Patents by Inventor Douglas C. Kilian

Douglas C. Kilian has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Attachable debris filter for BWR nuclear fuel assemblies
    Patent number: 5524031
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly including removing a portion of the inlet nozzle and installing a debris filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Power Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas C. Kilian
  • Attachable debris filter for BWR nuclear fuel assemblies
    Patent number: 5479461
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly including removing a portion of the inlet nozzle and installing a debris filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Power Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas C. Kilian
  • Dissolver vessel bottom assembly
    Patent number: 3958948
    Abstract: An improved bottom assembly is provided for a nuclear reactor fuel reprocessing dissolver vessel wherein fuel elements are dissolved as the initial step in recovering fissile material from spent fuel rods. A shock-absorbing crash plate with a convex upper surface is disposed at the bottom of the dissolver vessel so as to provide an annular space between the crash plate and the dissolver vessel wall. A sparging ring is disposed within the annular space to enable a fluid discharged from the sparging ring to agitate the solids which deposit on the bottom of the dissolver vessel and accumulate in the annular space. An inlet tangential to the annular space permits a fluid pumped into the annular space through the inlet to flush these solids from the dissolver vessel through tangential outlets oppositely facing the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
    Inventor: Douglas C. Kilian
  • Calcination process for radioactive wastes
    Patent number: 3954661
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for minimizing the volatilization of chlorides during solidification in a fluidized-bed calciner of liquids containing sodium, nitrate and chloride ions. Zirconium and fluoride are introduced into the liquid, and one-half mole of calcium nitrate is added per mole of fluoride present in the liquid mixture. The mixture is calcined in the fluidized-bed calciner at about 500.degree.C., producing a high bulk density calcine product containing the chloride, thus tying up the chloride in the solid product and minimizing chloride volatilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
    Inventor: Douglas C. Kilian