Abstract: This patent deals with a method to make durable (i.e., freeze/thaw resistant), non-vitrified (non-fired) fly ash masonry units (bricks, blocks, tiles and other construction products), that can pass contemporary standards for building bricks established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). In contrast, existing processes for making non-vitrified fly ash masonry units cannot make products durable—passing the 50 freeze/thaw cycles required by ASTM. By using the process specified in this invention, fly ash can be made into durable bricks and other products without having to heat the green products in kilns at high temperature, thereby reducing energy consumption and costs associated with making ordinary clay bricks. The process resulted from a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which demonstrated that durable, non-vitrified, fly ash masonry units can be produced by using this process.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel new method and device to feed or inject cylindrical fuel elements (logs and tablets), made of biomass and other carbonaceous materials, into burners (furnaces, boilers, stoves or fireplaces) for use as fuel in combustion. The same method and device can also be used in gasification and liquefaction plants to feed cylindrical fuel elements as the feedstock for the gasification or liquefaction reactors. The use of such a method and device to feed biomass and other carbonaceous materials into burners and gasification/liquefaction reactors enhances the use of biomass as a resource for heating, generating electricity, and converting to gaseous or liquid fuels. Increased use of biomass, which is a renewable energy source, reduces the consumption of fossil fuel, and hence reduces detrimental environmental impacts of using fossil fuel including air pollution and global warming.

Abstract: A device to prevent indoor release of carbon monoxide and smoke from indoor combustors (stoves, furnaces, fireplaces, etc.). The device is based on a discovery that safe operation of indoor burners requires the air pressure in the room housing the burner to be relatively high in order to prevent generation of reverse chimney flow and indoor release of exhaust gas (smoke and carbon monoxide), which are dangerous to building occupants. This device solves the problem by increasing the building internal pressure.