Abstract: A moisture separator reheater (12) comprising a wet steam region (32) for containing moisture laden water vapor and a dry steam region (36) containing dry water vapor. An entrance tube (74, 118, 152, 174) is fluidly connected to the wet steam region. Swirlers (76, 134, 178) or similar deflection structure (170, 172) are provided for separating the flow of steam through the entrance tube into liquid and vapor streams. A concentric exit tube (86, 136, 176), or similar structure (158), directs the flow of the vapor stream into the dry steam region while bypassing the liquid stream. The tubes and associated structure are preferably arranged in a steam dryer assembly bundle (54) having a lower plate (128), a plurality of entrance tubes secured to the lower plate, and an upper plate (126) through which the exit tubes pass.

Abstract: A thermally actuated hydrogen secondary battery comprises an anode having a thermally actuated anode-active solid reversible hydrogen-containing inorganic compound which deintercalates hydrogen ions (H.sup.+) in a discharge cycle when exposed to thermal energy, a compatible gas-free electrolyte capable of transporting hydrogen ions (H.sup.+) between the anode and a cathode when the anode is exposed to thermal energy, and the cathode having a hydrogen ion-intercalatable cathode-active material which intercalates hydrogen ions (H.sup.+) in a discharge cycle when the anode is exposed to thermal energy.

Abstract: Two pressurized fluid system orifices in series (48,50), one (50) having a variable effective flow area (A.sub.2 ) provide a proportionate measurement of a gap (x) between a nuclear reactor vessel (12) and a core support barrel (20) by means of the variation of pressure in the intermediate chamber (44) between them. A transducer (T) or a pressure gage (P) senses the proportionate pressure.

Abstract: A fuel element support grid for supporting a plurality of nuclear fuel elements intermediate their ends has at least some of the pairs of intersecting and slottedly interlocked strips including pairs of intersecting integral fluid flow directing vanes along at least one adjacent edge of each of the strips of the pair. Welds attach the pair of vanes to each other thereby providing welded attachment of the strips. The welds may be at the intersection of the vanes remote from their areas of integral attachment to their respective strips or they may be adjacent to their areas of integral attachment to their respective strips. The strips may be bent to provide the strip function and the arch function within the same stream engaging profile as the strip alone presents.

Abstract: An orbital weld head tool (10) has an orbiting and reciprocating carriage (22) for movement around a mandrel (12) fixed to a workpiece. Reciprocation is by a ball nut and screw drive means (70,74) driven by an arc voltage controlled motor (64). Rotation of carriage (22) with its ceramic shielded tungsten weld tip (16) and gas conduit (19) is by means of a separate motor (62) and drive belt (28). Power is supplied from a flexible hose connected through a conductive ball bearing assembly (30) and a conductive shoe (20) for weld tip (16) mounted on carriage (22).

Abstract: A feedwater sparger assembly, and more particularly a thermal sleeve device, to prevent relatively cold feedwater from contacting the vulnerable surfaces of a feedwater nozzle in a boiling water nuclear reactor. Inner and outer concentric tubular thermal sleeve members (42,56) span the distance between the sparger (12) and a substantially cylindrical transition surface (34) machined into the feedwater nozzle (14) or pipe (22). At the first ends (46,64) of the tubular members, adjacent the transition surface (34), a packing means (50), is deformed against the transition surface (34). The second ends (60,62) of the tubular members are operatively connected to the sparger (12). One of the tubular members (42,56) is rigidly connected to the sparger (12) and the other tubular member is mounted on the sparger such that it can be longitudinally moved relative to the rigidly connected member.

Abstract: A system (10) particularly suited for employment for purposes of effectuating the monitoring, diagnosing and controlling of the chemistry of the water and steam in a steam generator steam cycle (46). The subject system (10) is operative to monitor water and steam quality at a number of critical locations (70,72,74,76) in the steam generator steam cycle (46). Based on the information gathered through such monitoring of water and steam quality, the subject system (10) is designed to be operative to provide diagnoses of potential causes of upsets in the steam generator steam cycle chemistry and to suggest corrective actions as appropriate. Furthermore, historical data is also readily available from the subject system (10) which can be utilized for identifying trends and for assessing the operational chemistry of the steam generator steam cycle (46) both on a short-term basis and on a long-term basis.

Abstract: A fuel assembly (10) has a lower end fitting debris collector (40) assembled in the form of a welded assembly of an "eggcrate" grid (21) and cast base (40) with hollow legs (42). Fastener seats (46) in hollow legs (42) permit guide tubes (14) with internally threaded ends to be joined to the upper surface of the lower end fitting debris collector (40) by means of slotted fasteners (50). Bevels (62) and notches (64) in the grid bars (26 and 24a, respectively), provide an embodiment with contoured seats for fuel rod end caps (22). Otherwise, end caps (22) rest on grid (21) at the intersection of slottedly interlocked bars (24 and 26). Thin strips (30) mounted in slots between bars (24) and bars (26) provide small debris catching openings in grid (21).

Abstract: A device and associated method comprising a probe (18) for drawing throttled two-phase steam into a tank (26) which has been evacuated and which can be closed when the pressure of the sample steam in the tank equals the pressure of the source steam mixture (14). The throttling tank operates on the basic thermodynamic principle that a two-phase mixture when throttled into a closed tank becomes superheated. The state of the superheated mixture is determined by temperature and pressure measurements (42, 36). The initial state of the source mixture can then be determined by application of the First Law of Thermodynamics, which is considerably simplified as a result of the way in which the sample is drawn.

Abstract: A nozzle dam 14 has an integral diaphragm 50 and peripheral seal 58 radially engaged by bladder 46 to seal against the nozzle dam surface 12. The bladder receives force from a surface 44 on a plunger member 42. The plunger member 42 moves with the nozzle dam securing pin 32 as it seats in socket 40. A manual toggle type action clamp 20 actuates the pin 32.

Abstract: A joint between a pair of coaxial tubes which extend into a pressure vessel from a surface is sealed using a sleeve-like housing which surrounds the joint to be sealed. An upper fluid-tight seal is formed between the longer of the tubes and the housing. A lower fluid-tight seal is formed between the housing and the surface. An intermediate seal is also formed between the housing and the shorter tube. The upper and lower seals are independently preloaded through the use of spring washers. Primary loading of the lower seal to the surface is caused by fluid pressure in the vessel which acts on the housing.

Abstract: A fuel element for a nuclear reactor having a zirconium-tin alloy cladding tube, with a thin coating of particles of enriched boron-containing compound burnable poison particles, such as ZrB.sub.2 deposited from a liquid suspension which includes an acrylic polymer binder material and isopropanol. Graphite lubricant particles can be included in the coating.

Abstract: Hot flue gas, such as the flue gas from a fossil fuel furnace or a waste incinerator, to be scrubbed to remove acidic gas, such as sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride gas, and particulates, such as fly ash, is passed to a primary drying chamber and contacted therein with a spray of droplets of an absorbent liquid containing particles of an alkali or alkaline reactant. The droplets are partially dried in the primary drying chamber to a tacky condition before reaching a foraminous collecting member extending through a lower portion of the primary drying chamber wherein it collects as a moist, porous mat. As the flue gas continues to flow through the mat depositing on the collecting member, the mat serves as a filter for removing particulates, including fly ash, in the gas and the remaining sulfur oxides in the gas react with unreacted particles of reactant and reactive ingredients of the fly ash collected in the mat.

Abstract: A thermally actuated hydrogen secondary battery which comprises a porous anode having a thermally actuated anode-active solid reversible hydrogen-containing inorganic compound which deintercalates hydrogen ions (H.sup.+) in a discharge cycle when exposed to thermal energy and having a first porous catalytic oxide film on a side thereof capable of converting hydrogen ions into hydrogen molecules in a discharge cycle and having a second porous catalytic metal film on another side thereof capable of converting hydrogen molecules into hydrogen ions in a charge cycle; a porous cathode having a hydrogen ion-intercalatable cathode-active material which intercalates hydrogen ions (H.sup.

Abstract: A tool having a rotating hollow electrode is provided power through a rotary electrical connection in the form of ball bearings and conductive lubricant, with a fixed hollow power supply fitting mounted in and insulated from a housing structure journaled in the bearings. Gas for welding is supplied through the hollow fitting and electrode which are in fluid communication.

Abstract: An electron discharge machining (E.D.M.) tool combination is useful for removal of an installed nuclear steam generator tube plug of conductive material. A conductive wand shaft connected to an E.D.M. voltage source is movably mounted in a housing and insulated from the housing. An inlet adapter is mounted on the wand end and connected to a source of deionized and demineralized water to provide a dielectric fluid and removed material carrier. A hollow electrode is mounted on a hollow extension beyond the end of the wand and inlet adapter in fluid communication with the adapter for movement with the wand relative to the housing. A drive plate is moved by means of a ball nut along a roller ball shaft which is rotationally driven by a motor in the housing. The drive plate reciprocates the wand and electrode for E.D.M. operation. The wand position can be monitored remotely by a signal from a potentiometer with a tap movable with the wand.

Abstract: A mechanical plug (20) having internal threads (24) and displaceable cone (30) for expanding the plug into secure engagement with a steam generator tube (14) is removed by a method which includes the step of moving the cone (30) upwardly within an internal cavity (22) along tapered surface (26), stretching the plug and thereby reducing its diameter by means of a tube stretcher 40 having an internally and externally threaded adapter (42), a bolt-like expander (50) and a force pad (52), and, pulling the plug from the tube.

Abstract: A radiation-reducing door assembly which may be configured as either an entry port or a ventilation port. The door assembly includes a split ring flange-type mounting bracket which can be quickly and easily installed on a manway flange regardless of the state of the manway cover mounting studs. A pair of radiation shielding doors or a ventilation port door may be quickly and easily coupled to the split ring mounting bracket.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is formed in the green state with a binder and then a combination of microwave and conventional heating is employed to first remove the binder at a lower temperature and then sinter the oxides at a higher temperature to form the fuel cell. This heating technique not only reduces the time and power requirement but also eliminates large temperature gradients within the oxide material and reduces the attendant problems of internal cracking, separation of components, blistering and delamination.

Abstract: A castable refractory mix composition is disclosed which when fired at a temperature of about 2300.degree. F. will yield a cast refractory article having improved thermal shock resistance and when fired at a higher temperature of about 2750.degree. F. will yield a cast refractory article having improved abrasion resistance. The castable refractory mix composition comprises from about 10 to 15% by weight of an aqueous slip of fine ground fused silica particles, from 25% to 32% by weight of fine alumina particles, from about 55 to 70% by weight of relatively large particle size silican carbide refractory particles, from about 0.015 to 0.04% by weight of a water-soluble wetting agent, and from 0 to about 5% by weight added water.