Abstract: An exothermic, hydratable fuel mixture for a self-heating food container comprises particles of a base such as lime and an acid such as oxalic acid. When water is added to the mixture, exothermic heat is generated by hydration of the lime and neutralization reaction between the lime and the acid. Mixtures of bases and mixtures of acids can be used to optimize the heating characteristics of the fuel mixture.

Abstract: An exothermically hydrated fuel for a self-heating food container comprises particles of a hard quicklime that has been calcined at a temperature above 1,400.degree. C., such as from 1,410.degree. C. to 1,500.degree. C. The fuel can also contain at least 10% based on the weight of the hard particles of softer, more porous particles of quicklime calcined at a temperature above 1,250.degree. C. and/or particles of an anhydrous acid that exothermically reacts with quicklime to form a non-toxic, non-hazardous salt such as oxalic acid.

Abstract: An improved method for decontaminating the coolant system of water-cooled nuclear power reactors and for regenerating the decontamination solution. A small amount of one or more weak-acid organic complexing agents is added to the reactor coolant, and the pH is adjusted to form a decontamination solution which is circulated throughout the coolant system to dissolve metal oxides from the interior surfaces and complex the resulting metal ions and radionuclide ions. The coolant containing the complexed metal ions and radionuclide ions is passed through a strong-base anion exchange resin bed which has been presaturated with a solution containing the complexing agents in the same ratio and having the same pH as the decontamination solution.

Abstract: An improved process for the conversion of gaseous uranium hexafluoride to a uranium oxide rich composition in the presence of an active flame in a reaction zone is achieved by introducing a first gaseous reactant comprising a mixture of uranium hexafluoride and an oxygen-containing carrier gas and a second gaseous reactant comprising a reducing gas, the reactants being separated by a shielding gas as introduced to the reaction zone. The shielding gas temporarily separates the gaseous reactants and temporarily prevents substantial mixing and reacting of the gaseous reactants. The flame occurring in the reaction zone is maintained away from contact with the inlet introducing the mixture to the reaction zone.