Abstract: Carbonaceous fibers having sharp ends and which are useful as an electron-emitting material, for example, in cold-cathode display devices. Carbonaceous fibers having a structure such that planes formed of carbon atoms in a condensed ring structure are concentrically grown around a fiber axis then subjected to heating at a temperature of 400-1200° C. in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A fine carbon fiber having an outer diameter of about 1 to about 80 nm and an aspect ratio of 10 to 30,000, comprising a hollow center portion and a multi-layer sheath structure of a plurality of carbon layers, the layers forming annual rings, wherein the sheath-forming carbon layers form an incomplete sheath, i.e., the carbon layers are partially broken or disrupted in a longitudinal direction, and the outer diameter of the carbon fiber and/or the diameter of the hollow center portion are not uniform in a longitudinal direction. The carbon fiber is obtained by instantaneously reacting a carrier gas at a high temperature and an organic compound gas kept at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the transition metal compound and has a conductivity equivalent to that of a conventional vapor phase method and is useful as a filler material in resins, rubbers, paints and the like.

Abstract: A fine carbon fiber having an outer diameter of about 1 to about 80 nm and an aspect ratio of 10 to 30,000, comprising a hollow center portion and a multi-layer sheath structure of a plurality of carbon layers, the layers forming annual rings, wherein the sheath-forming carbon layers form an incomplete sheath, i.e., the carbon layers are partially broken or disrupted in a longitudinal direction, and the outer diameter of the carbon fiber and/or the diameter of the hollow center portion are not uniform in a longitudinal direction. The carbon fiber is obtained by instantaneously reacting a carrier gas at a high temperature and an organic compound gas kept at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the transition metal compound and has a conductivity equivalent to that of a conventional vapor phase method and is useful as a filler material in resins, rubbers, paints and the like.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon fiber including the following processes: a process for obtaining fine carbon fiber by thermally decomposing an organic compound in a furnace by use of a catalyst; a process for separating a reaction exhaust gas contained in the carbon fiber; a process for continuously subjecting the carbon fiber to thermal treatment in a non-oxidative atmosphere; and a process for incinerating a thermal treatment exhaust gas generated in the thermal treatment and/or the reaction exhaust gas. The method for separating a reaction exhaust gas from carbon fiber is characterized in that a packed carbon fiber layer is formed, an inert gas is caused to flow through the layer, and the layer is compressed. Combustion of the reaction exhaust gas and combustion of the exhaust gas generated from the subsequent thermal treatment is achieved through employment of a pilot burner holding flame at all times in a vertical incinerator.

Abstract: An electrical insulating vapor grown carbon fiber containing a vapor grown carbon fiber having a fiber diameter of 0.01 to 0.5 &mgr;m, wherein the surface thereof is partially or entirely coated with an electrical insulating material and a method of producing thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: A fine carbon fiber having a multilayer structure having stacked cylindrical carbon sheets and a center axis having a hollow structure. The fine carbon fiber has an outer diameter of 2 to 300 nm and an aspect ratio of 10 to 15,000, and at least one cylindrical carbon sheet layer among the multiple layers is folded at an end part of the carbon fiber and continued to another cylindrical carbon sheet. The folded and continued cylindrical carbon sheets form a cylindrical structure opened at the end part.

Abstract: A fine carbon fiber having an outer diameter of about 1 to about 80 nm and an aspect ratio of 10 to 30,000, comprising a hollow center portion and a multi-layer sheath structure of a plurality of carbon layers, the layers forming annual rings, wherein the sheath-forming carbon layers form an incomplete sheath, i.e., the carbon layers are partially broken or disrupted in a longitudinal direction, and the outer diameter of the carbon fiber and/or the diameter of the hollow center portion are not uniform in a longitudinal direction. The carbon fiber is obtained by instantaneously reacting a carrier gas at a high temperature and an organic compound gas kept at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the transition metal compound and has a conductivity equivalent to that of a conventional vapor phase method and is useful as a filler material in resins, rubbers, paints and the like.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for heat-treating carbon fiber, in which impairment of a furnace caused by solidification of a transition metal impurity serving as a catalyst raw material is prevented, and the amount of the metal, such as Fe, Co, or Ni, contained in the carbon fiber is reduced. In the present invention, a vaporized metal impurity is contained in an inert gas that is passed through a furnace, and the gas is discharged from a high-temperature section of the furnace. The impurity contained in the gas discharged from the furnace is cooled to solidify, and then recovered. The resultant gas is recycled as an inert gas in the furnace.

Abstract: Carbonaceous fibers having sharp ends and which are useful as an electron-emitting material, for example, in cold-cathode display devices. Carbonaceous fibers having a structure such that planes formed of carbon atoms in a condensed ring structure are concentrically grown around a fiber axis then subjected to heating at a temperature of 400-1200° C. in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: Disclosed is the feed or feed additive granular agent containing a phisiologically active substance and a coating layer having a laminar structure in which the tabular crystals are arranged in a laminated state. The coating layer comprises (a) one or more substances selected from the group consisting of a specific fatty acid or ester thereof, a specific animal or vegetable fat and fatty oil which may be hardened by hydrogenation, and a specific wax, and (b) tabular crystals of a substance which is sparingly water-soluble under a neutral condition but is readily water-soluble under an acidic condition and which has an average particle size of 5 to 30 .mu.m, wherein said coating layer is present in a coating ratio of 5% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less, wherein said first coating material and said second coating material are in a proportion of 3:2 to 1:3 by weight, and process for producing the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is the feed or feed additive granular agent containing a physiologically active substance and a coating layer having a laminar structure in which the tabular crystals are arranged in a laminated state. The coating layer comprises (a) one or more substances selected from the group consisting of a specific fatty acid or ester thereof, a specific animal or vegetable fat and fatty oil which may be hardened by hydrogenation, and a specific wax, and (b) tabular crystals of a substance which is sparingly water-soluble under a neutral condition but is readily water-soluble under an acidic condition and which has an average particle size of 5 to 30 .mu.m, wherein said coating layer is present in a coating ratio of 5% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less, wherein said first coating material and said second coating material are in a proportion of 3:2 to 1:3 by weight, and process for producing the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is the feed or feed additive granular agent containing a physiologically active substance and a coating layer having a laminar structure in which the tabular crystals are arranged in a laminated state. The coating layer comprises (a) one or more substances selected from the group consisting of a specific fatty acid or ester thereof, a specific animal or vegetable fat and fatty oil which may be hardened by hydrogenation, and a specific wax, and (b) tabular crystals of a substance which is sparingly water-soluble under a neutral condition but is readily water-soluble under an acidic condition and which has an average particle size of 5 to 30 .mu.m, wherein said coating layer is present in a coating ratio of 5% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less, wherein said first coating material and said second coating material are in a proportion of 3:2 to 1:3 by weight, and process for producing the same.

Abstract: A safety system grade dropped rod detection system for a pressurized water reactor (PWR) utilizes core exit thermocouples arranged in multiple trains and hot and cold leg RTDs to generate a safety system grade rod stop signal. The system generates from the temperature signals a relative power deviation (RD) and a curvature index (CI), which is the spatial second derivative of RD for each fuel assembly. The CI signatures not only provide rapid, reliable detection of dropped control rods, but also clearly identify failed and failing thermocouples.

Abstract: A safety system grade dropped rod detection system for a pressurized water reactor (PWR) utilizes core exit thermocouples arranged in multiple trains and hot and cold leg RTDs to generate a safety system grade rod stop signal. The system generates from the temperature signals a relative power deviation (RD) and a curvature index (CI), which is the spatial second derivative of RD for each fuel assembly. The CI signatures not only provide rapid, reliable detection of dropped control rods, but also clearly identify failed and failing thermocouples.

Abstract: A lure device comprises a float from which is pivotably suspended a hanger having two arms which guide and secure the fishing line. The securing of the fishing line is achieved by a helical member and a complementary pin. The helical member may have a central guide to assist in winding the line through the helical member.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that updates a pressurized water reactor core model, or data file describing the core, periodically using measured values determinable from core instrumentation. The system starts with a calibrated model calibrated from a flux map and a boron concentration measurement both determined monthly. Reactor system measurements are performed and the model is updated from the measurements using a standard depletion calculation. Some of the measured values are also used to determine measured actual values of axial offset and pinch. Standard neutronics equations are used to calculate analytical values of axial offset and pinch from the model, and the measured and calculated values are compared. If a deviation beyond a certain magnitude is detected, buckling coefficients in the model are adjusted to compensate for model drift. The updated model is stored and a time-out period is entered until it is time for another drift compensation cycle to start.

Abstract: A hanger is disclosed for use with a fishing line to a lure and provides rigid arms, suspended from a float, through whose distal ends the line is threaded the combination. In this way, movement of one part of the device will serve to effect movement of the other parts of the combination depending on the geometry of the arms.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel rod cladding having a burnable absorber integrally incorporated therein has an outer tubular layer of a zirconium alloy; an intermediate layer, of a thickness less than the outer tubular layer, of a zirconium alloy containing a boron-containing burnable absorber; and an inner layer, of a thickness less than the intermediate layer, of zirconium metal. The layers are bonded together to form a cladding for the containment of nuclear fuel.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of operating a nuclear reactor with the object of maintaining a substantially symmetric axial xenon distribution during normal power operation including load follow. Variations in the xenon distribution are controlled by maintaining a substantially symmetric axial power distribution. Procedures are described for maintaining the axial offset value of the core, as an indicia of the axial power distribution, substantially equal to a target value, which is modified periodically to account for core burnup. In one embodiment a neutron absorbing element within the core coolant, or moderator, is employed to assist control of reactivity changes associated with changes in power with the full length control rods mainly employed to adjust variations in the axial power distribution, while the part length rods remain completely withdrawn from the fuel region of the core.

Abstract: A fishing lure or plug device which contains self chumming means for attracting fish to the lure for biting thereon. The lure is shaped like a bait fish or in any usual shape of fish lure, spoon or the like, and has hooks attached to it, and eyelet means for attachment to a leader line to the fisherman or his reel. The lure body has a chamber formed therein for receiving a liquid container in the form of a vial or capsule containing a liquid such as fish oil, cod liver oil, or other fish derived oil which is attractive to the fish being sought, the chamber being open at one or both ends with a retaining spring to retain the oil capsule therein, so that by puncturing the vial or capsule, the oil is dribbled out and entrained with the water to attract the fish.