Abstract:
A furnace (10) having a continuous ash discharge stoker (12) which includes a fuel distributor apparatus (70) for delivering particulate fuel to the furnace (10) which includes a housing (72) having an inlet (42) for a particulate fuel and an inlet (76) for pressurized air. The housing includes a surface (86) for directing the flow of the particulate fuel and an outlet cooperating with the surface through which the associated particulate fuel and air exit the housing. The apparatus includes a nozzle (80) dimensioned and configured to direct pressurized air along a face of the surface to establish a boundary layer between the surface and the particulate fuel flowing over the surface. The nozzle comprises first (74) and second (82) flat plates disposed in mutually parallel spaced relationship, and aligned to at least a portion of the surface. Apparatus (70) includes an elongated outlet plate and the surface is on the elongated outlet plate. The outlet plate may pivot on an axis (88) proximate to the outlet of the nozzle, and may have an axially tapered ramp (90) at the end of the outlet plate remote from the nozzle. The inlet for pressurized air may include a plenum chamber (78).
Abstract:
An energy-efficient grinding roll (18) for employment in a pulverizer (10) operative for effecting the pulverization of solid material therein. The energy-efficient grinding roll (18) includes a body portion (50) formed of a first type of material, an external surface (52) formed of a second type of material, and tread-like means (56) of preestablished dimensions and preestablished spacing provide on the external surface (52) such that the energy-efficient grinding roll (18) is capable of achieving as much as a 15 % reduction in the energy required to pulverize solid material when compared with the use of standard grinding rolls.
Abstract:
In order to support a shroud (14) against bending, shear, stress and torsion, straps (100) which are preferably formed of the same material as the shroud, are placed in strategic positions with respect to cracks or the like type of weaknesses which have been detected, and fastened in place using a suitable fastening technique. In the preferred embodiments of the invention holes are formed using an EDM technique and bolt units (102) which have an expanding portion are inserted into the holes, torqued and expanded in a manner which fastens the strap (100) to the shroud (14). Welding and the like type of fastening techniques are not excluded and may be used alternatively or in combination with the bolting technique as required.
Abstract:
A zirconium alloy including tin (Sn) in a range of greater than 0.005 wt.% to less than 1.0 wt.%, preferably with a lower limit greater than 0.1 wt.% to an upper limit of less than 0.7 wt.%, and most preferably with a lower limit of greater than 0.3 wt.% to an upper limit of less than 0.5 wt.%; iron (Fe) in a range of greater than 0.05 wt.% to less than about 1.0 wt.%, preferably with a lower limit of greater than 0.2 wt.% to an upper limit of greater than 0.5 wt.%, and most preferably with a lower limit of greater than 0.3 wt.% to an upper limit of less than 0.4 wt.%; chromium (Cr) in a range of greater than 0.02 wt.% to less than 1.0 wt.%, preferably with a lower limit of greater than 0.05 wt.% to an upper limit of less than 0.5 wt.%, and most preferably with a lower limit of greater than 0.1 wt.% to an upper limit of less than 0.2 wt.%; silicon in a range of greater than 50 to less than 300 parts per million (ppm), preferably in a range of greater than 70 to about 200 ppm, and most preferably in a range of greater than 90 to about 150 ppm; tungsten (W) in a range of greater than 0.01 wt.% to less than 1.0 wt.%, preferably with a lower limit of greater than 0.1 wt.% to an upper limit of less than 0.7 wt.%, and most preferably with a lower limit of greater than 0.2 wt.% to an upper limit of about less than 0.5 wt.%; nickel (Ni) in a range of greater than 0.007 wt.% and less than about 0.3 wt.%, preferably with a lower limit of greater than 0.05 wt.% to an upper limit of less than about 0.2 wt.%, and most preferably with a lower limit of greater than 0.08 wt.% to an upper limit of less than about 0.1 wt.%, with the balance zirconium.
Abstract:
A nuclear fuel rod spacer grid (500) is formed of slottedly unterlocked sets of flat strips (501, 502). One set of strips (502) is formed with integral coplanar tab portions (18') which have one or more edge portions bent at angles to form integral mixing vanes (22').
Abstract:
A pulverized coal steam generator (10) employing low NOx firing methods is operated at very low excess air levels. This is possible because the unburned carbon in the flyash is measured and the pulverizers (24) are adjusted to control the particles size of the pulverized coal and maintain a desired carbon level.
Abstract:
A coal nozzle apparatus (10) which includes a generally cylindrical main body (12) having an inlet and an outlet (14) and a generally cylindrical tip section (20) disposed in generally coaxial relationship with the main body (12). The apparatus (10) also includes apparatus (18) for mounting the tip section (20) in relation to the body section (12) to allow movement of the tip section (20) about an axis that is generally coincident with a diameter of the main body section (12). The apparatus for mounting includes two coaxial pins (18), the pins (18) each have an axial portion cooperating with the main body (12) and another axial portion connected to the tip section (20), each of the pins (18) has a head (18a), each of the heads (18a) is disposed proximate to the geometric center line of the body portion (12). Each of the pins (18) has an axis that is generally coincident with a diameter of the main body (12). In some forms of the invention the head (18a) of each pin (18) is generally cylindrical in shape and the apparatus for mounting includes respective counterbores (14a) dimensioned and configured for cooperation with respective heads (18a) of the pins (18). The apparatus for pivoting may include a generally cylindrical nozzle front (14) that is fixed to the main body (12) and has an inner face. The tip section (20) may be disposed in side abutting relation to the nozzle front (14). The counterbores (14a) may be disposed in the nozzle front (14) and the heads (18a) may be disposed in substantially flush relationship to the inner face of the generally cylindrical nozzle front (14) and the pins (18) may be welded to the nozzle front (14).
Abstract:
A furnace apparatus (2) which includes a plurality of water walls (4) each including a plurality of tubes (4a), the water walls (4) collectively enclose a combustion chamber. The apparatus (2) includes a plurality of windboxes (3) and each of the windboxes (3) are disposed intermediate adjacent water walls (4). A seal assembly (10) seals the interface between respective windboxes (3) with the water walls (4) adjacent thereto and each of seal assemblies (10) comprising first and second generally planar plates (24, 26) disposed in face to face abutting relationship. The apparatus (2) also includes first means for mounting the first plate (24) to the water wall (4) and second means for mounting the second plate (26) to the windbox (3). The means for mounting the first plate (24) and the means for mounting the second plate (26) define a chamber therebetween, the apparatus also includes means for enclosing the chamber that includes a flexible member (16) allowing relative movement between the first and second plates (24, 26). Insulation (14a) is disposed within the chamber to obstruct the passage any gasses passing intermediate the first and second plates (24, 26) into the chamber. In some forms of the invention the second means for mounting comprises an L-shaped channel (12). The first means for mounting may include a generally planar first plate (22) welded to respective tubes (4a) of the water wall (4). The means for enclosing includes an L-shaped member (14) having a first flange at one axial extremity in some forms of the invention. The means for enclosing may further include a plate having a second flange at one axial extremity and the other axial extremity being welded to the first plate. The means for enclosing includes a fabric portion (16) joining the first and second flanges (14b, 26b) and has insulation disposed therein in some forms of the invention.
Abstract:
The method of repairing in situ a damaged or malfunctioning electrical connector (10) of a safety related nuclear reactor instrument (14) and its associated sheathed cable (18) wherein the damaged or malfunctioning connector portion (20) is cut from its associated cable (18) and replaced by a new connector portion. The wires of the cut cable are connected with the replacement connector portion and are suitably insulated. The cut cable and new connector portion are then secured together by a special alloy coupling (34) which is positioned in spanning relation with the cut cable (18) and the replacement connector portion (20). This special alloy has the property that it can be expanded within limits and upon being heated above a critical temperature will return to its original dimension. The tubular coupling accordingly has an expanded diameter slightly larger than that of the replacement connector portion and the sheath of the cut cable but an original inner diameter slightly smaller. When positioned in its spanning relation with these members it is heated above its critical temperature such that it shrinks to its original shape and securely grips these members. This special alloy coupling has both circumferential and axial ridges or barbs extending inward of its inner surface to engage each of the members extending thereinto when it is shrunk into place in order to enhance the sealing and torque resistance capability of the connection.
Abstract:
A polisher is supported on either a frame/arm arrangement or on a vehicle which is guided by track, and is arranged to be energized to polish a predetermined surface of an annular flange or the like, when relative movement is sensed between the polishing element and the surface to be polished. The polishing arrangement can be motor driven so that the polisher can be left to polish the surface in the absence of an operator.