Abstract: A flat multi-strand superconducting conductor with a separator.The conductor is constituted by transposed strands which form two layers (12, 14) on either side of an insulating separator (2, 3, 4) which is formed around a core (3, 4) including a continuous metal detector line so as to allow the transitions of the superconducting strands to be detected by measuring the voltage at the terminals of the conductor and compensating the induced voltage detected at the terminals of this detector line.Application to cryoalternators.

Abstract: A hot water supply apparatus comprises a thermodynamic circuit having a compressor, a condensor for heat exchange between the thermodynamic fluid in the circuit and a high temperature source. That circuit further includes an evaporator arranged for heat exchange with a non-freezable heat carrying fluid which is circulated in a solar energy collecting circuit. A tank receives a body of water for heat storage. An heat exchanger is arranged in the circuit for circulation of the heat carrying fluid and is physically located above the tank. It may be combined with the evaporator. A pump directs a flow of water from the storage tank to sprinkling means associated with the heat exchanger whereby the apparatus operates as ice manufacturing device under severe cold conditions, when there is insufficient heating energy available from the sun.

Abstract: Frozen or deep-frozen products transferred by a conveyor system within a furnace are subjected to radiation within the high-frequency or microwave range and to surface cooling which is carried out by electrostatic spraying of the products with cryogenic liquid consisting of liquid nitrogen or Freon R12.

Abstract: A safety valve normally closed and having a flap which is biassed away from its seat against the action of resilient means whenever the fluid pressure which acts on the flap rises above a given value is disclosed. A hydraulic brake including a partition mounted inside a cylinder so as to define two liquid-filled chambers communicating with each other by calibrated passages is mounted between the flap and the resilient means, in the vicinity of the flap.

Abstract: A secondary coolant circuit for a nuclear-reactor of the liquid-metal cooled type, said circuit comprising at least one intermediate exchanger mounted in the vessel of said reactor, outside said vessel a steam-generator for the exchange of calories between the secondary liquid-metal flowing through said secondary circuit and water-steam, at least one pump for circulating said secondary sodium and one tank for storing said secondary liquid-metal and recovering those products generated by a possible liquid-metal-water reaction in said steam-generator, said liquid-metal being likely to occupy the lowest possible level in said tank, said secondary coolant circuit being characterized in that said tank is situated at the lowest possible level in the nuclear installation, in that the lower extremity of the liquid-metal outlet duct of said steam-generator is directly dipped into said tank, in that, in said tank above the liquid-metal, is maintained an inert gas cover at such a pressure that it balances the liquid-met

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO.sub.2) by the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen in a plasma furnace.According to this process, a plasma of oxygen and nitrogen is introduced into the reaction chamber of the plasma furnace, whereof the internal surface of the walls is covered with a catalyst chosen from tungsten trioxide (WO.sub.3) and molybdenum trioxide (MoO.sub.3).

Abstract: In order to locate a defective tube in a U-tube bundle of a steam generator so arranged that the tube ends are fixed in a tube plate which defines an internal space with the bottom end-wall of the steam generator shell, the entire tube plate is swept by at least one camera placed within the internal space and is visualized on a display screen placed externally of the steam generator. A luminous mark having an identification function is projected independently onto the tube plate at the point corresponding to the extremity of a defective tube and is displayed on the screen during the sweeping operation.

Abstract: The moderator structure is placed within a core space limited by a bottom wall, a top wall and a lateral reflector and is constituted by a stack of prismatic or spherical nodules applied in mutual contact in the three dimensions which prevent relative displacements of the nodules and so arranged as to form a lattice of interstices through which the molten salt is circulated.

Abstract: An improved binary cycle sulphur-water power plant comprising a closed topping sulphur loop and a water loop. The sulphur is vaporized in a heat exchanger where it is at approximately the same pressure as a heating fluid (combustion gas or coolant of a nuclear reactor for instance).

Abstract: A current lead for a superconducting rotary machine is constituted by a copper tube having a superconducting conductor fastened (e.g. by soldering) to a portion of its length, the entire length of the tube having copper cooling plates each of which blocks the bore of the tube leaving only a small hole for the passage of gaseous or hypercritical helium. The current lead is particularly applicable to the generation of electric power using cryoalternators.

Abstract: The moderator structure is placed within a core space limited by a bottom wall, a top wall and a lateral reflector and is constituted by a stack of prismatic or spherical nodules applied in mutual contact in the three dimensions which prevent relative displacements of the nodules and so arranged as to form a lattice of interstices through which the molten salt is circulated.

Abstract: The circulation of a low temperature cooling fluid is insured by thermal hon effect in a cryoalternator from within a closed loop circuit containing an inner rotating seal of the "bayonet" type with a very small radial gap. Longitudinal and radial piping within the rotor permits internal circulation of cooling fluid by thermal siphon effect across the "bayonet" type rotating inner seal in the absence of positive circulation by leakage of the coolant across the inner seal radial gap.

Abstract: Production of gas rich in methane employing an electrolytic cell whereby oxygen is produced at the anode and hydrogen is produced at the cathode thereof. The cell includes a post-anodic compartment containing coal and/or lignite for reacting with the oxygen to produce CO. The CO in turn is reacted with the hydrogen from the cathode to produce the gas rich in methane.

Abstract: The space formed between the primary vessel of a sodium-cooled fast reactor and a leak jacket surrounding the vessel is filled with an inert gas which is maintained at a pressure in the vicinity of atmospheric. A vacuum is created within the space formed between the leak jacket and the concrete reactor vault and means are provided for detecting the presence of inert gas within the evacuated space and thus continuously testing the jacket for leak-tightness and mechanical resistance.

Abstract: A fuse device for an automatic emergency shutdown system in fast reactors provides a coupling between a casing tube placed within a fuel can and a series of neutron-absorbing masses held together above the reactor core under normal operating conditions but released in free fall to the lower portion of the casing tube at the level of the reactor core as a result of melting of the fuse when operating characteristics such as temperature or neutron flux attain a level which exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In a molten-salt reactor, a common vessel contains the reactor core, a neutron-moderating mass pierced by passages for the circulation of the fuel salt, at least one primary heat exchanger which is located close to the reactor core and through which the hot fuel salt passes after discharge from the core, pumps for circulating the cold fuel salt from the heat exchangers back into the reactor core. The free spaces defined within the reactor vessel between the core, the heat exchangers and the pumps except for the passages in which the molten fuel salt is circulated are packed with material which is compatible with the fuel salt.

Abstract: An emergency cooling device for a nuclear reactor in which the core is constituted by N independent modules and a heat-transporting fluid is circulated within each module M.sub.i under the action of a pump P.sub.i essentially comprises a manifold C and N pipes S.sub.i (i = 1, 2 . . . N), each pipe S.sub.i being connected between the manifold C and a pipe K.sub.i which provides a connection between the pump P.sub.i and the module M.sub.i.

Abstract: This invention relates to panels comprising a rigidly interconnected set of metal tubes with a continuous sheet of a refractory lining material which has a satisfactory thermal conductivity and is chemically inert with respect to combustion products covering at least a portion of the surface of the set of tubes, the lining material including a binder which provides the sheet with resistance to collapse in the cold state. Such panels are of particular value in recuperation boilers which burn fuels such as domestic garbage, industrial waste or waste oil.

Abstract: The invention concerns electric rotating machines whose rotor inductor optes at a very low temperature, characterized in that the rotor of these machines comprises a bearer cylinder made of a non-magnetic material inside which a closed cylindrical body for supporting the inductor winding is fixed in a fluid-tight manner so as to form, between the bearer cylinder and the closed cylindrical body, a space subjected to a thorough vacuum. The invention applies more particularly to electric generators with an inductor cooled by liquid helium.

Abstract: A method of electrolysis is described in which the electrolysis is powered by electricity generated from the energy released by the reaction between at least one of the elements liberated by the electrolysis and a reactive body. A preferred aspect of the invention provides an aqueous electrolytic vat in which the hydrogen liberated at the cathode is reacted with liquid sodium giving sodium hydride and the oxygen liberated at the anode is reacted with barium oxide, either as a liquid or a fluidized solid, to give barium peroxide.