Abstract: Using the methods of the invention, an elastomeric polymer is dissolved in a suitable solvent, cast in one of the membrane casting techniques using a phase inversion technique, and immersed in a coagulation bath comprised of suitable solvent/non-solvent pairs (e.g., THF/water and ethanol). Asymmetric membranes having a dense discriminating layer and a thicker porous support layer suitable for application in pervaporation processes were obtained in a single step. An increase of the polymer concentration in the casting solution gives a more dense layer. When cast as formed using the methods of the invention, the membrane obtained is an integrally skinned membrane comprising a thin, dense separation layer over a porous support layer (asymmetric membrane) formed in a single casting operation. The resulting membrane is homogenous with respect to chemical composition.

Abstract: For analysis of small quatities of target analytes in an environment, the gas flow can be delivered to a suitably fast analyzer and their concentration determined in a time period whose duration is dependent on the analyte, its concentration and the phase separation properties. A device having a sorbent bed that is essentially concentric with a passage way containing thermal fluid is used to concentrate the target analyte.

Abstract: A plurality of samples can be analyzed sequentially in any desired order by intruding the samples into an automatic sampler, the automatic sampler including a plurality of sample ports connected to a holder, a connector, a valve, and a seal. The connector if each sample holder is attached to the valve by a transfer line, and each sample port is connected to a common manifold. A vacuum pump is activated to volatilize the samples sequentially through the common manifold to a vacuum distiller. The order of the samples volatilized is controlled by a microprocessor. Once the sample has been volatilized, the vapors are condensed and sent to an analytical device.

Abstract: The method of treating a fuel lean exhaust containing NOX and SO2 includes splitting the exhaust into major and minor portions for flow through multiple flow paths each of which contains a particulate trap and an absorber containing a NOX oxidation catalyst and a nitrate absorbent. The major portion is passed through a flow path in the lean state at a first temperature to convert the NOX to nitrate and the SO2 to sulfate. After the first period of operation flows are switched so that one flow path receives a minor exhaust portion for a second period of time during which fuel is injected into that flow path along with diversion of a portion of exhaust from another flow path through a bypass.

Abstract: Organic molecules are partially oxidized in that the gas phase on supported and immobilized photocatalysts deposited having a nanostructure. the photocatalysts are semiconductors such as titanium dioxide and are preferentially coated onto a substrate by flame aerosol coating.

Abstract: A process for treating liquids containing organic compounds and water. The process includes a pervaporation step in conjunction with a dephlegmation step to treat at least a portion of the permeate vapor from the pervaporation step. The process yields a membrane residue stream, a stream enriched in the more volatile component (usually the organic) as the overhead stream from the dephlegmator and a condensate stream enriched in the less volatile component (usually the water) as a bottoms stream from the dephlegmator. Any of these may be the principal product of the process. The membrane separation step may also be performed in the vapor phase, or by membrane distillation.

Abstract: An air bottoming powertrain, suitable for use in automobiles includes an internal combustion engine, a compressor which receives gaseous working fluid and compresses it to an elevated pressure, a cooler for operating the compressor isothermally, an expander for deriving work from the compressed gas and a heat exchanger located in the compressed gas line for indirect heat exchange between the compressed working fluid and exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The expander may have a cylindrical barrel with a plurality of cylinders arranged in the circle and open at one end face of the cylinder barrel, which end face is sealed closed by a valve plate. The cylinder barrel and valve plate allow relative rotation therebetween to drive an output shaft, driven by compressed gas from the compressor. An alternative expander is a Scotch Yoke piston motor which includes plural paired and axially aligned cylinders on opposing sides of an output shaft.

Abstract: A method for altering or affecting ionic interactions in systems containing an unhydrated ion in a chemical or biological system comprising controlling the orientation and varying the intensity and fluctuation frequency of perpendicular or perpendicular and parallel paired static and sinusoidally varying magnetic fields so as to create magnetic interactions between ions and the molecules with which the ions are associated. Using the ion parametric resonance (IPR) model of the present invention, the magnetic fields can be adjusted to control precisely the desired orientation, intensity and fluctuation frequency of the magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method and composition for the remediation of environmental contaminants in soil, sediment, aquifer material, water, or containers in which contaminants were contained, wherein contaminants are reacted with a remediating composition comprising a metal and a sulfur-containing compound to produce environmentally-acceptable, chemically reduced products. The method is useful for treating contaminants such as halogenated hydrocarbons, pesticides, chemical warfare agents and dyes. The remediating composition preferably contains comminuted, commercial grade iron and iron sulfide. The addition of an alcohol to the reactants enhances the rate of the remediation reaction, particularly for contaminants of soils and sediments.

Abstract: A method and composition for the remediation of environmental contaminants in soil, sediment, aquifer material or water wherein contaminants are first reduced with a reducing agent found in sediment and are then oxidized to environmentally safe products. The composition includes a reducing agent, solubilized from sediment by a solvent, for reduction of environmental contaminants such as nitroorganics, halogenated hydrocarbons, cyano compounds, anisoles and metals.

Abstract: Formation of hexavalent chromium is reduced during incineration/combustion of materials containing hexavalent chromium by adding to the waste prior to or during combustion a small amount of sulfur. The sulfur can be added as elemental sulfur, as sulfur dioxide, or as high sulfur fuels or high sulfur waste.

Abstract: A method is presented for altering or affecting ionic interactions in systems containing an unhydrated ion, including cells and organisms, using magnetic fields. The method involves controlling the orientation and varying the intensity and fluctuation frequency of paired static and sinusoidally varying magnetic fields in such a way as to create certain magnetic interactions between ions and the molecules with which they are associated. Using the ion parametric resonance (IPR) model developed in the present invention, the magnetic fields can be adjusted to control precisely the desired orientation, intensity and fluctuation frequency of the magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method and composition for the remediation of environmental contaminants in soil, sediment, aquifer material or water wherein contaminants are first reduced with a reducing agent found in sediment and are then oxidized to environmentally safe products. The composition includes a reducing agent, solubilized from sediment by a solvent, for reduction of environmental contaminants such as nitroorganics, halogenated hydrocarbons, cyano compounds, anisoles and metals.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing particulate calcium hydroxide/calcium lignosulfonate sorbent by contacting calcium oxide with water.

Abstract: A method of diminishing the amount of chlorinated organics released to the atmosphere in the incineration of wastes which includes injecting calcium-based sorbents into the flue gas at around 700.degree. C. to react with HCl to remove it from the flue gas to prevent it from forming the chlorinated organics.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator for the removal of dust having a resistivity of from 10.sup.9 to 5.times.10.sup.12 ohm cm from a gas wherein negatively biased discharge rods are arranged in a plane between grounded plates, and wherein the rods are of a diameter of approximately 3/8" (approximately 0.375 inch) enabling increased level of electrical field to be employed without the problem of back corona discharge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing pollutant emissions, and in particular, for reducing NO.sub.x and particulate emissions, from a spreader-stoker-fired furnace and from a fluidized bed combustor. A combustible material of various sized particles is obtained and those smaller particles which would normally combust during the suspension phase of the spreader-stoker-fired furnace or fluidized bed combustor are separated from the larger particles. The larger particles of combustible material are then introduced into the spreader-stoker-fired furnace or fluidized bed combustor and combusted to produce heat.

Abstract: A particle collector and fractionator having a 360.degree. omnidirectional gas inlet slit is disclosed herein. The collector and fractionator generally comprises a top and bottom fractionating member, each of which has a set of concentric, annular ring projections which are complementary to the other set. The ring projections form channels in the top and bottom members. The collector has at least one standoff for fastening together and spacing the top and bottom fractionating members. The concentric, annular ring projections form rectangular-shaped slits, when viewed in a cross-section. The slits, formed as they are by the ring-like projections, define a gas flow path from the omnidirectional gas inlet slit to a centrally disposed gas outlet port. Particles are collected and fractionated in the channel portions of the concentric, annular ring-like projections whenever particle laden gas flows into the gas flow path and out through the centrally disposed gas port.