Abstract: A transferred-arc plasma torch comprising a sheath cooled using a cooling fluid and an electrode inserted in said sheath. The electrode is made of a consumable material and the torch comprises means to supply the electrode with this material so as to offset its erosion.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for refining a load of silicon(s) that comprises a crucible (5) including at least one sole (20) made of a first refractory material having good heat conductivity, means (26, 28) for cooling the sole, a protection member (30) made of at least a second refractory material having low heat conductivity and to be provided between the crucible and the load, and induction heating means (23, 24) of the load including a winding (23) provided in or under the sole.

Abstract: Electromagnetic device for fusion and interfacial agitation of diphase systems, particularly for the acceleration of metallurgic or pyrochemical processes, which includes for example a crucible to contain a diphase system, an inductor surrounding this crucible, and a circuit for the supply of the inductor by a current with two components, namely a high frequency component which melts the phases of the system and a low frequency component which agitates the interface of the phases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing hydrogen that comprises a hydrolysis step (C) of solid SnO for producing hydrogen, in which the hydrogen thus produced is stored, recovered and/or upgraded, and in which the solid SnO used is obtained by the following steps: (A) thermal reduction of SnO2 into SnO in conditions yielding gaseous SnO; and (B) cooling the gaseous SnO thus produced to a temperature lower than or equal to % 50° C. The invention also relates to devices and equipments for implementing said method.

Abstract: Process for the production of hydrogen by the thermochemical route from water, based on the chlorine/cerium cycle, in which, according to a first reaction scheme, the following reactions are carried out: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2;??(A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O;??(B) 2CeCl3+4H2O=2CeO2+6HCl+H2;??(C) or in which, according to a second reaction scheme, the following reactions are carried out: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2;??(A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O;??(B) 2CeCl3+2H2O=2CeOCl+4HCl;??(B?) 2CeOCl+2H2O=2CeO2+2HCl+H2;??(C?) and in which the reaction (B) for the chlorination of cerium oxide is carried out in the liquid phase, the cerium chloride passing into solution.

Abstract: A transferred-arc plasma torch comprising a sheath cooled using a cooling fluid and an electrode inserted in said sheath. The electrode is made of a consumable material and the torch comprises means to supply the electrode with this material so as to offset its erosion.

Abstract: Process for the production of hydrogen by the thermochemical route from water, based on the chlorine/cerium cycle, in which, according to a first reaction scheme, the following reactions are carried out: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2; ??(A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O; ??(B) 2CeCl3+4H2O=2CeO2+6HCl+H2; ??(C) or in which, according to a second reaction scheme, the following reactions are carried out: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2; ??(A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O; ??(B) 2CeCl3+2H2O=2CeOCl+4HCl; ??(B?) 2CeOCl+2H2O=2CeO2+2HCl+H2; ??(C?) and in which the reaction (B) for the chlorination of cerium oxide is carried out in the liquid phase, the cerium chloride passing into solution.

Abstract: Electromagnetic device for fusion and interfacial agitation of diphase systems, particularly for the acceleration of metallurgic or pyrochemical processes. This device comprises for example a crucible (2, 28), to contain a diphase system, an inductor (4) surrounding this crucible and means (18) for the supply of the inductor by a current with two components, namely a high frequency component which melts the phases of the system and a low frequency component which agitates the interface (12) of the phases.