Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing or reducing off-flavor in a beverage. Silane-treated silica filter media are synthesized. By contacting the beverage with the silane-treated silica filter, one or more off-flavor substances or off-flavor precursors bind to the silane-treated silica filter media and are removed. Beverages that tend to develop off-flavor upon storage such as alcoholic, fruit, and vegetable beverages, are suitable for the present invention. The present invention provides a method that can reduce the level of off-flavor substances such as trans-2-nonenal, diacetyl, and cis-3-nonenal. The present invention also provides a method that can reduce the level of off-flavor precursors such as linoleic acid. The silica filter media useful for the present method include rice hull ash, oat hull ash, or diatomaceous earth.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for separating one or more components of interest from a sample containing particulates and soluble materials. The method comprises the steps of: (a) filtering a sample through silica filter media whose surface silanol groups have reacted with one or more silanes, and (b) simultaneously capturing particulates and binding a soluble component to the silica filter media. The bound soluble component of interest is subsequently eluted from the silica filter media. In one embodiment of the invention, unwanted soluble materials are captured by the treated silica filter media and desired component of interest is recovered from the flow-through. In another embodiment, different components of interest are recovered from both the eluate and the flow-through. Preferred treated silica filter media are silane-treated rice hull ash or diatomaceous earth with functional quarternary ammonium group or functional sulphonate group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing or reducing off-flavor in a beverage. Silane-treated silica filter media are synthesized. By contacting the beverage with the silane-treated silica filter, one or more off-flavor substances or off-flavor precursors bind to the silane-treated silica filter media and are removed. Beverages that tend to develop off-flavor upon storage such as alcoholic, fruit, and vegetable beverages, are suitable for the present invention. The present invention provides a method that can reduce the level of off-flavor substances such as trans-2-nonenal, diacetyl, and cis-3-nonenal. The present invention also provides a method that can reduce the level of off-flavor precursors such as linoleic acid. The silica filter media useful for the present method include rice hull ash, oat hull ash, or diatomaceous earth.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for separating one or more components of interest from a sample containing particulates and soluble materials. The method comprises the steps of: (a) filtering a sample through silica filter media whose surface silanol groups have reacted with one or more silanes, and (b) simultaneously capturing particulates and binding a soluble component to the silica filter media. The bound soluble component of interest is subsequently eluted from the silica filter media. In one embodiment of the invention, unwanted soluble materials are captured by the treated silica filter media and desired component of interest is recovered from the flow-through. In another embodiment, different components of interest are recovered from both the eluate and the flow-through. Preferred treated silica filter media are silane-treated rice hull ash or diatomaceous earth with functional quarternary ammonium group or functional sulphonate group.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for separating one or more components of interest from a sample containing particulates and soluble materials. The method comprises the steps of: (a) filtering a sample through silica filter media whose surface silanol groups have reacted with one or more silanes, and (b) simultaneously capturing particulates and binding a soluble component to the silica filter media. The bound soluble component of interest is subsequently eluted from the silica filter media. In one embodiment of the invention, unwanted soluble materials are captured by the treated silica filter media and desired component of interest is recovered from the flow-through. In another embodiment, different components of interest are recovered from both the eluate and the flow-through. Preferred treated silica filter media are silane-treated rice hull ash or diatomaceous earth with functional quarternary ammonium group or functional sulphonate group.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for separating one or more components of interest from a sample containing particulates and soluble materials. The method comprises the steps of: (a) filtering a sample through silica filter media whose surface silanol groups have reacted with one or more silanes, and (b) simultaneously capturing particulates and binding a soluble component to the silica filter media. The bound soluble component of interest is subsequently eluted from the silica filter media. In one embodiment of the invention, unwanted soluble materials are captured by the treated silica filter media and desired component of interest is recovered from the flow-through. In another embodiment of the invention, different components of interest are recovered from both the eluate and the flow-through. Preferred treated silica filter media are silane-treated rice hull ash or diatomaceous earth with functional quaternary ammonium group or functional sulphonate group.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for separating one or more components of interest from a sample containing particulates and soluble materials. The method comprises the steps of: (a) filtering a sample through silica filter media whose surface silanol groups have reacted with one or more silanes, and (b) simultaneously capturing particulates and binding a soluble component to the silica filter media. The bound soluble component of interest is subsequently eluted from the silica filter media. In one embodiment of the invention, unwanted soluble materials are captured by the treated silica filter media and desired component of interest is recovered from the flow-through. In another embodiment of the invention, different components of interest are recovered from both the eluate and the flow-through. Preferred treated silica filter media are silane-treated rice hull ash or diatomaceous earth with functional quarternary ammonium group or functional sulphonate group.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing stale air from a residence or other enclosed space, and replacing that air with fresh air from outside the enclosed space. Stale air outlets are placed at the ceiling in one or more locations throughout the enclosed space and ducts connect those outlets to an air vent elevated in relation to the stale air outlets. An inlet air passage extends between a fresh air inlet located outside the enclosed space, and the air return side of a forced-air heating/cooling unit in the enclosed space. Warm air rises to the ceiling within the enclosed space, increasing in pressure and flowing through the stale air outlets to the relatively lower-pressure outside air. This air flow induces an inward flow of fresh air into the system. The outgoing and incoming air flows move through a heat exchanger, allowing thermal recovery of heat due to differential temperatures between the two air flows.