Abstract: Method for stripping ceramic coatings from the surfaces of articles. The apparatus includes a dedicated pressure vessel, such as an autoclave, which is maintained at an elevated temperature. Caustic solution is preheated to a first elevated temperature before injecting it into the autoclave, and the caustic solution is filtered and cooled after use in the autoclave. The articles are stripped of coating by maintaining the articles at an elevated temperature and pressure for a predetermined time. Various options include the use of analytical equipment to maintain the chemistry of the caustic solution and use of a volatile organic solution to prepressurize the autoclave and shorten cycle time. The articles are transferred to a separate pressure vessel after completion of the stripping operation so that the autoclave used for stripping can be maintained at an elevated temperature, thereby shortening the cycle time for stripping of additional articles.

Abstract: Analysis equipment for determining a concentration of an organic component and a caustic component of a reusable organic caustic solution that has been utilized for removing a ceramic coating from a metallic component at elevated temperatures and pressures, such as in an autoclave. Sensors are positioned between a filter for removing particles of the ceramic coating dispersed in the reusable organic caustic solution from the reusable organic caustic solution and a storage tank storing the reusable organic caustic solution after removal from the autoclave. The sensors measure physical properties of the reusable organic caustic solution after removal of the particles from the reusable organic caustic solution, such as electrical conductivity, opacity, refractive index, density, fluidity and the speed of sound in the solution.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping ceramic coatings from the surfaces of articles. The apparatus includes a dedicated pressure vessel, such as an autoclave, which is maintained at an elevated temperature. Caustic solution is preheated to a first elevated temperature before injecting it into the autoclave, and the caustic solution is filtered and cooled after use in the autoclave. The articles are stripped of coating by maintaining the articles at an elevated temperature and pressure for a predetermined time. Various options include the use of analytical equipment to maintain the chemistry of the caustic solution and use of a volatile organic solution to prepressurize the autoclave and shorten cycle time. The autoclave is maintained in a nitrogen chamber to minimize the risks associated with volatile components.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping ceramic coatings from the surfaces of articles. The apparatus includes a dedicated pressure vessel, such as an autoclave, which is maintained at an elevated temperature. Caustic solution is preheated to a first elevated temperature before injecting it into the autoclave, and the caustic solution is filtered and cooled after use in the autoclave. The articles are stripped of coating by maintaining the articles at an elevated temperature and pressure for a predetermined time. Various options include the use of analytical equipment to maintain the chemistry of the caustic solution and use of a volatile organic solution to prepressurize the autoclave and shorten cycle time. The autoclave is maintained in a nitrogen chamber to minimize the risks associated with volatile components.

Abstract: A coated article is prepared by melting and casting an article substrate formed of a nickel-base superalloy. The article substrate is heated in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 2000.degree. F. for a period sufficient to desulfurize the substrate to a sulfur content of less than about 1 part per million. Optionally, an aluminum-oxide environmental coating is provided overlying the substrate. A ceramic thermal barrier coating is applied overlying the substrate. Significantly, there being no bond coat applied to the substrate prior to the application of the thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing an adherent and oxidation-resistant aluminide region on the surface of a nickel- or cobalt-based superalloy article. A hypo-stoichiometric region of nickel or cobalt aluminide is produced by chemical vapor deposition on the surface of the article. Nickel or cobalt from the superalloy surface diffuses outward into the hypo-stoichiometric region, thus preventing migration of various refractory elements generally present in the superalloy, whose presence has a detrimental effect on the adhesion and oxidation resistance of a conventional aluminide region. A hyper-stoichiometric region of nickel or cobalt aluminide is then deposited by chemical vapor deposition on the hypo-stoichiometric region, to provide a sufficient supply of aluminum on the exposed surface of the article for forming a tough oxidation-resistant scale of alumina.

Abstract: Optically non-scattering films of titanium dioxide for use in optical elements are prepared by overcoating a non-scattering layer of titanium dioxide with an amorphous layer of silicon dioxide at a temperature which is below the crystallization temperature of the non-scattering film of titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide layers can be deposited by a fusion chemical vapor deposition technique by pyrolytic decomposition of suitable precursors containing the necessary constituents of the respective film layers.

Abstract: A vapor compression cycle device is provided using two capillaries to maximize efficiency benefits due to capillary flowrate regulation thus permitting the working fluid flowrate to depend on the level of liquid working fluid accumulated at the condenser.

Abstract: A vapor compression cycle device is provided which incorporates a first expansion device, a second expansion device with inlet positioned upstream from said first expansion device and means to transfer heat from the working fluid liquid flowing through said first expansion device to the expanded working fluid flowing through said second expansion device so as to maximize efficiency benefits due to flowrate regulation thus permitting the working fluid flowrate to depend on the level of liquid working fluid accumulated at the condenser.

Abstract: Adjustments in working fluid mixture composition directly effecting the capacity of an associated vapor compression cycle device are achieved by varying the inventory of mixture stored in a device high-pressure accumulator through the controlled regulation of the accumulator pressure.

Abstract: In the preparation of the gaseous reactant feed to undergo a chemical reaction requiring the presence of steam, the efficiency of overall power utilization is improved by premixing the gaseous reactant feed with water and then heating to evaporate the water in the presence of the gaseous reactant feed, the heating fluid utilized being at a temperature below the boiling point of water at the pressure in the volume where the evaporation occurs.

Abstract: Recovery of substantially all of the work associated with the expansion of a multi-component working fluid mixture in a vapor compression cycle device is enabled by conveying working fluid in a liquid phase from a condenser to a coldest portion of an evaporator assembly in a countercurrent heat exchange relationship with fluid flowing through the evaporator assembly.

Abstract: A vapor compression cycle device with variable thermal capacity is provided with a means and a method for controlling device capacity modulation and evaporator superheat. Multi-component working fluid liquid flow from each of a pair of accumulators in a closed circuit device is regulated either in response to sensed thermal demand or in response to sensed working fluid vapor superheat.

Abstract: A power plant includes a primary and a secondary power cycle, with the secondary power cycle including a thermal reservoir adapted for the absorption of heat rejected from the primary power cycle during the simultaneous generation of power from the secondary power cycle. Heat is withdrawn from the thermal reservoir during periods of reduced power demand, allowing latitude in the scheduling of heat rejection from the power plant.

Abstract: A vapor compression cycle device includes a multi-component working fluid, a compressor, a condensing heat exchanger, a high-pressure accumulator and an evaporating heat exchanger assembly comprising a plurality of evaporator stages and a low pressure accumulator to enable the modulation of the capacity of the device to transfer heat. Means are provided to enable a rapid switching from device operation at high capacity to a lower capacity including the locating of the low pressure accumulator before a last stage of the evaporating heat exchanger in the working fluid flow path. The disclosed arrangement also includes means for avoiding the depletion of lubricating oil at the compressor during normal operation, as well as means for controlling the superheating of the working fluid.

Abstract: Composite high intensity discharge lamp constructions are described adapted for use in the recovery, in the form of heat, of energy in the non-visible frequencies emitted by such lamps. A transparent sleeve is disposed around and spaced from the lamp body being directly or indirectly connected thereto. Air passing between the sleeve and the lamp is brought into intimate heat transfer contact with both the outer surface of the lamp outer envelope and the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A vapor compression cycle device is described which includes a multi-component working fluid mixture, and an improved condensing heat exchanger. The vapor compression cycle device includes also a high-pressure liquid accumulator with an associated flow restricting device positioned between the condensing heat exchanger and the evaporating heat exchanger, and a liquid accumulator positioned between the evaporating heat exchanger and the compressor. A method is also described of modulating the capacity of such a device.

Abstract: A vapor compression cycle device is described which includes a multi-component working fluid mixture, a high-pressure liquid accumulator with an associated flow restricting device positioned between the condensing heat exchanger and the evaporating heat exchanger, and a low-pressure liquid accumulator positioned between the evaporating heat exchanger and the compressor. A method is also described of modulating the capacity of such a device.

Abstract: A vapor compression cycle device is described which includes a multi-component working fluid mixture, condensing heat exchanger and an associated vapor-liquid separator connected to the compressor, a high-pressure liquid accumulator connected to the condenser and associated separator, a flow restricting device connected to the condenser and associated separator, an evaporating heat exchanger and associated low-pressure accumulator connected to the flow restricting device, and the evaporating heat exchanger and low-pressure accumulator connected to the compressor. A method is described also to modulating the capacity of such a device.

Abstract: Heat from an exothermic chemical reaction(s) is employed to superheat and/or reheat steam generated by a light water nuclear reactor (LWR). The use of such a source of heat enables the selection of a temperature for the heating limited by thermodynamic considerations that eliminates equipment failures due to overheating the heater tubes.