Abstract: A retrofit assembly for retrofitting an existing light fixture having an existing housing includes a base, a first mounting member selectively repositionable relative to the base, the first mounting member including a first flange configured to selectively couple the first mounting member to the existing housing, a second mounting member selectively repositionable relative to the base, the second mounting member including a second flange configured to selectively couple the second mounting member to the existing housing, and a lighting element coupled to the base.

Abstract: Biochars and methods for treating biochars are provided that are useful in various applications, including, but not limited to, applications related to the raising, care, maintenance, disease prevention, disease treatment and odor control of animals.

Abstract: A light fixture includes an enclosure having a top side and an opposing underside, and a luminaire module. The luminaire module includes a panel, a plurality of LEDs, a first reflector, and a second reflector. The panel extends along the opposing underside of the enclosure. The plurality of LEDs are coupled to the panel and arranged in at least one row. The at least one row has a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The first reflector is coupled to the panel and disposed along the first lateral side of the plurality of LEDs. The second reflector are coupled to the panel and disposed along the second lateral side of the plurality of LEDs. The panel is releasably attached to the enclosure such that replacement of the panel simultaneously replaces the plurality of LEDs, the first reflector, and the second reflector.

Abstract: A method and process is described for producing negative carbon fuel. In its broadest form, a carbon-containing input is converted to combustible fuels, refinery feedstock, or chemicals and a carbonaceous solid concurrently in separate and substantially uncontaminated form. In an embodiment of the invention, biomass is converted via discrete increasing temperatures under pressure to blendable combustible fuels and a carbonaceous solid. The carbonaceous solid may be reacted to synthesis gas, sold as charcoal product, carbon credits, used for carbon offsets, or sequestered.

Abstract: A fluidized bed gasification system which comprises a fluidized bed gasification reactor having a bottom ash discharge outlet below the reactor, wherein an L-valve is used to control the rate of bottom ash discharge. The L-valve uses an aeration port located on distal side of the L-valve vertical pipe at a location that is above the center line of the horizontal pipe. Also provided are methods of controlling the bottom ash discharge as well the fluidized reaction bed height of the system.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a fixture body, a support structure, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) a driver, a cover, and a connector. The fixture body includes a first raceway, a second raceway, and a channel. The second raceway is substantially parallel to the first raceway. The channel is coupled to the first raceway and the second raceway such that the channel is substantially orthogonal to the first raceway and the second raceway. The support structure is coupled to the first raceway and the second raceway. The plurality of LEDs is coupled to the support structure and spaced apart along a length of the support structure between the first raceway and the second raceway. The driver is positioned within the channel and electrically coupled to the plurality of LEDs. The cover is detachably coupled to the channel and extends from the first raceway to the second raceway.

Abstract: Multiple catalytic processing stations enable a method for producing volatile gas streams from biomass decomposition at discrete increasing temperatures. These catalytic processing stations can be programmed to maximize conversion of biomass to useful renewable fuel components based on input feedstock and desired outputs.

Abstract: A system for mounting a light fixture to a structure includes a pivot base and a mount. The pivot base is pivot base coupled to the structure. The mount is configured for securing to the light fixture and for pivotally coupling to the pivot base, so that the light fixture is adjustably positionable in any one or more of a plurality of positions. The mount includes a plurality of adjustment points configured to allow the mount to be fixed in any of the one or more of a plurality of positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing and filling a well which may form a part of a well abandoning operation. A tube containing well filler material is connected to a bridge plug by a connector so that the bridge plug can be positioned by moving the tube and then anchored. Once the bridge plug is anchored, the tube is disconnected and the well filler can be discharged into the well above the anchored bridge plug. In this way, the bridge plug anchoring and the filling of at least a portion of the well can be performed in a single run.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a process is described for a water treatment process in which process water is treated with recycled biochar. In accordance with one aspect, process water is passed through activated carbon generated by the biomass pyrolysis and gasification. In accordance with another aspect, the process water is treated to expel gaseous compounds within the process water. In this manner both inorganics, light organics and heavy organics can be removed from the process water. No fermentation is involved.

Abstract: A retrofitting kit for retrofitting an existing troffer light fixture having a troffer housing includes an adaptor bracket and a door assembly. The adaptor bracket is configured to rest on a T-bar of a ceiling system, and further configured to be located between the T-bar and the troffer housing. The adaptor bracket includes a base portion and a wall coupled to the base portion, and the troffer housing of the existing troffer light fixture rests on the base portion when the adaptor bracket is disposed between the T-bar and the troffer housing of the existing troffer light fixture. The base portion extends horizontally and along the entire length of the adaptor bracket.

Abstract: Systems and methods for warming batteries are generally disclosed. According to one aspect, a system for warming a battery includes one or more rectifiers each having an input for receiving an input voltage and an output configured to provide an output voltage to a load. The system also includes at least one battery having an input for receiving an input voltage to charge the battery. The battery is coupled to the load and configured to provide an output voltage to the load. The system also includes a controller coupled to the battery and configured to raise the output voltage of the battery above the output voltage of the one or more rectifiers so that current flows from the battery, thereby warming the battery.

Abstract: A light fixture suitable for use with fluorescent light bulbs as a fluorescent light fixture includes a frame, a plurality of LED mounting strips that are removably coupled to the frame, a plurality of LEDs that are disposed on each of the plurality of LED mounting strips, and a plurality of drivers. Each of the plurality of drivers is disposed on one of the plurality of LED mounting strips and electrically coupled to the plurality of LEDs disposed on each of the plurality of LED mounting strips.

Abstract: Various biomass reactors systems and methods of pyrolyzing biomass are disclosed. One type of biomass reactor system comprises a plurality of biomass processing stations configured in series, each station comprising an auger reactor including an auger inlet for receiving biomass and a transfer screw for conveying the biomass through the auger reactor.

Abstract: A system includes a first power converter, a second power converter, a first battery having a time to end of discharge (EOD) and coupled to output a current to the first converter, a second battery having a time to EOD and coupled to output a current to the second converter, and a control circuit coupled to the first converter and the second converter. The control circuit is configured to monitor the times to EOD of the first battery and the second battery, and in response to the times to EOD of the first battery and the second battery not being substantially equal, control the first converter to adjust the current drawn from the first battery to change a rate of decrease of the time to EOD of the first battery. Other example systems and methods for substantially matching a time to EOD of a plurality of batteries are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is shown to improve any forward topology operation to achieve efficient resonant transitions by actively shorting the magnetizing inductance and release the short at another time thus producing lower switching losses independent of frequency. In another embodiment of this invention the current from the output inductor is allowed to go negative before the freewheeling synchronous rectifier is turned off, pushing the current back into the primary to create a soft transition across the switching elements before they are turned on. In another embodiment of the invention a current source is used to inject a negative current through the freewheeling synchronous rectifier before is turned off with the purpose of transferring the current into the primary to discharge the parasitic capacitances of the primary switchers before are turned on. An optimized control method can be utilized to tailor the frequency to create the necessary conditions requested by the embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for regulating the density and kinetic energy of ions in a sputtering deposition chamber. A pulsed DC waveform with a modulated RF signal is generated and applied to the sputtering chamber. Upon termination of a cycle of the pulsed DC waveform, a reverse voltage spike is generated. This reverse voltage spike reverses the polarity of the cathode and anode of the sputtering chamber for some period of time. A reverse voltage limiting circuit is provided so as to limit the reverse voltage spike to a selected reverse voltage threshold. A controller may be employed to control the timing and duration of the application of the DC waveform, the timing and duration of the RF waveform, and the engagement of the reverse limiting circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and system for improving the conversion of carbon-containing feed stocks to renewable fuels, and more particularly to a thermal chemical conversion of biomass to renewable fuels and other useful chemical compounds, including gasoline and diesel, via a unique combination of unique processes. More particularly, this combination of processes includes (a) a selective pyrolysis of biomass, which produces volatile hydrocarbons and a biochar; (b) the volatile hydrocarbons are upgraded in a novel catalytic process to renewable fuels, (c) the biochar is gasified at low pressure with recycled residual gases from the catalytic process to produce synthesis gas, (d) the synthesis gas is converted to dimethyl ether in a novel catalytic process, and (e) the dimethyl ether is recycled to the selective pyrolysis process.