Abstract: A method for depositing divalent metal compounds on the surface of a nuclear power plant component, the component being a nickel-based or austenitic stainless steel alloy includes: providing within the component an aqueous treatment solution containing at least one soluble metal-containing compound such as a zinc salt and at least one source of oxygen; allowing the treatment solution to remain in the component until the compound is deposited on the wetted surface of the component; and, removing the aqueous solution after exposure. The treatment may be applied more than once, using more than one divalent metal compound, and the surface may further be exposed to a solution containing a noble metal species and a reducing agent. The treatment temperature is preferably below 100° C.

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 and system detects failures in nuclear fuel assemblies (600). A water treatment device degasses/removes fission gases from water used in the canister (500) of a vacuum sipping device (30). A sipping procedure then detects a failure in a fuel assembly in the canister. The degassing improves a signal-to-noise ratio of the detector used during the sipping process, and improves the failure detection sensitivity of the system. Additionally and/or alternatively, gas may be recirculated through the canister water before the vacuum is applied so that fission gas concentration in the recirculating gas reaches a baseline equilibrium with the canister water. The vacuum is thereafter applied and the sipping procedure proceeds such that an increase in detected radioactivity over the baseline equilibrium indicates a leak in the fuel assembly.

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 of cleaning a vessel having deposits on an interior surface includes removably bonding an ultrasonic transducer to an external wall of the vessel and using the ultrasonic transducer to produce ultrasonic energy coupled into the vessel wall such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy is transmitted to the interior surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating simultaneously the effects of multiple, interdependent heat-exchanger degradation modes for a heat exchanger of a power plant in the context of a series of alternative heat-exchanger remediation strategies. The method includes calculating time-varying predicted future progressions of heat exchanger performance metrics for a plurality of alternative heat-exchanger remediation strategies, and calculating time-varying predicted future progressions of financial metrics describing the accumulated financial benefit of each of the strategies. The calculations may be provided in probabilistic terms. A strategy may then be chosen based, at least in part, on the calculated results.

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: A method and system detects failures in nuclear fuel assemblies (600). A water treatment device degasses/removes fission gases from water used in the canister (500) of a vacuum sipping device (30). A sipping procedure then detects a failure in a fuel assembly in the canister. The degassing improves a signal-to-noise ratio of the detector used during the sipping process, and improves the failure detection sensitivity of the system. Additionally and/or alternatively, gas may be recirculated through the canister water before the vacuum is applied so that fission gas concentration in the recirculating gas reaches a baseline equilibrium with the canister water. The vacuum is thereafter applied and the sipping procedure proceeds such that an increase in detected radioactivity over the baseline equilibrium indicates a leak in the fuel assembly.

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: A method of cleaning a vessel having deposits on an interior surface includes removably bonding an ultrasonic transducer to an external wall of the vessel and using the ultrasonic transducer to produce ultrasonic energy coupled into the vessel wall such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy is transmitted to the interior surface.

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: A method is provided for evaluating simultaneously the effects of multiple, interdependent heat-exchanger degradation modes for a heat exchanger of a power plant in the context of a series of alternative heat-exchanger remediation strategies. The method includes calculating time-varying predicted future progressions of heat exchanger performance metrics for a plurality of alternative heat-exchanger remediation strategies, and calculating time-varying predicted future progressions of financial metrics describing the accumulated financial benefit of each of the strategies. The calculations may be provided in probabilistic terms. A strategy may then be chosen based, at least in part, on the calculated results.

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: Provided area cleaning apparatus and an associated method of using the disclosed apparatus wherein the apparatus utilizes one or more nozzles configured to provide a coherent stream of one or more cleaning fluids for removing accumulated fine particulate matter, sludge, from surfaces. The nozzles may be sized, arranged and configured to provide coherent streams that maintain the initial stream diameter for a substantial portion of the maximum dimension of the space being cleaned. The apparatus and method are expected to be particularly useful in the cleaning of heat exchangers incorporating a plurality of substantially vertical and narrowly spaced tubes by directing cleansing streams along a plurality of intertube spaces.

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: Provided area cleaning apparatus and an associated method of using the disclosed apparatus wherein the apparatus utilizes one or more nozzles configured to provide a coherent stream of one or more cleaning fluids for removing accumulated fine particulate matter, sludge, from surfaces. The nozzles may be sized, arranged and configured to provide coherent streams that maintain the initial stream diameter for a substantial portion of the maximum dimension of the space being cleaned. The apparatus and method are expected to be particularly useful in the cleaning of heat exchangers incorporating a plurality of substantially vertical and narrowly spaced tubes by directing cleansing streams along a plurality of intertube spaces.

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.