Abstract: A device for converting biomass with a water content of at least 50% to gaseous products includes a reactor filled at least partially with a packing including at least one filler body for accommodating supercritical water and a hydrothermal molten salt. A heater is arranged to heat up the reactor and its content. A first feeding pipe is coupled to the reactor to feed water and salt solution into the reactor. A second feeding pipe is coupled to the reactor to feed to biomass into the reactor. A discharge pipe is coupled to the reactor to discharge gaseous products from the reactor. An outlet is proved in the bottom of the reactor for removing portions of the molten salt.

Abstract: A method for converting biomass having a water content of at least 50% into gaseous products includes providing a reactor containing supercritical water and a salt melt. The salt melt includes at least one of a salt and a salt mixture. The reactor and the salt melt are heated to the reaction temperature. The biomass is heated to a preheat temperature. The biomass heated to the preheat temperature is fed into the salt melt. The biomass is heated to the reaction temperature so as to commence a conversion of the biomass into the gaseous products, so as to release from the biomass at least one additional salt into the salt melt. An amount of the salt melt containing at least a portion of the at least one additional salt is withdrawn from the reactor and the amount of the withdrawn salt melt is replaced with a fresh salt solution. The gaseous products are removed from the reactor.

Abstract: A method for converting biomass having a water content of at least 50% into gaseous products includes providing a reactor containing supercritical water and a salt melt. The salt melt includes at least one of a salt and a salt mixture. The reactor and the salt melt are heated to the reaction temperature. The biomass is heated to a preheat temperature. The biomass heated to the preheat temperature is fed into the salt melt. The biomass is heated to the reaction temperature so as to commence a conversion of the biomass into the gaseous products, so as to release from the biomass at least one additional salt into the salt melt. An amount of the salt melt containing at least a portion of the at least one additional salt is withdrawn from the reactor and the amount of the withdrawn salt melt is replaced with a fresh salt solution. The gaseous products are removed from the reactor.

Abstract: A device for converting biomass with a water content of at least 50% to gaseous products includes a reactor filled at least partially with a packing including at least one filler body for accommodating supercritical water and a hydrothermal molten salt. A heater is arranged to heat up the reactor and its content. A first feeding pipe is coupled to the reactor to feed water and salt solution into the reactor. A second feeding pipe is coupled to the reactor to feed to biomass into the reactor. A discharge pipe is coupled to the reactor to discharge gaseous products from the reactor. An outlet is proved in the bottom of the reactor for removing portions of the molten salt.

Abstract: A dissolver for dissolving nuclear fuel materials out of fuel element segments during reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels, the dissolver being made of a material which is a neutron absorber and being composed of a dissolving vessel and a dissolving basket disposed in the vessel to receive such fuel element segments and to permit flow of dissolving fluid therethrough, with the basket being divided into a plurality of individual sections or compartments so as to prevent establishment of a critical state in the dissolver.

Abstract: A counterflow extraction column for the liquid-liquid extraction of two phases during simultaneous electrolysis, includes an elongated, upright column tube containing a cathode and an anode. Within the tube, a common chamber defines cathodic zones and anodic zones and is void of separating members between the zones. The common chamber constitutes the anode chamber and the cathode chamber of the column.

Abstract: A countercurrent extraction column for a liquid-liquid extraction of two phases which are insoluble in each other with simultaneous electrolysis. The column comprises an outer tube, an inner tube within the outer tube, with the inner tube dividing the column into an inner anode chamber and an outer cathode chamber which encloses the anode chamber without the use of a diaphragm. A plurality of bores establish communication between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. An anode is provided in the anode chamber and a cathode is provided in the cathode chamber. A hollow sheet metal cylinder is disposed around the inner tube in the area of the bores between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber. The cylinder acts as a cathode cylinder member and is chargeable in its interior by one of the phases through bores located at the top of the cathode cylinder. Sheet metal strips are attached in a radially inwardly extending manner to the interior surface of the cathode cylinder.

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying actinides which are present in a low oxidation state in aqueous solution. The actinides are purified of fission products by extracting the actinides from aqueous solution while confining the fission products to the aqueous solution. The actinides that are purified are selected from the group of uranium (IV), neptunium (IV) and plutonium (III). An aqueous nitric acid solution containing the actinides, hydrazine nitrate or hydroxyl ammonium nitrate, as well as fission products is initially subjected to an electrolysis voltage. If Pu (III) is involved, the electrolysis voltage is below the voltage at which oxygen develops at the anode and anodically oxidizes the Pu (III) to Pu (IV). The Pu (IV) which is formed is transferred by means of an organic extraction agent from the aqueous solution to an organic phase. The organic phase is then separated and used for the plutonium recovery process.