Abstract: A process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising either a gasification step or a pyrolysis step to produce an offgas and a non-airborne, solid char material; followed by a plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.

Abstract: A method for treating hazardous waste comprising: providing a plasma reactor, waste to be treated and a glass-forming host slag material; contacting within the plasma reactor the waste and the host slag material; and treating the waste and the host slag material using a plasma treatment to melt the host slag material and incorporate inorganic components of the waste within the host slag material, wherein the plasma is generated using an arc and the arc is passed through the host slag material.

Abstract: A method for treating nuclear sludge comprising subjecting the nuclear sludge to a plasma treatment in a plasma chamber to melt at least some of the inorganic components of the sludge, wherein the plasma chamber comprises a crucible having a cooled inner surface, this surface cooled sufficiently such that the inorganic components in contact with the inner surface are in a solid state and form a barrier between the part of surface of the crucible with which they are in contact and the molten inorganic components of the sludge.

Abstract: A camshaft system for internal combustion engine includes a camshaft having a thrust ring which is lubricated by oil from a control valve which operates a camshaft phaser with lubricating oil, and with the lubricating oil being furnished to the camshaft at crankcase pressure after the oil leaves the camshaft phaser.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising: (i) either (a) a gasification step comprising treating the waste in a gasification unit in the presence of oxygen and steam to produce an offgas and a char, or (b) a pyrolysis step comprising treating the waste in a pyrolysis unit to produce an offgas and a char; and (ii) a plasma treatment step comprising subjecting the offgas and the char to a plasma treatment in a plasma treatment unit in the presence of oxygen and, optionally, steam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising a gasification step comprising treating the waste in a gasification unit in the presence of oxygen and steam to produce an offgas and a char, and a plasma treatment step comprising subjecting the offgas and the char to a plasma treatment in a plasma treatment unit in the presence of oxygen and steam. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: A plasma arc reactor and process for producing a powder from a solid feed material, for example aluminium, is provided. The reactor comprises: (a) a first electrode (5), (b) a second electrode (10) which is adapted to be spaced apart from the first electrode by a distance sufficient to achieve a plasma arc therebetween, (c) means for introducing a plasma gas into the space between the first and second electrodes, (d) means for generating a plasma arc in the space between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a channel (7) running therethrough, an outlet of the channel exiting into the space between the first and second electrodes, and wherein means are provided for feeding solid material (20) through the channel to exit therefrom via the outlet into the space between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A plasma arc reactor and process for producing a powder from a solid feed material, for example aluminium, is provided. The reactor comprises: (a) a first electrode (5), (b) a second electrode (10) which is adapted to be spaced apart from the first electrode by a distance sufficient to achieve a plasma arc therebetween, (c) means for introducing a plasma gas into the space between the first and second electrodes, (d) means for generating a plasma arc in the space between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a channel (7) running therethrough, an outlet of the channel exiting into the space between the first and second electrodes, and wherein means are provided for feeding solid material (20) through the channel to exit therefrom via the outlet into the space between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plasma torches and, in particular, to a method of improving the service life of electrodes, especially stub-ended electrodes. An electrode for a plasma torch comprises an electrode body and an electrode tip, wherein the electrode tip is fusion welded either directly or indirectly to the electrode body.

Abstract: A method of verifying spindle bearing functionality prior to service, comprising: assembling a machine-tool spindle having an outer housing rotatably supporting an inner spindle shaft about a spindle axis by use of roller bearing sets, at least one set being compressed along the spindle axis to promote a resilient bearing preload force between the housing and shaft; suspending the housing of said assembly on a non-resonating flexible support, the spindle shaft being essentially isolated from the housing except for the preloaded rolling bearing set; sharply striking the inner spindle shaft along said spindle axis to induce an axially oscillating frequency; measuring the oscillating frequency in the shaft as it is affected by the degree of bearing preload of such at least one bearing set; and comparing the measured induced frequency to a known frequency analysis for the type of spindle assembly which is correlated to varying bearing preloads, the comparison indicating the spindle bearing functionality prior to

Abstract: A spindle characterization system for characterizing performance of a spindle used in an industrial machine includes a machine base for providing a mounting and support surface and having a recessed portion. The spindle characterization facility includes a table base assembly for supporting the spindle disposed within the recess portion and the table base assembly has a table top and height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the table top. The spindle characterization system also includes a spindle mounting mechanism having a top portion mounted to the spindle and a bottom portion mounted to the table top, and a spindle forcing assembly operatively connected to the spindle, and the spindle forcing assembly generates an axial load, radial load and a torque that is applied to the spindle to simulate a machine tool load.

Abstract: A spindle characterization system for characterizing performance of a spindle used in an industrial machine includes a machine base for providing a mounting and support surface and having a recessed portion. The spindle characterization facility includes a table base assembly for supporting the spindle disposed within the recess portion and the table base assembly has a table top and height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the table top. The spindle characterization system also includes a spindle mounting mechanism having a top portion mounted to the spindle and a bottom portion mounted to the table top, and a spindle forcing assembly operatively connected to the spindle, and the spindle forcing assembly generates an axial load, radial load and a torque that is applied to the spindle to simulate a machine tool load.