Abstract: The method of treatment of a mixture of air and at least partially radioactive gases such as xenon and krypton in particular, especially gaseous effluents derived from the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels, comprises a stage of concentration of the rare gases in solution in liquid oxygen by cryogenic distillation of the light gases and especially nitrogen from the liquefied mixture.

Abstract: Gas stream containing primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide as well as small quantities of acetylene, oxygen and ethylene is passed through a bed of copper catalyst to remove all or substantial portion of acetylene, oxygen and ethylene.

Abstract: A novel compound is described which is useful as a reversible oxygen carrier. This chelate compound is bis(3,5-difluorosalicylaldehyde)ethylenediimine-Co.sup.+.sup.2.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon gas streams containing small quantities of molecular oxygen are found to adversely affect the adsorptive characteristics of zeolite adsorbent beds at temperatures above 350.degree. F. Problem is avoided by converting the oxygen to readily sorbable compounds prior to contacting the bed with the gas stream.

Abstract: A compact tubular-form reactor-condenser system is provided for use with a nuclear container to effect the recombining of dissociated H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 and preclude the buildup of H.sub.2 in such container. A pumping means and preheating means insure the passage of heated gaseous components through an all metal catalyst containing zone at suitable reaction and non-condensing conditions to form water vapor, while a subsequent passage through an adjacent or contiguous cooling zone provides for the condensation of the resulting vapor into liquid water for return to the container means. A preferred arrangement has thermal barrier means incorporated to prevent heat conduction from the reaction zone to the condensation section so as to assist in maintaining the latter section as cool as possible.

Abstract: A system for separating, concentrating and storing radioactive krypton and xenon in the off-gases from a boiling water reactor, wherein adsorption and cryogenic distillation are both efficiently used for rapid and positive separation and removal of the radioactive noble gases, and for limiting such gases in circulation in the system to low inventory at all times, and wherein the system is self-regulating to eliminate operator options or attention.

Abstract: Gases are removed from enclosed spaces by (1) purging the space to be enclosed with a reactive gas such as carbon dioxide, (2) adding a metal hydrocarbyloxide and a solid absorbent for the volatile reaction products of the reactive gas and the metal hydrocarbyloxide, e.g., a solid absorbent such as activated charcoal, and (3) enclosing the space, e.g., by hermetically sealing the container. This method for gas removal is particularly useful in the production of thermal insulating articles such as double walled vacuum containers for storage of foods and beverages.

Abstract: Oxide solid solutions of praseodymium and cerium are useful as the oxygen carrier in a reversible cyclic oxidation-reduction process for separating oxygen from air. The adverse affects on redox rates of contaminants in the air, such as CO.sub.2 and/or H.sub.2 O are substantially eliminated by incorporating a surface dopant such as silver into the praseodymium-cerium oxide.

Abstract: Process for preparing carbon containing molecular sieves adapted for separating small molecular gases in particular oxygen from nitrogen which comprises treating coke having a content of volatile components of up to 5% at 600.degree.-900.degree.C with a hydrocarbon splitting off carbon whereby the split-off carbon is deposited in the carbon framework of the coke under narrowing of the existing pores.

Abstract: A purification system for producing extremely pure H.sub.2 from H.sub.2 gas streams containing water and small amounts of O.sub.2 comprises a single column with alternating layers of adsorbent and a catalyst for the reaction 2H.sub.2 + O.sub.2 .fwdarw. 2H.sub.2 O. The alternating layers are arranged so that the gas to be purified first meets an adsorbent layer, next a catalyst layer and finally an adsorbent layer. Two such columns can be operated alternatively, one being used to produce purified gas, while the other is backflushed with as little as 2% of the product gas of the operating column. By this technique, H.sub.2 gas can be produced having a purity as high as 99.9999% or higher. The inventive system can also be used to purify O.sub.2 gas streams containing water and small amounts of hydrogen.

Abstract: The rapid removal of dissolved oxygen from aqueous solutions is accomplished by treating the solution with an effective proportion of a liquid organic hydrazine compound. The method of this invention is particularly useful in the removal of dissolved oxygen from aqueous solutions such as boiler water, thereby inhibiting corrosion of the metal surfaces of the boiler.

Abstract: Porous coke is impregnated with an organic compound which remains in the pores thereby causing a reduction in the effective size of the same. This results in molecular sieve coke capable of separating different gases, particularly oxygen and nitrogen, and capable of adsorbing smaller gas molecules more rapidly than larger gas molecules. The organic compound has a boiling point of at least 200.degree.C as measured at atmospheric pressure and of no more than 450.degree.C as measured in vacuum.

Abstract: Radioactive krypton is separated from a gas mixture comprising nitrogen and traces of carbon dioxide and radioactive krypton by first selective adsorption and then cryogenic distillation of the prepurified gas against nitrogen liquid to produce krypton bottoms concentrate liquid, using the nitrogen gas from the distillation for two step purging of the adsorbent.

Abstract: A recycle loop method and recuperative heating system is provided for thermally recombining hydrogen and oxygen, such as may be desired in connection with a dissociated gas stream from a containment vessel for a nuclear reactor under loss of coolant accident conditions. The dissociated charge stream is preferably heated by indirect heat exchange with a resulting water vapor containing combined stream to effect heat conservation and, also preferably, the recuperative heat exchange operation and the high temperature recombining reaction are carried out in a unitary zone incorporating electrical, non-flame, heat input means.

Abstract: A method of preserving foodstuffs by placing them in a container of given volume in which air at atmospheric pressure is present and selectively removing the oxygen from the air in the container while maintaining substantially atmospheric pressure therein is disclosed. According to the invention, a flow of air is established through the container by means of an external conduit in which the oxygen in the air is catalytically reacted with hydrogen gas concurrently generated and added to the air flow for at least a predetermined length of time after which the generation and addition of hydrogen gas is terminated when the hydrogen/oxygen reaction falls below a given level. Various embodiments of the apparatus for practicing the method according to this invention are described.

Abstract: A rotating wheel made of oxygen absorbing material absorbs oxygen from air passing therethrough from an air inlet to a residual gas outlet. Fuel passing through the wheel from a fuel inlet to an oxidized gas outlet is oxidized by the absorbed oxygen.