Arrangement for supporting U-bend tube sections in the high heat environment of steam generators using flat bars. The invention uses a combination of thicker and thinner flat bars to impart a serpentine path to the arc of the normally curvilinear U-tubes. The support system accommodates the dilation and contraction of coolant tubes and other elements caused by the extreme and varying conditions inside a steam generator, and which can cause gaps between coolant tubes and prior art tube support bars. Bars of alternating thickness provide alternating offsets to tensionally push and support each tube on multiple sides and in multiple locations, and this tension keeps the tubes in contact with at least some flat bars on multiple sides regardless of size and shape changes. Support arrangement includes a set of fan bars, each fan bar including thick and thin flat bars projecting up and out from a collector bar.

Disclosed herein is a heat recovery steam generator system comprising a vestibule comprising a base plate, a roof and side walls; where the base plate is opposedly disposed to the roof; a heat exchanger space through which an exhaust gas stream is charged; where the vestibule is disposed atop a heat exchanger space; and where the vestibule comprises at least one header in fluid communication with a tube bundle; where a portion of the tube bundle is disposed in the heat exchanger space; and a support system for the tube bundle; where the support system comprises a strap that is reversibly attached to the base plate as well as to the roof of the vestibule or to a structural member in the vestibule; and where each tube of the tube bundle contacts a collar that rests on the base plate.

A heat exchanger includes: a first straight section; a second straight section; and a bent section or elbow linking the first straight section and the second straight section. Each straight section comprises a part of an internal cylindrical shell and of an external cylindrical shell, both cooperating to form an intershell space enclosing a bundle of parallel U-bent tubes having each a first and a second straight part respectively located in the first straight section and second straight section of the exchanger and a 180°-bent part located in the bent section or elbow of the exchanger, so that, in use, a first fluid to be heated and vaporized is flowing in the tubes. The external cylindrical shell is provided respectively at one end with an inlet and at another end with an outlet for a second fluid which is a hot thermal fluid.

A heat exchanger having a first heat transfer tube with a first primary straight part and a first secondary straight part is provided. The heat exchanger includes a first primary bond part and a first secondary bond part. The first primary bond part is welded to the first secondary bond part to form a first primary bond that bonds the first primary straight part and the first secondary straight part of the first heat transfer tube. The first primary bond limits a first primary aperture and a first secondary aperture formed by the holes of the bond parts, wherein the straight parts of the first heat transfer tube extend through the first primary bond via the apertures.

Apparatus for a steam generator that employs tube support plates within a shroud that is in turn disposed within a shell. The tube support plates are made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of the shroud. The tube support plates are aligned during fabrication, with minimal clearances between components. Using a tube support displacement system, a controlled misalignment is then imposed on one or more tube support plates, as the steam generator heats up. The tube support plate displacement system has only one part, a push rod, which is internal to the steam generator shroud, thereby minimizing the potential of loose parts. The tube support plate displacement system can be used to provide controlled misalignments on one or more tube support plates, in the same or varying amounts and directions, and with one or more apparatus for each individual tube support plate.

A heat exchanger (10) comprising a first heat transfer tube (100) having a first primary straight part (101) and a first secondary straight part (103), the straight parts (101, 103) extending parallel in a first plane (P) in a longitudinal direction (di). The heat exchanger (10) comprises a first primary bond part (510) having a first primary surface (511), an opposite first secondary surface (512) and a first tertiary surface (513), the first tertiary surface (513) extending from the first primary surface (511) to the first secondary surface (512). On the first tertiary surface (513), a first primary hole (514) and a first secondary hole (515), are provided, both extending through the first primary bond part (510) in the longitudinal direction (d.sub.l). The heat exchanger (10) comprises a first secondary bond part (520) having a second primary hole (524) and a second secondary hole (525), both extending through the first secondary bond part (520) in the longitudinal direction (d.sub.l) on a second tertiary surface (523) from a second primary surface (521) to a second secondary surface (522). The first primary bond part (510) has been welded to the first secondary bond part (520) to form a first primary bond (530) that bonds parts of the first heat exchanger tube (100). Thus, the first primary bond (530) limits a first primary aperture (533) and a first secondary aperture (534) formed by the holes (514, 515, 524, 525), wherein straight parts (101, 103) extend through the first primary bond (530) via the apertures (533, 534).

A heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged into a first row of tubes and a second row of tubes. A fixed mount fixedly positions the first row of tubes, and a movable mount makes the second row of tubes movable between an aligned position in which tubes in the second row are aligned with tubes in the first row, creating a linear flow path for the fluid through the tubes, and a non-aligned position in which tubes in the second row are not aligned with tubes in the first row, creating a curvilinear flow path for the fluid through the plurality of tubes. Heat is exchanged between the first fluid and a second fluid passing through the plurality of heat exchange tubes. The heat exchanger may be employed as an HRSG in a combined cycle plant, among other applications.

Arrangement for supporting U-bend tube sections in the high heat environment of steam generators using flat bars. The invention uses a combination of thicker and thinner flat bars to impart a serpentine path to the arc of the normally curvilinear U-tubes. The support system accommodates the dilation and contraction of coolant tubes and other elements caused by the extreme and varying conditions inside a steam generator, and which can cause gaps between coolant tubes and prior art tube support bars. Bars of alternating thickness provide alternating offsets to tensionally push and support each tube on multiple sides and in multiple locations, and this tension keeps the tubes in contact with at least some flat bars on multiple sides regardless of size and shape changes. Support arrangement includes a set of fan bars, each fan bar including thick and thin flat bars projecting up and out from a collector bar.

A heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged into a first row of tubes and a second row of tubes. A fixed mount fixedly positions the first row of tubes, and a movable mount makes the second row of tubes movable between an aligned position in which tubes in the second row are aligned with tubes in the first row, creating a linear flow path for the fluid through the tubes, and a non-aligned position in which tubes in the second row are not aligned with tubes in the first row, creating a curvilinear flow path for the fluid through the plurality of tubes. Heat is exchanged between the first fluid and a second fluid passing through the plurality of heat exchange tubes. The heat exchanger may be employed as an HRSG in a combined cycle plant, among other applications.

Arrangement for supporting U-bend tube sections in the high heat environment of steam generators using flat bars. The invention uses a combination of thicker and thinner flat bars to impart a serpentine path to the arc of the normally curvilinear U-tubes. The support system accommodates the dilation and contraction of coolant tubes and other elements caused by the extreme and varying conditions inside a steam generator, and which can cause gaps between coolant tubes and prior art tube support bars. Bars of alternating thickness provide alternating offsets to tensionally push and support each tube on multiple sides and in multiple locations, and this tension keeps the tubes in contact with at least some flat bars on multiple sides regardless of size and shape changes. Support arrangement includes a set of fan bars, each fan bar including thick and thin flat bars projecting up and out from a collector bar.