Abstract: A method for monitoring air inleakage and oxygen content in a steam system, including the steps of: monitoring air flowing in the exhaust of a condenser; determining the total gas flow rate and oxygen content thereof; injecting a pulse of oxygen into the exhaust and measuring the transit time to the monitoring location; determining actual air inleakage rates, independent of or along with the oxygen content thereof; comparing the actual air inleakage and oxygen rates with predetermined rates; and, if the actual rates are increasing relative to the predetermined rates, isolating and eliminating the air inleakage and introducing more oxygen scavenger or, if the actual rates are decreasing relative to the predetermined rates, introducing less oxygen scavenger.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the continuous monitoring of the oxygen or hydrogen concentrations in a steam system with a solid electrolyte oxygen analyzer. The operating temperature of the analyzer is adjusted to about 500.degree. C. and the reference gas used for the analyzer is air or oxygen-inert gas mixture. Under operating conditions, an oxygen or hydrogen level of low parts per billion in superheated or saturated steam can be identified and measured. This technique is specifically useful for continuously monitoring the air inleakage, that is, the oxygen contents in steam and for controlling the corrosion intensity that is, the hydrogen levels in steam in, for example, steam turbine systems in power plants.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic material is integrally incorporated with each of the ionic beads of one component of a mixed ionic resin bed containing more than one ionic bead component, such that the one ionic bead component can be separated from the other component by attraction to a magnetic field. Ionic beads containing a ferromagnetic material are attracted to an inhomogeneous magnetic field while other ionic beads devoid of the ferromagnetic material are not so attracted. In another embodiment, a ferromagnetic material having a specific Curie temperature may be incorporated with one ionic bead component while the other bead component contains a different ferromagnetic material having a different Curie temperature.

Abstract: A liquid sample subject to inclusion of impurities is concentrated by a predetermined concentration factor selected by an operator, with the concentrated sample being thereafter provided to an analyzer so that a meaningful chemical analysis may be performed. A first pump delivers the sample to a liquid reservoir at a first rate and the liquid is boiled to provide a liquid-vapor mixture, with the liquid portion of the mixture being returned to the reservoir by means of a vapor separator. Another pump delivers the concentrated reservoir fluid to an analyzer at a second flowrate, with the ratio of the flowrate of the first pump to the second pump being equivalent to the desired concentration factor. In another embodiment, a faster response time is attained by first boiling the input sample and providing the liquid which is separated from the liquid-vapor mixture to a relatively small reservoir.

Abstract: A conductivity sensor for placement on a curved steam turbine component within the steam path. The sensor includes a metal foil base over which is deposited an electrically insulating layer such as glass. The base and insulating layers are of such thickness so as to be flexible so as to conform to the curved surface. An electrode array is deposited upon the insulating layer and spaced so as to accommodate for deposition of steam impurities onto the insulating layer. Flexible links connect the electrodes to electrical leads so that conductivity indications may be obtained.

Abstract: In a solid electrolyte electrochemical cell device for generating an EMF signal based on the Nernst equation which is indicative of the SO.sub.2 content of a monitored gas environment, the oxygen content of the reference environment of the cell is adjusted to maintain it equal with the oxygen content of the monitored gas environment to eliminate the effect of oxygen on the EMF signal measurement of SO.sub.2.

Abstract: A turbine system which includes a reheater upstream from a low pressure turbine which is subject to corrosive salt depositions from the steam. Conductance probes are inserted at predetermined positions within the low pressure turbine and based on the conductance signals the reheat temperature or load is varied so as to move the corrosive salt deposition zone away from a rotating blade stage of the low pressure turbine.

Abstract: A conductivity cell wherein thin film or foil electrodes are supported in a case or holder and are separated by an electrically insulative spacer member. A small portion of each electrode together with an exposed surface of the spacer member forms a channel in which thin films of an electrolyte may be deposited from a measured environment and with the electrodes being connected to a conductivity circuit the conductance of the thin film may be measured. If the electrolyte and its concentration are known, the film thickness and deposition rate in the channel may be obtained.

Abstract: The SO.sub.3, H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 content of a gas environment containing SO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O is measured by cooling the gas to a temperature to convert SO.sub.3 in the presence of H.sub.2 O to H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 to effectively separate SO.sub.3, H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 from SO.sub.2 to permit the individual measurements of SO.sub.x (SO.sub.2 +SO.sub.3), SO.sub.2 and SO.sub.3, H.sub.2 SO.sub.4.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed of a solution of a resinous carrier and at least two compounds which thermoparticulate at different temperatures between 60.degree. and 200.degree. C. A coating is made by applying the composition to a portion of an electrical apparatus exposed to a gas stream. As the temperature of the coating increases the compound therein thermoparticulate. The time between which the compounds thermoparticulate indicates the rate of rise of the temperature and analysis of the products of thermoparticulation indicates the location of the coating in the electrical apparatus. Alternatively, the coating can consist of several layers with a thermoparticulating compound in each layer which thermoparticulates at different temperatures.

Abstract: A circuit means in combination with a conventional oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte cell establishes the cell in a voltage mode for the purposes of measuring excess oxygen and developing a voltage signal indicative thereof, and switching the cell to a current mode of operation in response to an excess combustible environment wherein current drawn by the cell to pump oxygen for combustible reaction with the excess combustibles environment is measured as an indication of the combustibles content of the gas.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed of a solution of a resinous carrier and at least two compounds which thermoparticulate at different temperatures between 60.degree. and 200.degree. C. A coating is made by applying the composition to a portion of an electrical apparatus exposed to a gas stream. As the temperature of the coating increases the compounds therein thermoparticulate. The time between which the compounds thermoparticulate indicates the rate of rise of the temperature and analysis of the products of thermoparticulation indicates the location of the coating in the electrical apparatus. Alternatively, the coating can consist of several layers with a thermoparticulating compound in each layer which thermoparticulates at different temperatures.

Abstract: A magnetic tape using as recording medium selected magnetic or non-magnetic material is used for on-line physical and chemical analysis by exposure to selected external agents, physical or chemical, causing permanent alterations in the material, and changes in the magnetic properties of the materials are sensed to read out the recorded information in correlation with the analyzed phenomenon or process for storage, monitoring or control purposes.

Abstract: An on-line apparatus and method of using particulography as a technique for detecting and locating overheated material such as insulation within a gas-cooled dynamoelectric machine is disclosed. This technique detects the presence of and identifies the origin of thermoparticulates in a gas stream which are produced by thermal degradation of materials. The gas cooling system is continuously monitored by a gas stream monitor and upon the detection of thermoparticulates in the gas stream, the gas stream is diverted through a particulate collection chamber for entrapment of a sample of the thermoparticulates. The sample is then isolated from the gas cooling system and a flow of clean gas is forced through the sample while the collection chamber is heated at a predetermined rate. Heating the collection chamber will cause reparticulation of the thermoparticulates which are carried to a gas stream monitor located downstream by the flowing gas.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of thermally ionizable particles and vapors is disclosed. The sensor comprises an ionizer for supplying sufficient heat to thermally ionize the particles to be detected. The ionized particles are then caused to flow between the ionizer and an anode by impressing an electrical potential between the ionizer and the anode. The magnitude of the ion current is indicative of the concentration of the particles of vapors to be detected. The sensor is particularly useful in detecting alkali vapors and other particles, for example sodium, which may be easily thermally ionized. In most applications it is contemplated that the sensor will serve as a detector for alkali vapors and particles present in a gaseous atmosphere. Specifically it will serve as a detector for locating leaks in components of the fast breeder nuclear reactor system which employs sodium as a heat exchanger fluid.

Abstract: A magnetic tape using as recording medium selected magnetic or non-magnetic material is used for on-line physical and chemical analysis by exposure to selected external agents, physical or chemical, causing permanent alterations in the material, and change in the magnetic properties of the materials are sensed to read out the recorded information in correlation with the analyzed phenomenon or process for storage, monitoring or control purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the detection of incipient faults in large hydrogen-cooled dynamoelectric machines such as turbine generators. Such machines operate in a hydrogen atmosphere, for cooling, and unavoidably contain some air. The heating of organic insulation, or of metallic parts of the machine, associated with incipient faults results in oxidation or other reactions that reduce the amount of free oxygen present in the machine atmosphere. The occurrence of such incipient faults is detected by monitoring the oxygen content to detect any substantial reduction in the concentration of free oxygen. Since the amount of air in the machine may vary, it is preferred to monitor the oxygen content by determining the ratio of nitrogen to oxygen in the machine.

Abstract: In a hydrogen cooled dynamoelectric machine, an ion chamber detector monitors thermally produced particulates. Specificity and sensitivity of the ion chamber detector are improved by applying an electrical potential of a limited predetermined range to the electrodes of the detector and operation of the detector occurs within a well defined subsaturation range.

Abstract: A system for measuring and controlling the concentration of hydrogen in liquid sodium and in gaseous environments is disclosed. The system comprises a reinforced hollow tube-like membrane which is positioned in the sodium or the gaseous environment such that the hydrogen diffuses through the membrane. Hydrogen diffusing through the membrane is removed by an ion pump to maintain a vacuum inside the membrane. The electrical current flowing through the ion pump is an indication of the hydrogen concentration. Alternatively, the hydrogen can be permitted to diffuse through the membrane until an equilibrium condition is established and a high pressure ionization gauge can be used to determine the hydrogen concentration. The membrane includes integral reinforcing sections permitting the membrane to be thin to achieve high sensitivity and withstand a high differential pressure. Valves are included which isolate the membrane from the sodium or gaseous environment so that the membrane can be easily changed.