Abstract: A gasification system method and apparatus to convert a feed stream containing at least some organic material into synthesis gas having a first region, a second region, a gas solid separator, and a means for controlling the flow of material from the first region to the second region. The feed stream is introduced into the system, and the feed stream is partially oxidized in the first region thereby creating a solid material and a gas material. The method further includes the steps of separating at least a portion of the solid material from the gas material with the gas solid separator, controlling the flow of the solid material into the second region from the first region, and heating the solid material in the second region with an electrical means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that improves the efficiency of waste processing in waste treatment systems utilizing a high temperature plasma as the a energy source by delivering pressurized oxygen to the waste products while the waste products are exposed to the high temperature plasma. Providing oxygen at a speed of at least fifty feet per second obtains more energy content in the syngas, less solid carbon particulate, and faster gasification rates, improving process economics.

Abstract: Disclosed is filter aid formed of a crushed foam glass utilized as a filtering aid for removing suspended materials in a fluid stream by first providing a permeable support with the crushed foam glass filter aid placed adjacent thereto, and directing the fluid stream having suspended materials through the filter. Suspended materials within the fluid stream are captured on the crushed foam glass filter aid, separating the suspended materials from the fluid stream. The foam glass filter aid and the suspended materials may then be removed as a mixture, melted to form a molten glass, fritted to form a frit, comminuted to form a foam glass precursor, mixed with precursor with a foaming agent and heated and crushed to reform the foam glass filter aid. Suspended materials captured on the crushed foam glass filter aid are thus removed from the foam glass filter aid, and the foam glass filter aid to be recycled and used again in the filtering process.

Abstract: A stable oxidized structure and an improved method of making such a structure, including an improved method of making an interfacial template for growing a crystalline metal oxide structure, are disclosed. The improved method comprises the steps of providing a substrate with a clean surface and depositing a metal on the surface at a high temperature under a vacuum to form a metal-substrate compound layer on the surface with a thickness of less than one monolayer. The compound layer is then oxidized by exposing the compound layer to essentially oxygen at a low partial pressure and low temperature. The method may further comprise the step of annealing the surface while under a vacuum to further stabilize the oxidized film structure. A crystalline metal oxide structure may be subsequently epitaxially grown by using the oxidized film structure as an interfacial template and depositing on the interfacial template at least one layer of a crystalline metal oxide.