Desuperheater and spray nozzles therefor

A steam assisted ring style desuperheater includes a ring body defining an axial flow path and one or more spray nozzles extending through a wall of the ring body. Each of the nozzles is connected to a separate cooling water manifold and atomizing steam manifold to conduct cooling water and atomizing steam separate from each other through the spray nozzle to an injection point. An atomizing head of each nozzle combines the cooling water and atomizing steam to form a spraywater cloud that is injected radially into the axial flow path. The spray nozzles include one or more flow passage inserts that define separate first and second fluid flow paths for conducting the cooling water and the atomizing steam separately through the spray nozzle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to desuperheaters, which are commonly used on fluid and gas lines (e.g., steam lines) in the power and process industries, and further relates to spray nozzles for use with desuperheaters.

BACKGROUND

Desuperheaters are used in many industrial fluid and gas lines to reduce the temperature of superheated process fluid and gas to a desired set point temperature. For example, desuperheaters are used in power process industries to cool superheated steam. The desuperheater injects a fine spray of atomized cooling water or other fluid, referred to herein as a spraywater cloud, into the steam pipe through which the process steam is flowing. Evaporation of the water droplets in the spraywater cloud reduces the temperature of the process steam. The resulting temperature drop can be controlled by adjusting one or more control variables, such as the volume rate of injecting the cooling water and/or the temperature of the cooling water. The size of the individual droplets in the spraywater cloud and/or the pattern of the spraywater cloud can also be adjusted to control the time required for the temperature drop.

Typically, a spraywater cloud requires some minimum length or run of straight pipe downstream from the injection point to ensure substantially complete evaporation of the individual atomized water droplets. Otherwise, the spraywater cloud may condense or not completely evaporate when a bend or split in the steam pipe is encountered. This length or run of straight pipe is typically referred to as a “downstream pipe length.” A temperature sensor is also usually located at the end of the downstream pipe length to sense the resulting temperature drop of the steam.

Desuperheaters typically are one of two main functional varieties: either mechanically atomized or steam assisted. A mechanically atomized desuperheater relies solely on the mechanical flow of the cooling water through an atomizing head to atomize the cooling water in the spraywater cloud. The cooling water flows into the atomizing head, which forms the spraywater cloud and injects the spraywater cloud into the steam pipe.

A steam assisted desuperheater includes an atomizing head that combines a high velocity stream of steam, which is called atomizing steam, with a stream of cooling water to atomize the cooling water and produce the spraywater cloud. In steam assisted desuperheaters, the individual droplets in the spraywater cloud are typically smaller in size than in mechanically atomized desuperheaters and, therefore, evaporate more rapidly inside the steam pipe. Therefore, steam assisted desuperheaters may be used in applications where a shorter downstream pipe length is available.

FIG. 1illustrates a typical steam assisted insertion style desuperheater10. The desuperheater10includes an insertion tube11that projects radially into a steam pipe12that carries process steam. The insertion tube11disposes a single atomizing head13at a central region of the pipe cross-section. The atomizing head13is directed to inject a spraywater cloud14axially along an axis19of the pipe12. As used herein, the term axially is used to mean that the axis of the spraywater cloud14is angularly aligned more closely with the axis19of the pipe than with a radius of the pipe, preferably within less than about 45° of the axis19, more preferably within less than about 5-10° of the axis19, and most preferably parallel or coaxial with the axis19of the pipe12. An atomizing steam control valve15controls the flow of atomizing steam to the desuperheater10. A spraywater control valve16controls the flow of cooling water to the desuperheater10. The insertion tube11conducts each of the atomizing steam and the cooling water separately to the atomizing head13. The atomizing head13mixes the atomizing steam and the cooling water and injects the resulting spraywater cloud axially into the flow stream of process steam. The body pipe11, however, can cause eddies and vortices in the flow of process steam. These vortices can cause undesirable vibrations or have other undesirable affects on the desuperheater. Furthermore, the downstream pipe length17between the desuperheater10and a temperature sensor18for this type of desuperheater can be thirty feet or more, depending on many factors, which, due to space constraints in many industrial settings, can be problematic.

FIG. 2shows a typical mechanically atomized ring style desuperheater20that addresses some of the constraints with the steam assisted insertion style desuperheater10. The ring style desuperheater20injects one or more spraywater clouds radially into the flow of process steam, rather than axially, as with the insertion style desuperheater10. The ring style desuperheater20includes a ring body21and one or more nozzles22disposed around the circumference of the ring body21. The ring body21may be an axial pipe segment through which the process steam travels axially. A spraywater manifold23provides cooling water to the nozzles22. The spraywater manifold23is formed of various pipes that connect the nozzles22to a source of cooling water. Each nozzle22has an atomizing head24disposed along an interior surface of the ring body21. The atomizing head24injects a spraywater cloud radially into the axial flow of steam. The ring style desuperheater20overcomes or significantly reduces problems with vortex eddies and vibrations that may occur with the insertion style desuperheater10because the ring style desuperheater20does not have a body pipe11. The ring style desuperheater20provides more flexibility for steam lines that have greater variance of steam flow characteristics because the number of nozzles22may be increased or decreased to provide more or less cooling spraywater into the process steam. Further, the downstream pipe length often is shorter with the ring style desuperheater20than with the insertion style desuperheater10because the nozzles22inject the spraywater clouds radially. Until now, however, ring style desuperheaters have been limited to being of the mechanically atomized variety.

SUMMARY

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a steam assisted ring style desuperheater is provided that does not include an insertion-style tube that would be subject to vortex shedding problems. In some arrangements exemplary of this aspect, the desuperheater includes one or more spray nozzles having atomizing heads disposed around a ring body and separate manifolds that provide cooling water and atomizing steam to each of the spray nozzles.

According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a spray nozzle for a steam assisted ring style desuperheater maintains the atomizing steam and the cooling water physically separate from each other up to an injection point, preferably at the atomizing head. In some arrangements exemplary of this aspect, a steam assisted ring style desuperheater includes one or more spray nozzles, each including a water flow passage and an atomizing steam flow passage. The water flow passage and the atomizing steam flow passage are maintained separate from each other along the spray nozzle and converge only at the injection point at the atomizing head. Preferably, one or both of the water flow passage and the atomizing steam flow passage are formed by one or more flow passage inserts disposed in a cavity, such as a bore, of a nozzle housing.

In one exemplary arrangement, desuperheater includes a ring body defining an axial flow path, a plurality of spray nozzles disposed around the ring body, a water manifold connected to each of the spray nozzles for providing the cooling water to each of the spray nozzles, and a steam manifold connected to each of the spray nozzles for providing the atomizing steam to each of the spray nozzles, separately from the cooling water. Each spray nozzle includes an atomizing head that combines cooling water and atomizing steam to form a spraywater cloud and injects the spraywater cloud radially into the axial flow path.

In another exemplary arrangement, a ring style steam assisted desuperheater includes a ring body having a wall defining an axial flow path extending from a first end of the ring body to a second end of the ring body, a steam manifold arranged to provide atomizing steam, a water manifold arranged to provide cooling water; and a spray nozzle operatively connected to each of the steam manifold and the water manifold. The spray nozzle extends through an aperture in the wall of the ring body and includes a housing coupled to the wall of the ring body, at least one flow passage insert received within the bore and extending through the first end of the housing, and an atomizing head operatively coupled to the at least one flow passage insert and disposed inside the ring body and adjacent the wall of the ring body. The housing includes a bore extending between a first end of the housing and a second end of the housing. The at least one flow passage insert defines at least a first fluid flow path in fluid communication with the water manifold to conduct the cooling water through the spray nozzle and a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the steam manifold to conduct the atomizing steam through the flow passage, separate from the cooling water. The atomizing head combines the atomizing steam and the cooling water to form a spraywater cloud and directs the spraywater cloud radially into the ring body.

In another exemplary arrangement, a spray nozzle for a steam assisted ring type desuperheater includes a housing having a bore extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing, a first inlet aperture extending through the housing and intersecting the bore, and a second inlet aperture extending through the housing and intersecting the bore. A first flow passage insert is received within the bore and forms a first fluid flow path extending from the first inlet aperture to a distal end of the first flow passage insert. A second flow passage insert is received within the first flow passage insert and forms a second fluid flow path, separate from the first flow path, extending from the second inlet aperture to a distal end of the second flow passage insert. A first seal is operatively disposed between the first flow passage insert and the housing to fluidly isolate the first fluid flow path from the second fluid flow path. An atomizing head is disposed at the distal end of the first flow passage insert and the distal end of the second flow passage insert and has a first flow passage operatively connected to the first fluid flow path and a second flow passage operatively connected to the second fluid flow path. The first flow channel and the second flow channel converge proximate an injection point.

In a further exemplary arrangement, a spray nozzle for a steam assisted ring type desuperheater includes a housing having a bore extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing, a first inlet aperture extending through the housing and intersecting the bore, and a second inlet aperture extending through the housing and intersecting the bore. A flow passage insert is received within the bore and forms a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path, fluidly separated from the first fluid flow path between the first and second inlet apertures and a distal end of the flow passage insert. An atomizing head is disposed at the distal end of the flow passage insert and has a first flow passage in fluid communication with the first fluid flow path and the first inlet aperture and a second flow passage in fluid communication with the second fluid flow path and the second inlet aperture. The first fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path converging proximate an injection point where a spraywater cloud is injected radially into the bore.

In further accordance with any one or more of the foregoing aspects and exemplary arrangements, a desuperheater assembly, desuperheater, spray nozzles, and/or components thereof according to the teachings of the present disclosure may include any one or more of the following optional forms.

In some optional forms, the water manifold includes a first conduit operatively connected to each of the spray nozzles and arranged to carry the cooling water to the spray nozzles and the steam manifold comprises a second conduit operatively connected to each of the spray nozzles and arranged to carry the atomizing steam to each of the spray nozzles.

In some optional forms, each spray nozzle includes a first fluid flow path in fluid communication with the water manifold and a second fluid flow path, separate from the first fluid flow path, in fluid communication with the steam manifold.

In some optional forms, each spray nozzle includes a flow passage insert in fluid communication with the atomizing head and the steam manifold and a second flow passage insert in fluid communication with the atomizing head and the water manifold. The flow passage insert has a bore formed therethrough that defines the second fluid flow path and the second flow passage insert has a bore formed therethrough that, in combination with the flow passage insert, defines the first fluid flow path.

In some optional forms, each spray nozzle further includes a flow passage insert having an inner bore formed axially therethrough and an outer annular bore surrounding and radially spaced form the inner bore. The inner bore is in fluid communication with the atomizing head and the steam manifold and defines the second fluid flow path and the outer annular bore is in fluid communication with the atomizing head and the water manifold and defines the first fluid flow path.

In some optional forms, the water manifold and the steam manifold are disposed on an exterior side of the ring body, each spray nozzle extends through an aperture formed in the ring body, and the atomizing heads of the spray nozzles are disposed adjacent an inner wall of the ring body.

In some optional forms, the spray nozzle comprises a single flow passage forming both the first fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path.

In some optional forms, the spray nozzle includes a first flow passage insert received within the bore and extending through the first end of the housing and a second flow passage insert received within the first flow passage insert. The second fluid flow path is defined by the second flow passage insert and the first fluid flow path is defined by the first flow passage insert and the second flow passage insert.

In some optional forms, the bore includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion has a first diameter and receives a hollow tube of the first flow passage insert. The second portion has a second diameter greater than the first diameter and receives a head of the first flow passage insert. The third portion has a third diameter greater than the second diameter and receives a head of the second flow passage insert. A first step is formed between the first portion and the second portion and is configured to engage a shoulder formed on the head of the first flow passage insert. A second step is formed between the second portion and the third portion and is configured to engage a shoulder formed on the head of the second flow passage insert.

In some optional forms, a second seal is operatively disposed between first flow passage insert and the housing.

In some optional forms, a cap flange is secured to the first end of the housing sealing the bore. The cap flange secures the first flow passage insert and the second flow passage insert within the bore.

In some optional forms, a third seal is operatively disposed between the cap flange and the housing.

In some optional forms, the bore includes a first portion having a first diameter and receiving a tubular section of the flow passage insert, a second portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter and receiving a head of the flow passage insert, and a step formed between the first portion and the second portion. The step is configured to engage an annular shoulder formed on the head of the flow passage insert.

In some optional forms, the first fluid flow path includes an outer annular bore extending axially along the tubular section to a first flow passage formed in the head and the second fluid flow path comprises an inner bore disposed within the outer annular bore and extending axially along the tubular section to a second flow passage formed in the head. The first flow passage is in fluid communication with the first inlet aperture and the second flow passage is in fluid communication with the second inlet aperture.

In some optional forms, a cap flange is secured to the first end of the housing. The cap flange seals the bore and secures the flow passage insert within the bore.

Other aspects and optional forms of the desuperheater assembly, desuperheater, spray nozzles, and/or components thereof disclosed herein will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings,FIG. 3illustrates an example of a desuperheater30according to one or more teachings of the present disclosure. The desuperheater30is a ring style desuperheater and is also a steam assisted desuperheater. The desuperheater30includes a ring body32, at least one and preferably a plurality of spray nozzles34carried by the ring body, and a manifold36for providing cooling water and atomizing steam to each of the spray nozzles34. The manifold36is disposed on a radially exterior side of the ring body32. The manifold36is connected to a portion of each spray nozzle34disposed on the exterior side of the ring body32. Each spray nozzle34is arranged to inject a spraywater cloud radially into the flow stream of process steam passing axially through the ring body32. The term “radially” is used herein to mean that the axis of the spraywater cloud is angularly aligned more closely with the radius R of the ring body32than with the axis33of the ring body32, preferably within less than about 45° of the radius R, more preferably within less than about 5-10° of the radius R, and most preferably parallel or aligned with the radius R of the of the pipe12, while outer portions of the spraywater cloud may include both a radial component and an axial component.

The ring body32defines an axial flow path “A” for the passage of fluid, such as process steam, therethrough. The ring body32is preferably in the form of an elongate pipe section having a ring shaped cross-section extending axially from a first end32ato a second end32b. The first and second ends32aand32bare arranged for connection and/or insertion between two opposing ends of pipe along a process steam pipeline, such as the steam pipe12ofFIG. 1. The first and second ends32aand32bmay be connected to opposing ends of pipe by, for example, welding, couplings, or fasteners. The ring body32optionally may include connection flanges (not shown) at each of the first and second ends32aand32bfor bolted connection to opposing pipe sections in a manner well understood in the art.

The manifold36includes two separate and independent portions: a water manifold36a, and a steam manifold36b. The water manifold36aincludes a connection38afor connecting to a source of cooling water and one or more conduits40athat operatively connect the connection38awith each of the spray nozzles34to provide cooling water to the spray nozzles34. The source of cooling water may be, for example, the spraywater control valve16ofFIG. 1. The conduits40amay be connected with one or more of the spray nozzles34in series, as shown in the present example, and/or in parallel. The steam manifold36bincludes a connector38bfor connecting to a source of atomizing steam and one or more conduits40bthat operatively connect the connector38bwith each of the spray nozzles34. The source of atomizing steam may be, for example, the atomizing steam control valve15ofFIG. 1. The conduits40bmay be connected with one or more of the spray nozzles34in parallel, as shown in the present example, and/or in series. The connections38aand38bmay be connector flanges or other well known piping connections, such as butt-welds, socket weld ends, etc. The conduits40aand40bmay be pipes, hoses, or other similar fluid conduits. In this arrangement, the water manifold36aprovides cooling water to each of the spray nozzles34, and the steam manifold36bsupplies atomizing steam to each of the spray nozzles34. The cooling water and the atomizing steam are provided separately and independently of each other to each of the spray nozzles34.

FIG. 4illustrates an enlarged cutaway view of one of the spray nozzles34operatively positioned in the ring body32. Each of the spray nozzles34is preferably identical and/or identically arranged through the ring body32. The spray nozzle34is adapted to receive and to conduct the cooling water and atomizing steam separately and independently to an atomizing head52. The atomizing head52injects a spraywater cloud radially toward a center of the ring body32. The spraywater cloud is a mixture of the atomizing steam and the cooling water. The spray nozzle34includes a housing46for connection to the ring body32, a first flow passage insert48and a second flow passage insert50received within the housing46, an atomizing head52, and a cap flange54.

The housing46includes a body58and a neck60extending from the body. The neck60is narrower than the body58. Preferably each of the body58and the neck60has a circular cross-section, although other shapes are possible. The body58is disposed on the exterior side of the ring body32. The neck60fits into an aperture62through the wall of the ring body32. The neck60is secured to the wall of the ring body32, such as with one or more welds. Preferably, the weld seals the aperture62. A through bore64extends axially from a first open end at a distal end of the neck60, through the body58, to a second open end at the body58opposite the first open end. The through bore64is a stepped through bore. A first annular step66and a second annular step68divide the through bore64into a first bore portion64a, a second bore portion64b, and a third bore portion64c. The first bore portion64aextends from the first end of the through bore64at the distal end of the neck60to the first annular step66. The second bore portion64bextends from the first annular step66to the second annular step68. The third bore portion64cextends from the second annular step68to the second end of the through bore64at the upper surface of the body58. The first bore portion64ais narrower than the second bore portion64b. The second bore portion64bis narrower than the third bore portion64c. Preferably, each of the first, second, and third bore portions64a,64b, and64cis in the form a straight cylindrical bore portion, wherein the first bore portion64ahas a first diameter, the second bore portion64bhas a second diameter larger than the first bore portion, and the third bore portion64chas a third diameter larger than the second diameter. The first through third bore portions64a-care coaxially aligned along a single axis of the through bore64.

At least one first or lower inlet/outlet aperture70extends radially through the body58into the second bore portion64b. Preferably at least two lower inlet/outlet apertures extend radially through the body58into the second bore portion64b. At least one second or upper inlet/outlet aperture72extends radially through the body58into the third bore portion64c. Preferably, at least two upper inlet/outlet apertures72extend radially through the body58into the third bore portion64c. The upper inlet/outlet apertures72may be aligned 180° diametrically opposite each other on opposite sides of the body58. The lower inlet/outlet apertures70may aligned 180° diametrically opposite each other on opposite sides of the body58. The upper inlet/outlet apertures72are angularly offset from the lower inlet/outlet apertures70, preferably orthogonally. Each of the upper and lower inlet/outlet apertures72,70is arranged to operatively connect to one of the conduits40aor40bto direct a flow of water and/or steam into the through bore64. The upper and lower inlet/outlet apertures72,70may, for example, receive the ends of the conduits40aor40btherein. Preferably, one or more of the lower inlet/outlet apertures70are connected to the conduits40afor providing cooling water to the spray nozzles34, and one or more of the upper inlet/outlet apertures72are connected to the conduit40bfor providing atomizing steam to the spray nozzle34. However, the atomizing steam and cooling water connections may be reversed and the spray nozzle34would still be operative. If fewer than all of the inlet/outlet apertures70and72are connected to conduits40aor40b, a plug or other closure member (not shown) may close any of the inlet/outlet apertures70or72that are not operatively connected to a conduit40aor40b.

The first flow passage insert48is received within the through bore64. The first flow passage insert48at least partially defines a first fluid flow path42from the lower inlet/outlet apertures70to the atomizing head52. The first flow passage insert48includes a hollow tube76, a head78, an inner bore80, and one or more flow apertures82. The hollow tube76extends from the head78to a distal end. The inner bore80extends axially through the hollow tube76and the head78from a first open end at the distal end of the hollow tube76to a second open end at the head78. Preferably, two or more flow apertures82extend through the head78into the inner bore80. The flow apertures82extend radially through the head78. The head78is wider than the hollow tube76. Preferably, one or both of the hollow tube76and the head78have circular cross-sections, and the head78has an outside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the hollow tube76. An annular shoulder84extends radially from the outside diameter of the head78to the outside diameter of the hollow tube76. The annular shoulder84forms a radial seating surface. In other arrangements, the radial seating surface may have different forms. The head78is disposed in the second bore portion64b. The hollow tube76extends through the first bore portion64a. The hollow tube76extends beyond the first end of the through bore64and the neck60. The annular shoulder84is operatively seated directly or indirectly against the first annular step66to maintain the head78within the second bore portion64b. A first annular groove86extends circumferentially around the outer diameter surface of the head78. The annular groove86is axially spaced between a top end of the head78and the annular shoulder84. The annular groove86connects one or more, and preferably all of the flow apertures82along the outer surface of the head78. Fluid can travel along the annular groove86between the inner surface of the second bore section64band the head78. A seal88, such as a gasket or o-ring, is preferably sealingly disposed between the annular shoulder84and the first annular step66to provide a fluid tight seal between the housing46and the first flow passage insert48. The annular shoulder84seats against the seal88and/or the first annular step66to operatively maintain the first flow passage insert48with the flow apertures82in fluid communication, and preferably radially aligned, with the lower inlet/outlet apertures70. The outside diameter of the head78corresponds to the inside diameter of the second bore portion64bto provide a tight slip fit therewith.

The second flow passage insert50is received within the through bore64and within the inner bore80of the first flow passage insert48. The second flow passage insert50at least partly defines a second fluid flow path44from the upper inlet/outlet apertures72to the atomizing head52. The second flow passage insert50includes a hollow tube90, a head92, a bore94, and one or more flow apertures96. The hollow tube90extends from the head92to a distal end. The bore94extends axially through the hollow tube90and the head92from a first open end at the distal end of the hollow tube90to a second open end at the head92. The flow apertures96extend through the head92into the bore94. The flow apertures96extend radially through the head92. The head92is wider than the hollow tube90. Preferably, one or both of the hollow tube90and the head92have circular cross-sectional shapes, and the head92has an outside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the hollow tube90. An annular shoulder98extends radially from the outside diameter of the head92to the outside diameter of the hollow tube90. The annular shoulder98forms a second radial seating surface. In other arrangements, the second radial seating surface may have different forms. The hollow tube90is disposed coaxially inside of the hollow tube76of the first flow passage insert48. The head92is disposed in the third bore portion64cof the housing46. The annular shoulder98operatively seats directly or indirectly against the top surface of the head78of the first flow passage insert48. In addition, the annular shoulder98operatively seats directly or indirectly against the second annular step68of the housing46. A seal100, such as an o-ring or gasket, preferably is disposed between the annular shoulder98and the second annular step68. The seal100forms a fluid tight seal operatively between the first flow passages insert48and the second flow passage insert50. A second annular groove102extends circumferential around the outer diameter surface of the head92. The annular groove102is axially spaced between a top end of the head92and the annular shoulder98. The annular groove102connects one or more, and preferably all, of the flow apertures96along the outer circumferential surface of the head92. Fluid can travel along the annular groove102between the inner surface of the third bore section64cand the head92. A fluid convergence chamber104is optionally disposed at the top end of the bore94. The fluid convergence chamber104is aligned radially with the flow apertures96. The fluid convergence chamber104is disposed within the head92and has a larger diameter than the bore94. The annular shoulder98of the second flow passage insert50seats against the top surface of the head78, the second annular step68, and/or the seal100to operatively maintain the flow apertures96in fluid communication, and preferably radially aligned, with the second inlet/outlet apertures72. Preferably, the outside diameter of the head92corresponds to the inside diameter of the third bore portion64cto provide a tight slip fit therewith.

The outside diameter of the hollow tube90is smaller than the inside diameter of the hollow tube76, thereby forming an annular gap or outer annular bore116therebetween. The outer annular bore116defines a part of the first fluid flow path42extending from the flow apertures82to the distal ends of the first and second hollow tubes76and90. The bore94defines a part of the second fluid flow path44extending from the flow apertures96to the distal end of the hollow tube90.

The atomizing head52is connected to the distal ends of each of the hollow tubes76and90of the respective first and second flow passage inserts48,50. The atomizing head52is in the form of a circular cap-like member that covers the distal ends of the hollow tubes76and90. The inner surface of the atomizing head52includes a central recess106and an annular groove108that surrounds the central recess106. The central recess106is aligned axially with the bore94. The annular groove108is aligned axially with the outer annular bore116. One or more first flow passages110extend at an angle from the central recess106radially outwardly and axially outwardly. One or more second flow passages112extend at an angle from the annular groove108radially inwardly and axially outwardly. Each first flow passages110intersects with a corresponding second flow passage112within an atomizing chamber114recessed in the exterior surface of the atomizing head52. The atomizing chambers114define the injection points of the spraywater cloud into the ring body32. In this arrangement, atomizing steam flowing through the second fluid flow path44mixes with and atomizes cooling water flowing through the first fluid flow path42inside the atomizing chamber. The atomizing head52thereby injects a spraywater cloud generally axially away from the hollow tubes76and90and generally radially into the ring body32toward a central region of steam flowing axially through the ring body32.

The cap flange54covers the second end of the through bore64and retains the flow passage inserts48and50operatively disposed within the through bore64. The cap flange54is connected to the top surface of the body58, for example, with fasteners or welds. The cap flange54preferably forms a fluid tight seal against the body58to prevent cooling water and/or atomizing steam from escaping through the second end of the through bore64. Thus, a seal118, such as a gasket or o-ring, is sealingly disposed between the cap flange54and the top surface of the body58. The seal is disposed in an annular groove120formed in the top surface of the body58adjacent the third bore portion64c.

Each of the flow passage inserts48and50, the housing46, the atomizing head52, and the cap flange54is preferably formed as a separate piece and subsequently assembled together. The flow passage inserts48and50, the housing46, the atomizing head52, and the cap flange54may be formed by any suitable method, such as by casting, machining, or other sufficient forming methods. Each of the ring body32, the housing46, and the first and second flow passage inserts48and50is preferably formed of metal, such as steel or stainless steel, although other materials may also or alternatively be used. The seals88,100,118are preferably formed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, or metal softer than the material of the seating surfaces.

The spray nozzle34can be assembled by first inserting the first flow passage insert48with the atomizing head52attached through the second end of the through bore64and seating the annular shoulder84against the annular step66and/or the seal88. Thereafter, the second flow passage insert50may be inserted through the second end of the through bore64and into the inner bore80of the first flow passage insert48. The annular shoulder98is seated against the annular step68, the top surface of the head78of the first flow passage insert48, and/or the seal100. The cap flange54then may be secured and sealingly seated to the top surface of the body58and/or against the seal118, for example, with bolts. The neck60is inserted into the aperture62through the wall of the ring body32either before or after assembling the spray nozzle34. The neck60is sealingly secured in the aperture62, for example, by welding. Conduits40aand40bmay be operatively connected to the respective inlet/outlet apertures70and72at any convenient point in the assembly process.

FIG. 5illustrates a second exemplary arrangement of a spray nozzle34′, which may be used with the desuperheater30in lieu of or in addition to the nozzles34. The spray nozzle34′ is similar to the spray nozzle34in that it includes a housing46operatively connected to conduits40aand40b. The housing46has a body58, a neck60, and a through bore64extending from a first open end at a distal end of the neck60to a second open end at a top surface of the body58, one or more first or lower inlet/outlet apertures70, and one or more second or upper inlet/outlet apertures72, all as previously described herein. The neck60is received with the aperture62through the wall of the ring body32, and sealingly secured to the wall with welds or other sealing and connecting mechanisms. Unlike the spray nozzle34, however, the spray nozzle34′ includes a single flow passage insert124that defines both the first fluid flow path42and the second fluid flow path44extending from the inlet/outlet apertures70,72to the atomizing head52.

The flow passage insert124includes a head126that aligns with the inlet/outlet apertures70and72, a tubular section128, an inner bore130, an outer annular bore134, one or more flow passages132,136, and an annular shoulder138. The tubular section128extends from the head126to a distal end spaced from the head126. The inner bore130extends axially through the tubular section128and the head126. The inner bore130intersects with the flow passages132. The flow passages132extend radially outwardly through an upper portion of the head126. The outer annular bore134surrounds the inner bore130. The outer annular bore134intersects with the flow passages136, but not with the flow passages132. The flow passages136extend radially outwardly through a lower portion of the head126. The outer annular bore134extends coaxially with the inner bore130from the flow passages136to the distal end of the tubular section128. The annular shoulder138extends radially from an outer diameter of the tubular section128to an outer diameter of the head126. The annular shoulder138forms a radial seating surface that seats against an annular step140formed along the through bore64. The annular shoulder138operatively maintains the flow passage insert124in the through bore64with the flow passages132aligned with the upper inlet/outlet apertures72and the flow passages136aligned with the lower inlet/outlet apertures70. Thus, the first fluid flow path42extends from the lower inlet/outlet aperture70, through the flow passages136and the outer annular bore134, to the annular groove108of the atomizing head52. The second fluid flow path44extends from the upper inlet/outlet aperture72, through the flow passages132and the inner bore130, to the central recess106of the atomizing head52. The atomizing head52is substantially identical as described previously herein and includes the first and second flow passages110and112connected to each of the bores130,134and converging at an injection point in the atomizing chambers114. The spray nozzle34injects a spraywater cloud of mixed atomized water and atomizing steam axially aligned with the bores130, and134and radially into the ring body32.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A desuperheater assembly, desuperheater, spray nozzles, and/or components thereof according the teachings of the present disclosure in some applications are useful for reducing the temperature of superheated steam or other fluids or gases in a fluid pipe to a predefined set point temperature. However, the desuperheater assembly, desuperheater, spray nozzles, and/or components thereof are not limited to the uses described herein and may be used in other types of arrangements.

The technical examples described and shown in detail herein are only exemplary of one or more aspects of the teachings of the present disclosure for the purpose of teaching a person of ordinary skill to make and use the invention or inventions recited in the appended claims. Additional aspects, arrangements, and forms of the invention or inventions within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated, the rights to which are expressly reserved.