Abstract: The present invention relates to an asphalt product. The asphalt product includes an asphalt binder and a bio-oil blend comprising a mixture of a non-hydrogenated bio-oil and a partially hydrogenated bio-oil, where the bio-oil blend is mixed with the asphalt binder to form an asphalt product having a shear stiffness of 0.20 kPa to 11,000 kPa at a temperature ranging from 25° C. to 85° C. and/or a viscosity of 0.15 Pa·s to 1.50 Pa·s at a temperature ranging from 120° C. to 165° C. The present invention further relates to methods of producing an asphalt product and methods of applying an asphalt product to a surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a magnetically conductive conduit having a fluid entry port, a fluid impervious boundary wall and a fluid discharge port defining a fluid impervious flow path through the magnetically conductive conduit, at least one end of the conduit having a taper forming a planar surface extending from an outer to an inner surface; an electrical conductor comprising a length of an electrical conducting material having a first and second conductor lead, the electrical conductor coiled with at least one turn to form an uninterrupted coil of electrical conductor encircling a section of the outer surface of the magnetically conductive conduit; and an electrical power supply operably connected to at least one of the first and second conductor leads, wherein the at least one coiled electrical conductor is thereby energized to provide a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along a longitudinal axis of the magnetically conductive conduit.

Abstract: A method for providing magnetic fluid treatment in which at least one electrical conductor comprising at least one length of an electrical conducting material having a first conductor lead and a second conductor lead is energized. The electrical conductor is coiled with at least one turn to form at least one uninterrupted coil of electrical conductor encircling at least a section of an outer surface of a conduit. Energizing the at least one electrical conductor establishes a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along a flow path formed by the conduit and concentrated in a non-magnetically conductive region located between two magnetically conductive regions. A fluid is directed through the conduit past the non-magnetically conductive region to provide magnetic fluid treatment to the fluid.

Abstract: A method of increasing the rate by which a dissimilar material separates from an aqueous-based fluid mixture is disclosed. The method includes the step of passing an aqueous-based fluid through a magnetically conductive conduit having magnetic energy directed along the longitudinal axis of the magnetically conductive conduit and extending through at least a portion of the aqueous-based fluid mixture thereby providing a conditioned fluid medium. The conditioned fluid medium is separated into at least two distinct phases in a ceramic membrane filtration apparatus downstream of the magnetically conductive conduit, wherein at least one dissimilar material separates from the conditioned fluid medium at an increased rate as compared to a rate of separation of at least one dissimilar material from an aqueous-based fluid mixture prior to passing through the magnetically conductive conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a magnetically conductive conduit having a fluid entry port, a fluid impervious boundary wall and a fluid discharge port defining a fluid impervious flow path through the magnetically conductive conduit, at least one end of the conduit having a taper forming a planar surface extending from an outer to an inner surface; an electrical conductor comprising a length of an electrical conducting material having a first and second conductor lead, the electrical conductor coiled with at least one turn to form an uninterrupted coil of electrical conductor encircling a section of the outer surface of the magnetically conductive conduit; and an electrical power supply operably connected to at least one of the first and second conductor leads, wherein the at least one coiled electrical conductor is thereby energized to provide a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along a longitudinal axis of the magnetically conductive conduit.

Abstract: A method for providing magnetic fluid treatment in which at least one electrical conductor comprising at least one length of an electrical conducting material having a first conductor lead and a second conductor lead is energized. The electrical conductor is coiled with at least one turn to form at least one uninterrupted coil of electrical conductor encircling at least a section of an outer surface of a conduit. Energizing the at least one electrical conductor establishes a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along a flow path formed by the conduit and concentrated in a non-magnetically conductive region located between two magnetically conductive regions. A fluid is directed through the conduit past the non-magnetically conductive region to provide magnetic fluid treatment to the fluid.

Abstract: A method for providing magnetic fluid treatment in which at least one electrical conductor comprising at least one length of an electrical conducting material having a first conductor lead and a second conductor lead is energized. The electrical conductor is coiled with at least one turn to form at least one uninterrupted coil of electrical conductor encircling at least a section of an outer surface of a conduit. Energizing the at least one electrical conductor establishes a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along the flow path and concentrated in a non-magnetically conductive region located between two magnetically conductive regions. A fluid is directed through the conduit past the non-magnetically conductive region to provide magnetic fluid treatment to the fluid.

Abstract: A method providing fluid treatment along a flow path extending through a conduit having a serial coupling of conduit segments including a non-magnetically conductive segment positioned between two non-magnetically conductive segments utilizing magnetic energy concentrated adjacent to the non-magnetically conductive conduit segment and at least one region of pulsed fluid treatment within a treatment vessel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed including a method of neutralizing charges of solid contaminants and weakening cell walls and membranes of biological contaminants in a fluid, comprising the steps of: establishing a flow of a fluid through a fluid treatment chamber surrounded by a sidewall of a fluid treatment vessel shaped as a conduit having a fluid input port, and a fluid output port, the sidewall constructed of a shielding material; and energizing a coil of at least one antenna within the fluid treatment chamber with at least one electrical energizing unit to produce pulsed radiation within the fluid treatment chamber to treat the flow of the fluid therein, wherein the sidewall of the fluid treatment vessel establishes a chamber having a capacity to restrict propagation of the pulsed radiation out of the fluid treatment vessel.

Abstract: A method for providing fluid treatment at a plurality of distinct points utilizing magnetic energy concentrated in a plurality of distinct areas along a fluid flow path. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.

Abstract: A method of increasing the rate by which a dissimilar material separates in a fluid mixture is disclosed. The method includes the step of passing a first fluid mixture containing at least one polar substance and at least one dissimilar material through a magnetically conductive conduit having magnetic energy directed along the longitudinal axis of the magnetically conductive conduit and extending through at least a portion of the first fluid mixture thereby providing a conditioned fluid medium. The conditioned fluid medium is separated into at least two distinct phases in a separation apparatus downstream of the magnetically conductive conduit, wherein the at least one dissimilar material separates from the conditioned fluid medium at an increased rate as compared to a rate of separation of the at least one dissimilar material from the first fluid mixture.

Abstract: A method for providing magnetic fluid treatment in which at least one electrical conductor comprising at least one length of an electrical conducting material having a first conductor lead and a second conductor lead is energized. The electrical conductor is coiled with at least one turn to form at least one uninterrupted coil of electrical conductor encircling at least a section of an outer surface of a conduit. Energizing the at least one electrical conductor establishes a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along the flow path and concentrated in a non-magnetically conductive region located between two magnetically conductive regions. A fluid is directed through the conduit past the non-magnetically conductive region to provide magnetic fluid treatment to the fluid.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a data storage system useful for secure access, sharing, storage and archival of electronic documents, such as private, sensitive, proprietary, privileged, and/or otherwise confidential documents, including legal, medical, financial, personal documents. The invention also provides methods of using such data storage system for secure access, sharing, storage and archival of such electronic documents.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing magnetic fluid treatment is described. The apparatus includes a serial coupling of conduit segments forming a conduit. At least two of the conduit segments are constructed of a magnetically conductive material and at least one of the conduit segments is constructed of a non-magnetically conductive material and positioned in between the conduit segments constructed of the magnetically conductive material to establish a non-magnetically conductive region. At least one electrical conductor encircles at least a section of the outer surface of the serial coupling of conduit segments. Energizing the electrical conductor establishes a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along a flow path of the conduit and concentrated in the non-magnetically conductive region of the conduit.

Abstract: A method providing fluid treatment along a flow path extending through a conduit having a serial coupling of conduit segments including a non-magnetically conductive segment positioned between two non-magnetically conductive segments utilizing magnetic energy concentrated adjacent to the non-magnetically conductive conduit segment and at least one region of pulsed fluid treatment within a treatment vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide pulsed fluid treatment at a plurality of distinct points utilizing pulsed magnetic energy concentrated in a plurality of distinct areas along a fluid flow path. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing magnetic fluid treatment is described. The apparatus includes a serial coupling of conduit segments forming a conduit. At least two of the conduit segments are constructed of a magnetically conductive material and at least one of the conduit segments is constructed of a non-magnetically conductive material and positioned in between the conduit segments constructed of the magnetically conductive material to establish a non-magnetically conductive region. At least one electrical conductor encircles at least a section of the outer surface of the serial coupling of conduit segments. Energizing the electrical conductor establishes a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along a flow path of the conduit and concentrated in the non-magnetically conductive region of the conduit.

Abstract: A method for providing fluid treatment at a plurality of distinct points utilizing magnetic energy concentrated in a plurality of distinct areas along a fluid flow path. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine for the production of electricity from tidal flow forces, the turbine having a rotor with an open center such that the blades are mounted between an inner rim and outer rim, wherein retaining members and anti-friction members are provided to limit movement of the rotor relative to the housing in either axial direction, such that water flow in either direction operates the turbine, but wherein the retaining members and the anti-friction members allow the rotor to shift in either axial direction in response to water flow. The anti-friction members limiting rotor travel in the axial direction are preferably of increased thickness, such that as the anti-friction members wear down, the rotor is able to shift relative to the housing in the axial direction.

Abstract: A wind turbine for generating electrical power, the turbine having a rotor assembly comprising a hub, an annular rim and a plurality of blade members extending between the hub and rim, a pulley transfer box apparatus and a looped member extending circumferentially about the annular rim and through the pulley box transfer apparatus, the pulley box transfer apparatus having a pair of drum pulleys each having a plurality of annular grooves receiving the looped member.