Abstract: A superconductive oxide material having an infinite layer structure and having the following formula:A.sub.p B.sub.q Cu.sub.2 O.sub.4.+-.rwherein A and B are different and each represent an element selected from lanthanoid elements and elements belonging to Groups IA, IIA and IIIA of the Periodic Table, p is between 0.9 and 1.1, q is between 0.9 and 1.1 and r is between 0 and 0.6. The oxide material has a crystal structure belonging to a tetragonal system of P4/mmm and 1-123 having the following lattice parameters:3.8.ANG..ltoreq.a.ltoreq.4.0.ANG.7.6.ANG..ltoreq.c.ltoreq.8.0.ANG.or to an orthorhombic system of Pmmm and I-47 having the following lattice parmeters:3.8.ANG..ltoreq.a.ltoreq.3.95.ANG.3.82.ANG..ltoreq.b.ltoreq.4.0.ANG.7.6.ANG..ltoreq.c.ltoreq.8.0.ANG..

Abstract: A fast reactor comprises a core composed of nuclear fuel, a core barrel surrounding an outer periphery of the core, an annular reflector surrounding an outer periphery of the core barrel, a partition wall structure surrounding an outer periphery of the annular reflector and supporting the core barrel by a supporting structure arranged radially of the fast reactor, the partition wall structure constituting an inner wall of a coolant passage for a primary coolant, a neutron shield surrounding an outer periphery of the partition wall structure and disposed in the coolant passage, a reactor vessel surrounding an outer periphery of the neutron shield and having an inner wall constituting an outer wall of the coolant passage, and a guard vessel surrounding an outer periphery of the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Pb-based Cu oxide superconductor. The method includes the steps of mixing powders of a raw material containing at least Pb, Sr, Ce, M, where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Lu, and Cu in a proportion to have the composition of the formula (I),Pb.sub.a (M.sub.1-x-y Ce.sub.x Sr.sub.y).sub.4 Cu.sub.3-a O.sub.z(I)where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Lu, and a, x, y, and z denote the numbers which satisfy 0.3.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.7, 0<x.ltoreq.0.25, 0.3.ltoreq.y<0.5, 8.5.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.9.5, respectively, forming the mixed powder into a shaped body, and firing the shaped body at a temperature of 900.degree. to 1150.degree. C. in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a layered copper oxide as an insulator for superconductor or as a superconductor, which has a chemical composition represented by the formula of (R,Ce).sub.3 Sr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 (M,Cu)O.sub.11, wherein R is a rare earth element other than Ce and M is one or both of Pb and T1, and has a crystal structure comprising a (M,Cu)Sr.sub.2 (R,Ce)Cu.sub.2 O.sub.7 ; unit of a TlBa.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.7 (1-2-1-2)-type structure and a [(R,Ce)O.sub.2 ].sub.2 unit of a fluorite-type structure alternately put on each other, or a chemical composition represented by the formula of (R,Ce).sub.3 Sr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 (M,Cu)O.sub.10+z, wherein R is a rare earth element other than Ce, M is one or both of Pb or Tl, and has a crystal structure comprising a (R,Ce)Sr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 (Cu,M)O.sub.6+z unit of a YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.3 O.sub.6+.delta. -type structure and a [(R,Ce)O.sub.2 ].sub.2 unit of a fluorite-type structure alternately put on each other, wherein z is in the range of 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor which has a composition expressed by the following general formula and whose crystal structure is 1222-phase structure.Pb.sub.a (M.sub.1-x-y Ce.sub.x Sr.sub.y).sub.4 Cu.sub.3-a O.sub.z (I)(where M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Lu, and a, x, y, and z denote the numbers which satisfy 0.3.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.7, 0<x.ltoreq.0.25, 0.3.ltoreq.y<0.5, 8.5.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.9.5, respectively). A Pb-based Cu oxide superconductor manufacturing method comprising the steps of mixing powders of raw materials containing at least Pb, Sr, Ce, M (where M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Lu groups) and Cu in the proportion to have the composition shown in the general formula (I) above, optionally forming the mixed powder into a shape body, and firing the obtained powder mixture or the shape body in the temperature range of 900.degree.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oxide superconductor which has a relatively high transition temperature T.sub.c. This superconductor has the chemical formula (R.sub.1-x Ca.sub.x)(Ba.sub.1-y Sr.sub.y).sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-z wherein R is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Tm, Yb and Lu, x is with in the range of 0.1.ltoreq..times.0.5, y is within the range of 0.1.ltoreq. y .ltoreq.0.4 and z is within the range of 0.05 .ltoreq. z .ltoreq.(x/2+0.5). The invention further provides a method for producing the oxide superconductor which comprises firing a composition of the formula (R.sub.1-x Ca.sub.x)(Ba.sub.1-y Sr.sub.y).sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-z wherein R is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Tm, Yb and Lu, x is within the range of 0.1 .ltoreq..times..ltoreq.0.5 and y is within the range of 0.1 .ltoreq.y .ltoreq.0.4 at a temperature of from 750.degree. C. to the melting temperature of the composition under an oxygen partial pressure P(O.sub.

Abstract: There is provided a superconducting strand for alternating current which is formed by stranding 13 or more superconducting wires having a diameter smaller than that of a non-magnetic core member in a single-layered form on the outer peripheral surface of the core member and which can efficiently remove heat caused by AC loss, avoid a quenching phenomenon and stably maintain the superconducting state. Preferably, an electrically insulataive braided layer formed of polyester fiber is interposed between the core member and the stranded superconducting wires and stable insulation can be maintained therebetween, thereby preventing flow of coupling current caused by defective insulation and suppressing partial heat generation. The superconducting wire contains a large number of NbTi superconducting filaments and a non-magnetic stainless steel wire can be preferably used for the core member.

Abstract: In a method for absorbing and removing sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and carbonyl sulfide present in a high-temperature reducing gas using an absorbent,disclosed is a method for purifying a high-temperature reducing gas which is characterized in that: said method uses at least four towers of reactors filled with an absorbent and comprises four steps which are an absorption step for absorbing and removing sulfur compounds with an absorbent, a regeneration step for regenerating said absorbent using a gas containing oxygen, a cooling step after the regeneration step, and a reduction step for reducing said regenerated and cooled absorbent with a high-temperature reducing gas until the concentration of the reducing gas becomes uniform before and after passing through the absorbent; heat is continuously recovered from the high-temperature gas at the outlet of the regeneration reactor in said regeneration step; and the regeneration and absorption performance is thus stabilized.

Abstract: A method for producing an oxide superconductor formed according to a chemical composition formula (R.sub.1-x Ca.sub.x)(Ba.sub.1-y Sr.sub.y).sub.2 Cu.sub.4 O.sub.8 and having a transition temperature of 77K or above, comprising the step of causing a reaction between (R.sub.1-x Ca.sub.x)(Ba.sub.1-y Sr.sub.y).sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-z and a Cu material such as CuO, wherein R stands for one or more rare earth elements selected from the group consisting of Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb, and wherein 0.01.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.25, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.5, and 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.1. The advantage of this production method is that this production method does not require a hot static pressing process which takes a long time.

Abstract: A process for the production of a coal-water mixture, which comprises dry-pulverizing coal under supply of hot air to form pulverized coal in which the proportion of particles having a particle size smaller than 200 .mu.m is at least 90%, in which the proportion of particles having a particle size smaller than 10 .mu.m is 10 to 60%, and making the pulverized coal and the hot air sucked in a mixed-air water jet stream.

Abstract: A fast breeder reactor has a nuclear reactor container filled with a liquid metal, a reactor core disposed within the nuclear reactor container, and a first supporting structural member which is mounted to the nuclear reactor container such as to support the reactor core. The fast breeder reactor is provided with a cylindrical structural member which surrounds the periphery of the reactor core such as to define an annular gap between the cylindrical structural member and the reactor core for allowing the liquid metal to exist therein, the cylindrical structural member being mounted to the nuclear reactor container by means of a second supporting structural member. The inertial resisting force produced when the liquid metal existing in the annular gap will flow out from the annular gap in response to the vibration of the reactor core acts such as to suppress the vibration of the reactor core, thereby allowing an improvement in the anti-vibration properties of the fast breeder reactor.

Abstract: A reactor core of a fast breeder reactor is supported by a core support within a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel is provided with a first or lower sodium chamber for accommodating low temperature sodium, a second or intermediate sodium chamber for accommodating low temperature sodium and a third or upper sodium chamber for accommodating high temperature sodium heated by passage of the low temperature sodium through the reactor core into the third sodium chamber. Low temperature sodium is introduced into the second sodium chamber arranged between the first and third sodium chamber for cooling the core support.

Abstract: A double tank type fast breeder reactor including a reactor vessel, and a tank of a secondary cooling system located outside the reactor vessel. The reactor vessel contains a core and installations of a primary cooling system, and the tank contains circulation pumps of the secondary cooling system and steam generators alternately located in the tank, and a body of sodium serving as a secondary coolant located at outer peripheries of the circulation pumps and steam generators. The tank includes an annular portion defined in the tank between walls of the tank and reactor vessel serving as a path of circulation of the secondary coolant.

Abstract: A video image of an electron diffraction pattern is digitized and captured as a two dimensional array of intensity values. From the array of intensity values, the frequency distribution of said intensity values is obtained. It is determined that the diffraction pattern is composed of only diffraction spots, only diffraction rings, or both diffraction spots and rings by analyzing said frequency distribution. The diffraction pattern is thus analyzed easily and automatically.

Abstract: A method of estimating ground pressure in rock samples by making use of the Kaiser effect of acoustic emission. The method comprises the steps of applying load to a rock sample, increasing the load and counting the summation of the acoustic emissions produced from the interior of the rock sample. The ground pressure is determined from the magnitude and direction of hysteretic maximum stress in the ground where the rock sample was extracted.