Abstract: A process for manufacturing a thermally and/or electrically conducting solid, in which: at least one doped aqueous dispersion is prepared, the dispersion including a mica powder and at least one dopant powder, these being dispersed in a non-ionic aqueous liquid, each dopant being chosen from graphites, with the exception of unexpanded expandable graphites, the mica representing at least 5% by weight of the solid matter of the dispersion, the dopant(s) representing 1 to 95% by weight of the solid matter of the dispersion and a proportion of each dopant being chosen depending on the desired thermal and electrical conductivities; each doped aqueous dispersion undergoes a forming operation, the proportion by weight of solid matter in the dispersion having been chosen so as to obtain, in the case of the doped aqueous dispersion, a viscosity compatible with the forming technique used; and the doped aqueous dispersion is left to undergo form consolidation, by at least the evaporation of the aqueous phase of the disp

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a mold for molding objects in a material, called the moldable material, whereby a pattern of the objects to be molded is used and is covered with a material, called the molding material, wherein expanded graphite is used as the molding material, the pattern (3) is covered with expanded graphite to form a continuous layer of expanded graphite or a plurality of separated layers (5, 6) of expanded graphite distributed over the pattern, and the layer(s) of expanded graphite are then compressed against the pattern so as to obtain for each layer a block of consolidated graphite which is impermeable to the moldable material. A variant of the invention consists in utilizing at least one pre-consolidated layer of expanded graphite which is recompressed in at least one direction so as to have a density ranging from 30 to 50 kg/m3.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite object includes at least two distinct parts having different properties and/or functions, which includes forming at least one layer (53) having more than 70 wt. % of an expanded material selected from expanded graphites, forming at least one other layer (52) and more than 70 wt. % of another expanded material selected from expanded vermiculites, and then compressing the layers so formed together so as to consolidate them, each consolidated layer corresponding to one of the parts of the object. The method permits especially the production of composite objects such as an electrochemical cell, a casting mold or a heliothermal converter.

Abstract: Method of managing a solid/gas adsorption or thermochemical reaction, the site of which is a device comprising a reactor, which contains a solid capable of reacting with a gas, an evaporator/condenser assembly for the gas and means intended to reheat the solid, the method comprising the steps which consist in:bringing the evaporator/condenser assembly, when the latter is filled with liquid, into communication with the reactor so as to cool the evaporator,switching on the means intended to reheat the solid, so as to deliver the gas to the evaporator/condenser assembly.According to the invention, the step of switching on the means intended to reheat the solid starts before the previous step has finished.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an active composite consisting of a compressed support and an active agent. The compressed support comprises a porous support which is chemically inert and is a good thermal conductor, so as to allow complete and rapid interactions between the active agent, dispersed in the support, and a gas flow.

Abstract: Process for producing an active composite consisting of a support and an active agent is disclosed. The process comprises mixing expanded graphite and an exfoliated lamellar compound, compressing the mixture to form a support which has a graphite density between 0.02 and 0.5 kg/dm.sup.3, and impregnating the support with the active agent. Such active composites are employed as reactants in thermochemical systems.

Abstract: Reactant for thermochemical systems, including a support which is, for example, recompressed expanded graphite or vermiculite, and an active agent, for example a salt. According to the invention, the support is in the form of granules of graphite having a density of between 0.20 and 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 and whose diameter lies between 0.2 cm and 2.5 cm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using a thermal shock probe, such a thermal shock probe and application of this method to the control of a heat pump. The method of using a thermal shock probe formed of a thermocouple associated with a heating element, is characterized in that it is used for monitoring, in a solid-gas reactor (1,2), the chemical reaction between a porous mixture and a gas by applying a heat flux variation and processing the response of the thermocouple.