Abstract: In a process for detoxifying a coal-tar deposit, effective amounts of carbon and a calcium oxide containing substance are added at a mixing station to at least a portion of the coal-tar deposit. The reaction mixture thus formed is mixed at a temperature of about 70.degree. F. to 130.degree. F. for a time sufficient to detoxify it and convert it into a non-hazardous reaction product. The coal-tar deposit may be either a substantially homogeneous coal-tar or a heterogeneous coal-tar contaminated substrate. The mixing station site may be either subsurface or surface and may include a container. The non-hazardous reaction product may be separated into small particles, suitable as fuel, and large particles, suitable as safe fill.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for oxidizing formaldehyde to carbon dioxide and water without the addition of energy. A mixture of formaldehyde and an oxidizing agent (e.g., ambient air containing formaldehyde) is exposed to a catalyst which includes a noble metal dispersed on a metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state. Especially good results are obtained when the noble metal is platinum, and the metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state is tin oxide. A promoter (i.e., a small amount of an oxide of a transition series metal) may be used in association with the tin oxide to provide very beneficial results.

Abstract: An improved system for detection and analysis of microscopic flaws in objects such as high-speed turbine blades collimates the gamma radiation emanating from flaws in an object treated with a radioactive gas, preferably xenon-133, to form a gamma-photon virtual image of a surface of the object showing flaws therein. A scintillation plate transforms the gamma-photon virtual image into a photoelectron virtual image. A chevron microchannel plate pair (MCP) multiplies the number of electrons comprising the photoelectron virtual image by a factor of at least 10.sup.5. The multiplied photoelectron virtual image can be converted to visible output information relatable to the flaws in the object by directing it onto a phosphor-coated plate. The scintillator, microchannel plate multiplier, and phosphor plate are contained in a housing shielded with lead to screen out signal noise from cosmic radiation. The housing is subjected to a pressure of about 10.sup.-7 Torr.

Abstract: An uninterruptible gas-fired forced hot air furnace utilizes a thermoelectric generator in the path of the hot combusted gas to a heat exchanger. The combusted gas (combustion products) flows through the pipes of the heat exchanger to an exhaust which may lead to the chimney,or direct vent, in the building in which the furnace is located. The thermoelectric generator is also in the path of the forced cold air which also goes to the heat exchanger. The cold air thus picks up heat in the process of cooling the cold junctions of the thermoelectric generator and picks up more heat in the heat exchanger from the combustion products before being ducted into the heating system. The thermoelectric generator cold junctions may be air-cooled by fins connected thereto through which the stream of air from the blower passes or the cold junctions may be cooled by liquid which is circulated through a liquid-to-air heat exchanger.

Abstract: A portable personnel monitor that is easily transported, set up and operated to perform radiological contamination testing of personnel is provided by a collapsible frame containing scintillation detectors. The frame has hinged columns as side members and a top member which is releasably connected with electrical and mechanical connecting and alignment devices to the columns. A signal analyzer unit is attached to one column via a T-slot and is connected to the scintillator detectors via a coaxial cable. A base plate having upstanding posts supports the frame rigidly in an upright position and is releasably connected to the columns by push/pull pins. The frame defines a passage which is of sufficinet height so that an adult human subject can pass through the radiation sensitivity field defined by the detectors.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system for inspecting areas of tubular members and providing a display of any internal flaws therein. In order to operate in a confined work space a probe containing ultrasonic transducers is provided together with a rotational and axial drive scanner which is linked to a remotely controlled manipulator. The scanner uses a wand supporting the probe at the upper end thereof. The manipulator locates the probe and scanner in alignment with the tube to be inspected. A stepping motor on the scanner drives the wand and the probe axially to a location just above the area to be inspected. A second stepping motor rotates the wand to enable the probe to perform a circumferential scan. The axial stepping motor then indexes the wand towards the lower edge of the area and another circumferential scan occurs. The indexing and circumferential scanning proceeds until the entire area is scanned.