Abstract: A freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant (10) includes at least one fuel cell (12), a coolant loop (18) including a freeze tolerant accumulator (22) for storing and separating a water immiscible fluid and water coolant, a direct contact heat exchanger (56) for mixing the water immiscible fluid and the water coolant within a mixing region (72) of the heat exchanger (56), a coolant pump (21) for circulating the coolant through the coolant loop (18), a radiator loop (84) for circulating the water immiscible fluid through the heat exchanger (56), and a radiator (86) for removing heat from the coolant. The plant (10) utilizes the water immiscible fluid during steady-state operation to cool the fuel cell and during shut down of the plant to displace water from the fuel cell (12) to the freeze tolerant accumulator (22).

Abstract: A high molecular weight direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell 10 includes an electrolyte 52 secured between an anode catalyst 54 and a cathode catalyst 56; a porous anode substrate 58 secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the anode catalyst 54; a porous wetproofed cathode substrate 62 secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the cathode catalyst 56; a porous water transport plate 64 secured in direct fluid communication with the porous cathode substrate 62; and, a high molecular weight direct antifreeze solution passing through the porous water transport plate 64 to cool and remove product water from the fuel cell 10. The high molecular weight direct antifreeze solution preferably includes polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight ranging from 200 to 8,000 AMU. The direct antifreeze solution does not leave the water transport plate 64 in significant quantities to poison the catalysts.

Abstract: A high molecular weight direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell 10 includes an electrolyte 52 secured between an anode catalyst 54 and a cathode catalyst 56; a porous anode substrate 58 secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the anode catalyst 54; a porous wetproofed cathode substrate 62 secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the cathode catalyst 56; a porous water transport plate 64 secured in direct fluid communication with the porous cathode substrate 62; and, a high molecular weight direct antifreeze solution passing through the porous water transport plate 64 to cool and remove product water from the fuel cell 10. The high molecular weight direct antifreeze solution preferably includes polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight ranging from 200 to 8,000 AMU. The direct antifreeze solution does not leave the water transport plate 64 in significant quantities to poison the catalysts.

Abstract: A regenerable high capacity carbon dioxide (CO2) sorbent is operated to remove substantially all of the CO2 present in either a dry, or a humid environment. The sorbent is an amine compound which is composed predominantly of secondary amine groups, and includes one or more functional nitrile groups. Primary and tertiary amine groups form a minor percent of the sorbent. The reaction product of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and acrylonitrile (AN), which reaction product will be referred to hereinafter as “TEPAN” is a preferred sorbent. The addition of one or more nitrile functional groups to TEPA by reason of the reaction between AN and TEPA converts most of the primary amines in TEPA to secondary amines in TEPAN.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing microbial growth on the collector plates (42) of an electronic air cleaner (10) by directing germicidal light, advantageously ultraviolet light, upon the surface of the collector plates (42) and the particulate material deposited thereon. At least one germicidal lamp (50) is disposed to irradiate ultraviolet light upon the collector plates (42) to destroy microbes that might be growing on the particulate material collected on the plates (42).

Abstract: A system for the in situ destruction of compressible refrigerant from a refrigerant containing apparatus includes a refrigerant recovery apparatus (30) for receiving refrigerant from the refrigerant containing apparatus (20) and a refrigerant disposal apparatus (100) for destroying refrigerant received from the recovery apparatus. The disposal apparatus (100) includes a storage tank (110) for collecting refrigerant received from the recovery apparatus (30) and a reactor device (130) for receiving refrigerant collected in said storage tank and destroying the refrigerant received from the storage tank. The reactor device includes a reaction chamber (135) housing a replaceable reactor core (140) containing a reagent functional to chemically react with the received refrigerant. A heater device (138) is provided in operative association with the reaction chamber for heating the reactor core (140) to a desired temperature at which the reagent will most effectively react with the refrigerant.

Abstract: An electronic air cleaner (10) includes a housing (20), a mechanical prefilter (30), an electrostatic precipitator cell (40) and at least one germicidal lamp (50). The electrostatic precipitator cell (40) includes a plurality of collector plates (42) for collecting thereon particulate material from the air stream. The germicidal lamp or lamps (50) are disposed to irradiating the collector plates (42) and any particulate material collected thereon with germicidal light to destroy microbial growth that might occur on the particulate material deposited on the collector plates. Reflectors (60) may be provided in operative association with the germicidal lamp or lamps (50) to concentrate the germicidal light unto the collecting surface of the collector plates (42).

Abstract: A method for testing a non-hydrocarbon refrigerant, such as CFC-12 or HFC-134a, in a closed system for hydrocarbons, HCFC-22 refrigerant and ammonia is provided wherein a sample of the non-hydrocarbon refrigerant is withdrawn from the closed system, the pressure of the sample is measured and a metered portion of the sample is passed through a test apparatus (20) including a testing tube (30), a testing tube holder (40) for supporting the testing tube (30) and outfitted with a vent (48) to the atmosphere, and a pressure gauge (70) for indicating the pressure of the sample withdrawn. A medium (38) for indicating the presence of hydrocarbons in the sample flow passing through the testing tube is deposited on a surface disposed in the testing tube. The presence of undesired HCFC-22 refrigerant in the CFC-12 or HFC-134a is indicated by a higher pressure reading on the pressure gauge (70).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing refrigerant of one type for contamination by refrigerant of another type as would be the case if an air conditioning or refrigeration system charged with a non-chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant received a replenishment charge of a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant. A sample of the suspected refrigerant mix is exposed to a reagent that will decompose the contaminant refrigerant but not the refrigerant that is proper for the system. The sample is then tested for a product of the decomposition. If the product is present, then one can conclude that the contaminant refrigerant is present.

Abstract: An energetic compound having the structural formulaO--O--N--Nis disclosed. Routes for synthesizing the compound involving the reaction of oxygen atoms in the [.sup.1 D] electronic state with N.sub.2 O are also disclosed. The energetic compound is particularly useful as an oxidant in chemical propulsion systems.