Abstract: A method for forming an improved lithium electrode structure which comprises an alloy of lithium, silicon, and boron in specified proportions and a supporting current-collecting matrix in intimate contact with said alloy. The lithium formed by the method of the present invention is utilized as the negative electrode in a rechargeable electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The production of hydrogen by reacting an ash containing material with water and at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine to form reaction products including carbon dioxide and a corresponding hydrogen halide. The hydrogen halide is decomposed to separately release the hydrogen and the halogen. The halogen is recovered for reaction with additional carbonaceous materials and water, and the hydrogen is recovered as a salable product. In a preferred embodiment the carbonaceous material, water and halogen are reacted at an elevated temperature. In accordance with another embodiment, a continuous method for the production of hydrogen is provided wherein the carbonaceous material, water and at least one selected halogen are reacted in one zone, and the hydrogen halide produced from the reaction is decomposed in a second zone, preferably by electrolytic decomposition, to release the hydrogen for recovery and the halogen for recycle to the first zone.

Abstract: Hydrocarbonaceous materials such as petroleum residuums, coal, lignite or the like are introduced into a molten salt bath maintained in a reaction zone at elevated temperature and pressure. Hydrogen also is introduced into the reaction zone in an amount sufficient to provide a pressure in the reaction zone within the range of from about 30 to 400 atmospheres. The hydrocarbonaceous material is reacted for a time sufficient to produce cracked products including a major amount of liquid and a minor amount of gaseous and solid products of enriched hydrogen content. The molten salt bath comprises at least one alkali metal hydroxide which preferably is sodium hydroxide. Substantially all of the sulfur and ash constituents of the hydrocarbonaceous material are retained in the molten salt. When the hydrocarbonaceous material is a normally solid material such as coal, it advantageously is crushed and slurried in an organic hydrogen donor solvent prior to its introduction into the molten salt bath.

Abstract: A method of removing and preferably recovering sulfur values from an alkali metal sulfide and carbonate mixture comprising the steps of (1) introducing the mixture in an aqueous medium into a first carbonation zone and reacting the mixture with a gas containing a major amount of CO.sub.2 and a minor amount of H.sub.2 S; (2) introducing the resultant product from step 1 into a stripping zone maintained at subatmospheric pressure, and contacting this product with steam to produce a gaseous mixture, comprising H.sub.2 S and water vapor, and a liquor of reduced sulfide content; (3) introducing the liquor of reduced sulfide content into a second carbonation zone, and reacting the liquor with substantially pure gaseous CO.sub.2 in an amount sufficient to precipitate bicarbonate crystals and produce an offgas containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor having an inherently safe automatic shutdown capability comprising a pressure vessel, a core located within the vessel and containing a sufficient amount of fissionable material to establish and sustain a chain-type fission reaction, and a plurality of elongated conduits disposed in a regular arrangement within the vessel. Each of the conduits defines a fluid flow path and comprises a first section located within and extending through the core, and a second section located exteriorly of the core and positioned above the first section. Each of the conduits contains a plurality of substantially spherical bodies in a sufficient quantity to substantially fill the first section of each of the conduits. The conduits are provided with a first fluid connection to a lower part of the first section and a second fluid connection to an upper part of the second section for the passage of a pressurized fluid therethrough while maintaining the reactor in operation.

Abstract: An improved lithium electrode structure comprises an alloy of lithium, silicon, and boron in specified proportions and a supporting current-collecting matrix in intimate contact with said alloy. The lithium electrode of the present invention is utilized as the negative electrode in a rechargeable electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An improved lithium electrode structure comprises an alloy of lithium, silicon, and iron in specified proportions and a supporting current-collecting matrix in intimate contact with said alloy. The lithium electrode of the present invention is utilized as the negative electrode in a rechargeable electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically monitoring dynamic signals, such as from vibration sensors, in an operating industrial or other plant to identify abnormal events, draw conclusions as to their severity, and indicate action to be taken, utilizing a computer to control the scanning of one or two sensor channels at a time through a matrix of analog switches, and to process one or two channel signals through a signal processor for power spectral density (PSD) analysis (two channel signals for cross PSD analysis). The computer compares spectra with predetermined sets of frequency dependent limits and indicates the abnormal condition of apparatus in the plant associated with the spectra as a function of which set of limits is exceeded. The computer also indicates from a stored table the action to be taken for the abnormal condition found.

Abstract: A system for the cyclic storage and recovery of thermal energy utilizing a particulate bed of a decomposable heat storage material selected from the group consisting of the hydroxides of magnesium, calcium, and barium. The bed of heat storage material is confined within a container adjacent a water-permeable wall of the container. Thermal energy of chemical decomposition is stored by heating the bed of selected hydroxide to a temperature within the range of from 300.degree. C to 900.degree. C and above the decomposition temperature of the selected hydroxide for a time sufficient to decompose at least a part of the selected hydroxide to form the corresponding oxide and water vapor. The water vapor is withdrawn by passing a carrier gas into contact with the water-permeable wall of the container to absorb the water vapor permeating therethrough.

Abstract: A method for the detection and quantitative analysis of certain selected constituent parts of a gas stream. A gas stream containing the selected constituent is introduced into a reaction zone and contacted with metastable mercury (6.sup.3 P.sub.o) atoms to form an excited complex of the selected constituent and the metastable mercury atom, which decomposes emitting light. The intensity of the light emission is measured and directly correlatable to the concentration of the constituent in the gas stream. The method of the present invention is particularly applicable to the measurement of ambient air containing selected constituents in an amount or concentration in the 1-100 ppb range. The method can be used to measure trace amounts of numerous selected constituents contained in a gaseous stream including such constituents as ammonia, hydrazine, water vapor, alcohols and various amines.

Abstract: An improved lithium electrode structure comprises an alloy of lithium, silicon, and iron in specified proportions and a supporting current-collecting matrix in intimate contact with said alloy. The lithium electrode of the present invention is utilized as the negative electrode in a rechargeable electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A gaseous medium containing aerosols is drawn through a quartz sampling tube and a filter located therein, with the aerosols becoming entrapped on the filter. The filter is located at the geometric center of a microwave cavity, and the principal resonance of the latter is tracked with the aid of an adaptive electronic circuit. The time rate of change of the resonant frequency is a function of the rate of deposition of particulate matter on the filter, and principally of the liquid water content of those aerosols. Water in the vapor phase passes through the filter and does not affect the measurement; solid particulate does affect the frequency shift but in a second order manner and is readily compensated for after measurement of total aerosol mass deposited and the determination of the dielectric constant of the solid species therein.

Abstract: A process for the production of a synthesis gas, capable of being upgraded to a high BTU pipeline gas, by the partial oxidation and substantially complete gasification of a carbonaceous material under CO-promoting conditions wherein the carbonaceous material, oxygen, and recycled carbon dioxide from the process are introduced into a molten salt containing an alkali metal carbonate and a minor portion of an alkali metal sulfide, the system being operated at a selected temperature and pressure between 1400.degree. and 2000.degree. F and between 1 and 100 atmospheres. The molar ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen employed is controlled at from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1 to control the CO production and also to maintain the molten salt at a desired operating temperature. Sulfur and ash introduced with the fuel are retained in the molten salt.

Abstract: A compact modular electrical energy storage device comprising one or more cell modules in which certain components of the device are maintained in a substantially fixed position in the device by utilizing a resilient porous body of compressed carbon fibers to resiliently urge the components into physical contact with one another. The invention further provides means for maintaining the cell components in such fixed position during cell operation at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time.A preferred compact cell module construction particularly suitable for use in a high-temperature, high-energy-density lithium battery includes two positive electrode assemblies positoned in opposing relationship by a U-shaped spacer member maintained in contact with a separator member of each positive electrode assembly by a resilient porous body of compressed graphite fibers, a unitary double-faced negative electrode assembly being positioned between the two positive electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A rechargeable electric energy storage device including a negative electrode, a positive electrode and an electrolyte, at least one electrode including a plurality of wall members, forming a plurality of cells having a certain open cross-sectional area, a substantially planar electrolyte-permeable member affixed to the wall members and covering the open end of the cells, and a body of electrochemically active material in said cells; the active material being a solid at the operating temperature of the device and retained in the cells of the wall members by the electrolyte-permeable member.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally recombining gases comprising a first (heating) chamber in which the gases to be combined are initially heated to a temperature above the threshold for thermal combination or recombination, a second (reaction) chamber is formed to provide for mixing of previously reacted gases with the gases delivered from the first chamber, and a temperature control means responsive to the temperature in the second chamber for controlling the temperature to which the gases are initially heated in the first chamber.

Abstract: A compact modular electrical energy storage device comprising one or more cell modules in which certain components of the device are maintained in a substantially fixed position in the device by utilizing a resilient porous body of compressed carbon fibers to resiliently urge the components into physical contact with one another. The invention further provides means for maintaining the cell components in such fixed position during cell operation at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time.A preferred compact cell module construction particularly suitable for use in a high-temperature, high-energy-density lithium battery includes two positive electrode assemblies positioned in opposing relationship by a U-shaped spacer member maintained in contact with a separator member of each positive electrode assembly by a resilient porous body of compressed graphite fibers, a unitary double-faced negative electrode assembly being positioned between the two positive electrode assemblies.

Abstract: Small amounts of NO.sub.2 and O.sub.3 in air are determined by utilizing the reactions of these gases with solid alkali metal halides to produce halogen, and the reaction of NO.sub.2 with various salts such as PbI.sub.2 to produce NO; halogens produced from the reaction may be measured by the use of an electrolytic cell, the output of which is dependent on the halogen concentration of the gas contacting one electrode thereof, while the NO concentration may be determined by the chemiluminescence technique.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system is disclosed having a skate remotely controlled from a main console for positioning an ultrasonic transducer. A transmission line is used to couple drive pulses from the main control console to the transducer. Each drive pulse is generated at the console by timing means for firing a first silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) to discharge a precharged capacitor into the line, and for firing a second SCR to shunt discharge current from the capacitor to ground. The line is terminated at its input end by its characteristic impedance. The length of the line may be changed without requiring any change at the transducer or the pulse generating circuit, except that the size of the precharged capacitor may be varied to assure delivery of a pulse of desired amplitude to the transducer.

Abstract: Sulphur dioxide is reacted with silver nitrite at room temperature to release nitrogen dioxide in a known ratio and the nitrogen dioxide may, then, be measured as an indication of the presence and amount of sulphur dioxide.