Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid reverse flow catalytic apparatus having two reaction zones: a homogeneous reaction zone in porous ceramic and a heterogeneous reaction zone with catalyst, arranged in two different catalyst beds. A first catalytic bed located in a central region of the reactor is provided with a low activity catalyst and a second catalyst bed located in a peripheral region of the reactor is provided with a high activity catalyst. The provision of two catalyst beds containing different catalysts reduces the effect of radial temperature gradients in the reactor and improves the overall efficiency of the reactor. The invention also relates to method of performing catalytic and thermochemical reactions in said apparatus.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator and a method of removal of particulates from gaseous flows. A plurality of screens, secured in sets within a central chamber in a housing, include at least one set of electrically chargeable first screens and at least one set of electrically grounded second screens. For each set of chargeable screens, all the screens of the set are provided with an identical electrical charge, either positive or negative, and the set is provided with a plurality of spikes directed at the oncoming gaseous flow. At least one screen cleaning unit selectively acts on the screens of each set. The precipitator can include a plurality of central chambers in a single housing or separate housings, and the chambers can be selectively activated or deactivated. The precipitator provides improved particulate removal from gaseous flows, including hot flows having temperatures up to at least 1200° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of producing hydrogen that involves aqueous phase reforming of an oxygenated hydrocarbon, preferably one obtained from a renewable source such as biomass. The reaction is carried out in the absence of electrolytes and in the presence of a dispersed particulate heterogeneous catalyst. The reaction is carried out under pressure and relatively low temperature in a stirred tank reactor, preferably a continuous stirred tank reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid reverse flow catalytic apparatus having two reaction zones: a homogeneous reaction zone in porous ceramic and a heterogeneous reaction zone with catalyst, arranged in two different catalyst beds. A first catalytic bed located in a central region of the reactor is provided with a low activity catalyst and a second catalyst bed located in a peripheral region of the reactor is provided with a high activity catalyst. The provision of two catalyst beds containing different catalysts reduces the effect of radial temperature gradients in the reactor and improves the overall efficiency of the reactor. The invention also relates to method of performing catalytic and thermochemical reactions in said apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid reverse flow catalytic apparatus having two reaction zones: a homogeneous reaction zone in porous ceramic and a heterogeneous reaction zone with catalyst, arranged in two different catalyst beds. A first catalytic bed located in a central region of the reactor is provided with a low activity catalyst and a second catalyst bed located in a peripheral region of the reactor is provided with a high activity catalyst. The provision of two catalyst beds containing different catalysts reduces the effect of radial temperature gradients in the reactor and improves the overall efficiency of the reactor. The invention also relates to method of performing catalytic and thermochemical reactions in said apparatus.

Abstract: A method of introducing oxygen into a boiler system for combustion with a prepared fuel in a furnace combustion chamber comprises providing a plurality of swirl-inducing elements to the air stream delivery lines, and a plurality of oxygen delivery jets adjacent the intake region and substantially surrounding the air stream delivery lines; igniting the fuel gas to create a flame; and delivering a stream of oxygen through the jets tangentially to the flame envelope to substantially shape and stabilize a swirling flow field for the flame, the oxygen concentration in the flame envelope gradually increasing towards an outer periphery of the flame envelope. A boiler system for using the method can be a new system or a retrofit to an existing system. The method and system provide advantages in reduced environmental impact and increased efficiency while addressing the safety factors involved in introducing oxygen to boiler systems.

Abstract: A method and solution for eluting one of antimony(V) and a mixture of antimony(III) and antimony(V) from an ion exchange resin, comprises contacting the resin with an eluting solution comprising thiourea having a concentration of at least 0.002 M and hydrochloric acid having a concentration of at least 3 M. The method can be used for electrolytes in an industrial electrorefining process, by the further steps of contacting the electrolyte with an ion exchange resin to adsorb the antimony from the electrolyte and separating the resin from the electrolyte, before contacting the resin with the eluting solution comprising thiourea and hydrochloric acid. The method and solution address the difficulties of removing antimony(V), and allow for increased reuse of the resins.

Abstract: A combustion system, and method. A combustor oxy-fired at high pressure delivers flue gas at pressure to a condensing means, such as a condensing heat exchanger, to produce a high temperature condensate for delivering thermal energy to an industrial process system, particularly for power generation, including a Brayton cycle, a Rankine cycle, or a binary fluid cycle system such as a Kalina cycle, and in particular as a bottoming cycle for an organic Rankine cycle. The combustor can concurrently provide direct heat to a secondary system, including a Brayton cycle system, a Rankine cycle system, and a binary fluid cycle system such as a Kalina cycle, without requiring significant modifications to the secondary system. The system and method provide for efficient and advantageous use of the higher temperature condensate produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid reverse flow catalytic apparatus having two reaction zones: a homogeneous reaction zone in porous ceramic and a heterogeneous reaction zone with catalyst, arranged in two different catalyst beds. A first catalytic bed located in a central region of the reactor is provided with a low activity catalyst and a second catalyst bed located in a peripheral region of the reactor is provided with a high activity catalyst. The provision of two catalyst beds containing different catalysts reduces the effect of radial temperature gradients in the reactor and improves the overall efficiency of the reactor. The invention also relates to method of performing catalytic and thermochemical reactions in said apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for improving high excess air combustion system efficiency, including induration furnaces, using a re-routing of flue gas within the system by gas recirculation. Flue gas is drawn from hot system zones including zones near the stack, for re-introduction into the process whereby the heat recovery partially replaces fuel input. At least one pre-combustion drying zone, at least one combustion zone, and at least a first cooling zone exist in these furnaces. At least one exhaust gas outlet is provided to each pre-combustion drying and combustion zone. At least part of the gaseous flow from each system zone exhaust outlet is selectively delivered to an overall system exhaust, the remaining flow being selectively delivered via recirculation to cooling zones. Recirculation flow is adjusted to meet required system temperatures and pressures. The method and system provide efficiency improvements, reducing fuel requirements and greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator and a method of removal of particulates from gaseous flows. A plurality of screens, secured in sets within a central chamber in a housing, comprise at least one set of electrically chargeable first screens and at least one set of electrically grounded second screens. For each set of chargeable screens, all the screens of the set are provided with an identical electrical charge, either positive or negative, and the set is provided with a plurality of spikes directed at the oncoming gaseous flow. At least one screen cleaning means selectively acts on the screens of each set. The precipitator can comprise a plurality of central chambers in a single housing or separate housings, and the chambers can be selectively activated or deactivated. The precipitator provides improved particulate removal from gaseous flows, including hot flows having temperatures up to at least 1200° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of microorganisms (biocatalysts), or catalysts derived from these organisms (enzymes), to improve the quality of crude oil and bitumen as an attractive alternative to current upgrading methods. The invention identifies and characterizes the microorganism species, in particular, N. muscorum (UTEX 2209) and Kocuria rhizophilia (ATCC533), that have the capability to biochemically convert organic acids into chemical species that do not possess corrosive properties.

Abstract: A method of making a cementitious composition comprises (a) selecting at least one pozzolanic particulate material; (b) selecting and grinding at least one feldspar material to a fineness of at least 3000 Blaine; (c) mixing calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide with gypsum; (d) mixing the ground feldspar with the lime-gypsum mixture to produce an activator; (e) conditioning the pozzolanic particulate material with an aqueous solution; (f) adding the activator to the conditioned material to produce a slurry; and (g) curing the slurry in a sealed container. The pozzolanic particulate material can be slag, fly ash, or siliceous rock. A cementitious composition of the invention comprises a pozzolanic particulate material, a ground feldspar material, a lime compound and gypsum, and uses readily available materials, as an economic replacement for Portland cement, fly ash or other materials in filling, backfilling and paving, particularly for backfilling or stabilizing mine sites.

Abstract: Described herein is (E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-ol (geranyl acetol), termed here fuscumol, which has been identified as a male-produced pheromone emitted by Tetropium fuscum (F.) and Tetropium cinnamopterum. Also described are novel derivatives thereof e.g. esters, methods for the synthesis thereof and to a composition comprising fuscumol plus host volatiles e.g. a synthetic blend of monoterpenes plus ethanol, for attracting male and female T. fuscum and female T. cinnamopterum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier phase and pseudorange information. Dual-frequency carrier phase and pseudorange measurements from GPS receivers are processed by specifying separate oscillator parameters for the carrier phase and pseudorange measurements. Carrier phase estimates of errors of the oscillator are arbitrarily biased with respect to the pseudorange estimates, and ambiguity parameters are constrained to be integer-valued. Isolating the ambiguities as integer valued parameters provides extra information that can be exploited to maximize the use of GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditioning chamber device and a conditioning method for metallurgical samples which can be directly connected to an instrument having an examination chamber operable in an ultra high vacuum (UHV) condition at a selected pressure below 10?7 Torr. The conditioning chamber comprises at least one vacuum pump means to reduce the conditioning chamber to the selected UHV condition corresponding to the selected pressure of the examination chamber; sample retaining means; at least one fracturing means to prepare an analysis surface on the sample; sample drying means for slow drying the sample in the selected UHV condition; a sealable outlet constructed and arranged to be operatively connected to the inlet of the examination chamber; and transporting means to transport the sample after surface preparation through a connecting means into the examination chamber without leaving the selected ultra high vacuum condition.

Abstract: A method of non-destructive determination of a local magnetic permeability tensor of a material comprises testing by X-ray diffraction on a first surface to identify and measure any surface stress in the material; performing a calibration test using magnetostriction to identify any effect of any determined stress; subjecting the material to a magnetic field having a strength H and measuring a field of induction B on the surface at the selected location and repeating this step by using gradual increases of H until a saturated value is determined for B, to determine a distribution of magnetic domains at the selected location; repeating the determinations of saturated values for B at additional locations on each selected surface of the material; and using the saturated values and distribution of magnetic domains to derive the magnetic permeability tensor. The non-destructive method provides increased accuracy for stressed or unstressed materials of arbitrary shape.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for reactivating lime-based sorbents and increasing the carbon dioxide-capture capacity of the sorbent in the combustion of carbon-containing fuels. The method of the present invention seeks to increase the carbon dioxide capture capacity of lime-based sorbents by applying concentrated or 100% carbon dioxide directly to a lime-based sorbent. Optionally, the lime-based sorbent may be pretreated using a hydration process after each process of carbon dioxide separation. The regenerated sorbent is carbonated in a presence of concentrated carbon dioxide and elevated temperatures. The invention is useful in reducing the need to add additional sorbent to maintain the carbonation/calcination cycle. The regenerative potential of the sorbent as manifested by the present invention leads to increased carbon dioxide-capture capacity of the sorbent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for determining Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio for an electrically conductive crystalline material. In general, one or more surface acoustic waves are generated in the crystalline material and a velocity of the surface acoustic waves is recorded. One or more applied strains in the crystalline material are also recorded using X-ray diffraction. The Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio can be determined from the recorded velocity(ies) and applied strain(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier phase and pseudorange information. Dual-frequency carrier phase and pseudorange measurements from GPS receivers are processed by specifying separate oscillator parameters for the carrier phase and pseudorange measurements. Carrier phase estimates of errors of the oscillator are arbitrarily biased with respect to the pseudorange estimates, and ambiguity parameters are constrained to be integer-valued. Isolating the ambiguities as integer valued parameters provides extra information that can be exploited to maximize the use of GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems.