Abstract: A sterilizer for use in sterilizing articles removably received therein, includes first thermal insulating means with a receiving cavity formed therein; cover means including a second thermal insulating means, the cover means being movable with respect to the first means for selectively covering said cavity; heating means received within the cavity and defining recess means for removably receiving therein an article to be sterilized, the heating means having a preselected volume for relatively slowly dissipating heat; and power control means for selectively applying electrical power to the heating means for heating the heating means, and for automatically cutting off the power to the heating means in response to a first predetermined temperature being reached by the heating means, the combination of the heating means and the first and second insulation means resulting in a relatively slow rate of heat loss from the heating means for enabling the temperature of the heating means not to fall below a second pred

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of pourable, directly compactable uranium dioxide powder by continuous precipitation of uranium peroxide from a stirred uranyl nitrate solution at a pH of 1-2.5 with hydrogen peroxide, calcining of the peroxide at 500.degree.-800.degree. C. and subsequent reduction at 550.degree.-750.degree. C. The precipitation solution contains 70-150 g/l of uranium and 0.80 g/l of ammonium nitrate and is treated with 15-20% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution in the ratio of U:H.sub.2 O.sub.2 from 1:1.5 to 1:3 and there is led through the solution a mixture of ammonia and air having an air-ammonia volume ratio of 1:0.3-0.6.

Abstract: A converter for catalytic conversion of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine comprising a double-shelled housing, of which the outer shell is spaced apart from the inner shell. The two shells are slidable with respect to one another and have a heat-retaining layer disposed there-between. The housing is provided with a gas inlet and gas outlet. Slidably mounted in the interior of the housing is at least one receptacle which has exhaust gas passage ways disposed in its upper and lower end portions. The receptacle(s) is (are) filled with granular catalyst forming a bed.

Abstract: A container is provided with a valve opening at its bottom wall to permit steam to circulate into the container and to permit any condensation to drain from the container while the valve is open. The valve is closed by an expandable chamber in response to the pressure drop at the end of a sterilizing cycle. A valve controlling the flow of steam into the expandable chamber closes when subjected to the high temperature steam, thus capturing steam within the chamber. This steam expands when the pressure drops to close the valve in the container. The container lid and gasket permit steam to be withdrawn from the container but prevent air flow into the container. A vacuum created in the container at the end of the sterilizing cycle holds the container lid in place and holds the valve closed.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in the known process of making a coking feedstock from non-caking or weakly caking coals for slot-type coke ovens wherein the coal is subjected to solvent extraction; and at least the non-distillable extract in the effluent slurry product, after removal of part or all of the solvent, is mixed with carbonaceous solids to serve as a binder therefor. The improvement resides in the use of fluidizer char (which is produced by the low temperature carbonization of coal in a fluidized bed) as the carbonaceous solids. The fluidizer char is preferably mixed with the coal extract slurry (after removal of solvent) in a liquid state at elevated temperatures under pelletizing and non-carbonizing conditions. The pelletized product, after cooling and crushing, is suitable as part or all of the coking feedstock for coke ovens.

Abstract: A catalytic converter is mounted within an exhaust gas passage formed by a pair of tubular members each having an outwardly extending flange at their one end and connected together in tandem and in a concentric manner by means of mounting means which cooperate with the flanges. The catalytic converter includes a cylindrical, metallic shell having a pair of flanges at its opposite ends which extend radially inward and which define a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a catalyst carrier formed by a monolithic, porous ceramic body having a coating of catalyst, and elastic support means for supporting the catalyst carrier within the shell. The shell is provided with an annular rib having a pair of side surfaces which project outwardly from its cylindrical surface, the annular rib defining a pair of cylindrical portions of the shell which are contiguous with the respective side surfaces.

Abstract: A magnetic epitaxial layer containing the rare earths yttrium and samarium is grown on a gadolinium-gallium substrate which moves vertically in the melt during the growth process. The substrate remains immersed in a melt containing oxides of iron and the rare earths and while moving vertically in its own plane the substrate effectuates a translation movement with each point of the substrate describing a canted 8-shaped loop.

Abstract: A container lid is released at a desired point in a sterilizing cycle with the actuating movement being provided by an expandable chamber having a quantity of sterilizing environment captured during the sterilizing cycle.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler has a monolithic honeycomb catalyst mounted within an oblong shaped casing. An inlet conveys exhaust gas into one end of the casing and an outlet flows the exhaust gas away from the other end. At its end spaced from the casing the inlet is generally round while its end connected to the casing has a shape conforming to that of the casing. The sides of the inlet taper outwardly providing a smooth surface for the flow path to the casing. A flow dividing member traverses the flow path in the inlet between its ends for dividing the flow without causing any turbulence.

Abstract: To remove salts from a solution containing the salts, hot air is injected downwards into the solution in a concentrator, and the solution is concentrated by direct contact with the hot air, thereby enhancing an evaporation efficiency in the concentrator and preventing scale deposition in the concentrator and piping system. The solution is forcedly cooled in a crystallizer by direct contact with cool air, thereby making crystals grow in the solution within a short time. The solution and air are circulated in a closed cycle, thereby preventing a secondary environmental pollution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing nitric oxide in a gas with ammonia in the presence of a base metal catalyst pretreated with sulfur, selenium or a sulfur compound positioned in a reactor. The catalyst is deposited on a substrate or confined between gas-permeable walls and arranged to form open channels through which the nitric oxide-containing gas thereby effects low pressure drop through the reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting chemical reactions in the presence of fluidized solids comprising at least one centrifugal separator for removing entrained solids from effluent gas, a dip-leg depending from the separator for returning separated solids to the fluidized system, and a unidirectional valve at the lower end of the dip-leg which is protected from erosion damage by a conical shroud.

Abstract: A dissolver for dissolving nuclear fuel materials out of fuel element segments during reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels, the dissolver being made of a material which is a neutron absorber and being composed of a dissolving vessel and a dissolving basket disposed in the vessel to receive such fuel element segments and to permit flow of dissolving fluid therethrough, with the basket being divided into a plurality of individual sections or compartments so as to prevent establishment of a critical state in the dissolver.

Abstract: A method of drying hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate to reduce its surface moisture content is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) fluidizing a bed of hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate particles by continuously passing a heated gaseous medium in a generally upwardly direction through the particles at a superficial velocity at least sufficient to maintain turbulent fluidization and mixing of the particles throughout the bed; (b) transferring a dispersed form of hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate to be dried into the fluidized bed; (c) maintaining the amount of crystalline magnesium sulfate within the fluidized bed at a constant depth; (d) controlling the temperature and relative humidity of the heated gaseous medium to maintain a bed temperature and humidity sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the surface moisture from the hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate without removing waters of hydration; and (e) removing dried hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate from the bed.

Abstract: By evaporation employing solar energy, a brine having a lithium chloride concentration greater than that of a brine whose vapor pressure under ambient conditions is substantially equal to the partial pressure of moisture in the atmosphere above the brine is obtained. The process by which such result is accomplished involves the use of a pond system consisting of a series of shallow ponds of relatively large surface area to which a dilute lithium chloride brine is introduced. The flow of the brine through the pond system is controlled so that, at a point intermediate the points of introduction of the brine to and withdrawal of the brine from the pond system, the concentration of the brine is such that its vapor pressure under ambient conditions is substantially equal to the partial pressure of the moisture in the atmosphere immediately above the pond system.

Abstract: Method for detecting crystal defects in semiconductor silicon which comprises treating a preliminarily mirror etched crystal of semiconductor silicon with a detecting solution which is a mixture of about 50% hydrofluoric acid solution and concentrated nitric acid in a ratio of 1000 to 0.1-20 by volume added with an anionic surfactant, and thereafter applying renewedly a mirror etching thereto. Also provided is a detecting solution therefor. Practice of the method causes no occupational disease and no environmental pollution with respect to hexavalent chromium.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous production of phosphoric acid from phosphate-containing rock and sulfuric acid, consisting of a reaction tank with a cylindrical side wall and a planar horizontal bottom and cover, wherein the improvement comprises a rigid vertical internal S-shaped baffle with one end smoothly merging into the said cylindrical side wall of the reaction tank and the other end freely projecting into the tank so as to permit of free circulation and flow of the reaction mixture from one side of the baffle to the other but dividing the reaction tank into two distinct zones.

Abstract: An apparatus for the remote biological decontamination of a space with formaldehyde and subsequent generation of a formaldehyde neutralizing agent so as to permit immediate access to the space is disclosed. The apparatus is completely self-contained and includes a control mechanism for automatically sequencing the various steps in the biological decontamination of the space.

Abstract: A process for disinfecting a water supply, employing as disinfectant a combination of monochloroamine and hydrogen peroxide for use as a disinfectant.The concentration of monochloroamine is preferably at least 0.02 ppm and generally not more than 0.5 ppm. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide is preferably at least 0.1 ppm and often not more than 1 ppm. Preferably the weight ratio of hydrogen peroxide to monochloroamine is in the range of 4:1 to 20:1.An advantage of employing a combination of monochloroamine and hydrogen peroxide as disinfectant is that a comparatively long lasting residual bactericide is thereby provided.

Abstract: A catalytic converter having a catalyst coated monolith of frangible material supported in a sheet metal housing by both a wire mesh sleeve and intumescent sleeve with the latter also providing sealing between the monolith and the housing.