Abstract: A method for decontaminating of concrete and more specifically to methods used for in-situ thermal desorption of contaminants from concrete, such as PCBs is disclosed. The methods employed heat the concrete at reduced pressure and at a temperature sufficient to volatilize and draw off the contaminant vapors so that the concrete is decontaminated to greater depth than previously obtained, that no concrete waste is created which requires disposal, that the methods produce no secondary liquid waste, that no chemical agents are required, that the decontaminated concrete material can be reused, that the methods are safer for workers because there is no contaminated dust formed during the process and specifically that the process produce a low energy cost per unit area decontamination for the concrete.

Abstract: A protective beryllium oxide coating of suitable thickness is applied to the inner surface of the arc tube of a high-intensity, metal halide discharge lamp in order to avoid a substantial loss of the metallic portion of the metal halide fill and hence a substantial buildup of free halogen, thereby extending the useful life of the lamp. A preferred lamp structure includes a fused silica arc tube. The beryllium oxide coating is preferably applied to the arc tube by evaporating beryllium in the arc tube under non-oxidizing conditions, and then heating in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A method is described for effecting the removal of alkali metal contaminants from a super heated gaseous mixture useful in power generation. Finely divided refractory oxide particles are introduced into the hot gaseous mixture without effecting a substantial reduction in the temperature and operating efficiency of the system. The alkali metal contaminants are substantially removed from the hot gaseous mixture by being adsorbed onto the surface of the finely divided refractory oxide particles.

Abstract: At a heat source, such as a nuclear reactor, phosgene is reacted to form a mixture of carbon monoxide and chlorine. This mixture of gases is cooled by heat exchange with incoming cold phosgene and is pumped through a first pipeline at ambient temperature to an energy use area. At the energy use end of the first pipeline the gas mixture is heated in the presence of a catalyst, such as activated charcoal. The CO and Cl.sub.2 react exothermically to form COCl.sub.2 (phosgene) with the liberation of 26 keal per mol of phosgene formed. The heat evolved from this reaction is released across a heat exchanger for the boiling of water and superheating of the resultant steam to a temperature in the 400.degree.-500.degree.C range for use as process heat or the generation of electricity. The phosgene produced is cooled and then returned to the heat source end via a second pipeline for repetition of the closed loop process described.