Abstract: A nuclear reactor control rod containing a stack of B.sub.4 C absorber pellets in which the pellets in the lower end have a radius smaller than that of the other pellets and are wrapped with a sleeve having a linear compressibility sufficient to accommodate exposure-induced radial expansion of the end pellets without producing excessive clad strain and having a thermal conductivity sufficient to keep the centerline temperature of the end pellets below the melting point of B.sub.4 C. One such sleeve material is a type 347 stainless steel having 22.5% theoretical density.

Abstract: A system for automatically forming flaskless sand molds, and preparing them for metal pouring. Cope and drag flasks are alternately filled with chemically bonded sand on an indexing turntable, and the sand is allowed to cure or set up while still on the turntable. The copes and drags are then automatically removed from their respective flasks and placed on a conveyor belt by a rollover draw machine. The above is accomplished automatically, with little or no supervision required.

Abstract: An arrangement by which a jacket of preformed insulating material is readily installed around the outer surface of a water cooled pipe that is to be used as a structural support or a skid rail for a heat treating furnace.

Abstract: A new part length rod is provided which may be used to not only control xenon induced power oscillations but also to contribute to shutdown reactivity when a rapid shutdown of the reactor is required. The part length rod consists of a control rod with three regions. The lower control region is a longer weaker active portion separated from an upper stronger shorter poison section by an intermediate section which is a relative non-absorber of neutrons. The combination of the longer weaker control section with the upper high worth poison section permits the part length rod of this invention to be scrammed into the core. When a reactor shutdown is required but also permits the control rod to be used as a tool to control power distribution in both the axial and radial directions during normal operation.

Abstract: A new part length rod is provided which may be used to not only control xenon induced power oscillations but also to contribute to shutdown reactivity when a rapid shutdown of the reactor is required. The part length rod consists of a control rod with three regions. The lower control region is a longer weaker active portion separated from an upper stronger shorter poison section by an intermediate section which is a relative non-absorber of neutrons. The combination of the longer weaker control section with the upper high worth poison section permits the part length rod of this invention to be scrammed into the core. When a reactor shutdown is required but also permits the control rod to be used as a tool to control power distribution in both the axial and radial directions during normal operation.

Abstract: Homogenization of nickel-chromium-iron alloy tubing to accomplish carbon stabilization is effected before the tubing is cold worked to its final length by subjecting the alloy to two successive short and closely controlled periods of annealing in a batch-type annealing furnace.

Abstract: A method of operating an entrained flow coal gasifier which comprises the steps of firing coal at two levels in a combustion zone with near stoichiometric air, removing molten ash from the combustion zone, conveying combustion products upwardly from the combustion zone through a reduction zone, injecting additional coal into the combustion products in the reduction zone and gasifying at least a portion of the coal to form low BTU gas, conveying the gas to a point of use, including also reducing gasifier output by modifying the ratio of air to coal supplied to the upper level of the combustion zone so that the ratio becomes increasingly substoichiometric thereby extending the gasification of coal from the reduction zone into the upper level of the combustion zone, and maintaining the lower level of coal in the combustion zone at near stoichiometric conditions so as to provide sufficient heat to maintain effective slagging conditions.

Abstract: The air-supply system for a fluidized-bed furnace includes two air conduits for the same combustion zone. The conduits feed separate sets of holes in a distributor plate through which fluidizing air flows to reach the bed. During normal operation, only one conduit and set of holes is used, but the second conduit and set of holes is employed during start-up.

Abstract: A sensor chamber having one cavity containing coolant separated by a diaphragm from another cavity containing a fixed mass of inert gas is located within a safety assembly of a liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor. The liquid cavity is in fluid communication with the coolant outside the chamber through a flow limiting orifice. An actuating bellows in fluid communication with the gas cavity is in contact with coolant outside the chamber and is connected to a push rod, which serves as a trigger for a poison bundle release mechanism. During slow changes in reactor coolant pressure experienced under normal operation, the diaphragm moves to equalize the gas cavity and liquid cavity pressures with the coolant pressure outside the chamber. The actuating bellows does not move because it is biased so that a threshold pressure difference is required before it will expand.

Abstract: The air-supply system for a fluidized-bed furnace includes two air conduits for the same combustion zone. The conduits feed separate sets of holes in a distributor plate through which fluidizing air flows to reach the bed. During normal operation, only one conduit and set of holes is used, but the second conduit and set of holes is employed during start-up.

Abstract: The Air Quality Control System utilizes the reaction between nitrogen oxides and the sulfites and bisulfites which are produced as a slurry of lime/limestone absorbs sulfur dioxide from a mixture of gases to produce ammonia from the absorption of nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: The disclosure of the present application relates to an improved method of open-arc welding. According to the present method, the outer shield of a double-shield welding system consists of a stream of gas formed in a shield concentric with the inner shield. This method is distinguished by the fact that atmospheric air may be used as the outer shield gas because the outer-shield velocity is so regulated and so positioned as to prevent the air from being drawn into the weld area, the outer shield gas velocity nearly approximating the inner shield gas velocity.

Abstract: A stud cleaning machine whereby the threaded portion of very large studs can be cleaned to a semi-bright finish. The cleaning machine is designed to completely enclose the studs during the cleaning operation, so that none of the loosened oxides, residues, and caked lubricants are discharged into the surrounding atmosphere. The contaminated particles are retained in the cleaning machine and removed through an attached vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor having a seal plate dividing the vessel into an upper high pressure plenum and a lower low pressure or outlet plenum. A piston is located at the seal plate with its upper surface exposed to the high pressure and its lower surface exposed to the lower pressure. A push rod attached to the piston extends downwardly in butting relationship with fuel assemblies to hold them down.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic generator discharges its gases to a vapor generator. A portion of the heat discharged to the vapor generator is recovered to elevate the temperature of the combustion air to the MHD burner. The burner discharge of an atmospheric heater further raises the temperature of the combustion air. The MHD exhaust gases passed through the vapor generator and the gases discharged from the atmospheric heater are combined to superheat the generated vapor and feed liquid to the vapor generator.

Abstract: A vortex gas separator for the separation of a gas mixture into first and second fractions. The operation of the separator depends on the principle that various gases interact with sorbent substances to greater and lesser degrees. The gas to be separated is tangentially injected into a cylindrical container to create a vortex. The sorbent substance is suspended on the interior of the cylindrical container and interacts with the gases, slowing them down to various degrees. Accordingly, the slowest fraction migrates towards the middle and the fastest fraction is displaced to the circumference. Outlets for the slow fraction and the fast fraction are provided respectively at the axis of the container and at the periphery of the container.

Abstract: Centrifugal separating apparatus comprising a concentric inner and outer housing enclosing a swirling chamber through which a steam-water mixture is directed to separate the water from the steam. The inner housing encloses a first set of vanes that impart a rotary movement to the steam-water mixture accompanied by a centrifugal action sufficient to separate water from the steam and move it outward through perforations in the inner housing. A second set of inclined vanes in the space between the inner and outer housing members serve to swirl the water and remove residual steam therefrom before it is recirculated.

Abstract: Nipples are extruded on metal parts around holes therethrough by providing an initial hole having a wide portion and a narrower portion, the wide portion having the diameter desired in the finished hole. A tapered mandrel is forced through the initial hole, extruding a nipple and resulting in a hole of the desired diameter.

Abstract: Flow paths for liquids are disclosed in vessels, the paths oriented with electrodes which are electrically energized to establish electrostatic fields through the paths. One of the liquids is more polar than the other liquids in the paths. One of the fields is intense enough to generate the force to move drops of the polar liquid fast enough to shear the drops to smaller sizes and disperse the smaller drops. A second one of the fields is intense enough to generate the force to move the dispersed drops into coalescense. Various spacing and means of energizing the electrodes are disclosed to place the forces on the liquids in sequence and at different intensities.

Abstract: .Iadd.A nuclear reactor with control rods in channels between fuel assemblies wherein the fuel assemblies incorporate guide rods which protrude outwardly into the control rod channels to prevent the control rods from engaging the fuel elements. The guide rods also extend back into the fuel assembly such that they are relatively rigid members. The guide rods are tied to the fuel assembly end or support plates and serve as structural members which are supported independently of the fuel element. Fuel element spacing and support means may be attached to the guide rods..Iaddend.