Abstract: A method, an apparatus (150), and a prefabricated replacement tube (108) are provided for repairing a defect (112) in a tube (102), such as in a waterwall (100). In the method, a replacement tube (108) is prefabricated having a wall (116), a central opening (114) extending through a portion thereof, and a predetermined length. A length of the tube (102), including the defect (112), equal to the predetermined length is removed. The replacement tube (108) is positioned between stubs (126, 128) of the tube (102), and a rotatable torch (152) of an automated welding apparatus (150) inserted through the opening (114) to align with a joint between an end (118, 120) of the replacement tube and a stub (126, 128). The torch (152) is rotated to join it to the stub (126, 128) along the entire joint. The torch (152) is then removed, turned 180 degrees, and reinserted to weld the remaining joint.

Abstract: Ultrasonic scan data is displayed within a display (10) and is arranged in a plurality of two and three-dimensional colored displays (20, 30, 40, 50). A C-scan display (40) is a composite plot of a region of interest using color to designate echo amplitude. The composite plot (40) is time-gated to limit the range of depths of data presented and thereby limit the plot to a thin section such as a surface. Surface breaking discontinuities (100) are visible as highly colored echoes within this C-scan display (40). Within C-scan display (40), once a discontinuity such as a reflector is detected, additional gates (150-165) may be set which permit other specialized displays such as D-scan (50) and B-scan (20) windows to portray the discontinuities. The D-scan plots index direction (54) against time (52), and readily displays circumferential reflectors (130-145) therein, while also enabling rapid estimation of the depth (142) of these reflectors.

Abstract: A power plant water chemistry analysis apparatus and method relies upon water chemistry sensors to obtain power plant water chemistry data characterizing the chemical activity of a power plant water system. An analytical model processor is used to generate model predictions for the power plant water system. A statistical data fitting processor selects screened data from the power plant water chemistry data that corresponds to the model predictions. The screened data is processed by an artificial intelligence processor to derive power plant water chemistry diagnostic information. The artificial intelligence processor includes an expert system, rule base, plant water chemistry system simulator, and pattern recognition module.

Abstract: Refrigerant compositions include mixtures of at least three different components, including a fluorinated ether with at least one of a second fluorinated ether, an ether and a fluorinated hydrocarbon. Also, methods for cooling a body include compressing such a refrigerant composition and bringing the body into heat transfer relation to it. The disclosed refrigerant compounds have refrigerant-significant properties similar to those of R-22, and they can be employed in place of or as drop-in substitutes in refrigeration apparatus designed for R-22 application.

Abstract: The invention discloses novel azeotrope-like mixtures of fluorinated compounds which are useful for heating and cooling as heat transfer agents and/or refrigerants. The azeotrope-like mixture comprises: (a) pentafluoropropane; and (b) a hydrofluorocarbon of the formula: CxFyHz, wherein x is 3, 4, 5, or 6 and y and z are each independently 1 or a positive whole number such that the result of y / (y+z) is greater than 0.67.

Abstract: A process for removing vapor phase contaminants from a gas stream includes the step of adding a raw carbonaceous starting material into a gas stream having an activation temperature sufficient to convert the raw carbonaceous starting material into an activated material in-situ. The raw carbonaceous starting material can be either a solid-phase, liquid phase or vapor-phase material. The activated material then adsorbs the vapor phase contaminants, and the activation material containing the vapor phase contaminants is removed from the gas stream using a particulate collection device. The process is particularly suited for the removal of vapor phase air toxics, such as mercury, from the flue gas of a combustion process. An apparatus for the removal of vapor phase contaminants from a gas stream is also described.

Abstract: A load reduction system switches from a commercial power distribution system to an onsite power source when a fault in the commercial distribution system is detected, and reduces the drain on the on-site power source by effectively eliminating 240 volt loads such as an electric water heater or stove. This load reduction accomplished by shifting the phase of 120 volt AC power that is applied to a user line by approximately 180°, so that the potential difference between this user line and another user line that receives 120 volt AC power is reduced from 240 volts AC to a small value. Power can still be received by 120 volt loads from the two user lines and a further, neutral, user line. A load reduction system in accordance with the present invention may also be employed with a portable generator, for example, to permit selective removal of 240 volt loads while the generator continues to power 120 volt loads.

Abstract: A method of treating flue gas includes the steps of generating a flue gas and removing particulate from the flue gas with a first particulate removal technique to produce treated flue gas. The treated flue gas is then applied to a high permeability barrier filter to remove additional particulate from the treated flue gas. The high permeability filter includes high permeability filter bags with air permeability greater than 75 actual cubic feet per minute of air flow per square foot of filter surface area at a pressure drop of one half inch water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for cleaning and reclamation of an industrial waste containing oily metallic solids by magnetically concentrating the oily magnetic solids, mixing the concentrated solids with a chemical release agent, applying microwave radiation to the mixture, and separately collecting the clean metallic solids and recovered oil components.

Abstract: A line of sight laser communication system includes a laser to generate a laser signal with femtosecond pulses. A first grating spectrally disperses the femtosecond pulses of the laser signal. A programmable mask converts the femtosecond pulses of the laser signal into coded words. A second grating spectrally recombines the coded words of the laser signal. A telescope then launches the laser signal. The launched laser signal is received at a receiving telescope. A second laser generates a set of reference pulses. A non-linear crystal combines the set of reference pulses and the laser signal to create an output signal only when the laser signal and the reference pulses temporally coincide. A camera records the output signal.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) field disposed along a combusted fossil-fuel flue gas stream path downstream of a dry ESP field. The wet ESP field includes a chamber having a flue gas inlet and a flue gas outlet, and at least one collection plate positioned within the chamber. The chamber also includes one or more wash nozzle positioned adjacent the collection plate, and a wet hopper positioned substantially under the collection plate. The apparatus preferably further includes one or more cooling nozzles positioned near the flue gas inlet. The cooling and wash nozzles are fluidly coupled to a water source, while the wet hopper is fluidly coupled to either a pH adjustment module or a treatment processor. A method of removing contaminants from a flue gas stream using the above apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Azeotrope-like compositions comprising pentafluoropropane and a perfluorocarbon having 5 to 7 carbon atoms or N-methylperfluoromorpholine OR N-ethylperfluoromorpholine are stable and have utility as refrigerants for heating and cooling, blowing agents, solvents and fire extinguishing agents.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly includes a housing adapted to engage a nuclear fuel assembly. A set of ultrasonic transducers is positioned on the housing to supply radially emanating omnidirectional ultrasonic energy to remove deposits from the nuclear fuel assembly.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a NOX reducing unit, a duct to receive a flue gas stream from said NOX and reducing unit, and an activation source associated with the duct. In use, the activation source applies energy to the flue gas stream to facilitate the removal of contaminants from the flue gas stream. Further, the method comprises providing an activation source is downstream of a NOX reducing unit. The activation source is then activated to facilitate the removal of contaminants from the flue gas stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically examining a weld in a nuclear steam supply system includes an elongated guide rod for positioning within a pipe of the nuclear steam supply system. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned at an end of the elongated guide rod. A collapsible shoe encloses the ultrasonic transducer. The collapsible shoe includes a biasing mechanism to allow the collapsible shoe to pass through the pipe while the pipe is at a first circumference and while the pipe is at a second circumference. The collapsible shoe continuously contacts the pipe to establish ultrasonic coupling for the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: The invention discloses novel azeotrope-like mixtures of fluorinated compounds which are useful for heating and cooling as heat transfer agents and/or refrigerants. The azeotrope-like mixture comprises: (a) pentafluoropropane; and (b) a hydrofluorocarbon of the formula: CxFyHz, wherein x is 3, 4, 5, or 6 and y and z are each independently 1 or a positive whole number such that the result of y/(y+z) is greater than 0.67.

Abstract: A laser communication system includes a first laser to generate a laser signal with femtosecond pulses. A first grating spectrally disperses the femtosecond pulses of the laser signal. A modulator converts the femtosecond pulses of the laser signal into coded words. A second grating spectrally recombines the coded words of the laser signal. A first telescope launches the laser signal. A second telescope receives the laser signal. A second laser generates a set of reference pulses. A non-linear crystal combines the set of reference pulses and the laser signal so as to create an output signal only when the laser signal and the reference pulses temporally coincide. A detector records the output.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating driver circuits from silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) circuits in an electric switch. The driver circuits are located on a driver-board, which includes an infrared (IR) emitter. The SCR circuits are located on a SCR switch-board, which includes an IR receiver. An insulating body is positioned between the driver-board and the switch-board. The insulating body encloses a light-pipe to optically link the infrared emitter to the infrared detector. Control signals can be communicated from the driver circuits to the SCR circuits via the IR emitter, the light-pipe, and the IR receiver.

Abstract: End of cycle detector and method for a microwave clothes dryer. The temperature of fabric in the dryer is monitored, an increase in the monitored temperature is detected when substantially all moisture has been removed from the fabric, and operation of the dryer is controlled in response to the increase in temperature.

Abstract: Tumble drying apparatus and method in which fabric articles are placed in a horizontally disposed cylindrical basket with a stringer which extends across the basket along an arcuate path that passes near the axis, and the basket is rotated about its axis with the stringer causing the fabric articles to tumble through the central portion of the basket in a loosely packed manner as they fall from one side of the basket toward the other.