Abstract: A two-stage process for upgrading a gaseous stream containing CO2 and H2S in which the gaseous stream and pressurized water are provided to a first stage absorption process in which a portion of the CO2 is absorbed by the pressurized water. The reduced-CO2 gaseous stream and a chemical solvent suitable for absorbing CO2 and H2S are provided to a second stage absorption process in which the H2S and remaining CO2 are removed from the gaseous stream, producing an acid gas stream and an upgraded gaseous stream meeting pipeline-quality specifications.

Abstract: A method for producing methanol from methane in which methane is provided to an anode electrode having a metal oxide catalyst disposed on an anode side of an electrolyte membrane, thereby producing methanol and electrons on the anode side. The electrons are conducted to a cathode electrode disposed on a cathode side of the electrolyte membrane, thereby transforming water provided to the cathode side to H2 gas and hydroxide ions. The method is carried out at a temperature less than or equal to about 160° C., preferably at room temperature.

Abstract: Multistage processing of biomass to produce at least two separate fungible fuel streams, one dominated by gasoline boiling-point range liquids and the other by diesel boiling-point range liquids. The processing involves hydrotreating the biomass to produce a hydrotreatment product including a deoxygenated hydrocarbon product of gasoline and diesel boiling materials, followed by separating each of the gasoline and diesel boiling materials from the hydrotreatment product and each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for gas separation a composite gas separation membrane having a gas separation layer disposed on a surface of a porous support. The gas separation layer has a plurality of gas permeable inorganic nano-particles embedded in a dense polymer forming substantially only discrete gas transport channels through the dense polymer layer, wherein direct fluid communication is provided from a feed side of the composite gas separator membrane to the porous support. Preferably, the inorganic nano-particles are porous molecular sieve particles, such as SAPO-34, ALPO-18, and Zeolite Y nano-particles.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having a liquid electrolyte which includes a protic solvent, an anode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte, and a cathode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte. A membrane which interrupts the transport of ions between the electrodes at a predetermined temperature is disposed in the liquid electrolyte between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. In this way, electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, which may overheat during use and cause a fire or explosion, are precluded from overheating.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having a liquid electrolyte which includes a protic solvent, an anode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte, and a cathode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte. A membrane which interrupts the transport of ions between the electrodes at a predetermined temperature is disposed in the liquid electrolyte between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. In this way, electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, which may overheat during use and cause a fire or explosion, are precluded from overheating.

Abstract: A method for purging of, and debris removal from, a hole created with laser energy in which a swirling purge gas stream is provided in a hole containing debris to be removed, imparting a swirl to the debris and lifting the debris from a bottom of the hole. In accordance with one embodiment, the purge gas is swirled in a purge gas nozzle providing purge gas into the hole. In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, the purge gas is swirled directly in the hole.

Abstract: A bipolar ion exchange membrane suitable for use in ZnBr batteries, LiBr batteries, and electrolyzers. The membrane is produced by hot pressing or extruding a mixture of an anion exchange ionomer powder, a cation exchange ionomer powder, and a non-porous polymer powder.

Abstract: A self-sustaining process for producing liquid fuels from biomass in which the biomass is hydropyrolyzed in a reactor vessel containing molecular hydrogen and a deoxygenating catalyst, producing a partially deoxygenated pyrolysis liquid, which is hydrogenated using a hydroconversion catalyst, producing a substantially fully deoxygenated pyrolysis liquid and a gaseous mixture comprising CO and light hydrocarbon gases (C1-C4). The gaseous mixture is reformed in a steam reformer, producing reformed molecular hydrogen, which is then introduced into the reactor vessel for hydropyrolizing the biomass. The deoxygenated liquid product is further processed to produce diesel fuel and gasoline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for humidifying residential and commercial buildings in which a flue gas generated by a residential or commercial furnace is provided to one side of a porous liquid water transport membrane and habitable space air is provided to an opposite side of the porous liquid water transport membrane in an amount sufficient to provide a habitable space air to flue gas volume flow rate ratio of at least 8.3:1. At least a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas is condensed, providing condensed liquid water which is passed through the porous liquid water transport membrane to the habitable space air side of the porous liquid water transport membrane. On the habitable space air side of the membrane, the condensed liquid water is evaporated into the habitable space air, producing humidified habitable space air which is provided to the rooms of the residential and commercial buildings. Beneficially, no supplemental water source is required for the humidification process.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling or eradicating nematodes or other soil-borne pests having a heated metal roller having surface-mounted blades to heat the soil to a desired temperature and depth sufficient to effect control of the relevant species in the soil under the roller. The roller is heated with one or more burners firing across the surface of the roller. The apparatus further includes a heat exchanger through which the combustion products generated by the burner or burners are exhausted and in which the combustion air is preheated. In accordance with one embodiment, the heat exchanger condenses water vapor in the combustion products which water vapor, together with any water that evaporates from the soil during heating, may be captured and returned to the soil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting contact between an underground electric wire conduit and an underground utility pipeline in which a detectable signal is applied to an electric line wire disposed within the underground electric wire conduit and the underground utility pipeline is monitored for a presence of the detectable signal. When there is a contact between the underground electric wire conduit and the underground utility pipeline, the signal applied to the electric line wire is detected by a suitable signal detector disposed on the surface of the utility pipeline and/or within the utility pipeline.

Abstract: A method and system for repairing, replacing or installing an underground pipeline using an appropriate tool head. A coolant, preferably a cryogenic liquid, is injected in front of the tool head to embrittle or otherwise reduce the toughness of the material ahead of the tool head. The method and system of this invention are particularly suitable for use in connection with pipe splitting and pipe bursting, where a pig disposed within the underground pipeline is connected with the appropriate tool head forming a space between the pig and the tool head into which the coolant is introduced. The pipe between the pig and the tool head is embrittled by the coolant, reducing the resistance of a pipe to splitting or bursting which, in turn, reduces the force required for the pig to pull the tool head as the pig is motivated through the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbance correction in a spectroscopic heating value sensor in which a reference light intensity measurement is made on a non-absorbing reference fluid, a light intensity measurement is made on a sample fluid, and a measured light absorbance of the sample fluid is determined. A corrective light intensity measurement at a non-absorbing wavelength of the sample fluid is made on the sample fluid from which an absorbance correction factor is determined. The absorbance correction factor is then applied to the measured light absorbance of the sample fluid to arrive at a true or accurate absorbance for the sample fluid.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical device having an alkaline electrolyte disposed between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, where the anode electrode and/or the cathode electrode is provided with a CO2 inhibitor which substantially eliminates poisoning of the device by CO2. The device may be an alkaline fuel cell or an alkaline battery. In one embodiment, the electrolyte is an anion exchange polymeric alkaline electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A self-sustaining process for producing high quality liquid fuels from biomass in which the biomass is hydropyrolyzed in a reactor vessel containing molecular hydrogen and a deoxygenating catalyst, producing a partially deoxygenated hydropyrolysis liquid, which is hydrogenated using a hydroconversion catalyst, producing a substantially fully deoxygenated hydrocarbon liquid and a gaseous mixture comprising CO and light hydrocarbon gases (C1-C3). The gaseous mixture is reformed in a steam reformer, producing reformed molecular hydrogen, which is then introduced into the reactor vessel for hydropyrolizing the biomass. The deoxygenated hydrocarbon liquid product is further separated to produce diesel fuel, gasoline, or blending components for gasoline and diesel fuel.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte. At least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode is provided with a substantially uniform superficial relief pattern formed by a plurality of substantially uniform projections and has an electrical conductivity gradient between peaks of the projections and valleys between the projections.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a payload through a pipe having the ability to automatically self-stabilize and orient itself inside the pipe by controlling two pipe tracking contactors so as to maintain contact between the pipe tracking contactors and the pipe wall and maintain the apparatus in a functional orientation. The apparatus includes tilt sensor arrays for continuously monitoring the position of the apparatus with respect to the pipe wall, variable speed drive motors operably connected with the pipe contactors for rotating the contactors, tilt motors operably connected with the pipe tracking contactors to enable movement of the contactors between a non-functional orientation and a functional orientation, and a controller for controlling the motors based upon information provided by the tilt sensor arrays.

Abstract: A method for underground pipeline monitoring in which a continuous alternating electrical current having a current frequency in a range of about 1 kHZ to about 8 kHz is imparted onto a pipeline, producing an alternating magnetic field at the current frequency along the pipeline. Distributed along the pipeline is a network of RFID tag sensors which absorb an amount of energy from the alternating magnetic field. The impedance of the sensors is modulated, producing a modulated sensor impedance which is detected at a location proximate the location at which the continuous alternating electrical current is imparted onto the pipeline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wellbore perforation in which a laser beam at a downhole location of a wellbore is directed to a target area of a wellbore wall to be perforated. The laser beam is guided through a longitudinally extensible nozzle onto the target area and a purge fluid is introduced into the longitudinally extensible nozzle, thereby longitudinally extending the nozzle toward the target area. The purge fluid in the longitudinally extensible nozzle is passed through a purge fluid outlet of the nozzle onto the target area, thereby removing debris from the target area generated by the laser beam.