Abstract: Thorium-uranium carbide and thorium-plutonium carbide fuel pellets have been fabricated by the carbothermic reduction process. Temperatures of 1750.degree. C. and 2000.degree. C. were used during the reduction cycle. Sintering temperatures of 1800.degree. C. and 2000.degree. C. were used to prepare fuel pellet densities of 87% and >94% of theoretical, respectively. The process allows the fabrication of kilogram quantities of fuel with good reproducibility of chemicals and phase composition. Methods employing liquid techniques that form carbide microspheres or alloying-techniques which form alloys of thorium-uranium or thorium-plutonium suffer from limitation on the quantities processed of because of criticality concerns and lack of precise control of process conditions, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the recovery and recycling of metal, glass, plastic and paper containers and combinations thereof for beverages and similar article containers, which provides reimbursement of container deposits or fees upon the return of such containers. Apparatus and methods may be incorporated in an article dispensing machine with common coin exchange system and with a common container storage system. Apparatus and methods may be a self-contained unit independent of an article dispensing system. Apparatus and methods have the capability of performing operations of compacting, sorting, and storing received containers of varying composition. Apparatus and methods provide for removal of recovered containers from incorporated and self-contained container recovery systems. Apparatus and methods have the capability for reducing, detecting and controlling errors in the return of unacceptable containers. Apparatus and methods provide for the accounting of the recovered containers.