Abstract:
The casing metal of, for example, a munition containing organic materials is removed or at least perforated by anodic dissolution in a chamber (16) fabricated to contain the explosion should the munition detonate. The contents are then exposed to reaction with anolyte from a plant (17), the anolyte comprising nitric acid and electrochemically regenerable silver II ions.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for distressing a wooden plank give the plank an antique, aged appearance. The preferred method includes four independent steps. The plank is run through an inventive machine operative to impart a random saw blade distressing on the plank. This step is preferably carried out as a single stream in a machine having a plurality of saw arbors, each driven by its own rotating cam. To impart the most random pattern, each cam preferably has a different shape and rotates at a different speed. The plank is preferably fed into a roller having raised portions operative to produce random dents and impressions into the plank. This step is preferably carried out in multiple streams using a machine having a large roller or drum with protrusions affixed thereto. The plank is then fed into a profile sander having one or more wire wheels operative to apply a surface texture to the plank, then sanding and smoothing the plank with abrasive wheels. Finally, a surface finish is applied to the plank which simulates an antique wood floor. In the preferred embodiment, the edges and ends of the plank are beveled and stained darker than the rest of the plank. In addition, assuming the plank has areas of hard grain and areas of soft grain, the technique preferably includes the steps of darkening the soft grain while lightening the hard grain to yield an aged appearance.
Abstract:
A dual-sided circuit board module designed for an operating position that is not perpendicular to a system motherboard will be coupled to the motherboard by leads having at least two different lengths. Because leads of differing lengths have differing associated inductance, the operating characteristics of the leads and therefore the devices coupled to the leads will differ. In order to improve the operating characteristics of the module, integrated circuit packages are selected based on the inductive (and possibly other) qualities of the leads to which the respective packages are coupled. In one embodiment, leads having a larger inductance are coupled to integrated circuit (IC) packages having a smaller inductance and vice versa, which allows the inductive characteristics of the various components of the module to have more closely matching inductive characteristics than would otherwise be possible.
Abstract:
Electrochemically regenerated RuO.sub.4 (or corresponding oxides of Os, Ir, Rh) is used in the decomposition of matter, especially matter containing organic material. The method has particular advantage in dealing with compounds containing chlorine and, in a development, provides for the removal of heteroatoms N, Cl P, As, S, avoiding contamination with unoxidised organics and/or Ru (or Os, Ir, Rh as the case may be).
Abstract:
Decomposition of waste and particularly organic waste matter is carried out in an electrochemical cell (11) in which the electrolyte comprises nitric acid containing silver ions as an electrochemically regenerable primary oxidizing species. A separation plant (34) for continuously or periodically withdrawing anolyte is operated to remove or reduce contamination of the anolyte with anions of or containing phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen or halogens.