Abstract: A support lug casting for supporting a ferritic tube from an adjacent tube comprising male and female lugs formed on a ring shaped member and engaged around but not welded to each tube. The male lug of one tube engages into the female lug of an adjacent tube. The lugs and rings are made of austenitic material which resist corrosion and heat and which avoids the problem of welding dissimilar materials to each other since no welded connection is established between the austenitic casting and the ferritic tube. The casting is axially fixed on the tube by one or more ferritic stops or weld areas which are at one or both axial ends of each casting.

Abstract: A method of determining low density deposits on the inner surface of a boiler tube comprises the generation of ultrasonic energy which is directed from the outer surface of the tube to the inner surface of the tube. The energy is reflected back and forth between the inner and outer surfaces with each reflection of the inner surface loosing energy by attenuation into any existing low density deposit. The first and fourth reflections are measured and digitized for analysis to determine the amount of attenuation. The amount of attenuation is representative of the low density deposit on the inner surface of the tube. The tube is preferably empty of water to avoid transmission of ultrasonic energy through water in the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discriminating between flaw depths of 5% and 10% of the tube wall thickness of electric resistance welds are disclosed. At least two electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) are employed to generate ultrasonic surface and shear waves. A logic circuit discriminating means selectively activates an alarm for flaw depths of about 10% or greater, but does not activate the alarm for flaw depths of about 5% or less, thereby avoiding waste in time and materials.

Abstract: A monitor for measuring the temperature distribution of a product (12) including a plurality of ball lenses (14) lying in a lenticular array (18) across the product (12). A signal processor (22) is connected to a photodiode array (20). Each photodiode in the array (20) is connected by a separate optical fiber (16) to one of the ball lenses (14).

Abstract: An insulated pipe construction avoids deterioration of the refractory due to thermal cycling by supporting the refractory material against the force of gravity without restraining movement of the refractory material due to thermal expansion thereof. Excessive hoop stresses in the shell of the conduit due to thermal expansion of the refractory material can be prevented by providing a crushable layer of insulating fiber board inbetween the refractory material and the inner surface of the shell.

Abstract: A spark disintegrator tube cutter comprises a housing having a shaft with armature rotatably mounted in the housing. A conductive base which is electrically connected to a post accessible from outside the housing, carries a carbon brush against which the armature slides. The post is used to supply electricity to the shaft. A flexible shaft extension is connected to the shaft and carries a cutting electrode which extends radially outwardly from an end of the shaft. A spacer which is engaged around at least part of the shaft extension on an opposite side from the cutting electrode, and urges the cutting electrode against the inner circumferential surface of the tube to be cut. A pneumatic motor mounted to the housing and connected to the shaft, rotates the shaft. With dc current passing through the cutting electrode, an arc is formed as the electrode slides in continuous contact around the inner circumference of the tube, for cutting the tube.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring energy in fuel gas comprises a solid electrolyte oxygen pump for generating an amount of oxygen in response to current being supplied to the pump. A sample of the gas is mixed with the oxygen from the pump to produce a mixture which is subjected to complete combustion in a catalytic combustor. An oxygen sensor is connected to the catalytic combustor for measuring excess oxygen in the exhaust gas from the combustor. A signal from the oxygen signal is compared to a known and desired amount of excess oxygen in the exhaust gas. If there is too much or too little oxygen inthe exhaust gas, a feedback signal is used to adjust the amount of current being supplied to the oxygen pump until the actual amount of excess oxygen is equal to the selected amount of excess oxygen. The selected amount of excess oxygen is indicative of complete combustion of the sample mixture.

Abstract: A device for determining the level of water and/or steam in a boiler is disclosed. The device is a liquid level gauge (10) of the Blackburn type and utilizes an optical fiber cable (44) to intercept the light that passes in a relatively straight path through a cross passage (16) in the body (12) of gauge (10). Due to the difference in the indices of refraction of steam and water, the optical fiber cable (44) intercepts the light when steam is present in the gauge (10) but does not intercept the light when water is present.

Abstract: An input circuit for conditioning a control signal having a variety of waveforms and voltage levels, comprises a pair of input terminals having a metal oxide varistor connected thereacross. One terminal is connected to the base of a transistor thru a resistor, the emitter of the transistor driving an opto-coupler for isolating the control signal from a micro-processor which receives the control signal over an inverter having a schmitt trigger input.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring differential impedances which incorporates a CMOS timer in place of the sine wave generator in a typical AC bridge configuration. A toroidal signal transformer having its primary and secondary windings tightly twisted together and wound around the core lessens temperature drift characteristics. The differential bipolar current signal provided by the secondary winding is passed through an AC to DC converter which is switched by a field effect transistor, thereby eliminating the need for prior art inverter comparator circuits. Finally, by use of a bandpass filter after the signal transformer and by insertion of a capacitor before the AC to DC converter, the need for the active filter stage used in the prior art is eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the measurement of low levels of carbon dioxide in a sample employing membrane separation and ion-exchange technology. The difference in acid strength of carbonic acid and other acids is exploited by first treating the sample with a weak base in a membrane separator and then with a strong base in the membrane separator. In this manner, the carbonic acid is distinguished from the stronger acids. By converting carbonic acid to sodium carbonate, the conductivity level is enhanced facilitating more precise measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for scanning the outer profile of control rods in a control rod assembly includes a plurality of rotatably mounted ultrasonic transducers which are mounted for rotation about the axis of at least some of the control rods in the assembly. The assembly is moved in a linear path parallel to the axis of the control rods, past the rotating transducers for scanning the surfaces of the control rods in helical paths. By distributing the transducers in a selected configuration, all control rods in the assembly can eventually be scanned.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a regenerative air heater having a stator with a peripheral flange and hot and cold end hoods mounted for rotation over respective opposite surfaces of the stator, includes a seal frame which is connected to the cold end hood over an expansion joint assembly. A plurality of cast iron seal shoes are connected to the frame and positioned at selected gaps from the stator flange. A wheel rotatably mounted to the frame near each seal shoe rolls against the stator flange to maintain the selected gap while a counter weight on a lever acts to urge the seal shoes toward the flange. The arrangement is automatic in its maintenance of the selected gap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the delignification process by monitoring and minimizing variations in the Kappa Number and the digester residual chemical concentration. A parameter representative of the H factor for the delignification process and a measurement of the initial chemical concentration are utilized to produce signals representative of the actual Kappa Number and the residual acid concentration in the digester. The expected perturbations in Kappa Number and the residual chemical concentration are compared with target values for same to produce estimated errors due to mismatch which are compared with actual measured errors for these parameters to produce compensated control errors for same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vitrifying inorganic hazardous material including heavy metals from waste containing organic and inorganic substances. The inorganic hazardous material is retained and vitrified in the slag layer of a cyclone furnace where it is converted to a nonleachable, inert form for safe disposal in conventional landfills and where, simultaneously, organic hazardous substances are completely destroyed.

Abstract: A steam generating system particularly adapted for load cycling and two-shift on/off cycling operation in which the stored heat from fluids and metals in a main fluid flow path is utilized to eliminate thermal shocking of the equipment and consequent failures due to fatigue stresses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling the flow of fluid transported solid particles is described. Also an integrated system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling pulverized coal in a non-intrusive manner employing a fluid such as air. The coal flow in each feed pipe is regulated so as to achieve a desired flow balance among the burners in a boiler.

Abstract: A method of increasing intergranular stress corrosion cracking resistance of Alloy 718 in water reactor environments is disclosed. The Alloy is heat treated at a high annealing temperature to dissolve .delta. precipitates. The absence of .delta. particles at the grain boundaries increases the elemental homogeneity at the boundaries and increases intergranular stress corrosion cracking resistance. In addition, the absence of .delta. phase at the grain boundaries decreases the crack propagation rate.

Abstract: An air/burner port assembly for a boiler having a water-wall and a windbox spaced rearwardly of the water-wall to form a windbox, comprises a burner and ignitor mounted in the windbox for directing and igniting fuel through a port in the water-wall. A damper door is mounted on linkages which are actuated by a piston and cylinder combination, for opening and closing the port. The burner comprises an atomizer which is mounted within a fixed sleeve for movement outwardly of the port when the damper is open, and inwardly of the port for allowing the damper to close.