Abstract: A fuel assembly having a lower end fitting and a spidered actuating rod interacting therewith for holding the assembly down on the core support stand against the upward flow of coolant. Locking means and bracing means for interacting with projections on the support stand are carried by the lower end fitting and are actuated by the movement of the actuating rod operated from above the top of the assembly. The locking means include weak springs mounted near some but not all of the end fitting posts, for engaging the support stand. Stiff springs are mounted internal to the other posts, for uring the posts against adjacent support stand projections to provide a bracing for the locking means as the spider portion of the actuating rod presses against the locking spring. The angle and spring rate per unit length of the bracing spring are preset to assure a fairly constant locking force during the life of the assembly.

Abstract: A plurality of electrostatic fields is arranged to progressively separate the liquids from their emulsions having a low dielectric strength. The emulsions are first passed through one of the electrostatic fields between insulated electrodes. With the breaking of the emulsion begun by the first electrostatic field, the emulsion is next flowed in an electrostatic field between uninsulated electrodes. The final stage is the passing of the almost completely broken emulsion through an electrostatic field between electrodes which are arranged to systematically degrade their field.

Abstract: A support arrangement for horizontal tubes (14) located in a gas pass. Vertical hanger tubes (20) have longitudinal fins (30) on opposite sides thereof, and a U strap (32) is arranged to surround the horizontal tube to be supported with the U strap welded only to the longitudinal fin.

Abstract: In a gate valve, which has a backseat which is made up only when the normally non-rising operator stem is permitted to rise a short distance, and in order that a smaller-diameter stem may be used than one which is of sufficient area where it passes through the stem packing to cause the internal pressure within the valve cavity to generate sufficient force to overcome the frictional forces resisting stem movement developed by the internal pressure between the gate plates and the seats, so that the stem may rise when it is supposed to, to make the backseat, a system of clearances is provided between the stem nut and the gate plates. A different stop arrangement is shown for limiting rising of the gate, for defining the fully open position of the gate.

Abstract: A support rack is shown as constructed of stainless steel angle members permanently welded together so as to comply with seismic requirements for nuclear power plant components. The four basic sides of the rack form a rectangle with the longer sides vertically extended. Permanent stainless steel plates extend between the vertical sides of the rack to add to the overall stability of the rack and form mounting bases. To some of the mounting bases is removably connected a second plate which bears signal transducers and transmitters. The rack is adapted for both floor and wall mounting at its permanent station.

Abstract: In a pulverized coal-fired steam generator having a generally vertical furnace (1) and a plurality of fuel-air admission assemblies (10) arrayed in a vertical windbox (40) in one or more walls of the furnace (1), at least one of the fuel-air admission assemblies (10) being a low load fuel-air admission assembly having a split coal bucket (30) with vertically adjustable upper and lower coal nozzles (32,34), the remaining assemblies having vertically adjustable single nozzle buckets (28), a tilt apparatus (50,60) for vertically adjusting all nozzles in unison in response to steam temperature at high loads and for vertically adjusting the lower coal nozzles of the split coal bucket of the low load fuel-air admission assembly independent of all remaining nozzles at low loads.

Abstract: A bag filter housing (10) having filter bag tensioning means for providing a predetermined tension on each filter bag (28). The tension may be quickly released by means of a lever (40) incorporated into the bag tensioning means thereby allowing the filter bags to be quickly removed and replaced as necessary to maintain optimum dust collection performance.

Abstract: A head equipment support structure system (HESS) (10) particularly adapted to be cooperatively associated with a nuclear reactor vessel (12) for purposes of effecting a separation of the electrical cables (30) that are utilized in the head area of such a vessel (12), as well as for purposes of providing support for these cables (30). The subject HESS (10) which is in the form of an integral structure that is removably supported relative to the vessel (12) combines the features of cable support structure, missile shield, and cooling ductwork support structure. The HESS (10) embodies horizontally disposed multiple decks (14) to which the cables (30) are vertically routed from the reactor vessel head. The decks (14), which are located in vertically spaced relation directly above the reactor vessel head, support and separate the cables (30).

Abstract: An SO.sub.2 flue gas scrubbing system wherein a calcium compound is dissolved in water and recirculated in contact with the flue gases. Calcium sulfite and sulfate formed in this process are also recirculated. A stream of the slurry passing to waste is separated based on the rate of settling of the constituents so that calcium sulfate and undissolved calcium compound is returned to the recirculating system with the calcium sulfite being sent to waste.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a perforated plate (24) air distributor for a fluidized bed combustion boiler. The plate (24) is supported (26) around its entire periphery, and at given points (42) within its periphery, in such a manner that it is free to expand due to thermal growth in a horizontal direction, while still being capable of supporting a vertical load (12) without sagging, buckling, or being subject to failure.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly (10) having a channel (12) through which a high temperature, high pressure, ionized gas may be passed while immersed in a high strength magnetic field produced therein by a magnet substructure (16) disposed about the channel and a support superstructure (20) for absorbing and equilibrating the repulsive magnetic forces generated within the magnet substructure (16) when the magnet substructure (16) is energized. The inner surface of the magnet support superstructure (20) and the outer surface of the magnet substructure (16) are machined to provide a catenary-shaped interface (24) therebetween.

Abstract: An arrangement that utilizes agglomerating coal as a binder to bond coal fines and recycled char into an agglomerate mass that will have suitable retention time when introduced into a fluidized bed 14 for combustion. The simultaneous use of coal for a primary fuel and as a binder effects significant savings in the elimination of non-essential materials and processing steps.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling ash and slag produced in the combustion of coal or other ash-bearing fuel in the furnace (10) of a steam generator, including a submerged scraper conveyor (14) beneath the furnace (10), and a water seal (22) including a trough (26) between the two for preventing the atmosphere from being exposed to the furnace interior. A hydraulic actuator (40,42) is prodived for allowing submerged scraper conveyor (14) to be quickly removed from beneath the furnace (10) when the unit is shut down for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly (10) suitable for use as a magnetohydrodynamic generator having an elongated channel (12) through which a high temperature, high ionized gas may be passed while immersed in a high strength magnetic field produced therein by a plurality of elongated saddle-shaped superconducting magnet rings (16) disposed side-by-side in planes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel as symmetrical pairs with the end turns of each of the rings outwardly directed. A compression member end support (30), preferably wedge-shaped, is disposed between the end turns of the symmetrical pairs of saddle-shaped superconducting magnet rings (16) so as to absorb the attractive forces generated between the end turns.

Abstract: A fuel assembly having a lower end fitting and actuating means interacting therewith for holding the assembly down on the core support stand against the upward flow of coolant. Locking means for interacting with projections on the support stand are carried by the lower end fitting and are actuated by the movement of an actuating rod operated from above the top of the assembly. In one embodiment of the invention the downward movement of the actuating rod forces a latched spring to move outward into locking engagement with a shoulder on the support stand projections. In another embodiment, the actuating rod is rotated to effect the locking between the end fitting and the projection.

Abstract: A bimetallic spacer means designed to be cooperatively associated with a nuclear fuel assembly and operative to resist the occurrence of in-reactor bowing of the nuclear fuel assembly. The subject bimetallic spacer means in accord with one embodiment of the invention includes a member formed, at least principally, of zircaloy to which are attached a plurality of stainless steel strips. The latter stainless steel strips are located on the external surface of the zircaloy member and with the major axis of each of the plurality of stainless steel strips extending substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the zircaloy member.

Abstract: A steam generating diffuser comprising a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged to form a horizontally disposed, longitudinally elongated open-ended divergent duct. A refractory lining is laid up around the inner surface of the divergent duct so as to protect the heat exchange tubes. The inlet of each heat exchange tube is connected to a lower water distribution header disposed beneath the duct and the outlet of each heat exchange tube is connected to an upper steam and water distribution header disposed above the duct. Each tube provides a fluid flow path between the lower and upper headers which is continuously upwardly directed.

Abstract: A furnace in which fuel, such as pulverized coal, is burned, with the fuel and air being introduced into the furnace through tangential burners located in each of the four corners thereof and being directed tangentially to an imaginary circle in the center of the furnace. The invention will be described with pulverized coal, but is not limited to coal. Combustion gases from downstream of the furnace are recirculated back to the furnace, and are also introduced into the furnace from the four corners, in a tangential manner. The coal is introduced along with primary air to be directed at the smallest of a series of concentric imaginary circles; the recirculated gases are directed tangentially at a somewhat larger imaginary circle; and the secondary air is directed tangentially at a still larger imaginary circle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing, controlling and operating a vapor control system for abating gasoline vapor emissions which occur at a gasoline service station during transfer of liquid gasoline from a gasoline supply tank truck to underground storage containers at the station and also during transfer of liquid gasoline from the underground storage containers to the gasoline tank of a vehicle through a service station gasoline pump. Each gasoline pump includes a dispensing nozzle having vapor return means communicating with the underground storage containers and also the vehicle tank. The underground storage containers have a vent means in communication with vapor collected in said storage container, with the vapor return means and with a vapor conducting line and vent line leading to a disposal means. The disposal means comprises a single burner and pilot means therefor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for securing a repair sleeve within a tubular fluid conveying conduit. The sleeve is positioned within the tube so that it extends coextensive with a region of degraded tube wall and partially beyond the axial extremes of the degraded area. A radially outwardly directed force is then applied to the tubular sleeve from within along a portion of the sleeve at each end, extending beyond the degraded area. The force is sufficient to cause outward plastic deformation of both the sleeve and the tube resulting in an interference mechanical joint therebetween.