Abstract: A process for recovering potable water from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. In this process the exhaust gases are cooled causing water to condense out, and the water formed is passed through particulate filters, activated carbon filters and ion exchange resin filters. In this process, the water is treated to reduce the levels of nitrates, sulfates, acidic and other organic components therein (for example, by passing it through a flow through capacitor) before the water is passed through the ion exchange resins. The apparatus for practicing this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter comprised of activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a Virus Removal Index (hereafter “VRI”) of at least about 99%, as measured in accordance with the test method described in the specification. The filter may comprise unbound fibers, or the fibers may be bound with a binder to form a composite of fibers. Also disclosed is a method of removing viruses from a liquid, the method comprising contacting the liquid with a filter comprising activated carbon fibers wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%. Also described is an article of manufacture comprising: (a) a filter comprising activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%; and (b) instructions which inform a user that the filter may be used to remove viruses from a liquid.

Abstract: A process for recovering potable water from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. In this process the exhaust gases are cooled causing water to condense out, and the water formed is passed through particulate filters, activated carbon filters and ion exchange resin filters. In this process, the water is treated to reduce the levels of nitrates, sulfates, acidic and other organic components therein (for example, by passing it through a flow through capacitor) before the water is passed through the ion exchange resins. The apparatus for practicing this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are filters containing free-activated carbon fibers or activated carbon fibers in the form of a composite used for filtering a variety of contaminants, including pathogens, from air. These filters can provide effective and efficient removal of contaminants from air, requiring only short contact time between the air being filtered and the filter itself, with only a minimum pressure drop across the filter. The characteristics of these filters allow for effective filtration with only thin filter layers being required. The process of filtering air utilizing these filters is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter comprised of activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a Virus Removal Index (hereafter “VRI”) of at least about 99%, as measured in accordance with the test method described in the specification. The filter may comprise unbound fibers, or the fibers may be bound with a binder to form a composite of fibers. Also disclosed is a method of removing viruses from a liquid, the method comprising contacting the liquid with a filter comprising activated carbon fibers wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%. Also described is an article of manufacture comprising: (a) a filter comprising activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%; and (b) instructions which inform a user that the filter may be used to remove viruses from a liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter comprised of activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a Virus Removal Index (hereafter “VRI”) of at least about 99%, as measured in accordance with the test method described in the specification. The filter may comprise unbound fibers, or the fibers may be bound with a binder to form a composite of fibers. Also disclosed is a method of removing viruses from a liquid, the method comprising contacting the liquid with a filter comprising activated carbon fibers wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%. Also described is an article of manufacture comprising: (a) a filter comprising activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%; and (b) instructions which inform a user that the filter may be used to remove viruses from a liquid.

Abstract: A method for the recovery and purification of water from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An apparatus for carrying out that method is also disclosed. In this method, the water is condensed out from the vehicle's exhaust (for example, by using a countercurrent flow heat exchanger in combination with a chiller), and the condensed water is then purified. The purification typically includes passing the water through one or more particulate filters; passing the water through one or more activated carbon filter beds, and passing the water through one or more ion exchange resin filter beds.

Abstract: Described are filters containing free-activated carbon fibers or activated carbon fibers in the form of a composite used for filtering a variety of contaminants, including pathogens, from air. These filters can provide effective and efficient removal of contaminants from air, requiring only short contact time between the air being filtered and the filter itself, with only a minimum pressure drop across the filter. The characteristics of these filters allow for effective filtration with only thin filter layers being required. The process of filtering air utilizing these filters is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use with internal combustion engines, such as used for land vehicles, for the on-board recovery and purification of water. The source of water is from the vehicle's exhaust, where it is collected by condensation. The water recovery system consists of a device for cooling the exhaust so as to condense out the water, such as a counter-current flow heat exchanger in combination with a chiller (a refrigerant-cooled heat exchanger), which cools the exhaust below its dew point. Exhaust condensate is collected at the outlet of the chiller. These cooling devices may be coupled with the vehicle's air conditioning system. The condensed water then flows through the water purification portion of the present invention.

Abstract: An activated carbon fiber composite for separation and purification, or catalytic processing of fluids is described. The activated composite comprises carbon fibers rigidly bonded to form an open, permeable, rigid monolith capable of being formed to near-net-shape. Separation and purification of gases are effected by means of a controlled pore structure that is developed in the carbon fibers contained in the composite. The open, permeable structure allows the free flow of gases through the monolith accompanied by high rates of adsorption. By modification of the pore structure and bulk density the composite can be rendered suitable for applications such as gas storage, catalysis, and liquid phase processing.

Abstract: A process is described for the manufacture of activated carbon in the form of a powder, as granules or as extrudates. The process includes treating a biomass feedstock, such as woods, coconut shells, fruit pits, peats, lignites and all ranks of coal with a processing agent and an activation agent. The processing agent may be a natural or synthetic monomer, oligomer, polymer or mixtures thereof capable of interacting or co-polymerizing with the biomass feedstock. The activation agent may be, for example, phosphoric acid, zinc chloride or mixtures thereof. A high surface area, high hardness extruded activated carbon may be produced by this process. The activated carbon is generally characterized by a BET surface area between 600-2500 m.sup.2 /g, a mesopore surface area between 80-900 m.sup.2 /g and for extruded or granular carbons, a Takeda hardness of between 10-50%.

Abstract: An activated carbon fiber composite for separation and purification, or catalytic processing of fluids is described. The activated composite comprises carbon fibers rigidly bonded to form an open, permeable, rigid monolith capable of being formed to near-net-shape. Separation and purification of gases are effected by means of a controlled pore structure that is developed in the carbon fibers contained in the composite. The open, permeable structure allows the free flow of gases through the monolith accompanied by high rates of adsorption. By modification of the pore structure and bulk density the composite can be rendered suitable for applications such as gas storage, catalysis, and liquid phase processing.

Abstract: A method for producing catalysts from coal is provided comprising mixing an aqueous alkali solution with the coal, heating the aqueous mixture to treat the coal, drying the now-heated aqueous mixture, reheating the mixture to form carbonized material, cooling the mixture, removing excess alkali from the carbonized material, and recovering the carbonized material, wherein the entire process is carried out in controlled atmospheres, and the carbonized material is a hydrocracking or hydrodehalogenation catalyst for liquid phase reactions. The invention also provides for a one-step method for producing catalysts from coal comprising mixing an aqueous alkali solution with the coal to create a mixture, heating the aqueous mixture from an ambient temperature to a predetermined temperature at a predetermined rate, cooling the mixture, and washing the mixture to remove excess alkali from the treated and carbonized material, wherein the entire process is carried out in a controlled atmosphere.