[en] To help estimate the mechanical loading at the service location two fluid dynamic codes were investigated. FLOWMASTER shows good results in generating the air-cleaning network and in calculating steady state conditions, but fails in calculating fluid dynamic transients. PROMO is very time consuming in generating the network, but one can obtain good results in calculating fluid dynamic transients. In addition to the challenges posed by elevated pressure, temperature, and air flow, the effects of shock waves, caused by explosions or hydrogen detonations must be considered. The problem of a 'shock-shock' in the flow after the diverging channel by high shock strengths were solved. In order to guarantee the safety margins of filter units during their entire service lives, filter performance needs to be verified under standardized test conditions that take into consideration the particularly adverse effects of filter exposure to super-saturated airflows and elevated differential pressure. The detail construction for a rig to type test filter units under fog conditions and increased pressure drop was finished, and the components of the test facility were chosen. (orig./DG)

[en] A systematic approach is developed for the prediction of the performance of single, as well as double-entry, centrifugal pumps in a specific speed range of 600 to 2500 engineering units. Complete pump characteristics can be mapped, from shut-off conditions to 130% of the design flowrate. Given the dimensions of a centrifugal pump, as well as the impeller rotational speed, the method can be employed in the prediction of head vs flowrate (H-Q), shaft power vs flowrate (BHP-Q) and efficiency vs flowrate (E-Q) curves. Pump characteristics can then be used to model pump performance in state-space. This allows for development of optimal control strategies, for the design of controllers, and for examination of the sensitivity of operation to changes in design and performance parameters. Hence, optimization of process design and operation becomes attainable. The application of the method to a nuclear-grade coolant pump demon-strated the viability of the model as a tool in simulation of pump response to various inputs. State-space representation is shown to be invaluable in the simulation of performance at normal and abnormal operation conditions, synthesis of surveillance schemes and in detection of abnormalities caused by degradation of the components. (author)

[en] Safety valve rules, i.e., rules for overpressure protection by the use of various pressure relieving devices, vary somewhat among the five book sections of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code which require such protection. This paper reviews those rules by discussing the following topics: Pressure relief device terminology and function. The problem of overpressure protection. Code rules for overpressure protection: rules for determining required relieving capacity; for allowable overpressure, for set pressure and set pressure tolerance; for blowdown. The various pressure relief devices permitted by the Code. Design of pressure relief valves. How relieving capacities are established and certified. The qualification of pressure relief device manufacturers. Installation guidelines. Concluding remarks. (orig.)

[en] By the nature of its design, the set point and lift of a conventional spring loaded safety relief valve are sensitive to back pressure. One way to reduce the adverse effects of the back pressure on the safety relief valve function is to install a balanced bellows in a safety relief valve. The metallic bellows has a rather wide range of manufacturing tolerance which makes the design of the bellows safety relief valve very complicated. The state-of-the-art balanced bellows safety relief valve can only substantially minimize, but cannot totally eliminate the back pressure effects on its set point and relieving capacity. Set point change is a linear function of the back pressure to the set pressure ratio. Depending on the valve design, the set point correction factor can be either greater or smaller than unity. There exists an allowable back pressure and critical back pressure for each safety relief valve. When total back pressure exceeds the R_a, the relieving capacity will be reduced mainly resulting from the valve lift being reduced by the back pressure and the capacity reduction factor should be applied in valve sizing. Once the R_c is exceeded, the safety relief valve becomes unstable and loses its over pressure protection capability. The capacity reduction factor is a function of system overpressure, but their relationship is non-linear in nature. (orig.)

[en] This paper reports that a DS-416 low-voltage air circuit breaker manufactured by Westinghouse is mechanically cycled to identify age-related degradation in the various breaker subcomponents, specifically in the power-operated mechanism. This accelerated aging test is performed on one breaker unit for over 36 000 cycles. Three separate pole shafts, one with a 60-deg weld, one with a 120-deg weld, and one with a 180-deg weld in the third pole lever, are used to characterize cracking in the welds. In addition, during the testing, three different operating mechanisms and several other parts are replaced as they become inoperable. Among the seven welds on the pole shaft, welds 1 and 3 are found to be critical ones whose fracture can result in misalignment of the pole levers. This can lead to problems with the operating mechanism, including the burning of coils, excessive wear in certain parts, and overstressed linkages. Furthermore, the limiting service life of a number of subcomponents of the power-operated mechanism, including the operating mechanism itself, is assessed

[en] A substrate heater using a 900 W tungsten lamp and a proportional-integral controller is presented. The externally generated radiation is directed onto a substrate in the target chamber. The temperature of the substrate is controlled to within ±1 C of the set temperature with a typical rise time of 5 sec for a 430 C change in temperature. This is achieved with negligible overshoot

[en] This edition, produced by photo printing from the original loose-leaf collection, presents the codes of practice and specifications for pressure vessels. The information covers equipment and devices, calculations and dimensioning, operation and testing, metallic and non-metallic materials, and special cases. (orig.)

[en] Condensed edition informing about layout and applications of the TRDs, materials, manufacture and dimensioning, calculations, equipment and installation, testing and operation, and boilers of groups I, II and III. (orig.)

[en] This patent describes a process for forming a pattern on a substrate by deposition of a material. It comprises depositing a suspension of colloidal particles of the material in a solvent on to a substrate by ink jet printing; evaporating the solvent, the material remaining on the substrate; laser annealing the deposited material to the substrate, the pattern being defined by the path of the laser beam; and removing excess material not annealed by the laser beam

[en] This communication discusses the worldwide state of progress in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. In general the technology of decommissioning is straightforward, but although there are many examples of successful decommissioning projects the general progress is slow. The reasons for this are identified as primarily economic, but the lack of waste disposal facilities and the unnecessary personnel radiation doses that may be incurred by early decommissioning are also factors. Finally the redundant structures are relatively safe and stable and there is little technical incentive to dismantle them. The current delays are heavily influenced by political factors which may be subject to change. (author)