Abstract: An improvement in the method of casting a reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration polymeric membrane on a wall of porous support having a first, high pressure side under service conditions, and a second, low pressure side under service conditions, wherein the first side is coated wih a cellulose ester casting solution to at least partially impregnate the support, solvent carrier of the casting solution is partially evaporated to leave a residue, and then residues adjacent the first and second sides are gelled with a gelation liquid comprising a monohydric alcohol. The improvement comprises gelling the residue adjacent the first side with a gelation liquid which is separate from that used to gel the residue adjacent the second side, and the monohydric alcohol mole fractions of the separate gelation liquid, and their temperatures during gelation, are chosen so that relatively larger pores are formed towards the second side of the porous support.

Abstract: An envelope assembly for manufacture as a prestuffed, continuous form comprises two outer panels, a partition panel and an envelope flap on one of the panels. The panels having matching, glued together pin hole feed strips along sides, between which the flap extends, and line perforations for the removal of the pin hole feed strips. The partition panel is sealed along all four sides to one of the outer panels to provide a sealed, prestuffable compartment which may be opened by tear line perforations adjacent one pin hole feed strip, and has a glue line on the other side so that the compartment on the other side remains sealed when the sealed, prestuffable compartment is opened. The envelope assembly may be used as a certified mail assembly in which case the sealed compartment is used to contain a proof-of-delivery panel, for return to the mailer, which is removed with a portion of an outer panel for retention by the Post Office, while the remainder is handed to the addressee.

Abstract: Elongated members of reactive metals and alloys thereof, for example, uranium and alloys thereof, are cast from a crucible containing the molten metal blanketed with an inert gas and non-reactive prepared molten slag, directly into a mould protruding from the crucible. The cast metal is spray cooled with inert gas, which may be liquefied, as it emerges from an outlet end of the mould and is pulled, for example by rollers, into and possibly through an inert gas flushed container directly connected to the mould outlet end.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaporating radioactive liquid and calcinating the residue wherein the radioactive liquid is sprayed across the interior of a casing on to the heated, external surface of a hollow drum so that the droplets evaporate and partially calcinate as they cross the casing interior and then adhere to the drum for a sufficient period to be calcinated thereon. A scraper scrapes the calcinated residue from the drum.

Abstract: A collapsible arch forming assembly comprising a flexible member and two tension line lengths with one tension line length threaded through even number guides, counted from one end of the flexible member and the other tension line length threaded through the odd number guides. Tensioning the tension line lengths arches the flexible member into the arch and this may be done by a winch assembly or inserting spreader bars at the guides to deflect the free one of the first and second tension line lengths at that position. The spreader bars may be replaced by, for example, mechanical jacks or fluid pressure actuated jacks particularly for such applications as using the arch forming assembly as formwork upon which concrete is poured.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis method of concentrating fruit juices wherein a major portion of the fruit juice sugars are removed in a reverse osmosis first stage from the fruit juice at about room temperature and a pressure in the range 500 to 1500 psi, using porous cellulose acetate membrane material, while flavor compounds are removed in a reverse osmosis second stage from the separated water in liquid form therefrom at a temperature in the range 0.degree. C. to about room temperature and a pressure substantially in the range 50 to 1000 psi using asymmetric, porous, polymeric membrane material which is non-polar relative to the membrane material of the first stage as determined by .delta..sub.d of the solubility parameter of the membrane materials.

Abstract: A re-entrant cannula device for use in the proximal duodenum and/or the site to terminal ileum of, for example, sheep and pigs, which comprises a casing of resilient material and a cylindrical plug cock which is pressed into the casing and has two digesta passages extending through the cylindrical plug cock along separate, isolated, curved paths. The casing has two, splayed intestine connectors and the cylindrical plug cock is rotated, by a connector tube in one digesta passage, from a "maintenance" position wherein digesta flows through one connector, along one digesta passage in the cylindrical plug cock and back to the intestine through the other connector, to a "collection" position where digesta flows from one connector along one digesta passage for collection and is returned to the intestine along the other digesta passage and connector back to the intestine.

Abstract: An in-line method for the beneficiation of coal and the formation of a coal-in-oil combustible fuel wherein the coal is wet pulverized, micro-agglomerated with light oil to dissociate a large amount of inorganic impurities and some water, agglomerated with heavy oil to form relatively larger agglomerates and dissociate mainly water with some inorganic impurities, and then mixed with further heavy oil to form the coal-in-oil combustible fuel.

Abstract: A self-powered neutron and gamma-ray flux detector is provided wherein the emitter comprises an emitter core of at least one material selected from nickel, iron, titanium and alloys based on these metals, and an emitter outer layer around the core which has a thickness in the range of the order of 0.03 mm to of the order of 0.062 mm and which is of at least one material selected from platinum, tantalum, osmium, molybdenum and cerium. With this construction, by increasing the emitter diameter beyond the optimum for a solid platinum emitter, the ratio of neutron to gamma-ray sensitivity, and hence the prompt response fraction, is increased while an acceptably small burnup rate is maintained. Larger diameter emitters of this construction have response characteristics that closely match those required for a fuel power detector in, for example, heavy-water-moderated, natural-uranium power reactors. The emitter core is preferably of Inconel (Trademark) and the emitter jacket is preferably of platinum.

Abstract: A precast concrete stairway module comprising a concrete wall assembly which is C-shaped in plan view, providing a side wall and two end walls, a concrete stair flight extending from an edge of one side wall to a mid-height position of the other side wall. The stair flight assembly is moulded integrally with the wall assembly and comprises a landing at each end and a flight of stairs therebetween. An access opening is provided in the wall assembly.

Abstract: For the exchange of hydrogen isotopes between streams of gaseous hydrogen and liquid water, wherein the streams are at a temperature in the range 273 to 573K are brought into contact with one another and a catalytically active mass, an improved catalytically active mass is provided comprising an inherently hydrophotic, porous, polytetrafluoroethylene matrix and partially platinized carbon particles dispersed throughout the whole of the porous polytetrafluoroethylene matrix in the weight ratio of 1:1 to 3:1 of polytetrafluoroethylene to partially platinized high surface area carbon particles. The inherently hydrophobic, porous, polytetrafluoroethylene matrix allows the catalytically active metal to catalyze the hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between hydrogen gas and water vapor in the presence of liquid water while retarding loss of activity of the catalytically active metal by contact of the metal catalyst with liquid water.

Abstract: A substance in a particulate form, e.g. a polyacrylamide flocculant powder, is rapidly dissolved in a liquid, e.g. water by feeding the powder down a circular bore in a casing while the water is fed tangentially and swirled in two chambers in the casing and around the circular bore to emerge in the bore, as oppositely swirling, inwardly converging streams in the path of the powder. The diverging portion of the first stream intersects the converging portion of the second stream, which goes out of the bore with the powder dissolved therein.

Abstract: A method of seam welding metal tube from a sheet metal blank wherein the sheet metal blank is provided with central key locating slots and pre-curled edges, then centrally located on a collapsible mandrel, having a heat sink liner extending therearound to a longitudinally extending gas gallery slot, by the key locating slots and then skid rolled therearound towards a longitudinally extending gas gallery slot for seam welding the curled edges while they are clamped to the collapsible mandrel over the gas gallery slot. Pre-curling the edges avoids upstanding edges at the seam weld and the method provides consistently reliable welds for tube blanks which may be manufactured in short lengths for, for example, the manufacture of bellows.

Abstract: Fluidized particulate material in an elongated fluidizing bed is separated by means of paddles, on an endless chain running around sprockets, urging at least an upper portion of the fluidized bed towards one end of the bed to enrich that end with lighter particles and the other end with heavier particles. The particles thus separated are removed from the ends of the bed by, for example, flowing over weirs. In one embodiment only the paddles passing along the underside of the chain dip into the fluidized bed while in another embodiment the whole chain and all of the paddles are immersed in the fluidized bed.

Abstract: Layers of overburden are progressively removed from one inclined side of a cut by a rotating cutter and deposited on the other side of the cut in substantially the same geological sequence by traversing the cutter along an arm sloping along the inclined side, conveying the removed overburden by the arm to the bottom of the cut, and depositing the overburden by an adjustable endless belt on the opposite sloping side. The arm is moved along the sloping side by self-propelled transport units at the top and bottom of that sloping side.

Abstract: A sealed torque transmission assembly comprising a casing having a drive shaft rotatably mounted to extend through a wall portion into the casing and terminate with an eccentric end portion which is parallel with the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. An externally toothed, non-rotating driving gear is mounted on a bearing on the eccentric end portion and held against rotation by an anti-rotation sleeve which is coupled by involute teeth at one to the casing and at the other end to the driving gear. A flexible bellows around the drive shaft seals the externally toothed, non-rotating drive gear to the casing. An internally toothed driven gear, having a greater number of teeth than the driving gear and teeth which mesh with at least one tooth of the drive gear, is mounted on a driven shaft which is also mounted for rotation in a wall portion of the casing.

Abstract: A process for the exchange of hydrogen isotopes between streams of gaseous hydrogen and liquid water is described, wherein the streams at a temperature in the range 273 to 573 K are brought into contact with one another and a catalytically active mass comprising an inherently hydrophobic, porous, polytetrafluoroethylene matrix and partially platinized carbon particles dispersed throughout the whole of the porous polytetrafluoroethylene matrix in the weight ratio of 1:1 to 3:1 of polytetrafluoroethylene to partially platinized high surface area carbon particles. The inherently hydrophobic, porous polytetrafluoroethylene matrix allows the catalytically active metal to catalyze the hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between hydrogen gas and water vapor in the presence of liquid water while retarding loss of activity of the catalytically active metal by contact of the metal catalyst with liquid water.

Abstract: A self-powered neutron flux detector having an emitter electrode, at least a major portion of which is, .sup.95 Mo encased in a tubular collector electrode and separated therefrom by dielectric material. The .sup.95 Mo emitter electrode has experimentally shown a 98% prompt response, is primarily sensitive to neutron flux, has adequate sensitivity and has low burn up. Preferably the emitter electrode is molybdenum which has been enriched 75% to 99% by weight with .sup.95 Mo.

Abstract: A process for the exchange of hydrogen isotopes between streams of gaseous hydrogen and liquid water is described, wherein the streams of liquid water and gaseous hydrogen are simultaneously brought into contact with one another and a catalyst packed bed assembly while at a temperature in the range 273.degree. to 573.degree. K. The catalyst packed bed assembly may be composed of discrete carrier bodies of e.g. ceramics, metals, fibrous materials or synthetic plastics with catalytically active metal crystallites selected from Group VIII of the Periodic Table, partially enclosed in and bonded to the carrier bodies by a water repellent, water vapor and hydrogen gas permeable, porous, polymeric material, and discrete packing bodies having an exterior surface which is substantially hydrophilic and relatively non-catalytically active with regard to hydrogen isotope exchange between hydrogen gas and water vapor to that of the catalyst bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate and/or viscous characteristics of a fluid comprises a casing, having a fluid passage which is elongated in cross-section with two parallel, opposed sides and has a flared entry portion leading to a portion of constant cross-section. Formulae are given, using substantially pure water as a standard, from which a suitable geometry for the flared entry portion can be deduced. Fluid pressure detectors are provided for detecting a fluid pressure differential in the fluid passage such that the fluid characteristic to be measured may be deduced from the pressure differential when laminar flow is maintained in the passage. When laminar flow is maintained the apparatus is capable of measuring a wide range of flow rates and/or viscosities of an extensive variety of fluids in a consistent and deducible manner with minimal pressure loss.