Abstract: A system is provided that enables a continuous process that involves the introduction of particles into a reactor drum having a low oxygen environment. Heavy hydrocarbons are boiled off of the particles during the heating of the particles. The boiled off heavy hydrocarbons mix with a heated gas stream that heats the particles within the reactor drum. The heated gas stream (with the boiled off heavy hydrocarbons) exit the drum and are recirculated back to a heat source for reheating the gas stream prior to reentering the reactor drum. Repeated exposure to the elevated temperatures within the reactor drum cracks the heavy hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons. The lighter hydrocarbons may then be separated out of the heated gas stream and collected for sale or use.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method (236) of harvesting thermal energy and water from air, the method comprising: receiving a flow of water vapor containing air over a first heat exchanging contactor contained in a chamber in a non-sealed state, the first heat exchanging contactor coated with an adsorbent material that adsorbs water vapor (238); desorbing water vapor from a second adsorbent-coated heat exchanging contactor contained in a chamber in a sealed state under a partial vacuum (240); exchanging thermal energy between the first heat exchanging contactor and the second heat exchanging contactor, wherein heat gained by heat of adsorption in the first heat exchanging contactor transferred to heat the second heat exchanging contactor to aid desorption, wherein heat lost due to the heat of desorption in the second heat exchanging contactor is transferred to cool the first heat exchanging contactor to aid adsorption (242); drawing a vacuum in the sealed chamber to pull air out and desorb, compress, and heat the wat

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided that transitions from an expanded configuration to a retracted configuration. In the expanded configuration, the seal assembly forms a non-permeable seal between a rotatable rigid body and a non-rotatable rigid body, the non-permeable seal preventing the entry of oxygen into a reactor drum having a low oxygen environment and/or leakage of gases produced in the low oxygen environment of the reactor drum to the surrounding environment. In the retracted configuration, the rotatable rigid body is secured relative to the non-rotatable rigid body such that relative rotation is prevented. The first rigid body may be translatable relative to the second rigid body to reduce a length of the seal assembly and facilitate rapid removal and/or replacement of the seal assembly from between adjacent components of a torrefaction, gasification, or pyrolysis system.

Abstract: A system is provided that enables a continuous process that involves the introduction of particles into a reactor drum having a low oxygen environment. Heavy hydrocarbons are boiled off of the particles during the heating of the particles. The boiled off heavy hydrocarbons mix with a heated gas stream that heats the particles within the reactor drum. The heated gas stream (with the boiled off heavy hydrocarbons) exit the drum and are recirculated back to a heat source for reheating the gas stream prior to reentering the reactor drum. Repeated exposure to the elevated temperatures within the reactor drum cracks the heavy hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons. The lighter hydrocarbons may then be separated out of the heated gas stream and collected for sale or use.

Abstract: A system includes a container unit and a processor. The container unit includes a first fluid pathway having an inlet configured to couple to a first component of a drilling fluid circulation system, and having an outlet configured to couple to a second component of the drilling fluid circulation system. The container unit also includes a second fluid pathway having an inlet configured to couple to a third component of the drilling fluid circulation system, and having an outlet configured to couple to the third component. The container unit includes a first sensor coupled to the first fluid pathway and a second sensor coupled to the second fluid pathway. The processor is configured to determine a drilling fluid profile based on data from the sensors, and compare the determined drilling fluid profile to a target drilling fluid profile to determine an adjustment for an actual drilling fluid profile.

Abstract: A system is provided that enables a continuous process that involves the introduction of particles into a reactor drum having a low oxygen environment. Heavy hydrocarbons are boiled off of the particles during the heating of the particles. The boiled off heavy hydrocarbons mix with a heated gas stream that heats the particles within the reactor drum. The heated gas stream (with the boiled off heavy hydrocarbons) exit the drum and are recirculated back to a heat source for reheating the gas stream prior to reentering the reactor drum. Repeated exposure to the elevated temperatures within the reactor drum cracks the heavy hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons. The lighter hydrocarbons may then be separated out of the heated gas stream and collected for sale or use.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising a carton conveyor and a bypass carton accumulator adjacent to, and interfaced with, the carton conveyor. The bypass carton accumulator may comprise: a carton pick apparatus comprising a carton pick head; at least one stop device comprising a stopper movable between a first and a second position; and a storage apparatus. When in the first position, the stopper does not interfere with the flow of cartons along the conveyor and when in the second position, the stopper engages with a carton to stop a flow of cartons along the conveyor. The carton pick apparatus may be configured to pick up via the carton pick head a set of cartons from a pick-up zone of the carton conveyor after the stopper has moved to its second position and place the set of cartons in the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A system is provided that enables a continuous process that involves the introduction of particles into a reactor drum having a low oxygen environment. Heavy hydrocarbons are boiled off of the particles during the heating of the particles. The boiled off heavy hydrocarbons mix with a heated gas stream that heats the particles within the reactor drum. The heated gas stream (with the boiled off heavy hydrocarbons) exit the drum and are recirculated back to a heat source for reheating the gas stream prior to reentering the reactor drum. Repeated exposure to the elevated temperatures within the reactor drum cracks the heavy hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons. The lighter hydrocarbons may then be separated out of the heated gas stream and collected for sale or use.

Abstract: An antiviral mask and antiviral filter include a thin breathable, microporous polymeric membrane. That membrane may include a plurality of pores functionalized with a proteolytic enzyme, an antibody or a combination thereof. The antiviral mask and antiviral filter may also include a coating of graphene oxide, lignin sulfonate or a combination thereof and/or a fluorescent virus tagging agent.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising a carton conveyor and a bypass carton accumulator adjacent to, and interfaced with, the carton conveyor. The bypass carton accumulator may comprise: a carton pick apparatus comprising a carton pick head; at least one stop device comprising a stopper movable between a first and a second position; and a storage apparatus. When in the first position, the stopper does not interfere with the flow of cartons along the conveyor and when in the second position, the stopper engages with a carton to stop a flow of cartons along the conveyor. The carton pick apparatus may be configured to pick up via the carton pick head a set of cartons from a pick-up zone of the carton conveyor after the stopper has moved to its second position and place the set of cartons in the storage apparatus.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern a crosslinker having a Formula I (Polymerizing Group 1)s-(Amino Acid)u-(Polymerizing Group 2)y?? Formula I, where polymerizing group 1 and polymerizing group 2 independently are selected from an acrylate, alkyl acrylate, acrylamide, alkyl acrylamide, acrylonitrile, alkyl acrylonitrile or a (hydroxyalkyl) acrylate; s and y are from 1 to 10, with s and y each typically being 1; the amino acid is any naturally occurring amino acid, any non-naturally occurring amino acid, and any and all combinations thereof; and u is 2 to 100. Crosslinkers may include a naturally occurring amino acid or acids that are selected to provide amino-acid defining functional groups that are zwitterionic at a pH of from 2.5 to 10. Disclosed crosslinkers can also include “internal spacers”, “external spacers,” or both. Crosslinkers according to the present invention are used to make zwitterionic hydrogels that address fouling and bacteria adhesion issues associated with previously known hydrogels.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to devices and systems for target detection in samples, particularly allergen detection in food samples. The allergen detection system includes a sampler, a disposable analysis cartridge and a detection device with an optimized optical system. The allergen detection utilizes nucleic acid molecules as detection agents and detection probes.

Abstract: An injection assembly for a gas turbine combustor having a liner defining a combustion zone and a secondary combustion zone and a forward casing circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the liner is provided. The injection assembly includes a thimble assembly and an injector unit. The thimble assembly, which is mounted to the liner, includes a thimble that extends through a thimble aperture in the liner. The injector unit, which is mounted to and extends through the forward casing, includes an injector blade that extends into the thimble. The injection assembly introduces a flow of fuel into a flow of air flowing through the thimble, such that fuel and air are injected into the secondary combustion zone in a direction transverse to a flow of combustion products from the primary combustion zone.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to devices and systems for allergen detection in food samples. The allergen detection system includes a disposable analysis cartridge and a detection device with an optimized optical system.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor includes: a head end comprising a primary fuel nozzle; a liner defining a primary combustion zone proximate the head end and a downstream secondary combustion zone; a forward casing radially outward of and surrounding at least a portion of the liner; and an axial fuel staging system. The axial fuel staging system includes a plurality of fuel injection assemblies. Each fuel injection assembly includes a thimble assembly mounted to the liner, and an injector unit attached to the forward casing. A thimble of the thimble assembly extends through a thimble aperture in the liner. The injector unit extends through the forward casing, such that a portion of the injector unit is disposed within the thimble, and a fuel line fitting is disposed outward of the forward casing. The injector unit introduces fuel into air flowing through the thimble for injection into the secondary combustion zone.

Abstract: A knowledge graph virtualization system (KGVS) implements data virtualization techniques using semantic knowledge when parsing a knowledge graph to return results to a query. The data virtualization using semantic knowledge enable end users and applications to describe desired output without detailed knowledge of underlying data storage, schema, and relationships.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring and/or stacking products, the apparatus including a frame, a bar conveyor associated with the frame, the bar conveyor having a plurality of flight bars that are independently driven by a plurality of independent drivetrains, a lifting device having a lifting plate, the lifting device being located within the bar conveyor, and at least one pusher.

Abstract: An apparatus for packing cases with stacked rolled product. The apparatus can include a shuttle for receiving stacked rolled product, the shuttle operatively positioned to receive the stacked rolled product and translate the stacked rolled product from a first position to a second position. A rotatable and translatable loading head can be operatively positioned to receive the stacked rolled product from the second position of the shuttle. A first loading pusher can be operatively positioned to push the stacked rolled product from the second position of the shuttle to the loading head. A carton conveyor can be operatively positioned to convey open cartons to receive the stacked rolled product from the loading head.

Abstract: A method for transferring and/or stacking products, the method including providing a first plurality of products as a first unit, pushing the first unit onto a lifting plate, lowering the plate, providing a second plurality of products as a second unit, pushing the second unit onto the top of the first unit to create a stack.

Abstract: A package containing rolled products. The package has an upper side, a lower side opposite and generally parallel to the upper side and four side walls. The sidewalls connect the upper side to the lower side. The package has at least first and second polymer films, the first polymer film forming the upper side and at least a portion of the four side walls, the second polymer film forming at least a portion of the lower side.