Abstract: An improved fuel-air admission assembly incorporating a split coal bucket which permits a pulverized coal-fired furnace to be operated at low loads without the use of auxiliary fuel to provide stabilization. The split coal bucket comprises an upper and a lower coal nozzle pivotally mounted to the coal delivery pipe, the upper and lower coal nozzles being independently tiltable. When the furnace is operating at low loads, the primary air and pulverized coal stream discharging from the coal delivery pipe is split into a first and a second coal-air stream and independently directed into the furnace by tilting at least one of the nozzles away from the longitudinal axis of the coal delivery pipe, thereby establishing an ignition stabilizing pocket in the locally low pressure zone created between the spread apart coal-air streams.

Abstract: A short-stroke steam lance is reciprocated through an opening in a furnace wall. A section of the lance has an extended spiral groove engaged by a protuberance from a supporting framework to force the lance to reciprocate when the lance is rotated by a motor. The steam to the lance is supplied when its valve is actuated by the lance moved into its extreme forward position.

Abstract: A method of operating a pulverized coal furnace wherein the coal is introduced with minimal oxygen through an intermediate zone of the furnace which also has a relatively low oxygen content. The carbon particles are projected into an upstream portion of the furnace where secondary air is introduced to burn the carbon particles. The combustion products pass upwardly through the intermediate zone to a downstream zone where tertiary air is added to complete combustion.

Abstract: A valve operator that is provided with a back seat which comes into use when the normally non-rising stem operator and its bearing-enclosing bonnet gland are raised, e.g. so that stem packing can be replaced, is further provided with another way to actuate the back seat, one which will come into play should the valve be subjected to heat of sufficient intensity as to call the integrity of the stem packing or other critical parts into question. The further activation mode depends on the melting of fusible material which permits the operator and its bearings to rise relative to the bonnet.

Abstract: A valve operator for a normally open valve is maintained in a cocked, ready to close mode by an arrangement which includes a radially contracted, self-expansible split retainer ring backed by a body of fusible material. Should the vicinity of the associated valve be subjected to the heat of a fire, the fusible body will melt out of blocking relation, permitting the split ring to expand free of the operator stem. A cocked spring recovers, axially moving the stem both to shut the valve and to engage a metal-to-metal back seat between the valve stem and valve bonnet. The latter event ensures against leakage even if the fire or wear has ruined the integrity of the usual valve stem packing.

Abstract: A scrubber bypass damper comprises a plate pivotally-mounted to a shaft running across the bypass duct transverse to gas flow. The damper plate self-actuates and rotates about the shaft in response to any pressure differential established across it. A scrubber booster fan is disposed in the main flue at a location downstream of the scrubber and upstream of the outlet of the scrubber bypass into the main flue. When the scrubber is in operation, the pressure rise imparted to the flue gas by the scrubber booster fan is adjusted to keep the damper plate disposed transverse to gas flow through the bypass duct thereby preventing gas flow therethrough. When the scrubber is taken out-of-service, the booster fan is shutdown and the damper plate self-actuates, opening in response to pressure forces exerted on it by the induced draft fan, thus preventing over-pressurization of the furnace.

Abstract: A steam flow path arrangement for covering the walls of the rear gas pass of a steam generator. The entire flow passes down the sidewalls with a minor portion then passing up through the rear wall to a superheater inlet header at an intermediate elevation. The major portion of the flow passes up the front wall and through hanger tubes to a roof header. From there the major portion passes across the roof and down the rear wall to the superheater inlet header at the intermediate elevation.

Abstract: Pulverized coal is ignited, to furnish energy for warm-up or low load operation of a coal burning furnace, by a technique which does not require the combustion of significant quantities of liquid or gaseous fuels. The direct ignition of pulverized coal in accordance with the present invention contemplates the delivery of a dense phase coal/air stream to an ignition zone where it receives ignition energy and the thus ignited mixture is thereafter contained in a recirculation region until the flame becomes self-sustaining.

Abstract: An individual cell of a fluidized bed includes a static bed disposed immediately below the fluidization region with a coal feed system, which incorporates means for igniting the coal, embedded within the static bed. Coal is fed to the static bed through a coal pipe which extends vertically upward through the bed support plate into said bed and which terminates therein in a coal distributor having a series of openings around its circumference. The coal is swirled as it flows upward through the coal pipe with resultant centrifugal force imparted to the coal ensuring that the coal will be propelled out of the openings in the distributor head and evenly distributed over the cell area.

Abstract: A valve operator for a normally open valve is maintained in a cocked, ready to close mode by an arrangement which includes a radially contracted, self-expansible split retainer ring backed by a body of fusible material. Should the vicinity of the associated valve be subjected to the heat of a fire, the fusible body will melt out of blocking relation, permitting the split ring to expand free of the operator stem. A cocked spring recovers, axially moving the stem both to shut the valve and to engage a metal-to-metal back seat between the valve stem and valve bonnet. The latter event ensures against leakage even if the fire or wear has ruined the integrity of the usual valve stem packing. The valve operator is further provided with a manual override which permits the valve to be closed and opened, e.g. using a remotely actuated pneumatic operator even while the body of fusible material remains intact and in place.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant having a steam generator and a gas turbine which makes use of a high temperature liquid couplant, or heat exchange arrangement, and a low temperature liquid couplant, or heat exchange arrangement, for maximizing use of the heat available in the power plant. The high temperature liquid couplant extracts heat from the gases leaving a coal gasifier, and is used in (1) a high temperature air heater for the gasifier, and (2) a high temperature fuel preheater of a steam generator. The low temperature liquid couplant extracts heat from the exhaust gases of the steam generator, and is used as (1) preheat for the high temperature liquid couplant, (2) low temperature air preheater for the gasifier, (3) a booster fan inlet heater, and (4) a low temperature fuel preheater for the steam generator.

Abstract: An enclosed reservoir is sized and located in relation to the steam generator of a pressurized water nuclear reactor power plant so that upon a loss of feedwater flow to the steam generator, a gravity induced supplementary flow into the steam generator is automatically initiated to dissipate the residual heat generated in the reactor. The height of the reservoir is the same as the distance between upper and lower design limits on steam generator feedwater level. The top of the steam generator is fluidly connected to the top of the reservoir to equalize the pressure therebetween. The gravity induced flow from the reservoir to the steam generator produces a water level in the steam generator that stays within the upper and lower design limits.

Abstract: Furnace performance is controlled during start-up or very low load operation at a time when the minimum air flow required to be supplied to the furnace is significantly greater than that required to burn the fuel being supplied to the furnace. Decreased furnace heat absorption is accomplished by supplying a larger quantity of the air immediately adjacent the fuel input location for the purpose of diluting the combustion gases and immediately decreasing their temperature level. Increased furnace heat absorption is obtained by introducing a greater portion of the air flow into the furnace at a location remote from the fuel being burned so that the gases at the fuel location remain at a high temperature, and transfer heat to the walls, before being diluted by the incoming air.

Abstract: A method for disposal of sodium containing waste material comprising combustion sodium containing waste material and a silica bearing material in an incinerator having interior walls lined with a refractory material which tends to react with metallic sodium and deteriorate. The sodium containing waste material comprises sodium salt and/or bases and by providing reaction conditions whereby the metallic sodium tends to react with silica to provide a combustion product including a sodium silicate compound, the combustion is carried out in manner to reduce deterioration of refractory materials by reaction with metallic sodium. Also disclosed is a method for the simultaneous disposal of sodium containing waste material and rice hulls which contain silica and provide a portion of the combustion energy.

Abstract: A high alumina, plastic refractory mixture containing 30 to 70 percent crushed fused alumina chrome grog, 10 to 30 percent glass industry grade chromite, 3 to 12 percent alumina, 2 to 6 percent bond clay and 3 to 18 percent of an acid phosphate binder.

Abstract: Means for preventing chip penetration of fractured ceramic fuel into the cladding of a fast spectrum nuclear reactor fuel element is disclosed. Included in the fuel element external to the pellet column but internal of the cladding is a woven cylinder or web of fine wire or of bandage wrapped metallic ribbons. The cylindrical web acts to retain ceramic chips in their positions so that they do not become lodged between the pellets and the clad: which condition could lead to clad failure.

Abstract: A pulverizing bowl mill embodying improved air deflector means and particularly suited for use in effecting the grinding of material. The subject bowl mill includes a substantially closed separator body in which a grinding table is supported for rotation. A plurality of grinding rolls are supported within the separator body and cooperate with the rotating grinding table to effect the grinding of the material, which is disposed upon the grinding table. Air deflector means corresponding in number to the number of grinding rolls are mounted within the separator body so as to be located in juxtaposed relation to the inner surface of the separator body and so that an air deflector means is interposed between each pair of adjacent grinding rolls. An air supply means suitably formed in the separator body is associated with each of the air deflector means. Each of the air supply means is operable to supply air from an external source thereof therethrough to the interior of the separator body.

Abstract: A maintenance platform for a boiler-furnace that permits safe and ready access to its normally inaccessible upper parts and integral superheater. The maintenance platform is installed in the furnace, below the superheater on a horizontally movable support whereby said support may be selectively moved across said furnace or stored laterally adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A storage rack for nuclear fuel assemblies is located in the pool and formed of grids, each grid formed of fixedly connected cross members. Four separate grids are used with each of the four grids horizontally restrained by adjacent walls in a manner which restrains forces perpendicular to each wall but permits sliding in response to forces parallel to each wall. Each of the grids are supported at locations between the grids, by members which slidably support the grids. The support members are further slidably supported on a central column.

Abstract: An electrical discharge is controlled in such a manner as to permit its use to reliably ignite a fuel stream consisting of pulverized coal entrained in air. The ignition technique of the present invention creates expanding and contracting plasma pockets at a rate which is high compared to the velocity of the fuel stream and permits the ignition of the fuel stream in a cold furnace and/or without supplemental combustion of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuels.