Abstract: A method of removing, reducing or detoxifying organic pollutants from a fluid, water or air, by contacting the fluid with a photoreactive metal semiconductor material in the presence of ultraviolet light of a wavelength to activate the photoreactive material, is improved by simultaneously contacting the photoreactive material with a substance that accepts electrons and thus inhibits hole-electron recombination. Such substance will be such as to readily accept electrons either from the conduction band or from superoxide ions, and to rapidly dissociate into harmless products.

Abstract: A sintered material resistant to heat and mechanical strain, particularly to impact and friction, for the production of molded articles, made of a matrix metal powder having approximately 70 to 100% by weight of a copper component and approximately 0 to 30% by weight of an alloy component of cobalt, chromium, iron, manganese, nickel, tungsten and/or carbon. In another embodiment, the sintered material may also include an additional high-alloy metal powder admixed as a hard phase to the matrix metal powder. The additional high-alloy metal powder is present in the amount of a maximum 30% by weight, with respect to the sum of the matrix metal powder and high-alloy metal powder. The sintered material is especially suitable for heat- and wear-resistant molded articles for use in high gas environments, for example, in internal combustion engines. For example, guides, bearings, and valve elements may be made of this material and especially valve seat rings.

Abstract: A method of removing bow in a nuclear fuel assembly is disclosed. The fuel assembly has top and bottom ends fittings and a plurality of longitudinally extending thimble tube members interconnecting top and bottom end fittings. At least two transverse fuel rod support grids are axially spaced along the thimble tube members. A plurality of fuel rods are transversely spaced and supported by the fuel rod support grids. In one embodiment, a weight of known magnitude is secured on the bottom end fitting and the fuel assembly is raised with the weight secured thereon so that the weight exerts a downward force on the fuel assembly for straightening the fuel assembly and eliminating compressive stresses within the fuel assembly. In another embodiment, the bottom end fitting is secured onto the upender used for transporting fuel assemblies into and out of the containment building and the fuel assembly is pulled for straightening the fuel assembly and eliminating compressive stresses within the fuel assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming an improved missile warhead comprising a cap section, a center section, and a mounting section, the three sections forming a tubular body closed by the cap section at one end thereof, with a plurality of cavities formed on the inner circumference of the center section. In formation of the cavity-bearing missile body, a missile body preform is isostatically formed from powder material along with low-density inclusions, the latter being removed during later processing to form an array of cavities, relying upon differential material densification for release of the inclusions from the pressed preform.

Abstract: A unique and optimal method for assessing the feasibility of employing chemical decontamination processes to remove crud from nuclear reactor primary systems without adversely affecting the integrity of the system components or piping during further reactor operation is disclosed. Materials used to construct such components and piping are exposed to several cycles of simulated decontamination processing with a test loop constructed to simulate a range of full system decontamination process conditions. The material specimens are then removed and tested to assure that the particular decontamination processing system has no adverse effects on the materials used.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning up reactor coolant includes a piping for taking out water in a reactor core, and this piping is provided separately from a primary loop recirculation piping and has its open end located at the bottom of a reactor pressure vessel. The taking-out piping extends upward from the open end within the reactor pressure vessel and extends through and outside of the side wall of the reactor pressure vessel. In a preferred form, the taking-out piping is provided near the highest position of its portion outside the reactor pressure vessel with a siphon brake valve.

Abstract: A radioactive decontamination method for decontaminating a radioactive-contaminated object by using methylene chloride in place of conventionally used hydrocarbon fluoride or perchloroethylene. The radioactive-contaminated object is impacted by methylene chloride solution. Before the impacting, a preparatory step is executed as required in which radioactive contaminant, which is usually radioactive-contaminated epoxy-resin paint layer on a part used in a nuclear facility, is impregnated with methylene chloride solution so as to swell, thus facilitating exfoliation of the contaminant from the object. The methylene chloride solution is filtered and distilled so as to be decontaminated and subjected to a repeated use for impacting the radioactive-contaminated object.

Abstract: A nuclear energy plant housing a boiling water reactor utilizes an isolation condensers with nearly horizontal condenser tubes for both isolation condenser (IC) mode and passive containment cooling system (PCCS) mode, which is entered in response to a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). These tubes extend between a cylindrical distributor and a cylindrical collector. In either mode, the reactor vessel is coupled to the cylindrical distributor. Steam reaching the condenser is condensed to water, which flows back to the vessel, providing a cooling effect. In PCCS mode, gas exiting the tubes is trapped and diverted into a wet well. This diversion path is not avialable in IC mode. As a result water exits the tubes more slowly in IC modes in PCCS mode. The water remaining in the tubes during IC mode renders the condenser less efficient. This lower efficiency partially offsets the greater heat exchange in IC mode due to higher temperature differentials and the relatively absence of noncondensable gases.

Abstract: In a system for detecting abnormal movement of a part of a gas-cooled nuclear reactor, for example abnormal tilting of a boiler unit caused by failure of a boiler support, a tracer material is released into the gas coolant path in response to the movement. The releasing of the material may be effected by causing a gas canister to be pierced as a result of the movement. The presence of the tracer material in the coolant is detected by the coolant monitoring system.

Abstract: An ultraviolet processing chamber for treating contaminated waste water and the like. The processing chamber includes a chamber body defining a passageway through which the water under treatment flows. An enclosed volume is defined which contains an array of linear UV lamps and which includes a protective wall formed of a material substantially transparent to UV radiation. The protective wall is disposed with respect to the flow passageway so as to permit UV radiation to pass in substantial amounts into the flow passageway to irradiate the water or other substance under treatment. For ease of maintenance the array of UV lamps is contained in a module which is removable from the remainder of the processing chamber. More specifically, the lamps are mounted on a base portion, which may be secured in position on the chamber, and the plurality of lamps forming the array extend into the enclosed volume separated from the substance under treatment by the protective wall.

Abstract: A method for making zinc electrodes for alkaline-zinc batteries comprising the steps of: mixing an amount of a zinc-magnesium binder alloy with an amount of a material chosen from zinc and a second zinc-magnesium alloy to form a mechanical mixture. The melting temperature of the material is at least 15 Celsius degrees higher than the melting temperature of the binder alloy. The mixture is applied to a current collector and the current collector with applied mixture is heated to a temperature at which incipient melting of the binder alloy causes sintering of the mixture with the formation of a coherent layer solidly bonded to the current collector. The compositions and the amount of the binder alloy and the second alloy are selected such that the active material in the layer of the electrode contains no more than about 15% magnesium, preferably no more than about 10% magnesium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing joint for pipes (3) or pipe sockets (2) in, for example, a nuclear reactor. The joint comprises at least two sealing bodies (4, 5) contacting each other in a contact surface (8) and provided with through holes (6, 7). The holes (6, 7) are delimited by envelope surfaces (9, 10) and form a tubular channel (11) through the sealing bodies (4, 5) and the contact surface (8). The sealing bodies (4, 5) are displaceable in relation to each other along the contact surface (8). Around the channel (11) a sealing member (12) is arranged between the sealing bodies (4, 5). Each one of the sealing bodies (4, 5) is divided into at least two discs (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b, respectively) in a plane intersecting the associated envelope surface (9, 10) along a closed curve. Between the discs belonging to a sealing body (4, 5), a slot (13 ) has been provided which is delimited by the associated envelope surface (9, 10). A flexible sealing ring (13a) is inserted into the slot (13).

Abstract: A grid key and method for keying exterior grid cells in a nuclear fuel assembly. The grid key has a main body portion having first and second ends and is bent at approximately a 45 degree angle near the first end. Two tabs extend outward from the first end at a right angle to the main body portion to define a T-shape. The T-shaped end is inserted into the window of the exterior grid strip such that the top of the T-shape is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the grid assembly. The main body portion is then rotated 90 degrees to position the top of the T-shaped end to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grid assembly and behind the exterior grid strip. The main body portion is then pulled away from the exterior grid strip in a vertical rotating motion, causing the top of the T-shaped end to pull the exterior grid strip away from the center of the cell defined by the grid assembly.

Abstract: A recirculation system is disclosed for driving reactor coolant water contained in an annular downcomer defined between a reactor vessel and a reactor core spaced radially inwardly therefrom. The system includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced pumps disposed in the downcomer, each pump including an inlet for receiving coolant water from the downcomer as pump inlet flow, and an outlet for discharging the pressurized water. The recirculation system firstly increases the pressure of the pump inlet flow at the pump inlet before being sucked into the pump for being further pressurized by the pump.

Abstract: A non-perforated metal tube with open opposite ends extends coaxially around a plasma discharge tube that projects beyond both ends of the metal tube. The plasma tube contains an ionizable gas and an electrode. The ends of both tubes engage two end cap assemblies which maintain the tubes in a coaxial, uniformly spaced relationship. Both end cap assemblies have a tubular coupling that fits around a flared end of the metal tube and have a mechanism for supporting the glass tube. Passages are provided in the end cap assemblies for gas to enter and exit. A plasma is established in the plasma discharge tube by applying an excitation potential between the electrode and the metal tube.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a conduit connected to a containment vessel to supply air to a water bath contained in a basin. The conduit is connected to a plurality of air nozzles in the water bath, each of which forms a unit together with a perforate baffle plate disposed above the nozzle to intensively mix the emerging air with water. A set of static mixer elements enclosed by a jacket is disposed in the water bath above the baffle plate.

Abstract: A radiation gradient is utilized to transform harmful radiant energy into safer, more useful forms, thus collecting, controlling and consuming the energies of radiant emissions and protecting the environment and living organisms from them. More specifically, there is disclosed a new process for shielding emitters of harmful radiation by establishing an electrical circuit, which process includes shielding the source of radiation while collecting the energy of relatively more radiation on an electrically conductive material and collecting the energy of relatively less radiation on other electrically conductive material, which may include a ground or external sink, thus establishing a difference in electrical potential, and transferring this potential difference, along with any potential difference from auxiliary devices, outside the shielded area, to resistors and/or variable other loads, which consume the voltage as it is created.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is described a method and apparatus for concentrating dissolved and solid radioactive materials carried in a waste water solution containing a hazardous chelating agent used for cleaning nuclear equipment. An oxidizing stage for receiving the waste water containing the radioactive materials and the hazardous chelating agent in the presence of an oxidizing agent oxidizes the chelating agent into non-hazardous constituents including gas and water. A separator coupled to the oxidizing chamber receives the waste water containing the radioactive material and separates the radioactive solids from the waste water containing dissolved radioactive materials. An ion exchange chamber containing an ion exchange resin receives the waste water containing the dissolved radioactive materials and removes the same from the waste water by ion exchange with the resin.

Abstract: An ultraviolet exposure unit for exposing both sides of a printed circuit board to ultraviolet light to cause ultraviolet sensitive materials which have been applied to said printed circuit board to cure. A vertically positioned curing chamber and a printed circuit board carrier system provide vertical orientation and simultaneous application of ultraviolet light to both sides of the printed circuit board when such ultraviolet materials are applied to both sides of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for the volumetric generation of radiation, wherein a first substance functions as a source of exciting radiation, and a second substance interacts with the exciting radiation to provide a second radiation. The compositions comprise a porous substrate which is loaded with: a source of exciting radiation, a component capable of emitting radiation upon interaction with the exciting radiation, or both. In the composition, a composite is formed from a carrier material and at least one of the source of the exciting radiation or the component which is capable of interacting with the exciting radiation. The composite is then employed for loading a porous substrate, preferably an aerogel substrate.