Abstract: A thermoelectric module is formed with a solder joint, the solder containing about 50 to 99 weight percent bismuth and about 50 to 1 weight percent antimony, between the thermoelectric elements and the connecting conductors. Also provided is a thermoelectric module having bismuth telluride elements coated with a conductive material that does not require a nickel or other diffusion barrier. Further provided are modules having conductors with a phosphorus-nickel surface. Methods of manufacturing and using such thermoelectric modules are further provided.

Abstract: A hard facing alloy is applied to a surface of a substrate by making a mixture of at least two constituents whose net composition is the desired hard facing alloy composition. The constituents have different solidus temperatures, at least one of which is above a processing temperature of the substrate and another of which is below the processing temperature of the substrate. In one preferred approach, the mixture is prepared by pressing and lightly sintering the constituents in the form of powders, so that the mixture retains its shape and can be attached to the substrate surface. Then the substrate is heated to the processing temperature and maintained for a time sufficient to permit interdiffusion of the several different phases toward a homogeneous hard facing alloy composition uniformly through a major portion of the volume.

Abstract: A thermocouple formed of a length of a single composition having first solid phase section adjoining a second solid phase section, and a transition therebetween. One method of making such thermocouples is to raise the temperature of the first solid phase section above its transformation temperature while maintaining the temperature of a second adjoining solid phase section of the length of material below its transformation temperature. A second method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material by contacting it with a moving substrate formed of adjoining regions of differing thermal conductivity. A third method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material by alternatingly contacting it with a cooling fluid and air. A fourth method includes transforming a section of a length of material in a first solid to a second solid phase by mechanical means.

Abstract: Articles for hot hydrocarbon fluid wherein the surface for contacting the fluid is a metal oxide, amorphous glass or metal fluoride diffusion barrier material coated on a metal substrate. The metal oxide, amorphous glass or metal fluoride is deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), e.g., by effusive CVD of an organometallic compound on the surface without the use of carrier gas, without pre-oxidation of the surface and without thermal decomposition of the diffusion barrier coating material. Examples of coating materials deposited by effusive CVD are SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, spinel and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The articles having the coated surfaces find utility in components subjected to high temperatures wherein the components are in contact with hydrocarbon fluids without additives, without special attention to quality control and without the need for special processing.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention measures the relative stress in the cladding of a nuclear fuel rod caused by the internal gas pressure of the rod. This is done by determining the attenuation ratio of two specific frequencies from a broadband low frequency acoustic energy spectrum. Relative pressure differentials are measurable and therefore any loss of fuel rod gas pressure is a direct indication of fuel rod cladding failure.

Abstract: A system for separating constituents from a base material using RF energy which is coupled to a reaction chamber by way of a windowless transmission line. By eliminating the need for a window, traditional limitations placed on the maximum power delivered to the resonating cavity are eliminated. Thus, the only practical limitation on the RF energy which can be delivered to a resonating cavity are the ability of RF energy source to produce that energy and the ability of the resonating cavity to manage that energy.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-metal element or a metal or an alloy thereof from a halide or mixtures thereof. The halide or mixtures thereof are contacted with a stream of liquid alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof in sufficient quantity to convert the halide to the non-metal or the metal or alloy and to maintain the temperature of the reactants at a temperature lower than the lesser of the boiling point of the alkali or alkaline earth metal at atmospheric pressure or the sintering temperature of the produced non-metal or metal or alloy. A continuous method is disclosed, particularly applicable to titanium.

Abstract: A method for mitigating general corrosion and crack initiation and growth on the surface of a metal components in a water-cooled nuclear reactor. A compound containing a non-noble metal such as zirconium or titanium is injected into the water of the reactor in the form of a solution or suspension. This compound decomposes under reactor thermal conditions to release ions or atoms of the non-noble metal which incorporate in the surfaces of the components, including the interior surfaces of any cracks formed therein. The preferred compounds are zirconium compounds such as zirconium acetylacetonate, zirconium nitrate and zirconyl nitrate. Zirconium incorporated in the oxided surface of a metal component will reduce the electrochemical corrosion potential at the surface to a level below the critical potential to protect against intergranular stress corrosion cracking without the addition of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of depositing noble metals on surfaces or matrices to manufacture industrial catalysts that can be used in a variety of applications. Such deposition of noble metals can be achieved by treating the surfaces in high-temperature (150.degree. C. or higher) water containing dissolved noble metal ions or its colloidal suspensions. The method consists of the steps of placing the surface of a metal substrate in contact with a volume filled with high-temperature water; injecting a solution of a noble metal compound into the volume for a predetermined duration; and removing the surface of the metal substrate from contact with the high-temperature water after expiration of said predetermined duration. The noble metal compound has the property that it releases species of the noble metal in high-temperature water. These noble metal species deposit on or incorporate in the oxide film on the surface of the metal substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured with first and second applicators for applying respective first and second electrolytic fluids. Decontaminating a surface comprises supplying a first electrolytic fluid to a first applicator, supplying a second electrolytic fluid to a second applicator, generating an electrical potential between the first and second applicators, and contacting the contaminated surface with the first and second applicators.

Abstract: A monolithic mass and energy transfer cell is provided. The cell comprises a monolithic ionically conductive core. The core has an outer surface including a first entrance surface and a first exit surface, which is spaced apart from the first entrance surface. A first set of passages are positioned between the first entrance surface and the first exit surface. The outer surface also includes a second entrance surface and a second exit surface, spaced apart from the second entrance surface. A second set of passages are positioned therebetween. The first set of passages are in a non-parallel relationship with the second set of passages. A first porous, electrically conductive coating is disposed within the first set of passages and a second porous, electrically conductive coating is disposed within the second set of passages. An external electric circuit is in electrical contact with the monolithic ionically conductive core.

Abstract: A method for improving the performance and longevity of coatings of metal deposited from aqueous solutions of inorganic, organic or oraganometallic metal compounds. The method involves co-deposition of noble metal or corrosion-inhibiting non-noble metal during growth of oxide film on a component made of alloy, e.g., stainless steels and nickel-based alloys. The result is a metal-doped oxide film having a relatively longer life in the reactor operating environment. In particular, incorporation of palladium into the film provides greatly increased catalytic life as compared to palladium coatings which lie on the oxide surface.

Abstract: Closed recycle system for chromium plating solution, solution wastes from chromium plating and chromic acid cleaning water in chromium plating composed of a chromium plating chamber including a chromic acid mist recovery device in communication with a recovery vessel for recovering and liquefying chromic acid mists formed upon chromium plating, and a chromic acid mist cleaning tower in communication with the recovery vessel for cleaning chromic acid mists flowing from the chromic acid mist recovery device. The recovery vessel is preferably positioned underground, and also preferably positioned in the recovery vessel. Liquid wastes containing noxious substances formed in chromium plating factories are utilized, and generation of materials leading to public pollution is prevented.

Abstract: An electrode (2) for electrochemically machining electroconductive workpieces (1), which is provided with electrically insulating layers (4, 4') of a hybrid inorganic polymeric material on the basis of silicon oxide and zirconium oxide obtained by means of a sol-gel process. The insulating layers (4, 4') can be provided on the electrode at a low temperature and exhibit a small leakage current.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing electricity from heat. The present invention is a thermoelectric generator that uses materials with substantially no electrical resistance, often called superconductors, to efficiently convert heat into electrical energy without resistive losses. Preferably, an array of superconducting elements is encased within a second material with a high thermal conductivity. The second material is preferably a semiconductor. Alternatively, the superconducting material can be doped on a base semiconducting material, or the superconducting material and the semiconducting material can exist as alternating, interleaved layers of waferlike materials. A temperature gradient imposed across the boundary of the two materials establishes an electrical potential related to the magnitude of the temperature gradient. The superconducting material carries the resulting electrical current at zero resistivity, thereby eliminating resistive losses.

Abstract: A metal oxide layer is provided around a thermocouple element. The metal oxide layer is formed by preparing a sol, in which particulates of a metal oxide are dispersed, by a sol-gel method, dipping the thermocouple element in this sol, energizing the thermocouple element as a cathode for bonding the precursor particulates of the metal oxide thereto, and heat treating the same. The thermocouple according to the present invention is compact with a thin insulating layer, excellent in flexibility, and provides no gas adsorption source.

Abstract: A thermal spray process for producing a MCrAlY-based coating wherein M is selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel and mixtures thereof and wherein the oxygen in the fuel-oxidant mixture of the thermal spray process converts a substantial portion of the yttrium component to Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, a minor portion of the aluminum component to Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and the Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 are present in an amount of less than 15 volume percent of the coating.

Abstract: An article of manufacture which is subject to erosive and corrosive attack in a high-temperature environment is formed of a substrate of nickel or cobalt-based superalloy, and a protective silicide coating disposed on the substrate. A thermal barrier layer of ceramic may be disposed between the superalloy and the silicide layer, and an MCrAlY layer may be disposed between the ceramic and the superalloy substrate. The silicide coating is preferably MoSi.sub.2.

Abstract: Insertion compounds that are not stable in pure water can be prepared by an aqueous electrochemical method. The pH of the electrolyte and/or the concentration of ions of the inserted species must be sufficiently high to provide stability for the product compound. The method is useful for further lithiation of conventional lithium ion battery cathode materials.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed in which a pair of elongated solid cylindrical metal conductors mounted with their central axes mutually parallel are connected at their ends to form a closed electrical circuit path, there being heat sinks at spaced positions along their length which serve as heat transfer means setting up a temperature gradient along the lengths of the conductors. A strong electrical current flow in the conductors creates a circumferential magnetic field in the metal directed at right angles to the heat flow and this, by the Nernst Effect, produces a radial electric field gradient in the metal coupled with the transient accumulation of stored electrical energy. The apparatus disclosed serves for the experimental testing of energy conversion and storage by thermoelectric processes occurring in the metal and the ultimate utilization of the technology involved.