Abstract: A non-invasive inspection system employs the isotropic, resonant scattering of neutrons from an object to determine the presence of at least one preselected element therein. A monoenergetic neutron beam is impinged onto the object and a first detector is disposed to detect neutrons resonantly scattered by the preselected element. A second detector is disposed to detect non-resonantly scattered neutrons. Comparison of the signals from the two detectors is indicative of resonant scattering and hence presence of the preselected element.

Abstract: A neutron detector includes a constituent or added sensitizer which enhances the detector's response to neutrons, of a preselected energy. Also disclosed are analytical techniques employing the detector, including a double resonance technique.

Abstract: A system and method for the inspection and/or search for concealed objects impinges a monoenergetic neutron beam upon an object, notes the energy distribution of the neutrons scattered from the object and correlates the energy/intensity distribution of the scattered neutrons with the presence or absence of particular elements. The invention may be utilized to obtain qualitative or quantitative data regarding the composition of the object under interrogation.

Abstract: Neutron elastic scatter resonance is employed for the noninvasive interrogation of objects as for example to detect explosives and narcotics in closed containers. A resonant scattering spectrum of the object is obtained by projecting a collimated, monoenergetic beam of neutrons onto the object, varying the energy of the beam and measuring the scattered neutrons as a function of the beam energy. The thus generated spectra and analyzed so as to determine either the pressence of particular elements of interest or the relative ratios of those elements. Ratios so determined may be compared with corresponding ratios established for contraband items. If the ratios fall within the range for contraband, an alarm indication is provided. The present invention provides method and apparatus for contraband detection.

Abstract: A new technology for the extraction of liquid hydrocarbon products from fossil fuel resources such as oil shales, tar sands, heavy oils and coals which comprises the mixing of a donor solvent with the fossil fuel and the exposure of the mixture to ionizing radiation. The donor solvent supplies hydrogen for combination with molecules whose bonds are broken by the irradiation process. The method may be conducted at or above ambient temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Radiation from fission or fusion nuclear reactors or the like is converted to chemical energy form in a process simplifying handling of the constituent materials and operable at moderate temperatures and pressures with conventional plant construction materials. Thus a chemical in liquid phase is irradiated to form precipitate solid and gaseous constituents. Preferable chemicals are SnCl.sub.4 in the process SnCl.sub.4(1) .fwdarw.SnCl.sub.2(s) +Cl.sub.2(g) and TiCl.sub.4(1) .fwdarw.TiCl.sub.2(s) +Cl.sub.2(g). To obtain titanium metal the following step is used: ##STR1## This latter process also stores enough energy to release hydrogen from water.

Abstract: Irradiation of a siloxane derives SiO at low temperatures and forms the basis for a closed cycle reforming the siloxane that decomposes water to produce H.sub.2 and O.sub.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen-based gaseous fuel which comprises causing a fusion reaction of fusion fuel and utilizing the energy from said reaction to achieve direct dissociation of water to hydrogen and oxygen, to heat carbon containing compounds to produce carbon, and to heat carbonaceous materials to produce a carbon containing gas and thereafter combining the hydrogen and the carbon or carbon containing gas to produce a hydrogen-based gaseous fuel such as methane. The process includes utilizing thermo-chemical decomposition of water and also decomposition of water by radiolysis. The water in the system is subjected to heat in a thermo-chemical reaction and also to heat derived from heat transfer mediums to volumetric heating by radiation and to radiilytic conversion energy. An apparatus is provided to accomplish these multiple functions in conjunction with the fusion reaction.

Abstract: A combined radiolytic and thermochemical closed cycle process for production of hydrogen from water wherein H.sub.2 S is dissociated at high temperature and pressure by radiation, such energy being sufficient to provide dissociation and additionally to heat the reaction products to about 1100.degree. K. Hydrogen is separated from the radiolytic reaction products. The sulfur product is reacted with water in multiple additional thermochemical process steps for which heat of reaction is supplied by the radiolytic reaction products for reconstitution of the H.sub.2 S working fluid and generation of an oxygen byproduct.

Abstract: Gas and combined gas/steam power cycles in which chemical energy is stored in a gaseous working fluid by radiolytic dissociation at a temperature below the temperature of thermodynamic macroscopic dissociation, such that the dissociated portion of the working fluid exists under conditions of macroscopic thermal non-equilibrium. The dissociated fluid components are then recombined with the energy of recombination adding heat to the working fluid for extraction in the power cycle.

Abstract: A source of neutrons is provided such as by a fusion reaction, and the neutrons are passed through a series of successive chambers in each of which a radiolytic chemical reaction takes place from bombardment of a sensitive chemical compound by said neutrons. The resulting products are further processed in a chemical reaction with a further compound such as water to release a desired end product such as hydrogen. The chemical reactions in the separate chambers may be selected to operate at different pressures or other physical conditions, and when pressure differences between the chambers are large stay structure is introduced to permit thinner walls more transparent to transmission of the neutrons from one chamber to the next.

Abstract: A multi-step chemical and radiation process for the production of gas which includes mixing water and chlorine gas, heating the mixture to a temperature of about 800.degree. C. to produce hydrogen chloride and oxygen and subjecting the hydrogen chloride to radiation to produce hydrogen and chlorine gas. The process also includes the recycling of the resulting halogen into the basic process.

Abstract: A multi-step chemical and radiation process for the production of a gas such as hydrogen utilizing radiation from a fusion reactor which includes reacting a hydrolyzable alkaline earth halide with water at a temperature to form an alkaline earth hydroxide and the hydrogen halide, separating the hydrogen halide and subjecting it to radiation from a fusion reaction to produce hydrogen gas and halide molecules. The gas is then separated and utilized as a direct fuel or as a base for hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: A process which utilizes radiation energy, preferably that obtained from a fusion reaction and which includes selecting starting chemical materials having at least two molecules such as calcium bromide and water which contain as a part thereof a desired product H.sub.2, a by-product O.sub.2 and which chemically form an active material HBr that may be dissociated by radiation. A two step process permits the radiolytically dissociated Br to react with residual molecules to form and recycle the starting material CaBr.sub.2. A combination of thermochemical and radiolytic reactions such as available in nuclear reactions therefore produces a greater yield of a desired end product such as hydrogen, also producing a by-product such as oxygen from a low cost expendable source material such as water, and reforms the starting material. Also the process provides for convenient separation of the desired end products.

Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Methanol (CH.sub.3 OH) in connection with a fusion reaction chamber which comprises utilizing the heat of fusion reaction to dissociate calcium carbonate CaCO.sub.3 into CaO and CO.sub.2. The resulting CO.sub.2 is introduced into a fusion reaction chamber and subjected to heat and radiation which creates CO and O.sub.2. The CO is mixed with water under conditions to create CO.sub.2 and hydrogen. The hydrogen may then be combined with CO to form methanol and the CO.sub.2 is utilized in a recycling system which feeds back into the reactor.

Abstract: Water is decomposed into its components (hydrogen and oxygen) by direct radiation from a nuclear reactor. The addition of soluble boron compounds or boron-containing particles to a mist, vapor, steam or spray of water converts the neutrons derived from nuclear fusion reactions into highly ionizing radiation; thus increasing the effectiveness of decomposition and hydrogen gas yield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing hydrogen for use as an ingredient as hydrogen-based fuels which comprises introducing a quantity of gaseous HCl and subjecting said gas to the heat and radiation of a fusion reaction to dissociate into H.sub.2 and Cl.sub.2. This is followed by a separation of the gases including the removal of the hydrogen and the introduction of the hot Cl.sub.2 into a chamber with water to create additional HCl which is recycled in a subsequent fusion reaction cycle. The method includes the utilization of the heat from the extracted gases as a source for heating the make-up water for the system and also as a source of energy to make steam or for use in any system where heat is a desirable source of energy.

Abstract: Gas and combined gas/steam power cycles in which chemical energy is stored in a gaseous working fluid by radiolytic dissociation at a temperature below the temperature of thermodynamic macroscopic dissociation, such that the dissociated portion of the working fluid exists under conditions of macroscopic thermal non-equilibrium. The dissociated fluid components are then recombined with the energy of recombination adding heat to the working fluid for extraction in the power cycle.