Abstract: A civil structure block for buildings is provided. The civil structure block is composed of a mixture of a plurality of piezoelectric rods, a plurality of carbon fibers and cement material. The mixture imparts a vibration damping characteristic to the civil structure block.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for managing animal waste produced in an animal breeding farm. The animal breeding farm is sealed from external atmosphere. The method includes collecting the animal waste from a plurality of animals in the animal breeding farm. The animal waste is then processed for obtaining fertilizers. The processing of the animal waste includes chemical treatment, thermal treatment, and aerobic digestion of the animal waste. The method further includes utilizing the fertilizers for growing a plurality of plants in one or more aeroponic units.

Abstract: A simple, room-temperature method of producing zinc oxide nanoparticles was established by reacting zinc nitrate hexahydrate and cyclohexylamine (CHA) in either aqueous or EtOHic medium. Particles of polyhedra morphology were obtained for zinc oxide, prepared in EtOH (ZnOE), while an irregular spherical morphology, mixed with some chunky particles forzinc oxide prepared in water (ZnOW). The results indicate that there are significant morphological differences between ZnOE and ZnOW. ZnOE showed a regular polyhedral shape, while spherical and chunky particles were observed for ZnOW. The morphology was crucial in enhancing the cyanide ion photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ZnOE by a factor of 1.5 in comparison to the efficiency of ZnOW at equivalent loading of 0.02 ZnO nanoparticles wt %. Increasing the loading wt % of ZnOE from 0.01 to 0.07 led to an increase in the photocatalytic degradation efficiency from 67% to 90% after 45 minutes and a doubling of the first-order rate constant (k).

Abstract: Isopropyl alcohol is a very useful chemical that is widely used in the industry as a solvent. Economical and easy process to make ispopropyl alcohol using novel composite catalyst is described in the instant application. Production of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) from dimehtyl ketone (DMK) and hydrogen (H2) in gas-phase using a ruthenium nano-particle-supported on activated charcoal/nano-zinc oxide composite catalyst is described. Gas phase production of isopropyl alcohol using DMK and hydrogen is also described using optimal time on stream, temperature, catalyst ratio and DMK/H2 ratio. Ruthenium nano-zinc oxide composite catalyst is formulated using different ratios of ruthenium activated charcoal and n-ZnO is described. CAT-IV is shown to be the best performer for the efficient production of isopropyl alcohol.

Abstract: An adsorbent composition and method of cleaning the industrial waste water using the composite is described. The method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water is done by mixing contaminated water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent composite comprising granules of a mixture of 50.363 wt % kaolin clay, a 4.477 wt % roasted date pits powder, a 5.54 wt % silica powder a 14.99 wt % magnesite powder and a 24.623 wt % water. After reacting the contaminated water and adsorbent composite together for a specific time the water is filtered and was found to contain reduced amount of heavy metals. The cleaned water can further be used for industrial cooling systems or watering gardens.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes using the naturally present dissolved chemicals as precipitants from local water sources to form an adsorbent and a process of purifying the water using natural resources. The adsorbent may be processed at the right pH and temperature to purify and remove heavy metals from waste water. Once the heavy metals are removed the concentration of the heavy metals are estimated in the reusable water. The local authority acceptable level heavy metal containing reusable water is reclaimed for non-human consumption. This disclosure enables to conserve water and provide a cheap and an effective method to decontaminate industrial waste water.

Abstract: Sea water is not suitable for human consumption. Naturally present dissolved chemicals in sea water make it inconsumable. The precipitants and dissolved chemicals need to be separated from water to make it consumable. A combination of aeration system, filtration system, crystallizer, hydrophobic membrane carrying filter and pressure retarded osmosis system are used in various combination to desalinate the sea water. Pressure retarded osmosis process is also used to produce pressurized diluted brine which is further decompressed to by the turbine and used by the generators to produce electricity. Various heat exchange apparatus are used for energy conservation and efficient processing of water in a feasible way. The disclosure enables to purify water and provide an economical means for producing electricity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and process to remove the remaining sulfur in four types of Arabian crude oils (Arabian Heavy) (AH) and straight-run diesel (SRD) by ionizing radiation. Radiation-induced desulfurization is not feasible for absorbed doses up to 200 kGy. Most of the organically bound sulfur and/or elemental sulfur and hydrogen sulfide still exist in the irradiated samples. Sulfur removal from crude oil and straight-run diesel was achieved by combining gamma-irradiation with other physical/chemical processes (i.e. liquid/liquid extraction and oxidation) which provided a considerable levels of total sulfur reduction in the investigated products (AH and SRD). The best removal processes for Arabian heavy crude oil and straight-run diesel resulted in reducing total sulfur content up to 36% (AH) and 78% (SRD) corresponding to (liquid process/200 kGy) and (liquid process/200 kGy) for AH and SRD, respectively.

Abstract: Water from underground and other sources is brackish and not suitable for human consumption. Naturally present dissolved chemicals in water make it brackish. The precipitants and dissolved chemicals need to be separated from water to make it consumable. A combination of aeration systems, filtration systems, crystallizers and hydrophobic membrane carrying filter are used to desalinate the brackish water. Pressure retarded osmosis process using an apparatus is also used to further purify water. Various heat exchange apparatus are used for energy conservation and efficient processing of water in a feasible way. The disclosure enables to purify water and provide a useful technology to eradicate water scarcity.

Abstract: Sea water is not suitable for human consumption. Naturally present dissolved chemicals in sea water make it inconsumable. The precipitants and dissolved chemicals need to be separated from water to make it consumable. A combination of aeration system, filtration system, crystallizer, hydrophobic membrane carrying filter and pressure retarded osmosis system are used in various combination to desalinate the sea water. Pressure retarded osmosis process is also used to produce pressurized diluted brine which is further decompressed to by the turbine and used by the generators to produce electricity. Various heat exchange apparatus are used for energy conservation and efficient processing of water in a feasible way. The disclosure enables to purify water and provide an economical means for producing electricity.

Abstract: An adsorbent composition and method of cleaning the industrial waste water using the composite is described. The method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water is done by mixing contaminated water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent composite comprising granules of a mixture of 50.363 wt % kaolin clay, a 4.477 wt % roasted date pits powder, a 5.54 wt % silica powder a 14.99 wt % magnesite powder and a 24.623 wt % water. After reacting the contaminated water and adsorbent composite together for a specific time the water is filtered and was found to contain reduced amount of heavy metals. The cleaned water can further be used for industrial cooling systems or watering gardens.

Abstract: A simple, room-temperature method of producing zinc oxide nanoparticles was established by reacting zinc nitrate hexahydrate and cyclohexylamine (CHA) in either aqueous or EtOHic medium. Particles of polyhedra morphology were obtained for zinc oxide, prepared in EtOH (ZnOE), while an irregular spherical morphology, mixed with some chunky particles forzinc oxide prepared in water (ZnOW). The results indicate that there are significant morphological differences between ZnOE and ZnOW. ZnOE showed a regular polyhedral shape, while spherical and chunky particles were observed for ZnOW. The morphology was crucial in enhancing the cyanide ion photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ZnOE by a factor of 1.5 in comparison to the efficiency of ZnOW at equivalent loading of 0.02 ZnO nanoparticles wt %. Increasing the loading wt % of ZnOE from 0.01 to 0.07 led to an increase in the photocatalytic degradation efficiency from 67% to 90% after 45 minutes and a doubling of the first-order rate constant (k).

Abstract: Water from underground and other sources is brackish and not suitable for human consumption. Naturally present dissolved chemicals in water make it brackish. The precipitants and dissolved chemicals need to be separated from water to make it consumable. A combination of aeration systems, filtration systems, crystallizers and hydrophobic membrane carrying filter are used to desalinate the brackish water. Pressure retarded osmosis process using an apparatus is also used to further purify water. Various heat exchange apparatus are used for energy conservation and efficient processing of water in a feasible way. The disclosure enables to purify water and provide a useful technology to eradicate water scarcity.

Abstract: Water from underground and other sources of water are brackish and not suitable for human consumption. Naturally present dissolved chemicals in water make it brackish. The precipitants and dissolved chemicals need to be separated from water to make it consumable. A combination of aeration systems, filtration systems, crystallizers and hydrophobic membrane carrying filter are used to desalinate the brackish water. Solar energy and ceramic filters are used as add on to existing technology. Various heat exchange apparatus are used for energy conservation and efficient processing of water in a feasible way. The disclosure enables to purify water and provide a useful technology to eradicate water scarcity.

Abstract: An adsorbent composition and method of using the adsorbent composite is described. The method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water is done by mixing contaminated water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent composite comprising granules of a mixture of 50.363 wt % kaolin clay, a 4.477 wt % roasted date pits powder, a 5.54 wt % silica powder a 14.99 wt % magnesite powder and a 24.623 wt % water. After reacting the contaminated water and adsorbent composite together for a specific time the water is filtered and was found to contain reduced amount of heavy metals. The cleaned water can further be used for industrial cooling systems or watering gardens.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes using the naturally present dissolved chemicals as precipitants from local water sources to form an adsorbent. The adsorbent may be collected and used at the right pH and temperature to purify and remove heavy metals from waste water. Once the heavy metals are removed the concentration of the heavy metals are estimated in the reusable water. The local authority acceptable level heavy metal containing reusable water is reclaimed for non-human consumption. This disclosure enables to conserve water and provide a cheap and an effective method to decontaminate industrial waste water.

Abstract: Ruthenium/activated charcoal (Ru/AC) treated with synthesized nano-ZnO (n-ZnO) is used for the first time as a novel composite catalyst in one-step self-condensation of acetone (DMK) to methyl isobutyl ketone in the gas phase. The DMK self-condensation was performed under atmospheric pressure, in a tubular glass fixed-bed microreactor, under DMK and H2 continuous flow at temperature in the range of 523 to 648 K. Addition of n-ZnO to Ru/AC resulted in a pronounced increase in the degree of dispersion of Ru and in the acidic/basic sites concentration ratio. For the one-step synthesis of MIBK at 623 K, the composite catalyst with 2.5 wt % Ru loading was an active and selective bi-functional composite catalyst with balanced acid/base and hydrogenation properties. At 523 K, isopropyl alcohol, product of DMK-direct hydrogenation, was produced in high selectivity for instantly investigated composite catalyst.

Abstract: A low-pressure one-step gas-phase process for the production and recovery of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) is disclosed. One-step gas-phase synthesis of MIBK from acetone and hydrogen over nano-Pd/nano-ZnCr2O4 catalyst at atmospheric pressure is used as an example. The said process is designed to recover the additional heat associated with the reactor effluent via heating acetone feed and recycle (mixed acetone) before entering the reactor. A compressor is introduced to the gas-phase process to increase slightly the reactor effluent pressure before this effluent is cooled and fed to a flash drum. The compressed reactor effluent is used to preheat hydrogen feed and recycle (mixed hydrogen) before entering the reactor. The separation scheme of low-pressure one-step gas-phase process comprises of several distillation columns used for MIBK separation and purification.

Abstract: An adsorbent composition and method of using the adsorbent composite is described. The method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water is done by mixing contaminated water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent composite comprising granules of a mixture of 50.363 wt % kaolin clay, a 4.477 wt % roasted date pits powder, a 5.54 wt % silica powder a 14.99 wt % magnesite powder and a 24.623 wt % water. After reacting the contaminated water and adsorbent composite together for a specific time the water is filtered and was found to contain reduced amount of heavy metals. The cleaned water can further be used for industrial cooling systems or watering gardens.

Abstract: An eco friendly radiation cross-linked composition is described that demonstrates excellent resistance to fire and high temperature along with good mechanical properties. The composition which is based on a blend of EVA with a LLDPE, is free of monomer such as vinyl co-agent for radiation cross-linking. The halogen free flame retardant composition is a mixture of 20 to 90% by weight of magnesium hydroxide (powder A) and 90% to 20% of powder B. Preferably the powder B is a double salt of magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate and the magnesium hydroxide has a specific surface treatment. In addition, 0.5 to 5 parts of flame retardancy auxiliary agents are selected from talc, zinc borate or molybdate derivative. The chemicals used here reduce toxicity in the environment and do not release toxic chemicals to air and soil during fire. The flame retardant cross-linked polyolefin composition is particularly useful for insulating wires and cables.