681 results about "Inert" patented technology

A set of alloy formulations is disclosed to use with thorium based nuclear fuels in a fast spectrum reactor; with thorium based nuclear fuels in existing thermal spectrum power reactors; for medical isotope production in the epithermal, the fast, the fission spectrum and the thermal spectra; and to use as fuel in test and experimental reactors that are non proliferative. The alloys form inert metal matrixes to hold fine particles of dispersed thorium containing fuel. The formulations also are useful for the production of medical and commercial isotopes in the high energy, fast and epithermal neutron spectra.

A one-part spray foam formed by Michael addition chemistry is provided. The foamable composition includes at least one electron donor, at least one electron acceptor, an encapsulated catalyst, and one or more blowing agents. The catalyst is a weak or strong base. The encapsulation of the catalyst controls the polymerization of the Michael addition compounds such that the catalyst can be added and / or activated at a desired time to begin the foaming reaction. The catalyst may be encapsulated in a high molecular weight inert polymer or wax. In some embodiments, the chemical blowing agent(s) are also encapsulated. To produce a foam according to the invention, a single stream of the foamable composition is fed into an application gun where the slurry is heated and mixed. The heat and / or mixing in the gun releases the catalyst, which initiates the reaction between the Michael donor and Michael acceptor to form the foam.

A novel filtration media employing polymeric absorbents comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent. Preferably, the filtration enabler comprises clay, ground glass, talc, mica, recycled rubber, sand, gravel, vermiculite, recycled plastic chips, an inert, non-absorbent material, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the polymeric absorbent may be further compounded to incorporate about 10 to 50% recycled or waste plastic scrap, scrap polyolefins, inorganic fillers, or other inexpensive, relatively inert solids. Other compounding materials may include clay, talc, mica, ground glass, silica, and mixtures thereof. Upon contact with a hydrocarbon containing liquid, the liquid partially dissolves the polymeric absorbent forming a partial filtration barrier prior to the filtration media substantially absorbing the hydrocarbons, and allowing hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow through the filtration media. In situations of a leak or spill wherein an excess of hydrocarbons are present, the filtration media forms a plug to seal and prevent further discharge of the hydrocarbons. The filtration media may be placed inside a portable container for insertion into an existing drain such that hydrocarbon containing liquid is filtered through the device allowing hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow from the device. The filtration media has a thickness within the container adapted to substantially filter out hydrocarbons while capable of forming a plug in an excess of hydrocarbons. The filtration media of the present invention may be employed in pits, pipes, and self-contained cartridges of various sizes to remove and contain hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon containing liquid or a hydrocarbon spill or leak, and that the absorbent will form a plug in an excess of hydrocarbons entering the pit, pipe or cartridge. Also described are methods of filtering and preventing discharge of a hydrocarbon containing liquid.

A system to continuously produce fully carbonized or graphitized carbon fibers using microwave-assisted plasma (MAP) processing comprises an elongated chamber in which a microwave plasma is excited in a selected gas atmosphere. Fiber is drawn continuously through the chamber, entering and exiting through openings designed to minimize in-leakage of air. There is a gradient of microwave power within the chamber with generally higher power near where the fiber exits and lower power near where the fiber enters. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pitch, or any other suitable organic / polymeric precursor fibers can be used as a feedstock for the inventive system. Oxidized or partially oxidized PAN or pitch or other polymeric fiber precursors are run continuously through a MAP reactor in an inert, non-oxidizing atmosphere to heat the fibers, drive off the unwanted elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, and produce carbon or graphite fibers faster than conventionally produced carbon fibers.

A method for producing an activated carbon material includes forming an aqueous mixture of a natural, non-lignocellulosic carbon precursor and an inorganic compound, heating the mixture in an inert or reducing atmosphere, cooling the heated mixture to form a first carbon material, and removing the inorganic compound to produce an activated carbon material. The activated carbon material is suitable to form improved carbon-based electrodes for use in high energy density devices.