Abstract: A pressure measurement tap for use in a pressurized fluidized bed for preventing a flow of particulate matter into the measurement tap opening. The pressure measurement tap has an inner pipe for providing purge air through the pressure measurement tap which carries the purge air past a pressure gauge conduit and provides for greater accuracy in measurements. A second embodiment has a constant source of purge air provided to the inner pipe.

Abstract: Medical isotopes are produced using a lower power, low cost nuclear reactor which permits the use of all the fission products produced in the reactor. Medical isotopes such as Molybdenum-99 are produced in a reactor operating at a power of 100 to 500 kilowatts.

Abstract: A system for detecting and imaging gamma radiation emitted by a contaminated area includes a plurality of collimators spaced a distance apart from each other. The collimators have a plurality of holes therethrough and the holes of one collimator are aligned with the holes in another collimator for forming a plurality of hole alignments which permit gamma rays to pass through the collimators. A scintillator and operatively connected avalanche photodiode are provided with each aligned hole of the collimators for determining the position of the gamma ray which passes through the collimators. A video camera records a visual image of the contaminated area and a monitor displays the video image along with location and size information provided by the avalanche photodiodes.

Abstract: A diffuser for a coal burner has a coal nozzle with an axis and an inner surface. The diffuser comprises a reducing area cone which has tapering upstream and downstream ends, for positioning in a coal nozzle at the coal nozzle axis. A frusto-conical shroud has a small diameter upstream end and a large diameter downstream end, positioned around the reducing area cone. A plurality of support legs is connected to the reducing area cone and extends radially outwardly through the shroud for connecting to the coal nozzle. Each of the support legs is inclined at an acute angle to the axis of the coal nozzle for evenly spreading pulverized coal supplied through the coal nozzle and past the diffuser.

Abstract: A method for passivating the surfaces of a nuclear steam generator and a solution therefor includes EDTA and hydrogen peroxide in a temperature range of 37.degree. C. to 49.degree. C. The solution is adjusted to have a pH of between about 9.2 and 9.5 and used on the surfaces for two hours or more for passivating the surfaces.

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 method for controlling emissions of a fossil fuel fired boiler including a high temperature fabric filter house with an SCR catalyst situated therein for receiving flue gases along with an injected ammoniacal compound and sorbent. The sorbent reacts with the SO.sub.x while the ammoniacal compound reduces the NO.sub.x in the presence of the SCR catalyst inside the high temperature fabric filter house. Both the SO.sub.x and the particulates are removed upstream of the SCR catalyst to diminish the problems of SO.sub.2 or SO.sub.3 poisoning of the catalyst and erosion and fouling of the catalyst with the fly ash. Since the sulfur oxides and particulates are removed prior to the heat recovery system, the fouling and corrosion potential are substantially decreased thus allowing the heat recovery system to be operated at a lower outlet flue gas temperature which yields an incremental improvement in energy recovery.

Abstract: A shield that is normally positioned or wrapped around a boiler tube when such tube is exposed to extreme operating conditions. This shield consists of an elongated strip of thin material that is formed as a helix. This strip also incorporates a means for spacing this strip from the tube so as to create a gap between the tube and the shield. Generally the shield is secured to the tube by spot or button welding only the longitudinal end regions of the strip to the tube. By thus wrapping and securing one or more such shields to the tube, the tube is protected while still permitting both it and the shield(s) to expand and contract as needed.

Abstract: Apparatus for laying and/or retrieving elongate flexible elements, such as pipes and cables having accessories at spaced intervals, is mounted on a floating vessel such as a barge an comprises two self powered conveyors pivotally connected together through a hinge but which may be locked relative to one another for use. A trolley runs on wheels or rails on either side of the conveyor system and has an upper surface consisting of a further powered conveyor. The sides of the conveyor extend to form a chute at the outboard end. In normal operation the trolley is stored and the pipe or cable is carried by the conveyors to the chute which guides it into the water. The shape of the chute permits the pipe/cable to leave the barge at up to 45 degrees either side of the fore and aft axis of the conveyor.

Abstract: A cooling system for passively cooling an enclosure incorporating at least one inclined heat pipe having an evaporator side extending within the enclosure and a condenser side extending outside the enclosure in contact with the ambient environment. A thermal storage device within the enclosure is configured having a first portion extending adjacent the evaporator side of the heat pipe and a second portion extending within, and generally concentric with, the evaporator side of the heat pipe. A solid-to-liquid phase change material is sealed within this thermal storage device such that this material changes to a liquid upon the absorption of heat. To further enhance the transfer of heat from within the enclosure to outside the enclosure, a series of fins can be added to the first portion of the thermal storage device as well as to the condenser side of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A flexible, pressurized insert for insertion within the hot (evaporator) side of an inclined heat pipe that forms a part of a heat pipe heat exchanger. This insert is employed in order to prevent such heat pipe from rupturing in the event the working fluid contained therein freezes. This insert is constructed of a thin-walled flexible material that is capable of being deformed (i.e. compressed) thereby absorbing the expansion pressures exerted by the working fluid should the working fluid freeze or be exposed to freezing temperatures. By such absorption, the outer heat pipe itself will not be over-pressurized which might otherwise lead to its rupture. Upon the thawing of the working fluid, the pressurized insert (which is at a pressure greater than that of the working fluid in its non-frozen state) will once again regain its shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the relative flows of a two phase flow using differential pressure to obtain mass flow having a bend portion for concentrating the dense phase toward an outside of the bend; a perforated plate downstream of the bend for passing the portion of the light phase; a nozzle for channelling the portion of the flow having high density phase toward the center of a venturi throat which is positioned downstream of the perforated plate; and four pressure sensors strategically located for measuring pressure differences at various points in the flow meter.

Abstract: A forced recirculation of a part of the untreated flue gas is established along the inside wall of a dry scrubber by providing a counterflowing gas flow along the length of a dry scrubber housing wall to prevent deposition of wet particulate material on the inside walls caused by recirculation of particulates and flue gas thereon.

Abstract: A low NO.sub.x, integrated boiler-burner apparatus includes a horizontally fired, factory assembled package boiler having an inlet plenum and a furnace space is provided with a multi-nozzle burner (MNB) array including a plurality of vertically and horizontally spaced burner nozzles located at an entrance to the furnace space for supplying fuel for combustion into the furnace space. The MNB array distributes the heat of the combustion exhaust gases across the furnace space for minimizing NO.sub.x formation. One or more chill tube assemblies are located within the furnace space just downstream of the MNB array for rapidly reducing the temperature of the combustion exhaust gases. Alternatively, laterally perforated internal air duct assemblies can also be provided within the furnace space alone or in combination with the chill tube assemblies in various arrangements to provide staged air for completing combustion in the furnace space.

Abstract: A cyclone after-burner for cyclone reburn NO.sub.x reduction in a furnace has a retractable fuel pipe inside a lance extending along the cylindrical axis of the cyclone to a point near the re-entrant throat. The lance has a water-cooled jacket that is refractory covered to reduce heat absorption. The fuel pipe is adapted to provide gas, oil or pulverized coal for combustion in the furnace.

Abstract: An automated sludge lance and method is described for cleaning sludge from tubes in a steam generator. The lance guide and waterlance are moved inside the steam generator to direct a fluid between the tubes to effectively clean sludge from the tubes. The remote control system is mounted outside the steam generator where it is readily serviceable. The automated sludge lance and method can be used in the no-tube-lane, in the annular chamber, or in combination.

Abstract: An improved composite waterlance and cavity connection is described where fiber reinforcements longitudinally extend through the body (24) of waterlance (10) and are inserted into a wedge shaped cavity at the top (18a) and bottom (18b) of a front manifold (18). An adhesive in the cavity and on the end of the rope (36) fixes the rope to the front manifold (18) and to the body (24) of the waterlance (10) to provide improved strength in the connection.

Abstract: An automated sludge lance and method is described for cleaning sludge from tubes in a steam generator. The lance guide and waterlance are moved inside the steam generator to direct a fluid between the tubes to effectively clean sludge from the tubes. The remote control system is mounted outside the steam generator where it is readily serviceable. The automated sludge lance and method can be used in the no-tube-lane, in the annular chamber, or in combination.

Abstract: A cylindrical heat exchanger assembly has a plurality of spaced cylindrical heat exchangers having bulge formed circumferential passageways spiraling along the cylindrical surface of each to form a passageway for heat transfer fluid flow therethrough and for allowing a second fluid to sealably flow in the spaces therebetween to establish heat transfer between the two fluids thereby.

Abstract: An improved method for increasing a selected metal composition of a substrate includes plating the selected metal component on the substrate followed by providing a single pass weld overlay with the selected metal containing weld filler metal to increase the metal weld clad deposit.