Abstract: This invention pertains to a method of providing support for top boiler casing by partially slotting a channel or other bearing member and sliding a rod suspended from the top structural steel within this slot. Afterwards, a grooved plate is installed which is welded between the channel and the rod.

Abstract: A sootblower hub having packing for sealing between a sootblower feed tube and lance tube. A packing gland is used which provides a live loading feature for exerting an axial force on the packing. The packing gland is comprised of elements which can be separately assembled in a manner which maintains a preload on the packing loading spring, even when it is disassembled from the sootblowing mechanism. Once the packing gland is installed into a sootblower carriage a preload maintaining member can be actuated to enable the axial loading force created by the spring to be transferred to the packing.

Abstract: A replacement heater sleeve for nuclear reactor coolant system pressurizer and method for replacing a damaged original heater nozzle. The original heater and heater nozzle are removed from the pressurizer and the original bore is enlarged. An outer sleeve is installed in the enlarged bore on the same center as the original heater nozzle and is substantially flush with the interior of the pressurizer. The outer sleeve is welded to the pressurizer on its interior and exterior surfaces. An inner sleeve is installed in the inner diameter of the outer sleeve and extends beyond the outer sleeve into the pressurizer. The inner sleeve is welded to the lower end of the outer sleeve and is provided with an inner diameter sized to receive a heater of the same size as that originally installed in the pressurizer. The inner sleeve also maintains the original heater alignment in the pressurizer.

Abstract: A gas cooled nuclear fuel element. A cylindrical tube having an open lower end contains nuclear fuel disks stacked one upon the other to define an annular space between the tube and disks. An upper and a lower end fitting in the tube support the stack of fuel disks. Each disk has an axial bore or channel for coolant flow. The disks may also be provided with grooves extending radially on the upper or lower face from the axial channel to the outer edge of each disk. The lower end fitting has a central bore that is coaxial with the axial channel in the disks. Coolant flows into the annular space, radially between disks, and then axially out the disks and lower end fitting.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor using gas as a primary coolant and a liquid as a moderator and/or reflector. Gas coolant flows through inlet passages around the outlet plenum to a distributor plate. The gas is directed between fuel element housing thimbles and fuel elements therein, through the fuel elements, and into the reactor outlet plenum. Fins on the thimble housings conduct heat to the gas from a liquid moderator circulating in the core. The use of a liquid moderator enhances safety, allows the fissile material and reactor mass to be reduced and eliminates problems associated with cooling of a solid moderator.

Abstract: A monitor for measuring the temperature distribution of a product (12) including a plurality of ball lenses (14) lying in a lenticular array (18) across the product (12). A signal processor (22) is connected to a photodiode array (20). Each photodiode in the array (20) is connected by a separate optical fiber (16) to one of the ball lenses (14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discriminating between flaw depths of 5% and 10% of the tube wall thickness of electric resistance welds are disclosed. At least two electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) are employed to generate ultrasonic surface and shear waves. A logic circuit discriminating means selectively activates an alarm for flaw depths of about 10% or greater, but does not activate the alarm for flaw depths of about 5% or less, thereby avoiding waste in time and materials.

Abstract: An insulated pipe construction avoids deterioration of the refractory due to thermal cycling by supporting the refractory material against the force of gravity without restraining movement of the refractory material due to thermal expansion thereof. Excessive hoop stresses in the shell of the conduit due to thermal expansion of the refractory material can be prevented by providing a crushable layer of insulating fiber board inbetween the refractory material and the inner surface of the shell.

Abstract: An electromagnetic hammer rapper having forward and retract coils for controllably causing a centrally disposed armature to impact an impact transfer pin to cause the transfer pin to knock-off slag and other encrustations from heat transfer tubes or walls of heat exchanger components, and for causing the armature to be propelled to a retracted position. An electrical circuit for controlling energization of the forward and retract coils is also provided and includes a manually actuatable switch for initiating an impact between the armature and the transfer pin. An auto sequencer/manual selector circuit controls the forward and retract coils of a plurality of electromagnetic solenoids. A phase detection and triggering circuit having an operator adjustable phase control controls the duration for which the forward coil of each electromagnetic solenoid is energized.

Abstract: A spark disintegrator tube cutter comprises a housing having a shaft with armature rotatably mounted in the housing. A conductive base which is electrically connected to a post accessible from outside the housing, carries a carbon brush against which the armature slides. The post is used to supply electricity to the shaft. A flexible shaft extension is connected to the shaft and carries a cutting electrode which extends radially outwardly from an end of the shaft. A spacer which is engaged around at least part of the shaft extension on an opposite side from the cutting electrode, and urges the cutting electrode against the inner circumferential surface of the tube to be cut. A pneumatic motor mounted to the housing and connected to the shaft, rotates the shaft. With dc current passing through the cutting electrode, an arc is formed as the electrode slides in continuous contact around the inner circumference of the tube, for cutting the tube.

Abstract: A device for determining the level of water and/or steam in a boiler is disclosed. The device is a liquid level gauge (10) of the Blackburn type and utilizes an optical fiber cable (44) to intercept the light that passes in a relatively straight path through a cross passage (16) in the body (12) of gauge (10). Due to the difference in the indices of refraction of steam and water, the optical fiber cable (44) intercepts the light when steam is present in the gauge (10) but does not intercept the light when water is present.

Abstract: A tool positioning assembly for receiving tooling for repairing heater penetrations at the lower end of a pressurizer supported on its end by a support skirt between the pressurizer and a base with the pressurizer having a surge line extending vertically into the apex of the lower spherical end of the pressurizer. A pair of circular tracks are mounted so as to be concentric with the pressurizer. The inner track is mounted to the surge line and the outer track is mounted so as to be below the outer periphery of the pressurizer. A carriage is movably mounted between the tracks so as to be movable therebetween and around the pressurizer. Cross slides mounted on the carriage provide horizontal movement. A vertical slide mounted on the upper cross slide provides vertical movement and is also rotatable around its own vertical axis for clearance purposes when maneuvering around the heater penetration nozzles.

Abstract: An anti-drift mechanism for a downwardly oriented port rodder for cleaning a port opening of a recovery boiler. The anti-drift mechanism prevents a cutter of the rodder from accidentally drifting from a retracted holding position into the port upon the loss of holding power to the actuator. Two embodiments are disclosed. The first is a frictional engagement with the port rodder while the second involves the use of a valve in conjuction with the actuator to trap fluid pressure and maintain the rodder in the holding position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the measurement of low levels of carbon dioxide in a sample employing membrane separation and ion-exchange technology. The difference in acid strength of carbonic acid and other acids is exploited by first treating the sample with a weak base in a membrane separator and then with a strong base in the membrane separator. In this manner, the carbonic acid is distinguished from the stronger acids. By converting carbonic acid to sodium carbonate, the conductivity level is enhanced facilitating more precise measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for scanning the outer profile of control rods in a control rod assembly includes a plurality of rotatably mounted ultrasonic transducers which are mounted for rotation about the axis of at least some of the control rods in the assembly. The assembly is moved in a linear path parallel to the axis of the control rods, past the rotating transducers for scanning the surfaces of the control rods in helical paths. By distributing the transducers in a selected configuration, all control rods in the assembly can eventually be scanned.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a regenerative air heater having a stator with a peripheral flange and hot and cold end hoods mounted for rotation over respective opposite surfaces of the stator, includes a seal frame which is connected to the cold end hood over an expansion joint assembly. A plurality of cast iron seal shoes are connected to the frame and positioned at selected gaps from the stator flange. A wheel rotatably mounted to the frame near each seal shoe rolls against the stator flange to maintain the selected gap while a counter weight on a lever acts to urge the seal shoes toward the flange. The arrangement is automatic in its maintenance of the selected gap.

Abstract: A sootblower for the cleaning of internal surfaces of large scale boilers which are subject to the accumulation of soot or slag encrustations. In instances where a sootblower is used to project the jet of steam of steam or a steam/air mixture, between actuation cycles, condensate can form in the sootblower or the associated piping. At the beginning of an actuation cycle the condensate is ejected from the sootblower. If the condensate impinges against the heat transfer surfaces inside the boiler it can cause damage to these surfaces through excessive thermal and mechanical shock. In accordance with this invention the sootblower is provided with a nozzle block assembly incorporating a condensate separator which causes condensate to be ejected by the lance tube away from impact with the heat transfer surfaces where it can be safely dissipated from the boiler without causing damage to the heat transfer surfaces which are cleaned using a substantially fully vaporous pure spray of sootblowing medium.

Abstract: A gas cooled nuclear fuel element having a particle fuel retention device which acts as a passive restraint in the event of failure of hot frit. A particle fuel retention device is positioned either in the annular space within the inner frit, in the end cap through which coolant gas flows, or attached to the end cap and extending axially beyond the fuel element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer socket assembly for simultaneously tightening a bolt and measuring bolt load. A pole adaptor rigidly attached to a driving socket for engaging and driving a bolt has a stationary cylinder mounted therein. A second cylinder rotatably and slidably received in the stationary cylinder has an ultrasonic transducer pivotally mounted at one end that contacts the bolt to be tightened when the socket is engaged with the bolt. The rotating cylinder and transducer are rotated approximately 180 degrees during engagement of the socket and bolt to smear an even couplant layer between the bolt and transducer to assure consistent measurements of bolt load during tightening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the level of ion exchange resin fragments in very pure water employs a laser light source to illuminate a water sample causing the resin fragments to fluoresce. This light of fluorescence is focused, filtered, and detected by a photodetector, whose electrical signal output is amplified and processed to provide an output related to the concentration of ion exchange resin fragments in the water. Separate calculations or a computer within the apparatus itself produce a measure of the concentration of the resin fragments in the sample. The apparatus and method are useful for maintaining purity of water in boilers employing condensate polisher systems, for example.