Abstract: A high capacitance energy storage device where electrodes (20, 22) are formed of layers of a carbonised, activated woven fabric that has been impregnated with an electrolyte. The electrolyte is absorbed by active centers at the surface of the carbonised, activated material. The prepared fabric is sandwiched between alternating graphite-based separators (16, 18) and non-conductive membranes (24) to form a capacitor structure exhibiting very high capacitance, non-degradation over multiple charging/discharging cycles, and, in AC installations, reliable and reproducible characteristics. In addition, the materials in the device are environmentally friendly.

Abstract: An improved method is described for reducing the nitrogen oxide content of an effluent gas stream wherein the temperature of the gas varies. The improvement comprises alternately, depending upon the temperature of the gas, contacting the gas with(A) formaldehyde when the gas is at an elevated temperature which is sufficient to promote the reaction of formaldehyde with the nitrogen oxide in the gas and to reduce the nitrogen oxide content in the gas to a desired level, or(B) formaldehyde-derived free radicals capable of reacting with nitrogen oxide when the temperature of the gas is lower than the temperature in (A) and the reaction with formaldehyde does not reduce the nitrogen oxide content to the desired level, whereby the nitrogen oxide content of the gas is reduced to the desired level. The free radicals may be generated by reacting formaldehyde with nitrogen or nitrogen oxide in the presence of a catalyst. Preferred catalysts comprise zirconium, cerium, phosphorus, vanadium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process is described for reducing the nitrogen content of a post combustion gas which comprises the steps of(A) generating NCO free radicals, and thereafter(B) adding the free radicals to the gas whereby the NCO free radicals react with the nitrogen oxide in the gas to form nitrogen and carbon dioxide.The NCO free radicals may be obtained from a variety of sources such as by the catalytic decomposition of cyanuric acid; the reaction of formaldehyde with nitrogen or nitric oxide; the reaction of carbon monoxide with nitrogen oxide or nitrogen or mixtures thereof; or the reaction of methanol with nitrogen in the presence of a catalyst. The NCO free radicals thus generated are effective for reducing the nitrogen oxide content of combustion gases in accordance with the process of the present invention at temperatures from ambient temperature up to about 2000.degree. F.

Abstract: A method is described for promoting a reaction between nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide which comprises conducting the reaction in the presence of a dysprosium-containing catalyst which is free of noble metals and metals of the first transition series. More particularly, a method is described for reducing the nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide content of effluent gas streams derived from the combustion of fossil fuels by contacting the effluent gases with a catalyst comprising dysprosium which is free of metals capable of promoting the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Generally, the catalyst is contacted with the effluent gases at temperatures of from about 300.degree. F. to about 1200.degree. F.

Abstract: A method is described for decomposing cyanuric acid at temperatures of less than about 1000.degree. F., and the method comprises heating the cyanuric acid in the presence of a decomposition catalyst which is effective at below about 1000.degree. F. Examples of useful decomposition catalysts are zirconium, phosphorus and mixtures thereof. Preferably at least some of the zirconium or phosphorus is in the plus four oxidation state. A method also is described for reducing the nitrogen oxide content of gas streams which comprises contacting the gas streams containing nitrogen oxide with an amount of the gaseous decomposition product mixture obtained by decomposing cyanuric acid in the presence of a decomposition catalyst at a temperature of less than about 1000.degree. F.

Abstract: A method is described for converting formaldehyde to a gaseous product mixture capable of reacting with nitrogen oxide which comprises reacting formaldyhyde with nitrogen in the presence of a catalyst which is capable of promoting the reaction between formaldehyde and nitrogen at a temperature below about 1200.degree. F. The gaseous product mixture obtained in this manner is effective in reducing the nitrogen oxide content of combustion gases by mixing the gaseous product mixture with the combustion gas at temperatures from ambient temperature up to about 2000.degree. F.

Abstract: A method is described for decomposing cyanuric acid at temperatures of less than about 1000.degree. F., and the method comprises heating the cyanuric acid in the presence of a decomposition catalyst which is effective at below about 1000.degree. F. Examples of useful decomposition catalysts are zirconium, phosphorus and mixtures thereof. Preferably at least some of the zirconium or phosphorus is in the plus four oxidation state. A method also is described for reducing the nitrogen oxide content of gas streams which comprises contacting the gas streams containing nitrogen oxide with an amount of the gaseous decomposition product mixture obtained by decomposing cyanuric acid in the presence of a decomposition catalyst at a temperature of less than about 1000.degree. F.

Abstract: A method is described for reducing the nitrogen oxide content of an effluent gas stream which comprises contacting the effluent gas with an amount of formaldehyde which is effective in reducing the nitrogen oxide content of the gas. In one preferred embodiment, the formaldehyde is contacted with the effluent stream in the presence of a catalyst which promotes the reaction between the formaldehyde and the nitrogen oxide contained in the gas stream. Preferred catalysts comprise zirconium, cerium, or mixtures thereof. Catalysts comprising zirconium in the plus four oxidation state, cerium in the plus four oxidation state, or mixtures thereof are particularly preferred catalysts.

Abstract: A method for concentrating an isotope from an admixture containing the isotope by contacting the admixture with a catalyst capable of selectively catalyzing a reaction with the isotope, and recovering the concentrated isotope from the reaction products. In one embodiment, the method can be used to concentrate deuterium from sources such as hydrogen-rich gas.

Abstract: An emergency breathing device for use in a toxic environment including a clear plastic hood having sealing means about the neck or body to form a generally airtight enclosure about the wearer's head. A canister containing carbon dioxide and water vapor adsorbent material is mounted on a mouthpiece which is located completely within the hood. The mouthpiece directs inhaled air directly into the mouth and directs exhaled air through the adsorbent material before discharging it into the hood interior. An oxygen enriched carbon molecular sieve may be located within the canister whereby oxygen molecules trapped within the sieve are replaced by the carbon dioxide and/or water vapor and are liberated into the hood to enrich the oxygen concentration thereof to extend the breathing time of the wearer.