Abstract: Two different powders, one ceramic and the other of polymer particles, are fed separately into a jet of plasma of a conventional torch of a plasma spraying device by means of separate supply devices having respective powder injectors. The injection parameters of the two powders are established independently to achieve effective fusion of the ceramic particles and prevent complete combustion of the polymer particles. More specifically, the ceramic powder is injected along the axis of the jet of plasma, while the polymer powder is injected into a peripheral portion of the jet, at a predetermined distance from the jet axis, so that some of the polymer particles are incorporated in the ceramic coating deposited on a component for coating; and the polymer is subsequently removed by medium-temperature heat treatment to leave a porous ceramic coating with excellent thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: A depressurization system (1) for pressurized steam operated plant employing injection of cold water contained in a superelevated tank (5), said injection being triggered rapidly and in a manner independent of the magnitude of the damage and of the presence of incondensible gases, by means of a natural circulation of steam in a closed loop of pipes (19, 20, 21, 22) around said plant (2, 3, 4), caused by the condensation of steam in a condenser (10), placed on said pipes, during the occurence of an accident, comprises a first siphon-type hydraulic shutoff (32), on said pipe loop (19, 20, 21, 22) and arranged close to the inlet collector (14) of said condenser (10), a second siphon-type hydraulic shutoff (29), on the cold water delivery pipe (26) and placed close to the pressurized steam operated plant (2, 3, 4), said second siphon-type hydraulic shutoff (29) being below said first siphon-type hydraulic shutoff (32).

Abstract: A supply unit including a direct voltage energy source formed of a number of rechargeable batteries; an electric motor for driving the vehicle; and an electric circuit interposed between the direct voltage energy source and the electric motor. The electric circuit is reconfigurable, and provides for a first operating mode to control the alternating supply voltage of the motor, and a second operating mode, alternative to the first operating mode, and wherein the reconfigurable circuit provides for rectifying an alternating voltage to recharge the batteries.

Abstract: A system for automatically admitting and regulating the flow-rate of an alkaline substance admitted to the combustion chamber (10) of a refuse incineration plant for the hot destruction of the acids contained in the combustion fumes, comprising sensors (22, 23, 24, 25, 51, 124, 140) for detecting the concentration of the acids in the fumes in the combustion chamber (10) and working conditions of the plant such as temperature, flow-rate and humidity of the fumes, and processing means (26, 27) connected to the sensors for identifying, in dependence on the concentration of acids and of the working conditions, a flow-rate of an alkaline substance to be admitted to the combustion chamber in order to achieve a destruction yield which reduces the concentration of acids in the fumes discharged from the plant to a predetermined value, and for operating flow-rate regulation members (40) for admitting to the combustion chamber the flow-rate of an alkaline substance thus identified.

Abstract: A system for monitoring combustion and pollutants developed in a combustion chamber comprising at least one longitudinal single mode laser diode emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation with a frequency modulated around the resonance frequency of a specific spectral absorption line of a component of the combustion gases, means for directing the beam into the combustion chamber along a path through the combustion gases to a radiation sensor and processing means connected to the sensor in order to identify the temperature of the combustion gases and the concentration of the component with the specific absorption line by the measurement of the intensity of radiation transmitted at various frequencies in a region surrounding the resonance frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting surface defects particularly in rolled strips, the operation of the apparatus being based on the use of a telecamera with multiple sensitive elements which form parts of respective bright-field and dark-field recording channels. More precisely, the above-mentioned elements are sensitive to light radiations within respective ranges of wavelengths corresponding to those of the radiations emitted by the light sources. The latter are arranged in a manner such that, in one case, the radiation emitted thereby falls substantially tangential on the surface of the strip to be checked and, in the other case, such that the radiation reflected by the said surface is directed towards the telecamera.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cathodes for molten carbonate fuel cells containing lithiated nickel oxide, generally known in the art by the initials MCFC, which have matrices of ceramic material prepared with the use of an organic binding agent, comprises the preparation of a mixture containing nickel powder, lithium carbonate, polyvinyl butyral and ethanol, the mixture being suitably processed, cut into cathode form and mounted directly inside one of the fuel cells, the cell then being heated to its working temperature, enabling all of the organic agents to be eliminated from the mixture, saving time and energy.

Abstract: A supply system for fuel cells of the solid polymer electrolyte type for vehicles, including a primary cooling and humidifying circuit with demineralised, pressurised water with a small volumetric capacity and a secondary liquid cooling circuit with plate exchangers for cooling the demineralised water of the primary circuit and air/liquid exchangers for cooling compressed air for supply to the cells, the system further including an electric heater for heating the liquid in the secondary circuit so that the cells can be put into service quickly and means for recycling hydrogen leaving the cells to make the optimum use of the fuel.

Abstract: An arrangement for hot killing the acid contents of flue and process gases comprising a burner for discharging fuel and combustion supporter, preferably Diesel oil, fuel oil and air, to a combustion chamber, to produce a flame and gas burnt, and means of injecting/blowing a basic substance in either powder or solution form into a hot region of the flame, the gas burnt thus enriched with basic substance being mixed with the flue gas and hot killing its acid contents.