Abstract: A composite insulation of S2 glass fibers and epoxy is formed having a more nearly uniform coefficient of thermal expansion in all three planes for use in cryogenic superconductor applications. The glass fibers have a three-dimensional weave.

Abstract: A remotely operated ROV service vessel. The remotely operated vessel utilizes dynamic positioning. The vessel is remotely controlled by radio telemetry, preferably modular in construction, and may be semi-submersible. The vessel contains a radio telemetry package, one or more generators, an umbilical winch for lowering and raising an ROV, space for receiving and storing an ROV, and ballast control.

Abstract: A compound spin vane (CSV) for use in an air passage of a fossil fuel-fired burner. In one embodiment, the CSV is a multi-piece construction of platelike outer and inner vane elements connected to an intermediate platelike rail element. In another embodiment, the CSV includes at least two and possibly three vane portions, rigidly interconnected in spaced lateral relationship with respect to each other. If desired, the vane portions may be simple, curved planar surfaces, and may be arranged with trailing edges arranged at angles with respect to each other. The invention may be employed as a replacement for flat spin vanes found in secondary air passages of known single and dual register burners. When used in such manner in a single register burner, the invention changes secondary air flow characteristics so as to mimic those commonly found in a dual register burner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly deballasting and lifting a substructure in a marine environment to a level where it will engage with a deck so that both act together as one body. Generally, the installation is carried out as follows. The substructure is towed to the mating site and upended (if necessary). The substructure may be connected to a temporary mooring and fixed ballast installed if necessary. Selected compartments in the substructure are filled with sea water until the substructure is submerged below the water line to a desired depth. A predetermined quantity of compressed air is pumped into lower tanks in the substructure. The deck to be joined with the substructure is positioned above and in alignment with the substructure. The proper valves are opened to allow the compressed air in the lower tanks to flow into the upper tanks that contain sea water. The compressed air displaces the sea water from the upper tanks.

Abstract: An improved main shaft for a coal pulverizer having a selected portion of the main shaft nitride treated and a dry film lubricant applied to the yoke end.

Abstract: An internally insulated, corrosion resistant pipeline. An inner fluid barrier is formed preferably by a polymer liner. The outer pipe may be a steel pipe. The liner is provided with a plurality of passages or an open annulus. The passages in the liner or annulus between the pipe and liner are filled with an insulation material.

Abstract: A fiber optic acoustic emission (FOAE) sensor particularly suitable for vibration sensing in a hostile environment has a pair of optical fibers each having an end face. In one embodiment, a hollow tube or core having opposite open ends receives the end faces of the optical fibers. Means are provided for fixing the optical fibers in the hollow core with the end faces facing each other and spaced by a distance from each other in the core. A signal processing unit is connected to the optical fibers for supplying light to, and for receiving light from, the optical fibers and for measuring variations in optical phase which result in changes in the light intensity due to vibrations of the hollow core. The hollow core is fixed in a resonant cylinder, and the resonant cylinder is fixed in a housing to complete the sensor.

Abstract: A CFB reactor or combustor having an impact type primary particle separator collects solids particles from a flow of flue gas/solids and returns the collected particles along an inclined or substantially horizontal planar floor to a bottom portion of the reactor or combustor for subsequent recirculation.

Abstract: A package boiler having water cooled surfaces positioned relatively close to the combustion burner to improve the radiant heat transfer. Extended surfaces are added to the water cooled tube fireside surface to increase absorption rates to the limits established by water side conditions to avoid departure from nucleate boiling (DNB). The heat release rates of multiple firing rate zone burners are matched to the absorption rates of the water cooled surfaces by adjusting the size and extent of the various firing rate zones. The burner is extended or the physical shape is altered to expose a larger surface to greater areas of water cooled furnace surface. The burner is matched to cooling surface to lower combustion zone temperatures and thus thermal NO.sub.X formations. Further, recirculated flue gas, excess air, water vapor or a combination of these may be used to add mass to the fluid stream flowing through the burner. Finally, either the gas fuel or combustion air may be staged.

Abstract: A weldless connection system for U-beam particle separators is provided in which one end of each U-beam is provided with sides and a back that are separated from each other forming tabs. The tabs may be bent, or folded, about 90.degree. inward toward the channel formed by the U-beam. The back tab may be twice as long as the side tabs, and the extra half length of the tab can be folded about 180.degree. back at the back of the U-beam in a double thickness. Each tab has a hole therethrough. The double-length back tab has two holes; one hole is provided through each half. When the tabs are bent inward, the holes align. A bolt and washer placed through the aligned holes may be used to secure the tabs, and thus the U-beam, to a furnace roof structure. An alternate embodiment of the invention is provided in which only the sides of the U-beam form tabs which extend past the bottom of the U-beam.

Abstract: A method and device for using the density control water to continuously flush the oxidation air header and the sparge pipes in a flue gas wet scrubber agitation tank. The density control line is routed to the elevation where the control valve is located. A U-shaped trap is located between the control valve and air sparge header such that the density control water joins the humidified oxidation air. A liquid layer forms on the floor of the header and is moved toward the distant side of the header by the motion of the air passing on top of the liquid layer and by the continuous flow of water. The bottom section of the main header is perforated to allow the flowing water to exit the header into the tank and flush any accumulated solids that might penetrate the header through the air holes. The air holes are located in a section at a minimum of five degrees off the floor and maximum of one hundred eighty degrees off the header bottom and preferably at forty-five degrees.

Abstract: A method for non-destructively testing closely-spaced objects, such as header tube stubs for a furnace or boiler using electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) having meander coil sensors. The small size of the sensor combined with the need to move the sensor only a small fraction of the circumference of a tube to scan the entire circumference of the tube under test permits easy and accurate testing of an entire tube, even when the tube is one of a closely-spaced bundle.

Abstract: Methods and additive compounds for retarding the dispersion in water of bitumen-in-water emulsions, and in particular ORIMULSION, are disclosed. Methods include applied mixing at high speed and changing the pH of the emulsion. Additives include salts and flocculants.

Abstract: An improved floor for a recovery boiler furnace having a flat floor has a number of tubes in the floor immediately adjacent each of the sidewalls of the furnace oriented at an oblique angle to horizontal. A method of replacing the floor is provided as well.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing the relative flows of a separated two phase flow using a nozzle positioned immediately downstream from a bend in a pipe. The inlet of the nozzle is adjacent an external wall of the pipe and the outlet of the nozzle is substantially on a longitudinal axis of the pipe. The dense phase is collected and transported through the nozzle back into the center of the pipe for uniform mixing and dispersion.

Abstract: An integrally cast, non-welded coal spreader for a furnace or boiler burner has integrally cast swirl vanes. A shaft of the spreader extends into the hollow interior of a cap of the spreader and the vanes extend outwardly of the cap and are cast as one piece with the cap.

Abstract: A tube wall, division wall, or wing wall section for a circulating fluidized bed boiler with improved erosion resistant characteristics has a reduced diameter tube section adjacent the refractory covered by an abrasion resistant refractory tile. The refractory tile is mounted to the reduced diameter tube section with the upper edge of the refractory tile outside of or not extending beyond a solids fall line of solids in the fluidized bed to eliminate exposed discontinuities.

Abstract: A boost bend method of making tight radius bends in boiler tubes, such as bends having a radius of 1.times.D or less, in which a selected portion of the intrados of the tube is heated in a controlled manner thereby reducing the necessary tube wall thickness relative to the diameter of the tube for 180.degree. bends. Tubes bent using the method may have wall thicknesses of about 6.6% of the tube diameter and suffer less than about 7% thinning of the extrados tube wall.

Abstract: An improvement in a center inlet type scrubber that retrofit the scrubber with a perforated tray made up of rectangular or partially rectangular sections supported on beam supports in the annulus of the scrubber. The supports can be modified to form turning vanes or additional turning vanes can be employed. One or more perforated trays may be installed in the annulus to help correct the problem.

Abstract: A self-protected modular high temperature superconducting (HTS) down-lead that is capable of carrying large currents from a room temperature power source to a superconducting device operating at cryogenic temperatures. This down-lead incorporates a safety lead capable of carrying current and absorbing heat to protect the HTS material of the lead in the event of catastrophic failure of the HTS elements. The lead is in continuous contact with the HTS material and provides protection from interrupts and excess current. The down-lead is modular in design, and parts are easily replaced. Further, the down-lead is cooled through conduction in the middle stage, and gas cooled in the upper and lower stages by independent gas sources.