Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the distribution of secondary air (30) between at least two fuel burners (14,16) in a multiple fuel combustor (16). Total chemical energies of the individual fuel streams (44,60) are determined and compared (64,66) with the total combustor chemical energy input (62) for controlling biasing means (32,34). The determination of at least one individual fuel total chemical energy content (60) may optionally include a prompt neutron activation type analyzer (48) for on-line measurement of specific fuel chemical energy (59).

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer is disclosed in which a sensing diaphragm bearing an electrode is mounted to flex in response to applied fluid pressure relative to a reference member having an opposed electrode. A thin film or layer of dielectric material such as glass covers the reference member electrode and has formed therein a concavity matching the flexed curvature of the sensing diaphragm at its limit position. The dielectric layer has a high compressive strength and substantially enhances linearity by providing a substantially higher capacitance than the equivalent fluid-filled space. The transducer is retained within a transducer assembly under compressive preload, the assembly further including thermal strain relief means. Also disclosed are methods of making the transducer, which methods include thick film screen deposition techniques for forming concavities having preselected contours in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A storage box insert for spent nuclear fuel rods has a structure mounted near its lower end to form a support for the rods within the storage box. The support structure comprises five separate steps, or louvers, slanted toward one interior corner of the box. Rods are stacked on the steps and the riser spaces between the steps provide passageways for cooling fluid.

Abstract: A mill recirculation system (10, 40) includes pulverizer means (14, 48), classifier means (12, 44) and burner means (16, 68) as well as a preestablished fluid flow path by which the pulverizer means (14, 48) and the classifier means (12, 44) are interconnected in fluid flow relation with the burner means (16, 68). In accord with the mode of operation thereof, a separation is had at the classifier means (12, 44) of the stream of the gaseous medium such that a portion of the gaseous medium is recirculated along with the oversize solid fuel particles back to the pulverizer means (14, 48) while the remainder of the gaseous medium is operative to convey the solid fuel particles that are of the desired size from the classifier means (12, 44) to the burner means (16, 68) for burning, i.e., firing, in the latter.

Abstract: A 3-position valve simultaneously supplies oil to a burner and supplies steam/air as an atomizing medium for the oil. The vapor valve element and oil valve element are positioned relative to their seats by a common stem system. After the oil valve element is seated and the oil thereby shut off, a position is given the vapor valve element to flow the vapor as a purging medium principally through the oil outlet line from the valve to the burner.

Abstract: A fluidized bed furnace (10) is provided having a perforate grate (9) within a housing which supports a bed of particulate material including some combustibles. The grate is divided into a plurality of segments (E2-E6, SH1-SH5, RH1-RH5), with the airflow to each segment being independently controlled. Some of the segments have evaporating surface imbedded in the particulate material above them, while other segments are below superheater surface or reheater surface. Some of the segments (E1, E7) have no surface above them, and there are ignitor combustors (32, 34) directed to fire into the segments, for fast startup of the furnace without causing damage to any heating surface.

Abstract: An improved design for square cornered ductwork (10) particularly suited for use in those applications requiring ductwork capable of resisting pressures of 40" to 50" water gauge or higher, and wherein such pressures in turn produce end reaction loads that exceed two kips in magnitude. The subject square corner ductwork (10) includes a first member (12), a second member (14) having a width substantially equal to that of the first member (12), a third member (16), and a fourth member (18) having a width greater than that of the third member (16). The first member (12) and the second member (14) each lie in a plane that extends parallel to that of the other. The third member (16) and the fourth member (18) each lie in a plane that extends parallel to the other, and perpendicular to the plane of each of that of the first member (12) and the second member (14).

Abstract: A nuclear steam generator including a vessel, means to introduce vaporizable fluid into the bottom portion of the vessel, an outlet near the top through which vapor is discharged, a horizontal tube sheet extending across the vessel, a plurality of U-shaped tubes, having each end secured to and extending through the tube sheet, means for introducing heating fluid to one end of each of the U-shaped tubes, means for removing heating fluid from the other end of each of the U-shaped tubes, tube support means positioned within the vessel for preventing tube vibration, the tube support means including horizontally positioned means closely surrounding, but slightly spaced from each tube, means through which access can be had to the vessel interior beneath the tube sheet when the steam generator is not in operation, and testing means for determining whether or not a tube is locked into a tube support means including a longitudinal member, with a first end located inside the tube to be tested, and a second end located

Abstract: A support framework has casters which enable it to be moved into position for receiving the studs of nuclear reactor vessels so the studs may be cleaned and inspected. A housing on the framework isolates the stud while it is cleaned to control the radioactive debris removed from the stud surfaces. Brushes for the internal bore and external surface of the stud are mounted for simultaneously moving over the stud surfaces. Eddy current and ultrasonic inspection devices are substituted for the brushes and the internal and external surfaces simultaneously inspected while an encoder connected to both the inspection devices and stud manifest the location of any detected flaws.

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 timer system (10,110,210) of two or more timers (10,110,210) measures the response time between an initiating event and a dependent event. The initiating and dependent events may be physically separated or electrically isolated. The timer system (10,110,210) permits recording of associated initiating and dependent events for a response time test followed by the recording of additional associated initiating and dependent events for additional response time tests while the timers remain separated. Thus, the timer system (10,110,210) permits serial recording of information for a large number of response time tests. The timers (10,110,210) may be identical. The timers (10,110,210) are interconnected and synchronized, then disconnected and separated to record the time of occurrence of the physically separated or electrically isolated events. The timers (10,110,210) are then again interconnected for a simultaneous recording of the elapsed time on each timer.

Abstract: A "finger walker" apparatus for remotely traversing a flat surface having a regular array of openings, such as the tube sheet of a nuclear steam generator. The apparatus has a rectangular base having four base fingers disposed in a rectangular pattern for engagement with the openings. An annular platform surrounds the base and is rotatable about the base. The base is adapted to move linearly a pitch multiple within the platform. Fingers on the platform are adapted for engagement with the openings. The apparatus can orient itself for movement in one of many directions by engaging the platform fingers, disengaging the base fingers and rotating the base until the axis of the base is aligned with the intended direction of travel. The apparatus then advances by alternatingly engaging and disengaging the base and platform fingers in coordination with the base and platform moving linearly relative to each other.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel assemblies having square cross-sections mount tubes at each corner, the tubes containing springs which are extended through apertures in the tube walls when actuated by solid rods extended down into the tubes by the weight of the upper guide structure of the nuclear vessel in which the fuel assemblies are mounted. The springs, extended from strategically located positions along the length of the tubes, engage the surface of adjacent fuel assemblies to dimensionally stabilize the fuel assemblies relative to each other and the vessel in which they are mounted.

Abstract: At least one movable nozzle (14) is mounted in an opening (18) in the wall of a fluidized bed reactor (22). Solid feed materials (62) in granular form are conveyed to the nozzle (14) and injected into the reactor (22). By changing the direction of the solids injection flow stream, the mixing, residence, and reaction characteristics of the reactor (22) may be controlled. The nozzle (14) is elongated and arranged so as to tilt on a horizontal axis (58), and may inject fresh material or recycled material previously removed from the bed reaction zone (34).

Abstract: A water-wall, coal-fired furnace has a Coutant transition section extending down from the lower end to the water wall to the surface of water impounded in the lower ash hopper. The surface of the water is provided with a reflecting material which will permit the passage of solid residue from the coal firing into the water while reflecting incident radiant heat back up into the generating section of the furnace.

Abstract: A waste heat boiler (10, 38) of the type which is particularly suited for use in marine applications and which incorporates a feed mixing nozzle (50) that is operative for purposes of effecting, by utilizing steam taken from the steam generating bank (20, 48), a preheating of the feedwater that is fed to the steam drum (14, 42). In addition to the aforesaid feed mixing nozzle (50), the subject waste heat boiler (10, 38) includes a feedwater control valve (12, 40), a steam drum (14, 42), a circulation pump (18, 46), a steam generating bank (20, 48) and a centrifugal water separator (16, 44). The feedwater control valve (12, 40) is employed to modulate the flow rate of the incoming feedwater in order to maintain the desired level of water in the steam drum (14, 42). In turn the latter steam drum (14, 42) is intended to function in the manner of a reservoir for the circulating water that through the operation of the circulating pump (18, 46) is supplied to the steam generating bank (20, 48).

Abstract: A wet-bottom, solid fuel gasifier has a slag tap through which a portion of the product gas is back-flowed through the slag tap to maintain the temperature of the slag hot enough to maintain continuous slagging. The reverse flow of the product gas portion is controlled by the negative pressure generated in the throat of the gasifier.

Abstract: A fluidized bed furnace is provided in which liquid fuel can be burned. Injectors extend up through an imperforate bed plate which properly mix the oil or other liquid fuel with the fluidizing air causing evaporation of the oil. This mixture is passed through restricted openings as it enters the fluidized bed, thus resulting in high velocity flow and fairly even fuel and combustion distribution throughout the cross-section of the fluidized bed.

Abstract: In a pulverized fuel-fired furnace (10), the temperature of the mixture of pulverized fuel and primary air leaving the mill (36) is measured and compared to a preselected minimum acceptable temperature. Whenever the measured mixture temperature drops below a preselected minimum, the flow damper (78) disposed in the tempering air duct (44) is closed to minimize the flow of tempering air therethrough and a heating fluid (62) is passed in heat exchange relationship with any ambient temperature air leaking past the flow damper in the tempering air duct thereby preheating the tempering airflow. Preferably, hot water (62) is circulated from the waterwall inlet header (22) of the water-cooled water walls (12) of the furnace (10) through a heat exchanger (60) disposed in the tempering air duct (44) and then returned back to the water-cooling circuit (24) of the water-cooled furnace walls at a location upstream of the circulating pump (26).

Abstract: The invention provides a hold-down device which maintains a net downward force on a fuel assembly in a nuclear reactor under all thermal and hydraulic conditions in the reactor core region. The hold-down device is particularly applicable in reactors having stainless steel support barrels and Zircaloy guide tubes.The hold-down device of the preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised of coil springs coaxially disposed about alignment posts which extend upwardly from the top end plate of each fuel assembly. A hold-down plate is slideably mounted on the alignment posts and the coil springs are interposed, in compression, between the hold-down plate and the top end plate. In use, the coil springs bias the hold-down plate upwardly against a core alignment plate to provide a downward force on the fuel assembly. The hold-down plate may also serve as a lifting surface for the fuel assembly during fuel handling.