Abstract: A storage rack for storing spent nuclear fuel assemblies using a minimum space of a storage pool. The storage rack includes a plurality of tubular cells with a plurality of moderating members of neutron-absorbing material coupled thereto, and a base member coupled to the tubular cells for supporting the tubular cells substantially perpendicular thereto. The tubular cells are constructed of a plurality of prebent panels forming side portions of the cells. At least one of the prebent panels form at least two of the side portions of at least two of the tubular cells which are diagonally arranged relative to each other.

Abstract: Surgical means for removing a portion of a body comprising means for applying a vacuum upon the portion of the body to be removed sufficient to move such portion away from the remainder of the body immediately adjacent to such portion and means for cutting such portion of the body that has been moved to sever it from the remainder of the body. The invention is also directed to a process for removing a portion of the body wherein a vacuum is applied to such portion and thereafter is severed from the remainder of the body.

Abstract: A pipe component seal assembly comprising a pipe system component capable of carrying a fluid under pressure and having means communicating to the atmosphere through which the fluid in the pipe system component can flow, a housing secured to the outer surface of the pipe system component surrounding the communicating means and in which a sealant under pressure is maintained in contact with the communicating means, and a charger attached to the housing and having an opening therein communicating with the interior of the housing through an opening in the housing and means to force sealant from the charger under pressure into the interior of the housing through the two openings.

Abstract: A process is claimed for reducing tensile welding stresses in a nozzle in a nuclear reactor shell, such as a nuclear reactor head, wherein the nozzle has been welded to the nuclear reactor shell, which involves applying axial compressive loads on the free ends of the nozzle in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the welding stresses. In some cases radial pressure can be imposed on the inner wall of the nozzle wherein the tensile welding stresses are located.

Abstract: A process for improving nozzles extending substantially vertically through openings in the head of a nuclear reactor and which are circumferentially welded to the head through a weld lying on an inner surface of the head and on the adjacent outer surface of the nozzle which comprises forming a coaxial, circumferential groove upwardly into at least a portion of the nozzle extending into the reactor and then filling the coaxial, circumferential groove with a weld material. The nuclear reactor head is also claimed.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for annealing the interior walls of a nuclear reactor which comprises a nuclear reactor shell, a cap securely attached to the nuclear reactor shell, wherein the cap has an inlet line for the introduction of a hot gas under high pressure and an outlet line for removing low pressure gas from the interior of the apparatus, means, such as a cylindrical shell, that helps define an annular space adjacent to the vertical walls of the reactor through which gas can flow and means for directing low pressure gas to the outlet line.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus that comprises a first elongated metal tube, a second elongated metal tube longitudinally disposed within the first elongated metal tube having a substantial portion of its outer surfaces out of contact with the inner surface of the first elongated metal tube, with the inner metal tube being adapted to provide passage through it of a hot fluid, and means for cooling the outer surface of the first elongated metal tube, whereby at ambient temperatures the tubes can be easily separated for inspection and at operating temperatures the tubes are substantially in contact with each other.

Abstract: A process for improving resistance of pressure vessel shells, tubesheets, tubes, pipes, pipe fittings and machine parts to stress corrosion cracking comprising heating at least those portions of such bodies subject to danger by stress corrosion cracking to a critical elevated themperature level, cooling at least the surface portions of the metal body subject to stress corrosion cracking and then permitting such treated portions of the metal body to come to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a gaseous sample from a stream containing solid particulate material, a gas, water and steam which comprises withdrawing a stream containing said particulate material, a gas, water and steam from a system containing the same through an elongated tubular member extending into said system and discharging said stream from said tubular member externally of said system, heating said stream in its passage through said tubular member, removing from said tubular member externally of said system a gaseous sample consisting essentially of said gas and said steam through a porous section of said elongated tubular member having openings in the wall thereof smaller in cross-section than the solid particulate material in said stream, and apparatus for carrying out the same.

Abstract: A tube expander capable of simultaneously applying a plurality of selected radial pressures outwardly at a plurality of sections of a tube interior to provide selected expansions of the sections of the tube.

Abstract: A process for improving resistance of control rod guide tube split pins in nuclear reactors to stress corrosion cracking comprising heating the split pin to a critical elevated temperature level, cooling at least the surface portions of the split subject to stress corrosion cracking and then permitting the split pin to come to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A process is claimed for removing the residual tensile welding stresses in the inner layer of the weld metal and the heat-affected zone of steel piping elements that have been butt-welded to each other end-to-end by means of a circumferential weld. The process involves mechanically introducing circumferential compressive stresses in the piping elements by applying a radial load inwardly on a section of at least one of the piping elements away from the weld such that the distance from the midplane of the section of the piping element upon which the radial load is applied to the weld midplane is equal to about two to about 12 times the thickness of the piping element upon which the radial load is applied. The distance from the edge of the section of the piping element upon which the radial load is applied that is adjacent the weld to the weld midplane is at least equal to about one-half the thickness of the piping element upon which the load is applied.

Abstract: A novel apparatus comprising a plurality of parallel, spaced apart tubes and an expanded closed, flattened, elongated tube extending laterally between the spaced apart tubes and in firm contact with them. The novel process comprises inserting the closed, flattened elongated tube laterally between the spaced apart tubes and then expanding the elongated tube until it comes into firm engagement with the spaced apart tubes.

Abstract: A process for reducing the residual welding stresses in the weld metal, heat-affected zone and in the adjacent base metal of steel piping that have been butt welded to each other end to end by means of a circumferential weld which comprises mechanically introducing compressive stresses in said weld metal, heat-affected zone and adjacent base metal higher than their individual yield strengths but not exceeding their ultimate strengths in compression.

Abstract: A novel pipelock comprising a first pair of rings facing each other axially, with the inner diameter of each ring at the outer face being smaller than the inner diameter of each ring at the inner face, each of said first pair of rings comprising at least two circumferential parts, means to restrain longitudinal movement of facing circumferential parts outwardly from each other, at least one second ring comprised of at least two circumferential parts connected to each other, outwardly surrounding said first pair of rings, and constraining outward radial movement of said first pair of rings.