Abstract: An object to provide a prestressed concrete that can be widely used for general building members, in which a chemical stress induced by an expansive material and a mechanical stress induced by a continuous fiber reinforcing wire are simultaneously used together, and due to a synergistic effect of the mechanical stress and the chemical stress, the strength is increased, the reduction in weight, reduction in thickness, and suppression of cracking are achieved, and the degree of freedom in design increased. To provide a prestressed concrete characterized in that, in a concrete into which a prestress is introduced, a mechanical stress induced by a tensional material and a chemical stress induced by an expansive material for a concrete are introduced simultaneously into the concrete, the tensional material is a continuous fiber reinforcing wire, the expansive material for a concrete is contained in an amount of 5 to 30 kg/m3, and aluminum oxide contained in an amount of 0.2 to 2.

Abstract: A transformer comprises at least a wound iron core, a lower portion clamp disposed at the lower portion of the wound iron core, and band for fastening the wound iron core and the lower portion clamp to each other. In the transformer, the lower portion clamp has a flat plate portion that supports the lower portion of the wound iron core and a bent portion that extends from the flat plate portion toward the outer periphery side of the wound iron core and upward. The end of the bent portion on the outer periphery side of the wound iron core extends to substantially the outer periphery of the wound iron core or to an outer side than the outer periphery of the wound iron core. The band fastens and fixes the wound iron core and the lower portion clamp to each other along the flat plate portion and bent portion of the lower portion clamp. This prevents the characteristics of the iron core from being deteriorated due to a compressive load applied to the iron core by the fastening of the band.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an artificial zeolite. The method includes the steps of: heating a waste insulator to form a molten insulator; quenching and pulverizing the molten insulator; and heat treating the quenched and pulverized insulator in an alkaline aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid acid catalyst using industrial waste such as an insulator, optical fiber, and tip material is provided. The raw material contains a template agent, a compound having a formula of R14COR15, where R14 and R15 are alkyl groups, a silicon-containing inorganic compound, an aluminum-containing inorganic compound, and water with a weight ratio of SiO2/Al2O3 of at least 1,000. The raw material is heat treated in a closed chamber (a first heat treatment), and heat treated in an atmosphere containing oxygen (a second heat treatment).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an artificial zeolite. The method includes the steps of: heating a waste insulator to form a molten insulator; quenching and pulverizing the molten insulator; and heat treating the quenched and pulverized insulator in an alkaline aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid acid catalyst using industrial waste such as an insulator, optical fiber, and tip material is provided. The raw material contains a template agent, a compound having a formula of R14COR15, where R14 and R15 are alkyl groups, a silicon-containing inorganic compound, an aluminum-containing inorganic compound, and water with a weight ratio of SiO2/Al2O3 of at least 1,000. The raw material is heat treated in a closed chamber (a first heat treatment), and heat treated in an atmosphere containing oxygen (a second heat treatment).

Abstract: A method of performing direct current pressurized sintering to powder in a mold having a cylindrical molding space, wherein sintering is continuously effected while relatively moving a current portion and a sintering subject; and a sintering device characterized in that the vertical position of the current electrodes is unchanged and the mold and the sintering subject are successively moved with respect to the current electrodes, so as to effect continuous sintering. A sintering method and a sintering device that are superior in sintering ability are provided wherein even if the sintered body is in the form of a long-size rod or has an uneven cross-section, the sintered body is uniform in quality.

Abstract: A method of disposing of combustible materials. The method includes the steps of: providing a heating space; providing a first source to generate heat to a first predetermined level at a first location in the heating space sufficient to reconstitute the combustible materials to a molten slag at the first location and so that heat generated by the first source elevates the temperature at a second location within the heating space to a second predetermined heat level that is below the predetermined heat level and high enough to cause combustion of the combustible materials; directing combustible materials to the second location at which the combustible materials are combusted to produce ash; and causing the ash to be directed to the first location to be reconstituted as molten slag.

Abstract: A method of disposing of combustible materials. The method includes the steps of: providing a heating space; providing a first source to generate heat to a first predetermined level at a first location in the heating space sufficient to reconstitute the combustible materials to a molten slag at the first location and so that heat generated by the first source elevates the temperature at a second location within the heating space to a second predetermined heat level that is below the predetermined heat level and high enough to cause combustion of the combustible materials; directing combustible materials to the second location at which the combustible materials are combusted to produce ash; and causing the ash to be directed to the first location to be reconstituted as molten slag.

Abstract: A method of disposing of combustible materials. The method includes the steps of: providing a heating space; providing a first source to generate heat to a first predetermined level at a first location in the heating space sufficient to reconstitute the combustible materials to a molten slag at the first location and so that heat generated by the first source elevates the temperature at a second location within the heating space to a second predetermined heat level that is below the predetermined heat level and high enough to cause combustion of the combustible materials; directing combustible materials to the second location at which the combustible materials are combusted to produce ash; and causing the ash to be directed to the first location to be reconstituted as molten slag.

Abstract: The combination of a vessel and a stopper assembly. The vessel has a wall defining a storage space for a supply of a flowable material and an orifice on the wall communicating through the body from the storage space to externally of the storage space. The stopper assembly selectively blocks the orifice. The stopper assembly has a frame, a stopper element with a blocking surface on the frame that is movable relative to the vessel between i) a closed position wherein the blocking surface substantially blocks the orifice and ii) an open position, and a repositioning mechanism for moving the stopper element relative to the vessel with the stopper element remaining in the closed position to thereby avoid fixing of the stopper element to the vessel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode to be used in a plasma torch includes the steps of providing an insert formed from an electrically-conductive, heat-resistant material, depositing a metal by physical vapor deposition to form a coating on the insert, the metal selected from the group consisting of silver, silver alloy, gold, and gold alloy, providing a holder having a surface with a recess formed therein to receive the insert, placing the insert into the recess, and securing the insert to the holder.

Abstract: A waste disposal device having a wall structure defining an incineration space, a torch assembly separate from the wall structure, and first structure cooperating between the torch assembly and wall structure for maintaining the torch assembly in an operative position on the wall structure. The torch assembly has a torch for generating heat in the incineration space with the torch assembly in the operative position. The torch assembly further has second structure for circulating a cooling liquid in heat exchange relationship with the torch assembly, independently of the wall structure, to thereby effect cooling of the torch assembly. In one form, the torch assembly is removably maintained in the operative position on the wall structure.

Abstract: A unique method is proposed for the preparation of a body of an austempered ductile cast iron having a gradient of the mechanical property within the body by subjecting a body of a nodular graphite cast iron to an isothermal transformation treatment for austempering at a temperature in the range from 250.degree. to 450.degree. C. while the body has a temperature difference between two points or between two surfaces. The temperature difference can be produced by bringing the two points or two surfaces into contact with melts of a salt kept at different temperatures. A two-compartment salt-bath apparatus therefore is disclosed.