Abstract: A nuclear reactor support system that, in one embodiment, includes a reactor vessel, a reactor core disposed within the reactor vessel, an upper portion of the reactor vessel located above a ground plane and a lower portion of the reactor vessel located below the ground plane. The support system further includes a first flange fixedly attached to the upper portion of the reactor vessel and contacting the ground plane, the first flange supporting the reactor vessel, a second flange fixedly attached to the upper portion of the reactor vessel above the ground plane, the second flange spaced vertically apart from the first flange, and a plurality of welded lugs extending vertically between the first and second flanges. The first flange supports the entire weight of the reactor vessel in a cantilevered manner.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor system that, in one embodiment, utilizes natural circulation to circulate a primary coolant in a single-phase through a reactor core and a heat exchange sub-system. The heat exchange sub-system is located outside of the nuclear reactor pressure vessels and, in some embodiments, is designed so as to not cause any substantial pressure drop in the flow of the primary coolant within the heat exchange sub-system that is used to vaporize a secondary coolant. In another embodiment, a nuclear reactor system is disclosed in which the reactor core is located below ground and all penetrations into the reactor pressure vessel are located above ground.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor system that, in one embodiment, utilizes natural circulation to circulate a primary coolant in a single-phase through a reactor core and a heat exchange sub-system. The heat exchange subsystem is located outside of the nuclear reactor pressure vessels and, in some embodiments, is designed so as to not cause any substantial pressure drop in the flow of the primary coolant within the heat exchange sub-system that is used to vaporize a secondary coolant. In another embodiment, a nuclear reactor system is disclosed in which the reactor core is located below ground and all penetrations into the reactor pressure vessel are located above ground.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor system that, in one embodiment, utilizes natural circulation to circulate a primary coolant in a single-phase through a reactor core and a heat exchange sub-system. The heat exchange subsystem is located outside of the nuclear reactor pressure vessels and, in some embodiments, is designed so as to not cause any substantial pressure drop in the flow of the primary coolant within the heat exchange sub-system that is used to vaporize a secondary coolant in another embodiment, a nuclear reactor system is disclosed in which the reactor core is located below ground and all penetrations into the reactor pressure vessel are located above ground.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention can be a heat exchanger comprising: a shell having an inner surface forming a cavity, the shell comprising an inlet for introducing the shell-side liquid into the cavity and an outlet for allowing the vapor to exit the cavity; a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes for carrying a tube-side fluid located in the cavity and having a longitudinal axis; a shroud circumferentially surrounding the tube bundle and positioned between the tube bundle and the inner surface of the shell so that an annular space exists between the shroud and the inner surface; an opening in a bottom portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle; and an opening in a top portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention can be a heat exchanger comprising: a shell having an inner surface forming a cavity, the shell comprising an inlet for introducing the shell-side liquid into the cavity and an outlet for allowing the vapor to exit the cavity; a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes for carrying a tube-side fluid located in the cavity and having a longitudinal axis; a shroud circumferentially surrounding the tube bundle and positioned between the tube bundle and the inner surface of the shell so that an annular space exists between the shroud and the inner surface; an opening in a bottom portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle; and an opening in a top portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating steam within a heat exchanger. In one aspect, the invention can be a heat exchanger comprising: a shell having an inner surface forming a cavity, the shell comprising an inlet for introducing the shell-side liquid into the cavity and an outlet for allowing the vapor to exit the cavity; a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes for carrying a tube-side fluid located in the cavity and having a longitudinal axis; a shroud circumferentially surrounding the tube bundle and positioned between the tube bundle and the inner surface of the shell so that an annular space exists between the shroud and the inner surface; an opening in a bottom portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle; and an opening in a top portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle.

Abstract: Steam power plants utilize high pressure and low pressure feedwater heaters to increase overall system efficiency. Both types of feedwater heaters generally include a subcooling zone that is separate from a condensing zone. The viability of the separation of the zones is critical to the efficiency of the overall system, specifically with regard to the inefficiencies inherent in the leakage of steam from the condensing zone into the subcooling zone. An improvement in the viability of that zone separation for such feedwater heaters is taught by the use of dual end plates for the subcooling zone to create a triple layer of separation between the condensing and subcooling zones to prevent unwanted and inefficient steam leakage.

Abstract: A thermal storage and transfer method for use in both indirect and direct heating solar power plants that involves the use of nitrogen gas as a thermal storage medium for heat transfer in circumstances where little or no solar radiation is available to produce the thermal energy needed to convert water into steam and generate electricity.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus for accommodating thermal and pressure transients.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor system that, in one embodiment, utilizes natural circulation (i.e., thermosiphon) to circulate a primary coolant in a single-phase through a reactor core and a heat exchange sub-system. The heal exchange sub-system is located outside of the nuclear reactor pressure vessels and, in some embodiments, is designed so as to not cause any substantial pressure drop in the flow of the primary coolant within the heal exchange sub-system that is used to vaporize a secondary coolant. In another embodiment, a nuclear reactor system is disclosed in which the reactor core is located below ground and all penetrations into the reactor pressure vessel are located above ground.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating steam within a heat exchanger. In one aspect, the invention can be a heat exchanger comprising: a shell having an inner surface forming a cavity, the shell comprising an inlet for introducing the shell-side liquid into the cavity and an outlet for allowing the vapor to exit the cavity; a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes for carrying a tube-side fluid located in the cavity and having a longitudinal axis; a shroud circumferentially surrounding the tube bundle and positioned between the tube bundle and the inner surface of the shell so that an annular space exists between the shroud and the inner surface; an opening in a bottom portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle; and an opening in a top portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle.

Abstract: A method, system and/or apparatus for reducing the pressure drop in a heat exchanger. In one aspect, the invention can be a heat exchanger comprising: a shell forming a cavity, the shell comprising an inlet for introducing a shell-side fluid into the cavity and an outlet for allowing the shell-side fluid to exit the cavity; a tube bundle for carrying a tube-side fluid, the tube bundle located in the cavity along a longitudinal axis; at least one stabilizing plate positioned within the cavity and arranged in a substantially transverse orientation, the stabilizing plate comprising a lattice structure having openings, wherein tubes of the tube bundle extend through the openings; and wherein the openings of the lattice structure are sized and shaped so that the tubes contact the lattice structure and a portion of the openings remain unobstructed by the tubes, thereby allowing axial flow of the shell-side fluid through the stabilizing plate.

Abstract: A finned tube assembly for an air cooled condenser. The finned tube assembly comprises a non-circular core tube and at least one set of fins that are welded directly to the core tube. The core tube can be formed by a plurality of longitudinal transverse sections that are seam welded together. In another embodiment, the invention is a fined tube assembly having an outer surface that is made corrosion resistant by a surface conversion process, such as ferretic nitrocarburization.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus for accommodating thermal and pressure transients.

Abstract: A fin and tube assembly for use in a heat exchanger comprising a carbon steel tube, a carbon steel fin, and an external brazing compound comprising a material selected from the group consisting of nickel, chrome, copper, aluminum, zinc, and graphite brazed to the tube and fin is disclosed. A method for making the assembly and a power plant which includes the assembly are also disclosed. The brazing compound functions to prevent corrosion of the carbon steel and also functions to attach the tube and fin together.

Abstract: A fin and tube assembly for use in a heat exchanger comprising a carbon steel tube, a carbon steel fin, and an external brazing compound comprising a material selected from the group consisting of nickel, chrome, copper, aluminum, zinc, and graphite brazed to the tube and fin is disclosed. A method for making the assembly and a power plant which includes the assembly are also disclosed. The brazing compound functions to prevent corrosion of the carbon steel and also functions to attach the tube and fin together.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for facilitating the transfer of heat between two fluids where preventing the mixing of the two fluids is imperative. In one aspect the invention is an apparatus for use in a heat exchanger system comprising at least one outer tube having an inner tube extending through the at least one outer tube so as to form an interstitial space between each inner tube and each outer tube; and a ridge located in each interstitial space and contacting the inner tube and outer tube so as to form a fluid passageway through each interstitial space. Preferably, the ridge is helical in shape and extends the entire length of the interstitial space. In other aspects, the invention is a heat exchanger system incorporating the apparatus and a method of using the apparatus.

Abstract: A power plant apparatus comprising a condenser for condensing turbine exhaust steam having a steam dome, a steam inlet, a tube bundle, a hot well for collecting condensate, an air removal section, an internal makeup water heater bundle. An internal makeup water header which includes a pipe having spray nozzles arranged counter-current to the flow of steam introduced by the steam inlet is used to introduce heated makeup water into the exhaust stream from the turbine within the condenser.

Abstract: A power plant apparatus comprising a condenser for condensing turbine exhaust steam having a steam dome, a steam inlet, a tube bundle, a hot well for collecting condensate, an air removal section, an internal makeup water heater bundle. An internal makeup water header which includes a pipe having spray nozzles arranged counter-current to the flow of steam introduced by the steam inlet is used to introduce heated makeup water into the exhaust stream from the turbine within the condenser.