Two-piece replacement nozzle

摘要

This invention provides an improved replacement nozzle configuration. The nozzle is provided in two pieces. A first nozzle piece is a relatively thin-walled cylinder that is inserted into the counterbored opening of a pressure vessel after the protruding portion of the original nozzle has been removed. A weld pad is attached to the pressure vessel, to which the first replacement nozzle piece is welded. Due to the reduced dimensions of the thin-walled first nozzle portion, a much smaller weld pad and pad-to-nozzle weld can be used. A second nozzle piece is positioned within the first nozzle piece and welded thereto. The existing instrumentation piping is connected to the free end of the second nozzle piece. This two-piece replacement nozzle can be implemented in approximately half the time required for the one-piece design.

主权项

1. A method of replacing an original nozzle in a pressure vessel, the original nozzle having an outside diameter, an inside diameter, and a wall thickness, comprising:
removing a portion of the original nozzle extending from an exterior surface of the pressure vessel such that at least some of the original nozzle remains; attaching a weld pad to the exterior surface of the pressure vessel, said weld pad positioned about a hole defined in the pressure vessel; creating a hole through said weld pad, said weld pad hole being substantially aligned with and having a diameter substantially the same as the pressure vessel hole; placing a first replacement nozzle portion within said weld pad hole; connecting said first replacement nozzle portion to said weld pad; inserting a second replacement nozzle portion within said first replacement nozzle portion; and connecting said second replacement nozzle portion to said first replacement nozzle portion.