Abstract: A furnace (10) for burning cellulosic fuel has walls (64) which taper upwardly and outwardly, such that a given level or height (66) the cross-sectional flow area is 11/2 to 2 times the cross-sectional flow area near the bottom of the furnace. Thus the gas velocity continuously decreases, as the cross-sectional area increases. Any partially burned char particles initially entrained in the gases near the furnace bottom reach a height in the furnace where the gas velocity equals the particle terminal velocity, so that the particles remains suspended at this height until combustion as reduced their size enough so they can be carried on out of the furnace by the reduced gas velocity.

Abstract: A single guide tube and tube sheet tube, as an upper extension, carries a nuclear control rod in storage, poised for downward insertion into the guide tube. An inner tube, termed a bypass tube, is mounted within the cylindrical tube sheet tube and fitted closely about the control rod. Mounting connections between the upper and lower ends of the bypass tube and the tube sheet tube are provided to route the coolant in control of the rod vibration.

Abstract: A control system for overpressure protection of the reactor coolant boundary (14) in a nuclear power plant, comprising a pressure relief line (18a) having a power operated relief valve (24a) controlled by a circuit responsive to the condition of the reactor coolant and a control logic. The circuit includes a mode selector switch (80) having a NORMAL position (82) for establishing a full power overpressure relief valve setpoint (62) and a LTOP position (84) for establishing a low temperature overpressure relief setpoint (58). The control system logic opens the relief valve (24a) when (a) the mode switch is in the NORMAL position and the coolant pressure exceeds the full power setpoint (62), or (b) when the mode switch is in the LTOP position, the coolant temperature is less than a preselected value (52) and the coolant pressure exceeds the LTOP setpoint (58).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically testing a rotational torque producing device (22) during calibration under conditions simulating actual operating conditions. The torque produced by the torque producing device under controlled (28) load conditions similar to actual operating conditions is converted by a transducer (12) to an electrical signal and monitored (26) to assure that the stall torque of torque producing device (22) is within an acceptable band.

Abstract: A manually controlled tooling system for the remote placement and removal of a load, such as a plug, (12) at a location (6) inaccessible to maintenance personnel. The tooling provides for both horizontal and vertical movement of the load, and, in the preferred embodiment, rotational restraint. The load is supported vertically by at least one line (21) wrapped on a small diameter drum (19) which is supported from a travelling trolley (11) fitted to a sloping track (10). On the same shaft as the load drum, a large diameter centrally located sheave or control drum (20) accepts a single control line (13) counterwrapped in direction with respect to the load support line and terminating at its other end on a hand operated winch mechanism (14). The tooling acts to first allow the trolley to descend the track without relative motion between trolley and load. Then, with the trolley bottomed against a mechanical stop (26), the load is allowed to descend vertically to its desired position.

Abstract: A device (10) particularly suited for use for purposes of effecting the rotation of a reactor coolant pump motor (12) and flywheel (18) when the latter is required to be rotated, as for instance, in order to accomplish an ultrasonic and eddy current examination of the flywheel (18). The subject device includes housing means (20) of a multipartite construction capable of being secured in surrounding relation to the shaft (16) of the pump (12). Within the housing means (20) there is provided ball bearing means (26) and driven gear means (28). In addition, the subject device (10) also includes drive motor means (30) that is operatively associated with a drive gear means (36). The latter drive gear means (36) of the drive motor means (30) is supported in cooperative relation with the driven gear means (36) of the housing means (20) such that rotation of the drive motor means (30) is imparted to the drive gear means (36) and therefrom to the drive gear means (28).

Abstract: A tool (100) for scanning the inner surface (110) of a pipe (106), comprising a scanning section (112) interacting with a centering section (114). The scanning section includes an axle member (128) having strut members (130) rigidly connected thereto and projecting diametrically outwardly for urging inspection probe sleds (126) against the pipe surface. The centering section (114) includes a slide cylinder (124) coaxially disposed about the axle member (128), and having rigidly connected actuating members (120) projecting diametrically outward for contacting the pipe inner wall with sufficient force to center and support the tool within the pipe. Locking means (146) are provided within the actuating member (120) for selectively engaging the axle member (128) to lock the longitudinal position of the strut member (130) relative to the actuating member (120).

Abstract: A self-aligning bearing arrangement has a compressible packing (20) for forming a gas-tight seal between the outer housing (2) and a rotatable shaft (10). A bushing ring (22) supports the shaft (10) and accommodates any misalignment thereof by having an inner surface (26) of convex cross section. The bushing ring (22) is urged axially against the packing (20) by a drive plate (28) and urging means (30, 32).

Abstract: A multistage separator for oilfield emulsions is disclosed. The separator utilizes a mechanical inclined plate separator constructed of electrically nonconductive materials disposed downstream of an electrostatic separation section. Electrostatic charges imparted to the flowing emulsion by the electrostatic section migrate to the mechanical portion and establish a surface charge on the inclined plates thereof. This surface charge results in enhanced coalescence of the aqueous and nonaqueous dispersions present in the emulsion.

Abstract: An assembly for supplying gas-conveyed solid fuel to the interior of a double wall gasification vessel includes a conduit (4) for conducting the fuel-gas mixture across the annular region (16) formed between the inner (3) and outer (2) vessel walls. A flexible coupling (11) is provided at one end of the conduit proximate the penetration of the fuel-gas stream across the vessel pressure boundary. An expansion joint (14), disposed about the conduit (4) and sealed to the inner vessel wall (3) conducts secondary gas into the inner vessel across the annular region (16) and prevents leakage of corrosive gases from the inner vessel interior.

Abstract: A sliding plate valve for a gas chromatograph or the like is provided with a pneumatic actuator (22) for reciprocating a slider assembly (24) and slide pad (26) over the face surface (28) of the valve body (20). Flow passages (44) are aligned with flow openings (42) in the face surface (28) as the slide pad (26) reciprocates between purge and sample positions. The slide pad (26) is urged against the face surface (28) by force springs (60) which are movable with the reciprocating slider housing (64). The slide pad (26) and assembly (24) are maintained in alignment by the interaction of chamfered grooves (68, 70) and chamfered lip surfaces (76, 78).

Abstract: A system for insulating the walls of furnaces and other heated structures with ceramic fiber insulation including an improved insulation anchor. The anchor includes a pin which is attached to the furnace wall such as by stud welding with the pin having an elongated aperture at its outer end. A retaining rod extends through the aperture and into the adjacent ceramic fiber modules. The rectangular shaped rod includes an improved means for locking the rod in the aperture which comprises a crimp at about the midpoint of the rod. This provides a narrow section of the rod which permits the rod to be turned in the aperture and locked. The crimp method of forming the narrow section does not remove any metal from the rod and does not weaken the rod.

Abstract: In a forced steam generator (10) having orifice assemblies (36) positioned in the inlet of each tube (28) lining the walls of the furnace (12). The orifice assemblies are explosively (46) expanded into each tube. In order to permit the tubes to be completely drainable even when located in a portion of a tube having a horizontal component thereto, the orifice (60) is located at the very bottom of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus (10, 110, 210) including a containment capsule (12, 112, 212) a support member (16, 116, 216) removably disposed within the capsule and carrying therein a solid state track recorder material (20, 120, 220) and a layer of fissile material (20, 120, 220), and means (52) on the exterior of the capsule adapted to be remotely grasped for positioning the capsule adjacent to the fuel. The capsule is lowered into close proximity to the fuel, and positioned at a predetermined location for a period of time between about one hour and one day. The capsule is withdrawn from the fuel, the support member and recording member are withdrawn from the capsule, and the recording member is processed to reveal the fission track density, which is readily correlated to fuel burnup.

Abstract: Carbon-containing intercalatable layered or lamellar transition metal chalcogenides having the general formula M.sub.n X.sub.2 C where M is a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Zr and Ta; X is sulfur; and n is 1-2; such as TiS.sub.2 C or Ti.sub.2 S.sub.2 C, usable as cathode active materials in alkali metal nonaqueous secondary batteries that can undergo alkali metal intercalation, are synthesized by ion implanting a substrate of the transition metal with sulfur and then carbon at implantation energies in the range of about 150-200 kiloelectron volts and at saturation dosages of 1.times.10.sup.12 to 1.times.10.sup.19 sulfur and carbon atoms/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Repaired fluid conveying tubes are tested for leaks by isolating the repaired region from the remainder of the tube and then pressurizing the isolated region with a suitable gas. The isolation is accomplished by axial compression of one or a pair of seals which expand radially when subjected to axial force.

Abstract: The sealed shell of a nuclear steam generator is penetrated through a fluid lock by an elongated assembly including an axial fiber optic cable. Fluid pressure chambers within the assembly are selectively pressured to control the movement of the fiber optic head in visual inspection within the shell. Liquid is selectively introduced into the chambers to control buoyancy of the assembly.

Abstract: An arrangement of square fuel assemblies in the first and subsequent cycles of a pressurized water nuclear reactor wherein shimmed feed assemblies and once-burned or equivalent assemblies occupy the same checkerboard component of alternating diagonals in an inner region of the core, and the highest burned or equivalent assemblies occupy the other checkerboard component. The remainder of the core consists of an outer region containing another checkerboard of feed assemblies wherein the feed assemblies occupy less than one-half the assembly locations on the core periphery.

Abstract: A system for treating solid, granular and aggregate material thermally including a storage silo containing a supply of the material to be thermally treated. A combination thermal reclaimer and heat exchanger apparatus is connected in fluid flow relation to the storage silo for receiving material therefrom. The combination thermal reclaimer and heat exchanger apparatus is operative to both effect a preheating of material received thereby and to accomplish a thermal reclamation of the material received thereby as the material completes its passage through the combination thermal reclaimer and heat exchanger apparatus. A feeder device is cooperatively associated with the combination thermal reclaimer and heat exchanger means for receiving thermally reclaimed material therefrom. The feeder device has a transporter pipe cooperatively associated therewith into which thermally reclaimed material is fed. The transporter pipe is operative for transporting the thermally reclaimed material to a material storage device.

Abstract: A process gas is introduced into a treatment chamber (40) through a horizontal spiral gas supply duct (30) having a tangential inlet (31) and opening to a pair of concentric, inner and outer annular gas inlet ducts (12,22) surrounding a liquid spray apparatus (2). Partition means (32) divide the spiral supply duct (30) into independent inner and outer sub-ducts (34,36) which define separate inner and outer flow passages (44,46) connected respectively to the inner and outer annular gas inlet ducts (12,22). Damper means (70) is provided in the inlet to the outer sub-duct (36) to selectively control the flow of process gas (7) therethrough as a means of maintaining the velocity of the flow of process gas (5) through the inner flow passage (44) above a minimum acceptable velocity.