Abstract: A portable electrochemical or combustible lower explosive limit gas sensing apparatus includes a housing comprising at least one exterior surface and an interior space. At least one depression is formed in the at least one exterior surface and is adapted to accommodate, at least in part, components of an electrochemical gas sensor or a combustible LEL gas sensor. A processing unit is disposed in the interior space of the housing and is in electrical communication with the electrochemical gas sensor or the combustible LEL gas sensor.

Abstract: A system for calculating a heat index includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and at least two microphones. The sensors and microphones are in communication with a microprocessor, and the microprocessor is configured to analyze data from the microphones to estimate wind speed and to calculate a heat index using data from the temperature sensor, humidity sensor and the estimated wind speed.

Abstract: A portable electrochemical or combustible lower explosive limit gas sensing apparatus includes a housing comprising at least one exterior surface and an interior space. At least one depression is formed in the at least one exterior surface and is adapted to accommodate, at least in part, components of an electrochemical gas sensor or a combustible LEL gas sensor. A processing unit is disposed in the interior space of the housing and is in electrical communication with the electrochemical gas sensor or the combustible LEL gas sensor.

Abstract: A system for calculating a heat index includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and at least two microphones. The sensors and microphones are in communication with a microprocessor, and the microprocessor is configured to analyze data from the microphones to estimate wind speed and to calculate a heat index using data from the temperature sensor, humidity sensor and the estimated wind speed.

Abstract: A catalytically activated combustible gas sensing element includes a filament of resistance wire forming a coil, wherein a first end of the resistance wire is attached to a first support post and a second end of the resistance wire is attached to a second support post, a cantilever support supporting the coil, wherein the cantilever support is attached to a third support post, and a catalytic bead substantially surrounding the coil and cantilever.

Abstract: A catalytically activated combustible gas sensing element includes a filament of resistance wire forming a coil, wherein a first end of the resistance wire is attached to a first support post and a second end of the resistance wire is attached to a second support post, a cantilever support supporting the coil, wherein the cantilever support is attached to a third support post, and a catalytic bead substantially surrounding the coil and cantilever.

Abstract: A poison resistant combustible gas sensing element, a method for its production and a method for determining poisoning of the element. The element includes an electric heating element, an inner layer coated on the electric heating element and containing a precious metal catalyst supported on a porous oxide, the precious metal catalyst catalyzing combustion of a combustible gas to be detected by the element, and an outer layer overlaying the first layer, and containing a catalytic compound capable of trapping gases which poison the precious metal catalyst, the catalytic compound being supported on a porous oxide.

Abstract: A poison resistant combustible gas sensing element, a method for its production and a method for determining poisoning of the element. The element includes an electric heating element, an inner layer coated on the electric heating element and containing a precious metal catalyst supported on a porous oxide, the precious metal catalyst catalyzing combustion of a combustible gas to be detected by the element, and an outer layer overlaying the first layer, and containing a catalytic compound capable of trapping gases which poison the precious metal catalyst, the catalytic compound being supported on a porous oxide.

Abstract: A poison resistant combustible gas sensing element, a method for its production and a method for determining poisoning of the element. The element includes an electric heating element, an inner layer coated on the electric heating element and containing a precious metal catalyst supported on a porous oxide, the precious metal catalyst catalyzing combustion of a combustible gas to be detected by the element, and an outer layer overlaying the first layer, and containing a catalytic compound capable of trapping gases which poison the precious metal catalyst, the catalytic compound being supported on a porous oxide.

Abstract: A gas detection instrument comprises a combustible gas sensor and associated circuitry, which supplies power to the sensor and measures and displays resulting sensor response. The supplied power is switched between timed pulses of electricity and steady state electricity, with the intermittent electricity being employed only when no significant change in sensor output has been detected. Alternatively, timed pulses of electricity are maintained, and predictive software algorithms are used to give readings for gas concentration during interruption of the power supply. The sensor operation enables the instrument to respond to rapid changes in gas concentration while minimizing power consumption of the sensor.

Abstract: A catalytic bead sensor or a semiconductor sensor is operated in a manner in which the power requirement is greatly reduced. The reduction in power is accomplished by operating the sensor at a temperature less than the desired operating temperature in the absence of a combustible gas and increasing to the desired operating temperature when the sensor is exposed to a combustible gas.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a catalytic bead sensor with improved stability by forming a coil of metal wire, depositing onto the coil of wire by CVD, PECVD, thermal spraying or electrophoretic deposition at least one first layer of an insulating, crack-free refractory coating, to form thereby a coil of coated wire, and depositing onto the coated wire coil at least one further layer to convert the coated wire coil to a sensing or compensating bead.

Abstract: A catalytic bead sensor or a semiconductor sensor is operated in a manner in which the power requirement is greatly reduced. The reduction in power is accomplished by operating the sensor at a temperature less than the desired operating temperature in the absence of a combustible gas and increasing to the desired operating temperature when the sensor is exposed to a combustible gas.

Abstract: The present invention describes the utilization of nanoscale bimetallic particles for the treatment of chlorinated contaminants in the environment, and more specifically, chlorinated contaminants in groundwater.

Abstract: A poison resistant combustible gas sensing element, a method for its production and a method for determining poisoning of the element. The element includes an electric heating element, an inner layer coated on the electric heating element and containing a precious metal catalyst supported on a porous oxide, the precious metal catalyst catalyzing combustion of a combustible gas to be detected by the element, and an outer layer overlaying the first layer, and containing a catalytic compound capable of trapping gases which poison the precious metal catalyst, the catalytic compound being supported on a porous oxide.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic conversion of methanol to formaldehyde wherein a gas stream containing methanol and oxygen is contacted with a silver catalyst in a first conversion zone containing a silver catalyst to produce an effluent containing formaldehyde, unreacted methanol, and oxidation byproducts; and contacting the first zone effluent with a copper catalyst in a second conversion zone for further conversion of the unreacted methanol. No molecular oxygen is added to the first stage effluent or to the second conversion zone.