Abstract: A method of improving the stress corrosion resistance of an alloy comprising heating a martensitic stainless steel to a molten state and incorporating into said molten steel from 0.5 to 2.0 weight percent of an additive selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: An improvement in a chemical recovery process in which a hot liquid smelt is introduced into a dissolving tank containing a pool of green liquor. The improvement comprises preventing smelt explosions in the dissolving tank by maintaining a first selected superatmospheric pressure in the tank during normal operation of the furnace; sensing the pressure in the tank; and further impinging a high velocity stream of steam upon the stream of smelt whenever the pressure in the tank decreases below a second selected superatmospheric pressure which is lower than said first pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a gas from a liquid but truly suited for use in a zero gravity environment. The apparatus includes first and second closed vessels each of which are separated into a gas and liquid zone. The first vessel is separated by gas de-entrainment means and the second vessel by a plurality of elongated passageways for capillary containment of a body of liquid. The passageways provide the sole source of fluid communication between the gas and liquid zones. The gas zones of the first and second vessels are in fluid communication with one another as are the liquid zones of the first and second vessels.

Abstract: A metal conduit assembly for interconnecting the discharge duct of the pump and the inlet coolant duct or reactor core in a pool-type nuclear reactor. The conduit assembly comprises an upper section for connection to the discharge of a reactor pump, a lower section for connection with the coolant inlet duct with reactor core and a third intermediate tubular section for interconnecting the other two sections. Joint means are provided for interconnecting one end of the intermediate section with an adjoining end at the upper section and an opposite end of the intermediate section with an adjoining end of the lower section. The joint means comprises a male portion having a ridge provided with a circumferential groove for receiving a seal means and an associated female portion having an inside diameter greater than that of the ridge for receiving said male portion and a seal means.

Abstract: A compact pulse-rocket engine assembly comprising an elongated substantially cylindrical housing containing an axially extending substantially cylindrical combustion chamber which terminates at one end in a nozzle means. Within the housing at the opposite end of the combustion chamber are a pair of charging chambers. Intermediate the charging chambers and the combustion chambers are a pair of valve means which are parallel and linked together for ensuring that the valves operate in unison.

Abstract: A method of controlling temperature during a pyrolysis reaction wherein the predominant pyrolysis reactions are endothermic. A fuel and oxidizer are combusted in a combustion zone to produce a hot gas stream at a superatmospheric pressure. The hot gas stream is then passed through a converging-diverging nozzle to accelerate the hot gas stream to a velocity of at least about mach 2. The reactant to be pyrolyzed is injected into the supersonic hot gas stream to produce a reaction mixture flowing at supersonic velocity and initiate the endothermic pyrolysis reactions. Substantially immediately thereafter the velocity of the reaction mixture is reduced over a predetermined reaction time to convert the kinetic energy of the reaction mixture to thermal energy in an amount sufficient to substantially offset the endothermic reactions taking place while maintaining supersonic flow. At the end of the predetermined reaction time the velocity of the reaction mixture is reduced to subsonic flow and the reaction quenched.

Abstract: A compact pulse-rocket engine assembly comprising an elongated housing containing an axially extending substantially cylindrical combustion chamber terminating in a nozzle means at one end. An opposite end of the housing contains a pair of angularly disposed charging chambers. Intermediate the charging chambers and the combustion chamber are a pair of angularly disposed piston valve means. The arrangement of the valve means provides for the injection of propellants into the combustion chamber for impingement at the same point throughout the operation of the piston valve means.

Abstract: A drive shaft comprising an elongated inner drive shaft having an end connected to a drive device and an opposite end engaged with a work piece. A hollow outer shaft extends circumferentially about and coaxially with the drive shaft in a spaced-apart relationship thereto, and is connected to the drive shaft. A bearing carrier member extends circumferentially about and coaxially with the outer shaft. First and second springs inhibit movement of the outer shaft and the bearing carrier member respectively. A bearing is located intermediate the bearing carrier member and outer shaft. The assembly further includes a support structure provided with a bore which circumferentially surrounds the bearing carrier member and second springs. An outer surface of the bearing carrier member and an inner surface of the bore cooperatively form a fluid passageway which is bounded on either side by barriers which form restricted fluid flow paths.

Abstract: An improvement in a pump including a shrouded inducer, the improvement comprising providing means for collecting recirculation flow about said inducer and directing it through a fluid permeable wall member to remove any tangential velocity components from the recirculation flow. The recirculation flow, free of tangential velocity components, is then reintroduced into the fluid to be pumped.

Abstract: A closure for an inclined duct having an open upper end and defining downwardly extending passageway. The closure includes a cap for sealing engagement with the open upper end of the duct. Associated with the cap are an array of vertically aligned plug members, each of which has a cross-sectional area substantially conforming to the cross-sectional area of the passageway at least adjacent the upper end of the passageway. The plug members are interconnected in a manner to provide for free movement only in the plane in which the duct is inclined. The uppermost plug member is attached to the cap means and the cap means is in turn connected to a hoist means which is located directly over the open end of the duct.

Abstract: A method for the selective removal of an oxide of carbon from a gas stream containing the same and a halogen which comprises contacting such a gas stream with a water-free, prehalogenated molecular sieve having a pore size of at least 4 angstroms whereby the oxide of carbon is selectively retained by the sieve without retention of the halogen.

Abstract: A support system for connection to an outer surface of a J-shaped steam generator for use with a nuclear reactor or other liquid metal cooled power source. The J-shaped steam generator is mounted with the bent portion at the bottom. An arrangement of elongated rod members provides both horizontal and vertical support for the steam generator. The rod members are interconnected to the steam generator assembly and a support structure in a manner which provides for thermal distortion of the steam generator without the transfer of bending moments to the support structure and in a like manner substantially minimizes forces being transferred between the support structure and the steam generator as a result of seismic disturbances.

Abstract: A method of obtaining magnesium sulfate substantially free from radioactive uranium from a slag containing the same and having a radioactivity level of at least about 7000 pCi/gm. The slag is ground to a particle size of about 200 microns or less. The ground slag is then contacted with a concentrated sulfuric acid under certain prescribed conditions to produce a liquid product and a solid product. The particulate solid product and a minor amount of the liquid is then treated to produce a solid residue consisting essentially of magnesium sulfate substantially free of uranium and having a residual radioactivity level of less than 1000 pCi/gm. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a catalyst and an oxidizing agent are used during the initial acid treatment and a final solid residue has a radioactivity level of less than about 50 pCi/gm.

Abstract: A concentrated aqueous black liquor containing carbonaceous material and alkali metal sulfur compounds is treated in a gasifier vessel containing a relatively shallow molten salt pool at its bottom to form a combustible gas and a sulfide-rich melt. The gasifier vessel, which is preferably pressurized, has a black liquor drying zone at its upper part, a black liquor solids gasification zone located below the drying zone, and a molten salt sulfur reduction zone which comprises the molten salt pool. A first portion of an oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the gas space in the gasification zone immediatley above the molten salt pool. The remainder of the oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the molten salt pool in an amount sufficient to cause gasification of carbonaceous material entering the pool from the gasification zone but not sufficient to create oxidizing conditions in the pool.

Abstract: Wastes, in the form of liquids, solids and slurries, are converted to a mixture of a gas and an inorganic ash by introducing the waste as a finely atomized spray into a zone heated by means of a hot gas. Contact of the spray particles with the hot gas results in drying the waste and calcining and combusting the dried waste. The process is particularly useful with wastes containing hazardous materials such as radioactive substances.

Abstract: A pump having a shrouded inducer rotatably mounted within a housing. An outer periphery of the shroud and an adjacent inner surface of the housing defines an annular space through which a recirculation flow of fluid occurs during operation of the pump. The shroud is provided with a plurality of vent holes located about an outer periphery of the shroud and extending therethrough to alleviate damage which would otherwise result from such recirculation flow.

Abstract: A process is described for reducing the volume of a liquid waste containing an organic amine chelating agent in which a finely atomized spray of the liquid waste is contacted with a gas stream having a temperature in excess of the thermal decomposition temperature of the chelating agent. The proportions of the hot gas stream and liquid waste are controlled to rapidly evaporate water from the liquid waste and cool the gas to a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the chelating agent in a time of less than about 6 seconds to produce a dry, flowable powder product including the chelating agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the vergence of a beam of light from a laser including first and second focusing reflector means; one for receiving the beam of light and another for directing it away from the apparatus in a predetermined direction. Intermediate the two focusing reflecting means, there is provided an arrangement of substantially flat surface reflector means, one of which is moveable for varying the length of the path of the beam of light through the apparatus. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the two focusing reflecting means comprise parabolic mirrors and the moveable reflector means comprises a piston mirror.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a methane-enriched gas wherein a hydrogen-deficient carbonaceous material is treated with a hydrogen-containing pyrolysis gas at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce a product gas mixture including methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The improvement comprises passing the product gas mixture sequentially through a water-gas shift reaction zone and a gas separation zone to provide separate gas streams of methane and of a recycle gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane for recycle to the process. A controlled amount of steam also is provided which when combined with the recycle gas provides a pyrolysis gas for treatment of additional hydrogen-deficient carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A controllable fluid damper 14 for a fluid-containing tank 10 in a space vehicle comprising a hollow sphere 14. The wall of the sphere 14 is a honeycomb structure of six-sided cells 24 arranged with respect to the sphere 14 so that the open ends of the cells 24 lie along the radii of the sphere 14. The flat sides of the cells 24 contain small holes 26 which present some resistance to the flow of fluid therethrough. The outer surface of the sphere 14 lies adjacent the inner surface of the tank wall 12. A number of spaced brake pads are located in the tank wall 12 so that the surfaces of the pads are co-planar with the inner surface of the tank wall 12. One of the brake pads, 16, is radially movable in the inward direction; the remainder, 18, are fixed in position. The sphere 10 can rotate with the fluid when a maneuver of the vehicle is started and, then, rotation of the damper 14 can be arrested by moving the movable brake pad 16 into pressure contact with the outer surface of the damper 14.