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 steam generator tube repair assembly employs a stud having a shaft and a head which forms a transverse sealing surface. A driver wedge has a central axial bore for receiving the shaft and a generally frustoconical exterior surface for receiving a sealing sleeve. The sealing sleeve has a circumferentially extending sealing surface and an end surface which is adapted for sealing engagement with the sealing surface of the stud head. A coupling nut is tightened to force the driver wedge to swage the sealing sleeve for radial sealing engagement and also transverse sealing engagement. The driver wedge and or the sealing sleeve are formed of shape memory materials so that at a temperature below a transition temperature the diametral dimensions of the sealing sleeve are reduced and at a temperature above the transition temperature the diametral dimensions of the sealing sleeve are expanded into sealing engagement with the tube.

Abstract: A connector assembly and an installation method therefor provides a fluid-tight joint between a nozzle and a column concentrically supported within the nozzle. An annular seal assembly is disposed above a flange formed on the interior of the nozzle. A spacer sleeve is threaded to the nozzle for engagement with a ledge formed on the column. A clamp assembly is mounted to the column at a fixed position and includes means for raising the column in relation to the nozzle to fix the axial position of the column. A nut threaded to the column is rotatable for forcing a drive sleeve into compressive engagement with the seal assembly to produce a fluid-tight seal between the column and the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for increasing the wear and corrosion resistance of zirconium and zirconium alloys by ion implantation. In particular the present invention is directed to the ion implantation of nitrogen and/or carbon for the purpose of increasing wear resistance; and the ion implantation of arsenic, carbon, chromium, nitrogen, tin, phosphorus or combinations thereof for the purpose of increasing the corrosion resistance.

Abstract: In a furnace (10) in which a sulfur-bearing fuel is burned, a sorbent material such as limestone is introduced into the upper portion of the furnace through a plurality of nozzle arrangements (40). Each nozzle arrangement comprises a pair of concentric pipes (42,44) with deflector means (46) located between the pipes and adjustable by means (54), so that the sorbent material introduced through the outer pipe is dispersed in an area near the furnace wall, while that introduced through the inner pipe is projected to the central portion of the furnace. There are sufficient nozzle arrangements, and they are so located, so as to cover substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the furnace with sorbent material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a mechanical tube plug 74 to assure the integrity of the seal between the tube plug 74 and tube 66. The actual torque applied in accomplishing each step in the tube plug installation process is monitored and recorded to assure that the integrity of each step of the tube plug installation process is maintained and, therefore, the integrity of the seal is assured.

Abstract: A collecting electrode panel assembly for use in an electrostatic precipitator (10) comprises a plurality of collecting electrode plates (22) disposed in successively aligned relationship beneath and suspended from an electrode support beam (14) supported upon support beam (60) suspended from the upper region of the housing (12) of the electrostatic precipitator. The support beam (60), comprises an elongated flange support beam having a generally J-shaped cross-section having an upright leg (62), a base flange (64) extending transversely outward from the lower end of the upright leg, and a lip flange (68) extending upwardly from the outward edge of the base flange (64). The base flange (64) provides a support surface (66) upon which the end of the electrode support beam (14) rests. Notches (80) are cut in the lip flange (68) of the support beam (14) at appropriate locations to receive at each location the end of an electrode support beam (14).

Abstract: A system (128) wherein information relating to the performance and availability of equipment is utilized for purposes of appraising the future behavior of the equipment. One purpose, for instance, to which such an appraisal can be put is that of reaching decisions concerning the repair/replacement/refurbishment of the equipment. The subject system (128) includes performance means (130), availability means (132), degradation means (134) and updating means (136), all suitably connected in operative relation one with another. The preformance means (130) is operative as a source of data pertaining to the performance of the equipment. The availability means (132), on the other hand, is operative as a source of data pertaining to the availability of the equipment. Continuing, the degradation means (134) is cross-linked to both the performance means (130) and the availability means (132), and is operative as a source of data pertaining to the degradation of the equipment.

Abstract: A furnace (10) in which pulverized coal is burned in suspension. The coal is introduced along with primary air, tangent to an imaginary circle (42). The auxiliary air is introduced tangent to an imaginary circle (44) directly above the primary air, in a direction of rotation opposite that of the primary air. The auxiliary air is directed tangent to a circle of greater diameter than that of the primary air. There are a plurality of alternating levels within the furnace where primary air (38), and then auxiliary air (40), is introduced.

Abstract: A control system (40) particularly suited for effecting control over the fineness of the particles that are ground, 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 method for determining the existence of phosphate hideout in a steam generating steam cycle (10) so that the nature of the impact of the phosphate hideout on pH and the PO.sub.4 concentration in the boilerwater of the steam generating steam cycle (10) can be ascertained. The subject method includes the steps of determining from the concentration of PO.sub.4 that is provided to the steam generating steam cycle (10) the input of PO.sub.4 to the steam generating steam cycle (10), determining the loss of PO.sub.4 from the steam generating steam cycle (10) that is attributable to blowdown and contamination and solubility, and thereafter determining as a result of subtracting from the input of PO.sub.4 to the steam generating steam cycle (10) the loss of PO.sub.4 from the steam generating steam cycle (10) whether there exists phosphate hideout and, if so, what the magnitude of the phosphate hideout is as well as what impact the phosphate hideout will have on the pH of and the PO.sub.

Abstract: An instrument (10) particularly suited for use for purposes of measuring the presence of suspended solids in a slurry. The subject instrument (10) is comprised of a floating probe portion (12), a long tubular member (14) and an energy dissipating baffle (16). The tubular member (14) is suitably attached to the floating probe portion (12) by virtue of having one (18) of its ends affixed to the middle of the floating probe portion (12). The energy dissipating baffle (16) which is suitably mounted in supported relation to the other end (20) of the tubular member (14) preferably is in the form of a cylindrical member (24) that is divided internally into essentially three chambers (26,28,30) by means of two deflector plates (32,34). The two deflector plates (32,24) are each perforated (36) and are mounted within the interior of the cylindrical member (24) so as to be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member (24).

Abstract: A coiled spring system (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 coiled spring system (20) that 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. The subject coiled spring system (20) includes stud bearing housing means (36), preload stud means (38) suitably supported from the stud bearing housing means (36), pressure spring means (40) positioned in surrounding relation to the preload means (38), and spring housing means (42) encircling the pressure spring means (40).

Abstract: The essential components of a utility boiler utilizing a fluidized bed combustor are disclosed in sufficient detail to depict top suspension of the waterwalls enclosing the freeboard of the bed, support of the fluidized bed from ground level, and an expansible junction in the waterwalls to accommodate vertical movement due to thermal changes.

Abstract: A probe (10) for scanning the interior of a curved conduit (28) has a carrier (12) with a rotatable portion (12b). Sensor means (18) are secured to the rotatable portion (12b) and are aligned with respect to the curvature of the conduit by means of an elongated flat strip (20), secured to the rotatable portion (12b) and extending longitudinally therefrom. Driving means (14) is provided to urge the probe (10) longitudinally through the conduit (28).

Abstract: A contamination monitoring system is disclosed wherein a low frequency alternating current signal is applied to a remotely mounted probe in the liquid being monitored for contamination. A fixed resistor located at the probe is electrically in parallel with the resistance of the liquid being monitored. The resistor is isolated from the liquid and allows a signal to be transmitted through an interconnecting cable even though the liquid resistance is very high. A signal is returned to signal processing electronics via the interconnecting cable to a high input impedance amplifier which drives an isolation transformer.

Abstract: An incinerator, or furnace, receives low-level radiation waste from a nuclear installation in varying volumes and calorific values. A supplemental, conventional fuel is concomitantly supplied under the control of the exhaust temperature of the products of combustion. The low-level radiation waste and supplemental fuel are mixed with combustion air in a first stage where combustion is initiated, the products of combustion being flowed downward into a second stage where the combustion is complete prior to exhaust.

Abstract: A cover cap (40) is provided for covering the open end of a support insulator (38) having a discharge electrode hanger rod (28) passing coaxially therethrough. The cover cap (40) comprises a top (42) and a sloping side wall (44) extending coaxially outwardly and downwardly from the perimeter edge (54) of the top (42) and having a radial lip (46) and an axial lip (48) extending outwardly at substantially right angles to each other from its lower perimeter surface. A tubular gas injection nozzle (92) having an elbow subtending an angle of 135 degrees, is provided in the sloping side wall (44) for passing a jet of scavenging gas into the interior region encompassed by the sloping side wall (44). At least one access opening (70) is provided in the sloping side wall for permitting access into the interior region encompassed by the sloping side wall (44).

Abstract: Apparatus (16) for gripping the inner surface of a plug (14) so that it can be removed from a tube (12). The apparatus includes a shaft (18) having an enlarged frustoconical head (20) with a collar member (24) surrounding the shaft. The collar has a plurality of flexible fingers (22) extending up therefrom, which are forced radially outwardly into contact with the inner wall of the plug when the head is moved longitudinally outwardly from the plug. Each finger has an end portion which is tapered and forms first (10 degrees) and second (5 degrees) angles on its inner (32) and outer (30) surfaces, respectively; and the frustoconical surface (34) of the enlarged head forms a third angle (15 degrees), with the sum of the first and second angles being equal to the third angle. The end portions of the fingers are thus moved radially outwardly, such that their outer surface lies parallel with the inner surface of the plug and thus, the plug is gripped over a large surface area by the gripping mechanism.

Abstract: A method of feeding particulate material (17) to a fluidized bed furnace (10) is provided wherein particulate coal, particulate limestone and particulate material withdrawn from the furnace system are fed to the furnace as a mixture in a unified feed system. Raw coal and limestone are independently crushed to the desired size and premixed to yield a desired calcium to sulfur mole ratio. The premized coal and limestone (7) are passed to a dryer/mixer and contacted therein with hot particulate material (9,19) withdrawn from the fluidized bed furnace system for a period of time sufficient to substantially dry the wet coal and hydrate at least a portion of the lime contained in the hot particulate material. The so-conditioned mixture (15) is then entrained in a conveying gas and fed to the fluidized bed (12) in a conventional manner.