Abstract: A bore hole drilling system includes a mobile bore hole drilling platform including a mast disposed on the platform including a support for a drill string and a tube member for location within the collar region of a bore hole. The tube member includes an internal longitudinal passage for receiving a drill string therethrough and an external surface for facing outwardly against a wall of the bore hole. The system includes a coupling mechanism that is configured to couple and decouple the tube member and the drilling platform when the tube member is located coaxially within the collar region of the bore hole and substantially axially aligned with the drill string and/or the mast.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a depth of a bore hole. The apparatus includes an elongated strip including linear measurement markings along at least a portion of a length of the strip. A weight is provided at an end of the strip and the strip is comprised of material that has an elastic (Young's) modulus of greater than 0.5 and less than 2.0 GPa. Embodiments of the invention are adapted to quickly and effectively measure the depth of a bore hole or a depth to any major obstructions such as loose rocks that may have fallen into the bore hole.

Abstract: A cladding tube, a fuel rod and a fuel assembly are disclosed. The cladding tube comprises a tubular base component having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an inner space of the cladding tube housing a pile of fuel pellets. The tubular base component is made of a Zr-based alloy. A coating is applied onto the outer surface for protecting the tubular base component from mechanical wear, oxidation and hydriding. The Zr-based alloy has the following composition: Zr=balance, Al=0-2 wt %, Ti=0-20 wt %, Sn=0-6 wt %, Fe=0-0.4 wt %, Nb=0-0.4 wt %, O=200-1800 wtppm, C=0-200 wtppm, Si=0-200 wtppm, and S=0-200 wtppm. The total amount of Al+Ti+Sn>2.5 wt % and ?28 wt %.

Abstract: A method for quantifying oceanic carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration is provided. The method includes obtaining a plurality of oceanic spatiotemporal carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements. A plurality of spatiotemporal chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and a plurality of oceanic temperature measurements are obtained. The obtained plurality of oceanic spatiotemporal CO2 measurements is mapped to the obtained plurality of spatiotemporal Chl-a and the plurality of oceanic temperature measurements in a multidimensional grid. At least one a priori oceanic spatiotemporal CO2 estimate is generated based on the multidimensional grid.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system are provided for evaluating carbon sequestration contributions of nature-based assets located in water environments. The method includes: obtaining meta-descriptors of a nature-based asset and a region of a water environment in which the asset is located; mapping dimensions of the nature-based asset; accessing data of monitored physical characteristics of the nature-based asset in the water environment based on the meta-descriptors of the asset; accessing data of monitored carbon concentration in the region of the water environment based on the meta-descriptors of the region; accessing data on monitored physical, chemical, and biological properties of the water environment based on the meta-descriptors of the region; and applying a model to the accessed data to assign a carbon sequestration contribution per unit measurement of the nature-based asset.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel rod cladding tube is described. The nuclear fuel cladding tube has an oxidation resistant coating of Chromium-Niobium Nitride (Cr—Nb—N). A method for manufacturing a nuclear fuel rod cladding tube is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bore hole drilling system and method. The system includes a mobile bore hole drilling platform including a mast disposed on the platform including a support for a drill string and a tube member for location within the collar region of a bore hole. The tube member includes an internal longitudinal passage for receiving a drill string therethrough and an external surface for facing outwardly against a wall of the bore hole. The system includes a coupling mechanism that is configured to couple and decouple the tube member and the drilling platform when the tube member is located coaxially within the collar region of the bore hole and substantially axially aligned with the drill string and/or the mast.

Abstract: A method for quantifying oceanic carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration is provided. The method includes obtaining a plurality of oceanic spatiotemporal carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements. A plurality of spatiotemporal chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and a plurality of oceanic temperature measurements are obtained. The obtained plurality of oceanic spatiotemporal CO2 measurements is mapped to the obtained plurality of spatiotemporal Chl-a and the plurality of oceanic temperature measurements in a multidimensional grid. At least one a priori oceanic spatiotemporal CO2 estimate is generated based on the multidimensional grid.

Abstract: A coating for protecting a Zirconium alloy based layer of a nuclear fuel rod cladding is provided. The coating comprises a primary layer. A microstructure of the primary layer is comprised of a number of grains and is randomized. The primary layer is configured with a density of about 94.5% or greater. A cladding for a nuclear fuel rod and a method for producing a cladding for a nuclear fuel rod are also provided.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rods are disclosed. The nuclear fuel rods include a substrate and a chromium alloy coating layer applied to the substrate. The chromium alloy coating layer comprises chromium (Cr); a element or compound selected from the group consisting of yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), thorium (Th), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), hafnium (I-lf), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), vanadium (V), rhenium (Re), ruthenium (Ru), cobalt (Co), aluminum (Al), carbides, borides, intermetallics, and combinations thereof; and interstitial elements up to 1500 ppm, wherein carbon (C), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N) are each 500 ppm or less.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop having at least one heating element for heating a cookware member on or to be placed on the cooktop, the at least one heating element being adjustable between a working-power level wherein the at least one heating element is energized to generate heat and a zero-power level wherein the at least one heating element is not energized. The cooking appliance further includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature or rate of temperature change of a cooking element. The cooking appliance further includes a control device configured to adjust the at least one heating element from the working-power level to the zero-power level based on the temperature or rate of temperature change of the cooking element. The at least one heating element will remain at the zero-power level until a user intervenes to re-energize the at least one heating element.

Abstract: A cladding tube, a fuel rod and a fuel assembly are disclosed. The cladding tube comprises a tubular base component having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an inner space of the cladding tube housing a pile of fuel pellets. The tubular base component is made of a Zr-based alloy. A coating is applied onto the outer surface for protecting the tubular base component from mechanical wear, oxidation and hydriding. The Zr-based alloy has the following composition: Zr=balance, Al=0-2 wt %, Ti=0-20 wt %, Sn=0-6 wt %, Fe=0-0.4 wt %, Nb=0-0.4 wt %, O=200-1800 wtppm, C=0-200 wtppm, Si=0-200 wtppm, and S=0-200 wtppm. The total amount of Al+Ti+Sn>2.5 wt % and ?28 wt %.

Abstract: A method of forming a water resistant boundary on a fissile material for use in a water cooled nuclear reactor is described. The method comprises mixing a powdered fissile material selected from the group consisting of UN and U3Si2 with an additive selected from oxidation resistant materials having a melting or softening point lower than the sintering temperature of the fissile material, pressing the mixed fissile and additive materials into a pellet, sintering the pellet to a temperature greater than the melting point of the additive. Alternatively, if the melting point of the oxidation resistant particles is greater than the sintering temperature of UN or U3Si2, then the oxidation resistant particles can have a particle size distribution less than that of the UN or U3Si2.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to methods, systems and devices for forming a randomized grain structure coating on a substrate of a component for use in a nuclear reactor to provide protection against corrosion and, more particularly, is directed to improved methods, systems and devices for forming a randomized grain structure coating on a zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding tube using a cathodic arc (CA) physical vapor deposition (PVD) process to provide protection against corrosion in both normal operation and in transient and accidents of the nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel cladding tube is described herein that includes a zirconium alloy tube having an outer wear and oxidation resistant ceramic coating selected from the group consisting of CrN, Cr2N, CrWN, CrZrN, and combinations thereof. The cladding may have an intermediate layer formed between the tube and the outer ceramic coating. The intermediate layer may be selected from the group consisting of Ta, W, Mo, Nb, and combinations thereof. Both the intermediate layer and the outer ceramic coating may be deposited by physical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A compensated elevator link is disclosed. In at least one aspect, the compensated elevator link comprises a plurality of cylinder housings and a rod having a plurality of ends, each end comprising a piston head adapted to be slideably received within one of the cylinder housings for defining first and second hydraulic cylinders. Each hydraulic cylinder has at least one annulus for receiving a non-compressible fluid. The rod comprises a passage for receiving a compressible fluid, wherein each piston head comprises at least one passage to allow selective displacement of the non-compressible fluid between the annulus of the cylinder housing and the passage within the rod during selective displacement of the hydraulic cylinders between a contracted condition to an extended condition for either compression or expansion of the compressible fluid by the non-compressible fluid.