Abstract: The furnace includes a vessel closed by a floating roof, and a sealing means mechanism between the roof and the vessel. The sealing mechanism includes two joint surfaces, one of which is arranged on the peripheral edge portion of the roof whereas the other is arranged on the peripheral edge portion of the vessel. The first surface is substantially toric and the second surface substantially frustoconical. The joint surfaces permit the centering of the roof relative to the axis of the vessel. The peripheral edge portion of the vessel is provided with a coping element on which one of the joint surfaces is arranged.

Abstract: The inside of the metallurgical container is connected to a fan (105) through an exhaust duct (102). An additional gas is introduced in the intake part of the fan (105) preferably through the duct (102). The additional gas introduction flow is regulated in such manner that the gas pressure in the intake part of the fan (105) is maintained at a fixed value, via an adjusting valve (108) preferably placed in an additional duct (107) connected to the exhaust duct (102). A control system (110) regulates the opening and closing of the adjusting valve (108) in such manner as to maintain the gas pressure in the intake part of the fan (105) constant.

Abstract: A method for exhausting gases or fumes from a metallurgical container through a duct connected to the intake of a pump while introducing an additional gas stream into the pump is described. The additional gas stream ensures a constant gas pressure at the intake portion of the pump.

Abstract: A control rod having a center of thermal neutron absorbing material is provided specifically for use within the core of a nuclear reactor, extending through the central zone of maximum flux density. The center is formed of a plurality of portions, normally three, arranged end to end and defining joins therebetween. A central one of said portions extends continuously through the zone of maximum flux density with the joins located outward of this zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of fused-salt nuclear reactors and its object is the extraction of the gases produced in the course of operation of these reactors.The process according to the invention consists in placing into position a piece of material permeable for gases and impermeable for the used fused salts, for instance, a piece of graphite, in such a way that part of the surface of this piece is in contact with the circuit of the radioactive salts and another part connected to a gas suction device.The piece could also be scavenged in its mass by a flow of inert gas.Application is contemplated in reactors using a mixture of lithium fluoride, beryllium fluoride, and uranium and/or thorium fluoride.