Abstract: Apparatus for aligning the stopper valve (14) with the seat (12) in a bottom pour ladle (10), including a locking arrangement (36) which can be loosened to permit the valve (14) to properly close on the seat (12). The locking arrangement (36) is then locked into position with the stopper valve (14) in true alignment with the seat (12).

Abstract: A method of providing tubes, of the type intended primarily for use in boilers, with a variably rifled interior surface. The function of the latter surface is to create a turbulence within the tube operative to break up laminar flow of the water or steam flowing therethrough so as to thereby promote more efficient heat transfer during steam generation and so as to prevent overheating of the tube. The subject method includes the steps of providing a suitably dimensioned, smooth surface, hardened mandrel; wrapping a wire-like member on the hardened mandrel so as to form thereon a reverse image of the desired, variably patterned tube rifling; inserting the hardened mandrel into a tube; with the hardened mandrel so positioned in the tube producing a reduction in the tube diameter so as to cause the wire-like member to become embedded in the inner wall of the tube; and thereafter withdrawing the hardened mandrel from the tube while leaving the wire-like member embedded in the tube inner wall.

Abstract: The oscillatory forces acting on an eccentric rod within a diffuser are reduced by an annular bypass collar around the rod immediately upstream of the diffuser region. The collar includes a sleeve portion that completely surrounds the rod and a bypass channel outside the sleeve which carries most of the fluid into the diffuser region on a path parallel to but spaced from the rod. The collar is most effective when a multiplicity of discrete bypass channels are provided.

Abstract: A steam generating heat exchanger of modular design for cooling a high pressure, hot combustible gas laden with molten ash particles comprising a first convective cooler having a vertically orientated U-shaped gas pass housing a superheater and an evaporator, a radiant cooler disposed upstream of the first convective cooler and a second convective cooler housing an economizer disposed downstream of the first convective cooler. In-line tube bundles form the superheater, evaporator, and the economizer thereby minimizing ash deposition upon the heat transfer surface. The gas velocity within the radiant cooler is maintained low enough to permit molten ash particles entrained in the gas to coalesce and precipitate out of the gas stream, while the gas velocity within the convective coolers is maintained high enough to discourage ash deposition upon the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: An improved pulverizer rejects disposal system having an air separator disposed in the sluice pipeline to remove any air entrained in the pulverizer rejects/water slurry prior to injection into the bottom ash hopper of a pulverized coal-fired boiler.

Abstract: Fusion cast refractories are formed by first displacing the air from the mold cavity with an inert, heavy gas, preferably argon. The molten fusion cast refractory is then poured into the mold cavity and allowed to solidify. This procedure minimizes the evolution of gases from molds which have an organic binder and thus reduces the formation of pores in the solidified refractory.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a hot, high pressure gas and utilizing the heat removed therefrom for generating hot water comprising a first and a second vertically elongated pressure containment vessels, the second vessel disposed coaxially within the first vessel so as to establish an annular space between the outer surface of the second vessel and the inner surface of the first vessel. A gas inlet pipe penetrates through the bottom of the first vessel opening into the second vessel at the bottom thereof and a gas outlet pipe penetrates through the top of the first vessel opening into the second vessel at top thereof, thereby providing a passageway for the hot gas to flow through the second vessel. Water is circulated through the annular space between the first and second vessels and heated therein as it absorbs heat lost by the hot gas passing through the second vessel.

Abstract: A tube receives a liquid-gas mixture into a first end. Blades are mounted at the first end of the tube and the gas-liquid mixture impinges on the blades and is directed by the blades into a vortex within the tube. Openings in the tube wall conduct the liquid thrown against the interior of the wall into a casing formed over the wall openings. The gas, separated from the liquid, is passed from the second end of the tube while the liquid separated from the gas and collected in the annulus between the external wall of the tube and the casing over the wall openings is discharged.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a high, positive locking force at the bottom of a nuclear fuel assembly to resist upward coolant flow forces. A latch on the fuel assembly alignment post is cammed to engage the fuel alignment pin in the core support stand and is linked to an actuating rod extending through the lower end of the fuel assembly center guide tube. The upward flow of coolant against the link and actuating rod causes the link to approach the horizontal, thereby exerting a high locking force between the latch and the fuel alignment pin. In the preferred embodiment spring means interact between the lower end fitting and the actuating rod to maintain an upward bias on the rod.

Abstract: Submerged arc strip cladding of the workpiece is carried out on a workpiece which has a surface inclined to the horizontal transverse to the direction of the welding progress. The flux burden is skewed in a zone overlaying the molten metal area with a heavier burden being located on the downhill side of the weld than on the uphill side.

Abstract: A security panel door of wooden construction, which is characterized by its ability to successfully meet established security test criteria that have been promulgated under existing official building codes, and a method of construction thereof. The subject security panel door embodies a pair of stiles, at least a top rail and a bottom rail, and at least one panel member. One of the longitudinally extending side edges of each of the pair of stiles has first joint means formed therein. The latter first joint means each include at least a first portion and a second portion, with the aforesaid first portion being larger than the aforesaid second portion in at least one dimension. Both the top rail and the bottom rail have a second joint means formed in one of the longitudinally extending side edges thereof. Each of the second joint means includes at least a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion being larger than the second portion in at least one dimension.

Abstract: An improved nuclear reactor fuel assembly of a type having a control rod guide tube through which a control rod may be reciprocated from above and through which a coolant flow is maintained from below wherein the improvement comprises the guide tube having a flow restriction at its upper end and having a plurality of flow bypass channels spaced around the tube circumference below the restriction for directing coolant flow generally radially outward from the guide tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining the heat input to a pulverized coal-fired steam generator when firing a lower grade coal than for which the pulverizers were designed. A dense phase pulverized coal stream consisting essentially of a mixture of pulverized coal and air having an air-to-coal weight ratio below approximately 1.0 is injected into main pulverized coal stream, thereby providing the necessary supplemental fuel for maintaining the heat input at that full load level.

Abstract: Semi-automatic welding apparatus is suspended from a plug body vertically force fitted into the end of a tube to which the plug is welded. The plug body configuration is disclosed, along with the internal arrangement it provides for suspending the welding apparatus. A mandrel is depicted in its movable parts which enables it to be manually linked between the plug body and welding apparatus.

Abstract: A nuclear steam generator has a blowdown pump arranged to pump water from the blowdown lines through a filter for return to the steam generator. The piping is arranged so that the same pump may operate to reverse the direction of pumping through the blowdown line, whereby reverse circulation may be established during wet lay up of the steam generator. A blower is arranged to withdraw nitrogen from an upper elevation in the steam generator and injected into the blowdown line in combination with the pumped reverse circulation during wet lay up.

Abstract: A fluidized bed boiler feed system for the combustion of pulverized coal. Coal is first screened to separate large from small particles. Large particles of coal are fed directly to the top of the fluidized bed while fine particles are first mixed with recycled char, preheated, and then fed into the interior of the fluidized bed to promote char burnout and to avoid elutriation and carryover.

Abstract: A system for drying and preheating small metallic particles such as chips, turnings, borings and the like to remove volatiles therefrom which includes a dryer working in conjunction with a briquetting press. The dryer includes a drying and preliminary combustion chamber includng a revolving drum therein through which the chips pass. The drying and preliminary combustion is heated and is atmospherically sealed and operated with a reducing atmosphere. The volatiles driven from the metallic particles are passed to a combustion completion chamber which is maintained at a temperature sufficient to burn the combustibles and into which air is injected to complete the combustion. The hot metallic particles are thermally insulated and sealed from the atmosphere while being conveyed from the drying and preliminary combustion chamber to the briquetting press where they are compressed into briquettes for subsequent introduction into induction furnaces and the like.

Abstract: A burner of relatively small BTU rating embodying a multiplicity of jets and particularly suited for burning pulverized coal in small air heater or furnace applications. The subject burner includes a housing having first inlet means formed at one end thereof and outlet means formed at the other end thereof. The first inlet means is connectable to a pipe means through which pulverized coal and primary air are fed from a suitable source thereof to the burner. The burner is further provided with second inlet means, the latter being formed in the burner housing so as to be located therein in close proximity to the aforesaid first inlet means. The second inlet means is connectable to a suitable source of secondary air from where secondary air is fed to the burner.

Abstract: A short-stroke steam lance is reciprocated through an opening in a furnace wall. A protuberance is mounted on a section of the lance to extend into spiral grooves of a structure mounted on the framework. The steam to the lance is supplied when its valve is actuated by the lance moved into its extreme forward position.

Abstract: A duct, presumably that of a utility boiler or the like, has a frame mounted on its internal walls. Parallel louver blades are mounted in the frame and linked for simultaneous actuation to move the louver-blades between a first position where they seal the frame opening against the flow of gaseous fluid and a second position where they permit the relatively free flow of gaseous fluid through the frame. Bearings for the louver shafts are mounted external the duct in which the frame is mounted and a truss is attached to the upstream and downstream edges of the frame to insure dimensional stability under the stress applied to the duct by the varying pressure and temperature of the gaseous fluid passing through the duct.