This invention relates to nuclear power engineering and may be used in power plants with liquid metal lead containing coolants, particularly in fast neutron reactors.

The invention helps improve the safety of nuclear power plants. For this purpose, a nuclear power plant is proposed comprising: a reactor vessel with central and peripheral sections; a reactor cavity with a core located in the central part of the vessel; liquid metal coolant, at least one circulation pump for circulating the liquid metal coolant and at least one steam generator, located in the peripheral section of the vessel; a cavity with shielding gas located above the coolant; at least one shielding gas dispenser located in the peripheral section of the vessel, above the top cut of the steam generator in the suction area of the circulating pump comprising an intake and working sections, with the intake section located in the shielding gas cavity and having openings in its upper part, and the working section located under the free level of the liquid metal coolant.

A method of purifying yttrium involves purifying element yttrium by high-temperature saturated dissolution, low-temperature recrystallization, high-temperature reduction and vaporization-based removal of impurities, in a simple manner, and at a low cost, such that yttrium element is unlikely to be contaminated by any raw material used in a manufacturing process.

Methods for degassing and for removing impurities from molten metals are disclosed. These methods can include operating an ultrasonic device in a molten metal bath, and adding a purging gas into the molten metal bath in close proximity to the ultrasonic device.

Methods for degassing and for removing impurities from molten metals are disclosed. These methods can include operating an ultrasonic device in a molten metal bath, and adding a purging gas into the molten metal bath in close proximity to the ultrasonic device.

A production method of a maraging steel includes: the step of producing, by vacuum melting, a remelt electrode which comprises from 0.2 to 3.0% by mass of Ti and from 0.0025 to 0.0050% by mass of N; and the step of remelting the remelt electrode to produce a steel ingot having an average diameter of 650 mm or more; wherein the resulting maraging steel includes from 0.2 to 3.0% by mass of Ti.

Ultrasonic probes containing a plurality of gas delivery channels are disclosed, as well as ultrasonic probes containing recessed areas near the tip of the probe. Ultrasonic devices containing these probes, and methods for molten metal degassing using these ultrasonic devices, also are disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for the production of molten metals direct oxidative combustion of one or more solid fuels. The systems and methods may be combined with coal gasifiers and related components for reducing overall energy requirements as well as external fuel sources, e.g., through the use of endogenously-generated hydrogen. In beneficial aspects, components of the carbonaceous exhaust produced in accordance with the disclosed systems and methods, such as carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), may be isolated using carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) for reducing associated greenhouse gas emissions.

PGM converting process and jacketed rotary converter. The process can include low- or no-flux converting; partial pre-oxidation of PGM collector alloy; using a refractory protectant in the converter; magnetic separation of slag; recycling part of the slag to the converter; smelting catalyst material in a primary furnace to produce the collector alloy; and/or smelting the converter slag in a secondary furnace with slag from the primary furnace. The converter can include an inclined converter pot mounted for rotation; a refractory lining; an opening in a top of the pot to introduce converter feed; a lance for injecting oxygen-containing gas into the alloy pool; a heat transfer jacket adjacent the refractory lining; and a coolant system to circulate a heat transfer medium through the jacket to remove heat from the alloy pool in thermal communication with the refractory lining.

PGM converting process and jacketed rotary converter. The process can include low- or no-flux converting; partial pre-oxidation of PGM collector alloy; using a refractory protectant in the converter; magnetic separation of slag; recycling part of the slag to the converter; smelting catalyst material in a primary furnace to produce the collector alloy; and/or smelting the converter slag in a secondary furnace with slag from the primary furnace. The converter can include an inclined converter pot mounted for rotation; a refractory lining; an opening in a top of the pot to introduce converter feed; a lance for injecting oxygen-containing gas into the alloy pool; a heat transfer jacket adjacent the refractory lining; and a coolant system to circulate a heat transfer medium through the jacket to remove heat from the alloy pool in thermal communication with the refractory lining.

Processing of mineral material containing precious metal with one or more sulfide minerals and non-sulfide gangue minerals including acid-consuming carbonate may include preparation of a sulfide concentrate by flotation with the flotation or conditioning prior to flotation using a gas comprising carbon dioxide. Flotation may be at an acidic pH without prior decomposition of the acid-consuming carbonate and may be without addition of acid for pH adjustment.