Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method of repairing a connection between a first nozzle and a closed vessel, comprising:cutting through an entire thickness of the first nozzle at a location adjacent to a mid-wall of the vessel;completely removing from the mid-wall of the vessel a portion of the first nozzle;disposing a replacement nozzle in an opening that remains after removal of the portion of the first nozzle, wherein the replacement nozzle and the removed portion of the first nozzle are different pieces;welding at least a portion of the replacement nozzle to at least a portion of a surface of the mid-wall of the vessel; andpositioning the replacement nozzle vertically and horizontally in the opening, wherein positioning comprises: disposing a positioning tool in the opening prior to disposing the replacement nozzle in the opening; disposing the replacement nozzle on the positioning tool to axially and radially position the replacement nozzle; fixing the axial and radial positions of the replacement nozzle; and removing the positioning tool prior to welding at least the portion of the replacement nozzle, wherein fixing comprises fixing the axial and radial positions of the replacement nozzle with at least one clamping tool, wherein the clamping tool has an end portion clamped to the replacement nozzle at a location on the replacement nozzle that is disposed external to the mid wall and an opposite end portion clamped to another vessel nozzle at a location on the vessel nozzle that is also disposed external to the mid wall. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein welding comprises forming a plurality of weld layers between the replacement nozzle and the surface of the mid-wall. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein welding comprises forming at least three weld layers. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein welding comprises forming the weld to have a total thickness about equal to the total thickness of the replacement nozzle. 5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: evaluating the integrity of the weld. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein evaluating comprises: liquid penetrant testing of the weld. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein evaluating comprises: ultrasonically inspecting the weld; and comparing a result of the ultrasonic inspection to a plurality of results obtained from inspecting defective and defect-free welds. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein ultrasonically inspecting comprises analyzing at least one of an echodynamic signature including response amplitude and time of flight of the ultrasonic signal. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: reducing a total length of the first nozzle. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: removing a component disposed within the first nozzle. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein removing comprises removing a heater or other component disposed within the first nozzle. 12. The method according to claim 1, where fixing comprises fixing the positions of the replacement nozzle with three clamping tools. 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:preparing at least one of the portion of the first nozzle that remains with the vessel and the surface of the mid-wall of the vessel after removing the portion of the first nozzle and before disposing the replacement nozzle in the opening; anddye penetrant testing the surface of the mid-wall after preparing and before disposing the replacement nozzle in the opening. 14. A method of repairing a connection between a first nozzle and a closed vessel, comprising:cutting through an entire thickness of the first nozzle at a location adjacent to a mid-wall of the vessel;completely removing from the mid-wall of the vessel a portion of the first nozzle;disposing a replacement nozzle in an opening that remains after removal of the portion of the first nozzle, wherein the replacement nozzle and the removed portion of the first nozzle are different pieces;welding at least a portion of the replacement nozzle to at least a portion of a surface of the mid-wall of the vessel; andpositioning the replacement nozzle vertically and horizontally in the opening, wherein positioning comprises: disposing a positioning tool in the opening prior to disposing the replacement nozzle in the opening; disposing the replacement nozzle on the positioning tool to axially and radially position the replacement nozzle; fixing the axial and radial positions of the replacement nozzle; and removing the positioning tool prior to welding at least the portion of the replacement nozzle, wherein fixing comprises fixing the axial and radial positions of the replacement nozzle with at least one clamping tool, wherein the welding is performed without the use of a welding pad.