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Title: Laser removal of sludge from steam generators

Abstract

A method of removing unwanted chemical deposits known as sludge from the metal surfaces of steam generators with laser energy is provided. Laser energy of a certain power density, of a critical wavelength and frequency, is intermittently focused on the sludge deposits to vaporize them so that the surfaces are cleaned without affecting the metal surface (sludge substrate). Fiberoptic tubes are utilized for laser beam transmission and beam direction. Fiberoptics are also utilized to monitor laser operation and sludge removal.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Ballston Lake, NY
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL), Niskayuna, NY (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
867356
Patent Number(s):
US 4920994
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC12-76SN00052
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
laser; removal; sludge; steam; generators; method; removing; unwanted; chemical; deposits; metal; surfaces; energy; provided; power; density; critical; wavelength; frequency; intermittently; focused; vaporize; cleaned; affecting; surface; substrate; fiberoptic; tubes; utilized; beam; transmission; direction; fiberoptics; monitor; operation; steam generators; laser operation; metal surface; metal surfaces; steam generator; laser beam; laser energy; power density; beam direction; beam transmission; removing unwanted; /134/122/165/376/

Citation Formats

Nachbar, Henry D. Laser removal of sludge from steam generators. United States: N. p., 1990. Web.
Nachbar, Henry D. Laser removal of sludge from steam generators. United States.
Nachbar, Henry D. 1990. "Laser removal of sludge from steam generators". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/867356.
@article{osti_867356,
title = {Laser removal of sludge from steam generators},
author = {Nachbar, Henry D},
abstractNote = {A method of removing unwanted chemical deposits known as sludge from the metal surfaces of steam generators with laser energy is provided. Laser energy of a certain power density, of a critical wavelength and frequency, is intermittently focused on the sludge deposits to vaporize them so that the surfaces are cleaned without affecting the metal surface (sludge substrate). Fiberoptic tubes are utilized for laser beam transmission and beam direction. Fiberoptics are also utilized to monitor laser operation and sludge removal.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/867356}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990},
month = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990}
}