Abstract: Animals such as poultry are stunned while still caged and on the vehicle that carries them to a processing plant, by exposing the animal to an atmosphere of gradually lessening oxygen content.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handle or shroud for carrying or manipulating portable gas cylinders and gas cylinder valves for the administration of medical gases, such as oxygen. The shroud of the present invention provides improved safety and versatility to the handling process of such cylinders and valves. In one embodiment, the handle or shroud allows an individual to lift the cylinder, valve and shroud from about 26? off the ground or floor with the wrist turned up.

Abstract: An activated sludge wastewater treatment system is provided. The disclosed system includes: an uncovered activated sludge basin; a high purity oxygen aeration system; a secondary clarifier; a return activated sludge line and a waste activated sludge line; wherein the system operates at a solids loading of between about 3000 mg and about 10000 mg of suspended solids per liter of mixed liquor; a dissolved oxygen level in the aeration basin in the range of between about 5 mg to 15 mg; and a solids retention time of between about 7 days and 40 days.

Abstract: An activated sludge wastewater treatment method is provided. The disclosed method includes: receiving a stream of wastewater into a mixed liquor in an uncovered activated sludge basin; introducing high purity oxygen to the mixed liquor in the activated sludge basin to produce euoxic conditions (i.e. a dissolved oxygen level in the range of between about 5 mg to 15 mg) in the activated sludge basin; passing a portion of the mixed liquor in the activated sludge basin through a clarifier to separate activated sludge and produce an effluent stream and an activated sludge stream; and recycling a portion of the activated sludge stream to the activated sludge basin to produce a mixed liquor having a solids loading of between about 3000 mg and about 10000 mg of suspended solids per liter of mixed liquor and a solids retention time of between about 7 days and 40 days.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment and reduction of sludge via ozonation in a wastewater treatment process is disclosed. The sludge treatment system comprises: a sludge ozonation reactor coupled to an activated sludge treatment basin and adapted to receive a liquid stream of sludge containing biosolids from the activated sludge treatment basin. The sludge treatment system also includes an ozone-enriched gas injection system operatively coupled to the reactor and adapted to inject ozone-enriched gas into the liquid stream at or upstream of the sludge ozonation reactor. The sludge ozonation reactor is configured to allow effective gas-liquid contacting between the ozone-enriched gas and the liquid stream so as to oxidize the biosolids in the liquid stream and initiate bacterial cell lysis thereby reducing the biosolids. Upon reduction of the biosolids, the liquid stream is returned via a return line to the activated sludge basin or other discharge point.

Abstract: A system and method for the ozone treatment of wastewater is disclosed. The disclosed wastewater treatment system includes a high selectivity reactor coupled to an activated sludge treatment basin. The high selectivity reactor is adapted to receive a stream containing sludge diverted directly or indirectly from the activated sludge treatment basin. The disclosed wastewater treatment system and method is adapted to inject a chemical agent, such as ozone-enriched gas, into the diverted stream for treatment within the high selectivity reactor for purposes of sludge reduction, foam control, or bulking control. The treated stream is then returned to the activated sludge treatment basin.

Abstract: A system and method for oxygenating an aerobic sludge digester is provided. The disclosed embodiments include an aerobic sludge digester tank or vessel having a mechanically agitated contactor disposed therein, an oxygen injection subsystem adapted to inject oxygen into the digester tank proximate the mechanically agitated contactor. The embodiments of the mechanically agitated contactor include an agitator or impeller disposed within the draft tube which makes the draft tube the primary site for the gas-liquid mixing. In particular, the agitator or impeller is adapted to create gas bubbles having an average diameter between about 0.3 mm and 3.0 mm which are then dispersed into the aerobic digester. The mass transfer efficiency associated with the present system and method is enhanced from the combined effect of oxygen dissolution into the sludge and greater bubble residence time.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a compressed gas, such as Heliox gas is provided. The disclosed inhaler includes a first chamber containing a compressed gas which is in communication with an equalization chamber having pressure lower than the pressure of the gas in the first chamber. The inhaler also includes a drug storage chamber which is detachably coupled to the equalization chamber and operable such that a portion of the compressed gas from the equalization chamber fluidizes and aerosolizes the drug to produce a drug cloud. The drug cloud is directed into a spacer where it can be inhaled by a user.

Abstract: A system and method for mixing high viscous liquids with gas is provided. The disclosed embodiments include a reactor or mixing vessel having a draft tube disposed therein, a gas injection subsystem adapted to inject gas into the reactor or mixing vessel proximate the entrance of the draft tube. The embodiments also include an agitator disposed within the draft tube which makes the draft tube the primary site for the gas-liquid mixing. In particular, the agitator is adapted to create gas bubbles having an average diameter between about 0.3 mm and 3.0 mm which are then ejected into the reactor or mixing vessel. The mass transfer efficiency associated with the present system and method is enhanced from the combined effect of gas dissolution into the high viscous liquid within the draft tube and greater bubble residence time within the high viscous liquid.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment and reduction of sludge via ozonation in a wastewater treatment process is disclosed. The sludge treatment system comprises: a sludge ozonation reactor coupled to an activated sludge treatment basin and adapted to receive a liquid stream of sludge containing biosolids from the activated sludge treatment basin. The sludge treatment system also includes an ozone-enriched gas injection system operatively coupled to the reactor and adapted to inject ozone-enriched gas into the liquid stream at or upstream of the sludge ozonation reactor. The sludge ozonation reactor is configured to allow effective gas-liquid contacting between the ozone-enriched gas and the liquid stream so as to oxidize the biosolids in the liquid stream and initiate bacterial cell lysis thereby reducing the biosolids. Upon reduction of the biosolids, the liquid stream is returned via a return line to the activated sludge basin or other discharge point.

Abstract: A sparger for delivering fluid comprising a sparger pipe for carrying the fluid from a fluid source and downwardly directed nozzles to direct the delivery of fluid is disclosed. A substantially vertical connection pipe connects the sparger to the nozzles. Also, a method of delivering oxygen to an oxygen-depleted zone in the bottom of the fermenter using the sparger is disclosed.

Abstract: A gas cylinder dispensing valve having an internal flow path provided with a pressure regulator. An isolation valve is provided within the flow path between the pressure regulator and a gas inlet of the valve and a flow control valve is provided within the flow path between the pressure regulator and a gas outlet to discharge the gas. Both isolation valve and the flow control valve can be manipulated by a single control knob which when set in an off position closes the isolation valve. The control knob can be rotated from the off position to select discrete, calibrated flow rates or an auxiliary position in which gas may be dispensed at a regulated pressure from an auxiliary outlet port.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supplying respiratory oxygen to a patient where the oxygen flow is monitored so as to be control and conserve in response to the patient's pulse rate and blood hemoglobin saturation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling or heating product by passing it through a tunnel in which gaseous heat transfer medium such as cryogen vapor or steam is impinged toward the product and then drawn away from the product in a manner that minimizes intersection with impinging medium.

Abstract: A coating for fuel system components, including components of fuel injectors, adapted for use with low lubricity fuels is disclosed. The invention consists of a metal carbon material coating or a metal nitride coating to the fuel pump plunger or other fuel injection system components. The invention utilizes a coating on the fuel injector plunger that minimizes scuffing or seizure associated with the plunger and barrel.

Abstract: A liquid level measuring apparatus is provided, which includes an input circuit configured to receive electrical signals from level sensors configured to provide an electrical signal proportional to a liquid level in a tank portion. The input circuit provides a single output signal proportional to the combined liquid level in one or more liquid storage vessel portions. The apparatus may further include or be connected to a transmitter such as a wireless transmitting device.

Abstract: A touch sensor is provided which detects manual contact by a user to actuate a controlled device. The touch sensor includes a substrate, an RF signal transmitter including a plurality of first conductors, and an RF signal receiver including a plurality of second conductors. The first and second conductors are located in spaced, interdigitated alignment with one another on the substrate, to form a key having a geometry which affords substantial coverage thereof by a human appendage. The RF signal receiver includes an RF signal amplifier electrically coupled to the second conductors. A processor is electrically coupled to the RF signal receiver to detect variations in signal strength corresponding to coverage of the key by a human appendage to selectively actuate the controlled device.

Abstract: A hazard alarm and alarm system enables a plurality of hazard alarms of multiple types (e.g. smoke alarms, heat alarms, motion detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, gas alarms, and the like), to communicate with one another without generating conflicting alarm warning indicators. Electronic circuitry is also provided, that may be added to at least one of the hazard alarms, for transmitting and receiving digital information with other hazard alarms connected thereto.

Abstract: A low cost process for self-forming a uniformly adherent protective rare earth silicate coating on a silicon-based ceramic component for protecting the component against corrosive/erosive environments. The coating is self-formed by an oxidation process of a silicon-based ceramic associated with a reaction between a silica (SiO2) film layer on the surface of silicon-based ceramic and the rare earth oxide existing inside of silicon-based ceramic component.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit and probe includes a drive circuit couplable to a constant-current source, a threshold detector, a probe capacitor, and a reference capacitor. The circuit includes a plurality of switches being actuatable to alternately couple the current source to the probe capacitor and to the reference capacitor. The drive circuit is configured to alternately generate a signal of linear ramp waveform having a slope that is proportional to the magnitude of capacitance of the probe capacitor and of the reference capacitor. The voltage differential between the probe capacitor and reference capacitor are actively nulled to nominally eliminate a parasitic capacitance therebetween.