Abstract: A filtering system for the treatment of radioactive fluids, comprising filters with interchangeable filtering elements, positioned within a casing. The casing has a cover and the filter assembly is housed inside a radiation shielding chamber provided with an access opening. At least one opening is provided in the chamber wall opposite the filter which is closed with a removable filter casing cover. The casing cover is shaped to be received in the shielding chamber opening and when in position seals the casing. The cover is also designed to be received by a shielded cask for the transportation of the said filtering element when the spent element is removed and replaced. The filter element is suspended from the cover and hence is removed from the casing simultaneous with the removal of the cover. In the method according to this invention, removal of spent elements is effected without subjecting personnel to high radiation dosage since the filter elements are shielded at all times during removal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in partial secondary barriers for self-supporting, axi-symmetrical cargo tanks having a layer of thermal insulation thereon, the cargo tanks mounted on board marine vessels having a double-bottom construction with an inner shell by means of an annular support supporting the cargo tank of the vessel. The improvement in the partial secondary barrier comprises a secondary barrier tank, preferably cylindrical in shape. The secondary barrier tank is installed under each cargo tank wherein the cross-section of the secondary barrier tank is substantially less than the maximum horizontal cross-section of the cargo tank. The barrier tank, in one embodiment, is structurally joined to the inner shell of the double bottom of the vessel. The tank comprises a stiff external wall, and internal thermal insulation, and an inner impermeable layer for withstanding the low temperatures of the liquid being collected in the secondary barrier tank.

Abstract: A process for reducing the stresses in a vessel consisting of building a hull with a number of compartments and fitting into each an independent cargo tank for the storage of liquefied gas. Before the cargo tanks are fitted, the hull in the region of each compartment along the central transverse section thereof is subjected by ballasting to a predetermined vertical static bending moment in the absence of the tank, and thereafter each tank is installed in the hull while maintaining the predetermined vertical static bending moment so that the maximum stresses to which the tank will be subjected under different sailing conditions will be substantially reduced.