Abstract: A natural gas-containing stream such as biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing an adsorbent having a neutral surface, which adsorbs the siloxanes. When the bed of neutral adsorbent is filled to capacity, the adsorbent bed is heated to remove the siloxanes and regenerate the bed. The neutral adsorbent reduces disadvantageous reactions between the adsorbent and siloxane and other impurities in the natural gas-containing stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, methods, systems and kits for the detection of microorganisms of the Yersinia species including Yersinia pestis. The disclosure relates to recombinant phage operable to infect a Yersinia microorganism, the phage comprising a detectable reporter. Detection systems of the disclosure may comprise a phage operable to infect a Yersinia microorganism, and may comprise a reporter nucleic acid expressible upon infection of a Yersinia microorganism by the phage. The system may be operable to detect the expression of the reporter. A detectable reporter may comprise any gene having bioluminescent, colorimetric and/or visual detectability. For example, a detectable reporter may comprise one or more luxAB genes detectable by emission, enhancement and/or change in spectrum of bioluminescent light. Live and infectious Yersinia microbes may be detected by the compositions, methods, systems and kits described herein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for purifying a natural gas stream comprising: 1) removing the bulk of CO2 by at least one non-membrane gas separation means; and 2) removing oxygen and other impurities by at least one additional gas separation means, wherein the final natural gas product has low level of CO2 and oxygen.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from a raw natural gas stream such as biogas from landfills or controlled anaerobic digestion comprises passing the natural gas stream though a separation unit such as a PSA unit to form a product stream comprising a high concentration of methane and a low pressure tail gas containing hydrogen sulfide, passing the tail gas through a biofilter which includes bacteria that degrades the hydrogen sulfide to sulfur and sulfate compounds which are washed from the biofilter. The tail gas stream subsequent to treatment in the biofilter can be flared to the atmosphere without significant SOx emissions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for achieving low oxygen levels in a natural gas stream without the use of a catalytic system. In one embodiment, the method comprises: membrane treatment for the removal of the bulk of CO2 and oxygen in the natural gas feed and the addition of a PSA system using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent for the adsorption of residual oxygen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for utilizing low-quality tail gas derived from a pressure swing adsorption system or membrane system, which is used to upgrade biogas, as a beneficial fuel for the facility and/or digester boiler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for utilizing low-quality tail gas derived from a pressure swing adsorption system or membrane system, which is used to upgrade biogas, as a beneficial fuel for the facility and/or digester boiler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for achieving low oxygen levels in a natural gas stream without the use of a catalytic system. In one embodiment, the method comprises: membrane treatment for the removal of the bulk of CO2 and oxygen in the natural gas feed and the addition of a PSA system using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent for the adsorption of residual oxygen.

Abstract: The present disclosure, according to some embodiments, relates to phage-based biological detection systems, compositions, and methods. In some embodiments, it relates to a detection system and method using phage binding and bacterial infection to detect the presence of a target molecule (e.g., a toxin). One detection system may include a genetically engineered phage that expresses a surface molecule able to bind a target molecule and/or target microorganism; a bacterium susceptible to infection by the phage; and a detection component able to determine whether the bacterium has been infected by the phage. Infection of a bacterium by a phage may be indicative of phage binding to the target molecule and/or target microorganism.

Abstract: After the sequencing of the human genome, great interest has developed in trying to discern the complementary proteome of humans and other species. The present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for proteomic fractionation that may increase the number of protein spots visualized by 2DE analysis, and may allow enrichment of proteins normally not detectable by standard 2DE analysis. According to some embodiments of the disclosure, devices, systems, and methods of the disclosure relate to fractionating a proteome on the basis of surface charge, hydrophobicity, isoelectric point and/or size.

Abstract: A material for filtering NO2 and nitric acid vapors from air over a wide range of humidities and temperatures including a porous hydrophobic substrate and an amine is provided.

Abstract: A process for removal of ethylene oxide (EO) from ambient air laden with EO is passed through a zeolite-based removal media, which preferrably consists of the acid form of zeolite ZSM-5, herein referred to as “H-ZSM-5.” The process described herein may be applied to many forms, configurations and uses, such as, for example, gas masks, fume hood ventilation filters, cartridge filters, etc. Preferably, the H-ZSM-5 is configured within an apparatus in such a manner that the stream containing EO is brought into sufficient contact with the zeolite to remove the EO from the airstream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytic process for the destruction of PFC's and HFC's using a catalyst which comprises aluminum oxide that has preferably been stabilized through the addition of a stabilizing agent (such as, titanium, zirconium, or cobalt, or mixtures of these elements). The addition of these elements to the aluminum oxide unexpectedly enhances the catalyst's stability without significantly altering its reactivity. The total amount of stabilizing agent added to the catalyst can be as low as 0.005 parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide (Al2O3) or as great as 2 or more parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide; so long as there is sufficient aluminum oxide available to effectively catalyze the destruction of the target PFC's and/or HFC's.

Abstract: A process for reducing perfluorinated compounds and/or hydrofluorocarbon compounds in a sample uses a catalyst made from aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and one or more enhancers selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, and sulfate. Another useful catalyst comprises zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and/or aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and nickel as an enhancer.

Abstract: A process for the decomposition of perfluoroalkanes comprises contacting a gaseous stream comprising the perfluoroalkanes with a catalyst comprising alumina. The alumina is prepared from one or more alumina sources, one of which is aluminum nitrate. The catalyst preferably comprises stabilizing agent, in particular zirconium oxide or cobalt, preferably both. The catalyst is prepared by forming a slurry of aluminum nitrate, optionally with one or more additional sources of alumina, in a suitable solvent, such as water. The resulting mixture is dried and calcined to yield the finished catalyst. The stabilizing agent or a precursor thereof may be included in the mixture or impregnated into the finished catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the decomposition of perfluoroalkanes comprises contacting a gaseous stream comprising the perfluoroalkanes with a catalyst comprising alumina. The alumina is prepared from one or more alumina sources, one of which is aluminum nitrate. The catalyst preferably comprises stabilizing agent, in particular zirconium oxide or cobalt, preferably both. The catalyst is prepared by forming a slurry of aluminum nitrate, optionally with one or more additional sources of alumina, in a suitable solvent, such as water. The resulting mixture is dried and calcined to yield the finished catalyst. The stabilizing agent or a precursor thereof may be included in the mixture or impregnated into the finished catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst composition and a catalytic process for the destruction of PFC's and HFC's using a catalyst which comprises aluminum oxide that has preferably been stabilized through the addition of a stabilizing agent (such as titanium, zirconium, or cobalt, or mixtures of these elements). The addition of these elements to the aluminum oxide unexpectedly enhances the catalyst's stability without significantly altering the reactivity of the catalyst. The total amount of stabilizing agent added to the catalyst can be as low as 0.005 parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide (Al2O3) or as great as 2 or more parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide; so long as there is sufficient aluminum oxide available to effectively catalyze the destruction of the target PFC's and/or HFC±.

Abstract: A process and composition for transforming perfluoroalkanes in the presence of an oxidizing agent and water at temperatures between about 400 to 1,000° C. Aluminum oxide is the primary agent for effecting this transformation. Additions of between 0.1 to 50% by weight of other components such as barium calcium, phosphorus, cerium, chromium, cobalt, iron, lanthanum, magnesium, nickel, silicon, titanium, yttrium or zirconium aid in extending the useful life of the catalyst. A preferred catalyst composition includes aluminum oxide with additions of cobalt and one or more of the elements of cerium, titanium or zirconium.

Abstract: A process and composition for transforming perfluoroalkanes in the presence of an oxidizing agent and water at temperatures between about 400 to 1,000.degree. C. Aluminum oxide is the primary agent for effecting this transformation. Additions of between 0.1 to 50% by weight of other components such as barium calcium, phosphorus, cerium, chromium, cobalt, iron, lanthanum, magnesium, nickel, silicon, titanium, yttrium or zirconium aid in extending the useful life of the catalyst. A preferred catalyst composition includes aluminum oxide with additions of cobalt and one or more of the elements of cerium, titanium or zirconium.

Abstract: A method of treating a gaseous stream containing one or more volatile nitrogen containing organic compounds which comprises contacting the gaseous stream and an oxidizing agent with a catalyst at relatively low temperatures to cause oxidation of the volatile nitrogen-containing organic compounds. The catalyst employed promotes the oxidation reaction to selectively produce N.sub.2 O, N.sub.2, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O without generating significant amounts of NO.sub.x to permit the reaction products to be vented directly into the atmosphere. The catalyst includes a selected amount of a noble or base metal deposited on a catalyst support comprising titania and zirconia. One or more of the elements molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium are added as promoters to the composition which minimizes the generation of NO.sub.x among the reaction products. Lanthanum may be added to provide better thermal stability and increase the selectivity for producing N.sub.2 among the reaction products.