Abstract: A process and apparatus by means of which the premier vapor cycle, known as the Carnot cycle, can be approximated in practice, involve the application of novel energy-efficient, mixed phase, high volume-ratio fluid-handling machinery to a single-component working fluid that exists during certain processes as a mixture of fine droplets of saturated liquid in saturated vapor. This combination of fluid-handling machinery and the saturated mixed-phase working fluid enables the approximation of isentropic saturated liquid/vapor expansion and compression. These process approximations, in addition to isothermal heat addition and rejection, enable Carnot heat engine, refrigeration and heat pump cycles to be approximated.

Abstract: A method is provided for oxidizing gases such as, for example, CO, aldehydes having carbon atoms in the range 1 to 5 (e.g. formaldehyde), ketones having carbon atoms in the range 3 to 5, and alcohols having carbon atoms in the range 1 to 5, wherein the gas at a relative humidity in the range 0 to 100% and an input temperature in the range -50.degree. to 150.degree. C. is contacted with a catalyst assembly comprising (a) a hydrophobic support having a surface area in the range 50 to 1,500 m.sup.2 /g and selected from the group consisting of silicalite, silylated silica, and styrene divinylbenzene polymers, and, on said support (b) a catalytically active metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, rhenium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, platinum, iridium, nickel, copper and silver, said metal being present in an amount in the range 0.1 to 22 wt % of the total weight of the catalyst assembly.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for fluids containing hydrogen and subjected to a neutron flux. The vessel comprises an inner sealing layer and an outer load bearing layer. The inner sealing layer is composed of a material having a radiation induced diametral deformation rate higher than that of the outer layer to minimize stresses therein. The outer layer is provided with apertures, and the boundary between the inner and outer layers is non-metallurgical such that any fluid which penetrates the sealing layer will readily pass through the outer layer where it can be detected, by suitable detector before it produces embrittlement of the load bearing layer. The preferred application for the invention is in pressure tubes for a nuclear reactor.

Abstract: Charged-particles in the 45-15 MeV energy range incident upon isotopically enriched xenon-124 gas in a gas-target assembly cause nuclear reactions which yield radioactive xenon-123. The xenon-123, decaying either in the target assembly or in a decay vessel removed from the target assembly, yields iodine-123 with very low levels of radioactive contaminants.

Abstract: Heat transfer and associated surfaces in nuclear reactors are decontaminated by treating the surface with ozone to oxidize acid-insoluble metal oxides to a more soluble state, removing oxidized solubilized metal oxides, and removing other surface oxides using low concentrations of decontaminating reagents. Ozone treatment has been found very effective with alloys having surface metal oxides rendered more easily dissolved by ozone oxidation especially with chromium or chromium-nickel containing alloys.

Abstract: Alkali metal alkylamides, for example, potassium methylamide or mixtures of lithium and potassium methylamides, containing impurities may be purified by a novel process. The first step of the process comprises reacting the alkali metal alkylamides, in solution in methylamine, with ammonia to form the corresponding alkali metal amides which precipitate from solution while the impurities remain dissolved. The solid alkali metal amides are then separated from the solution, e.g., by filtration. The solution containing the impurities is distilled; and the distillate, comprised of methylamine containing some ammonia, is contacted with the alkali metal amides under reflux conditions and then the solution is rectified to remove ammonia. Under these conditions the alkali metal amides react with the methylamine to form a solution in methylamine of alkali metal methylamides freed of impurities. The solution is suitable for use as a catalyst for a deuterium enrichment process.