Abstract: A tool is essentially an extensible mechanical arm adapted on one end to support equipment in a hostile environment while the arm is manually manipulated from its second end in a benign environment. The arm is pivoted at the entrance to an area containing nuclear radiation with its end projected into the radiation area, and adapted to install and remove equipment.

Abstract: Sawdust is mixed with partially concentrated black liquor from pulp manufacture. The sawdust, coated with the solids of the black liquor, is dried by heated air. The sawdust, coated with organic and inorganic black liquor solids, is fed to the hearth of a chemical recovery boiler. Combustion of the char formed on the boiler hearth produces heat which causes additional organic material to pyrolize. The inorganic material combines to form molten smelt. The moisture-laden, heated air from the dryer is introduced into the boiler with the secondary air and the smelt is tapped off into an aqueous solution to form green liquor.

Abstract: A sample chamber has the noble gases of effluent first pumped through it from a nuclear process. A quantifying detector of noble gases in the effluent has a predetermined range. A control system is actuated by the detector at the setpoint of a predetermined count rate to terminate the flow of the effluent from the first pump to the sample chamber. A second pump is connected to the chamber to evacuate the chamber upon termination of the first flow into the chamber. A restricted passage is connected between the chamber and the effluent with which to draw the effluent through the chamber by the second pump for so long as the quantity of noble gases in the effluent is above the predetermined setpoint.

Abstract: A structural support for a module of a concentric tube type recuperative heat exchanger. A plurality of support beams 18 extend laterally across each module to support upper and lower tube sheets 22-24 independent from surrounding housing structure. The support beams are attached to the tube sheets by pivotal hangers 26 that permit relative movement therebetween, while said support beams are themselves supported at their ends on lateral shelf units affixed to the housing that surrounds each module.

Abstract: The alkanolpyridines, as physical solvents, compare favorably, as a family, with sulfolane in their absorption of hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans. The data show absorption differences of the alkanolpyridines diluted with water, as compared with the alkanolpyridines mixed with amine. Both sets of data indicate an absorption performance substantially equal to, or better than, the performance of sulfolane. The chemical structure of pyridine is shown below. This structure is shown with the understanding that the alkanolpyridines would have the propanol or carbinol radicals, which are also shown, or other alkanol radicals substituted at the 2, 3 or 4 position.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling ash and slag produced in the combustion of coal or other ash-bearing fuel in a top-supported furnace (10) of a steam generator, including a submerged scraper conveyor unit (14) beneath the furnace (10), and a water seal (24, 26) including a bottom-supported trough (26) positioned beneath the furnace (10), and plates (24) secured to the furnace bottom extending down into the trough (26). The submerged scraper conveyor unit (14) is bottom-supported independently of the trough (26), and there is an adjustable (34) seal member (29) between the two to prevent gas leakage therebetween.

Abstract: A fluidized bed call (10) having a static ignition bed (18) of inert heat storage particles (50) disposed immediately beneath and adjacent to a fluidizing region (44) wherein fuel particles are combusted, characterized in that the heat storage particles (50) are generally spherical in shape, each particle having a plurality of protuberances (52) extending outwardly from the surface of the particle a preselected length thereby maintaining a minimum spacing, equal to the preselected length of the protuberances, between neighboring spherical particles within the static ignition bed thereby ensuring that sufficient void space (54) exists within the static ignition bed for the fluidizing air to flow upward through the static ignition bed into the fluidizing region without an excessive pressure drop and for the fuel particles to laterally penetrate the static ignition bed.

Abstract: A loose fitting movable cover plate (36), suitable for the severe service encountered in a fluidized bed combustor (10), restricts the flow of solids into the combustor drain lines (30) during shutdown of the bed. This cover makes it possible to empty spent solids from the bed drain lines which would otherwise plug the piping between the drain and the downstream metering device. This enables use of multiple drain lines each with a separate metering device for the control of solids flow rate.

Abstract: A removable seal for interconnecting passageways (10, 12) that move relative to each other. A liquid containing trough (28) is secured to one of the passageways, preferably the lower, and it has floated in it a curtain member (40) which moves in accordance with the level of liquid in the trough. This member (40) extends from the trough (28) and sealingly engages the other passageway when in an upper position but is spaced therefrom when in a lower position. This construction is especially suitable for sealing an ash hopper (12) to the lower end of a furnace (10).

Abstract: An improved nozzle tip (10) for a pulverized coal-fired burner having one or more splitter plates (20) disposed therein. Each splitter plate (20) is formed of a first portion (22) of highly abrasion resistant material disposed at the inlet end of the nozzle tip (10) and a second portion (24) of highly heat resistant material disposed at the outlet end of the nozzle tip (10).

Abstract: A circuit for compensating the temperature dependence of the deformation properties of a pressure transducer sensor, having four basic parts: a current source having an output proportional to the sensor temperature, a constant voltage source, a Norton divider, and an operational amplifier. One brach of the Norton divider is a variable conductance ladder having an output current which increases at a programmed rate as the current from the temperature dependent source increases. The programmed rate is based on the temperature-dependent characteristic of the transducer sensor. The two branches of the Norton divider are connected as inputs to the operational amplifier. The operational amplifier provides the output of the compensating circuit, which is the difference between the reference voltage of the voltage source and the voltage at the output of the variable conductance ladder.

Abstract: The seed, in the form of K.sub.2 SO.sub.4, is fed into an MHD combustor, mechanically recovered, and recycled. Sulfur dioxide in the discharge of the MHD channel is recovered downstream by a fluidized bed of lime/limestone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhancing the heat transfer efficiency and lowering the temperature of tube walls used in a tubular gas to gas heat exchanger. The heat exchanger utilizes essentially flat sided tubes for the transfer of heat from hot gas flowing over the tubes to a cooler gas flowing therethrough. The apparatus of the invention includes a metallic heat shield inserted into the tubes between sides thereof to intercept radiation from the outer walls of said tubes and transfer it to the cooler gas flowing therethrough.

Abstract: Regenerative heat exchange apparatus (12) for the transfer of heat from a heating fluid (hot gas) to a fluid to be heated such as air. Valve means (16-A, 18-A, 22-A, 24-A) control the flow of heating fluid and the fluid to be heated to and through their respective ducts in the heat exchanger. A bypass duct (38) reversely directs heating fluid through the heat exchanger (12) to displace heated air trapped therein after the valve (24-A) controlling the air supply has been closed.

Abstract: For sealing between an inner part and an outer part which are generally concentrically related so as to have an annulus between them, an elastomeric sealing annulus is axially sandwiched between two beveled anti-extrusion rings, each of which has a deflectable lip. There is a first running clearance radially between this assembly and the bore of the outer part, and a second running clearance between this assembly and the outer peripheral surface of the inner part. When the two parts and the sealing assembly all reach their intended relative positions the seal is established by axially compressing the assembly sufficiently to significantly de-bevel both of the anti-extrusion rings, deflect their lips into contact with one of the parts while urging their opposite edges into contact with the other of the parts. As the elastomeric sealing annulus is axially compressed it expands radially inwards and outwards into resilient sealing engagement with the two parts.

Abstract: A dam, or barrier, structure is moved along the edge, or corner, of a workpiece to control the flow limits of molten material of arc welding. The dam structure provides a dimentionally stable groove at the edge of the workpiece surface into which is received granulated flux and positions the body of the flux along the edge, or corner, of the workpiece surface to function as a mold for the molten material, and, thereby, prevent the falling of the flowing material from the surface. The dam structure has the specific form of a continuous tread of segments which advances around parallel rollers to reform the retaining groove structure opposite the arc operation on the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: The potassium compounds in heavy black liquor flowing in the recovery cycle are reduced by the introduction of magnesium nesosilicate to form magnesium potassium silicate which is voided from the system by filtration.

Abstract: Sawdust is mixed with partially concentrated black liquor from pulp manufacture. The sawdust, coated with the solids of the black liquor, is dried by heated air. The sawdust, coated with organic and inorganic black liquor solids, is fed to the hearth of a chemical recovery boiler. Combustion of the char formed on the boiler hearth produces heat which causes additional organic material to pyrolize. The inorganic material combines to form molten smelt. The moisture-laden, heated air from the dryer is introduced into the boiler with the secondary air and the smelt is tapped off into an aqueous solution to form green liquor.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic topping unit is added to a pre-existing fossil fuel steam generating plant by a system of conduits and a chamber which show the high velocity output gas of the generator, attenuate oxides of nitrogen, reduce the temperature of the channel output gas, and initiate recovery of seed material. The connecting system is arranged to recover heat from the output gas of the MHD channel by absorbing this heat in the feed water system of the steam generator. The addition of the MHD channel to the existing steam generator provides an alternate source of heat for the steam generator.

Abstract: The rotor of a turbine meter has a high performance polymer bushing and is mounted on a stainless steel shaft. The polymer bushing through the rotor has a flange formed on each end to capture the body of the rotor. The stainless steel shaft on which the rotor is journaled is bonded into a cavity of a spider with a slip-fit, the flanges on the bushing bearing alternatively on the spiders, depending upon the direction of metered flow.