Abstract:
Spheroidal alumina particulates well adapted as catalysts or catalyst supports and having enhanced pore volumes are facilely prepared by drop coagulating an aqueous suspension or dispersion of alumina, or an aqueous solution of a basic aluminum salt, said suspension, dispersion or solution comprising an oil-in-water emulsion, and then recovering, drying and calcining the gelled particulates which result.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for making a population of dense, closely size-controlled microspheres by sol-gel procedures wherein said microspheres are characterized by a significant percentage of said population being within a predetermined, relatively narrow size range. Microsphere populations thus provided are useful in vibratory-packed processes for nuclear fuels to be irradiated in LWR- and FBR-type nuclear reactors.
Abstract:
Nuclear fuel is made by contacting an aqueous solution containing an actinide salt with an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide, ammonium oxalate, or oxalic acid in an amount that will react with a fraction of the actinide salt to form a precipitate consisting of the hydroxide or oxalate of the actinide. A slurry consisting of the precipitate and solution containing the unreacted actinide salt is formed into drops which are gelled, calcined, and pressed to form pellets.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for producing solid materials in form of microspheres or spherules for a number of applications, such as nuclear fuel, catalyst, fluid beds for fluidization and other like applications. An inert gas shield is provided to surround the droplets of liquid from which the microspheres shall be originated so as to prevent a premature reaction of such droplets with the reactive gas. Provision is made for renewing the braking foam placed over the liquid reactive bath and the reactive gas is supplied in the form of a blade-like stream so as to improve the contact time and intensity between the droplets and the reactive gas.
Abstract:
A method of making metallic oxide or carbide particles of uranium, which prises fuels or breeder materials for nuclear reactors. An aqueous solution of uranyl nitrate or chloride and, if necessary, colloidal carbon is added dropwise into an organic ketone or ketone mixture phase which is located above an aqueous ammonia solution. The thereupon formed particles are sintered.
Abstract:
Isolating thermoplastic or thermoelastic polymers in the form of a powder of limited water and precipitant content and uniform grain size from their aqueous dispersions wherein(i) a polymer dispersion and a precipitant are intensively mixed at an uptake of mechanical energy of 0.2 to 0.6 KWh per m.sup.3 of dispersion thus causing high turbulence,(ii) the polymer is precipitated while in this state of high turbulence at a temperature below the sintering temperature of the polymer,(iii) the precipitated polymer particles are agglomerated and hardened while still in contact with the aqueous liquor either in one or in several stages, and(iv) the aqueous liquor and agglomerated polymer particles are separated from one another.
Abstract:
A device for making ball-shaped metal oxide and metal carbide particles, ecially particles of fuel or breeder substances for nuclear reactors such as oxidic or carbide cores of uranium or the like. The device comprises a container for the ammonia and organic phase, and an injection tube leading into the top of the container. The injection tube is surrounded by a mantle passage of which the cross section is widened in the region of the mouth of the injection tube. The injection tube leads into the container at a distance of from 0.5 to 2 mm. ahead of the end of the mantle passage. The injection tube has an outward diameter which steadily decreases toward the mouth of the injection tube.
Abstract:
In certain gelation processes the gelling of liquid droplets to produce gel spheres is achieved by allowing the droplets to fall into a liquid reagent which acts to gel the droplets. According to the present invention a foam layer is provided above the surface of the liquid reagent so as to inhibit the droplets from contacting the surface of the liquid reagent at a velocity sufficient to disrupt or substantially distort the droplets. Gelation apparatus for conducting the process is also disclosed, said apparatus having a column vertically divided by a baffle into a turbulent bubble region, and a substantially quiescent region through which the droplets fall after the partially gelled droplets have previously passed through the foam layer.
Abstract:
A process is provided for preparing gelled vinyl alcohol polymers comprising freezing an aqueous solution of a vinyl alcohol polymer below about -5*C., and thereafter melting the frozen solution. Articles such as artificial bait prepared from said gelled vinyl alcohol polymers are also provided.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed of preparing spherical particles of metal oxide hydrate and metal oxide hydrate with carbon, which particles can be converted into spherical oxide, and if carbon has been incorporated, into carbide particles. Spherical oxides and carbides of actinide metals are used as fissile material in nuclear technics. An aqueous solution of a metal salt is mixed at a low temperature with one or more ammonia liberating agents and subsequently solidified by dispersion in a phase of high temperature non-miscible with water, after which the solid substance obtained is separated, washed and subjected to thermal treatment.