Abstract: The present application provides a steam turbine driven by a flow of steam. The steam turbine may include a rotor, a number of nozzles positioned about the rotor, and a number of nozzle diaphragms. One or more of the nozzle diaphragms may include an inducer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as, for example, nitrogen. Other embodiments include a method for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules. The system may include a light source, a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies and is in optical communication with the light source, a gas introduction system for introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device, and a detector in optical communication with the hollow-core wave-guiding device.

Abstract: A method for removing spurious signals in a process of motor current signature analysis of an electric motor (24 or 33) includes creating an electronic model of the motor, acquiring simultaneous measurements of voltage and current at the motor, applying the voltage measurement to the motor model and determining an equivalent current produced in the motor model by the applied voltage, subtracting the equivalent current from the current measurement to produce a corrected motor current, and processing the corrected motor current through motor current signature analysis. For an ac motor (33), the method includes extracting signals corresponding to the fundamental excitation frequency from the voltage measurement to produce an interfering voltage, processing the interfering voltage through the motor model to produce a corresponding spurious current signal, and subtracting the spurious current signal from the measured current to produce the corrected motor current signal for analysis.

Abstract: A brush seal, which may be used in gas or steam turbine rotor applications, includes a packet of bristles attached to a seal housing. A seal member is slideably-attached to the seal housing, has a planar first surface portion parallel to, and slideably in contact with, a first surface of the seal housing, and has a planar second surface portion which is parallel to, and slideably in contact with, a first side of the bristle packet. A mechanical spring is positioned in compression between the seal housing and the seal member.

Abstract: The ammonia content of fuel gas in an IGCC power generation system is reduced through ammonia decomposition, thereby reducing the NO.sub.x emissions from the plant. The power generation system includes a gasifier, a gas turbine and at least one catalytic reactor arranged between the gasifier and the gas turbine. The catalytic reactor may be either a three stage or two stage device. The three stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift, a second catalyst which promotes CO methanation, and a third catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The two stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift and CO methanation and a second catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The plural catalytic stages may be disposed in a single vessel or successively disposed in individual vessels, and the catalysts may be in a pelletized form or coated on honeycomb structures. Alternatively, fluidized bed reactors may be used.