Abstract: A combustion apparatus comprising a pre-combustor stage and a primary combustion stage, the pre-combustor stage having two co-axial cylinders, one for oxidant and one for fuel gas, in which the fuel gas is preheated and the primary combustion stage having rectangular co-axial passages through which fuel and oxidant are admitted into a refractory burner block. Both passages converge in the vertical plane and diverge in the horizontal plane. The passage through the refractory burner block also has a rectangular profile and diverges in the horizontal plane. The outlets to the primary combustion stage are recessed in the refractory burner block at a distance which may be varied.

Abstract: A method for preparation of an anode for a solid oxide fuel cell in which a plurality of zircon fibers are mixed with a yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powder, forming a fiber/powder mixture. The fiber/powder mixture is formed into a porous YSZ layer and calcined. The calcined porous YSZ layer is then impregnated with a metal-containing salt solution. Preferred metals are Cu and Ni.

Abstract: A method and system for processing of natural gas in which a gaseous natural gas stream which is made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons is introduced into a vortex tube, forming a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. The cold fluid stream is introduced into the upper section of a distillation column and the hot fluid stream is introduced into the lower section of the distillation column, resulting in improved separation of the heavier hydrocarbon components in the natural gas stream from the lighter hydrocarbon components disposed in the natural gas stream.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-rich product gas suitable for direct use in fuel cell applications includes a housing, an annular shift/methanator reactor vessel at least one reactor vessel wall disposed within the housing and forming an outer annular space between the at least one reactor vessel wall and the housing. A combustion chamber having at least one combustion chamber wall and forming a first inner annular space between the at least one combustion chamber wall and the at least one reactor vessel wall is disposed in the interior space formed by the annular shift/methanator reactor vessel, and a reformer reactor vessel having at least one reformer vessel wall and forming a second inner annular space between the at least one reformer vessel wall and the at least one combustion chamber wall is disposed within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method for spatially resolving flame temperatures in which a temperature-dependent wavelength region of a molecule radical spectrum and a normalization wavelength region of the molecule radical spectrum suitable for normalizing spectral data are identified. An algorithm based upon a relationship between a temperature-dependent intensity range within the temperature-dependent wavelength region at a plurality of temperatures and a normalized intensity range within the normalization wavelength region is formulated. Flame spectral data from a flame is obtained and the algorithm is applied to the flame spectral data, resulting in generation of a flame temperature profile of the flame.

Abstract: In a fuel cell stack, a bipolar separator plate having two joined together coextensive separator plate elements having perpendicularly disposed corrugated regions and forming a coolant chamber there between. By virtue of this arrangement, fuel and oxidant gases fed to the fuel cell stack have a cross-flow relationship. Internal stack manifolding is provided for distribution of a coolant to each of the coolant chambers.

Abstract: A ventilation system for removing cooking effluents and combustion products from an exhaust of a cooking appliance. The ventilation system includes a ventilation hood having an air inlet and an exhaust gas outlet disposed over the cooking appliance, a water bath disposed in the ventilation hood between the air inlet and the exhaust outlet, and an effluent removal assembly disposed above the water bath. The cooking effluents in contact with the effluent removal assembly are transferred to the surrounding water, and the clean airflow may be recirculated. Grease particles are also transferred to the surrounding water.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, which polymer electrolyte membrane has a water-based resin preferably including at least one of vinyl acetate, dextrin and latex.

Abstract: A method for hydrogen production from biodegradable feedstocks in which a feedstock having at least one biodegradable solid is introduced into a first stage anaerobic bioreactor operating at thermophilic conditions to form a liquid effluent which includes fatty acids. The liquid effluent is transferred through a plurality of hollow semipermeable fibers disposed in a second stage anaerobic bioreactor having a light transmitting wall, which hollow semipermeable fibers have an outer surface coated with a biofilm of photosynthetic bacteria, which photosynthetic bacteria, using the nutrients in the hollow fibers and the incoming light, generates hydrogen.

Abstract: An apparatus for perforation of wellbore walls, which apparatus includes a fiber optic cable having a laser input end and a laser output end. A laser source is operably connected to the laser input end and a laser head is connected to the laser output end. The laser head includes a laser control components for controlling at least one laser beam characteristic. Laser head control elements for controlling the motion and location of the laser head are operably connected to the fiber optic cable. The laser head is enclosed in a protective housing, which protects the fiber optic cable and elements, such as reflectors and lenses for controlling the laser beam emitted by the fiber optic cable disposed therein, from the harsh environments encountered in downhole operations.

Abstract: A dual conveyor jet impingement oven having a blower box with at least one air inlet opening and at least two air outlet openings and a heating space adjacent to and in fluid communication with the blower box. Disposed within the heating space are two spaced apart pairs of spaced apart heated air distribution plenums, which form a central return air conduit therebetween. The central return air conduit has a return air outlet end in fluid communication with the blower box and the spaced apart heated air distribution plenums have a heated air inlet opening in fluid communication with the at least two air outlet openings. A horizontal heating surface is disposed between each pair of spaced apart heated air distribution plenums, each of which has a perforated heated air distribution plate facing the horizontal heating surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing fluid flow into a wellbore in which an apparatus having at least one laser energy output is lowered into the wellbore and the at least one laser energy output is directed at a wall of the wellbore. At least a portion of the wall is heated using the at least one laser energy output, whereby flow of a fluid into the wellbore is initiated and/or- enhanced.

Abstract: A method for heating flat or curved surfaces comprising injecting fuel and oxidant along the length, width or longitudinal side of a combustion space formed between two flat or curved plates, transferring heat from the combustion products via convection and radiation to the surface being heated on to the material being dried/heated, and recirculating at least 20% of the combustion products to the root of the flame.

Abstract: A method for demodulation of a phase shift keyed signal in which the phase shift keyed signal is converted into a plurality of successive outputs, each of which is representative of a phase and amplitude of the phase shift keyed signal over additional sets of windows and carrier phases. Each said additional set has a different offset in time and carrier phase from the other additional sets of windows and carrier phases. The carrier phase and window offsets of the phase shift keyed signal are estimated using the plurality of successive outputs. The phase shift keyed signal is then decoded back into digital data using the estimates.

Abstract: A method for introducing and stabilizing heterologous and recombinant genes in a thermophilic host in which a characteristic gene defining a detectable host characteristic is inactivated or deleted from the thermophilic host, resulting in a modified thermophilic host expressing an absence of the detectable host characteristic. A DNA fragment of interest is inserted into the modified thermophilic host together with an intact characteristic gene, whereby the detectable host characteristic is restored to the thermophilic host, thereby enabling detection and confirmation of successful transformation using plasmid vectors and integration of the DNA fragment into the chromosome of the thermophilic host.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an in situ borehole liner in which a laser beam from a laser energy assembly disposed within a transparent drill head enclosure of a drill head assembly is directed into a rock formation to be drilled and a portion of the rock formation is melted, forming molten rock. The drill head assembly is directed into the molten rock forming a borehole having a borehole wall. At least one air stream from the drill head assembly is directed into the molten rock forming the molten rock against the borehole wall after which the molten rock against the borehole wall is cooled, forming a borehole liner.

Abstract: A microbial culture and method for producing wax esters using highly branched alkanes. In accordance with one embodiment, the highly branched alkane is squalane.

Abstract: A method for preparation of an anode for a solid oxide fuel cellin which a plurality of zircon fibers are mixed with a yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powder, forming a fiber/powder mixture. The fiber/powder mixture is formed into a porus YSZ layer and calcined. The calcined porous YSZ layer is then impregnated with a metal-containing salt solution. Preferred metals are Cu and Ni. An anode and a method for manufacturing a fuel cell containing such anode is also disclosed. Such anode is particularly peformant when the fuel cell is fed with dry hydrocarbons, in absence or low content of steam.

Abstract: A method for generating electricity in which a dry hydrocarbon and/or carbonaceous fluid fuel is introduced into the anode side of a solid oxide fuel cell having an anode electrode of porous YSZ and an electron—conducting metal having an oxide form which melts at a temperature less than about 1550° C. An oxidant is introduced into the cathode side of the cell and is electrochemically reacted with the dry fluid fuel resulting in substantially complete oxidation of the fluid fuel and generation of electricity.

Abstract: A convection oven having multiple airflow patterns within a cooking chamber during a baking cycle. In one embodiment, at least one reversible blower wheel rotatable at varying speeds produces separate airflow states to create multiple airflow patterns within the cooking chamber during a baking cycle. In another preferred embodiment, at least one adjustable airflow control surface mounted within the cooking chamber creates multiple airflow patterns within the cooking chamber during the baking cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating dogs and cats having topically disposed fleas. More particularly, the invention relates to such a method of treatment wherein the dog or cat is dosed with a larvicidally or ovicidally effective amount of flea growth inhibiting substance capable of reaching the flea via the hosts blood.