Abstract: A non-linear pipe segment, such as an elbow or the like, is disclosed having an inner liner (14) of a wear-resistant material. The outer shell of the segment is in two halves (10, 12) which are coated with a layer of bedding material (16) before being secured around the lines (14) by clamping means (28).

Abstract: The existance of fire at or near an oil field wellhead is sensed by a eutectic body which holds a valve system in a cocked position. When the eutectic is melted, the valves are positioned to terminate communication of a hydraulic fluid pressure source with a downhole safety valve and open a bleed conduit connected with the conduit to the downhole valve. A second eutectic body will melt at a different temperature than the first, providing a second position for the valve system which closes the conduit to the downhole valve and atmosphere to give positive isolation from the oil well fluid.

Abstract: An integrated method of removing alkali metal compounds from sulfur-bearing coal is disclosed. The coal is comminuted (4) and mixed (10) with water (8) to form a slurry (12). In the preferred embodiment, the slurry (12) is comingled with an SO.sub.2 -bearing gas (16) in a transport pipeline (52) to form an acidic slurry which dissolves the alkali compounds out of the coal. The slurry is then separated (22) into a solid portion (24) and a liquid portion (26), the solid portion (24) being combusted (34) to form the SO.sub.2 -bearing gas (16).

Abstract: A system for regulating the liquid level (20) in a vapor generator (10), in which the incoming flow of feed liquid (54) is regulated (48) in response to the difference between the measured liquid level (76) and a reference level (80), the difference between the exiting vapor mass flow rate (64) and the incoming liquid mass flow rate (56), and a function of the measured incoming liquid temperature (92). The temperature function produces a gain value (98), which increases in response to decreasing incoming liquid temperature.

Abstract: A two part heat recovery unit receives a high temperature gas mixture (2) in the lower, refractory-lined dwell furnace (4) wherein the gas is cooled to condense out liquid inert ash material. The cooled gas mixture exits the dwell furnace (4) vertically upward through a transistion duct (18) which includes a restricted throat (28). Additional ash and potassium seed compounds condensed from the gas mixture in the convective furnace (20) either form a loose flyash which exits the convective furnace (20) with the gas mixture via the backpass (24), or collect on the walls and heat transfer surfaces (22) of the furnace (20) as a liquid which runs downward toward the throat (28) and is there reentrained by the high velocity gas stream.

Abstract: A pair (20) of unidirection actuators are opposingly disposed coaxially about an elongated member (1) for controllably imparting a series of stepwise rotary movements thereto. An outer race (5) disposed within a housing (2) is rotationally reciprocated as a result of the axial reciprocation of a coaxial drive member (3) under the influence of reciprocation means (12, 15, 9). An overrunning clutch (6) converts the reciprocal rotary motion of the outer race (5) into a series of uniform unidirectional stepwise angular movements.

Abstract: A method and device for ultrasonically inspecting the corner region formed by the joining of a pair of cylindrical conduits is disclosed. Ultrasonic sound beams (62) are transmitted beneath inner surface (12) of the first conduit at an oblique angle resulting in a shallow refracted sound path (74) through the solid corner region (84). Sound energy (76) reflected by the presence of a radially oriented crack (67) within the desired zone of interest (66) passes (80) out of the solid (84) for detection. A device having an ultrasonic transmitter (44) and a directional receiver (60) is disclosed carrying out the inspection method according to the present invention.

Abstract: A sound suppression system for use with air breathing machinery, (10, 12) includes a solid barrier (18) supported (28) above an earthen dike (26). Sound (16) from the machinery (10, 12) is reflected downward (116a) and absorbed. A slot (20), provided between the barrier (18) and the dike (26) allows a flow of fresh air (24) to pass under the barrier (18) to reach the machinery (10, 12). A swale (32) is also included to reflect sound upward (134) for dissipation in the upper atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for restoring slagging conditions in a substoichiometric slagging combustor first requires the establishment of a threshold condition below which an unacceptable risk of slag outlet pluggage exists. Upon observation of current slagging conditions below the threshold conditions, substantially pure oxygen is injected into the combustion reaction zone to increase both zone temperature and reaction rate, leading to improved slagging conditions within the slagging combustor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitter (10) and at least two ultrasonic receivers (12, 16) are mounted on a carrier (18) which traverses the surface (22) of a solid material (24). The sound beam (30) from the transmitter (10) passes beneath the surface (22) and enters a zone of interest disposed about a point (36) located a fixed distance (40) beneath the surface (22). Reflected sound beams (42, 46) emanating from flaws (54, 58, 60) located within the zone of interest are detected by the receivers (12, 16). The orientation and positioning of the transmitter (10) and the receivers (12, 16) for maximizing the detection and differentiation of the detected flaws (54, 58, 60) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer is disclosed in which a sensing diaphragm bearing an electrode is mounted to flex in response to applied fluid pressure relative to a reference member having an opposed electrode. A thin film or layer of dielectric material such as glass covers the reference member electrode and has formed therein a concavity matching the flexed curvature of the sensing diaphragm at its limit position. The dielectric layer has a high compressive strength and substantially enhances linearity by providing a substantially higher capacitance than the equivalent fluid-filled space. The transducer is retained within a transducer assembly under compressive preload, the assembly further including thermal strain relief means. Also disclosed are methods of making the transducer, which methods include thick film screen deposition techniques for forming concavities having preselected contours in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A sensor (16) is affixed to a piece of rotatable equipment (10). The sensor has a rolling member (26) freely moveable within a cage member (18). In operation, the rolling member (26) contacts electrically conductive surfaces (28,30) disposed about the interior of the cage member. By determining which particular pair of surfaces are currently in contact with the rolling member, the orientation of the cage member with respect to the horizontal is known. The preferred embodiment utilizes a resistor network (34) and an electrical measuring device (48) for making this determination.

Abstract: A fluidized bed gasifier (10) for gasifying a first fuel (50) receives heat indirectly from a combusting fluidized bed (24) disposed at least partially within the gasifier fluidized bed (12). Fuel for the combusting bed (24) may be provided by removing a portion of the fluidized first fuel from the gasifier bed (12) and transporting (30,34) this removed portion into the combusting bed (12). Heat is transferred across the conductive walls of the combustor vessel (26). Product gas heating value is increased by separately removing (28) the products of combustion from the gasifier (10) and by recycling a portion of the product fuel gas (74) as the fluidizing gas (54) for the gasifier fluidized bed (12). A radiation shield (18) is also provided to reduce heat loss from the gasifier bed (12) and to remove elutriated material from the product fuel gas.

Abstract: A locking device (1) for use with joints between two telescoping members (28,30) include a bushing (2) with an enlarged head (8) and a neck (6) for inserting into a pair of aligned holes (34) in the telescoping members (28,30). The device is locked by drawing a bolt (16) into the central bore (10) of the bushing (2) by drawing means (20,22,24). The bolt (16) includes a lug (18) for contacting the inner telescoping member (28). Also provided is a channel (14) in the neck (6) which permits the lug (18) to slide within the bushing (2), thus allowing effective engagement of the device (1) for a range of telescoping member wall thicknesses.

Abstract: Fuel and oxidant feed rates into a gasifier 202 are regulated by monitoring overall output 14 and comparing with a pre-selected setpoint valve 10. An overall load demand signal 50, responsive to this comparision is generated and used as an input to control 102 oxidant feed rate. The heating value of the product gas is measured 76 and used to control 64 overall fuel feed rate to the gasifier 202. For a two stage slagging gasifier, the present invention controls 114 fuel feed rate to the slagging stage 210 responsive to the measured slagging stage reaction temperature 128.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrocarbons suitable for use as a chemical feedstock uses coal (10) and methane-rich gas (56) as raw materials. The coal and gas are heated over 6000.degree. F. (3316.degree. C.) in an electric-arc (14) forming an atomic plasma (16). The plasma is cooled and held (18) between 5000.degree. and 6000.degree. F. (2760.degree. and 3316.degree. C.) to allow formation of the desired hydrocarbons. The product stream (22) is then quenched (24) and the hydrocarbons separated (40, 42).

Abstract: A sampling valve having a stem which reciprocates between a liquid filled chamber and a vaporizing chamber is provided with a stem seal comprised by a thermoplastic bushing fitted to the valve stem with an interference fit. The bushing is encircled by a compression band exerting a radial compressive force and is mounted in the valve body with end clearance to avoid axial compression.

Abstract: A nozzle plug (22) for blocking a nozzle (46) in a nuclear steam generator (16) is improved by the addition of hinges (40a, 40b) which allow the nozzle plug (22) to be inserted into the steam generator (16) through an access port (52) of substantially smaller diameter than the nozzle (46). A recess (54) is provided in one of the semi-circular plates (28) allowing the plates to nest, further reducing the necessary size of the access port (46).

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a joint between two substantially collinear tubes (12,14) is provided. Particularly useful for repairing a welded joint which has developed a crack (20) in the area of the weld (18), the apparatus provides a sleeve (26) which fits closely over the cracked joint. A housing (32), surrounding the sleeve (26), and a thrust ring (38) act to compress packing rings (28,30) against the sleeve to form a fluid-tight seal over the leaking joint. The sealing nut (40) maintains compression on the packing rings (28,30) when the installation apparatus (50,60,70) is removed. A method for installing the sealing apparatus is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A coal and char burner (10) is formed of three concentric cylinders (14,16,18). The central passage (32) conveys char particles into the interior (20) of a coal gasifier. Fresh coal and secondary air enter the gasifier through concentric passageways (24,27) surrounding the central passageway (32). The coal and air form a high temperature reaction envelope (30) which surrounds the char stream (22) and rapidly heats the char particles.