Abstract: Highly durable hydrophobic, oleophobic, and anti-icing coatings and methods of their preparation and use are described herein.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for creating spill-proof or spill-resistant surfaces through the use of hydrophobic or oleophobic (H-SH) edges, borders or/and boundaries that contain the water and other liquids within inside the edges, borders and/or boundaries. Also described herein are spill-proof/spill-resistant surfaces. Liquid (e.g., water and other aqueous solutions/suspension) heights of 3-6 mm on a level planar surface can be sustained by such edges, borders and/of boundaries. The H-SH borders can be created on glass, metal, wood, plastic, and concrete surfaces.

Abstract: Described herein is a hydrophobic, nonabsorbent animal litter suitable fore use with cats and other animals. Also described are methods of preparing the litter, and a litter box for use with hydrophobic, nonabsorbent animal litter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions and systems for drying coal fines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for drying coal fines using molecular sieves. The method and system dries the coal fines by combining coal fines with the molecular sieves. While in combination, the mixture is agitated to maximize surface contact between the molecular sieves and the coal fines. As the coal fines contact the molecular sieves, the surfactant moisture on the coal fines is then absorbed by the molecular sieves. The molecular sieves allow for the water molecules to pass into the sieves, thus being removed from the coal fines. After a period of agitation, the method and system thereby separates the molecular sieves and the coal fines.

Abstract: Superhydrophobic coating compositions are provided. The compositions comprise nanoparticles between 5-100 nm in size and a polymeric binder. The compositions are effective in preventing ice formation on the surface of various substrates.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method for cleaning heat transfer surfaces in a boiler using a temperature measuring system for measuring and monitoring wall temperature of an annular wall of the tube of a lance of one or more sootblowers. Controlling a flow of steam or other fluid through the tube during the cooling portions of the strokes based on wall temperature measurements from the temperature measuring system. Infrared or thermocouple temperature measuring systems may be used. The steam or other fluid may be flowed at a default flowrate that may be substantially zero until the temperature measuring system indicates the wall temperature of the annular wall begins to exceed a predetermined temperature limit which may be the softening point of the annular wall. Then the steam or other fluid is flowed at a rate greater than the default flowrate.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring a weight of a deposit that forms on a tube bank independently-suspended by one or more hanger rods within a boiler are characterized by having one or more strain sensors, with each strain sensor affixed to a separate hanger rod. The strain sensors are connected to a logic circuit for reading strain readings from the strain sensors and calculating the weight of the deposit as a function of the strain readings.

Abstract: A segmented smelt spout comprising an assembly of different casting shapes wherein one shape constitutes the base segment, which is installable in a chemical recovery unit, and the other shapes are a combination of straight and curved cast segments, which can be used in different combinations to obtain varying spout angles and lengths with the latter segments being supported off the base segment and being held together by a tensioning means that maintains contact between the mating surfaces of each segment while permitting each individual segment to expand and contract thermally.

Abstract: A smelt spout for a chemical recovery furnace comprises a trough of U-shaped profile fabricated as a casting in a nickel-chromium alloy containing a minor amount of niobium. A system incorporating the spout includes a cooling arrangement which delivers cooling air to the outside surface of the spout.