Abstract: The subject matter described herein generally relates to a sensor and method for monitoring gas quality of a fuel reformer in a fuel cell system or a power generation system.

Abstract: A directional integrated optical power monitor is disclosed. The power monitor includes an unbroken portion of a conventional optical fiber through which optical energy can propagate. The portion of optical fiber included in the power monitor has material removed from the cladding, generally by side polishing, to expose a side surface through which at least some of the optical energy leaks or can be extracted. A bulk material, such as a polymer or glass overlay, is positioned over the polished side surface of the fiber, and the bulk material has an index of refraction higher than the effective mode index of refraction of the fiber optic. A photodetector is positioned at the place of maximum optical signal strength to capture the extracted optical energy. The directional integrated optical power monitor can also be used in an assembly to provide a device that is hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating of concrete and more specifically to methods used for in-situ thermal desorption of contaminants from concrete, such as PCBs is disclosed. The methods employed heat the concrete at reduced pressure and at a temperature sufficient to volatilize and draw off the contaminant vapors so that the concrete is decontaminated to greater depth than previously obtained, that no concrete waste is created which requires disposal, that the methods produce no secondary liquid waste, that no chemical agents are required, that the decontaminated concrete material can be reused, that the methods are safer for workers because there is no contaminated dust formed during the process and specifically that the process produce a low energy cost per unit area decontamination for the concrete.

Abstract: This invention provides a method or process for separating an organic chlorinated contaminant such as polychlorobiphenyl from an inert porous material which comprises admixing the material with an effective amount of a volatilizable organic liquid in which the contaminant is soluble, heating the admixture under vacuum to a temperature above the boiling point of the organic liquid but below the decomposition temperature of the organic liquid and the contaminant, while maintaining a flow of an inert sweep gas through the porous material, and collecting the vapors for further treatment which includes recovery of the organic liquid for reuse in the decontamination of soil and other porous materials. Recovery of the organic liquid is achieved by passing the vapors from the separation step through a bed of activated carbon at a temperature above the vaporization temperature of the organic liquid.

Abstract: A ventilated tray for holding adsorbent material during microwave desorption of the material. The tray facilitates the flow of desorption gases through a bed of adsorbent without agitation of the adsorbent. The ventilated tray includes a housing having four walls and a bottom piece and a gas-permeable adsorbent support structure disposed in the housing. The adsorbent support structure is positioned above the bottom piece so that the adsorbent support structure, the bottom piece and the four walls define a plenum. A gas passage aperture is located in one of the housing walls to providing fluid communication between the plenum and the exterior of the housing. The adsorbent support structure is a porous plate having pores which are smaller than the grain size of the adsorbent material. Alternatively, the adsorbent support structure can be a two-tiered structure which relies on the adsorbent's angle of repose to support the adsorbent.

Abstract: Microwave heating is used to desorb successive batches of contaminated adsorbent. The apparatus includes first and second stations and an adsorbent carrier tray displaceable between the two stations. Adsorbent is loaded and unloaded from the tray in the first station and heated with microwave energy in the second station. The tray is loaded by passage under a feed hopper, thereby providing an even bed of adsorbent in the tray. Unloading is performed by rotating the tray to an inverted position so that the adsorbent falls into a bin below. The second station includes an oven chamber which is swept with a purge gas to remove gaseous sorbates desorbed from the adsorbent. The tray can include a gas-permeable adsorbent support structure to facilitate passing purge gas and gasification reactants through the adsorbent bed.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminant material from a soil site in which one or more porous source electrodes and one or more porous sink electrodes are positioned within the soil site and voltage gradients are established among the electrodes. A purging liquid is supplied to the source electrodes so as to flow therefrom into the soil site, the voltage gradients causing the purging liquid to move by electroosmosis through the soil site toward the sink electrodes. The purging liquid displaces the contaminant material so as to cause the contaminant material to be moved from the soil site into the sink electrodes from which they can be removed, as by a pumping or siphoning action.