Abstract: A system is described that includes a pyrolyzer and a primary condenser. The primary condenser is coupled to the pyrolyzer and configured to receive pyrolytic vapors from the pyrolyzer. The primary condenser is further configured to condense the pyrolytic vapors by contacting the pyrolytic vapors with a condensing liquid, to form a bio-oil component mixture having multiple separated phases. At least a portion of the condensing liquid includes a component that is extracted as a separated stable phase from a second bio-oil component mixture resulting from a prior pyrolysis cycle.

Abstract: A system is described that includes a pyrolyzer and a primary condenser. The primary condenser is coupled to the pyrolyzer and includes an input to receive pyrolytic vapors from the pyrolyzer and a solvent. The condenser is further configured to condense the pyrolytic vapors by contacting the pyrolytic vapors with the solvent to form a condensed liquid that exits the primary condenser via an output. A capture vessel receives the condensed liquid from the condenser output. A recirculator couples the capture vessel to the primary condenser input and is configured to receive the condensed liquid from the primary condenser, and to provide at least a portion of the condensed liquid as the solvent in the primary condenser. The solvent from the bio-oil component/solvent mixture is then extracted in a solvent extraction system and returned to the quenching system.

Abstract: A system is described that includes a pyrolyzer and a primary condenser. The primary condenser is coupled to the pyrolyzer and configured to receive pyrolytic vapors from the pyrolyzer. The primary condenser is further configured to condense the pyrolytic vapors by contacting the pyrolytic vapors with a condensing liquid, to form a bio-oil component mixture having multiple separated phases. At least a portion of the condensing liquid includes a component that is extracted as a separated stable phase from a second bio-oil component mixture resulting from a prior pyrolysis cycle.

Abstract: A fast pyrolizer includes an elongated tubular housing having a feed inlet to receive material, an outlet, and a flow path. The flow path has an internal contact surface extending from the inlet to the outlet. The inlet is to be oriented to a non-vertical relative elevation with respect to the outlet. At least a portion of the internal contact surface directly contacts the material. A heater heats the internal contact surface such that the material is heated via direct thermal transfer from the internal contact surface.

Abstract: A system is described that includes a pyrolyzer and a primary condenser. The primary condenser is coupled to the pyrolyzer and includes an input to receive pyrolytic vapors from the pyrolyzer and a solvent. The condenser is further configured to condense the pyrolytic vapors by contacting the pyrolytic vapors with the solvent to form a condensed liquid that exits the primary condenser via an output. A capture vessel receives the condensed liquid from the condenser output. A recirculator couples the capture vessel to the primary condenser input and is configured to receive the condensed liquid from the primary condenser, and to provide at least a portion of the condensed liquid as the solvent in the primary condenser. The solvent from the bio-oil component/solvent mixture is then extracted in a solvent extraction system and returned to the quenching system.

Abstract: This invention describes a stand-alone ozone generator and method to generate high quantities of ozone which can be injected in a multitude of applications where great quantities are needed at a low production cost. This generator can be useful for flue gas oxidation, water purification, HVAC air purification, and any other commercial or industrial process where ozone is needed to oxidize organic or inorganic species. The process relies on the reaction of air or oxygen with a solution of white or yellow phosphorus contained in a reactor. In this method, the ozone generated is purified in-Situ and can be directly used in any process. The elemental phosphorus and the phosphorus derivatives are enclosed in the ozone generator and are not allowed to escape. The process can pay for itself by the sales of the phosphorus derivatives generated through the reaction.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell end plate assembly provides an axial direction electric lead on an end plate of the assembly, and minimizes the contact resistance between an end fluid separator plate of a fuel cell stack and a current collector of the assembly. The current collector comprises an electrically conductive flat plate and a solid member connected together. The member goes through an opening on the end plate and provides an axial direction electric lead from the fuel cell stack. Means are provided to firmly contact the current collector and the fluid separator plate to maintain good contact across the entire area between the two components. The means of firmly contacting include moulding or bonding the separator plate and current collector together, or applying pressure to the separator plate and current collector such that firm contact is maintained between the two components.

Abstract: A duct interconnecting two channels in a fuel-cell flowfield is disclosed. In use, responsive to a flow velocity differential as between the two channels, reaction product water (in the case of a PEM fuel cell) is drawn from one channel to the other via the duct so as to aid in the removal of reaction product accumulations in one or the other of the channels. Each of the two channels may have an associated flow-velocity-increasing means (such as an in-line venturi) associated with each end of the duct. Depending on the location of the duct within a flowfield, the duct may also help to maintain a desired pressure drop and flow of reactant gas along each channel, which helps propel excess water along the channels, and, when the oxidant is oxygen in air, helps prevent localized oxygen depletion.

Abstract: A duct interconnecting two channels in a fuel-cell flowfield is disclosed. In use, responsive to a flow velocity differential as between the two channels, reaction product water (in the case of a PEM fuel cell) is drawn from one channel to the other via the duct so as to aid in the removal of reaction product accumulations in one or the other of the channels. Each of the two channels may have an associated flow-velocity-increasing means (such as an in-line venturi) associated with each end of the duct. Depending on the location of the duct within a flowfield, the duct may also help to maintain a desired pressure drop and flow of reactant gas along each channel, which helps propel excess water along the channels, and, when the oxidant is oxygen in air, helps prevent localized oxygen depletion.