Abstract: A system including a sensor and electronic instrumentation for measuring fission gas pressures inside a pressurized system or device or the like, such as a nuclear fuel rod. The system is based primarily on what is commonly known as the Villari effect which is the dependence of the magnetic permeability of certain magnetic materials upon applied stress, and permits pressure measurements to be made without any mechanical or physical penetration of the fuel cladding or end cap of the fuel rod. In a preferred embodiment pressure sensing is implemented by locating a sensor made from Villari sensitive material inside the pressurized system. The pressure places a stress loading on the sensor which in turn produces electrical output signals proportional to the applied stress.

Abstract: A stack damper valve comprising a pair of semicircular steel discs typically joined by a removable piano-type hinge. Each of the discs pivot upwardly in the direction of flow from a closed to an open position and vice versa. In the closed position the discs seat in a metal-to-metal relationship against a circular truncated steel seat which is secured such as by welding to the inner surface of the steel stack in which the valve is mounted.

Abstract: A rotatable brush suitable for removing growths and encrustations from submerged surfaces comprises a support, bristles attached to one face of the support adjacent to the periphery thereof and extending away from said one face, and a flexible or elastic membrane surrounding the bristles and which extends substantially from the support to substantially within 10 mm to 40 mm from the free ends of the bristles remote from said one face. The support may have one or more orifices each perforating both faces. The bristles may be formed of steel strips and the membrane may be made of rubberized canvas or nylon.

Abstract: A system for the rapid and accurate measurement of the diameter of cylindrical objects and the like, such as nuclear reactor fuel pellets. The system essentially operates on the principle that when an infrared emitter and receiver are aligned in diametrically opposed relationship such that the beam from the emitter impinges on the receiver, the output of the receiver is proportional to the amount of energy received by it. Measurement of cylindrical objects such as pellets is accomplished by passing the object to be measured between the emitter and the receiver. The beam initially is arranged so that as the object passes between the two elements, it partially blocks the beam. Those objects having different diameters or a single object of varying diameter will block more or less of the beam, thereby producing a proportional change in the receiver output which can be correlated in terms of the diameter of the object. Suitable provision is made to compensate for temperature variations in the emitter and receiver.

Abstract: A method of distributing natural gas by pipeline comprising pumping liquefied natural gas (LNG) for a predetermined portion of the desired distance, applying processes in which the refrigeration value of the gas is utilized and the high boiling point components are separated, and then vaporizing the remaining liquid prior to its being further transported by pipeline in the gaseous phase.

Abstract: A trough-type scale trap for use with a refinery or chemical plant reactor having a catalyst bed subject to plugging by fine particles. Compared to prior art traps, the trough-type scale trap of the invention is characterized by a larger volumetric capacity and screen area and is substantially easier to construct and to install or remove from closed reactor vessels than conventional traps. Its typical embodiment is as a series of parallel troughs having rectangular openings and disposed chordally across the reactor normal to the direction of flow. In one embodiment, the trough is a rectangular parallelepiped; in another embodiment, the substantially rectangular opening is reduced by tapering to a bottom significantly smaller than the inlet opening.