Abstract: An integrated system utilizing a solid oxide fuel cell and at least one ion transport reactor to generate electric power and a product gas by delivering an oxygen-containing gas, typically air, to a first cathode side of the solid oxide fuel cell and delivering a gaseous fuel to a first anode side. Oxygen ions are transported through a membrane in the fuel cell to the first anode side and exothermally react with the gaseous fuel to generate electric power and heat. The heat and oxygen transport produces a higher-temperature, reduced-oxygen-content gaseous retentate stream exiting the cathode side of the solid oxide fuel cell which is delivered to a first ion transport reactor where a substantial portion of the residual oxygen is transported through an oxygen selective ion transport membrane. A product gas stream is then recovered.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the temperature of an oxygen-selective ion transport membrane within a desired temperature range includes providing an ion transport reactor with the oxygen-selective ion transport membrane. An oxygen-donating feed gas is delivered to a cathode side at a first temperature, at a first rate, and at a first oxygen partial pressure and a reactant gas is supplied to an anode side at a second temperature and a second rate. A physical condition is then established within the ion transport reactor that favors the transport of elemental oxygen through the oxygen selective ion transport membrane as oxygen ions. One or more process variables are then regulated to maintain the temperature of the oxygen selective ion transport membrane within the desired range.

Abstract: The method of the invention recovers CO.sub.2 from an inlet cold feed stream containing a low concentration thereof, and includes the following steps. An inlet feed stream is passed through a heat exchanger, against a compressed flow of the inlet feed stream, to cool the compressed flow. The compressed flow is further cooled and compressed to a high pressure, fed to a distillation column and there converted into a vent gas including CO.sub.2 and a high purity bottom liquid CO.sub.2. A first portion of the bottom liquid CO.sub.2 is expanded to achieve a first cooled liquid CO.sub.2 refrigerant flow, which is then vaporized against the vent gas to recover condensed CO.sub.2 therefrom. The condensed CO.sub.2 is then reintroduced into the distillation column. A second portion of the bottom liquid CO.sub.2 is expanded to achieve a second cooled liquid CO.sub.2 refrigerant flow, which is then used to subcool the CO.sub.2 product output.

Abstract: A process for producing at least an oxygen product gas stream, and power from a gas turbine, by compressing a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen and heating the feed gas stream on the retentate side of an ion transport reactor membrane section to produce a heated feed gas stream. Oxygen permeating the ion transport reactor membrane section is reacted with a first fuel gas stream to produce a first combustion products gas stream. The heated feed gas stream is separated using an ion transport separator membrane section having a retentate side and a permeate side into an oxygen-depleted gas stream on the retentate side and an oxygen-containing gas stream on the permeate side. At least a portion of the first combustion products gas stream can be recovered, and energy is extracted from at least one gas stream to be expanded in a gas turbine to produce energy.

Abstract: A process for producing a gas stream containing oxygen and steam to feed a coal gasifier or other downstream process by compressing and heating a feed gas stream, and separating the heated feed gas stream into an oxygen-depleted gas stream on a retentate side of an ion transport membrane and an oxygen-containing gas stream on a permeate side. The permeate side is purged with a purge gas stream containing steam to produce a gas stream containing oxygen and steam, and at least a portion of the gas stream containing oxygen and steam is fed to the coal gasifier after blending with a pure oxygen stream recovered from the remaining portion of the purge stream or by a parallel nonpurged ion transport separator in the system to achieve the appropriate steam-to-oxygen ratio for the downstream process.

Abstract: A process for producing an oxygen-depleted gas stream and a high-pressure gas stream containing oxygen and steam by compressing a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen, heating the feed gas stream, and separating the heated feed gas stream using one or more ion transport modules into the oxygen-depleted gas stream on a retentate side and an oxygen gas stream on a permeate side of an ion transport membrane. The permeate side is purged using a high-pressure purge gas stream containing steam to produce the high-pressure gas stream containing oxygen and steam, which is directed to a turbine to recover power and produce an expanded, lower-pressure gas stream containing oxygen and steam.

Abstract: A process for separating a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen and nitrogen to produce a purified nitrogen gas stream by removing oxygen from the feed gas stream using an ion transport membrane to produce a retentate gas stream and a permeate gas stream, wherein the feed gas stream or the retentate gas stream is purified to remove impurities either before or after the separation step to produce the purified nitrogen gas stream.

Abstract: A system for producing a flow of fine snow particles includes a conduit for providing a pressurized flow of a cryogenic liquid and a nozzle coupled to the conduit, the nozzle having an outlet and an inlet pathway in communication with the conduit. An expansion member is positioned within a the nozzle and covers the inlet pathway. The expansion member provides multiple fine channels for passage of the cryogenic fluid into a region of lower pressure, thereby enabling expansion of the cryogenic fluid during passage through the expansion member. In a preferred embodiment, the cryogenic fluid is carbon dioxide and the system parameters are set to enable the cryogenic fluid to enter a solid phase at or near the outlet surface of the expansion member and to exit therefrom as a fine snow particulate.

Abstract: A method and system acts to cool matter through the use of a carbon dioxide snow/vapor flow. The matter is supported in juxtaposition to an outlet for the carbon dioxide snow/vapor and a conductor which exhibits a reference potential state. To perform the method, a flow of liquid carbon dioxide is subjected to a pressure expansion to create a flow of carbon dioxide snow and vapor. The carbon dioxide snow and vapor then come into contact with a conductive surface and achieves a charge as a result of frictional engagement with the conductive surface. Thereafter, the carbon dioxide snow/vapor is directed towards the matter to be cooled and the conductor which exhibits a reference potential. The reference potential state attracts the carbon dioxide snow and aids in contact thereof on the matter being cooled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating the interior surface of a cylinder with a uniform, relatively thick layer of a polymeric material. The method includes the steps of dispersing a particulate polymeric material into the interior cavity of a cylinder. Any openings in the cylinder are then closed. The cylinder is then subjected to rotational movement while at the same time subjecting the cylinder to oscillation in a vertical plane. The polymeric material is then heated to a temperature above the melting point of the polymeric material, and maintained at that temperature for a time sufficient to coat the polymeric material onto the interior surface of the cylinder. The rotation and oscillation of the cylinder is then halted and the polymeric material is cooled.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing inert gas to a desired location for a welding operation is provided. The apparatus includes a gas feed line and structure for mounting the feed line to extend in a first direction in a pipe. A gas locator tube communicates with the gas feed line to direct inert gas from the gas feed line in a second direction, different from the first direction, towards a pipe joint to be welded. The locator tube is capable of continually directing inert gas in the second direction as the pipe is rotated during a welding operation.

Abstract: A spray-dried foliar fertilizer for enhancing plant nutrition and health, prepared by spray drying nutrient compounds. The foliar fertilizer is amorphous, free-flowing and water dispersible and may be applied directly to the plant foliage by dusting or spraying.

Abstract: The resistance to an oxidizer of a biocompatible polysulfone membrane can be enhanced by the incorporation of a specific hydrophilic polyurethane polymer.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions comprising fragments and synthetic analogs of human thrombospondin are provided together with methods for their use as thrombospondin-like agents.

Abstract: A photocurable gel suitable for articles such as printing plates, photoresists and the like is disclosed. The photocurable eel comprises (a) a polymer composition having isotactic polymethyl methacrylate moiety; and syndiotactic polymethyl methacrylate moiety; (b) a photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound; and (c) a photopolymerization initiator. The gel is solid at ambient temperature and is capable of undergoing reversible gel/sol transition by heating or cooling. Methods of preparing articles, as well as methods of fixing articles, which use the gel are also disclosed. Such methods include sealing or affixing component parts on an electronic circuit board.

Abstract: This invention provides thermally reversible graft copolymer comprising a vinyl polymer graft-polymerized to a polymer of N-substituted acrylamide or methacrylamide derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient removal of low density lipoprotein cholesterol complex (LDL-C) from whole blood. More specifically, it relates to a microporous plasmapheresis support having an immobilized affinity agent. The immobilized affinity agent is polyacrylic acid bound directly and/or through an interaction with silica and/or calcium chloride to a microporous polysulfone support.

Abstract: A method useful for stereolithography that yields enhanced photospeed, as well as a photocurable polymer composition well adapted for use with same, are disclosed.A preferred combination includes 1,2-dimethoxy-2-phenyl acetophenone, benzophenone, and triphenyl phosphine combined with a polyurethane (meth)acrylate oligomer.

Abstract: An aqueous-developable article is made from a photoprepolymer made by reacting a maleated polyalkadienyl homo- or copolymer (e.g., polybutadiene) with an olefinically unsaturated compound capable of opening anhydride rings (e.g., hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with simultaneous chain extension using a polyalkadienyl polyol, followed by hydrolysis and neutralization with Li--, Na--, or K-containing base. When formulated with unsaturated monomers and photoinitiators, the photoprepolymer is particularly useful in making photopolymer-based flexographic printing plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell matrix receptor specific for the Cys Ser Val Thr Cys Gly (SEQ ID NO: 1) region of thrombospondin. Also provided are purification, cloning and expression methods. Antibodies directed against the receptor protein are useful in numerous diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic areas.