The present invention relates generally to electric power and process heat generation using a modular, compact, transportable, hardened nuclear generator rapidly deployable and retrievable, comprising power conversion and electric generation equipment fully integrated within a single pressure vessel housing a nuclear core. The resulting transportable nuclear generator does not require costly site-preparation, and can be transported fully operational. The transportable nuclear generator requires an emergency evacuation area substantially reduced with respect to other nuclear generators as it may be configured for operation with a melt-proof conductive ceramic core which allows decay heat removal even under total loss of coolant scenarios.

A steam supply system that can reheat CO.sub.2 absorbing liquid without lowering performance of a reboiler by decompressing a condensed water drum is provided. This system includes a reboiler that raises the temperature of absorbing liquid contacted with exhaust gas discharged from a boiler to absorb CO.sub.2 in the exhaust gas and heated to eliminate CO.sub.2. The reboiler includes a heat exchanger tube to which steam for heating is supplied and a condensed water drum that recovers condensed water of the steam introduced from the heat exchanger tube as steam drain, and the condensed water drum is provided with decompression unit that lowers pressure in the condensed water drum.

A multi-tube inspection system with a reel having a plurality of cameras is placed in the upper header. Each camera is attached to its own lead line and has a light source. An inspector, located in the upper header, aligns each camera with a tube and then operates the reel to simultaneously lower the cameras through their respective tube. As the cameras pass through the tubes, they capture a video image of the interior length of the tube. The video image is stored and relayed to a control center where additional inspectors can review the video image of the interior of the tube. Each video is identified and tied back to the tube in a data base. If a defect is identified, the tube can be taken out of service (blocked off) or scheduled for cleaning. Once cleaned, the tube is then reinspected.

A multi-tube inspection system with a reel having a plurality of cameras is placed in the upper header. Each camera is attached to its own lead line and has a light source. An inspector, located in the upper header, aligns each camera with a tube and then operates the reel to simultaneously lower the cameras through their respective tube. As the cameras pass through the tubes, they capture a video image of the interior length of the tube. The video image is stored and relayed to a control center where additional inspectors can review the video image of the interior of the tube. Each video is identified and tied back to the tube in a data base. If a defect is identified, the tube can be taken out of service (blocked off) or scheduled for cleaning. Once cleaned, the tube is then reinspected.

A method for improving effectiveness of a steam generator system includes providing a steam generator system including a steam generator vessel, an air supply system and an air preheater. The air supply system is in communication with the steam generator vessel through the air preheater and the steam generator vessel is in communication with the air preheater. The air supply system provides a first amount of air to the air preheater. At least a portion of the first amount of air is provided to the steam generator vessel. A flue gas mixture is discharged from the steam generator vessel. At least a portion of the flue gas mixture flows into the air preheater. SO.sub.3 in the flue gas mixture is mitigated before the flue gas mixture enters the air preheater.

A method for improving effectiveness of a steam generator system includes providing a steam generator system including a steam generator vessel, an air supply system and an air preheater. The air supply system is in communication with the steam generator vessel through the air preheater and the steam generator vessel is in communication with the air preheater. The air supply system provides a first amount of air to the air preheater. At least a portion of the first amount of air is provided to the steam generator vessel. A flue gas mixture is discharged from the steam generator vessel. At least a portion of the flue gas mixture flows into the air preheater. SO.sub.3 in the flue gas mixture is mitigated before the flue gas mixture enters the air preheater.

The invention relates to a flexible lance for machining or inspecting a tubesheet of a boiler, having a first strip made of a flexible, metallic material and a second strip made of a flexible, metallic material, wherein the second strip is arranged on the first strip in the longitudinal direction, and wherein at least the second strip has a shaped portion extending in the longitudinal direction for receiving a supply line for a machining or inspection head arranged at the free end of the flexible lance, and wherein the first strip is connected to the second strip such that an open side of the shaped portion is covered by the first strip so as to form a guide channel, and wherein at least one edge region of the flexible lance, extending in the longitudinal direction, is formed only by the first strip or the second strip.

A hand-held steam cleaning apparatus including: a housing, provided with a handle; a steam generating unit, including a heating body and configured to heat water and vaporize the water into steam; a steam nozzle, configured to output the steam; and a water supply device, including a water tank and pump configured to pump the water in the water tank into the steam generating unit. The cleaning apparatus is powered by a battery pack. The weight of the cleaning apparatus is not greater than 2 kg when the housing is fitted with the battery pack and the water tank is fully loaded; the capacity of the battery pack is in the range of 36-144 Wh. The steam flow capacity is in the range of 3-12 g/min; and the continuous work time is not less than 2 min.

The invention relates in particular to a solid metallic component. This component (1) is particularly notable in that it comprises a core (5) and an external shell (3) which surrounds said core (5) in all directions, this core (5) and this shell (3) being made of different grades of steel, the steel of said core (5) having martensite and bainite critical cooling rates lower than those of the steel or steels of said shell (3).

A power conversion system for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity is provided. The system includes a chamber including an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The chamber also includes an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud. The chamber includes a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway, the source heat exchanger being configured to receive a heat transmitting element associated with the heat source external to the chamber, and to transfer heat energy from the heat transmitting element to the working fluid. The system also includes a compressor disposed adjacent the inlet of the inner shroud and configured to transfer energy from the compressor to the working fluid, and an expander disposed adjacent the outlet of the inner shroud.