Abstract: A method and system for improving high excess air combustion system efficiency, including induration furnaces, using a re-routing of flue gas within the system by gas recirculation. Flue gas is drawn from hot system zones including zones near the stack, for re-introduction into the process whereby the heat recovery partially replaces fuel input. At least one pre-combustion drying zone, at least one combustion zone, and at least a first cooling zone exist in these furnaces. At least one exhaust gas outlet is provided to each pre-combustion drying and combustion zone. At least part of the gaseous flow from each system zone exhaust outlet is selectively delivered to an overall system exhaust, the remaining flow being selectively delivered via recirculation to cooling zones. Recirculation flow is adjusted to meet required system temperatures and pressures. The method and system provide efficiency improvements, reducing fuel requirements and greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator and a method of removal of particulates from gaseous flows. A plurality of screens, secured in sets within a central chamber in a housing, comprise at least one set of electrically chargeable first screens and at least one set of electrically grounded second screens. For each set of chargeable screens, all the screens of the set are provided with an identical electrical charge, either positive or negative, and the set is provided with a plurality of spikes directed at the oncoming gaseous flow. At least one screen cleaning means selectively acts on the screens of each set. The precipitator can comprise a plurality of central chambers in a single housing or separate housings, and the chambers can be selectively activated or deactivated. The precipitator provides improved particulate removal from gaseous flows, including hot flows having temperatures up to at least 1200° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of microorganisms (biocatalysts), or catalysts derived from these organisms (enzymes), to improve the quality of crude oil and bitumen as an attractive alternative to current upgrading methods. The invention identifies and characterizes the microorganism species, in particular, N. muscorum (UTEX 2209) and Kocuria rhizophilia (ATCC533), that have the capability to biochemically convert organic acids into chemical species that do not possess corrosive properties.

Abstract: A method of making a cementitious composition comprises (a) selecting at least one pozzolanic particulate material; (b) selecting and grinding at least one feldspar material to a fineness of at least 3000 Blaine; (c) mixing calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide with gypsum; (d) mixing the ground feldspar with the lime-gypsum mixture to produce an activator; (e) conditioning the pozzolanic particulate material with an aqueous solution; (f) adding the activator to the conditioned material to produce a slurry; and (g) curing the slurry in a sealed container. The pozzolanic particulate material can be slag, fly ash, or siliceous rock. A cementitious composition of the invention comprises a pozzolanic particulate material, a ground feldspar material, a lime compound and gypsum, and uses readily available materials, as an economic replacement for Portland cement, fly ash or other materials in filling, backfilling and paving, particularly for backfilling or stabilizing mine sites.

Abstract: Described herein is (E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-ol (geranyl acetol), termed here fuscumol, which has been identified as a male-produced pheromone emitted by Tetropium fuscum (F.) and Tetropium cinnamopterum. Also described are novel derivatives thereof e.g. esters, methods for the synthesis thereof and to a composition comprising fuscumol plus host volatiles e.g. a synthetic blend of monoterpenes plus ethanol, for attracting male and female T. fuscum and female T. cinnamopterum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier phase and pseudorange information. Dual-frequency carrier phase and pseudorange measurements from GPS receivers are processed by specifying separate oscillator parameters for the carrier phase and pseudorange measurements. Carrier phase estimates of errors of the oscillator are arbitrarily biased with respect to the pseudorange estimates, and ambiguity parameters are constrained to be integer-valued. Isolating the ambiguities as integer valued parameters provides extra information that can be exploited to maximize the use of GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditioning chamber device and a conditioning method for metallurgical samples which can be directly connected to an instrument having an examination chamber operable in an ultra high vacuum (UHV) condition at a selected pressure below 10?7 Torr. The conditioning chamber comprises at least one vacuum pump means to reduce the conditioning chamber to the selected UHV condition corresponding to the selected pressure of the examination chamber; sample retaining means; at least one fracturing means to prepare an analysis surface on the sample; sample drying means for slow drying the sample in the selected UHV condition; a sealable outlet constructed and arranged to be operatively connected to the inlet of the examination chamber; and transporting means to transport the sample after surface preparation through a connecting means into the examination chamber without leaving the selected ultra high vacuum condition.

Abstract: A method of non-destructive determination of a local magnetic permeability tensor of a material comprises testing by X-ray diffraction on a first surface to identify and measure any surface stress in the material; performing a calibration test using magnetostriction to identify any effect of any determined stress; subjecting the material to a magnetic field having a strength H and measuring a field of induction B on the surface at the selected location and repeating this step by using gradual increases of H until a saturated value is determined for B, to determine a distribution of magnetic domains at the selected location; repeating the determinations of saturated values for B at additional locations on each selected surface of the material; and using the saturated values and distribution of magnetic domains to derive the magnetic permeability tensor. The non-destructive method provides increased accuracy for stressed or unstressed materials of arbitrary shape.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for reactivating lime-based sorbents and increasing the carbon dioxide-capture capacity of the sorbent in the combustion of carbon-containing fuels. The method of the present invention seeks to increase the carbon dioxide capture capacity of lime-based sorbents by applying concentrated or 100% carbon dioxide directly to a lime-based sorbent. Optionally, the lime-based sorbent may be pretreated using a hydration process after each process of carbon dioxide separation. The regenerated sorbent is carbonated in a presence of concentrated carbon dioxide and elevated temperatures. The invention is useful in reducing the need to add additional sorbent to maintain the carbonation/calcination cycle. The regenerative potential of the sorbent as manifested by the present invention leads to increased carbon dioxide-capture capacity of the sorbent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for determining Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio for an electrically conductive crystalline material. In general, one or more surface acoustic waves are generated in the crystalline material and a velocity of the surface acoustic waves is recorded. One or more applied strains in the crystalline material are also recorded using X-ray diffraction. The Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio can be determined from the recorded velocity(ies) and applied strain(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier phase and pseudorange information. Dual-frequency carrier phase and pseudorange measurements from GPS receivers are processed by specifying separate oscillator parameters for the carrier phase and pseudorange measurements. Carrier phase estimates of errors of the oscillator are arbitrarily biased with respect to the pseudorange estimates, and ambiguity parameters are constrained to be integer-valued. Isolating the ambiguities as integer valued parameters provides extra information that can be exploited to maximize the use of GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems.

Abstract: A method is taught for producing diesel fuels of high cetane value from a triglyceride feedstock, comprising pretreating the triglyceride feedstock by thermal cracking to partially convert the triglycerides and produce a middle distillates stream, and catalytically hydrotreating the middle distillate fraction to produce high cetane value diesel fuels. A biomass-derived diesel fuel is also taught having sulphur content below 10 ppm, a cetane-value of at least 70, a cloud point below 0° C. and a pour point of less than ?4° C. A blended diesel fuel is also taught comprising 5 to 20 vol. % of the biomass-derived diesel fuel of the present invention and 80 to 95 vol. % of a petroleum diesel, based on total volume of the blended diesel fuel.

Abstract: A method for extracting minerals from a narrow-vein deposit by thermal fragmentation is provided. The method includes locating the vein and determining the extent thereof to form the boundaries of a stope. Access to the stope is prepared by forming a panel having an upper drift and a lower drift. Equipment for thermal fragmentation, including a burner, is installed from the upper drift. The burner moves along the panel surface in a sweeping motion, while rock chips spalled from the rock panel surface are collected. Multiple panels for processing can be realised, with lower panels being processed before upper panels, by excavating a sub-level to separate the lower and upper panels.

Abstract: Described is an anti-vibratory handle for installation on a reciprocating tool supplied with a pressurized fluid and producing vibrations in the direction of an axis of reciprocation of the tool. The anti-vibratory handle comprises a stationary portion mounted to a body of the tool, a mobile portion comprising a hand-grip member and an articulation between the stationary and mobile portions. This articulation comprises a pivot assembly interconnecting the stationary and mobile portions, the pivot assembly defines a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the tool reciprocation axis, and the hand-grip member of the mobile portion is spaced apart from both the pivot axis and the tool reciprocation axis. The articulation also comprises a resilient vibration-damping assembly interposed between the stationary and mobile portions to avoid transmission of vibrations through the articulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of converting glycerol to oxygenates (i.e. one or more oxygen-containing hydrocarbons) of lower boiling point than glycerol itself The method involves reaction of glycerol with an alcohol under reduced pressure at a reaction temperature in a range of 150 to 300° C. in the presence of an oxygenation (solid acid) catalyst. The reaction product contains volatile oxygenates that may be used as fuels or fuel additives.

Abstract: Both a process and an apparatus whereby a fuel with both a high carbon content, a relatively high sulphur content and a relatively low ash content, can be combusted without the release of potentially damaged amounts of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide are described. Further, the process and apparatus each provide an operation whereby the carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide emissions form the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel with both a high carbon content and a relatively high sulphur content can each be recovered as a useable product. Typically the fuel is petroleum coke, or certain grades of anthracite, coal and natural gas.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the fabrication of polymer-coated, coated fiber composites, hybrid composites and a method and apparatus for fabricating the same. The invention provides for the maximum spraying and coating of a roving of coated fibers with molten polymer streams without making physical contact with a solid media, thus simultaneously preventing the fiber surface from getting damaged and stripping off the coating. When metal-coated fiber is used the invention improves the electromagnetic shielding properties of any subsequent product made from the inventive composite. The method and apparatus of the present invention uses sets of nozzle-type sprayers having multiple orifices to enable the thermoplastic or thermoset polymer to penetrate more efficiently into the fiber bundle, thereby providing a more uniform coverage of all fibers. The hybrid composites can consist of two or more types of reinforcements and one or more type of matrix polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditioning chamber device for metallurgical samples, adapted to be attached to an instrument having an examination chamber operable in an ultra high vacuum condition, and to be brought to an ultra high vacuum condition while attached to the instrument; and comprises (i) at least one vacuum pump means; (ii) a sample retaining means; (iii) at least one fracturing means adapted to prepare on a sample a surface suitable for metallurgical analysis; (iv) a drying means adapted for slow drying of a sample in an ultra high vacuum condition; and (v) a transporting means to transport the sample after surface preparation through a connecting means into the examination chamber.

Abstract: A method for extracting minerals from a narrow-vein deposit by thermal fragmentation is provided. The method includes locating the vein and determining the extent thereof to form the boundaries of a stope. Access to the stope is prepared by forming a panel having an upper drift and a lower drift. Equipment for thermal fragmentation, including a burner, is installed from the upper drift. The burner moves along the panel surface in a sweeping motion, while rock chips spalled from the rock panel surface are collected. Multiple panels for processing can be realised, with lower panels being processed before upper panels, by excavating a sub-level to separate the lower and upper panels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capacitive sensor system for measuring environmental parameters by activating a capacitive array and causing fringe electric fields to intersect the surrounding environment. An oscillator is coupled to the capacitive array and the frequency of oscillation depends upon the capacitance of the array, which represents an environmental parameter. The sensor is suitable for measuring resistivity and dielectric constant parameters in geophysical, environmental, hydro-geological and related applications. The conductors of the capacitive array can be arranged around a perimeter for use, for example, in a borehole or the conductors can be arranged in the same plane for use, for example, beneath a raft in shallow water. In the situation where the boreholes are fluid-filled, there are economic and technical advantages in using the metal plugs (normally used to seal the probe housings at each end), as the capacitive array in galvanic contact with the fluid.