Abstract: Methods are provide for dispensing a product to a user, the product releasably incorporated within a carrier. In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of providing a first user comprising at least one storage vessel for receiving and storing fresh and at least one vessel for receiving and storing spent. The method further includes the steps of: collecting spent from a storage vessel of the first user; detecting a chemical or physical property of the collected spent; and comparing the detected chemical or physical property of the collected spent with a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: There are provided a generator internal pipe section that extends in the horizontal direction inside a steam generator; and a communication pipe section that is connected to the generator internal pipe section and is provided with a communication path, wherein one end of the communication path is connected to the pipe path at an upper end of a cross-section perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling water in the pipe path and the other end of the communication path is positioned at the downside in the vertical direction in relation to one end of the communication path, and wherein one end side and the other end side of the communication path are connected at a position existing at the upside in the vertical direction in relation to one end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling exhaust steam temperatures from a finishing superheater are provided. In certain embodiments, the system includes a controller which includes control logic for predicting an exhaust temperature of steam from the finishing superheater using model-based predictive techniques (e.g., based on empirical data or thermodynamic calculations). Based on the predicted exhaust temperature of steam, the control logic may use feed-forward control techniques to control the operation of an inter-stage attemperation system upstream of the finishing superheater. The control logic may determine if attemperation is required based on whether the predicted exhaust temperature of steam from the finishing superheater exceeds a set point temperature as well as whether the inlet temperature of steam into the finishing superheater drops below a set point temperature of steam.

Abstract: The steam generator includes a feedwater delivery device at an upper axial end of an annular space between an outer shell and a bundle wrapper of the steam generator. The feedwater, delivery device includes a header (11) having a shell of toroidal general shape, at least one feed pipe for the header and feedwater distribution means (14) in the upper part of the annular space of the steam generator. The feedwater distribution means (14) include a plurality of openings (17) that pass through the upper part of the shell of the toroidal header (11) and are distributed circumferentially on the wall of the header and a plurality of tubes (15) fixed via a lower end part at an opening (17) of the header (11). Each of the straight tubes (15) includes an upper end part through which openings (20), such as water passage slots, pass and a cap (16) fixed to the upper end of the tube (15) surrounding, with a radial clearance, the upper end part of the tube (15).

Abstract: Method for generating steam, in particular ultrapure steam, and steam generator The invention relates to a method and a steam generator for generating steam, in particular ultrapure steam, by reacting a stoichiometric mixture comprising a fuel, in particular hydrogen, and an oxidizing agent, in particular oxygen, and injecting water into the hot reaction gases, which is distinguished by a high purity of the steam generated. The object of providing a method for generating an ultrahigh purity steam is achieved, according to the invention, by two-stage combustion, in that the reaction mixture which is generated in a first combustion and evaporation stage is subjected to catalytic afterburning. A steam generator is distinguished by the fact that a catalytic afterburning chamber (3) with a through-flow body (16) is arranged downstream of the combustion and evaporation chamber (2).

Abstract: A direct heating device has a tubular main casing formed by a wall member. The main casing has a first end adapted to be coupled with a support structure, such as a monoblock fastening flange. One or more water inlets and out lets are provided in the wall member of the main casing. A funnel shaped sprinkler head is positioned inside the main casing. The bigger diameter end of the sprinkler head is coupled with the support structure. A critical nozzle in the shape of a long trumpet is coupled with the smaller diameter end of the sprinkler head. The direct heating device can also have a pressure relief damper, which has one end coupled to the main casing and the other end extending into the main casing. The main casing can have a double layer construction.

Abstract: After the economizer, an injection water pipe branches off the connecting pipe between economizer and evaporator in order to control the steam temperature. The injection water pipe is provided with a control device for controlling the injection water flow. The injection water flowing through the injection water pipe is injected into the steam coming from the evaporator at a mixing point located before the superheater. In order to control the position of the control device in the injection water pipe, the enthalpy at the superheater outlet is calculated from the parameters pressure and temperature and is compared with a desired enthalpy resulting from the desired parameters.

Abstract: This patent discloses a secondary fluid supply system for a steam generator used in nuclear reactor power plants. The secondary fluid supply system comprises a secondary fluid (feedwater) inlet nozzle near the base of the steam generator shell, a feedwater riser pipe spaced between the shell of the steam generator and the tube bundle wrapper, the upper end of the feedwater riser pipe being connected to a distribution ring having a plurality of spray nozzles positioned in the recirculating pool above the top of the U-shaped heat exchanger tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a close-coupled hot gas bypass, system for a proportioning refrigeration controller that controls the refrigeration capacity within the pressurized system. This is accomplished through the use of a hot gas bypass line and a liquid line that are combined in a desuper heat chamber and then fed through to the vacuum line to compensate for changes in the vacuum line pressure. The unique construction of the desuper heat chamber allows for vertical or horizontal placement in retrofit applications. The use of a thermal expansion valve for providing cooling gas from the liquid line to cool the hot bygas as the need arises allows for continous use of the system without the need for an accumulator in the vacuum line to prevent liquid slugging common in close-coupled systems.

Abstract: A steam generator comprises a distribution means, positioned between the shell and the wrapper in the annular downcomer region of the steam generator, for uniformly mixing the colder feedwater with the warmer recirculating water in the downcomer region of the steam generator so that the colder feedwater is not introduced directly into any steam regions of the steam generator and does not contact any pressure boundaries for preventing water hammer and thermal shock to the steam generator. The distribution means has a downwardly directing means for discharging the substantially evenly distributed feedwater from the distribution means into the downcomer region in a descending direction and away from any pressure boundaries for minimizing flow resistance and for preventing thermal shock to the pressure boundaries.

Abstract: A steam generator for a PWR comprise a pressure vessel having an upper portion forming a steam chamber and a bundle of U-shaped exchange tubes within the vessel. A feed-water ring header is located within the pressure vessel above the bundle, extends horizontally and is connected to a feed water inlet nozzle passing through the wall of the pressure vessel, said header having an approximately toridal shape. Feed water is discharged into the pressure vessel above the bundle by crook-shaped tubes each having an end opening into the upper portion of the header of and projecting upwardly from the header. The crook-shaped tubes are spaced apart at substantially equal angular intervals and have respective controlling cross-sectionam flow areas which differ depending on the angular position of the discharge tube on the header.

Abstract: In an industrial plant having a boiler and water cooled equipment, the two water systems are linked by means of a heat reclamation vessel having connecting upper and lower chambers. Tap water (e.g., at 60.degree.-70.degree. F.), after being used to cool equipment such as vacuum pumps, which causes the water to heat to 90.degree.-105.degree. F., is continuously delivered to the lower chamber of the vesel, near the bottom, where the water may, for example, have a temperature of about 95.degree.-110.degree. F. Spent steam (e.g., at a temperature of about 230.degree.-280.degree. F.) is continuously released in the upper chamber, where it is sprayed with water withdrawn from near the bottom of the lower chamber. The steam condenses and the condensate collects in the pool in the lower chamber. The water in the upper zone of the pool is kept at a higher temperature due to the collection there of the steam condensate. That water, e.g., at a temperature of about 185.degree.-200.degree. F.

Abstract: A tray stack for a boiler feedwater deaerator is provided with a plurality of horizontally spaced troughs arranged in vertically spaced and staggered tiers. Each of the troughs has a generally V-shaped bottom and a pair of outwardly-extending, inclined wall members having notched lower edges. The vertical projected dimension of the inclined wall members is less than the overall depth of the trough such that the distance of travel encountered by the feedwater dropping from the lower edge of the wall members to the next adjacent, underlying trough is maximized, thereby increasing the interactive area of contact between the cascading water and uprising flow of steam. The lower edge of each wall member is preferably notched to enhance dispersion of the falling water, and the wall members also are disposed to positively guide the falling water into the adjacent underlying trough without bypassing the same.

Abstract: A device for cooling a reactor positioned in a vessel. The vessel comprises a water space and a steam space. Cooling pipes that convey evaporating water extend through the reactor. The pipes communicate outside the reactor with the water space at the intake end and with the steam space at the outflow end. The object is to prevent local excess cooling that would interfere with the reaction. A fresh-water preheating section is positioned inside the steam space. The preheating section communicates with an inflow outside the vessel and with an outflow inside the steam space. The preheating section also has open pipes extending through it from top to bottom into the steam space.

Abstract: A steam generator has a pressure vessel containing a stack of exchange tubes and a feedwater header of ring shape connected to a feed water intake pipe passing through the wall of the vessel. A horitzontal section of the pipe contains at least one deflector comprising an axial hub and several helical blades connecting the hub to the wall of the pipe. The blades have a length which represents at least half a winding pitch if the deflector is to counteract thermal stratification only, at least 1.5 winding pitch if for avoiding pressure surges.

Abstract: A vapor generator which utilizes a primary fluid to vaporize a secondary fluid is provided with an open flow channel and elevated discharge nozzle for the introduction of secondary fluid. The discharge nozzle is positioned above a portion of the inlet line such that a vertical section of inlet line is filled with secondary fluid prior to discharge into the open channel. In and around the open channel, incoming secondary fluid mixes with recirculated fluid before being discharged through the top of the channel and passed through a tube bundle where it is vaporized.

Abstract: A nuclear steam generator having a feedwater ring disposed in the upper portion of the steam generator above the tubes, the feedwater header having a plurality of J-shaped discharge nozzles, some of which are in fluid communication with the upper portion of the feedwater ring header and others being in fluid communication with the lower portion of the feedwater ring header, those in fluid communication with the lower portion of the feedwater ring header having a discharge elevation lower than those in fluid communication with the upper portion of the feedwater header so that during low feedwater flow operation feedwater is fed from the lower portion of the feedwater header removing cold water therefrom and promoting mixing of the feedwater in the header in order to reduce stratification of feedwater therein.

Abstract: Arrangement for the prevention of crack formations at the inside surfaces of feedwater line nozzles (13) which open into pressure vessels, especially nuclear reactor pressure vessels or steam generators. The feedwater is introduced into the water/steam space (II) of the pressure vessel (DE) via a substantially horizontal line section (140) and a rising line section (141) following downstream thereof up to the overflow edges U at the end of the flow travel of the rising line section (141). From there, the feedwater is admixed to the medium in the water/steam space (II) or the descent space (8) of the pressure vessel (DE) via a downward-directed line section (141) and optionally, via a ring feedline (12) connected thereto. This prevents temperature stratification due to backflow of warmer water in the nozzle. It is important here to make the ratio A.sub.n /D.sub.i as small as possible. In practice it has been found to be feasible to provide a ratio which is approximately within the limits 0.5 and 2. (A.sub.

Abstract: A variable stage direct fired boiler having at least three output-pressure sensitive combustion stages. A separate pressure switch controls each stage such that none, one or more stages may be engaged in combustion depending upon the desired output pressure and the actual output pressure.

Abstract: A safety boiler with high efficiency comprises a plurality of water jackets disposed around a central vaporizing chamber positioned atop on a combustion chamber and a plurality of sandwiched flues each respectively partitioned between each two neighboring water jackets so that the feed water passing the water jackets will be thoroughly preheated to increase the thermal efficiency and safety of the boiler.

Abstract: In order to improve upon the prior arrangement of a valve within a liquid distributor head for a mixing pre-heater degasifier it is proposed that a valve containing a valve plate, valve shaft, valve spring and spring plate, is arranged within the mixing pre-heater centrally within a deflection screen or baffle and at the same time the valve is surrounded by a protective housing in order to prevent that, in the event of possible rupture of the valve spring any broken pieces thereof will drop into the mixing pre-heater.

Abstract: A typical embodiment of the invention provides a combination feedwater and "cooldown" water spray head that is centrally disposed in the lower portion of a nuclear power plant steam drum. This structure not only discharges the feedwater in the hottest part of the steam drum, but also increases the time required for the feedwater to reach the steam drum shell, thereby further increasing the feedwater temperature before it contacts the shell surface, thus reducing thermal shock to the steam drum structure.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the invention eliminates the circumferential thermal stresses found in a feedwater inlet nozzle of a once-through-vapor generator that are caused by the presence of steam in the nozzle during a low flow load condition. Specifically, The cold inlet feedwater is directed upwardly to fill and overflow the nozzle conduit and prevent steam entrance and collection in the nozzle, and then, impinges on a shroud which re-directs the flow downward into fluid flow contact with the nozzle conduit and through the vapor generator.

Abstract: A shell and tube steam generator having a feedwater inlet ring disposed above the tubes, the feedwater inlet ring having a plurality of J-shaped discharge nozzles asymmetrically disposed in fluid communication with the upper portion thereof.