Abstract: A method for producing an oxide superconducting connecting line includes initially coating a line with at least one layer of a crystalline or amorphous metal alloy forming a superconductive oxide. The line is subsequently heated to a temperature below the melting temperature of the oxide. A gas containing oxygen is simultaneously brought into contact with the accessible surface forming an oxide film which is superconductive upon cooling. When the oxide film is damaged at a certain location, the still-undamaged layer is exposed to the oxygen-containing gas and the line is heated at the damaged location. A superconducting film is again formed. A combination superconducting connecting line and an apparatus for producing the superconducting connecting line is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for sintering blanks into fuel pellets, in which the blanks are moved through the muffle of a tunnel furnace by pushing the blanks through the muffle on a guiding device which goes through the muffle and protrudes therefrom at least on the input side, in the form of a single-layer column of abutting blanks.

Abstract: Method for sintering blanks into fuel pellets, in which the blanks are moved through the muffle of a tunnel furnace by pushing the blanks through the muffle on a guiding device which goes through the muffle and protrudes therefrom at least on the input side, in the form of a single-layer column of abutting blanks.

Abstract: Method for the manufacture of oxidic nuclear fuel bodies by a heat treatment of blanks obtained from UO.sub.2 starting power or a mixture of UO.sub.2 and PuO.sub.2 starting powder at a treatment temperature in the range of 1000.degree. C. to 1400.degree. initially in a gas atmosphere with oxidizing action and subsequently in a gas atmosphere with reducing action. The oxygen potential of the gas atmosphere with oxidizing action is kept in a range in which a crystallographically demonstrable U.sub.4 O.sub.9 or (U, Pu).sub.4 O.sub.9 crystal phase is generated in the blanks during the heating to the treatment temperature in this gas atmosphere with oxidizing action.

Abstract: Manufacture of oxidic nuclear fuel bodies with oxygen-to-metal ratio of 2.0.+-.0.02 at relatively low sintering temperature in range of 1000.degree.-1400.degree. C. Nuclear fuel powder with an arbitrary oxygen-to-metal ratio is mixed with a grain-growth promoting additive (U.sub.3 O.sub.8) and pressed into blanks. The blanks are subjected to a two-stage operation in a furnace at 1000.degree.-1400.degree. C. - an oxidative-sintering stage in a carbon dioxide atmosphere and a reducing stage in a hydrogen containing atmosphere.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rod ends of water-cooled reactor fuel rods, are heated in the region of the fission gas plenums and/or in the region of the upper or lower ends of the fuel columns. The moisture present in the case of damage to the fuel rods' casings, evaporates and is partly condensed at the end caps. In the case of a fuel rod completely filled with water, steam bubbles are generated. Both indications of casing leakage or damage are ascertained by ultrasonic reflection measurements and/or measurement of a temperature-vs-time curve, obtained at the end cap.