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Plutonium recovery from spent reactor fuel by uranium displacement (open access)

Plutonium recovery from spent reactor fuel by uranium displacement

This report discusses a process for separating uranium values and transuranic values from fission products containing rare earth values when the values which are contained together in a molten chloride salt electrolyte. A molten chloride salt electrolyte with a first ratio of plutonium chloride to uranium chloride is contacted with both a solid cathode and an anode having values of uranium and fission products including plutonium. A voltage is applied across the anode and cathode electrolytically to transfer uranium and plutonium from the anode to the electrolyte while uranium values in the electrolyte electrolytically deposit as uranium metal on the solid cathode in an amount equal to the uranium and plutonium transferred from the anode causing the electrolyte to have a second ratio of plutonium chloride to uranium chloride. Then the solid cathode with the uranium metal deposited thereon is removed and molten cadmium having uranium dissolved therein is brought into contact with the electrolyte resulting in chemical transfer of plutonium values from the electrolyte to the molten cadmium and transfer of uranium values from the molten cadmium to the electrolyte until the first ratio of plutonium chloride to uranium chloride is re-established.
Date: December 31, 1991
Creator: Ackerman, J. P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Magnesium transport extraction of transuranium elements from LWR fuel (open access)

Magnesium transport extraction of transuranium elements from LWR fuel

This report discusses a process of separating transuranium actinide values from uranium values present in spent nuclear oxide fuels which contain rare earth and noble metal fission products. The oxide fuel is reduced with Ca metal in the presence of CaCl{sub 2} and a U-Fe alloy containing not less than about 84% by weight uranium at a temperature in the range of from about 800{degrees}C to about 850{degrees}C to produce additional uranium metal which dissolves in the U-Fe alloy raising the uranium concentration and having transuranium actinide metals and rare earth fission product metals and the noble metal fission products dissolved therein. The CaCl{sub 2} having CaO and fission products of alkali metals and the alkali earth metals and iodine dissolved therein is separated and electrolytically treated with a carbon electrode to reduce the CaO to Ca metal while converting the carbon electrode to CO and CO{sub 2}. The Ca metal and CaCl{sub 2} is recycled to reduce additional oxide fuel. The U-Fe alloy having transuranium actinide metals and rare earth fission product metals and the noble metal fission products dissolved therein is contacted with Mg metal which takes up the actinide and rare earth fission product metals. The U-Fe …
Date: December 31, 1991
Creator: Ackerman, J. P.; Battles, J. E.; Johnson, T. R.; Miller, W. E. & Pierce, R. D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
High energy bursts from a solid state laser operated in the heat capacity limited regime (open access)

High energy bursts from a solid state laser operated in the heat capacity limited regime

Solid state laser technology is a very well developed field and numerous embodiments and modes of operation have been demonstrated. A more recent development has been the pumping of a solid state laser active medium with an array of diode lasers (diode pumping, for short). These diode pump packages have previously been developed to pump solid state lasers with good efficiency, but low average power. This invention is a method and the resulting apparatus for operating a solid state laser in the heat capacity mode. Instead of cooling the laser, the active medium will heat up until it reaches some maximum acceptable temperature. The waste heat is stored in the active medium itself.
Date: December 31, 1994
Creator: Albrecht, G.; George, E.V. & Krupke, W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A flow injection trace gas analyzer for on-site determination of organoarsenicals (open access)

A flow injection trace gas analyzer for on-site determination of organoarsenicals

Lewisite was developed during World War I as a chemical warfare agent. Several countries produced large quantities of the agent before, during and after World War II. The Chemical Weapons Convention treaty, recently signed, requires the destruction of Lewisite. In implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty, it will be necessary to monitor the facilities at which various chemical agents including Lewisite may be stored for compliance with the agreement. The inspection procedures must meet stringent standards for safety, quality assurance and accountability. In preparing for these inspections a technology gap has been identified in the ability to detect and monitor for the presence of Lewisite in ambient air, particularly in the facilities where chemical warfare agents are stored. A method and an apparatus for determining the concentration of Lewisite in the ambient atmosphere are described. The apparatus includes a mechanism for separating and collecting a Lewisite sample from the atmosphere, a mechanism for converting the collected Lewisite to an arsenite ion solution sample, and a mechanism for electrochemically detecting the converted arsenite ions in the sample, whereby the amount of arsenite ions detected is proportional to the concentration of Lewisite in the atmosphere.
Date: December 31, 1995
Creator: Aldstadt, J.H. III
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method for separating constituents from solution employing a recyclable Lewis acid metal-hydroxy gel (open access)

Method for separating constituents from solution employing a recyclable Lewis acid metal-hydroxy gel

This invention permits radionuclides, heavy metals, and organics to be extracted from solution by scavenging them with an amorphous gel. In the preferred embodiment, a contaminated solution (e.g. from soil washing, decontamination, or groundwater pumping) is transferred to a reaction vessel. The contaminated solution is contacted by the sequestering reagent which might contain for example, aluminate and EDTA anions in a 2.5 M NaOH solution. The pH of the reagent bearing solution is lowered on contact with the contaminated solution, or for example by bubbling carbon dioxide through it, causing an aluminum hydroxide gel to precipitate as the solution drops below the range of 1.8 to 2.5 molar NaOH (less than pH 14). This precipitating gel scavenges waste contaminants as it settles through solution leaving a clean supernatant which is then separated from the gel residue by physical means such as centrifugation, or simple settling. The gel residue containing concentrated contaminants is then redissolved releasing contaminants for separations and processing. This is a critical point: the stabilized gel used in this invention is readily re-dissolved by merely increasing the pH above the gels phase transition to aqueous anions. Thus, concentrated contaminants trapped in the gel can be released for convenient …
Date: December 31, 1995
Creator: Alexander, D. H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Closet Seat Catch (open access)

Closet Seat Catch

Patent for a closet seat catch.
Date: March 31, 1903
Creator: Alexander, Francis Marion
System: The Portal to Texas History
Automobile Driving Mechanism. (open access)

Automobile Driving Mechanism.

Patent for a driving mechanism for an automobile to dispense with the usual form of transmission gearing and differential, to substitute mechanisms power devices through the medium of a suitable liquid [preferably oil], maintained at a predetermined volume, and to provide a noiseless operating mechanism.
Date: October 31, 1916
Creator: Allan, William N.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Vehicle Wheel (open access)

Vehicle Wheel

Patent for improved wheel that utilizes spring components in order to disperse the weight of the vehicle evenly.
Date: October 31, 1916
Creator: Allan, William N.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Phosphazene polymer containing composites and method for making phosphazene polymer containing composites (open access)

Phosphazene polymer containing composites and method for making phosphazene polymer containing composites

The object of the invention is to provide a composite material comprised of phosphazene polymer. A feature of phosphazene-containing composites is their superior stiffness, thermal stability, and hardness which is lacking in more typical composite constituents. An advantage of using phosphazene composites is a wider range of applications, including uses in harsh environments. Another object of the present invention provides a method for producing phosphazene-containing composite materials through a pultrusion process. In brief, these and other objects are achieved by a composite produced by first coating a reinforcing material with an inorganic phosphazene compound and then polymerizing the phosphazene compound so as to confer superior thermal, physical and chemical resistance qualities to the composite. 2 figs., 6 tabs.
Date: December 31, 1990
Creator: Allen, C. A.; Grey, A. E.; McCaffrey, R. R.; Simpson, B. M. & Stone, M. L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Can-Opener. (open access)

Can-Opener.

Patent for a can opener, which has a movable blade to allow for easy cleaning.
Date: May 31, 1910
Creator: Allen, Jasper McDonnel
System: The Portal to Texas History
Separation of metal ions from aqueous solutions (open access)

Separation of metal ions from aqueous solutions

This invention is comprised of a process and apparatus for quantitatively and selectively separating metal ions from mixtures thereof in aqueous solution. The apparatus includes, in combination, a horizontal electrochemical flowing cell containing flowing bulk electrolyte solution and an aqueous, metal ion-containing solution, the cell containing a metal mesh working electrode, a counter electrode positioned downstream from the working electrode, an independent variable power supply/potentiostat positioned outside of the flowing cell and connected to the electrodes, and optionally a detector such as a chromatographic detector, positioned outside the flowing cell. This apparatus and its operation has significant application where trace amounts of metal ions are to be separated.
Date: December 31, 1991
Creator: Almon, A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method and device for disinfecting a toilet bowl (open access)

Method and device for disinfecting a toilet bowl

This invention is comprised of a method and device for disinfecting a flush toilet. The device is an electrocell mounted in the tank of the toilet, with two wire mesh electrodes immersed in the water in the tank and a battery applying approximately one to two volts of electric potential to the electrodes so that they chemically reduce a portion of the water in the tank to hydrogen peroxide. Then, when the tank is flushed, the peroxide is carried into the bowl where it can kill bacteria.
Date: December 31, 1992
Creator: Almon, A. C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oil/gas separator for installation at burning wells (open access)

Oil/gas separator for installation at burning wells

An oil/gas separator is disclosed that can be utilized to return the burning wells in Kuwait to production. Advantageously, a crane is used to install the separator at a safe distance from the well. The gas from the well is burned off at the site, and the oil is immediately pumped into Kuwait`s oil gathering system. Diverters inside the separator prevent the oil jet coming out of the well from reaching the top vents where the gas is burned. The oil falls back down, and is pumped from an annular oil catcher at the bottom of the separator, or from the concrete cellar surrounding the well.
Date: December 31, 1991
Creator: Alonso, C. T.; Bender, D. A. & Bowman, B. R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Tire-Tightener. (open access)

Tire-Tightener.

Patent for a Tire Tightener that tightens the tire by expanding the felly of the wheel.
Date: October 31, 1905
Creator: Alten, George P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
File Case. (open access)

File Case.

Patent for a new and improved file case. This design "[t]he combination, with a case, of the pockets constructed in a series of a single piece of material having partitions formed by long folds connected at the bottom by short folds . . . [and t]he combination, with the folded pockets, of the file case having its sides constructed to overlap a part of the ends of the pockets, and an elastic follower with thumb-pieces arranged to bind with the sides of the case by straightening" (lines 9-24).
Date: July 31, 1888
Creator: Altfather, William F.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Tire-Casing. (open access)

Tire-Casing.

Patent for a new type of puncture-proof tire casing.
Date: August 31, 1920
Creator: Anderson, Arthur V. & Morgan, Alfred M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Electrolytic Cell (open access)

Electrolytic Cell

Patent for an electrolytic cell. "This invention relates to electrolytic cells especially adapted and intended for the electrolyzing of the sulfates of the alkalies to obtain sulfuric acid and alkaline hydrates" (lines 10-13). Illustration included.
Date: October 31, 1905
Creator: Anderson, Henry S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Nut Lock. (open access)

Nut Lock.

Patent for a new and improved nut lock. This design has, "[i]n combination with a bolt having a cylindrical stem and a head beveled on its inner face, a nut tapped to receive the threaded end of the bolt and prevented from turning" (lines 73-77).
Date: January 31, 1888
Creator: Anderson, Lee
System: The Portal to Texas History
Micromachined Silicon Electrostatic Chuck (open access)

Micromachined Silicon Electrostatic Chuck

In the field of microelectronics, and in particular the fabrication of microelectronics during plasma etching processes, electrostatic chucks have been used to hold silicon wafers during the plasma etching process. Current electrostatic chucks that operate by the {open_quotes}Johnson-Rahbek Effect{close_quotes} consist of a metallic base plate that is typically coated with a thick layer of slightly conductive dielectric material. A silicon wafer of approximately the same size as the chuck is placed on top of the chuck and a potential difference of several hundred volts is applied between the silicon and the base plate of the electrostatic chuck. This causes an electrostatic attraction proportional to the square of the electric field in the gap between the silicon wafer and the chuck face. When the chuck is used in a plasma filled chamber the electric potential of the wafer tends to be fixed by the effective potential of the plasma. The purpose of the dielectric layer on the chuck is to prevent the silicon wafer from coming into direct electrical contact with the metallic part of the chuck and shorting out the potential difference. On the other hand, a small amount of conductivity appears to be desirable in the dielectric coating so …
Date: December 31, 1994
Creator: Anderson, R. A. & Seager, C. H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Portable gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (open access)

Portable gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer

A gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) for use as a field portable organic chemical analysis instrument. The GC-MS is designed to be contained in a standard size suitcase, weighs less than 70 pounds, and requires less than 600 watts of electrical power at peak power (all systems on). The GC-MS includes: a conduction heated, forced air cooled small bore capillary gas chromatograph, a small injector assembly, a self-contained ion/sorption pump vacuum system, a hydrogen supply, a dual computer system used to control the hardware and acquire spectrum data, and operational software used to control the pumping system and the gas chromatograph. This instrument incorporates a modified commercial quadrupole mass spectrometer to achieve the instrument sensitivity and mass resolution characteristic of laboratory bench top units.
Date: December 31, 1994
Creator: Andresen, Brian D.; Eckels, Joel D.; Kimmons, James F. & Myers, David W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Wick Trimmer. (open access)

Wick Trimmer.

Patent for a new and improved wick trimmer. This design "is to provide a lamp-wick trimmer with adjustable guides that will afford means to retain the implement in correct position for use on lamp-wick tubes of different sizes, and furthermore to furnish the wick-trimmer with blades that will shear the wick from each side edge toward the center simultaneously" (lines 7-14).
Date: May 31, 1892
Creator: Andrews, Daniel L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Amusement Apparatus (open access)

Amusement Apparatus

Patent for an amusement apparatus of the character set forth with and inclined place made of a number of pivoted sections which may be simultaneously moved into horizontal position to form steps or seats and be held in such position by trip device provided with a target which latter upon being hit by a thrown ball will release the several sections of the inclined plane of steps and permit them through the weight of one or more persons thereon to aline one with the other and form a continuous inclined plane or sliding board down which the persons who were seated or standing upon the steps will be caused to slide and be thrown into a body of water over which the apparatus is erected.
Date: July 31, 1917
Creator: Andrews, J.W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Crystalline titanate catalyst supports (open access)

Crystalline titanate catalyst supports

A series of new crystalline titanates (CT) are shown to have considerable potential as catalyst supports. For Pd supported catalyst, the catalytic activity for pyrene hydrogenation was substantially different depending on the type of CT, and one was substantially more active than Pd on hydrous titanium oxide (HTO). For 1-hexene hydrogenation the activities of the new CTs were approximately the same as for the hydrous metal oxide supports.
Date: December 31, 1991
Creator: Anthony, Rayford G. & Dosch, Robert G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Clay enhancement of methane, low molecular weight hydrocarbon and halocarbon conversion by methanotrophic bacteria (open access)

Clay enhancement of methane, low molecular weight hydrocarbon and halocarbon conversion by methanotrophic bacteria

The invention described in this report relates to a combined system of an apparatus and a method of increasing the rates of oxidation of gases and hazardous vapors by methanotrophic and other bacteria. The gases of interest are methane and trichlorethylene and other hazardous vapors. In a preferred embodiment, the oxidation rate of methane is improved by the addition of clays, e.g., kaolin, sometimes called ``China clay.``
Date: December 31, 1991
Creator: Apel, W. A. & Dugan, P. R.
System: The UNT Digital Library