Abstract: A novel apparatus and method is disclosed for a plasmatron fuel converter (“plasmatron”) that efficiently uses electrical energy to produce hydrogen rich gas. The volume and shape of the plasma discharge is controlled by a fluid flow established in a plasma discharge volume. A plasmatron according to this invention produces a substantially large effective plasma discharge volume allowing for substantially greater volumetric efficiency in the initiation of chemical reactions within a volume of bulk fluid reactant flowing through the plasmatron.

Abstract: A hydrogen enhanced gasoline engine system using high compression ratio is optimized to minimize NOx emissions, exhaust aftertreatment catalyst requirements, hydrogen requirements, engine efficiency and cost. In one mode of operation the engine is operated very lean (equivalence ratio ø=0.4 to 0.7) at lower levels of power. Very lean operation reduces NOx to very low levels. A control system is used to increase equivalence ratio at increased torque or power requirements while avoiding the knock that would be produced by high compression ratio operation. The increased equivalence ratio reduces the amount of hydrogen required to extend the lean limit in order to avoid misfire and increases torque and power. The engine may be naturally aspirated, turbocharged, or supercharged.

Abstract: A hydrogen enhanced gasoline engine system using high compression ratio is optimized to minimize NOx emissions, exhaust aftertreatment catalyst requirements, hydrogen requirements, engine efficiency and cost. In one mode of operation the engine is operated very lean (equivalence ratio ø=0.4 to 0.7) at lower levels of power. Very lean operation reduces NOx to very low levels. A control system is used to increase equivalence ratio at increased torque or power requirements while avoiding the knock that would be produced by high compression ratio operation. The increased equivalence ratio reduces the amount of hydrogen required to extend the lean limit in order to avoid misfire and increases torque and power. Reduced hydrogen requirements at high power can significantly reduce the cost and size of onboard hydrogen generator technology. Increased in-cylinder turbulence and stratified hydrogen injection can be used to minimize hydrogen requirements for operation at a given equivalence ratio value.

Abstract: Emission abatement system. The system includes a source of emissions and a catalyst for receiving the emissions. Suitable catalysts are absorber catalysts and selective catalytic reduction catalysts. A plasma fuel converter generates a reducing gas from a fuel source and is connected to deliver the reducing gas into contact with the absorber catalyst for regenerating the catalyst. A preferred reducing gas is a hydrogen rich gas and a preferred plasma fuel converter is a plasmatron. It is also preferred that the absorber catalyst be adapted for absorbing NOx.

Abstract: The system includes a source of solid, liquid or sludge waste and a source of waste gas. A waste conversion device receives the solid, liquid or sludge waste and converts it into a hydrogen-rich gas. An internal combustion engine receives as fuel the hydrogen-rich gas and the waste gas and burns them to produce mechanical work. A generator is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine to generate electricity. Some of the generated electricity may be used to power the waste conversion device. The system allows for high-efficiency, lean-burn operation while reducing the amount of waste converted to hydrogen-rich gas.

Abstract: Emission abatement system. The system includes a source of emissions and a catalyst for receiving the emissions. Suitable catalysts are absorber catalysts and selective catalytic reduction catalysts. A plasma fuel converter generates a reducing gas from a fuel source and is connected to deliver the reducing gas into contact with the absorber catalyst for regenerating the catalyst. A preferred reducing gas is a hydrogen rich gas and a preferred plasma fuel converter is a plasmatron. It is also preferred that the absorber catalyst be adapted for absorbing NOx.

Abstract: A plasmatron-catalyst system. The system generates hydrogen-rich gas and comprises a plasmatron and at least one catalyst for receiving an output from the plasmatron to produce hydrogen-rich gas. In a preferred embodiment, the plasmatron receives as an input air, fuel and water/steam for use in the reforming process. The system increases the hydrogen yield and decreases the amount of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: The plasma fuel converter includes an electrically conductive structure for forming a first electrode and a second electrode is disposed to create a gap with respect to the first electrode in a reaction chamber. A fuel-air mixture is introduced into the gap and the power supply is connected to the first and second electrodes to provide voltage in the range of approximately 100 volts to 40 kilovolts and current in the range of approximately 10 milliamperes to 1 ampere to generate a glow discharge to reform the fuel. The high voltage low current plasmatron of the invention is low cost, has long electrode life, utilizes a simple power supply and control and eliminates the need for an air compressor.

Abstract: The present invention provides tunable waste conversion systems and apparatus which have the advantage of highly robust operation and which provide complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The systems provide the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a relatively compact self-powered, tunable waste conversion system and apparatus which has the advantage of highly robust operation which provides complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The system provides the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or by an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material.

Abstract: A method and portable apparatus for self-powered, sensitive analysis of solid, liquid or gas samples for the presence of elements is provided. The apparatus includes a compact sensor system which utilizes a microwave power source and a shorted waveguide to induce a plasma. The microwave power source may be a magnetron or the like. The device includes a portable power supply and preferably includes a portable battery charger. The portable power supply includes a compact generator-internal combustion engine unit. The device can be operated by directly using power from the portable power supply or in a more compact embodiment by using power from batteries that are recharged by a separate portable power supply module. Pulsed microwave operation can be used to reduce average power requirements and facilitate the use of very compact units using batteries. The device is capable of being transported to and from remote sites for analysis by an individual without the need for heavy transportation equipment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for high efficiency generation of electricity and low oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) emissions are provided. The electricity is generated from combustion of hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion units using ultra lean fuel to air ratios in the range of 0.4-0.7 relative to stoichiometric operation in internal combustion engine-generators or ultra lean operation in gas turbines to ensure minimal production of pollutants such as NO.sub.x. The ultra lean operation also increases the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. High compression ratios (r=12 to 15) can also be employed to further increase the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Supplemental fuel, such as natural gas or diesel oil, may be added directly to the internal combustion engine-generator or gas turbine for combustion with the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides tunable waste conversion systems and apparatus which have the advantage of highly robust operation and which provide complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The systems provide the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a relatively compact self-powered, tunable waste conversion system and apparatus which has the advantage of highly robust operation which provides complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The system provides the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or by an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material.

Abstract: Systems for producing hydrogen-rich gases including rapid response plasma fuel converters are provided. The rapid response plasma fuel converters systems are suitable for use in vehicles and the like in which the systems are capable of instantaneously providing hydrogen-rich gas, reducing pollutants during vehicle startup and allowing use of hydrogen-rich gas during load changes. The systems are preferably capable of responding on the order of a second or less. The systems include a plasma fuel converter for receiving hydrocarbon fuel and reforming the hydrocarbon fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas, an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasma fuel converter, a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasma fuel converter, and a power supply circuit capable of rapidly providing power to the plasma fuel converter in response to a stimulus.

Abstract: An integrated plasmatron-turbine system which is capable of producing and utilizing clean burning hydrogen-rich gas is provided. The system may be incorporated into vehicles, stationary turbines, and the like to reduce emissions. The system may also be used to generate electricity in a power generating station. The system includes a plasmatron which reforms fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas and a turbine driven by the hydrogen-rich gas jet from the plasmatron. The turbine converts the heat and kinetic energy of the hydrogen-rich gas into electricity using an alternator. The alternator provides electricity to the plasmatron and may also be used to charge a battery for plasmatron initiation. Additional electricity may be used for other needs of the vehicle or stationary turbine. The hydrogen-rich gas can then utilized as clean burning fuel in a combustor coupled into the same turbine, in a second turbine or in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for high efficiency generation of electricity and low oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) emissions are provided. The electricity is generated from combustion of hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion units using ultra lean fuel to air ratios in the range of 0.4-0.7 relative to stoichiometric operation in internal combustion engine-generators or ultra lean operation in gas turbines to ensure minimal production of pollutants such as NO.sub.x. The ultra lean operation also increases the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. High compression ratios (r=12 to 15) can also be employed to further increase the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Supplemental fuel, such as natural gas or diesel oil, may be added directly to the internal combustion engine-generator or gas turbine for combustion with the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit.

Abstract: A method and portable apparatus for self-powered, sensitive analysis of solid, liquid or gas samples for the presence of elements is provided. The apparatus includes a compact sensor system which utilizes a microwave power source and a shorted waveguide to induce a plasma. The microwave power source may be a magnetron or the like. The device includes a portable power supply and preferably includes a portable battery charger. The portable power supply includes a compact generator- internal combustion engine unit. The device can be operated by directly using power from the portable power supply or in a more compact embodiment by using power from batteries that are recharged by a separate portable power supply module. Pulsed microwave operation can be used to reduce average power requirements and facilitate the use of very compact units using batteries. The device is capable of being transported to and from remote sites for analysis by an individual without the need for heavy transportation equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a relatively compact self-powered, tunable waste conversion system and apparatus which has the advantage of highly robust operation which provides complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The system provides the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or by an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material.

Abstract: Pyrometer with a probe beam superimposed on its field-of-view for furnace temperature measurements. The pyrometer includes a heterodyne millimeter/sub-millimeter-wave or microwave receiver including a millimeter/sub-millimeter-wave or microwave source for probing. The receiver is adapted to receive radiation from a surface whose temperature is to be measured. The radiation includes a surface emission portion and a surface reflection portion which includes the probe beam energy reflected from the surface. The surface emission portion is related to the surface temperature and the surface reflection portion is related to the emissivity of the surface. The simultaneous measurement of surface emissivity serves as a real time calibration of the temperature measurement. In an alternative embodiment, a translatable base plate and a visible laser beam allow slow mapping out of interference patterns and obtaining peak values therefor.