Compliant heating system comprising a compressive seal expansion joint

Abstract

A compliant heating system includes a dynamic component including a heat exchanger; a pressure vessel shell encompassing at least a portion of the heat exchanger; and a accessible and detachable compressive seal expansion that connects the dynamic component and the pressure vessel shell.

At least what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compliant heating system, comprising:
 a dynamic component comprising a heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes fluidically connected to an exhaust plenum that is fluidically connected to an exhaust port along which flows exhaust from the heat exchanger;   a pressure vessel encompassing at least a portion of the heat exchanger wherein the exhaust port sealingly penetrates the pressure vessel to provide the exhaust outside of the pressure vessel;   at least one shell expansion joint that detachably connects the dynamic component and the pressure vessel, the expansion joint configured to reduce thermally-induced stress on the dynamic component in operation; and   wherein the pressure vessel comprises a pressure vessel conduit, the exhaust port is sealingly attached to the pressure vessel conduit, and the at least one shell expansion joint is directly externally accessible and detachably disposed on an exterior surface of the pressure vessel and detachable from outside of the heating system.   
     
     
         2 . The compliant heating system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the pressure vessel comprises a lower tube sheet which is rigidly connected to the heat exchanger,   wherein the heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum through the lower tube sheet, and wherein the shell expansion joint is located at an end of the pressure vessel shell which is distal to the exhaust plenum.   
     
     
         3 . The compliant heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the shell expansion joint is located at an end of the pressure vessel, which is proximal to the exhaust plenum or distal to the exhaust plenum. 
     
     
         4 . The compliant heating system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the pressure vessel is connected to a compliant pressure vessel flange via the shell expansion joint, and   wherein the compliant pressure vessel flange is rigidly attached to a top head flange.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shell expansion joint comprises:
 a removable gasket disposed across a respective expansion gap; and   a removable retaining ring disposed around the gasket, which secures the gasket in place.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the gasket comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the retaining ring comprises an internal channel arranged to house the gasket. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising one or more positioners arranged to guide the retaining ring to maintain position on the pressure vessel.