A system for improving a steam oil ratio (SOR) includes a direct steam generator (DSG) boiler fluidly coupled with a downhole portion of a steam system via at least a DSG outlet, wherein the DSG boiler is configured to schedule super-heat delivered to the downhole portion to optimize the SOR associated with the system.

In some aspects, a computer-implemented method of reducing a rate of fouling in a recovery boiler system is provided. A computing device receives boiler operating information for a period of time. The boiler operating information includes boiler operating parameters and a rate of fouling for the period of time. The boiler operating parameters include one or more boiler input parameters. The computing device performs a regression analysis to determine at least one correlation between the boiler operating parameters and the rate of fouling. The computing device causes at least one boiler input parameter to be adjusted based on the at least one correlation to minimize the rate of fouling. In some aspects, a system configured to perform such a method is provided. In some aspects, a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that cause a computing device to perform such a method is provided.

A device and method for increasing accuracy in the determination of fouling in a heat exchanger in which heat is transferred from a first medium to a second medium, wherein a value for a variable characterizing the fouling is determined from a value for a first variable influenced by the fouling and a value for a second variable, where the second variable compensates for a change in the first variable caused by a change in flow of the first and/or second mediums through the heat exchanger, where the first variable can be a thermal transmission resistance, a thermal transmittance or a thermal transmission coefficient, where the first and second variable are determined from values measured totemperaturesr and flows of the first and second mediums without using material properties of the first and second mediums and structural properties of the heat exchanger when determining the first and second variables.

The following provides a system and method to predict an indicator of tube fouling in a fired apparatus such as a boiler. Historical data can be collected when the tubing is still considered to be clean, and used to build a first model between an indicator of fouling, such as tube skin temperature, and boiler load. The actual measurement of that indicator of fouling can then be compared against the model output, such that the error between the model and measurement is considered an indication of the tube fouling. Moreover, the rate of change of the model error can be used to measure the fouling rate. Next, historical data on the fluid feed quality can be collected and together with the historical error rate change data can be combined to develop a second model. This second model reflects how fluid feed quality variables may affect the fouling rate over time.

The following provides a system and method to predict an indicator of tube fouling in a fired apparatus such as a boiler. Historical data can be collected when the tubing is still considered to be clean, and used to build a first model between an indicator of fouling, such as tube skin temperature, and boiler load. The actual measurement of that indicator of fouling can then be compared against the model output, such that the error between the model and measurement is considered an indication of the tube fouling. Moreover, the rate of change of the model error can be used to measure the fouling rate. Next, historical data on the fluid feed quality can be collected and together with the historical error rate change data can be combined to develop a second model. This second model reflects how fluid feed quality variables may affect the fouling rate over time.

A scale suppression apparatus capable of suppressing in a low-priced manner the generation of silica-based scale and calcium-based scale in the influent water, a geothermal power generation system using the same, and a scale suppression method are provided. The apparatus includes a first addition unit configured to add liquid containing a chelating agent and an alkaline agent to influent water flowing through a pipe arrangement to make the influent water higher than pH 7, a second addition unit configured to add an acid substance to the influent water to make the influent water lower than pH 7, and a controller configured to alternatively switch between the operation of the first addition unit and the operation of the second addition unit. The controller controls the switching of the first addition unit and the second addition unit based on the signals output from a scale detection unit and a pH meter.

A scale suppression apparatus capable of suppressing in a low-priced manner the generation of silica-based scale and calcium-based scale in the influent water, a geothermal power generation system using the same, and a scale suppression method are provided. The apparatus includes a first addition unit configured to add liquid containing a chelating agent and an alkaline agent to influent water flowing through a pipe arrangement to make the influent water higher than pH 7, a second addition unit configured to add an acid substance to the influent water to make the influent water lower than pH 7, and a controller configured to alternatively switch between the operation of the first addition unit and the operation of the second addition unit. The controller controls the switching of the first addition unit and the second addition unit based on the signals output from a scale detection unit and a pH meter.

An integrated comprehensive adjustment method for a pulverized coal boiler based on high-temperature corrosion prevention and control of water wall is provided. The method includes: during shutdown period of the boiler, mounting reducing atmosphere sampling pipe on a water-cooled wall region; carrying out a diagnostic test on the boiler; carrying out an optimization and adjustment test of a boiler pulverizing system; carrying out a single-factor adjustment test of boiler-related parameters; determining degrees of influence of different parameters on water wall reducing atmosphere, thermal efficiency of the boiler and NO.sub.x concentration at a denitration inlet; carrying out an optimization test of ammonia spraying of a denitration system; carrying out a maximum safe denitration efficiency test; and finding a balance point among the water wall reducing atmosphere, the thermal efficiency of the boiler and the NO.sub.x concentration at the denitration inlet.

In some aspects, a computer-implemented method of reducing a rate of fouling in a recovery boiler system is provided. A computing device receives boiler operating information for a period of time. The boiler operating information includes boiler operating parameters and a rate of fouling for the period of time. The boiler operating parameters include one or more boiler input parameters. The computing device performs a regression analysis to determine at least one correlation between the boiler operating parameters and the rate of fouling. The computing device causes at least one boiler input parameter to be adjusted based on the at least one correlation to minimize the rate of fouling. In some aspects, a system configured to perform such a method is provided. In some aspects, a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that cause a computing device to perform such a method is provided.

A method for predicting a blowdown rate of one or more boilers includes generating output data with a first model that specifies an empirical relationship between multiple input temperatures, multiple plant gas feed rates, and multiple outputs of the boilers. The method further includes collecting an ambient operating temperature and a current steam demand of the boilers and comparing the ambient operating temperature and the current steam demand to the output data to determine a current required blowdown rate. Once determined, the blowdown rate of the boilers is adjusted according to the current required blowdown rate.