Abstract: Disclosed is a ceramic honeycomb structure comprising a honeycomb body and a multilayered outer layer formed of a thick core layer applied and rapidly dried and a thin clad layer dried more gently to form a crack free dual skin layer. The core layer may have properties that are closer to those of the ceramic honeycomb body in service than the clad layer that may provide a tough outer shell to withstand handling and assembly.

Abstract: Cyclonic separation devices and fluid stream separating apparatuses incorporating cyclonic separation devices are described. A cyclonic separation device may include an exterior housing having an exterior cylindrical portion and an exterior conical portion extending from the exterior cylindrical portion and an interior housing having an interior cylindrical portion and an interior conical portion extending from the interior cylindrical portion. The interior housing is positioned relative to the exterior housing to form a circulating chamber. The cyclonic separation device also includes a fluid inlet coupled to the exterior housing, where the fluid inlet positioned to inject a fluid stream into the circulating chamber at an orientation generally tangential to the cylindrical portions of the exterior housing and the interior housing. The cyclonic separation device further includes a low-density outlet coupled to at least one of the exterior conical portion or the interior conical portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient microwave drying of extruded honeycomb structures are disclosed. The methods include conveying first and second sets of honeycomb structures in opposite directions through multiple applicator cavities. Each honeycomb structure has a moisture content MC, and the honeycomb structures within each cavity define an average moisture content MCA between 40% and 60% therein. The methods include irradiating the first and second sets of honeycomb structures within the cavities with microwave radiation having an amount of input microwave power PI that results in an amount of reflected microwave power PR from the honeycomb structures, where PR<(0.2)PI. This allows for a relatively high microwave power to be maintained in each cavity. Batch microwave drying methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reactor for adsorbing CO2 from a fluid stream includes a reactor housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The reactor also includes an inlet ceramic honeycomb structure and an outlet ceramic honeycomb structure positioned inside the reactor housing. The inlet and outlet ceramic honeycomb structures have a plurality of partition walls extending in an axial direction thereby forming a plurality of flow channels and comprises a material that forms bonds with CO2 to adsorb the CO2. The inlet ceramic honeycomb structure is capable of adsorbing an inlet quantity of CO2 and the outlet ceramic honeycomb structure is capable of adsorbing an outlet quantity of CO2. The inlet quantity of CO2 is greater than the outlet quantity of CO2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ceramic honeycomb structure comprising a honeycomb body and a multilayered outer layer formed of a thick core layer applied and rapidly dried and a thin clad layer dried more gently to form a crack free dual skin layer. The core layer may have properties that are closer to those of the ceramic honeycomb body in service than the clad layer that may provide a tough outer shell to withstand handling and assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient microwave drying of extruded honeycomb structures are disclosed. The methods include conveying first and second sets of honeycomb structures in opposite directions through multiple applicator cavities. Each honeycomb structure has a moisture content MC, and the honeycomb structures within each cavity define an average moisture content MCA between 40% and 60% therein. The methods include irradiating the first and second sets of honeycomb structures within the cavities with microwave radiation having an amount of input microwave power PI that results in an amount of reflected microwave power PR from the honeycomb structures, where PR<(0.2)PI. This allows for a relatively high microwave power to be maintained in each cavity. Batch microwave drying methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article comprising a plurality of intersecting walls having outer surfaces that define a plurality of cells extending from one end to a second end, wherein the walls forming each cell in a first subset of cells are covered by a barrier layer to form a plurality of heat exchange flow channels, and wherein the walls forming each cell in a second subset of cells different from the first subset of cells, comprise a CO2 sorbent and form reaction flow channels. Heat exchange flow channels allow quick and uniform heating and cooling of the sorbent body. The article may be useful, for example, for removing CO2 from a gas stream.

Abstract: A method of determining an optimal geometry for monoliths useful for capturing CO2 is described. Monoliths having the determined desired geometry are also described.

Abstract: High volumetric-efficiency thermally integrated systems for capturing a target gas from a process gas stream include a monolithic body and a distribution system. The monolithic body includes a first plurality of channels and a second plurality of channels each having sorbent surfaces that reversibly adsorb the target gas. The channels are in thermal communication such that heat from an exothermic adsorption of target gas in one plurality of channels is used by an endothermic desorption of target gas from the other plurality of channels. Methods for separating a target gas from a process gas stream include switching the high volumetric-efficiency thermally integrated systems between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first plurality of channels undergoes desorption while the second undergoes adsorption. In the second state, the second plurality of channels undergoes desorption while the first plurality undergoes adsorption.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rapid drying of ceramic greenwares having a high graphite content are disclosed. The methods include employing microwave drying to bring the dryness of the ceramic greenware to a first select dryness and then employing close-coupled hot-air drying to bring the dryness to the final target dryness. The judicious use of close-coupled hot-air drying reduces end defects due to unevenness in the microwave drying process while also substantially speeding up the drying process. Various configurations for and combinations of microwave drying and close-coupled hot-air drying are disclosed.

Abstract: High volumetric-efficiency thermally integrated systems for capturing a target gas from a process gas stream include a monolithic body and a distribution system. The monolithic body includes a first plurality of channels and a second plurality of channels each having sorbent surfaces that reversibly adsorb the target gas. The channels are in thermal communication such that heat from an exothermic adsorption of target gas in one plurality of channels is used by an endothermic desorption of target gas from the other plurality of channels. Methods for separating a target gas from a process gas stream include switching the high volumetric-efficiency thermally integrated systems between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first plurality of channels undergoes desorption while the second undergoes adsorption. In the second state, the second plurality of channels undergoes desorption while the first plurality undergoes adsorption.

Abstract: A method of making a honeycomb structure comprises the step of providing a honeycomb body including a first end face and a second end face, wherein the honeycomb body includes a ceramic and/or a ceramic-forming material. The method further includes the step of providing a first non-metallic extension and a second non-metallic extension along a longitudinal axis of the honeycomb body. The first non-metallic extension is positioned with respect to the first end face and the second non-metallic extension is positioned with respect to the second end face. The method further includes the step of exposing the honeycomb body and the non-metallic extensions to microwaves to dry the honeycomb body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ceramic honeycomb structure comprising a honeycomb body and a multilayered outer layer formed of a thick core layer applied and rapidly dried and a thin clad layer dried more gently to form a crack free dual skin layer. The core layer may have properties that are closer to those of the ceramic honeycomb body in service than the clad layer that may provide a tough outer shell to withstand handling and assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a honeycomb structure comprises the step of providing a honeycomb body including a first end face and a second end face, wherein the honeycomb body includes a ceramic and/or a ceramic-forming material. The method further includes the step of providing a first non-metallic extension and a second non-metallic extension along a longitudinal axis of the honeycomb body. The first non-metallic extension is positioned with respect to the first end face and the second non-metallic extension is positioned with respect to the second end face. The method further includes the step of exposing the honeycomb body and the non-metallic extensions to microwaves to dry the honeycomb body.

Abstract: A reactor for adsorbing CO2 from a fluid stream includes a reactor housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The reactor also includes an inlet ceramic honeycomb structure and an outlet ceramic honeycomb structure positioned inside the reactor housing. The inlet and outlet ceramic honeycomb structures have a plurality of partition walls extending in an axial direction thereby forming a plurality of flow channels and comprises a material that forms bonds with CO2 to adsorb the CO2. The inlet ceramic honeycomb structure is capable of adsorbing an inlet quantity of CO2 and the outlet ceramic honeycomb structure is capable of adsorbing an outlet quantity of CO2. The inlet quantity of CO2 is greater than the outlet quantity of CO2.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for determining mixedness of batch material for making ceramic ware, and methods for obtaining substantially consistent mixedness of batch material for making ceramic ware.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient microwave drying of extruded honeycomb structures are disclosed. The methods include conveying first and second sets of honeycomb structures in opposite directions through multiple applicator cavities. Each honeycomb structure has a moisture content MC, and the honeycomb structures within each cavity define an average moisture content MCA between 40% and 60% therein. The methods include irradiating the first and second sets of honeycomb structures within the cavities with microwave radiation having an amount of input microwave power PI that results in an amount of reflected microwave power PR from the honeycomb structures, where PR<(0.2)PI. This allows for a relatively high microwave power to be maintained in each cavity. Batch microwave drying methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: High volumetric-efficiency thermally integrated systems for capturing a target gas from a process gas stream include a monolithic body and a distribution system. The monolithic body includes a first plurality of channels and a second plurality of channels each having sorbent surfaces that reversibly adsorb the target gas. The channels are in thermal communication such that heat from an exothermic adsorption of target gas in one plurality of channels is used by an endothermic desorption of target gas from the other plurality of channels. Methods for separating a target gas from a process gas stream include switching the high volumetric-efficiency thermally integrated systems between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first plurality of channels undergoes desorption while the second undergoes adsorption. In the second state, the second plurality of channels undergoes desorption while the first plurality undergoes adsorption.

Abstract: An article comprising a plurality of intersecting walls having outer surfaces that define a plurality of cells extending from one end to a second end, wherein the walls forming each cell in a first subset of cells are covered by a barrier layer to form a plurality of heat exchange flow channels, and wherein the walls forming each cell in a second subset of cells different from the first subset of cells, comprise a CO2 sorbent and form reaction flow channels. Heat exchange flow channels allow quick and uniform heating and cooling of the sorbent body. The article may be useful, for example, for removing CO2 from a gas stream.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for determining mixedness of batch material for making ceramic ware, and methods for obtaining substantially consistent mixedness of batch material for making ceramic ware.