixture of water and steam from the steam generator to the steam drum. 
     
     
         20 . A boiler as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the second plurality of cascaded headers includes a flow path that passes through a series of progressively larger headers from the panels of the steam generator to the steam drum, wherein there are at least two header sizes between individual tubes of the steam generator panels and the steam drum.