Abstract: A fluid driven actuator for a neutron absorber in a nuclear reactor is of the piston and cylinder type. The actuator is located above the reactor core. Means are provided for alternately opening and closing a by-pass fluid flow path or passage through or across the piston within the cylinder. The flow path is closed when the piston and control rod is being raised and is subsequently opened to reduce flow resistance during insertion or scram. In the preferred embodiment, the piston is longitudinally movable relative to the piston or extension rod which connects with the neutron absorber. In one position of the piston, the by-pass path is open and in another position, it it closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the safe storage of a plurality of fissionable masses including an array of discrete neutron absorbing shields which utilizes the principle of the neutron trap to reduce the multiplication factor of the storage array to a subcritical value when immersed in a neutron moderating medium. Each discrete neutron absorbing shield is spaced such that the encircled fissionable mass is spaced from the next adjacent neutron absorbing shield by a distance determined by the enrichment of the fissonable masses and attenuation of the moderating medium.

Abstract: A system and method are described in which sulfur-containing flue gases are contacted with a solution containing excess calcium or magnesium bicarbonate. The sulfur oxides are reacted with the bicarbonate producing soluble bisulfites. This solution is then oxidized for pH control to produce calcium or magnesium sulfate and sulfuric acid. Dolomite or limestone or similar additives are then introduced to precipitate sulfates and to regenerate the bicarbonate solution for recycle to the scrubber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for carrying out the submerged arc surfacing of metallic work pieces with metal electrode strips melting in an electric arc while forming welding beads upon the work piece. A slag breaker comprising a series of parallel plate portions disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the electrode strip is positioned on the leading side of the electrode strip adjacent the region of the electric arc. The slag breaker serves to break up an accumulation of fused flux particles which tend to form a sheet in front of the welding arc which, if permitted to form would block the flux feed into the welding arc on the leading side. The slag breaker thus serves to prohibit formation of such a sheet and thereby permits uniform flow of flux to insure complete submergence of the arc in the flux material thus minimizing the chance of the arc flashing through the flux burden and resulting in defects in the deposited cladding material.

Abstract: Gases containing SO.sub.2 from a furnace are contacted in the scrubbing zone of a scrubber with an aqueous scrubbing medium containing solid alkaline earth metal carbonate, seed crystals of alkaline earth metal sulfate and dissolved alkaline earth metal carbonate and sulfate and having a pH of from 6.0 to 6.5. The SO.sub.2 reacts to form sulfites and bisulfites. The scrubbing medium is then withdrawn from the scrubbing zone and discharged to a reaction tank. Air is blown through the scrubbing medium in the reaction tank and then up into and through the scrubber and scrubbing zone. The oxygen reacts with sulfite to form sulfate in both the reaction tank and the scrubbing zone. The amount of oxygen is controlled so that the pH in the scrubber will not drop below about 4.5 and so as to oxidize not more than about 30 to 50% of the sulfite.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is adhered to and electrically and ultrasonically coupled with a surface by means of a room temperature vulcanizing material which is stable when subjected to high temperature and radiation levels. The RTV material is formed from either a vinylmethyl or polyphenyl siloxane matrix containing an iron oxide filler-binder, a cross-linking agent and a finely divided, uniformly dispersed conductive powder. The conductive powder for use in radiation environments is either palladium or graphite and it is homogeneously dispersed by using a temporary dispersing agent.

Abstract: An RTV material is formed from either a vinylmethyl or polyphenyl siloxane matrix containing an iron oxide filler-binder a cross-linking agent and a finely divided, uniformly dispersed conductive metal powder. The conductive powder for use in radiation environments is either palladium or graphite and it is homogeneously dispersed by using a temporary dispersing agent. The material may be used to ultransonically and electrically couple an ultrasonic transducer to a surface and it is stable under high temperature and radiation levels.