Abstract: A method for depositing zinc on the surfaces of a coolant loop of a nuclear power plant includes: providing within a portion of the coolant loop a treatment solution comprising zinc and optionally one or more noble metals and/or reducing agent(s); allowing the treatment solution to remain in the portion for a treatment period; and removing the treatment solution from the portion. According to various embodiments, an average temperature of the treatment solution over the course of the treatment period is less than 150° C. or 100° C. According to various embodiments, an instantaneous temperature of the treatment solution remains below 150° C. or 100° C. throughout the treatment period. The zinc deposition treatment may be applied (1) before the plant is first put into power-generating operation or (2) during an outage following power-generating operation and optionally following a chemical decontamination to remove any oxides formed on surfaces of a coolant loop during prior power operation period(s).

Abstract: A modular water purification system for a nuclear power plant includes a plurality of modules that may be selectively connected together directly or through the use of intermediary adapters in a plurality of arrangements. The modules may include a pump module, a FOSAR module, a particulate filtration module, a cross-flow filtration module, a degasification module, and/or a demineralization module, among other possible modules. The modules may have common interfaces so that they can be interconnected (directly or through intermediary adapters) in a variety of configurations for different purposes within the context of the nuclear power plant (e.g., filtering pool water; collecting large objects via vacuuming). Various modules may have form factors and/or mounting structures that are similar enough to the fuel assemblies of the plant that (1) the plant's fuel assembly handling equipment can grab, move, and reposition the modules, and/or (2) the modules may be stored in the fuel pool's storage rack.

Abstract: A modular water purification system for a nuclear power plant includes a plurality of modules that may be selectively connected together directly or through the use of intermediary adapters in a plurality of arrangements. The modules may include a pump module, a FOSAR module, a particulate filtration module, a cross-flow filtration module, a degasification module, and/or a demineralization module, among other possible modules. The modules may have common interfaces so that they can be interconnected (directly or through intermediary adapters) in a variety of configurations for different purposes within the context of the nuclear power plant (e.g., filtering pool water; collecting large objects via vacuuming). Various modules may have form factors and/or mounting structures that are similar enough to the fuel assemblies of the plant that (1) the plant's fuel assembly handling equipment can grab, move, and reposition the modules, and/or (2) the modules may be stored in the fuel pool's storage rack.

Abstract: A method for depositing zinc on the surfaces of a coolant loop of a nuclear power plant includes: providing within a portion of the coolant loop a treatment solution comprising zinc and optionally one or more noble metals and/or reducing agent(s); allowing the treatment solution to remain in the portion for a treatment period; and removing the treatment solution from the portion. According to various embodiments, an average temperature of the treatment solution over the course of the treatment period is less than 150° C. or 100° C. According to various embodiments, an instantaneous temperature of the treatment solution remains below 150° C. or 100° C. throughout the treatment period. The zinc deposition treatment may be applied (1) before the plant is first put into power-generating operation or (2) during an outage following power-generating operation and optionally following a chemical decontamination to remove any oxides formed on surfaces of a coolant loop during prior power operation period(s).

Abstract: A particulate removal apparatus and method are used to capture and remove particulates from nuclear reactor core coolant during normal operation. Bottom nozzle, particulate removal apparatus and top nozzle structures form an assembly sized to be installed in place of a nuclear fuel assembly. The particulate removal achieved reduces the inventory of corrosion product deposits, foreign objects and other particulates in the reactor coolant system. This in turn reduces activation or deposition of particulates on fuel cladding, with a corresponding improvement in fuel reliability and reduction in ex-core radiation fields.

Abstract: An aqueous cleaning solution that has been previously used to remove deposits from a nuclear steam generator (or other vessel) is reused after being transferred from the steam generator into an external vessel. The spent cleaning solution may be reconditioned and reused in a further cleaning of the same steam generator or a different steam generator. The different cleanings being accomplished by the cleaning solution may be of the same type or different types (e.g., iron oxide removal and/or copper removal).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers and similar vessels by introducing chemical cleaning solutions and/or solvents while maintaining a target temperature range by direct steam injection into the cleaning solution. The steam may be injected directly into the heat exchanger or into a temporary side stream loop for recirculating the cleaning solution or admixed with fluids being injected to the heat exchanger. The disclosed methods are suitable for removing metallic oxides from a heat exchanger under chemically reducing conditions or metallic species such as copper under chemically oxidizing conditions. In order to further enhance the heat transfer efficiency of heating cleaning solvents by direct steam injection, mixing on the secondary side of the heat exchanger can be enhanced by gas sparging or by transferring liquid between heat exchangers when more than one heat exchanger is being cleaned at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for conditioning and removing solid deposits that have formed on or otherwise accumulated within one or more components including, for example, scale formed within a steam generating system. The aqueous cleaning compositions incorporate one or more quaternary ammonium hydroxides characterized by pKa values no less than about 13.5. These quaternary ammonium hydroxides may be used alone or in combination with one or more additives including, for example, chelating agents, reducing or oxidizing agents, pH adjustment agents, surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, complexing agents, dispersants and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An aqueous cleaning solution that has been previously used to remove deposits from a nuclear steam generator (or other vessel) is reused after being transferred from the steam generator into an external vessel. The spent cleaning solution may be reconditioned and reused in a further cleaning of the same steam generator or a different steam generator. The different cleanings being accomplished by the cleaning solution may be of the same type or different types (e.g., iron oxide removal and/or copper removal).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers and similar vessels by introducing chemical cleaning solutions and/or solvents while maintaining a target temperature range by direct steam injection into the cleaning solution. The steam may be injected directly into the heat exchanger or into a temporary side stream loop for recirculating the cleaning solution or admixed with fluids being injected to the heat exchanger. The disclosed methods are suitable for removing metallic oxides from a heat exchanger under chemically reducing conditions or metallic species such as copper under chemically oxidizing conditions. In order to further enhance the heat transfer efficiency of heating cleaning solvents by direct steam injection, mixing on the secondary side of the heat exchanger can be enhanced by gas sparging or by transferring liquid between heat exchangers when more than one heat exchanger is being cleaned at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for conditioning and removing solid deposits that have formed on or otherwise accumulated within one or more components including, for example, scale formed within a steam generating system. The aqueous cleaning compositions incorporate one or more quaternary ammonium hydroxides characterized by pKa values no less than about 13.5. These quaternary ammonium hydroxides may be used alone or in combination with one or more additives including, for example, chelating agents, reducing or oxidizing agents, pH adjustment agents, surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, complexing agents, dispersants and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers and similar vessels by introducing chemical cleaning solutions and/or solvents while maintaining a target temperature range by direct steam injection into the cleaning solution. The steam may be injected directly into the heat exchanger or into a temporary side stream loop for recirculating the cleaning solution or admixed with fluids being injected to the heat exchanger. The disclosed methods are suitable for removing metallic oxides from a heat exchanger under chemically reducing conditions or metallic species such as copper under chemically oxidizing conditions. In order to further enhance the heat transfer efficiency of heating cleaning solvents by direct steam injection, mixing on the secondary side of the heat exchanger can be enhanced by gas sparging or by transferring liquid between heat exchangers when more than one heat exchanger is being cleaned at the same time.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers and similar vessels by introducing chemical cleaning solutions and/or solvents while maintaining a target temperature range by direct steam injection into the cleaning solution. The steam may be injected directly into the heat exchanger or into a temporary side stream loop for recirculating the cleaning solution or admixed with fluids being injected to the heat exchanger. The disclosed methods are suitable for removing metallic oxides from a heat exchanger under chemically reducing conditions or metallic species such as copper under chemically oxidizing conditions. In order to further enhance the heat transfer efficiency of heating cleaning solvents by direct steam injection, mixing on the secondary side of the heat exchanger can be enhanced by gas sparging or by transferring liquid between heat exchangers when more than one heat exchanger is being cleaned at the same time.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display may include a rear polarizer comprising a front and rear wire grid polarizer respectively having first and second pluralities of closely spaced parallel metallic lines. An optically absorptive material is disposed proximate a viewing side of the second plurality of closely spaced parallel metallic lines. A liquid crystal array may be disposed between the front polarizer and the rear polarizers. The front wire grid polarizer may include a plurality of closely spaced parallel metallic lines and an optically absorptive material disposed proximate one side of the metallic lines. The optically absorptive material may be configured such that said wire grid polarizer is characterized by reflectivity of less than 4%. Alternatively, the front polarizer may include a substrate having a plurality of ribs and an optically absorptive material disposed on said ribs proximate one side of said ribs.

Abstract: A combined functionality film may include a wire gird polarizer formed onto a surface of the retarder or compensation film. The wire grid polarizer is configured to transmit light of a desired polarization and reflect light of an undesired polarization. The retarder film or compensation film is configured to increase an angular viewing angle for a liquid crystal display. Such a combined functionality film may be incorporated into a liquid crystal display (LCD) or LCD panel assembly.

Abstract: Material may be obliquely deposited on a plurality of down-web oriented features on a substrate oriented in a down-web (z) direction or other than a cross-web (y) direction. A linear source generates a vapor flux of a material oriented parallel to the substrate and either parallel to the y direction or at an angle intermediate the y and z directions. The vapor flux impinges on the substrate at an oblique angle relative to the y direction. The substrate moves in the z direction relative to the linear source as the material impinges on the substrate. The vapor flux has a sufficiently narrow angular distribution in a plane perpendicular the substrate and parallel to the y direction that material deposits on predetermined portions of the down-web oriented features but not other portions, forming parallel down-web oriented lines of the material on the substrate.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer may be formed by embossing a substrate surface with a mold having a plurality of grooves to form raised ridges; and depositing a metal line profile onto the ridges through one or more baffles oriented at an oblique angle to the normal of the substrate. The metal line profile is characterized by a cross-sectional width that tapers such that the metal line profile is wider proximate a vertex of the ridges than proximate a base of the ridges. A wire grid polarizer may comprise a substrate with a plurality of raised ridges and a plurality of metal lines on the raised ridges. The metal lines are characterized by cross-sectional metal line profiles having triangular shapes with a tip down configuration. Such a wire grid polarizer may be used in a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: An optical display having integrated functions in one or more layer is disclosed. Specifically, the optical display having two or more of the optical components integrated into a single layer without laminating two different layers of material together. A method of making a wire grids polarizer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer may be fabricated by forming plurality of substantially-straight metallic lines of predetermined periodicity ? on a thin film substrate A plurality of substantially straight nanometer-scale periodic surface relief structures is created on a surface of the substrate. The periodic surface relief structures cover a region greater than about 4 centimeters in length and greater than about 4 centimeters in width, wherein the periodicity ? is between about 10 nanometers and about 500 nanometers. One or more layers of material are formed on the periodic relief structures. The one or more layers include one or more conductor materials that form the plurality of substantially straight metallic lines over a region of the substrate greater than about 4 centimeters in length and greater than about 4 centimeters in width.

Abstract: A direct view display apparatus is disclosed. The direct view display apparatus comprises a source of backlight, a liquid crystal array; a tandem reflective polarizer having two or more reflective polarizer elements disposed in tandem between the source of backlight and the liquid crystal array; and a second polarizer. The liquid crystal array is disposed between the tandem reflective polarizers and the second polarizer. The second polarizer is an absorptive polarizer.