Abstract: Tracer ammunition is disclosed and includes a projectile having a body; a chamber in the body having a front end and a rear end, the rear end of the chamber being open; an aperture at a rear end of the body providing an opening to the open end of the chamber; and a tracer material disposed within the chamber, wherein the tracer material is configured to combust when ignited and emit optical energy through the aperture as a result of the combustion process. The tracer material may be configured to include a rear-facing surface having a concave contour to aid in directivity of light output from the tracer material.

Abstract: Tracer ammunition is disclosed and includes a projectile having a body; a chamber in the body having a front end and a rear end, the rear end of the chamber being open; an aperture at a rear end of the body providing an opening to the open end of the chamber; and a tracer material disposed within the chamber, wherein the tracer material is configured to combust when ignited and emit optical energy through the aperture as a result of the combustion process. The tracer material may be configured to include a rear-facing surface having a concave contour to aid in directivity of light output from the tracer material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing emissions of particulate matter from a gaseous stream are provided. The subject systems include a catalyst that reduces the amount of particulate matter emissions in the gaseous stream. Embodiments of the subject systems may also reduce the amount of particulate matter precursor emissions in the gaseous stream. In some cases, the subject systems and methods include a sorber that facilitates the reduction in particulate matter and particulate matter precursors in the gaseous stream. The subject methods and systems find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to reduce particulate matter emissions from a gaseous stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing emissions of particulate matter from a gaseous stream are provided. The subject systems include a catalyst that reduces the amount of particulate matter emissions in the gaseous stream. Embodiments of the subject systems may also reduce the amount of particulate matter precursor emissions in the gaseous stream. In some cases, the subject systems and methods include a sorber that facilitates the reduction in particulate matter and particulate matter precursors in the gaseous stream. The subject methods and systems find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to reduce particulate matter emissions from a gaseous stream.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target material comprising a source of a beam of terahertz radiation comprising illuminating a suspected subject with THz radiation having been determined to provide sufficiently clustered PCA classification to distinguish the target materials from non-target materials. The method further provides for determining the PCA classification for target materials as being sufficiently clustered and differently placed in n-space coordinates as to permit differentiating target materials from non-target materials. Then the weighting factors along with the n-spaced coordinates can be used for subjects under interrogation.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target material comprising a source of a beam of terahertz radiation comprising illuminating a suspected subject with THz radiation having been determined to provide sufficiently clustered PCA classification to distinguish the target materials from non-target materials. The method further provides for determining the PCA classification for target materials as being sufficiently clustered and differently placed in n-space coordinates as to permit differentiating target materials from non-target materials. Then the weighting factors along with the n-spaced coordinates can be used for subjects under interrogation.

Abstract: A process for burning coal to produce substantially pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells, together with “sequestration ready” carbon dioxide and a stream of oxygen depleted air for powering gas turbines, characterized by using a combination of two fluidized bed reactors and a third transfer line reactor, the first reactor being supplied with coal particles or “char” and fluidized with high temperature steam; the second reactor being fluidized with high temperature steam and the third reactor being fluidized by compressed air. Solids circulated among these three reactors include a mixture of materials containing calcium compounds (present as CaO, CaCO3 and mixtures thereof) and iron compounds (present as FeO, Fe2O3 and mixtures thereof). The coal is gasified by the steam in the presence of CaO to produce CaCO3 and relatively pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells per a CO2 acceptor process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating gas mixtures containing synthesis gas (syngas) into separate streams of wet hydrogen containing significantly reduced amounts of CO2 and CO, with the CO2 being “sequestration ready” and containing less than 1% fixed gases. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of limestone and iron oxide circulates between two fluidized beds whereby one bed is fluidized with a gas containing syngas, while the other bed is fluidized with a gas containing steam and oxygen. As the fluidizing gas containing syngas passes through the bed, the CO2 reacts with CaO to form CaCO3. Virtually all of the CO is removed by a water gas shift reaction, forming hydrogen and CO2, with the remainder being removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO. Some hydrogen is also removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO, while the remainder of the hydrogen passes through the fluid beds, leaving in a purified state, i.e., PEM fuel cell quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating gas mixtures containing synthesis gas (syngas) into separate streams of wet hydrogen containing significantly reduced amounts of CO2 and CO, with the CO2 being “sequestration ready” and containing less than 1% fixed gases. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of limestone and iron oxide circulates between two fluidized beds whereby one bed is fluidized with a gas containing syngas, while the other bed is fluidized with a gas containing steam and oxygen. As the fluidizing gas containing syngas passes through the bed, the CO2 reacts with CaO to form CaCO3. Virtually all of the CO is removed by a water gas shift reaction, forming hydrogen and CO2, with the remainder being removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO. Some hydrogen is also removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO, while the remainder of the hydrogen passes through the fluid beds, leaving in a purified state, i.e., PEM fuel cell quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide in the presence of hydrogen gas while leaving the hydrogen substantially unoxidized. This method utilizes a catalytic material, such as copper/copper oxide, silver/silver oxide, nickel/nickel oxide, and the higher and lower oxides of cerium, which in a more oxidized state is readily reduced by carbon monoxide and which in a more reduced state is readily oxidized by air. A carbon monoxide/hydrogen gas mixture and air are alternately contacted with the catalytic material, such that the carbon monoxide is selectively oxidized and the catalytic material is regenerated.

Abstract: Various methods for decreasing the amount of nitrogen oxides released to the atmosphere as a component of combustion gas mixtures are provided. The methods specifically provide for the removal of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx) from gas mixtures emitted from stationary combustion systems. In particular, methods for improving efficiency of nitrogen oxide reduction from combustion systems include injecting metal-containing compounds into the main combustion zone and/or the reburning zone of a combustion system. The metal containing compounds react with active combustion species, and these reactions change radical concentrations and significantly improve NOx conversion to molecular nitrogen. The metal-containing additives can be injected with the main fuel, in the main combustion zone, with secondary or reburning fuel addition, or at several locations in the main combustion zone and reburning zone.

Abstract: Various methods for decreasing the amount of nitrogen oxides released to the atmosphere as a component of combustion gas mixtures are provided. The methods specifically provide for the removal of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx) from gas mixtures emitted from stationary combustion systems. In particular, methods for improving efficiency of nitrogen oxide reduction from combustion systems include injecting metal-containing compounds into the main combustion zone and/or the reburning zone of a combustion system. The metal containing compounds react with active combustion species, and these reactions change radical concentrations and significantly improve NOx conversion to molecular nitrogen. The metal-containing additives can be injected with the main fuel, in the main combustion zone, with secondary or reburning fuel addition, or at several locations in the main combustion zone and reburning zone.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing fuel and transferring the heat produced to a particular use in a combustion system such as fuels conversion. A bed of a mixture of materials forming an unmixed combustion catalyst, which in an oxidized state is readily reducible and in a reduced state is readily oxidizable, is placed in efficient thermal contact with a heat receiver for use in the combustion system. Fuel and air are alternately contacted with the bed, whereby the fuel is oxidized, the air is depleted of oxygen, and heat is liberated. The heat is efficiently transferred to the heat receiver by careful selection of the materials of the bed such that the temperatures produced when the fuel is oxidized and when the air is depleted of oxygen are advantageous to the particular use in the combustion system.

Abstract: A process and system for reducing cold start NO.sub.x, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbon emissions from mobile source engine exhaust utilizes adsorption and desorption of NO.sub.x compounds on a regenerable sorbent material. Molecules of NO.sub.x are adsorbed onto the sorbent material during the ineffective warm up period of a three-way catalytic converter. When the catalytic converter reaches operating temperatures, the NO.sub.x molecules are thermally desorbed from the sorbent material and delivered to the catalytic converter for effective reduction to molecular nitrogen.

Abstract: A process and system for reducing cold start NO.sub.x, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbon emissions from mobile source engine exhaust utilizes adsorption and desorption of NO.sub.x compounds on a regenerable sorbent material. Molecules of NO.sub.x are adsorbed onto the sorbent material during the ineffective warm up period of a three-way catalytic converter. When the catalytic converter reaches operating temperatures, the NO.sub.x molecules are thermally desorbed from the sorbent material and delivered to the catalytic converter for effective reduction to molecular nitrogen.