Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system. The system can include a hydrocarbon production site. The system can include a direct contact steam generator (DCSG) system. The DCSG system can be configured to generate steam and supply the steam to an unconventional oil recovery process. The DCSG system can reside in close proximity to the hydrocarbon production site. The DCSG can include a DCSG boiler to which feedwater is provided, the feedwater being treated and supplied to the DCSG system from a remote central processing facility (CPF).

Abstract: A staged steam injection system for a flare tip that can discharge waste gas into a combustion zone is provided. The staged steam injection system includes, for example, a first gas injection assembly and a second stage gas injection assembly. The first gas injection assembly is configured to inject steam at a high flow rate and a high pressure into the flare tip or the combustion zone. The second gas injection assembly is configured to inject a gas (for example, steam and/or a gas other than steam) at a low flow rate and a high pressure into the flare tip or the combustion zone. A flare tip including the staged steam injection system is also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of a method, apparatus and system for the efficient melting of a feedstock to at least one of a molten and vitrified state to be used in a manufacturing system comprised of: a melter to which the feedstock is provided; and a heat recovery system configured to capture exhaust waste heat produced by the melter, wherein the heat recovery system transfers an energy recovered from the exhaust waste heat to pre-heat the feedstock provided to the melter.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining post-transfusion survival or toxicity of red blood cells and the suitability of red blood cell units for transfusion by measuring the levels of one or more compounds in a red blood cell sample are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting pulse optical position modulated signals with high background noise by detection of quantum arrival rate at the detector are described. Pulse signals at the detection limit are characterized by the arrival of clusters of individual photons at an optical receiver. The receiver has embedded shot noise that interferes with the detection of the signal of interest. The apparatus distinguishes the signal of interest by a measurement of the rate of arrival of the photons of the signal of interest from the ambient shot noise rate of the receiver. The apparatus determines the optimal signal detection criteria and calculates the expected bit error rate of the decoded data.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for containing a viscous material, such as coolant, applied to cool a roll or a roll processed engineering material such as a metal strip. In particular, a viscous material containment system can include a housing, a viscous material delivery system, a plurality of movable seals and a plurality of gas delivery devices. A method for cooling a roll can include applying a vicious material, such as coolant, to the roll and containing the viscous material on the roll using the viscous material containment system. In some cases, the viscous material containment system can be used to facilitate removal of the viscous material from the roll.

Abstract: Methods for testing a red blood cell (RBC) unit for release for transfusion into a subject are described. The methods allow management of the blood supply by assessing the viability of an RBC unit by its levels of dicarboxylic fatty acids (DFA). The methods include testing an RBC sample from an RBC unit for levels of DFA and discarding the RBC unit or releasing the RBC unit for transfusion based on the results.

Abstract: Provided is a transgenic mouse with modified glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase which can be used as a model and screening tool for various aspects of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Abstract: A method of generating syngas as a primary product from renewable feedstock, fossil fuels, or hazardous waste with the use of a cupola. The cupola operates on inductive heat alone, chemically assisted heat, or plasma assisted heat. Cupola operation is augmented by employing carbon or graphite rods to carry electrical current into the metal bath that is influenced by the inductive element. The method includes the steps of providing a cupola for containing a metal bath; and operating an inductive element to react with the metal bath. A combination of fossil fuel, a hazardous waste, and a hazardous material is supplied to the cupola. A plasma torch operates on the metal bath directly, indirectly, or in a downdraft arrangement. Steam, air, oxygen enriched air, or oxygen are supplied to the metal bath. A pregassifier increases efficiency and a duct fired burner is added to a simple cycle turbine with fossil fuel augmentation.

Abstract: A plug connector includes a housing having a front and a rear, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The housing has a mating end at the front for mating with a mating connector. The housing has a latch pocket at the first end. The plug connector includes plug contacts held by the housing provided proximate to the mating end for mating with the mating connector. The plug connector includes a latch received in the latch pocket having a main body and a latch beam extending from the main body. The latch beam includes a dual tip latch including a first tip latch and a second tip latch both configured to be received in a same latch opening of the mating connector.

Abstract: A method for selectively restricting movement of an appliance position switch from a closed position to an open position includes positioning the pin within a channel of a body portion of a switch retention device and moving the body of the switch retention device in a first direction into an opening in a face of the appliance within which the pin is moveable from the open position to the closed position. Such movement is carried out to cause movement of the pin in the first direction toward the closed position. The method further includes continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction such that a cap thereof contacts the face, and a tab extending outwardly from the body engages with the opening to retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system for generating steam. The system can include a direct steam generator configured to generate saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents. A close coupled heat exchanger can be fluidly coupled to the direct steam generator, the close coupled heat exchanger can be configured to route the saturated or superheated steam and combustion exhaust constituents through an exhaust constituent removal system. The system can include an energy recovery system that reclaims the energy from the exhaust constituents.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for harvesting salt, and other valued material, and generating distilled water from at least one of a produced water and salt water. The system can include a direct steam generator (DSG) configured to generate saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents. The system can include a separation system operating after the DSG, configured to separate salt from the saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents in at least one of brine form and solid form. The system can include an energy recovery system that includes an expansion turbine configured to recover energy from the steam and exhaust constituents.

Abstract: A system for controlling air flow is provided that includes a damper disposed on a duct, an energy recovery system disposed within the duct a first predetermined distance from the damper and a controller coupled to the damper by a conductor and to the energy recovery system, the controller disposed within the duct a second predetermined distance from the damper.

Abstract: Provided herein are coated particles, such as, for example, proppants comprising a coating. A coated particle of the present invention may swell upon contact with a solution having a salinity in a range of about 50 ppm to about 100,000 ppm and/or having a hardness in a range of about 1 ppm to about 150,000 ppm. The amount of swelling may vary by less than 50% over a salinity concentration in a range of about 50 ppm to about 100,000 ppm and/or a hardness concentration in a range of about 1 ppm to about 150,000 ppm. Also provided herein are methods of making coated particles and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Compositions and methods which are useful for determining the sensitivity and specificity of antibody detection reagents are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system for producing a controlled concentrated waste fluid. The system can comprise a concentrator and the concentrator can be selected from the group consisting of an evaporator and a distillation system. The system can include a feedback sensor and the feedback sensor can include a total dissolved solids (TDS) sensor disposed in a waste stream associated with the concentrator.

Abstract: A plug connector includes a housing having a front and a rear, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The housing has a mating end at the front for mating with a mating connector. The housing has a latch pocket at the first end. The plug connector includes plug contacts held by the housing provided proximate to the mating end for mating with the mating connector. The plug connector includes a latch received in the latch pocket having a main body and a latch beam extending from the main body. The latch beam includes a dual tip latch including a first tip latch and a second tip latch both configured to be received in a same latch opening of the mating connector.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining post-transfusion survival or toxicity of red blood cells and the suitability of red blood cell units for transfusion by measuring the levels of one or more markers in a red blood cell sample are provided.

Abstract: A method directed to a hair soaking treatment for frizz reduction comprising immersion of consumer hair into an aqueous composition is disclosed. A method for hair frizz reduction wherein hair is soaked for at least about 2 minutes in an aqueous composition having a viscosity of less than about 1000 cP comprising from about 0.