Abstract: A process for the recovery of chemical values, particularly uranium, nickel and/or radionuclides from process equipment theretofore employed in a uranium hexafluoride isotope enrichment cascade. Preferably, the process is carried out, in situ, at subatmospheric pressure employing the existing process equipment from which the chemical values are to be recovered. In one aspect, the process includes recovery of uranium values employing a gaseous fluorinating agent at subatmospheric pressure, followed by recovery of nickel values employing a gaseous reactant comprising a mixture of carbon monoxide and a promoter, preferably hydrogen sulfide and at subatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A muffler for a percussive drill is provided consisting of a casing of general prismatic shape adapted for mounting on the drill. An inlet is present in the casing for receiving exhaust from the drill, the drill exhaust port and muffler inlet having the same cross-sectional area. Resilient rectangular baffles are mounted within the casing and are rigidly fastened at two opposite edges to the casing wall. The two other edges, which are longer than the fastened edges, are in contact with casing walls. Staggered holes are present in the baffles, so the gas flow through the muffler follows a sinusoidal path. The sides of the casing tapers down after the last baffle to a fraction of its height and then extend for a given length at the lessened height to form a narrow rectangular exhaust port. One face of the casing adjacent the exhaust port consists of resilient sheet material. The flow of gas through the muffler causes strong vibration of the baffles and resilient face near the exhaust port.