Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for foreline diagnostics and control. A foreline coupled to a chamber exhaust is instrumented with one or more sensors, in some embodiments placed between the chamber exhaust and an abatement system. The one or more sensors are positioned to measure pressure in the foreline as an indicator of conductance. The sensors are coupled to a trained machine learning model configured to provide a signal when the foreline needs a cleaning cycle or when preventive maintenance should be performed. In some embodiments, the trained machine learning predicts when cleaning or preventive maintenance will be needed.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a heatsink in which a heat dissipation layer is formed on a surface of a substrate formed by casting, includes shooting the heat dissipation layer by image pickup means in a state where residual heat transferred from the substrate to the heat dissipation layer remains and thereby acquiring image data representing a temperature distribution on a surface of the heat dissipation layer, the heat dissipation layer being formed by performing a film-forming process on the surface of the substrate where residual heat that is generated when the substrate is cast remains, the image pickup means being configured to receive an emission of light from molecules of the heat dissipation layer.

Abstract: Automated fluid handling system comprising a housing and two or more fluid handling units arranged as interchangeable modular components with an external fluidics section and an internal non fluidics section, and wherein the housing comprises a liquid handling panel with two or more of component positions for receiving said interchangeable modular components such that the external fluidics section is separated from the non fluidics section by the liquid handling panel.

Abstract: A method for temperature measurement used in an RF processing apparatus for semiconductor includes generating by electrodes an RF signal sequence having multiple discontinuous RF signals that are separated by a time interval; and generating a temperature sensing signal by a thermal sensor during the time interval.

Abstract: A repair method (72) for extending a service life of a power turbine disk (12) having corrosion damage, wherein the power turbine (14) includes stages (16, 18, 20, 22) and interstage gaps (26, 28, 30, 32). The method (72) includes conducting a first thermal analysis (74) of a baseline configuration of a baseline disk that does not have corrosion to determine a first steady state temperature distribution (44). A corrosion damaged disk (12) is then machined (76) to a depth suitable for repairing the corrosion to form a machined disk. A second thermal analysis (78) of the machined disk is conducted to determine a second steady state temperature distribution of the machined disk. A first predicted safe cyclic life (PSCL) (80) is then calculated for disk axisymmetric features (1-10) of the machined disk. A second PSCL (82) is also calculated for disk firtree features (70) of the machined disk. Further, the method (72) is qualified (84) to ensure that the quality of the machined disk is consistent with a new disk.

Abstract: A pipe diagnostic system includes a sensor capsule, measurement circuitry and a controller. The sensor capsule is configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of a pipe and has at least one temperature sensitive element disposed therein. The measurement circuitry is coupled to the sensor capsule and is configured to measure an electrical characteristic of the at least one temperature sensitive element and provide an indication of the measurement. The controller is coupled to the measurement circuitry and is configured to obtain a transmitter reference measurement and employ a heat transfer calculation with the transmitter reference measurement and the indication to generate an estimated process fluid temperature. The controller is further configured to obtain an indication of process fluid temperature and provide a pipe diagnostic indication based on a comparison of the estimated process fluid temperature and the obtained indication of process fluid temperature.

Abstract: A sensor capsule for a heat flux sensor includes a hot end and a cold end. The sensor capsule includes a thermal conductor extending from the hot end toward the cold end, and a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the thermal conductor at different distances from the hot end.

Abstract: Methods are presented. Signals are sent into a first surface of a structure using an ultrasonic transducer. Ultrasound response signals are received at the ultrasonic transducer. A portion of a second surface of the structure is heated while the ultrasonic transducer is sending signals into the first surface, wherein the second surface is on an opposite side of the structure from the first surface. Infrared images of the portion of the second surface of the structure are taken after heating the second surface.

Abstract: A riser stub for acoustic resonance decomposition of hydrate in deepwater drilling, comprising a through tubular stub body, a plurality of acoustic transducers being fixedly disposed on an outer wall surface of the tubular stub body; an outer side of the tubular stub body being covered with a water insulation layer, the plurality of acoustic transducers being sealed between the tubular stub body and the water insulation layer, the water insulation layer being further provided with a power-on interface that can be connected to a power supply, the plurality of acoustic transducers being connected to the power-on interface.

Abstract: Measuring method for high temperature thermal bridge effect and low temperature thermal bridge effect and measuring system thereof are provided. Measuring system for high temperature thermal bridge effect and low temperature thermal bridge effect includes a predetermined zone temperature sensor module providing a first measurement information, an indoor environment temperature sensor module providing a second measurement information, a display module, and a microprocessor module coupled with the predetermined zone temperature sensor module, the indoor environment temperature sensor module, and the display module. A first alarm signal is outputted by the microprocessor module when a difference between the first measurement information and the second measurement information is larger than a first predetermined temperature threshold value.

Abstract: Scale deposition on a heat transfer surface in a liquid system such as a heat exchanger is estimated by directing of small portion of the liquid flow through a test cell, consisting of a sensor positioned on and projecting through a conduit wall. The sensor consists of a conductive block containing a heater and having a heated wetted test surface that is flush with the inside of the conduit wall and in contact with the flow through the conduit. Within the conductive block are two temperature sensors which are at different distances from the heated wetted test surface and the heater. The periphery of the apparatus is designed to reduce heat flow through the periphery and allow greater heat flow through the heated wetted test surface. By comparing the temperature differential between the two temperature sensors to the differential when no scale is present, the presence of and amount of scale can be determined, based on reduced heat transfer through the heated wetted surface caused by the accumulated scale.

Abstract: A scale deposition testing device, which is capable of precisely evaluating the state of scale deposition in consideration of an effect of retained geothermal water that occurs in an actual geothermal power plant, includes a plurality of scale deposition containers filled with particulates; hot water supply means for causing hot water to flow through each of the scale deposition containers; a retention unit for retaining the hot water; hot water condition change means for changing at least one of the flow rate, temperature, pressure, and composition of the hot water for each of the scale deposition containers; measuring means for measuring at least one of the flow rate, temperature, and pressure of the hot water flowing through each of the scale deposition containers; and a recorder for receiving data from the measuring means, the retention unit being capable of changing the hot water retention time.

Abstract: Detecting TIM between a heat sink and an integrated circuit, the heat sink including TIM detection points, each TIM detection point adapted to receive TIM upon installation of the heat sink, each TIM detection point including a TIM detection device configured to be activated upon contact with TIM, including: receiving, upon installation of the heat sink on the integrated circuit and the TIM, TIM in one or more of the TIM detection points; activating, by the TIM in each of the one or more TIM detection points receiving the TIM, a TIM detection device; and determining, by a TIM detection module in dependence upon the activations of the TIM detection devices, sufficiency of the TIM between the heat sink and the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A multi-stage sensor is situated on the head transducer and configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium. A first sensor stage of the multi-stage sensor has a temperature coefficient of resistance. A second sensor stage of the multi-stage sensor is coupled to the first sensor and has a temperature coefficient of resistance. The first sensor stage is configured to preferentially sense asperities of the media relative to the second sensor stage, and the second sensor stage configured to preferentially sense proximity to, and contact with, a surface of the media relative to the first sensor stage. The first and second sensor stages may be connected in series or in parallel.

Abstract: Detecting TIM between a heat sink and an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including TIM detection points adapted to receive TIM upon installation of the heat sink and including a TIM detection device configured to be activated upon contact with TIM, including: receiving, upon installation of the heat sink on the integrated circuit and the TIM, TIM in one or more of the TIM detection points; activating, by the TIM in each of the one or more TIM detection points receiving the TIM, a TIM detection device; determining, by a TIM detection module of the integrated circuit in dependence upon the activations of the TIM detection devices, sufficiency of the TIM; and responsive to determining that the TIM between the heat sink and the integrated circuit is insufficient, controlling, in real-time by the TIM detection module, operation of the integrated circuit to reduce heat generated by the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A sorption exothermicity measurement device (1) mainly includes: an air pump (2) that supplies dry air; a bubbling instrument (3) that humidifies dry air and supplies humidified air; a reaction measuring instrument (4) into which air flows so that the dry air or the humidified air comes in contact with a sample (10) to be measured; and a flow rate measuring instrument (5) that measures the flow rate of at least the humidified air flowing into the reaction measuring instrument (4). The reaction instruments are connected by flow paths through which the dry air or the humidified air flows. Furthermore, at least a humidified air supply system needle valve (13) that regulates the flow rate of the humidified air is included.

Abstract: A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting polarimetric radar data at different depths into the ice using at least one airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice so that the polarimetric radar data defines polarimetric volumetric radar data. The polarimetric volumetric radar data is processed based upon at least one polarimetric feature to thereby detect an oil mass covered by the ice.

Abstract: A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting radiometric data different frequencies, corresponding to respective different depths into the ice, using at least one airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice so that the radiometric data defines radiometric volumetric data. The radiometric volumetric data is processed to thereby detect an oil mass covered by the ice.

Abstract: A method for detecting accretion or abrasion on a first measuring tube of a flow measuring device. A first temperature as a function of time is registered via a first temperature sensor, which is arranged on the first measuring tube in such a manner that, between the first temperature sensor and the medium, at least one measuring tube wall of the first measuring tube is embodied. Parallel in time, a second reference temperature as a function of time is registered by a second temperature sensor, which is spaced from the first temperature sensor and thermally coupled to the medium. Therefrom, at least one variable characteristic is determined, and accretion or abrasion on the first measuring tube is detected, if the at least one determined characteristic variable or a variable derived therefrom deviates by more than a limit value from a predetermined reference variable.

Abstract: A sensor supported by a head transducer has a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and a sensor resistance. The sensor operates at a temperature above ambient and is responsive to changes in sensor-medium spacing. Conductive contacts connected to the sensor have a contact resistance and a cross-sectional area adjacent to the sensor larger than that of the sensor, such that the contact resistance is small relative to the sensor resistance and negligibly contributes to a signal generated by the sensor. A multiplicity of head transducers each support a TCR sensor and a power source can supply bias power to each sensor of each head to maintain each sensor at a fixed temperature above an ambient temperature in the presence of heat transfer changes impacting the sensors. A TCR sensor of a head transducer can include a track-oriented TCR sensor wire for sensing one or both of asperities of the medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring at least one physical parameter of a fluid flow, in particular the total air temperature, comprising: a profiled body (2) of elongate shape along a longitudinal axis (L) and having at least two walls arranged contiguous to each other at an acute angle to form a wedge-shaped portion (7), said wedge-shaped portion (7) extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the profiled body (2); at least one sensing element (4) for measuring the physical parameter of the fluid flow, said sensing element (4) being positioned in a window (3) formed through the profiled body (2), characterized in that each of the walls (71; 72) forming the wedge-shaped portion (7) comprises at least one notch forming a deflector angle relative to said wall (71; 72) so as to weaken the formation of ice on the wedge-shaped portion (7).

Abstract: Example methods, systems, and computer readable media are provided for monitoring operating processes. An example method includes monitoring an equipment parameter associated with an asset in an operating process unit and monitoring a process parameter associated with the asset. The example method includes determining an asset health corresponding to the asset. The asset health is determined based on a potential state of corrosion associated with the asset by comparing a corrosivity index to a corrosion threshold. The corrosivity index is a function of at least one of current values or changes in the monitored equipment parameter or the monitored process parameter over time.

Abstract: A sensor (10; 34) for measuring and/or detecting fouling that forms directly or indirectly on a so-called front surface of the sensor, includes the following in the form of a plurality of superimposed layers: —at least one heating element (14) that is able to diffuse, on command, a homogenous, monitored heat flow whose heat output is less than 200 mW, —a heat insulator (11) located on the side opposite the front surface of the sensor to prevent dissipation of the heat flow from the opposite side, —at least one temperature measuring element (16) that is placed in the homogenous heat flow diffused by the at least one heating element and that offers a precision of temperature measurement of better than 0.1° C., and —a substrate (12; 42) on which the layers of the at least one heating element and at least one temperature measuring element are connected.

Abstract: A method for non-destructive testing of open hollow components for tightness supplies a gas under pressure into the component and cools the component in a punctiform manner. Detecting a leak out of the component using a thermographic camera and using a computer connected downstream of the thermographic camera to visualise the leak, follows. The precise location of each leak is thus detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the detection and/or measurement of fouling in a heat exchanger, whereby the resistance value (R1, R2) of a resistor (R), placed on a wall (P) of this heat exchanger, is measured at two different instants and a value of the measurements (R2; R1) that corresponds to a function of the values measured at these two instants is determined, characterized in that the resistor (R) is subjected in succession to two power levels (P1, P2) that are each maintained for a certain duration, the first power level (P1) being below the second power level (P2), and the measurements of the two resistance values (R1, R2) being respectively carried out during application of these two power levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermal imaging systems and methods and uses therefor, and in a particular though non-limiting embodiment, to a method of detecting corrosion under insulation, as well as corrosion-related material data associated therewith. The system utilizes advanced infrared imaging video cameras to detect characteristic signatures of wet thermal traits on process equipment. Various embodiments of the invention integrate equipment, automation, and algorithms to form a method for identifying wet thermal insulation by scanning multiple locations along insulated piping, tanks, or other manufacturing equipment. Such scans can occur individually, sequentially, or simultaneously, with the results then being stored and comparatively analyzed.

Abstract: A thermal erosion tester, comprising a rotating heated element, which is adapted to contact a sand specimen placed in the thermal erosion tester, a heating element to heat the rotating heated element, and a motor to drive rotation of the rotating heated element, wherein the rotating heated element is adapted to contact the sand specimen while the rotating heated element is rotating, causing erosion of the sand specimen, and a method of testing thermal erosion, and a method of testing erosion of a sand specimen when it is in contact with a heated element.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for detecting defects in components of a fuel cell. Embodiment methods and systems for detecting a defect in an interconnect for a fuel cell system include thermally exciting the interconnect using optical radiation and/or inductive stimulation, detecting a thermal response of the interconnect, and based on the thermal response, determining the presence or absence of a defect in the interconnect, such as a lateral or through crack in the interconnect.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed wherein differential heat transfer resistances are used to effectively and efficiently detect the early onset of deposit accumulation in industrial fluid processes and fluid transport vehicles. According to one embodiment, a probe is provided in conjunction with a heat source, a water source and a probe. The probe is comprised of a heat transfer surface, a first part of which is covered only by a thin metal layer. The second or remaining portion of the heat transfer surface is covered by a heat flux sensor and a thin metal layer. The metal layers of both the first and second areas of the probe are connected, and water flows across the full heat transfer surface. Deposition forms on a portion of the heat transfer surface as a result of slow water flow and elevated water temperature. The temperatures of the heat source, water source, and heat flux are measured. The deposition rate as a rate of change of heat transfer resistance is measured.

Abstract: A liquid based ice protection test method tests an aircraft part that includes at least a first heating element mounted on an inside surface of an aircraft skin. The method includes bringing the aircraft skin into contact with a low temperature bath and taking one or more temperature readings of the aircraft skin. A liquid based deicing test system includes a container that holds a low temperature bath, a fixture to suspend the aircraft part within the container, and a temperature sensing device for reading temperatures on an outside surface of the aircraft part. A liquid based ice protection test method includes sealing off ends of an aircraft part, attaching at least one temperature sensing device on the aircraft part and at least partially submerging it in a low temperature bath, and obtaining temperature information from the temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A test specimen having a to-be-photographed surface and an attachment surface which is a back side thereof is produced, and attached to a structure. An artificial abnormal portion is provided between a to-be-inspected surface of the structure and the to-be-photographed surface of the test specimen. The to-be-photographed surface of the test specimen is photographed by the infrared camera. When a surface temperature difference between the abnormal and the sound portions increases to a certain level on the to-be-photographed surface, it is capable of discriminating between the abnormal and the sound portions by an infrared thermal image of the test specimen. In a time zone in which discriminating between the abnormal and the sound portions is capable, the to-be-inspected surface of the structure is photographed by the infrared camera. If there is a damage in the surface layer of the structure, a damaged position can be discriminated by an infrared thermal image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for a system and method for flow assurance and pipe condition monitoring in a pipeline for flowing hydrocarbons using at least one thermal sensor probe, which at least one thermal sensor probe may be used in conjunction with one or more other sensors to manage the sensing process and for data fusion to accurately determine flow properties and/or pipeline condition. By way of example, but not by way of limitation, in an embodiment of the present invention, a network of noninvasive sensors may provide output data that may be data-fused to determine properties of the pipeline and/or flow through the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of analyzing thermal stress includes calculating a distribution of the number of fillers in a composite integrally molded product by using physical property values of resin material containing fillers, and determining a coefficient of linear expansion of the resin material in the composite integrally molded product, that is used as an input condition of a thermal stress analysis, based on the distribution of the number of the fillers.

Abstract: A method for determining parameters of a component using thermography, where at least one component is heated by a hot gas, is provided. Also provided is a device for determining component parameters using thermography, including a device for heating at least one component and a temperature sensor for detecting at least one temperature value of the component, wherein the device for heating the component is a hot gas emission device for the emission of a modulated, mostly pulsed, hot gas.

Abstract: A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a test specimen. The method includes applying a one or more substances including a detection medium to the test specimen wherein the detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen. The specimen surface is monitored for discontinuity signatures produced by the detection medium. The monitoring includes monitoring the detection medium to detect a temperature differential indicative of a surface discontinuity in the test specimen wherein the discontinuity signatures include a warm signature emitted by the detection medium that has entered the surface discontinuity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining an amount of bond between a structure and sensor. A method may include heating a sensor that is operably coupled to a measuring circuit and then measuring an output signal over time. The method may further include determining, from the output signal, a percentage of bond integrity remaining between the sensor and the structure. A system may include a measurement circuit having a sensor operably coupled to a sensing system. The sensing system may be configured for applying a thermal shock to the sensor and subsequently measuring an output signal of the measuring circuit. The sensing system may also be configured for determining, from the output signal, an amount of bond between the sensor and the structure.

Abstract: A heat flux measurement device includes at least two thermocouples disposed within a front portion of the device at different axial distances from a front wall of the device. A correlation between the measured heat fluxes from the device over a period of time is used to estimate a fouling thickness on a wall, for example, a water wall of a radiant syngas cooler (RSC).

Abstract: A method for measuring a metal film thickness is provided. The method initiates with heating a region of interest of a metal film with a defined amount of heat energy. Then, a temperature of the metal film is measured. Next, a thickness of the metal film is calculated based upon the temperature and the defined amount of heat energy. A chemical mechanical planarization system capable of detecting a thin metal film through the detection of heat transfer dynamics is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for measuring the thickness of any deposit of material on the inner wall of a structure conducting a fluid stream of hydrocarbons, the method comprising the steps of: applying a first heat pulse or continuous heating to at least one first section of the structure removing deposits on the inner wall of the first section of the structure; applying a second heat pulse to both the first section of the structure and at least one second section of the structure, the first and second sections being spaced apart, which heat pulse does not loosen any deposit of material in the second section; measuring the temperature of the wall of the structure or the fluid during the second heat pulse at both the first and second sections; and determining the thickness of any deposit of material on the inner wall of the structure at the second section based on the measured temperatures. The present invention also relates to a corresponding device and arrangement.

Abstract: A non-destructive evaluation system and method is provided for detecting flaws in an object. The system includes a lamp for impinging the object with optical pulses and a focal plane array camera configured to capture the images corresponding to evolution of heat due to an impact of the optical pulses in the object. The system also includes an image acquisition system for capturing data corresponding to the images from the focal plane array camera. Both transmission mode imaging and reflection mode imaging techniques are used in an exemplary embodiment. A time of flight analysis system is also provided for analyzing the data from both transmission mode imaging technique and reflection mode imaging technique. The data from transmission mode imaging is used to determine thickness values at different points in the data and for determining location of flaws using the thickness values. The data from reflection mode imaging is used for determining depth of these flaws.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring thermal diffusivity using the flash method. The apparatus includes: a laser generator 60 for generating a flash beam 30; a measurement sample 10 having graphite layers 20 formed on front and rear surfaces thereof, through which the flash beam 30 passes; an infrared sensor 70 disposed at the rear of the measurement sample 10 for measuring a temperature and time at the rear surface of the measurement sample 10 from heat 40 dissipated from the measurement sample 10; and operation means 80 for performing an operation based on an output signal of the infrared sensor 70.

Abstract: In the present invention, a heating plate is divided into a plurality of regions. Integrated values of temperature fluctuations in each of the regions when a substrate is mounted on the heating plate in a normal state without extraneous matter are collected. A Mahalanobis reference space in the discriminant analysis method is formed based on the integrated values at normal time. During actual heat processing, an integrated value of temperature fluctuation of each of the regions when the substrate is mounted on the heating plate is then detected, so that a Mahalanobis distance about the integrated value during the processing is calculated based on the integrated value during the processing and the Mahalanobis reference space obtained in advance. Whether or not there is extraneous matter on the heating plate is determined by comparing the calculated Mahalanobis distance to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method to determine corrective actions of a nuclear steam generator, having the steps of modeling of steam generator tube and deposit heat transfer characteristics by analytically deriving specific deposit characteristics and descriptive model parameters, wherein the modeling uses historical thermodynamic data for an operating plant under evaluation, identifying a set of one of preventive and corrective maintenance alternatives to accomplish steam generator deposit objectives, determining through the modeling a power production impact of each of the set of one of preventative and corrective maintenance alternatives to determine an economic cost for each of the set of preventative and corrective maintenance alternatives, and initiating a maintenance alternative with a lowest economic cost as compared to the maintenance evaluation alternatives with higher economic costs.

Abstract: The estimation method of the invention for estimating the deteriorations of a magneto-resistive effect device by heat shocks involves applying heat shocks by laser irradiation to a structure including a thin-film magnetic head comprising a magneto-resistive effect device to propagate them to the magneto-resistive effect device, thereby causing the deteriorations of the magneto-resistive effect device. Thus, (1) the deterioration mode phenomenon of “local overheating plus vibration” can be imitated in a simple yet very approximate state so that a device likely to undergo characteristics deteriorations due to the thermal asperity problem can be detected early at an initial fabrication process stage, and (2) what specifications a head device structure less likely to offer the thermal asperity problem is in can be judged at a product development stage.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for monitoring a condition of a material are disclosed. In particular, the example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture emit a first acoustic signal into a wall of the tubular member having a first temperature value and obtain a first propagation time associated with the first acoustic signal. In addition, a second acoustic signal is emitted into the wall having a second temperature value and a second propagation time associated with the second ultrasonic acoustic signal is obtained. The second temperature value is determined based on the first temperature value and the first and second propagation times.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus to monitor hardness using laser infrared photothermal radiometry. The emphasis is on the ability of this invention to monitor in a non-contact and non-destructive manner the hardness case depth of industrially heat treated steels. The present invention provides a method and apparatus comprising signal generation and analysis as well as instrumental hardware configurations based on the physical principle of photothermal radiometry. The method comprises (a) irradiating the sample surface with an excitation source of suitable emission wavelength and intensity. (b) producing periodic frequency pulses of the laser beam by means of a modulator in the appropriate frequency range (but not confined to) 0.1-100000 Hz.

Abstract: A distributed sensing system for detecting partial electric discharge along the length of an extended object or objects. An optical fiber having a cladding integrated with luminescent material and a silica core of less than 500 micro-meters in diameter with a first reflective end deployed in proximity to test objects. A photo detector is positioned at the second end of the optical sensing fiber and receives and measures both a direct emission light from an electric partial discharge event and the reflected emission light from the reflection end of the optical sensing fiber. The measured signals and their arrival times are used to determine the location and magnitude of a partial electrical discharge.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the thermal exposure of a selected metal component which has been exposed to changing temperature conditions is described. The voltage distribution on a surface of the metal component, or on a metallic layer which lies over the component, is first obtained. The voltage distribution usually results from a compositional change in the metal component. The voltage distribution is then compared to a thermal exposure-voltage model which expresses voltage distribution as a function of exposure time and exposure temperature for a reference standard corresponding to the metal component. In this manner, the thermal exposure of the selected component can be obtained. A related device for evaluating the thermal exposure of a selected metal component is also described.

Abstract: A method to determine corrective actions of a nuclear steam generator, having the steps of modeling of steam generator tube and deposit heat transfer characteristics by analytically deriving specific deposit characteristics and descriptive model parameters, wherein the modeling uses historical thermodynamic data for an operating plant under evaluation, identifying a set of one of preventive and corrective maintenance alternatives to accomplish steam generator deposit objectives, determining through the modeling a power production impact of each of the set of one of preventative and corrective maintenance alternatives to determine an economic cost for each of the set of preventative and corrective maintenance alternatives, and initiating a maintenance alternative with a lowest economic cost as compared to the maintenance evaluation alternatives with higher economic costs.

Abstract: A method for measuring a metal film thickness is provided. The method initiates with heating a region of interest of a metal film with a defined amount of heat energy. Then, a temperature of the metal film is measured. Next, a thickness of the metal film is calculated based upon the temperature and the defined amount of heat energy. A chemical mechanical planarization system capable of detecting a thin metal film through the detection of heat transfer dynamics is also provided.