Abstract: A direct contact densified fluid-based thermodynamic treatment system uses the fluid to effect heat transfer as the working fluid in a separate yet linked treatment system. During certain phases of operation of a densified fluid-based treatment process wherein it is necessary to distill the fluid to maintain the purity of the densified fluid heat is imparted to the densified fluid raising it above the boiling point for the associated pressure within a vessel. A densified fluid-based refrigeration/thermodynamic system removes heat during the condensing cycle of a working densified fluid treatment system and use the removed heat for distillation of the same working fluid in the distillation vessel. The process does not require an external heating or cooling system, and thus can be entirely supported by a single machine using the same densified fluid during its operational phase.

Abstract: An interchangeable basket treatment system receives a removable agitation basket preloaded with articles through a first door. Once positioned within the chamber and the chamber is sealed, the basket is, in one embodiment, suspended so that it may be manipulated to produce mechanical interaction between the articles and treatment fluids within the chamber. Upon completion of the treatment cycle the chamber is accessed via a second door and the basket and its contents removed.

Abstract: A self-powered ride-on apparatus includes a frame with two front fixed-axis wheels and a single rear steerable wheel, a functional component such as a blower on the front, a motor for powering the blower and for motivating the apparatus, a platform on the frame to support a riding operator, and a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism includes a control head pivoted to the frame by a support and includes a handle for operating the motor speed. By pivoting the control head from side to side, an operator standing on the frame and positioned immediately adjacent the support can steer the equipment by moving the control head laterally to steer the apparatus into the corner while simultaneously leaning into the corner for balance and also while continuing to control operation of the one functional component via the handle.

Abstract: A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location comprises a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user, and a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower. A power source is coupled to the frame and is operatively coupled with at least the two traction wheels, whereby the traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled. A blower assembly has an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of manufacturing fuel by blending fuel from different sources in a way which accounts for the isotopic variation in the fuel from different sources. In particular, the invention provides a method for producing nuclear fuel, the method comprising defining one or more reference composition for fuel to be produced; providing two or more amounts of feed fuel material from which to produce the fuel, defining the deviation of each of the amounts of feed fuel material from a reference composition; selecting and mixing masses of feed fuel material from two or more of the amounts of feed fuel material, the masses being selected to give a lower deviation between the mixed feed fuel material and the selected reference composition than between the feed fuel material amounts, and the selected reference composition, the deviation being defined by a function based on the isotopic composition of the feed fuel material amounts.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of manufacturing fuel by blending fuel from different sources in a way which accounts for the isotopic variation in the fuel from different sources. In particular, the invention provides a method for producing nuclear fuel, the method comprising defining one or more reference composition for fuel to be produced; providing two or more amounts of feed fuel material from which to produce the fuel, defining the deviation of each of the amounts of feed fuel material from a reference composition; selecting and mixing masses of feed fuel material from two or more of the amounts of feed fuel material, the masses being selected to give a lower deviation between the mixed feed fuel material and the selected reference composition than between the feed fuel material amounts, and the selected reference composition, the deviation being defined by a function based on the isotopic composition of the feed fuel material amounts.