Abstract: A process for treatment of water to convert ammonia to nitrate including: feeding water containing dissolved ammonia, as an influent introducing water to be treated, into a packed column containing filter media as packing; introducing air through a diffuser at the bottom of the packed column to maintain the water saturated with oxygen throughout the packed column; establishing colonies of bacteria converting ammonia to nitrate within the column; and removing an ammonia-free and nitrite-fee effluent from the column.

Abstract: A reactor produces a surface corona for emitting UV light and for the production of ozone by passing air or oxygen through the surface corona. The emitted UV light activates a photocatalyst coated on a surface facing a surface with embedded electrodes which generate the surface corona. The photocatalyst is a thin film of nanoparticle TiO2 with primary particle size of 0.02 to 0.2 ?m was deposited on a substrate by a flame aerosol method. The method combines ozonation and photocatalysis to provide effective and efficient oxidation of alcohols and hydrocarbons to value added products. The method can also be used for air and water cleaning.

Abstract: A fluid bearing includes hydrostatic pads formed in a surface and positioned to exert a separating force, and a land formed on the surface of the insert and configured to act as a bushing to allow rotation while the first and second pads are pressurized at less than a hydrostatic balance force. Pressurized fluid to the pads of the insert is controlled to prevent operation in full hydrostatic mode. More particularly, a separating force generated by surface force of the pads is controlled such that the separating force does not exceed a force exerted on the bearing. The fluid pressure is also controlled to keep the separating force within a selected margin of the force exerted on the bearing, to control wear of the bearing. Control of the separating force is achieved by selectively pressurizing individual hydrostatic pads, thereby effectively varying the active hydrostatic area of the bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the impurity content of drinking water processes has a monochromatic light source projecting a beam of visible light toward a light trap. A water sample generator passes a water sample transverse to and intersecting the beam of light. A photo sensor array with an angular resolution of at least 0.10° detects forward scattered light from particles in the water sample. A data acquisition and processing system connected to the photo sensor array receives signals of the intensity of scattered light as a function of the scattering angle and compares the received light intensities to stored patterns of known waterborne contaminants. Based upon detected contaminants and their concentrations, the data acquisition and processing system provides an output on a connector which can be used to control a water processing system to adjust treatment of drinking water for contamination such as bacterial pathogens.

Abstract: An ambient anaerobic digester system for anaerobic digestion of animal waste with biogas production and recovery is provided. The anaerobic digester system includes a substantially flexible bladder for anaerobically digesting the animal waste with biogas production and transmitting the biogas to at least one biogas storage container, biogas use device or a combination thereof. In a preferred form, the substantially flexible bladder has a waste inlet, a digester effluent outlet, one or more sludge access ports and a biogas outlet in a top surface thereof. The anaerobic digester system may inexpensively, simply, reliably, and effectively be used to treat animal waste without energy expenditure and little capital expense, thus minimizing pollution typically caused by animal waste.

Abstract: A reactor produces a surface corona for emitting UV light and for the production of ozone by passing air or oxygen through the surface corona. The emitted UV light activates a photocatalyst coated on a surface facing a surface with embedded electrodes which generate the surface corona. The photocatalyst is a thin film of nanoparticle TiO2 with primary particle size of 0.02 to 0.2 ?m was deposited on a substrate by a flame aerosol method. The method combines ozonation and photocatalysis to provide effective and efficient oxidation of alcohols and hydrocarbons to value added products. The method can also be used for air and water cleaning.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle provides variable displacement by selectively driving one or more engine crankshafts mounted within a single unitary engine block. In several embodiments the crankshafts are connected to a common output shaft with a one-way clutch between the common output shaft and at least one of the crankshafts. In one aspect starter gearing is independently associated with each of the first and second crankshafts and a starter is provided for selective engagement with the starter gearing of either of the crankshafts. In another aspect, an accessory drive for driving accessory systems of the vehicle receives power from any crankshaft which is operating, yet is isolated from any crankshaft that is not operating by a one-way clutch.

Abstract: A fuel tank ventilation system and method are provided for substantially preventing fuel vapor emissions without significant increase in tank pressure. The system and method include a flexible bladder within the fuel tank that alternately deflates and inflates in response to a change in fuel vapor pressure and fuel volume.

Abstract: A method and composition for the remediation of environmental contaminants in soil, sediment, aquifer material, water, or containers in which contaminants were contained, wherein contaminants are reacted with a remediating composition comprising a metal and a sulfur-containing compound to produce environmentally-acceptable, chemically reduced products. The method is useful for treating contaminants such as halogenated hydrocarbons, pesticides, chemical warfare agents and dyes. The remediating composition preferably contains comminuted, commercial grade iron and iron sulfide. The addition of an alcohol to the reactants enhances the rate of the remediation reaction, particularly for contaminants of soils and sediments.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCS) can be removed from surfactant solutions using pervaporation with hydrophobic pervaporation membranes. This process can be used to remove volatile non-laqueous phase liquids from surfactant-based soil washing and soil flushing solutions for recovery of the volatile compounds and reuse of the surfactant. The process of the present invention can also be used to separate VOCs from industrial process streams containing surfactants for in-process recycling and reclamation of the VOCs and/or surfactants. In addition, the process of the present invention can be used to separate VOCs from industrial waste streams containing surfactants for waste volume reduction or for recovery/recycle of the VOCs and/or surfactant.

Abstract: A portable analyzer for obtaining samples from a monitored environment during different time intervals includes a pump energized by a rechargeable battery pack for drawing gas from the environment selectively into plural sample holding bags and an impact filter. The pump is programmed to control the time when the gas is drawn from the environment and for controlling the flow to the sample holders so that different ones of the sample holders are responsive to the materials at the same or different times. The pump may respond to electric pulses, causing pulses of air to be supplied to the sample holding bags. The pump derives pulses having a rate directly proportional to the number of pump cycles. The pump may also operate continuously with sampling of the gases being controlled electronically. Operation of the pump is prevented in response to the battery pack voltage dropping to a level such that the voltage is less than a predetermined value, necessary to provide a predetermined flow rate per pump cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling volatile organic compounds and air toxics in a contaminated fluid flow through use of an excited species flow generated and introduced into the contaminated fluid flow to convert the contaminants into non-toxic compounds. Tungsten electrodes and an alternating current are used in the excited species generator.

Abstract: Dual oxygen sensors before and after the exhaust catalytic converter of a motor vehicle combined with a specialized algorithm to substantially continuously compare the real time electric output of the oxygen sensors and, in response to the comparison, output an indication of the activity of the catalyst and failure of the catalyst. The algorithm in substantially real time "monitors" the continuously changing oxygen content of the before and after catalyst exhaust stream and through a phase comparison or an integration process in the preferred embodiment makes the proper comparison for determination of catalyst acceptability or failure. With a microcomputer equipped motor vehicle the algorithm is suitable for on-board continuous monitoring of the exhaust catalyst for indication to the vehicle operator when catalyst failure occurs. Failure can be total catalyst failure or partial failure to a degree where Federal exhaust emissions regulations are no longer met.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing sulphur-containing gases from fossil fuel-fired combustors comprising the step of introducing sorbent particles modified with lignosulfonates into the exhaust gases.

Abstract: A process and system for combusting a nitrogen-containing fuel to produce low NO.sub.x levels in the exhaust emissions. A stream of the fuel mixed with air is combusted in two or more fuel-rich zones having catalytic beds. The stoichiometry of the mixture in each zone is controlled for the particular catalytic material employed so that a minimum of NO.sub.x precursors is formed upon combustion in the zones. Additional air is injected into the flow to maintain the predetermined stoichiometry in the downstream zones. The beds of the fuel-rich zones can be comprised of different catalytic materials having different theoretical air proportion at which the NO.sub.x precursors are at a minimum. The beds of the fuel-rich zones can also be comprised of the same catalyst material having different minima at which NO.sub.x precursors are formed at different theoretical air proportions.

Abstract: A catalyst system in which the catalytic composition comprises a catalytically active material which is homogeneously interspersed throughout a monolith structure of ceramic composition. The composition is shaped into a unitary monolith which is employed as the catalyst structure. In the method the active material or materials are admixed with a ceramic material, which can be either active or inactive, in finely divided form and then shaped into the monolith structure.

Abstract: The disclosed process provides for the production of a desulfurized fuel gas from a sulfur-containing fuel oil by absorption, in a first reaction zone, of the sulfur contaminants with a calcium oxide-containing material, which material is then further treated to render it environmentally stable without producing a sulfur-rich gas process stream. The spent limestone from the oil gasifier is reacted with an oxygen-containing gas in a second reaction zone for conversion of the calcium sulfide to calcium sulfate and the sulfated material is then transferred to a third reaction zone wherein it is reacted with carbon dioxide for conversion of the calcium oxide to calcium carbonate.

Abstract: The selective removal of ammonia from waste water is achieved by the use of a ligand exchanger which has been conditioned with a salt of a metal which is capable of forming a complex with ammonia. The ligand exchanger is regenerated by contacting it with low pressure steam.