Abstract: A process for dissolving a metal in an electrolytic acid medium using a catalyst. The process comprises applying a negative electrical current to the metal while the electrolytic acid medium is at a temperature below its boiling point to initiate a dissolution reaction, stopping the application of the electrical current, and allowing heat from the reaction to raise the temperature of the solution without the application of any external heat source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the separation of an actinide from another metal. The method comprises the following steps: (a) establishing a non-homogeneous magnetic field across a separation column containing a paramagnetic packing material and (b) providing a fluid containing the actinide and the another metal to the separation column wherein the fluid and the paramagnetic packing material are exposed to the non-homogeneous magnetic field. The non-homogeneous magnetic field is produced by a magnet having a first pole for magnetic interaction with a second pole of the magnet wherein the first pole has a different surface area than the second pole. The non-homogeneous magnetic field has a magnetic field gradient of about 500 lines/cm2/cm or more. In addition, the present invention is also directed to a method for the separation of one heavy metal from another heavy metal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the separation of an actinide from another metal. The method comprises the following steps: (a) establishing a non-homogeneous magnetic field across a separation column containing a paramagnetic packing material and (b) providing a fluid containing the actinide and the another metal to the separation column wherein the fluid and the paramagnetic packing material are exposed to the non-homogeneous magnetic field. The non-homogeneous magnetic field is produced by a magnet having a first pole for magnetic interaction with a second pole of the magnet wherein the first pole has a different surface area than the second pole. The non-homogeneous magnetic field has a magnetic field gradient of about 500 lines/cm2/cm or more. In addition, the present invention is also directed to a method for the separation of one heavy metal from another heavy metal.

Abstract: A process for controlling the dissolution of a metal in an acid bath is described. The metal may comprise aluminum and the acid bath may contain a metal catalyst that causes the metal to dissolve. In order to control the rate of dissolution and/or the amount of gas evolved during the process, an iron source is added to the bath. In one embodiment, the process can be used to dissolve aluminum contained in spent fuel assemblies for recovering a nuclear fuel, such as uranium.

Abstract: A process for controlling the dissolution of a metal in an acid bath is described. The metal may comprise aluminum and the acid bath may contain a metal catalyst that causes the metal to dissolve. In order to control the rate of dissolution, the metal can be contacted with a cathodic member. In one embodiment, the process can be completely stopped even without removing the metal from the acid bath. The cathodic member provides anodic protection to the metal. In one embodiment, the cathodic member is made from a nickel-chromium-based alloy.

Abstract: A process for controlling the dissolution of a metal in an acid bath is described. The metal may comprise aluminum and the acid bath may contain a metal catalyst that causes the metal to dissolve. In order to control the rate of dissolution, the metal can be contacted with a cathodic member. In one embodiment, the process can be completely stopped even without removing the metal from the acid bath. The cathodic member provides anodic protection to the metal. In one embodiment, the cathodic member is made from a nickel-chromium-based alloy.

Abstract: A process for controlling the dissolution of a metal in an acid bath is described. The metal may comprise aluminum and the acid bath may contain a metal catalyst that causes the metal to dissolve. In order to control the rate of dissolution and/or the amount of gas evolved during the process, an iron source is added to the bath. In one embodiment, the process can be used to dissolve aluminum contained in spent fuel assemblies for recovering a nuclear fuel, such as uranium.

Abstract: A milliwave melter monitoring system is presented that has a waveguide with a portion capable of contacting a molten material in a melter for use in measuring one or more properties of the molten material in a furnace under extreme environments. A receiver is configured for use in obtaining signals from the melt/material transmitted to appropriate electronics through the waveguide. The receiver is configured for receiving signals from the waveguide when contacting the molten material for use in determining the viscosity of the molten material. Other embodiments exist in which the temperature, emissivity, viscosity and other properties of the molten material are measured.

Abstract: A milliwave melter monitoring system is presented that has a waveguide with a portion capable of contacting a molten material in a melter for use in measuring one or more properties of the molten material in a furnace under extreme environments. A receiver is configured for use in obtaining signals from the melt/material transmitted to appropriate electronics through the waveguide. The receiver is configured for receiving signals from the waveguide when contacting the molten material for use in determining the viscosity of the molten material. Other embodiments exist in which the temperature, emissivity, viscosity and other properties of the molten material are measured.

Abstract: A system for visualizing, controlling, and managing information includes a data analysis unit for interpreting and classifying raw data using analytical techniques. A data flow coordination unit routes data from its source to other components within the system. A data preparation unit handles the graphical preparation of the data and a data rendering unit presents the data in a three-dimensional interactive environment where the user can observe, interact with, and interpret the data. A user can view the information on various levels, from a high overall process level view, to a view illustrating linkage between variables, to view the hard data itself, or to view results of an analysis of the data. The system allows a user to monitor a physical process in real-time and further allows the user to manage and control the information in a manner not previously possible.

Abstract: A system for visualizing, controlling and managing information includes a data analysis unit for interpreting and classifying raw data using analytical techniques. A data flow coordination unit routes data from its source to other components within the system. A data preparation unit handles the graphical preparation of the data and a data rendering unit presents the data in a three-dimensional interactive environment where the user can observe, interact with, and interpret the data. A user can view the information on various levels, from a high overall process level view, to a view illustrating linkage between variables, to view the hard data itself, or to view results of an analysis of the data. The system allows a user to monitor a physical process in real-time and further allows the user to manage and control the information in a manner not previously possible.

Abstract: A hammermill grinder that eliminates the frequent jamming caused when cutting heads catch on material that enters the lower segment of the rotary cutting arc and then feeds at a rapid rate equal to the rotation of the the hammermill into and under the hammermill, without first being reduced. The hammermill possesses two levels of cutting heads, preferably spinning on a horizontal axis of rotation, and employs shredder feet to limit the depth of cut, both preventing wide items from being drawn into compression between the backing grate and the hammermill, and influencing material more efficiently into the cutting area.

Abstract: A refuse collection device (1) including a collector roller (11) and an inclined conveyor (27) which deposits collected debris into a hopper (127) along arcuate paths (128, 129), thereby filling the hopper (127) initially in the region adjacent to its rear wall (130). Mounted on the collector roller (11) is a plurality of rubber fingers (13, 14, 15, 16) arranged in rows (17, 18, 19) which are laterally offset from substantially identical rubber fingers (39, 40, 41), also arranged in rows (32, 33, 34) so as to occasionally form a substantially continuous, upwardly moving entrainment platform (150) and to also occasionally form an arrangement of spaced apart fingers which each transport debris onto the conveyor (27). The collector roller (11) is attached to a hydraulic ram (118) so as to permit the collector roller (11) to travel over excessively large debris without interference.

Abstract: A refuse collection device (1) including a collector roller (11) and an inclined conveyor (27) which deposits collected debris into a hopper (127) along arcuate paths (128, 129), thereby filling the hopper (127) initially in the region adjacent to its rear wall (130). Mounted on the collector roller (11) is a plurality of rubber fingers (13, 14, 15, 16) arranged in rows (17, 18, 19) which are laterally offset from substantially identical rubber fingers (39, 40, 41), also arranged in rows (32, 33, 34) so as to occasionally form a substantially continuous, upwardly moving entrainment platform (150) and to also occasionally form an arrangement of spaced apart fingers which each transport debris onto the conveyor (27). The collector roller (11) is attached to a biasing means (118) so as to permit the collector roller (11) to travel over excessively large debris without interference.

Abstract: An implement for aerating and dethatching golf courses, athletic fields and other sodded fields has multiple aerator units each including a plurality of earth piercing aerator elements mounted on a shaft. Arms of each aerator unit supporting the shafts are independently swingable to move the shafts between horizontal positions and positions inclined from horizontal in accordance with the contour of the ground or encountered soil conditions as the aerator is advanced across the earth. A spring assembly urging each aerator unit toward the ground has structure for causing any upward swinging movement of the arms of each unit to be resisted by the weight of the frame whenever such arms are pivoted upwardly past a predetermined elevation, in order to provide additional force where highly compacted soil conditions are found.