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...Daniel Webster invented a "bull plow" to pull out tree stumps. It didn't catch on because it was huge and required four oxen to pull it!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8165261 | Chemical enhancement of ultrasonic fuel cleaning A method for cleaning an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly includes chemically enhancing a technique utilizing an apparatus including a housing adapted to engage a nuclear fuel assembly. A set of ultrasonic transducers is positioned on the housing to supply radially ... | 04/24/2012 |
| 7542539 | Apparatus and method for ultrasonically cleaning irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies An apparatus for cleaning an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly includes a housing adapted to engage a nuclear fuel assembly. A set of ultrasonic transducers is positioned on the housing to supply radially emanating omnidirectional ultrasonic energy to remove deposits... | 06/02/2009 |
| 7321650 | Apparatus for transferring an article between fluid-filled vessels The invention relates to a method for transferring an article from a fluid-filled first vessel into a fluid-filled second vessel or in the opposite direction. The vessel is connected by a connecting element, in which there is a transport device for moving the articl... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7191602 | Storage of Hby absorption and/or mixture within a fluid medium For the first time, a hydrogen storage method, apparatus and system having a fluid mixture is provided. At predetermined pressures and/or temperatures within a contained substantially fixed volume, the fluid mixture can store a high density of hydrogen molecules, wh... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7149272 | Filter for cooling water in a light water cooled nuclear reactor The invention refers to a filter (1) for separating particle from cooling water in a nuclear plant, and a fuel assembly with such a filter. The filter has an inlet end (2) and an outlet end (3) and permits through-flow of the cooling water in a ... | 12/12/2006 |
| 6960326 | Method of separating uranium from irradiated nuclear fuel The invention provides a method of separating uranium from at least fission products in irradiated nuclear fuel, said method comprising reacting said irradiated nuclear fuel with a solution of ammonium fluoride in hydrogen fluoride fluorinating said reacted irradiat... | 11/01/2005 |
| 6944254 | Pressurized water reactor shutdown method A reactor coolant system of a pressurized water nuclear reactor with fuel assemblies in the core is simultaneously shutdown and decontaminated in less than 90 hours after the shutdown is initiated. A LOMI or Can-Derem decontamination reagent is added to reactor cool... | 09/13/2005 |
| 6716402 | Dissolution and decontamination process The present invention concerns a process for dissolving ruthenium deposits that are present on a surface and a process for decontaminating the internal circuits of nuclear fuel reprocessing plants using the said dissolution process. The process according to t... | 04/06/2004 |
| 6702902 | Method and device for radioactive decontamination of a steel wall Disclosed a method for radioactive decontamination of a steel surface, which is performed by bringing the surface to be decontaminated into contact with a pickling solution comprising a first iron oxidation agent, wherein bringing into contact being achie... | 03/09/2004 |
| 6652661 | Radioactive decontamination and translocation method A method for removing a wide variety of radioactive contaminants from a contaminated surface sufficient for the surface to be classified as a low-level waste or as free release. Contaminated surfaces may be classified as Class C, Class B, Class A, or high... | 11/25/2003 |
| 6605158 | Radioactive decontamination and translocation method A method for removing radioactive contaminants from a given surface. An aqueous solution having a wetting agent and a complex substituted keto-amine is provided. The solution is left on the surface for a time sufficient to remove the radioactive contamina... | 08/12/2003 |
| 6549601 | Mounting method for core internals An old core shroud (11) and an old jet pump (16) received in a reactor pressure vessel (1) are cut and carried out. A module of core internals having a new core shroud (N11), a new jet pump (N16) and a new baffle plate (N29) integrated is carried into the... | 04/15/2003 |
| 6549603 | Method of chemical decontamination To suppress a decrease of thickness due to corrosion of structural members and to achieve a removal of radionuclides with good efficiency in a nuclear power plant, oxidation decontamination is first conducted. An aqueous potassium permanganate solution is... | 04/15/2003 |
| 6497769 | Radioactive decontamination and translocation method A method for removing radioactive contaminants from a given surface. An acidic solution having a pH of less than 3.0, and preferably less than 1.5, of a complex substituted keto-amine, and a mixture of a saturated and unsaturated lower alcohol (e.g. isopr... | 12/24/2002 |
| 6438191 | Explosive scabbling of structural materials A new approach to scabbling of surfaces of structural materials is disclosed. A layer of mildly energetic explosive composition is applied to the surface to be scabbled. The explosive composition is then detonated, rubbleizing the surface. Explosive compo... | 08/20/2002 |
| 6396892 | Apparatus and method for ultrasonically cleaning irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies An apparatus for cleaning an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly includes a housing adapted to engage a nuclear fuel assembly. A set of ultrasonic transducers is positioned on the housing to supply radially emanating omnidirectional ultrasonic energy to remo... | 05/28/2002 |
| 6345083 | Preventive maintenance method and apparatus of a structural member in a reactor pressure vessel A preventive maintenance method and apparatus for a structural member in a reactor pressure vessel according to the present invention reduce a tensile residual stress on a surface of the structural member by impinging a water jet from a nozzle onto a plan... | 02/05/2002 |
| 6219399 | Maintenance method in nuclear power plant A maintenance of a suppression pool or spent fuel storage pool in a reactor primary containment vessel of a nuclear power plant includes a cleaning step of a water in the suppression pool and a decontamination step of an interior of the suppression pool, ... | 04/17/2001 |
| 5764716 | Process and apparatus for generating an inerting gas A process for generating an inerting gas for rendering an atmosphere inert, such as within a containment shell of a nuclear power plant. Inert gas is kept in liquid or solid phase in a first reservoir. A sufficient amount of heat to vaporize the liquefied... | 06/09/1998 |
| 5633902 | Method and apparatus for dismantling fuel storage racks A metal cutting motor driven saw blade carried by a housing structure for anchoring inside the fuel storage cell forms part of apparatus that is used in method to reduce the volume of radiologically contaminated metal racks after use for storing nuclear f... | 05/27/1997 |
| 5473647 | Process and device for obtaining samples from the atmosphere in a closed gastight vessel, preferably from the reactor safety vessel of a nuclear power station A process for obtaining a sample from an atmosphere in a closed gastight vessel, preferably from a reactor safety vessel of a nuclear power station, includes passing a sample through a venturi nozzle immediately upon entry of the sample into a sample-taki... | 12/05/1995 |
| 5325410 | Clean-up system for the chemical decontamination of a nuclear reactor primary system A chemical decontamination clean-up system for use on-line in a nuclear reactor primary system includes a pump arrangement within the nuclear reactor primary system for pumping primary system fluids to a cleaning system located directly downstream from th... | 06/28/1994 |
| 5272738 | Device for monitoring the atmosphere withing a nuclear reactor containment In a device for monitoring the atmosphere within the containment shell (1) of a reactor plant, a sample removal means (41) is provided in the containment shell, from which a gas mixture is led via a measuring line (42) through a measuring zone (14) and su... | 12/21/1993 |
| 5257297 | System for monitoring the radioactivity of liquid waste A system for monitoring the radioactivity of a liquid waste stream includes a pair of tanks into which the liquid waste stream is directed during alternating fill cycles. At the conclusion of each fill cycle, the liquid waste is recirculated through the c... | 10/26/1993 |
| 5173250 | Apparatus for demolishing biological shield wall of a nuclear reactor and a method of demolishing the same The present invention presents a novel apparatus and a method of demolishing a biological shield wall of a nuclear reactor using a concrete cutter device working on a wire saw, said apparatus comprising a concrete cutter device consisting of a driving par... | 12/22/1992 |
| 5089216 | System for chemical decontamination of nuclear reactor primary systems A unique and optimum nuclear steam supply system operating configuration for integration of a chemical decontamination system is disclosed. The chemical decontamination system is connected to, and returns to, the residual heat removal system downstream of... | 02/18/1992 |
| 5076971 | Method for enhancing alpha decay in radioactive materials Apparatus and method for decontaminating radioactive materials by stimulating the atomic system of radioactive materials. The stimulus is kept applied to the radioactive materials for a predetermined time. In this way, the rate of decay of the radioactivi... | 12/31/1991 |
| 5077000 | Method of preparing a reactor coolant pump for vacuum degasification of a reactor coolant system An auxiliary flexible vacuum seal for preparing a reactor coolant pump for vacuum degasification of the reactor coolant system employs a flexible boot member having a pair of longitudinally-displaced opposite open end portions and a pair of side-by-side l... | 12/31/1991 |
| 5028384 | Method for enhancing personnel safety in operating a nuclear reactor plant, and means therefor A measure providing improved personnel safety in the operation of a steam producing, water cooled, boiling water nuclear fission reactor for generating electrical power is disclosed. The measure comprises utilizing catalytic oxidation to inhibit the escap... | 07/02/1991 |
| 4892684 | Method and apparatus for separating radionuclides from non-radionuclides In an apparatus for separating radionuclides from non-radionuclides in a mixture of nuclear waste, a vessel is provided wherein the mixture is heated to a temperature greater than the temperature of vaporization for the non-radionuclides but less than the... | 01/09/1990 |
| 4847041 | Reactor coolant pump auxiliary seal for reactor coolant system vacuum degasification An auxiliary seal for preparing a reactor coolant pump for vacuum degasification of the reactor coolant system includes at least a pair of sealing segments. The sealing segments are composed of metal and have semicircular shaped bodies with attaching ears... | 07/11/1989 |
| 4834936 | Continuous dissolution apparatus for spent nuclear fuel A continuous dissolution apparatus for spent nuclear fuel in which a container (2) for holding a dissolution processing solution (1) is continuously supplied with nitric acid from a feed port (3), while the processing solution is continuously drawn out fr... | 05/30/1989 |
| 4797249 | Process for precluding or reducing the danger to a system and the surroundings thereof by reactive mixtures A process for precluding or reducing the danger to a system or its surroundings by mixtures comprising reactive substances which react chemically and/or physically and the release of pollutants during an accident, in particular by the combustion of hydrog... | 01/10/1989 |
| 4698202 | Process for installation for the controlled discharge of activity from a reactor containment structure of a gas-cooled nuclear power plant A process for the controlled discharge from a reactor containment structure of a gas cooled nuclear power plant and the installation for achieving this process include parallel discharge circuits from a reactor containment structure to a discharge stack. ... | 10/06/1987 |
| 4647425 | Method of vacuum degassing and refilling a reactor coolant system A procedure for vacuum degassing of a reactor coolant system which basically utilizes existing equipment to degas and refill the coolant system. The level of radiogas and non-radiogas concentration is reduced to low residual levels in less than two hours ... | 03/03/1987 |
| 4645641 | Process and installation to secure a prestressed concrete pressure vessel surrounded by a reactor protection building against excessive pressure and to prevent the release of activity to the environment A process and an installation for the securing against excessive pressure in a prestressed concrete pressure vessel of a gas cooled high temperature reactor and for the prevention of activity release into the environment. The process comprises three steps... | 02/24/1987 |
| 4631164 | Nuclear power station with a containment Nuclear power station, including a containment for enclosing activity-carrying components having a given height and upper and lower parts, pipelines being extended in vertical direction in the containment over at least half of the given height thereof fro... | 12/23/1986 |
| 4601873 | Method of avoiding or inhibiting intermixing of the atmosphere which exists in an enclosed space with a gaseous substance present in the same space In a method of inhibiting or avoiding intermixing of the atmosphere which exists in a closed nuclear reactor containment space with a gaseous substance present in the same space a change in density of the atmosphere is induced in either lower or upper are... | 07/22/1986 |
| 4599513 | Enclosure for sorting radioactive material An enclosure for sorting materials having a low level of radioactivity contains a radiation detector and uses a blower to provide a negative atmosphere. Closures over holes in the floor of the enclosure can be opened to allow sorted material to be dischar... | 07/08/1986 |
| 4594774 | Machines for dismantling decommissioned nuclear reactors A machine for dismantling, unloading and transferring to a disposal facility, nuclear reactor structure and/or components, which have been irradiated during operation of the reactor. The machine includes in one example a gantry mounted on a rigid, undisma... | 06/17/1986 |
