Abstract: A furnace water cooled tube wall portion (10) is separated from heated gasses by cast refractory material (12). A metal isolation plate (14) against the tubes (18) separates the tubes from the refractory material (12) and has projecting elongated anchors (30) with shanks (32) attached at spaced locations to mechanically join the refractory material to isolation plate (14). Anchors (30) have conical chamber washers welded to shanks (32) to shield the locations from cast refractory material at the spaced locations. This permits bending of shanks (32) to accommodate thermal expansion force created movement between isolation plate (14) and the refractory material (12).

Abstract: A mechanical spring journal assembly (20) particularly suited for use in a bowl mill (10) of the type that is employed for purposes of effectuating therewithin the pulverization of material such as coal. It is through the operation of the subject mechanical spring journal assembly (20) tht there is established the magnitude of the forces which the grinding rolls (18) of the bowl mill (10) apply to the coal for purposes of accomplishing the pulverization of the coal.

Abstract: An integral one-piece spacer (70) is provided for use in an electrostatic precipitator (10) of the type having adjacent horizontally spaced collecting electrode panels (20) disposed in parallel relationship in spaced vertically extending planes. The spacer (70) extends transversely between adjacent collecting electrode panels (20) to rigidly link the panels so as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween. The spacer (70) is formed of an elongated rod having a rigid straight central portion (74) extending between a pair of spaced resilient end portions (72). The end portions (72) are folded to provide a clip (76) forming a slot (90) for attaching the end portions (72) of each spacer (70) to the legs (54) of the alignment brackets (50) mounted to the ends of the collecting electrode plates (22) to extend between a pair of neighboring collecting electrode panels (20).

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for desulfurizing gases by microbiological techniques which involve the use of chemoautotrophic bacteria of the Thiobacillus genus to convert sulfides to sulfates either as a sulfide removal process or as a process for producing biomass. More specifically, the invention involves the use of Thiobacillus denitrificans under aerobic conditions to oxidize sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide to sulfate compounds. The process may be carried out by various techniques such as in a continuous bioreactor system using an immobilization matrix. The method is particularly suited to the disposal of hydrogen sulfide which has been otherwise removed from natural gas and producing a biomass byproduct.

Abstract: An annular plate is mounted on and sealed to the spaced apart pressure vessel flange and vessel containment structure of a nuclear reactor to form a leak-proof bottom for a refueling canal for the reactor. The sealing arrangement for the plate establishes redundant seals to each of the flange and containment structure, the seals being pneumatically expandable to enhance the integrity thereof.

Abstract: A control system (40) particularly suited for effecting control over the fineness of the particles that are gound, i.e., pulverized, in a bowl mill (10) of the type that is designed to be employed for purposes of pulverizing coal. The subject control system (40) is operatively connected in circuit relation with the conveying means (64) by means of which the particles are conveyed from the bowl mill (10) after being ground therewithin. In addition, the subject control system (40) is also operatively connected with the controls (58, 60) of the bowl mill (10). Accordingly, the subject control system (40) is operative to make measurements of the particles being discharged from the bowl mill (10) and based on the information obtained from such measurements effect the changes in the control settings of the bowl mill (10) as required.

Abstract: A combination inerting and fire extinguishing system particularly suited for employment in a pulverizing bowl mill (10) of the type that is operative for effecting the grinding of material and that includes a substantially closed separator body (16) in which a grinding table (18) is supported for rotation relative thereto and a plurality of grinding rolls (22) are also supported therewithin such that the plurality of grinding rolls (22) cooperate with the rotating grinding table (18) to effect a grinding of the material disposed upon the grinding table (18). The subject inerting and fire extinguishing means includes a continuous purging means, a backup inerting means, a pulverizing bowl mill clearing means and a water injection fire suppression means. The continuous purging means is operative during any inerting sequence to cause an inerting medium to flow continually through the pulverizing bowl mill (10) so as to ensure that there is no buildup of volatile gases therewithin.

Abstract: A register system is provided for making molds for metal casting which reduces flaws attributable to parting line shift. This is accomplished by urging the cope mold flask (11) against two fixed stops (50, 52) on the long axis, and one fixed stop (54) on the short axis of the flask. This same register principle is applied in the drag mold making station 18, where the drag flask (15) is urged against two fixed stops (86, 88) on the long axis, and one fixed stop (90) on the short axis of the flask.

Abstract: A vane wheel assembly (12) particularly suited for use in a mill (10) so as to be operative to effect a primary classification of the material such as coal that is subjected to pulverization within the mill (10). The subject vane wheel assembly (12) includes a first channel-like means (40) mounted in supported relation on the bowl (16) of the mill (10) for rotation therewith and so as to lie in a first plane which extends in a first direction. The subject vane wheel assembly (12) further includes a second channel-like means (42) mounted in fixed relation on the interior of the millside area (15) of the mill (10) at the exit end of the first channel-like means (40) so as to extend a full 360.degree. around the circumference of the millside area and so as to lie in a second plane that extends in a second direction which is inclined at a predetermined angle to the first plane of the first channel-like means (40).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) particularly suited for use for purposes of effectuating the cutting to length of continuous lengths of relatively thick, soft stock sheet material (14) such as sheets of styrofoam which have a thickness of six inches or greater. The subject apparatus (10) includes a carriage assembly (32) mounted for movement on a support base (16). The carriage assembly (32) is driven by motor means (34) operatively connected thereto. The motor means (34) is operative to cause the carriage assembly (32) to move in a triangular path while undergoing movement in two planes at a speed which varies directly with the speed at which the soft stock sheet material (14) that is to be cut to length in the subject apparatus (10) is fed therethrough. A knife means (68) is supported on the carriage assembly (32) for movement therewith such that as the carriage assembly (32) moves in a triangular path the knife means (68) likewise moves in a triangular path, i.e., down and forward.

Abstract: A bolt and keeper secure nuclear steam generation isolation dam segments in assembled relation. The bolt is rotated into locked position with its handle in a slot as a transverse projection on the bolt end is moved along a ramp into a securing notch against the bias of a compressible rubber spring.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is compensated for changes in the ratio of the capacitances of a pair of capacitors which result from changes in a relatively static background condition such as pressure. The compensation is achieved by providing a shunt capacitance for one of the sensor capacitors, the shunt capacitance being located such that it will not be effected by the background condition.

Abstract: An element basket assembly (30) for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (2) comprised of a plurality of heat transfer element plates (32) stacked in an array between first and second end plates (34,36) disposed at opposite ends of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates (32). Upper and lower side straps (40,42 and 50,52) run along opposite sides of the stacked array of heat transfer element plates, to interconnect the first and second plates (34,36) to form the frame of the element basket housing the heat transfer element plates. A stiffening member (60) is disposed intermediate the spaced end plates (34,36) to extend transversely across the element basket assembly at or near the mid-span thereof the interconnect the upper side straps (40,42) and to interconnect the lower side straps (50,52) thereby increasing the structural integrity of the basket assembly.

Abstract: A fluidizing feed apparatus (20) for supplying particulate material to a fluidized bed furnace (12) having a housing (22) which defines a chamber which is divided by a multi-tiered perforated distribution plate (24) into a plurality of independent gas plenums (26, 36, 52) beneath the respective tiers (23, 25, 27) of the distribution plate, a particulate fluidizing plenum (28) above the upper outer position (25) of the distribution plate (24) and a particulate feed plenum (30) superadjacent the lower central portion (25) of the distribution plate (24). Conveying gas is independently fed under pressure to each of the gas plenums to pass upwardly through the respective tiers of the perforated distribution plate.

Abstract: A couplant material for establishing a sound path of good acoustical impedance between a transducer and a supporting wave-transmitting substrate which is capable of being easily shaped at room temperature, withstanding thermal cycling from room temperature to over 450.degree. F., and substantially maintaining its acoustical properties in a radiation atmosphere while providing a minimum of irritating fumes and outgassing. The couplant material is a non-flammable, grease-like silicone fluid heavily filled with zinc oxide. It has been used previously as a heat sink compound for electronic components.

Abstract: A modular radiation shielding system for use on the lower side of a nuclear steam generator tubesheet 14 to protect inspection and repair workers in the primary head 20 of the generator 10 from radiation of the tubesheet 14 and plurality of tubes 12 it secures. The modular assemblies each comprise a geometrically shaped lead panel 22 sheathed in a stainless steel box 30 with a transverse opening extending therethrough for alignment with a tube 12. A rapid installation tube gripper 40, which may have a lead nose for shielding, extends through the opening and into a tube 12 to hold the geometrically shaped modular assembly against the lower surface of the tubesheet 14.

Abstract: A vibration generator (50) is disclosed for generating vibration energy. A magnetically attractable mass (98) is loosely disposed within a substantially cylindrical cavity of a housing (54). An array of electromagnets (60-90) are circumferentially spaced around the housing cavity. The electromagnets (60-90) are sequentially energized in a predetermined sequence to magnetically attract the loosely disposed mass (98) toward an energized electromagnet thereby causing the magnetically attractable mass (98) to orbit around the array of electromagnets imparting centrifugal force to housing (54) which in turn generates vibration energy.

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.

Abstract: A fuel rod support grid having a quadrangular perimeter and fuel rod compartments defined by slottedly interlocking grid-forming members with openings in register intermediate the lines of intersection of the grid-forming members to provide accessible exposed edges for small nugget welds. The edge of one of two adjacent openings in register may define a weld enhancing tab. Typically, the pairs of openings in register and their small nugget weld are at two locations intermediate the line of intersection of two grid-forming members.

Abstract: A tube expansion tool for use in expanding sleeve inserts in the repair of steam generator tubes. An inflatable bladder radially enlarges in response to application of a pressurized fluid to radially expand a repair sleeve. The bladder is mounted to a mandrel by a pair of end caps which are configured to provide a fluid tight seal to confine the pressurized fluid inside of the bladder.