Abstract: Plants are used for the reduction in volume of solid, bioinjurious wastes, especially radioactive wastes, in closed sheet metal containers, which consist of a closed containment enclosure having roller conveyors and other transportation elements, a container receiving lock, a high pressure press and a container discharge lock; a compacting apparatus is characterized by a container charging lock rotatable around the vertical axis and having a hydraulic cylinder for transporting the sheet metal container into the high pressure press and having a hydraulic for ejecting the shaped sheet metal container whereby a movable gripping element takes charge of transportation of the formed sheet metal container to the container discharge point.

Abstract: A coherent explosive gas phase in a gas/liquid reactor comprising a tubular body which is closed at the top and into which one or more jets of liquid which are fed from a liquid circulation and are directed downward, emerge from one or more nozzles located at the highest point of the reactor, and entrain a gas phase which is to be dispersed, introduce it into the liquid and finally produce complete dispersion of the gas, is avoided by a method wherein, before start-up of the liquid circulation, the inactive reactor is charged with an amount of liquid reactant such that a gas space corresponding to the subsequent gas hold-up of dispersed bubbles under operating conditions remains at the top of the reactor, this gas space is filled with a gas, at a pressure p.sub.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon vapors containing HF, as from an HF alkylation refrigerated vent gas yield, the reactor settler, and the like are charged to a liquid knock-out drum to remove entrained liquid therefrom, the recovered liquid being pumped to storage in response to liquid level control on the knock-out drum. Recovered vapors are charged to a circulating aqueous caustic treater to yield HF-free vapors, as to a flare. The circulating caustic solution is indirectly heated in response to a preselected caustic solution temperature to prevent freezing. A high pressure rupture disc, upstream from the knock-out drum, affords a vapor relief safety by-pass of the treater. Dry gas, such as nitrogen or sweet, natural gas, continuously sweeps the relief line to maintain this line open and operable.

Abstract: A gas conditioning apparatus for conditioning flue gases and more particularly an improved means for purging a gas conditioning system of latent or residual sulfur trioxide which is normally produced by the gas conditioning system for conditioning of flue gases.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the timely determination of potentially harmful biocidal gas leakage from a pressurized chamber during sterilizing operations are disclosed. Biocidal gas make-up values are monitored during the sterilizing phase to provide prompt warning of biocidal gas leakage. In one embodiment, the timing of preselected pressure increment gas make-up charges are measured and compared to minimum acceptable gas make-up charge times. In addition, absorption of biocidal gas by the load can be compensated for in sterilizing operations where load absorption is a significant factor. Also, provision is made for predicting gas absorption by the load from steam absorption data obtained during pressure-controlled conditioning cycles.

Abstract: A fail-safe device for a pressure vessel includes a blocking device for a lid thereof, which blocking device is locked by means of a first locking device sensing the internal pressure in the vessel. This device in its turn is provided with a second locking device which works independently by sensing pressure or temperature inside the vessel and locks the first locking device in its locked position whenever pressure or temperature is dangerously high inside the vessel. The object is to assure a safe closing of the lid which is both foolproof and fail-safe.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a safety device for packagings which contain pyrophoric metallic catalysts that emit hydrogen. The apparatus consists of a hollow stopper, open upward, in the bottom of which a pressure relief valve is fitted, an oxidation catalyst arranged in the stopper, and a gas-permeable closure covering the upper side of the stopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the diversion of plutonium in nuclear fuel reprocessing plants. The apparatus includes various piping arrangements which prevent plutonium in a liquid state from being drawn out of a nuclear fuel reprocessing cell through conduits which are normally accessible to the operators of the facility.

Abstract: A flow through pressure reaction apparatus that permits chemical reactions to take place between fluids maintained under pressure as the component fluids are moved from one location to another. The reaction is allowed to take place within an enclosed fluid conduit connected between the discharges of opposed pumps. At least one pump is a non-positive displacement pump that will allow reverse flow of fluid through it in response to increases in fluid pressure within the conduit. One pump receives fluid material and forces it through its discharge into the conduit. A second pump at the opposite end of the conduit receives the material at its discharge. The second pump is operated in opposition to the first pump at a pressure head that is lower than the pressure head of the first pump. A fluid flow will therefore be maintained through the second pump in a direction opposite to the flow it would normally produce because of the differential of the pressure heads of the two pumps.

Abstract: A timer controlled container inverting apparatus is constructed and arranged to commence timing out for container inversion only after setting of proper inversion time and reception of the container in the apparatus e.g. a vial containing a contact lens in sterilizing solution and oriented for sterilizing process commences process timing only upon application of the vial to the timing apparatus. Shortening of proper sterilizing time is prevented and inversion is effected rapidly at completion of the sterilizing process.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide solution for use in waste water treatment is produced in an automated small scale plant wherein sodium chlorate solution is reacted with sulphur dioxide at subatmospheric pressure by countercurrent flow in a reaction tower. Water ejectors are used to withdraw gaseous chlorine dioxide from the upper end of the tower and form therefrom chlorine dioxide solution and also to withdraw liquid effluent from the bottom of the tower for discharge. The plant is fully automated to form chlorine dioxide solution in response to inventory requirements. The chlorine dioxide-producing reaction is only permitted to operate if each of a plurality of sensed parameters is within predetermined ranges.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed in liquid level sensing apparatus having a liquid replenishment line so that as liquid is expended more may be added to keep the liquid at a desired predetermined level. The apparatus is contemplated for use in the humidification of gases, particularly for the administration of oxygen and the like to a patient.

Abstract: An oxygen supply apparatus, particularly for use by a coal miner, has a plurality of housings mounted on a belt, which is worn by the miner, with each housing having a cartridge of oxygen generating material therein and removable from the bottom thereof for replacement. Each housing has a cover with a resiliently biased shaft supported thereby for relative movement to activate the oxygen generating material in the cartridge. The shaft functions as a timer activator so that the timer is set when the shaft is activated. The timer produces an alarm signal just prior to the expiration of time for depletion of oxygen from the cartridge within the housing. Each of the covers has a chamber receiving the oxygen from the cartridge and supplying it through tubing to oxygen receiving means worn by the miner such as a mask, for example.

Abstract: The danger of explosion due to decomposition of high-pressure industrial process gases, such as ethylene, is reduced by maintaining in an inert atmosphere at least part of an evacuation system included between a pressurized vessel within which the decomposition may take place, on the one hand, and the atmosphere, on the other.

Abstract: A control system and method for a spray absorber desulphurization system including a SO.sub.2 feedback control loop, a temperature feedback control loop, partial and complete shutdown controls having feed forward sensors.

Abstract: A process is provided for separating gaseous phosphorus trichloride from a gas stream. The process comprises contacting the gas stream with a condensing amount of liquid phosphorus trichloride to c ondense a portion of the gaseous phosphorus trichloride to liquid phosphorus trichloride. The liquid phsphorus trichloride is then separated from the gas stream. A process apparatus is also provided. The process is particularly useful in preventing or reducing the discharge of gaseous phosphorus trichloride to the atmosphere due to the accidental discharge of a high volume gas stream from a phosphorus trichloride reaction vessel.

Abstract: Sterilizing apparatus preferably comprises an enclosure surrounding the top, bottom and sides of a central sterilizing enclosure space and adjacent inlet and outlet enclosure spaces opening horizontally to the exterior of the enclosure at the opposite ends thereof. A continuously moving conveyor carries open-topped containers to be sterilized horizontally through the inlet, sterilizing and outlet enclosure spaces of the enclosure. The sterilizing enclosure space is divided by partition walls into an upper compartment which opens at the bottom thereof into a lower compartment immediately above the path of travel of the open tops of the containers passing through the lower compartment of the sterilizing enclosure space.

Abstract: In the treatment of articles with a sterilant gas such as an alkylene oxide, and the circulation of the gas throughout a treatment chamber containing the articles to be treated, a gas circulating system completely devoid of electrical contacts, switches, electrical motors and other potentially dangerous electrical components which could cause explosive ignition of the sterilant gas. The circulation system includes a fluid-driven turbine-like impeller completely isolated from the sterilant gas, and drivingly coupled to a fan blade which serves to force the gas through conduits and to circulate and recycle the sterilant gas throughout the treatment chamber. In a second embodiment of the invention a magnetically coupled drive is used to actuate the sterilant-circulating fan.

Abstract: Biocidal gas sterilization methods and apparatus are disclosed in which goods are heated and moisturized prior to addition of the sterilizing gas utilizing repressurization after initial evacuation to provide drive power for the conditioning vapor and improve conditioning efficiency. After initial evacuation to a selected subatmospheric pressure level, the chamber is repressurized with a conditioning vapor comprising steam to a subatmospheric pressure level corresponding approximately to desired sterilizing temperature, then the chamber is held with evacuating and vapor injecting interrupted for a predetermined interval; this sequence of steps is repeated a selected number of times; and, conditioning to various sterilizing temperatures is available. Initial evacuation can be accompanied by intermittent injection of conditioning vapor. No chamber measurement of temperature or relative humidity is required for conditioning control and conditioning vapor injection is free of flow rate control requirements.

Abstract: Safety catalyst systems and their use in chemical reactions carried out in the gas phase, wherein the safety catalyst system comprises pelleted catalyst held loose in and throughout the holes and folds of a folded or rolled up metal foil net which is inside a container having holes for the inflow and outflow of gases. The safety catalyst system of the invention does not allow the formation of localized hot-spots or allow free catalyst dust to escape from the system, both of which are known disadvantages of prior art systems.

Abstract: In a high pressure tubular reactor containing a plurality of tubular sections interconnected in series by means of connection devices, which reactor contains one or more reaction zones, there is positioned within each reaction zone a single rupture disc device from about 24 to about 40 feet downstream from the reaction zone inlet.

Abstract: A system for generating chlorine dioxide for use as a disinfectant in water or wastewater treatment, the system output including a percentage of chlorine at an acceptably low level, thereby avoiding the deleterious effect of chlorine in the disinfection process. The system is provided with a source of chlorine gas and a source of aqueous sodium chlorite, both of which are fed into a reactor to generate chloride dioxide therein. The output of the reactor is coupled to an ejector operated by a water stream to create a vacuum which draws chlorine dioxide from the reactor into the ejector to dilute the chlorine dioxide before it is supplied to a process being treated. The resultant negative pressure in the reactor acts to draw the chlorine gas therein from the source through a vacuum regulator which maintains the flow of chlorine gas into the reactor at a constant rate and acts to cut off the supply of chlorine in the absence of negative pressure.

Abstract: Biocidal gas sterilization methods and apparatus are disclosed in which goods are heated and moisturized prior to addition of the sterilizing gas utilizing repressurization after initial evacuation to provide drive power for the conditioning vapor and improve conditioning efficiency. After initial evacuation to a selected subatmospheric pressure level, the chamber is repressurized with a conditioning vapor comprising steam to a subatmospheric pressure level corresponding approximately to desired sterilizing temperature, then the chamber is held with evacuating and vapor injecting interrupted for a predetermined interval; this sequence of steps is repeated a selected number of times; and, conditioning to various sterilizing temperatures is available. Initial evacuation can be accompanied by intermittent injection of conditioning vapor. No chamber measurement of temperature or relative humidity is required for conditioning control and conditioning vapor injection is free of flow rate control requirements.

Abstract: In the decomposition of ozone in aircraft, the ozone level in an airflow upstream of the aircraft cabin is measured and a signal generated in accordance with the sensed level. This signal is amplified to a given value and a valve is opened or closed in response thereto. Connected to the valve is a source of nitric oxide under pressure. When the valve is opened a measured quantity of nitric oxide is dispensed to a location in said airflow remote from said ozone monitoring device.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production and catalytic oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbon/air mixtures to form dicarboxylic acid anhydride. Hydrocarbon/air mixtures are formed in an evaporator and introduced into a shell-and-tube catalytic reactor fitted with a concave reactor hood to more effectively and safely distribute the gaseous mixture to and through the catalyst-filled tubes of the reactor.

Abstract: A replaceable cartridge-type oxygen generator is described including a quick-opening pressure casing containing a chemical oxygen-generating cartridge having a severable hermetically-sealed container and an ignition device, the casing further including an actuating device capable of actuating the ignition device only when the cartridge is disposed within the casing and the casing is closed. The casing further includes a high-volume vent automatically effective in case of the sudden build-up of a high pressure, such as may be caused by the ignition of a contaminant. Also described is an oxygen supply system including a plurality of such generators connected to an outlet manifold having pressure sensing means controlling the ignition of the cartridges.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently and safely recombining hydrogen and oxygen gas to form water vapor, the apparatus being particularly adapted for use with a nuclear reactor system in which potentially dangerous hydrogen gas, evolved within the containment vessel during certain postulated accident conditions, can be eliminated. Further, this apparatus also aids in the removal of certain radioactive contaminents from the gases in a containment vessel.

Abstract: A method of storing foodstuffs and an apparatus for practicing the same, in which an electrolytic cell includes a gas diffusion cathode capable of reducing oxygen electrolytically and an oxygen liberating anode, and a DC voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell while the gas in a food storage chamber is brought into contact with the cathode to remove oxygen from the storage chamber, whereby the oxygen concentration in the storage chamber is controlled to a desired value.

Abstract: A control and monitoring system for an oxygen generation device having a plurality of chemical oxygen generation elements sequentially decomposed to continuously generate oxygen.

Abstract: A volatile cross-linking agent such as liquid peroxide is introduced, at ambient temperature and under atmospheric pressure directly into the input of an extruder at the same pressure as a polyolefin compound to be cross-linked. The resulting compounds are put under pressure within the extruder as the temperature increases so that the mixture reaches its definitive shape at the extruder output and may be fed directly into a hot cross-linking enclosure which is maintained under pressure. The peroxide is thus incorporated in a single operation permitting complete control of the ingredients mixed and allowing perfect homogenization of the mixture while defusion and consequent loss of the highly volatile peroxide are avoided. The system for introducing the highly volatile cross-linking agent includes a peroxide storage tank, a filling pump, a feed vessel, an incremental feed pump with a pressure meter, a flow meter and numerous safety features.

Abstract: An improvement in a tritium control system based on a catalytic oxidation reactor wherein accidental releases of tritium into room air are controlled by flooding the catalytic oxidation reactor with hydrogen when the tritium concentration in the room air exceeds a specified limit. The sudden flooding with hydrogen heats the catalyst to a high temperature within seconds, thereby greatly increasing the catalytic oxidation rate of tritium to tritiated water vapor. Thus, the catalyst is heated only when needed. In addition to the heating effect, the hydrogen flow also swamps the tritium and further reduces the tritium release.

Abstract: Contact lens sterilizer has a timer operating a catch for holding a capsule containing contact lenses in sterilizing solution in a sterilizing position. In this position, the capsule is inclined toward inversion. When the timer releases the catch after a predetermined period of time, the capsule swings to a substantially inverted position. In this position, a catalyst contained in one end of the capsule contacts the sterilizing solution to neutralize the same. Optionally, a lock mechanism prevents removal of the capsule from the sterilizer until neutralization is complete.

Abstract: A cold sterilizer comprises a tray for containing a sterilant and instruments to be sterilized, a lid fitting over the tray, a timer for measuring the period for which the instruments are to be contained in the sterilant to effect sterilization and means for resetting the timer to its original setting for a sterilization upon lifting the lid from the tray during the sterilization. The sterilizer may further comprise means for locking the lid onto the tray and means operatively connecting the timer to the locking means so that the locking means is locked while the timer is timing a sterilization and the locking means unlocks when the period for which the timer is set has expired. There may also be provided means for manually overriding the timer and unlocking the locking means during a sterilization and for thereupon resetting the timer to its original setting for the sterilization.

Abstract: An oxygen generator for welding, cutting and brazing work includes a gas-tight container and a cartridge holder for cartridges giving off oxygen when burned. The gas-tight container is constructed as a pressure tank and envelops the cartridge holder in such a way so as to leave a storage volume which is capable of accommodating the amount of oxygen given off by burning at least one cartridge without exceeding the pressure limits of the pressure tank.