Abstract: Sealing means useful in connection with cylindrical, elongated furnaces wherein materials are treated at high pressures and high temperatures. Such furnaces generally include a cylinder, end closures and a cooling plate structure carried by the end closure and disposed internally of the furnace. The sealing means comprises an attachment ring for retaining the cooling plate in position on the end closure and a number of annular seals disposed in sealing relationship with respect to the gap between the attachment ring and the cooling plate structure. A draining channel is provided to intercommunicate said gap and the atmosphere surrounding the furnace.

Abstract: A heat exchanger in which mutually reactive heat transfer fluids are utilized. Tubes are interposed coaxially with other tubes so as to form a limited volume, wherein these fluids can mix and react in a controlled manner, permitting detection of leakage across the boundaries separating the reactive fluids before a major chemical or physical reaction can occur.

Abstract: A shell and tube-type heat exchanger, such as a liquid sodium-operated steam generator for use in nuclear reactors, comprises a shell containing a primary fluid tube bundle, a secondary fluid tube bundle at higher elevation, and an intermediate fluid vaporizing at the surface of the primary fluid tubes and condensing at the surface of the secondary fluid tubes.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is formed by wrapping a metal sheet about a water storage tank to define an intermediate cylinder and positioning an outer cylinder over the intermediate cylinder in sealed relation therewith to provide a relatively wide annular space about the water tank. Fluid heated by solar energy is circulated through this annular space to heat water in the tank by heat exchange through the intermediate cylinder and tank itself. A very narrow annular space is defined between the intermediate cylinder and exterior surface of the tank such that any leaks that may develop in the intermediate cylinder will result in the heated fluid passing down this annular space to the exterior so that the risk of contamination of the heated fluid with water in the tank is minimized.

Abstract: A rotary drum plant is disclosed in which a unique system for directing a liquid medium to the rotating drum is utilized. A rotary drum such as a tube mill has a driving shaft connected thereto, with at least one U-shaped inner ring member having a channel-like cross-section positioned about the shaft and mounted for rotation therewith with the opening of the U-shape facing radially outwardly. At least one stationary ring member has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration and is positioned about the rotating U-shaped member to form a generally annular chamber with the U-shaped inner ring. A conduit adapted for carrying a liquid medium such as water communicates the chamber to the rotating drum and rotates therewith, while another liquid conduit directs the liquid medium to the chamber via the stationary ring member.

Abstract: A surface condenser is separated into a plurality of compartments. Each compartment is provided with tray collecting members for collecting condensed steam. If contaminated condensed steam develops in a particular compartment, the normally used condensed steam outlet is no longer used and the contaminated condensed steam is fed through a normally closed condensed steam conduit and out of the surface condenser housing. The contaminated condensed steam from the emergency outlet is then cleaned-up or sent to a waste disposal area.Only tne condensed steam from the compartment containing the contaminated condensed steam is removed from the housing. Thus, it is not necessary to shut down the entire surface condenser operation if contamination occurs only in a local area.

Abstract: A steam generator for a fast breeder reactor has a partition wall having a plurality of small cells which separates a hot fluid from a cold fluid. In each of these small cells, a thermal medium, which is vaporized by a predetermined thermal input to transmit the resulting heat of gasification to the cold fluid, is sealed.

Abstract: A closure for a heat exchanger of the shell and tube type in which fluid under high pressure is circulated through one or more tubes mounted in the shell. The pressure of the fluid flowing through the shell is lower than the pressure of the fluid in the tubes. The closure includes a single seal member for sealing between the tube sheet and the shell terminal member and between the tube sheet and the closure member and between the terminal member and the closure member. The tubes are bent in a hairpin shape with a separate closure at each end of the tubes. An opening in the end of the shell allows the tube and tube sheet to be inserted into and removed from the interior of the shell.

Abstract: The tank wall is provided with a cylindrical collar in which a perforated tube base is mounted; the base having a set of tubes passing through in gas-tight relation. A thin sheet metal membrane is secured peripherally on the tube base to form an enclosed gas-tight chamber through which the tubes pass. The membrane is also perforated to permit passage of the tubes in a gas-tight relationship. The enclosed chamber permits monitoring of the imperviousness of the connections between the tubes and the tube base.

Abstract: a fluid circulation system for heat exchangers having two groups of tubes through which primary and secondary fluids flow, the tubes of one group being interdigitated with the tubes of the other group, and a heat transfer material interposed between the two groups of tubes, whereby heat is transferred from the primary fluid through the heat transfer material to the secondary fluid. A shell forms a closure around the tubes of the heat transfer material, and the shell has tertiary fluid inlet and outlet means. Openings in the heat transfer material form passageways through which the tertiary fluid can flow from the inlet means, through the heat exchanger, to the outlet means. Piping connects the tertiary fluid outlet means to the tertiary fluid inlet means, forming a complete cycle. Installed in this piping is a heat removal system. If the secondary fluid flow is interrupted, the tertiary fluid provides a redundant means by which the heat of the primary fluid can be removed from the heat exchanger.