Abstract: A joint assembly for a nonambient temperature pipeline which in a preferred embodiment is designed for low temperature service, comprising a slip-lock joint including inner and outer spool members connected with upstream and downstream pipeline segments, respectively, and contacting primary seals with sloping surfaces arranged so that as the pipeline temperature is lowered from ambient, the line contracts thereby causing the spools to move relative to each other and progressively increasing the tightness of the primary seal. During movement, a spring-loaded shear key locks in place in a shear key receiving slot, which is maintained after the initial cooldown of the pipeline. This maintains the tightness of the joint and accommodates any further contraction movements in the pipeline.

Abstract: A bimetallic grid spacer comprising a grid structure of zircaloy formed by intersecting striplike members which define fuel element openings for receiving fuel elements and spring strips made of Inconel positioned within the grid structure for cooperating with the fuel elements to maintain them in their desired position. A plurality of these spring strips extend longitudinally between sides of the grid structure, being locked in position by the grid retaining strips. The fuel rods, which are disposed in the fuel openings formed in the grid structure, are positioned by means of the springs associated with the spring strips and a plurality of dimples which extend from the zircaloy grid structure into the openings. In one embodiment the strips are disposed in a plurality of arrays with those spring strip arrays situated in opposing diagonal quadrants of the grid structure extending in the same direction and adjacent spring strip arrays in each half of the spacer extending in relatively perpendicular directions.

Abstract: An open shrouded trickle valve for use in processes such as those adapted for fluid cat crackers and particularly for use in a cyclone dipleg to eliminate the shroud normally employed. The valve is connected at the exit of the dipleg to provide a seal so that the collected solids can be returned directly to the bed and comprises a flapper plate which is disposed to prevent backflow of gas up the exit opening when solids flow is interrupted or when a bubble of gas passing through the bed is directed up the dipleg thereby preventing direct loss of solids out of the cyclones. Situated a fixed distance behind the flapper plate is a flat baffle plate disposed in a vertical position and wider than the flapper plate, which serves to protect the flapper plate by preventing local disturbances such as passing bubbles from affecting its position with respect to the exit opening.

Abstract: An articulated branch assembly comprising pipe member and appropriately arranged combinations of fluid carrying swivels, ball joints, or rubber hose is fixed to the outboard end of a conventional marine cargo loading arm. The branch assembly is used for bunkering vessels while the arm is supported off the cargo manifold adjacent to the bunker manifold. Fitting marine cargo arms with the bunkering assembly and supporting the arm off the cargo manifold permits, for a large percentage of vessels, simultaneous bunkering and cargo transfer through the other cargo arms in the bank. The branch assembly also: eliminates in many cases the need for a separate bunker arm(s), avoids overstressing of the smaller, weaker bunker manifolds, and makes the bunker manifolds more accessible without resorting to long lengths of hose or auxiliary bunkering saddles.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel assembly for use in nuclear fuel reactors, such as a large pressurized water reactor, including a fuel assembly having a matrix of fuel rods of different sizes, wherein fuel rods of a first large size are disposed in island arrays which are located within the matrix of fuel rods of the second small size in the vicinity of the control rod guide tubes of the assembly, such that retention of the control rods normally associated with a reactor fuel assembly employing fuel rods only of the first size is possible while still allowing for the maximum linear heat generation rate (LHGR) for the larger first size rods to be reduced to the LHGR normal for the second smaller size fuel rods or lower.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor fuel rod leakage is determined by measurement of vibrational characteristics of a resilient, flexible means sealed within the upper end caps of the fuel elements. The flexible means, which is preferably a metallic diaphragm, is set into motion by the impact of an internal metal rod which is operated by an external magnetic field, thereby permitting an indication of the pressure inside a fuel element without disturbing the welded assembly. The metal rod is activated and the vibration measurements are made through the use of a special tool which fits near the end cap of the fuel element to be tested.

Abstract: An improved mixing vane grid spacer having enhanced flow mixing capability by virtue of mixing vanes being positioned at welded intersecting joints of the spacer wherein each mixing vane has an opening or window formed therein substantially directly over the welded joint to provide improved flow mixing capability. Some of the vanes are slotted, depending on their particular location in the spacers. The intersecting joints are welded by initially providing consumable tabs at and within each window, which are consumed during the welding of the spacer joints.

Abstract: NO.sub.x produced by combustion of nitrogen-containing fuels is reduced by a forced draft burner operating with below stoichiometric mixtures of air and fuel in a primary combustion chamber, combustion being completed by controlled injection of secondary air near the outlet of the chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for fuel rod pressurization and for verifying when pressurization of a fuel rod containing nuclear fuel has taken place. One end of the loaded fuel rod is inserted into a pressure chamber in sealed relation thereto, whereupon the chamber is evacuated to remove the air present. Then the chamber is pressurized with an inert gas. The fuel rod then is drilled to provide an opening in the end of the fuel rod in the chamber, whereupon the rod is pressurized with the inert gas present in the chamber. Acoustic transducers are attached to the fuel rod at predetermined locations externally of the chamber for monitoring any noise which occurs during the pressurization process, which is transmitted through the metal walls of the rod to the transducers. The transducers generate electrical signals which are proportional to the amplitude of the noise sensed and by observing the signals a calibration of the activity going on can be maintained.

Abstract: Resistance of iron, iron-chromium and iron-chromium-nickel alloys to corrosive attack by sulfur compounds at temperatures above 500.degree. F. is improved by pretreating the metal under controlled conditions to form an extremely thin submicroscopic oxide film which serves as a corrosion resistant barrier.

Abstract: A pipeline system for low temperature liquid or hot gas/vapor transfer including a triple pipe arrangement wherein the low temperature liquid or hot gas/vapor is transferred through an inner pipe with a vapor or condensate return respectively being provided by an annulus between the inner pipe and a middle pipe. Thermal insulation is situated in the annulus between the middle pipe and the outer casing or pipe and the outer casing is welded to the inner double pipe system at ambient temperature in order to restrain any thermal movement of the inner pipes during cooldown or heatup to operating temperature.

Abstract: A self-contained probe for testing of buried pipe by analyzing acoustic emissions produced under increasing stress which comprises an elongated tubular body with a hardened metallic point at one end which is placed against the pipe. The body of the probe also contains an acoustic transducer, a preamplifier, and an integral power supply. The probe receives acoustic emissions from the pipe under test, transforms acoustic signals into electrical voltages, preamplifies those voltages, and transmits them to associated facilities for computer analysis.

Abstract: A wash liquid distributor for a rotary drum filter which distributes liquid uniformly across the filter cake and provides very effective washing. The distributor apparatus in its preferred embodiment comprises an elongated hollow pipe, one or more being used in parallel operation, each pipe having a multiplicity of evenly spaced and axially aligned small holes. Each hole imposes a substantial pressure drop on the fluid passing therethrough and creates a uniform distribution of the wash liquid along the distributor pipe. To avoid damage to the filter cake from the jets of liquid produced, a diffusion channel is provided which damps the kinetic energy of the jets and subdivides the liquid entering the channel. Upon leaving the diffusion channel the liquid is collected and redistributed from drip points spaced at intervals which are generally narrower than those of the holes in the distributor pipe.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid separator is provided which is adapted to be connected directly to the exit of a fixed reactor bed, and includes a vertically disposed housing, an upper portion of which is connected to vapor-liquid inlet means which may be provided by the fixed bed reactor so that a vapor-liquid mixture may be introduced downwardly into the housing.

Abstract: An underwater articulated loading arm terminating in a hose or hoses, comprising a first or inboard arm connected to the base swivel of a single point mooring and a second or outboard arm pivotally connected to the free end of the inboard arm, a buoy supporting the arms at the pivotal joint, a buoy supporting the free end of the outboard arm, and a hose or hoses extending from the free end of the outboard arm for connection to the manifold of a tanker moored to the single point mooring. Cargo is transferred between the base swivel and the moored tanker through the inboard and outboard arms and the hoses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing gaseous mixtures by decomposing predetermined components of a sample of the mixture with ultraviolet radiation and thereafter measuring the amount of decomposition products produced as an indirect determination of the composition of the original sample. In one embodiment, the apparatus can measure the presence of less than one part per million of vinyl chloride in air by scrubbing a sample of gas to remove interfering compounds, decomposing the vinyl chloride by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, measuring the decomposition products by absorbing them in deionized water, and determining the change in electrical conductivity of the resulting solution as a measure of the amount of vinyl chloride in the sample.

Abstract: A monitoring system for proving compliance with pollution (e.g. oil) regulations, which in a preferred embodiment enables a tanker to prove that restrictions on total oil or rate of oil pollution have not been violated. The system comprises adsorbing an oil sample which is proportional to total oil discharged and rate of oil discharged on a continuously moving lipophilic belt and subsequently analyzing the belt after the voyage has been terminated when required to prove that the tanker has not exceeded ocean pollution requirements.

Abstract: A combined catenary and single anchor leg mooring system capable of transferring cargo from vessels moored thereto includes an anchor hub suspended by a single anchor leg from a mooring buoy floating on the surface of the sea. A plurality of catenary anchor legs connect to the anchor hub and extend outward and downward to anchors secured in the sea bottom. A cargo transfer swivel assembly is mounted on the anchor hub, and is rotatable about the lower connection point of the single anchor leg. Cargo hose extends from a pipeline manifold located on the sea floor to piping in the anchor hub, and additional cargo hose extends from the swivel assembly to the sea surface and then to the moored tanker.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor fuel rod leakage is determined by measurement of vibrational characteristics of a resilient, flexible means sealed within the upper end caps of the fuel elements. The flexible means, which is preferably a metallic diaphragm, is set into motion and the vibration measurements are made by a special tool which fits over the end cap of the fuel element to be tested.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor fuel rod leakage is determined by measurement of vibrational characteristics of a resilient, flexible means sealed within the upper end caps of the fuel elements. The flexible means, which is preferably a metallic diaphragm, is set into motion by the impact of an internal metal rod which is operated by an external magnetic field, thereby permitting an indication of the pressure inside a fuel element without disturbing the welded assembly. The metal rod is activated and the vibration measurements are made through the use of a special tool which fits near the end cap of the fuel element to be tested.