Abstract: A method is provided of thermally processing carbonaceous ash and ancillary carbonaceous material to produce a carbon-free inert, pozzolanic, or cementitious material and synthesis gas. The carbonaceous ash and ancillary fuels are fed into a thermal reactor along with oxides provided in the ash or in additives including limestone or glass. Carbon in the ancillary fuel and coal fly ash is converted to synthesis gas that is combusted to generate process steam and electricity. Remaining ash exits the thermal reactor chamber for processing at high temperature in a kiln gasifier to react the remaining fixed carbon and produce carbon-free partially-fused nodules or clinker that are cooled and ground to a desired fineness for cementitious or aggregate material in concrete. Carbonaceous ash, especially high carbon coal fly ash and other carbonaceous waste, are converted to energy and non-toxic, carbon-free aggregate or cementitious material used as architectural fill or in concrete mixes.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of thermally processing high carbon coal fly ash to produce hydraulically reactive or pozzolanic supplemental cementitious material (SCM) and synthesis gas. In this “ash to energy and cement” (ATEC) process, coal fly ash and ancillary fuels are fed into a thermal reactor along with oxide materials, such as limestone. Carbon in the ancillary fuel and in the coal fly ash is converted to synthesis gas that is combusted to generate steam or electricity. The remaining low-carbon ash and bed material exits the thermal reactor chamber and is further processed at high temperature in a kiln or slagging unit to produce partially fused nodules or clinker. The nodules or clinker are cooled and ground to a desired fineness for use as a cementitious materials. The ATEC process effectively converts high carbon coal fly ash waste to energy and value added SCM.

Abstract: A method of non-destructive testing for quality control of powdered materials having dielectric properties based on the use of electromagnetic capacitance techniques.

Abstract: Method and related device intended for rapid non-destructive testing of powdered materials with low electric conductivity such as cement and cement-based compositions through determination of their electrical properties. The invention involves an electromagnetic method, including an electronic circuit for generating an electric field in a capacitance probe that is inserted into the powder to be tested. Electrical properties of powdered materials are determined on the basis of a set of the values for a set of parameters including quality factor (Q-factor), capacitance, dissipation factor, and dielectric permeability of the material. These parameter values can be related to such characteristics as moisture content, particle size, and material composition. The method and device can indicate the differences between the samples with various quantities of unwanted components or reaction products, and the extent of sample aging.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for the efficient, clean and simultaneous conversion of multiple fuels, including but not limited to waste derived gas, liquid and solid phase fuels, to electrical energy. The present invention used a closely coupled combined thermal cycle system based on an air fed gasifier and an internal combustion engine. Steam generated by exhaust heat from an internal combustion engine and from the combustion of syngas produced by the gasifier is used to power an admission steam turbine in an efficient system in which components such as water treatment, heat recovery, and other components are common to gasifier and the internal combustion engine. The invention offers several advantages over other combined cycle power plants employing gasifiers.

Abstract: X-ray fluorescence analysis is used to determine wear of machine parts on a component-specific basis. The individual wetted wear surfaces of the machine are provided with a signature tagant composition, and as the components wear, the amounts of each tagant in the lubricating fluid are determined by the x-ray fluorescence analysis. An analysis system tracks the amounts of the tagants in the lubricating fluid, and with information of the signature tagant composition of each wear surface, calculates wear rate information for each of the wear surfaces. This component-specific wear information is then used in scheduling maintenance and predicting failures of the machine.

Abstract: X-ray florescence analysis is used to determine wear of machine parts on a component-specific basis. The individual wetted wear surfaces of the machine are provided with a signature tagant composition, and as the components wear, the amounts of each tagant in the lubricating fluid are determined by the x-ray florescence analysis. An analysis system tracks the amounts of the tagants in the lubricating fluid, and with information of the signature tagant composition of each wear surface, calculates wear rate information for each of the wear surface. This component-specific wear information is then used in scheduling maintenance and predicting failures of the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissolving gas or gases in liquid fuel to improve combustion of the liquid fuel when injected into a combustion chamber is provided. A gas-charger unit is provided to dissolve the gas into liquid fuel at a first pressure. The pressure of the fuel/gas solution is raised to a second pressure before injection of the atomized fuel into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, a high pressure gas or gasses is/are introduced into the gas charger at a crosscurrent to the liquid fuel. In another embodiment, a gas charger for dissolving gas into a liquid fuel is provided including a plurality of highly porous baffles to increase the contact surfaces between the gas and the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissolving gas or gases in liquid fuel to improve combustion of the liquid fuel when injected into a combustion chamber is provided. A gas-charger unit is provided to dissolve the gas into liquid fuel at a first pressure. The pressure of the fuel/gas solution is raised to a second pressure before injection of the atomized fuel into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, a high pressure gas or gasses is/are introduced into the gas charger at a crosscurrent to the liquid fuel. In another embodiment, a gas charger for dissolving gas into a liquid fuel is provided including a plurality of highly porous baffles to increase the contact surfaces between the gas and the liquid.