Abstract: A method is provided for filtering waste water containing metallic cations having valences in whole integers of at least two in concentrations greater than about one part to about one million parts of the metalworking waste water. The method utilizes an ultrafilter (6) in series with a nanofilter (14) and the addition of a chemical dispersant effective to render the nanofilter permeate suitable to meet applicable environmental standards for discard into streams, lakes and sanitary sewers.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus and method for identifying a restriction in the flowline of a hydrocarbon production system, utilizes an optical fiber or optical fiber cable which is engaged along and preferably spirally wound around and along the flowline. Spaced apart strain gauges which are advantageously in the form of Bragg grating sensors, are engaged with the optical fiber at spaced locations along the flowline. The strain gauges are also engaged with the flowline to measure strain in the flowline. The hoop strain in particular indicates a change in pressure which can be measured by light signals supplied to and received from the optical fiber. Differences in strain along the flowline indicate pressure gradients in the flowline which in turn identify restrictions in the flowline.

Abstract: A prevailing torque clip (100) is provided that has a head portion (4) having a frusto-conical projection (10) having an aperture (6) therethrough that is provided preferably with diametrical opposed helical thread forms (8) and (8') that are operative to threadingly engage threads of a threaded member rotationally advanced therethrough. Head portion 4 includes a pair of ressilient arms (12) and (12') that end in respective free-ends (9) and (9') that are operative to engage the threads of the threaded member and cooperate with thread forms (8) and (8') to prevent loosening thereof. Clip (100) is adapted to prevent rattle when used to secure an object to thin wall panel by being provided with at least one pair of tabs (16) and (16') that are operative to elevate clip (100) from a panel to which it is being secured sufficiently to ensure that the portion of arms (12) and (12') that are in close proximity to projection (10) are positioned within the panel opening into which arms (12) and (12') are received.

Abstract: A burner having lower emissions and lower unburned fuel losses by implementing a transition zone in a low NO.sub.x burner. The improved burner includes a pulverized fuel transport nozzle surrounded by the transition zone which shields the central oxygen-lean fuel devolatilization zone from the swirling secondary combustion air. The transition zone acts as a buffer between the primary and the secondary air streams to improve the control of near-burner mixing and flame stability by providing limited recirculation regions between primary and secondary air streams. These limited recirculation regions transport evolved NO.sub.x back towards the oxygen-lean fuel pyrolysis zone for reduction to molecular nitrogen. Alternate embodiments include natural gas and fuel oil firing.

Abstract: An integrated flue gas treatment desulfurization system for treating flue gas exhausted from an electrostatic precipitator and passing at a flue gas flow velocity in the range of 10-20 ft./sec. or more through a condensing heat exchanger and a wet flue gas scrubber. The scrubber sprays a reagent throughto the flue gas effectively remove pollutants and metals prior to exhausting same in a dry form after treatment by mist eliminators located downstream of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus to mix a slurry mixture with an oxidization air within a reaction tank of a wet scrubber spray tower of a flue gas desulfurization system for a furnace. The apparatus improves the contact between forced oxidization air and slurry mixture within the reaction tank.

Abstract: A deflector means having a trapezoidal cross section for reducing erosion of heat exchanger tubes caused by a flowing, particle-laden combustion gas produced in a fossil fuel-fired boiler, and a draft loss reduction means for use in connection with the deflector means. The deflector means preferably is attached to heat exchange tubes in a first row of a tube bank so as to precondition the combustion gas flow. The draft loss reduction means preferably is affixed to heat exchange tubes in a second row of a tube bank in order to reduce draft loss typically caused when combustion gas flows around heat exchange tubes.

Abstract: An integrated flue gas treatment desulfurization system for treating flue gas exhausted from an electrostatic precipitator and passing at a flue gas flow velocity in the range of 10-20 ft./sec. or more through a condensing heat exchanger and a wet flue gas scrubber. The scrubber sprays a reagent throughto the flue gas effectively remove pollutants and metals prior to exhausting same in a dry form after treatment by mist eliminators located downstream of the system.

Abstract: A segmented automated sludge lance is described for cleaning sludge from tubes in a steam generator. The segmented lance guide and waterlance are moved inside the steam generator to direct a fluid between the tubes to effectively clean sludge from the tubes. The remote control system is mounted outside the steam generator where it is readily serviceable.

Abstract: A roller wheel stand for providing long term storage for a roller wheel assembly and allowing scheduled rotation of the roller wheel assembly for proper lubrication includes a pair of vertically oriented channel members fastened to a pair of bottom members at substantially a right angle and spaced apart in an approximately a parallel relationship. The roller wheel stand is constructed to receive a roller wheel assembly for supporting it in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: An EMAT inspection system is utilized on a mill roll to identify surface and sub-surface defects such as firecracks in steel mill rolls with the results being displayed on a remote screen of a display and control system which also records the inspection results and controls the EMAT system.

Abstract: A wedge shaped form is mounted on the splash plate of a black liquor nozzle with the sharp edge of the wedge located at the exhaust of the nozzle to split the black liquor from the nozzle into two flat sheets on each side of the wedge with no droplet formation at the center of the nozzle exhaust.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of inspecting for flaws in a specular reflector, where the flaws having an expected length and the reflector is electrically conductive. The method includes directing a beam of an electromagnetic acoustic transmitting transducer along a beam axis toward the specular reflector for producing a reflected electromagnetic acoustic beam. The transmitted beam has side lobes with zero points therebetween, at least some of the side lobes being major side lobes. The reflected beam is received using an electromagnetic acoustic receiving transmitter set at an angle to the beam axis, the angle being selected to be at one of the zero points and past all of the major lobes of the transmitted beam to eliminate root and crown signals of the weld, in the reflected signal.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for producing flexible fibers (30) of superconducting material includes a crucible (12) for containing a charge of the superconducting material. The material is melted in the crucible (12) and falls in a stream (18) through a bottom hole (16) in the crucible (12). The stream (18) falls through a protecting collar (22) which maintains the stream (18) at high temperatures. The stream (18) is then supplied through a downwardly directed nozzle (26) where it is subjected to a high velocity of a heated gas (36') which breaks the melted superconducting material into ligaments which solidify into the flexible fibers (30). The fibers (30) are collected by directing them against a collection filter (32).

Abstract: A once-through steam generator furnace having single pass non-split fluid flow circuitry to prevent steam-water separation with a one to one connection of smaller diameter tubes of the lower furnace spiral tube assembly being connected to the larger diameter vertical tubes of the upper furnace assembly through a reducing tube connecting spiral tubes angled to provide common centerlines with vertical tubes when the spiral tube centerlines are routed vertically.

Abstract: A system and method for producing product gas using residual waste liquor is described with a gasifier reactor having a fluidized bed located therein. The gasifier reactor is heated to a predetermined temperature range with either an external heater or a second fluidized bed located at a position below the first fluidized bed. A heat exchanger may be positioned in the first fluidized bed and/or the second fluidized bed for indirectly heating the respective fluidized beds. Condensing heat exchanger means recovers heat from the product gas and condenses an acid gas therefrom for recycling the chemicals. A reagent is sprayed in the condensing heat exchanger means to clean the product gas. Pressurization allows the cleaned product gas to be directly fired in a turbine.

Abstract: A one-piece curved floating primary divider plate (40) is described which is suitable for retrofit in an existing steam generator. The one-piece curved floating primary divider plate eliminates most loose parts and reduces leakage of the primary flow resulting in an improvement in the thermal performance of a steam generator. A method of retrofitting a primary divider plate in an existing steam generators is also described to improve the thermal performance of the steam generator.

Abstract: Pendant convection pass tube circuitry of once through steam generator have their floor and floor support tubes enlarged by a swage coupling and connected to enlarged sidewall tubes supported from steel boiler top supports to provide a more flexible circuitry operating at decreased temperatures and pressure losses.

Abstract: A tube such as a nozzle to be repaired or tubular sections to be repaired or connected to each other, are welded using a backing ring having a groove in the area to be welded. The groove forms a purge space for purge gas between the ring and the tube to establish an inert atmosphere on both inner and outer surfaces of the tube during the welding operation. The ring is removed by making a bore in the ring having a diameter larger than the diameter of the groove but smaller than the diameter of the ring. In this way, the ring is divided into two portions which are easily removed from the tube.

Abstract: A once-through steam generator having single pass non-split fluid flow circuitry with a one to one connection of furnace hopper vertical tubes assembly being connected to the spiral tubes of the lower furnace assembly.