Abstract: A control rod suspended to reciprocate in a guide tube of a nuclear fuel assembly has a hydraulic bearing formed at its lower tip. The bearing includes a plurality of discrete pockets on its outer surface into which a flow of liquid is continuously provided. In one embodiment the flow is induced by the pressure head in a downward facing chamber at the end of the bearing. In another embodiment the flow originates outside the guide tube. In both embodiments the flow into the pockets produces pressure differences across the bearing which counteract forces tending to drive the rod against the guide tube wall. Thus contact of the rod against the guide tube is avoided.

Abstract: A once through steam generator (10) for sliding pressure operation from supercritical pressure at high loads into the subcritical range at low loads, having vertical tubes (14) lining the furnace (12) walls and passing their entire length without a mixing header. The furnace tubes are internally rifled and have orifices (47) associated with them to proportion the flow at full load. A steam separator (26) receiving effluent from the tubes sends steam to the superheater (70) and at low ratings returns water (32,40) to the tubes for recirculation therethrough. The tubes (14) are sized in accordance with a specified criteria based on the mass flow rate at full load, or on the ratio of friction drop to static head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a penetrator for a wellhead in order to get a communication line for a down hole device out of a well through the wellhead. In particular, the line is brought up into the hanger for less than the full axial extent of the hanger, then led laterally out through the side of the hanger and out through the sidewall of the head below the hanger-to-head annulus seal. The communication line may be an electrical cable with particularly placed connecting fittings in the hanger and head and is shown providing for side access for easy, horizontal plug-in installation.

Abstract: The bearing assembly of a normally non-rising stem gate valve is provided with an annulus of fusible material. Upon subjection to a preselected temperature level, the fusible body melts out of the way, permitting the stem to raise slightly, making up a metal-to-metal seal between the valve stem and bonnet. This forms another line of defense against consequences from loss of the sealing normally provided by the valve stem packing.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant incorporating a coal gasifier as the energy source. The gases leaving the coal gasifier pass through a liquid couplant heat exchanger before being used to drive a gas turbine. The exhaust gases of the gas turbine are used to generate both high pressure and low pressure steam for driving a steam turbine, before being exhausted to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A steam generator is fired by a fossil fuel burner. The generator is shown as producing approximately 80% quality steam to be injected into oil wells to promote secondary recovery. The flame body from the burner is propagated along the longitudinal axis of a horizontally extended cylindrical chamber. Water and/or steam is passed through tubes mounted on the internal walls of the cylindrical chamber in order that they may absorb radiant heat from the flame body. The heat absorbing tubes are divided into groups, or sets, to establish the rate of water and/or steam flow through the tubes. The tubes within each group are extended as a plurality of reaches the length of the cylinder and are joined to each other by 180.degree. bends of that part of the tube between reaches. Each reach of each tube group is arranged on the internal wall of the cylinder to result in uniform exposure of the tube groups to the radiant heat.

Abstract: A compression hub for use in a fusion reactor system comprising a multiplicity of compression plates that are polygonal in configuration, and which are arranged in vertically stacked, spaced relation relative to each other. Each of the compression plates has rabbet means formed therein operable for receiving beam means in supported relation thereto. Securing means are provided for securing the beams in place relative to the rabbet means. The beam means are employable for purposes of effecting the interconnection of a plurality of magnet means to the compression hub. Each of the compression plates is also provided with fluid flow means. The fluid flow means of the compression plates cooperate with one another to establish a fluid flow path for coolant through the compression hub. The compression plates are interconnected together along their respective perimeters by seal plate means so as to form a closed, fluid tight structure.

Abstract: An earthquake resistant apparatus for storing nuclear fuel within a water-filled pool wherein a structural grid which supports the fuel is in turn supported by cables from an upper elevation. The grid is located below the water level and spaced from the walls of the pool an amount, preferably at least equal to the anticipated earthquake displacement. The grid is located below the water level a sufficient depth for radiation shielding during fuel handling and storage, and tension members are preferably ten times the design earthquake displacement. A horizontal baffle is located around the periphery of the pool at an elevation above the grid.

Abstract: In the back-pass of a steam generator, hot fly ash collects at a station. At the station to which the ash gravitates, a liquid bath is provided to receive the ash. Nozzles are arranged within the liquid receiving the ash to urge the material into a mechanical grinder in which the ash is reduced for ultimate disposal.

Abstract: The essential elements of the electrical system of a treater, or dehydrator, of produced oil well fluids are connected and physically oriented as mounted within the shell of the treater. The electrodes (1 and 2) of the treater are energized from a line supply, or mains, through a transformer (10), to establish an electrostatic field. The transformer introduces an inductive component to the load. A control circuit (40) is arranged to respond to the current demanded by this inductive load and disconnect the load from the line supply, or mains, in a predetermined program designed to protect the components of the system, yet reconnect the load to the supply as frequently as practical.

Abstract: A wear sleeve for a guide tube in a nuclear fuel assembly, and a method of installing the sleeve. The sleeve is an elongated metal cylinder having an upper portion adapted to be suspended from the upper end of the guide tube, and a lower portion adapted to be permanently deformed into interference fit with the walls of the guide tube whereby the sleeve may be secured against vertical movement. The method of installing the sleeve includes the steps of suspending the sleeve from the upper end of the guide tube, then expanding a selected lower surface of the sleeve until the sleeve is permanently deformed, whereby an interference fit between the sleeve and tube is formed.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure coal gasifier is combined with a MHD generator and a vapor generator to provide an entirely coal-fueled power generating system. The combustible low BTU gas formed in the gasifier is passed through a gas cleaner wherein particulate atter, gaseous sulfur compounds, and char are removed to produce a clean combustible low BTU gas. A first portion of the clean combustible low BTU gas and the char are passed to the burner of the MHD generator as a source of fuel. A second portion of the clean combustible low BTU gas is passed to a direct-fired air heater as a source of fuel for preheating the combustion air supplied to the burner of the MHD generator.

Abstract: A segmented ring header is disposed between and welded to two pressure containment vessels. The segmented ring header comprises a first hemi-toroidal shell having a plurality of openings around its inner circumference shaped to mate with heat transfer tubes lining the first pressure containment vessel, a second hemi-toroidal shell having a plurality of openings around its inner circumference shaped to mate with heat transfer tubes lining the second pressure containment vessel, and a flat ring-shaped plate disposed between the first and second hemi-toroidal shells and welded therebetween. Both the first and second hemi-toroidal shells also have a plurality of openings along their outer circumference for directing the cooling fluid to a collection drum located outside of the pressure containment vessels.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a shell lined with a plurality of heat transfer tubes, heat exchange surface disposed within the shell and submerged in a first heat transfer fluid, and a tube manifold penetrating through the shell and directing a second heat transfer fluid to and from the heat exchange surface. The tube manifold has an elongated L-shaped outer enclosure which has one leg disposed within the shell and the other leg penetrating through the shell, and an elongated L-shaped inner tube which passes through the outer enclosure. A first fluid flow path through the tube manifold is established through the inner tube and a second fluid flow path through the tube manifold is established between the inner tube and the outer enclosure.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of a zinc salt is used to selectively remove hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture. An insoluble basic zinc compound is added to the solution to regenerate, or replenish, the salt. A dispersant is added to both decrease the surface tension of the liquid and reduce the degree of hydration of the basic compound, thereby retarding significantly the agglomeration, settling and loss of the basic zinc compound.

Abstract: An imp mill having adjustment means, which is particularly suited for the fine and medium-fine grinding of softer non-metallic minerals and coal. The subject imp mill includes a housing that defines a grinding chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A multiplicity of swing-hammers are suitably mounted on a rotatable shaft for rotation within the grinding chamber whereby the swing-hammers are operable to effect the grinding of material located within the grinding chamber. The aforesaid shaft passes through the grinding chamber substantially at the center thereof and is externally driven by a suitable drive means. The imp mill further includes inlet means suitably supported on the housing so as to communicate with the inlet of the grinding chamber. The inlet means is operable to supply to the interior of the grinding chamber the material to be ground therein. There is also provided outlet means suitably supported on the housing so as to communicate with the outlet of the grinding chamber.

Abstract: An improved fuel-air admission assembly having a plate disposed along the longitudinal axis of the coal delivery pipe. The leading edge of the plate is orientated across the inlet end of the coal delivery pipe so that the high coal concentration portion of the primary air-pulverized coal stream discharging along the outer radius of the main fuel pipe outlet elbow is separated from the low coal concentration portion of the primary air-pulverized coal stream discharging along the inner radius of the main fuel pipe outlet elbow. The trailing edge of the plate is orientated across the outlet end of the coal delivery pipe so that the high and low coal concentration streams are directed into the furnace through separate nozzles.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly having an improved fuel rod of the type having a column of hollow pellets. A plurality of spacer plugs are interposed between proximate pellets at selected elevations along the fuel rod in order to trap pellet debris that would otherwise fall through the passage in the center of the column and accumulate at the bottom of the fuel rod. Thus, an undesirable power peak at the bottom of the fuel rod is avoided. In the preferred embodiment, the plugs are located at the same elevations as the fuel assembly grids, where the local flux is lowest and the effect of the plugs on the power distribution is minimized. The plugs could be made from any material, but graphite or a low enrichment UO.sub.2 pellet are preferred.

Abstract: A range of weld metals is disclosed that is resistant to changes in nil-ductility transition temperatures (NDTT) caused by exposure to neutron fluences greater than 1.times.10.sup.17 neutrons per square centimeter. Designed for use in nuclear reactor pressure vessels, the weldment that exhibits this resistance to neutron-induced ductility decreases is characterized by the condition that an index is less than 0.4. That index is the ratio of the sum of the weight percentages of nickel and silicon in the metal to the sum of the weight percentages in the metal of manganese, chromium and molybdenum. This constraint on the index, when applied to a weld metal within the composition ranges given in this specification, gives a weldment resistant to neutron-induced property changes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing, in an essentially continuous operation, the control rods and the upper guide structure from a nuclear reactor vessel during refueling. The apparatus includes a rigid frame which is secured to the upper guide structure after the vessel head is removed. A platform is vertically reciprocable within the frame and is adapted to engage and lift simultaneously all control rod drive shafts to a maximum elevation within the frame. A mechanical interface between the platform and the frame is provided so that continuation of the lifting force on the platform transfers the lift force to the frame whereby the upper guide structure is lifted out of the vessel. Automatically operated stop means are provided to lock the platform and rods in the maximum elevation within the frame in order to prevent accidental dropping of the rods during transfer of the upper guide structure and control rods to a temporary storage area.