Abstract: The present invention took the inventor 15 years to develop, it was inspired by the possibility he saw of accelerating gases peripherally along the inside of cylindrical hollow tubes, ducts and pipe He took the rocket nozzle type of venturi and formed it in annular and rectangular shapes. The inventor applied his knowledge of supersonic and hypersonic fluid mechanics to industrial process conditions.

Abstract: A system for producing petroleum products (12) from oil shale (32) includes a kiln line (72,152) of plural series-connected, substantially horizontally-disposed kilns (90,94,104,170,180). Crushed oil shale (36) is advanced through kilns (90,94,104,170,180) in succession and exhausted from the kiln line (72,152) substantially freed of hydrocarbons. A heat extraction unit (80) recovers heat (82) from hot spent shale (78). Successive kilns (90,94,104,170,180) along the advancement of crushed oil shale (36) are maintained at successively higher temperatures (T94,T94,T104,T170,T180). Pyrolysis is indirectly-driven using kiln-surrounding roasting jackets (96,106,182), A fuel distinct from hydrocarbons in oil shale (32), such as natural gas (132), syngas (54) from a gasifier (48), or hydrogen gas (62) from a separator (60) provides heat. These combustible gasses are burned in roasting jackets (96,106,182) or converted by a burner (134) into hot flue gas (136) that passes through roasting jackets (96,106,182).

Abstract: A flask for the transport and storage of irradiated nuclear fuel comprises a hollow cylindrical container having cooling fins surrounded by a jacket of neutron shielding material. The jacket can be formed in two semi-cylindrical portions which are hinged together and held tight about the container. The jacket is spaced radially from the extremities of the cooling fins.

Abstract: A liquid metal cooled fast breeder nuclear reactor wherein the fuel assembly includes some breeder fuel sub-assemblies having electromagnetic brakes and fluidic valves of the controlled vortex kind for controlling the coolant outlet temperature. The coolant flow through each breeder sub-assembly is divided into a major flow fraction by way of the fluidic valve and fuel pins a minor flow fraction by way of the electromagnetic brake which is sensitive to the temperature of coolant flow. A control component of force for the fluidic valve is derived from the back pressure of the brake so that as the power output of the sub-assembly increases the braking effect diminishes and flow of coolant through the fluidic valve is increased.