Abstract: Hollow glass microspheres made from a low heat conductivity glass composition containing a high vacuum and a thin metal coating deposited on the inner wall surface of the microspheres are described. The hollow glass microspheres are used to make superior insulation materials in the construction of highly efficient solar energy collectors.The hollow glass microspheres are made by forming a liquid film of molten glass across a coaxial blowing nozzle, applying a metal vapor blowing gas at a positive pressure on the inner surface of the glass film to blow the film and form an elongated cylinder shaped liquid film of molten glass. A transverse jet is used to direct an inert entraining fluid over and around the blowing nozzle at an angle to the axis of the blowing nozzle. The entraining fluid as it passes over and around the blowing nozzle fluid dynamically induces a pulsating or fluctuating pressure field at the opposite or lee side of the blowing nozzle in the wake or shadow of the coaxial blowing nozzle.

Abstract: Hollow spheres with precisely concentric inner and outer spherical surfaces are formed by applying vibrations to a nonconcentric hollow sphere while it is at an elevated temperature at which it is fluid or plastic, the vibrations producing internal flows which cause the inner and outer surfaces to become precisely concentric. Concentric spheres can be mass produced by extruding a material such as glass or metal while injecting a stream of gas into the center of the extrusion to form a gas-filled tube. Vibrations are applied to the extruded tube to help break it up into individual bodies of a desired uniform size, the bodies tending to form spherical inner and outer surfaces by reason of surface tension, and the continuing application of vibrations causing these surfaces to become concentric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the treatment of metallurgical slag, the process comprising mechanical disintegration of a current of pyroplastic slag formed by initial cooling of a current of melting slag by means of water. This cooling comprises a first cooling phase taking place in the course of the flow of a continuous current of slag through an inclined channel into which a variable quantity of water is injected by pressure through the base, and a second cooling phase taking place during the largely free fall of the flow of slag onto a disintegration device. The initial slag cooling phase is accelerated or decelerated in accordance with the properties of the slag, and the intensity and/or duration of the mechanical disintegration is modified in accordance with the physical and granulometric properties of the slag required.A further aspect of the invention provides an installation for the performance of the process as set forth above.

Abstract: A method for processing aqueous radioactive wastes for noncontaminating and safe handling, transport and final storage wherein nitric acid and/or nitrate containing aqueous radioactive waste solutions are continuously denitrated with formic acid, spray-dried and calcinated in a spray dryer having a spray nozzle surrounded by a reaction chamber, the resulting calcinate is mixed with glass former substances, the mixture is melted and the melt is caused to solidify into a glass, glass ceramic or glass ceramic-like block and the waste gases produced during denitration-drying and calcination are conducted through a filter system in order to remove solid particles that have been carried along by the gas. The process steps of denitration, drying and calcination are effected simultaneously and are terminated with the aid of and the intimate energy exchange in the fine distribute droplets superheated steam in the vicinity of the spray nozzle.

Abstract: Expanded slag, especially blast-furnace slag of Thomas melts is made by passing the slag along a trough in which water is fed into a layer of the molten slag. The slag is then permitted to cascade downwardly along an inclined surface which is wetted with water and finally is dispersed by a rotating disintegration drum and curtain of finely divided water. The expanded slag has a lower density, a more complete expansion characteristic and a greater uniformity than conventionally produced expanded slags.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing spheres from molten material, such as glass, by allowing drops of the molten material to pass from one end to another of a column containing a liquid, such as a mixture of salts, the temperature of the column being so graduated that the drops harden during passage through the column. The column can be bifurcated at the lower end into legs provided with cooling cuffs for alternate use.

Abstract: A system for producing glass spheres in which the combustion air introduced into the furnace is preheated. The furnace has a shroud enclosing at least a portion of its outer surface, and ambient air is introduced to the space between the outer surface and the shroud by means of a fan generating a slight positive pressure. Preheated air is removed from the shroud by a plurality of ducts leading to the source of heat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making uniform pellets for laser driven fusion reactors which comprises selection of a quantity of glass frit which has been accurately classified as to size within a few micrometers and contains an occluded material, such as urea, which gasifies and expands when heated. The sized particles are introduced into an apparatus which includes a heated vertical tube with temperatures ranging from 800.degree. C to 1300.degree. C. The particles are heated during the drop through the tube to molten condition wherein the occluded material gasifies to form hollow microspheres which stabilize in shape and plunge into a collecting liquid at the bottom of the tube. The apparatus includes the vertical heat resistant tube, heaters for the various zones of the tube and means for introducing the frit and collecting the formed microspheres.

Abstract: Conoid surfaces can be generated by rotation of a material at different angles and under differing constraints. An axis of 45.degree. can produce hyperboloids; with perpendicular axes, concentric spheres can be produced; magnetic fields can be used to shape the lenses; and multielement lenses can be produced with special chambers.

Abstract: The diameters of glass beads formed by jetting molten glass through an orifice are changed without a shut-down by employing an orifice nozzle having a tapered tip. With such a nozzle, the bead diameter is changed by changing the velocity with which the glass is forced through the nozzle. This may be accomplished by changing either the pressure or the viscosity. Alternatively, the bead diameter can be changed by using interchangeable nozzles having different lengths.

Abstract: Glass beads are formed with a high rate of production by jetting an array of molten glass streams arranged around a central zone. The beads which are formed are caught in a quench bath, where they are immediately dispersed by a high-velocity radial stream of fluid from a nozzle located within the central zone. A secondary, low-velocity fluid stream is provided in the quenching bath to prevent localized over-heating.