Abstract: Disclosed is the synthesis of novel supported metal catalytic materials for electromagnetic radiation absorption and chemical catalysis especially in the presence of plasma used in the conversion of nitrogen from air and hydrogen from water to useful products such as nitric acid, hydrogen, ammonia and fertilizers. These materials can also generate plasma when subjected to microwave irradiation thus form the basis of catalytic plasma reactors. They can be used in chemical looping reactions because plasma generation under microwave irradiation in air results in the reduction of catalyst oxides and oxidation of nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention is a production method for ammonia and ammonia derivatives in a Multi-Reaction Zone Reactor. Said production method comprising the steps of: a) producing at least some section of ammonia as a result of balance reaction of ammonia by means of nitrogen and hydrogen catalyst in at least one primary reaction zone (RZ-1), b) realizing absorption by means of chemical or physical absorbents of at least some section of ammonia which is in gas form and which is produced in primary reaction zone (RZ-1) in at least one secondary reaction zone (RZ-2) which is not separated by discrete physical barriers with the primary reaction zone (RZ-1).

Abstract: The present invention is a production method for ammonia and ammonia derivatives in a Multi-Reaction Zone Reactor. Said production method comprising the steps of: a) producing at least some section of ammonia as a result of balance reaction of ammonia by means of nitrogen and hydrogen catalyst in at least one primary reaction zone (RZ-1), b) realizing absorption by means of chemical or physical absorbents of at least some section of ammonia which is in gas form and which is produced in primary reaction zone (RZ-1) in at least one secondary reaction zone (RZ-2) which is not separated by discrete physical barriers with the primary reaction zone (RZ-1).

Abstract: An ammonia production process is disclosed. The process uses gasification of biomass waste and the like to produce syngas which, using an integrated system including using nitrogen enriched air and a porous coated catalyst, produces ammonia in a plasma reactor. The ammonia is finally recovered using sulphonated PolyHIPE Polymer which can be used as a fertilizer after neutralization.

Abstract: A support device for carrying a selectively permeable membrane is disclosed along with apparatuses and methods of removing long chain hydrocarbons from a stream of gas. The gas cleaning apparatus uses, individually or in combination, plasma, catalyst and electrodes containing catalysts to perform the cleaning of the gas.

Abstract: A plant growth support medium is described to enhance soil characteristics and provide where required, improved water, or nutrient contents. La addition the medium can be inoculated with microorganisms to aid soil characteristics and provide interactions within micron-scale environment between plant roots, water, nutrients and where applicable, bacteria and root exudates. This micro-environment provides direct delivery of active ingredients to the plant roots. The medium comprises a polymeric material having a primary pore size of greater than 30 micron. The walls of the pores are elastic, enabling the pore to swell in size to retain water, solutes or other biologically useful components and allow root penetration through them. Sulphonation of the walls renders the walls more hydrophilic so attracting water into the pores and also increasing the wall elasticity. Capillaries can be provided to interconnect pores and allow root penetration into the medium.

Abstract: An ammonia production process is disclosed. The process uses gasification of biomass waste and the like to produce syngas which, using an integrated system including using nitrogen enriched air and a porous coated catalyst, produces ammonia in a plasma reactor. The ammonia is finally recovered using sulphonated PolyHIPE Polymer which can be used as a fertilizer after neutralisation.

Abstract: A method for the gasification of solid fuel to produce combustible effluent, comprising the steps of: partially oxidizing a biomass fuel in a first oxidation zone to produce char; reducing the char in a reduction zone to form ash; further oxidizing any char residue ash in a second oxidation zone; and extracting the combustible effluent produced in the above steps, by a discharge pipe wherein in the first oxidation zone the gas flow is in the same direction as fuel flow and in the second oxidation zone the gas flow is in the opposite direction to the fuel flow.

Abstract: A method for the gasification of solid fuel to produce combustible effluent, comprising the steps of: partially oxidising a biomass fuel in a first oxidation zone to produce char; reducing the char in a reduction zone to form ash; further oxidising any char residue in the ash in a second oxidation zone; and extracting the combustible effluent produced in the above steps, by a discharge pipe wherein in the first oxidation zone the gas flow is in the same direction as fuel flow and in the second oxidation zone the gas flow is in the opposite direction to the fuel flow.

Abstract: A downdraft-updraft gasifier (1) and method for the gasification of biomass and waste to produce combustible effluent, the gasifier comprising: a fuel valve (22) for loading solid fuel (11) into a first oxidation zone (8); a first throat (2) defining the lower edge of the first oxidation zone (8); a second throat (4) defining the lower edge of a second oxidation zone (14); a reduction zone (5) linking the first oxidation zone (8) to the second oxidation zone (14) and a vortex discharge pipe (18) for the combustible effluent. The method includes steps of: partially oxidising a biomass fuel in the first oxidation zone (8) to produce char; reducing the char in the reduction zone (5) to form ash; further oxidising any char residue in the ash in the second oxidation zone (14); and extracting the combustible effluent produced in the above steps, by the discharge pipe (18).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of oil and water, in particular through the action of a polymeric material on oil/water emulsions (including oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions).

Abstract: A method of producing a monolithic metal or metal composite having a hierarchic pore structure, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a template material, said template material having a porous structure; contacting the template material with a solution of the or each metal to be structuralised; depositing the or each metal onto the template; washing the metal coated template before deposition of further metal; isolating the metal coated template material; removing, thermally, at least a portion of the template material.

Abstract: A plant growth support medium is described to enhance soil characteristics and provide where required, improved water, or nutrient contents. La addition the medium can be inoculated with microorganisms to aid soil characteristics and provide interactions within micron-scale environment between plant roots, water, nutrients and where applicable, bacteria and root exudates. This micro-environment provides direct delivery of active ingredients to the plant roots. The medium comprises a polymeric material having a primary pore size of greater than 30 micron. The walls of the pores are elastic, enabling the pore to swell in size to retain water, solutes or other biologically useful components and allow root penetration through them. Sulphonation of the walls renders the walls more hydrophilic so attracting water into the pores and also increasing the wall elasticity. Capillaries can be provided to interconnect pores and allow root penetration into the medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of oil and water, in particular through the action of a polymeric material on oil/water emulsions (including oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions).

Abstract: A process for preparing functionalised microporous polymers (which are also known as micro-cellular polymers or polyHIPE polymers (PHPs)) using intensified internal heating (for example by microwave irradiation).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of oil and water, in particular through the action of a polymeric material on oil/water emulsions (including oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions).

Abstract: A process for preparing functionalised microporous polymers (which are also known as micro-cellular polymers or polyHIPE polymers (PHPs)) using intensified internal heating (for example by microwave irradiation).

Abstract: A gasifier (1) for the gasification of biomass and waste to produce combustible effluent, comprising: a fuel valve (22) for loading solid fuel (11) into a first oxidation zone (8); a first throat (2) defining the lower edge of the first oxidation zone (8); a second throat (4) defining the lower edge of a second oxidation zone (14); a reduction zone (5) linking the first oxidation zone (8) to the second oxidation zone (14) and ; two oppositely located (at the reduction zone) vortex discharge pipes (18) for the combustible effluent wherein in the first oxidation zone the gas flow is in the same direction as fuel flow and in the second oxidation zone the gas flow is in the opposite direction to the fuel flow; a method for the gasification of biomass and waste to produce a combustible effluent using the gasifier, comprising the steps of: partially oxidising a biomass fuel in the first oxidation zone (8) to produce char; reducing the char in the reduction zone (5) to form ash; further oxidising any char residue

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of oil and water, in particular though the action of a polymeric material on oil/water emulsions (including oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions).

Abstract: A process for producing a liquid composition containing at least one active component and a diluent by mixing the active with diluent and/or liquid active to produce a liquid crystal mixture and incorporating diluent into it such that the mixture remains substantially homogeneous to produce a composition in which the concentration of active components is lower than the concentration of active components in the liquid crystal mixture. Novel apparatus for use in the process is also described.