Abstract: An individual key, a stoker incorporating a plurality of the keys, or a furnace incorporating the stoker which includes a key apparatus having a mounting surface dimensioned and configured for sliding engagement with an associated arm, the mounting surface is disposed on the bottom of the key, an upper face receives associated fuel to be burned, a first side having a first contour, and a second side having a second contour. The second contour is different than the first contour. In some forms of the invention the first contour and the second contour are dimensioned and configured for meshing engagement whereby a first side of a first key will mesh with a second side of a second key when a plurality of the identical keys are arrayed in side abutting relationship. The first contour may includes a first lip and the second contour may include a second lip and the the first lip may be disposed at a different elevation than the second lip.

Abstract: A retractable sootblower, having a movable carriage and lance tube assembly for cleaning inside surfaces of a boiler, includes a stationary starter switch for initiating operation of the sootblower and a cable disposed between the movable assembly and the starter switch for transmitting electrical current from the starter switch to the moveable assembly. A limit switch is mounted to and moveable with the moveable assembly. A stationary switch control device is disposed proximate the boiler and configured to cooperate with the limit switch so as to reverse the direction of movement of the moveable assembly during sootblower operation by reversing the direction of the current to the movable assembly.

Abstract: A robot and associated control system, as well as a method of control, for servicing a heat exchanger having a substantially planar tube sheet which defines a multiplicity of laterally spaced tube openings of known shape, each of which is centered at a coordinate on a tube sheet coordinate system. A sensory system associated with the robot end effector and the associated digital processing system, includes a vision subsystem for generating an image of a portion of the tube sheet and generating a first signal commensurate with the spatial relationship of the tool to a selected tube opening. An optical subsystem is also provided, for projecting a structured light beam toward the tube sheet and receiving a reflected structured light pattern, indicative of how closely the tool is aligned with the target opening.

Abstract: A BWR emergency core cooling system suction strainer. The strainer comprises corrugated metal screen material formed of alternating ridges and furrows with flat chordal lands and flat side walls interconnecting the lands; and an elongated frame with arcuate end support portions shaped to accommodate the ridges and furrows. The flat side walls merge slightly toward one another in a substantially radially inwardly direction and diverge slightly away from one another in a substantially radially outwardly direction to permit release of debris from the screen surface while providing increased screening area for a given volume of strainer.

Abstract: The fuel is fed into a circulating fluidized bed steam generator using a feed system involving an air swept chute using secondary combustion air to suspend and carry the fuel into the fluidized bed combustor. The fuel is fed to the air swept chute through a gravity feed chute at a steep angle. The air swept chute is lined with an abrasion resistant material.

Abstract: A steam generator having a steam drum and which includes first and second U-shaped members dimensioned and configured for cradling the steam drum. Each of the first and second U-shaped members has first and second elongated leg portions and each of the leg portions is supported by a separate first body. The first body is supported by a separate second body, one of the bodies has a concave spherical section face and the other has a convex spherical section face, the concave spherical section face and the convex spherical section face are disposed in abutting load bearing relationship. Thus, a discrete set of first and second bodies is associated with each of the leg portions.

Abstract: An air nozzle assembly for use in associated combustion apparatus which includes a first elongated housing having first and second axial extremities. The first axial extremity thereof is open to the interior of the first housing and tapers axially from a larger to a smaller cross section that constitutes a generally flat nozzle at the first axial extremity. A second elongated housing has first and second axial extremities. The fist axial extremity is open to the interior of the second housing, at least the first axial extremity and an axial portion of the second elongated housing are dimensioned and configured to extend with at least the first axial portion disposed within the first elongated housing. The first axial portion tapers axially from a larger to a smaller cross section at the first axial extremity. The apparatus also includes means for selectively preventing flow in the second elongated housing.

Abstract: A method for exercising control over the final predefined superheat outlet steam temperature and for exercising control over the final predefined reheat outlet steam temperature from a circulating fluidized bed steam generator having a furnace volume embodying at least superheat surface, a multichambered backpass volume embodying at least superheat surface within one chamber of the multichambered backpass volume and at least reheat surface within another one of the multichambered backpass volume, a first circulatory fluid flow path operative as an evaporative steam loop, and a second circulatory fluid flow path operative as a superheat steam-reheat steam loop and including a saturated steam segment, a superheat steam segment, a reheat steam segment and an economizer segment.

Abstract: A hand held insitu reactor vessel stud cleaner includes a right angle drill having a frame with an annular ring portion mounted thereon. An annular rotating plate assembly with a cylindrical brush holder or thread chase is concentrically mounted thereon and driven by a spur gear and ring gear combination or a belt and pulley combination. Vacuum structure is provided to remove corroded material loosened by the brushes or chase.

Abstract: In order to use up a stockpile of weapons-grade plutonium, the plutonium is converted into a mixed oxide (MOX) fuel form wherein it can be disposed in a plurality of different fuel assembly types. Depending on the equilibrium cycle that is required, a predetermined number of one or more of the fuel assembly types are selected and arranged in the core of the reactor in accordance with a selected loading schedule. Each of the fuel assemblies is designed to produce different combustion characteristics whereby the appropriate selection and disposition in the core enables the resulting equilibrium cycle to closely resemble that which is produced using urania fuel. The arrangement of the MOX rods and burnable absorber rods within each of the fuel assemblies, in combination with a selective control of the amount of plutonium which is contained in each of the MOX rods, is used to tailor the combustion characteristics of the assembly.

Abstract: A gas turbine combined cycle system with a heat recovery steam generator which may include enclosed adjacent cavities may accumulate combustible gas mixtures during shut-downs. Gas detectors located in the heat transfer section of the heat recovery steam generator, in related duct work and in the adjacent cavities detect the presence of these gas mixtures and produce appropriate signals. A signal from the detectors in the cavities initiate the aspiration of the mixture from the cavity. Signals from the detectors in the heat transfer section and ducts as well as from the cavities control the gas turbine so that upon start-up, no fuel is introduced to the gas turbine so that the gas turbine forces purge air through the heat recovery steam generator. When all of the signals indicate that no combustible gas mixtures are present, the gas turbine is ignited.

Abstract: A steam generator apparatus which includes an enclosure comprising vertically extending front and back waterwalls joined by opposed spaced first and second waterwalls, The enclosure also includes a plurality of spaced vertically extending windboxes, each of the windboxes faces the interior of the enclosure. Each of the windboxes comprises a plurality of modules that are configured for installation at respective elevations, each of the modules being dimensioned and configured for shipment to the installation site. Some forms of the invention further includes a vertically extending truss assembly and the ignitor and auxiliary air compartments are supported on the truss assembly. Other forms of the invention include air ducting supplying air to air compartments and the truss assembly extends within the ducting. Still other forms of the invention may utilize the truss assembly without the modular windbox.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively permitting access to the interior of a boiler and selectively closing off access to the interior of the boiler which includes a frame, a support plate, and a hinge. The hinge couples the support plate and the frame and allows pivotal movement of the support plate with respect to the frame. The apparatus also includes a door plate; and apparatus for coupling the support plate to the door plate. In some forms of the invention the apparatus for coupling comprises a plurality of studs fixed to one of the plates in generally parallel spaced relationship. The other of the plates may include a plurality of holes disposed in generally registered relationship to the studs and dimensioned for loose fitting engagement with the studs. The apparatus may also include apparatus for latching the support plate to the frame to prevent pivotal movement thereof with respect to the frame. The apparatus may also include apparatus for urging the door plate away from the support plate toward the frame.

Abstract: A segmented smelt spout comprising an assembly of different casting shapes wherein one shape constitutes the base segment, which is installable in a chemical recovery unit, and the other shapes are a combination of straight and curved cast segments, which can be used in different combinations to obtain varying spout angles and lengths with the latter segments being supported off the base segment and being held together by a tensioning means that maintains contact between the mating surfaces of each segment while permitting each individual segment to expand and contract thermally.

Abstract: An exhauster assembly for a solid fuel pulverizer has an exhauster housing defining an inlet opening. A fan rotatably mounts in the exhauster housing and a duct defining an air stream flow path is in fluid connection with the inlet opening. An inlet guide vane assembly is positioned in the duct adjacent the inlet opening. The inlet guide vane assembly has a plurality of first and second guide vanes defining a plurality of the flow channels generally parallel the air stream flow path. The first and second guide vanes are generally planar and arranged generally orthogonally to each other in cross section.

Abstract: A furnace having a continuous ash discharge stoker which includes a fuel distributor apparatus for delivering associated particulate fuel to an associated continuous ash discharge furnace which includes a housing having an inlet for a particulate fuel and an inlet for pressurized air. The housing includes a surface for directing the flow of the associated particulate fuel and an outlet cooperating with the surface through which the associated particulate fuel and air exit the housing. The apparatus includes a nozzle dimensioned and configured to direct pressurized air along a face of the surface to establish a boundary layer between the surface and the associated particulate fuel flowing over the surface. In some forms of the invention the nozzle comprises first and second flat plates disposed in mutually parallel spaced relationship. The first and second flat plates may each be disposed in generally aligned relationship to at least a portion of the surface.

Abstract: In order to support a shroud against bending, shear, stress and torsion, straps are placed in strategic positions with respect to cracks or like types of weaknesses which have been detected, and fastened in place using a suitable fastening technique. Holes are formed using an EDM technique in cooperation with supports for an EDM placed on the straps, and bolt units which have an expanding portion are inserted into the holes, torqued and expanded in a manner which fastens the strap to the shroud. A temperature responsive bimetallic strain system which produces a clamping force, is created by forming the straps of a material which has a lower expansion coefficient than the shroud material. As the reactor heats, the expansion differential tensions the straps and produces a clamping force.

Abstract: A drain system for a shutdown cooling system of a pressurized water reactor type of a nuclear power plant (10) has an increased flow rate in the drain pipe (28) and drain pump (33). The hot leg (18) connected drain pipe has a vaned vortex breaker (30) mounted therein between its connection with the hot leg (18) lower region and the drain pump (33). This minimizes vortex-created cavitation in the drain pump thereby permitting the increased flow rate.

Abstract: A control scheme for large circulating fluidized bed steam generators (CFB) wherein direct control is effected therewith over the temperature of the large circulating fluidized bed steam generators (CFB) and wherein independent control is effected therewith over the final superheat steam temperature of the large circulating fluidized bed steam generators (CFB) as well as over the final reheat steam temperature of the large circulating fluidized bed steam generators (CFB).

Abstract: In order to seal an electrical connector in a manner wherein mating of the connector components does not deteriorate environment sealing elements or require periodic maintenance, a GRAFOIL.RTM. type end seal is arranged to be abutted by a leading edge portion of one of a male plug member and a female receptacle members in a manner which establishes the sole hermetic seal for the connector.