Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing organic waste (D) in divided solid and/or liquid form, the method being implemented in a single reactor (1) containing a bath of molten gas (V) surmounted by a gas phase (G), the method comprising incinerating said waste (D) in the presence of oxygen at the surface (S) of said bath of molten glass (V), and vitrifying said incinerated waste (D) in said bath of molten glass (V). In characteristic manner, in said method, said waste (D) is introduced into said reactor (1) in association with dual cooling; the device (5) for feeding said reactor (1) with said waste (D) is cooled on its side adjacent to the gas phase (G), advantageously by the circulation of at least one is cooling fluid maintained at a temperature higher than the dew point of said gas phase (G), and it is also cooled, advantageously independently, on its side adjacent to the incoming waste (D).

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is a process for preparing a mineral matrix by melting, which is implemented according to the method of direct cold crucible induction melting. The method employs a step for initiating the melting. During the initiation step, a conductive mineral load is generated, by introduction of constituent elements of the matrix, into a bath of a conductive liquid, brought by induction to a suitable temperature, in the cold crucible. The intervening conductive liquid has the property of being a liquid and an electric conductor at a temperature between &thgr;1 of less than 600° C., advantageously of between 100 and 500° C., and a temperature &thgr;2 at least equal to the temperature at which the constituent elements of the matrix melt to generate the matrix. The conductive liquid is advantageously a molten sodium hydroxide bath. The preparation of such a glass matrix is advantageously implemented within the context of a method of vitrifying radioactive waste materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for confining an atmosphere (B) in a space (4) communicating with its surroundings via at least one opening. A gas curtain (1+2) comprising a low-velocity jet (2) and a high-velocity jet (1) is generated at said opening. Characteristically, a fraction of the flow in said low-velocity jet (2) is injected into the confined atmosphere (B) and adds to the induced flowrate of said low-velocity jet (2), the size of said fraction being variable depending on the pressure within said space (4). The present invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: Gas which is contaminated with liquid and/or solid is purified using a vertically oriented Venturi column in conjunction with a sound field. At the throat of the Venturi column, a scrubbing liquid is atomized and injected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow of the contaminated gas. A sound field is generated at the throat in order to cause the contaminate to shift relative to the vesicles of the scrubbing liquid.

Abstract: A centrifugal extractor comprising several superimposed stages (E1, E2, E3) has a fixed casing (10) within which rotate at high speed bowls (22) driven by a common vertical shaft (18). An immiscible light liquid and heavy liquid are emulsified and injected into a separating compartment (32) defined by each of the bowls (22) by ducts (54) forming ejectors and which are formed in the lower wall of the corresponding bowl. The light phase passes upwardly from one stage to the next by annular passages (46) surrounding the shaft (18), while the heavy phase redascends by gravity in return channels (44) formed in the fixed casing. This avoids turbulence in the separating compartments (32) and there is a reduction of the risks of clogging as a result of solid particles being present in the heavy phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the continuous conversion of one hydroxylamine salt to another hydroxylamine salt, said process involving a countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction followed by a countercurrent liquid-liquid re-extraction. Characteristically, the extractant is used in the extraction step in the salified form and in the acid form.

Abstract: A method and device for maintaining a clean atmosphere at controlled temperature, at a workstation accessible from a contaminated room. A curtain of gas--in the form of a slow jet and of a fast jet--is generated at the level of the openings between the workstation and the contaminated zone. The fast jet is situated at the level of the opening on the workstation side; the jets are directed approximately in parallel to the opening so that at least the external face of the fast jet reaches up to the opening. Moreover, a stream of clean gas is generated, and sent in such a way as to create a uniform sweeping, inside the volume to be protected.

Abstract: The furnace according to the invention makes it possible to continuously vitrify and/or densify toxic materials, such a nuclear waste, by using microwaves. The furnace contains two vertical ends connected by a horizontal melting vessel. The materials to be melted and the microwaves are introduced at the first end. The melting vessel has a constant cross-section as a result of a horizontal upper wall in order to aid the distribution of the power of the microwaves over the surface of the molten bath. Preferably, the second end is provided with a piston making it possible to regulate the return of non-absorbed microwaves.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for managing stores, in which objects are stored, removed and arranged. Said objects are stored not in accordance with an indexed classification but as a function of their dimensions and of the storage volumes available in the store and, at each instant, their location as well as the location and dimensions of the storage volumes still available are recorded. Said process is advantageously carried out for managing a library, videotheque, discotheque, archives, . . . . The present invention also relates to a device for carrying out said process.

Abstract: Process for the combustion of toxic gaseous effluents bereft of oxygen in a flame, comprising an inner cone (8) supplied with combustible gas (6) and with so-called primary combustion-suppporting gas (7). Said gaseous effluent (10) and a so-called secondary combustion-supporting gas (9) are introduced separately at the level of said inner cone, said secondary combustion-supporting gas being introduced in the form of at least one jet directed towards the axis (D) of said inner cone at a flowrate and speed sufficient to ensure an excess of combustion-supporting gas, the maintenance of temperature and to create a turbulent gaseous mass at the level of said inner cone; the toxic gaseous effluent (10) being introduced into said turbulent gaseous mass. Said process is carried out under a depression. It also relates to an installation for carrying out said process.

Abstract: A device for lifting sheets of glass brought on a conveyor, has at least one arm rotatable about a horizontal spindle, situated at the lower end of the arm, between a substantially vertical position for gripping the sheets on the conveyor and a substantially horizontal position for depositing the sheets. The device also has a support mounted on the upper end of each rotating arm, the support being slidable along the axis of the arm. The support carries first suction cups for gripping the sheets and at least two retractable arms fastened with the support, the arms being rotatable between a substantially horizontal axis carried by the support, each retractable arm being provided with second suction cups. The retractable arms and the second suction cups are disposed symmetrically with respect to the conveyor axis and in such a way that the sheets of large dimensions are gripped while being in equilibrium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for immobilizing, by an hydraulic binder, radioactive ion exchange resins or IER, which can contain borates in a quantity which can reach up to the equivalent of 1000 g H.sub.3 BO.sub.3 /kg of dry IER, wherein the IER are decanted and then placed in contact for a maximum of three hours with an eluant solution of 100 to 300 g/l in Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 in the proportion of 1 to 2 l/kg of decanted IER, an hydraulic binder of low hydration heat being added to the medium of pH.gtoreq.9 so that the ratio of the water of the eluant solution to the binder (by weight) is between 0.3 and 0.5 and that the incorporation rate:dry IER/final product (by weight) is between 3% and 10%.

Abstract: A filtering cartridge, without asbestos, for the filtration of gases, especially hot and/or radio-active and/or corrosive gases. The cartridge comprises a substantially cylindrical, hollow body, closed at one of its ends and open at the other end, containing at least 50% by weight of alumina and/or zirconia. The body is obtained by molding in vacuo of a slip consisting essentially of fibers of alumina and/or zirconia having a diameter less than 20 .mu.m and length less than 25 mm, colloidal silica, at least one organic binding agent, at least one deflocculant, optionally, other fibers, and optionally sodium, drying the slip and heat treating the dried slip at a temperature sufficient to volatilize the organic binding agent and deflocculant.

Abstract: The process involves comparing the shape of the edges of a curved object being monitored with that of a standard curved object. A reference is obtained by tracing an orthogonal projection of the standard curved object on a plane. The monitored object is placed face-to-face with the reference and the edges of both the reference and the monitored object are illuminated by a fan beam produced by a laser. The required measurements are performed on the basis of the thus-generated traces and the use of guide marks. The present invention also discloses an apparatus for carrying out the above process. A typical application of the invention is in the monitoring of window panels in the automobile industry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for cutting irradiated fuel elements when in the horizontal position. A fuel element is placed on a support and presents a cross-section for cutting. The fuel element may be displaced along its longitudinal axis. In the immediate proximity of the cutting section, the fuel element is compressed by at least one side clamp, and between two cuts the side clamp(s) is/are unclamped, the fuel element is then advanced by a desired length, and the side clamp(s) is/are reclamped. The end pieces cut off by end piece cutters fall into a fixed end piece removal apparatus. The rods are cut up inside a cavity in such a manner as to confine the cut-off lengths therein, the cavity being provided with a bottom opening enabling the cut-off lengths to be removed and directed towards a fixed rod-removal apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the end pieces are cut off against the front face of the carriage which carries the rod-cutting blade.

Abstract: A saddle with two cutting stations, i.e., front and rear openings, moves forward and backward horizontally within a chassis. The rear opening includes a cutting blade. The chassis includes a front counter blade. A magazine holds a tube bundle and includes a rear face clamp and rear counter blade. In a first cutting operation, skirting at the base of the tube bundle is placed in the front opening and is cut by first moving the saddle rearward against the rear face clamp and rear counter blade, and then frontward against the front counter-blade. In a second cutting operation, the tube bundle is placed in the rear opening. As the saddle is moved frontward, the cutting blade in the rear opening cooperates with the front counter-blade on the chassis to cut the tubes. This second cutting operation is continued until the tubes are cut.

Abstract: An installation for lifting and stacking or unstacking sheets of glass and particularly sheets of small dimension (i.e. one meter by 1.5 meters). The installation has a secondary conveyor (1), an elevator and a panel (24). The elevator has at least one arm (5) provided with suction cups (7) mounted on the sliding support. The arm is driven in rotation through an angle of about 90 degrees by a connecting rod-crank system (13) provided with at least one balancing jack (18) as well as a jack for laterally displacing the elevator and the secondary conveyor. The installation makes it possible to obtain very rapid operating rates (of the order of two seconds) at a reduced power output.

Abstract: A post-combustion chamber for treating the gases coming from a combustion chamber, the post-combustion chamber comprising a conical bottom (9) extended by a tube (10), and being separated into two compartments by a vertical wall (14), with both of said compartments containing a filter bed, said bed rising to a lower level in the compartment via which the gases enter than in the other compartment, said chamber also including an opening for removing gases which have passed through said filter bed and an opening in the top of the compartment via which the gases leave for inserting filter bed material, wherein the bottom of the vertical wall (14, 27) is terminated by an arch (28) of refractory bricks bearing against opposite surfaces of the conical bottom of the post-combustion chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating an enclosure from external pollution includes a tube (2) with one end opening out into the enclosure and with its opposite end (5) being open. At least one slot (6) is provided in the inside wall of said tube in the vicinity of its opening (5), the slot being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said tube and sloping towards the opening. The slot is fed with gas so as to blow a continuous sheet of gas into the tube. At least one porous plate is disposed on the inside wall of said tube between the slot (6) and the opening (5), and the plate is fed with a gas which forms a small flow of gas suitable for overcoming the pressure reduction formed by the sheet of gas leaving from said slot (6). The enclosure is maintained at a pressure which is slightly higher than its surroundings so as to create a flow of gas running along said tube (2) and deflecting the sheet or sheets of gas leaving the slot (6) towards the opening (5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the immobilization of ion exchange resins originating from radioactive produce (waste) reprocessing plants, the said resins being immobilized in a cement, preferably of the CLK type, wherein, before immobilization in the said cement, the said resins are treated with an aqueous solution containing NO.sub.3.sup.- and Na.sup.+ ions, the quantity of NO.sub.3.sup.- ions in the said aqueous solution being calculated so as to ensure that all the sites in the resins are saturated, assuming that all the resins treated are of anionic type and that the quantity of Na.sup.+ ions used in the said aqueous solution, or added in a second step, ensures on the one hand that the medium has a basic pH and on the other hand that all the sites in the cationic resins are saturated.