Abstract: A dynamically positioned loading buoy for transferring liquid from an offshore structure to a tanker. The loading buoy is a floating hull. The hull is provided with thrusters that are used to position the loading buoy and tanker in a safe position relative to the offshore structure. The use of thrusters on the loading buoy eliminates the need for anchors and mooring lines for the loading buoy. The transfer hose used to transfer oil between the offshore structure and the loading buoy may be stored on the loading buoy or the offshore structure. The transfer hose used to transfer oil between the loading buoy and the tanker is stored on a reel on the loading buoy.

Abstract: A steam generator parallel back end arrangement divides a flue gas flow into a plurality of paths in the steam generator housing. A pendant primary superheater is located in the housing near the top of the housing and a baffle wall having tubes therethrough vertically extends from the bottom of the housing in the flue gas flow. The baffle wall is divided into enclosure walls which extend upwardly in the housing and define an interior space therebetween. A top directional baffle is connected to the enclosure walls for forming a gas-tight vestibule in which an inlet header of a reheater and an outlet header of an economizer are supported and contained therein for protection from the flue gas environment.

Abstract: A dual draw works hoisting apparatus. A single derrick structure is provided for two drilling rigs. The crown block platform receives the crown blocks for both drilling operations such that both crown blocks are slidable along the crown block platform. The hoisting lines are reaved in a conventional manner, except for the dead lines. The dead lines from the two crown blocks are connected together by means of a sheave assembly which is locked in position during normal independent operation of the crown blocks and their respective travelling blocks. To provide increased lifting capacity for lifting the drilling riser, the crown blocks are moved closer together on the platform such that the travelling blocks may be attached to a spreader bar to be positioned above a drill slot and attached to the drilling riser. The sheave assembly connecting the two deadlines is unlocked to allow relative movement between the two deadlines during simultaneous use of the draw works for both travelling blocks.

Abstract: A riser tensioning device that utilizes parallel air cans. A stem having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the riser is positioned around the riser and is fastened in position at the wellhead of the riser on the offshore structure. A yoke attached to the stem supports a number of sleeves around the stem. Each sleeve receives a variable buoyancy air can. The sleeves and air cans are provided with a retainer that retains the air cans in the sleeves and transfers the vertical loads of the air cans to the sleeve. The retainer is also designed to allow the air cans to be selectively removed from their individual sleeves without the need to pull the entire riser assembly.

Abstract: A method of electromagnetically measuring the distance between adjacent tube elements in a heat exchanger. A cylindrical, high magnetic permeability ferrite slug is placed in the tube adjacent the spacing to be measured. A bobbin or annular coil type probe operated in the absolute mode is inserted into a second tube adjacent the spacing to be measured. From prior calibrations on the response of the eddy current coil, the signals from the coil, when sensing the presence of the ferrite slug, are used to determine the spacing between the tubes.

Abstract: A catenary riser support tube that receives the riser and is attached to the floating offshore structure. The support tube is attached to the floating offshore structure at an angle from the vertical so as to be in line with the natural angle that the installed catenary riser would assume on a calm day. The support tube is attached to the floating offshore structure at different points along the length of the support tube and thus flexes about its attachment points to the floating structure. This minimizes stresses on the catenary riser.

Abstract: A floating caisson for offshore drilling and production that includes means for increasing the natural period of the caisson and reducing heave, pitch, and roll without increasing the overall length of the caisson. The caisson is self buoyant by means of buoyancy tanks and is held in position by mooring lines. The caisson has a center well through which drilling and/or production risers pass. One or more plates extend radially from the caisson below the water surface. The plates provide additional mass and resistance to environmentally induced motions and thus increase the natural period of the caisson beyond the periods of maximum wave energy. This allows the caisson to be designed with a shallower draft than a caisson without the plates that would normally be used in deep water.

Abstract: A vertical reel pipelaying vessel having a vertical pipe storage reel rotatably positioned aft of midship and a vertical aligner wheel positioned forward of the reel. A guide means includes supports for the aligner wheel on the vessel to permit rotational movement about the axle of the aligner wheel. A moon pool is positioned forward of the reel. A direction means is provided for pivoting the aligner wheel over the moon pool to allow pipe takeoff forward of the axis of the aligner wheel and into the moon pool. The aligner wheel is provided with strain gauges along the axle to measure directly the tension of the pipeline being unspooled and passing into the water through the moon pool.

Abstract: A multiple use trunnion connection for use with a lifting spreader bar or frame. A trunnion connection is placed at each end of a lifting spreader that is sized for the particular lift. Each trunnion is provided with a set of horizontally and vertically disposed pins that are positioned to retain the lifting slings in place on the trunnion during the lift without the need for shackles and lifting eyes.

Abstract: An automated process for inspecting and controlling the quality of titanium welds using color recognition. A color sensor and white light source are mounted to a fixture. The fixture is used to traverse the weld or the part being welded is moved in the viewing path of the sensor. The sensor is calibrated to indicate the desired or undesired color of a weld. A recording device such as a computer is used to receive signals from the sensor and record the location of weld colors that indicate an unacceptable weld. Weld parameters are controlled by color feedback to minimize the deposition of unacceptable weld.

Abstract: A drilling, production, test, and oil storage caisson for use in deep water offshore well operations. Separate low pressure and high pressure drilling risers are independently supported on buoyancy modules. Multiple drilling and production risers are left in the water and connected to the drilling rig and well(s) as needed to prevent the need for the raising and lowering of different risers during the various steps involved in beginning and completing wells. Surface and lower BOP stacks are utilized. Means for controlling the accelerations and velocity of the drilling riser buoyancy modules in the event of riser failure is provided. A subsea tree with dual master valves allows for production directly through a vertical production riser, flowline, to the production manifold on the caisson. A twisted tubing production riser is formed from three strings of tubing that are used for the flowline, annulus, and conduit for control lines.

Abstract: A deep water pile and installation and removal method that eliminates the need for underwater hammers or pile drivers. The pile is a hollow tube that is open at the lower end and provided with a fitting at the upper end for attachment to a lowering pipe. The fitting at the upper end also for fluid communication between the lowering pipe and the pile. Injecting air into the lowering pipe draws water from the lowering pipe and pile. This creates a hydrostatic pressure differential whereby the greater pressure on the outside of the pile head forces the pile into the sea floor. Removal of the pile may be accomplished by injecting high pressure water into the pile through the pile head. The high pressure water injection aids in overcoming the hydrostatic pressure on the outside of the pile head.

Abstract: A means of attaching and supporting lagging that integrates attachment and support for both insulation and lagging. Angle irons are welded to the hot surface. Insulation pins are also welded to the hot surface at two different levels in a pattern that will support the insulation. The insulation is impaled on the insulation pins. A first subgirt is placed on the angle irons and welded at one end only to an angle iron. The insulation pins are received and extend through bores in the first subgirt. A second subgirt is received on insulation pins at a different level. A fastener is installed oil the end of each insulation pin to hold the subgirts against the outer surface of the insulation. The end of each pin is bent to retain the fasteners in place. The lagging panels are bolted to the subgirts.

Abstract: A deformable and replaceable energy absorbing structure mounted between the furnace floor tubes and floor tube support truss to absorb impact from falling slag and prevent tube damage. A beam, such as an I-beam extends from the supporting structure and is adapted to hold a deformable structure. A tie bar attached to the floor tube panel extends across the panel and rests upon the deformable structure. This arrangement is provided at as many contact points between the floor tube panel and support structure as necessary to support the dead weight of the tubes while still providing suitable energy absorption characteristics.

Abstract: An arrangement for a furnace of a once-through steam generator includes a fluid mix header for holding a volume of a furnace mix fluid. A plurality of side wall tubes at the side wall of the furnace are connected to a side wall header. A roof outlet header is located at the roof of the furnace and a roof tube is connected at one end to the roof outlet header and at the opposite end to one end of a loop section of tube. A front wall tube located at the front end of the furnace is connected at one end to the opposited end of the loop section of the tube from the roof tube. A connection tube is connected between the roof outlet header and the fluid mix header. Rear and front screen tubes are connected directly to the fluid mix header of the furnace. Fluid from the fluid mix header is provided to the convection pass downcomer and convection pass tube enclosures of the steam generator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressurizing the inside of tubular members of an offshore structure that are immersed in sea water so that the internal pressure resists the hydrostatic pressure of the sea water. To achieve this internal pressure, gas is generated automatically on the inside of the members as the structure descends to its in-place location. The gas can also be used to deballast a tubular member.

Abstract: A method for processing chemical cleaning solvent waste that combines evaporation, purification, and absorption. The method is mobile and thus allows the processing to be done at the site of the cleaning where the entire processing can be completed. Evaporation produces a concentrated solvent and vapor and gas. The concentrated solvent is absorbed to produce a dry residue for long term storage or disposal and a liquid that is filtered and then released to the surrounding environment. The vapor and gas are scrubbed and condensed to produce a gas that is suitable for release and a distillate. The distillate is purified by filtration and reverse osmosis to produce a distillate that is suitable for release.

Abstract: An installation jig and method for installing the spout casting that eliminates the need for using a thick layer of refractory as previously done. The installation jig is formed from a threaded rod with a rectangular plate transversely fixed to one end of the rod and a second shorter, rectangular plate received on the rod at a distance from the fixed plate. A locking collar is received on the rod adjacent the shorter plate on the side remote from the fixed plate. The larger fixed plate is inserted into the boiler from the outside and is caused to bear against the tube surface. The smaller plate and locking collar are used to hold the casting in place until the casting is fixed in position by the installation of the spout.

Abstract: A vertical reel pipelaying vessel having a vertical pipe storage reel rotatably positioned aft of midship and a vertical aligner wheel positioned forward of the reel. A guide means includes supports for the aligner wheel on the vessel to permit rotational movement about the axle of the aligner wheel. A moon pool is positioned forward of the reel. A direction means is provided for pivoting the aligner wheel over the moon pool to allow pipe takeoff forward of the axis of the aligner wheel and into the moon pool. The aligner wheel is provided with strain gauges along the axle to measure directly the tension of the pipeline being unspooled and passing into the water through the moon pool.

Abstract: An on-line sipping air delivery system that propels bubbles across the entire surface of the fuel assembly. A pump delivers liquid through an aspirator located near the bottom of the fuel handling mast. Liquid flow through a venturi in the aspirator causes a drop in pressure inside the aspirator and pulls air into the aspirator through an ambient air line that extends above the surface of the liquid. The air is mixed with liquid as it flows through the aspirator and the mixture is injected under the fuel assembly through nozzles positioned at the bottom of the assembly. Suction nozzles above the liquid level at the top of the fuel assembly are used in a conventional manner to capture and deliver the released air and gases to appropriate testing equipment.