Abstract: An HCCI engine includes a power piston disposed in a cylinder and structure for increasing compression in the cylinder, independently of the power piston, so as to cause ignition of a fuel/air mixture in the cylinder. In one possible embodiment, compression is increased by firing a spring-loaded ignition piston positioned adjacent to the cylinder at the desired time. In another possible embodiment, compression is increased by generating a sound wave at the desired time.

Abstract: A packaging system useful for roast and ground coffee, having a container with a closed bottom, an open top, and a body enclosing a perimeter between the bottom and the top. An annular protuberance is disposed upon the body and is continuously disposed around the perimeter of the body proximate to the top. The protuberance forms a surface external to the body. The surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. A flexible closure is removeably attached and sealed to the protuberance so that the closure seals the interior volume of the container.

Abstract: This is an elevated pile supported pre-stressed concrete beam electric high-speed remote-controlled modular train system, including compact high-rise terminals installed within the interstate highway rights-of-ways, a train module astride elevated support beams at standard gage rail widths to fully integrate train modules into existing rail, and since it's within existing interstate highways, fully integrates the new train system with other transportation infrastructures.

Abstract: A blast furnace for use in an apparatus such as a steel making apparatus or a gasifier includes a vessel including a crucible. The furnace includes a lance for introducing fuel and oxygen into the crucible and instrumentation for determining density characteristics of molten material inside the crucible. In one embodiment, the blast furnace is able to adjust the input of fuel and/or oxygen into the crucible based on the measure density characteristics of the molten material. The blast furnace can also include structure for cooling and clinkering molten material discharged from the crucible.

Abstract: A blast furnace for use in an apparatus such as a steel making apparatus or a gasifier includes a crucible having a tap hole for discharging molten slag therefrom. The furnace includes a lance for introducing fuel and oxygen into the crucible and instrumentation for continuously measuring characteristics of molten slag discharged through the tap hole to control processing of fuel and oxygen in the crucible. In one application, a single vessel steel-making apparatus includes a crucible having a first tap hole for discharging molten slag therefrom and a second tap hole for discharging molten steel therefrom and includes an additional lance for introducing a carbon reducing oxygen blast into a mass of molten steel in the crucible.

Abstract: A mineral-fortification system that has a bottle cap, a pouch and a pouch opener. A powder is contained within the pouch, and the powder contains at least one mineral and a redox modulating compound. When the cap is secured onto the opening of a bottle containing a liquid and when the pouch opener is activated, the powder is released from the pouch and mixes with the liquid to form a mineral fortified liquid composition that is fortified with at least one mineral and has a pH between about 2.5 and 9.5.

Abstract: A packaging system useful for roast and ground coffee, having a container with a closed bottom, an open top, and a body enclosing a perimeter between the bottom and the top. An annular protuberance is disposed upon the body and is continuously disposed around the perimeter of the body proximate to the top. The protuberance forms a surface external to the body. The surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. A flexible closure is removeably attached and sealed to the protuberance so that the closure seals the interior volume of the container.

Abstract: A gasifier system includes a gasifier chamber, a plurality of nozzles or burners injecting and combusting a mixture including coal and oxygen within the gasifier chamber, and an ash bed disposed proximate a bottom of the gasifier chamber. Concurrent flow is generated within the gasifier such that gas and bi-products generated by the combustion of the mixture flow through the ash bed. The ash bed serves as a filter and reducing volume for the trace carbon not gasified during the combustion process. The hot gases exit the gasifier and enter a gas cooler and then a hot gas filter. Ash is unloaded from the gasifier chamber and is transferred into a quench tank, where ash settles and is removed to atmospheric conditions by a progressive pitched dewatering screw press. The dewatering screw press also serves as a seal to prevent excessive water escaping from the high pressure of gasifier operation.

Abstract: A waste water treatment method and system including a recirculating treatment zone and a filter/treatment zone. The recirculating zone has a treatment medium that includes aerobic microbes and small beads that create interstices within, and extensive surface area on, which active microbes dwell and through which dead microbes and treated water are permitted to easily pass. The filter/treatment zone has a filter/treatment medium that includes peat and small beads that create interstices through which filtered water is permitted to pass. The recirculating treatment zone is designed to be coupled to a settling unit, such as a septic tank. The filter/treatment zone may be coupled to a leach field, with ultraviolet disinfection for coupling to a secondary water user, a soak hose system, etc.

Abstract: A dilute slurry that includes mineral wool fibers, a clay binder, other binders and a flocculent is introduced into a forming tank at several elevations and with sufficient velocity to circulate toroidally therein. A mandrel having the desired configuration of one surface of the shaped article is lowered into the forming tank and rotated at a preselected speed. Vacuum is applied to the rotating mandrel and a substantially uniform layer of solids is deposited on the outer surface of the mandrel while the filtrate is withdrawn through an internal portion of the mandrel and conveyed to a filtrate recovery tank. After a layer of a preselected thickness is deposited on the outer surface of the mandrel, the mandrel is removed from the forming tank and vacuum is maintained on the mandrel to reduce the water content of the accreted fibers to between about 40 to 65% by weight water. Thereafter, while on the mandrel, the accreted fiber-shaped article is trimmed to provide an outer surface of a desired configuration.

Abstract: A mineral wool insulation product containing a major portion of mineral wool fibers, a conventional binder, and predetermined quantities of an admixture of selected colloidal mineral clays to provide an insulation product having extremely low quantities of free silica and excellent physical properties. The colloidal clay admixture comprises selected quantities of kaolinite clays and bentonite clays.