Abstract: A method of operating a fuel reformer includes advancing a first air/fuel mixture having a first air-to-fuel ratio into the fuel reformer. The method further includes determining if a soot purge is to be performed and generating a purge-soot signal in response thereto. Further, a second air/fuel mixture having a second air-to-fuel ratio is advanced into the fuel reformer in response to generation of the purge-soot signal. The second air-to-fuel ratio is greater than the first air-to-fuel ratio in order to burn soot present within the fuel reformer. A fuel reformer system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination emission abatement assembly includes a first emission device such as a NOx trap and a second emission abatement device such as a soot particulate filter. Reformate gas from a fuel reformer is used to selectively regenerate both the NOx trap and the soot particulate filter. A method of operating an emission abatement device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel reformer is operated in one mode of operation to generate and supply a particular quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a first component such as a NOX trap, and then is operated in a different mode of operation to generate and supply and different quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a different component such as a soot particulate filter. In a similar manner, the fuel reformer is operated in one mode of operation to generate and supply a particular quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a fuel cell, and then is operated in a different mode of operation to generate and supply and different quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to an emission abatement device. A method of operating a fuel reformer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power system has a fuel reformer, an emission abatement device, and a fuel cell. The fuel reformer reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformate gas which is supplied to both the emission abatement device and the fuel cell. A method of operating a fuel reformer so as to generate and supply a reformate gas to both an emission abatement device and a fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel reforming assembly has a control unit electrically coupled to a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of a catalyst positioned in the reaction chamber of a plasma fuel reformer. Based on the temperature of the catalyst, operation of the reformer's plasma-generating assembly may be selectively actuated and deactuated.

Abstract: A plasmatron reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformed gas which is supplied to a remote device such as an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. The plasmatron includes an air jacket which removes heat from the reaction chamber of the plasmatron and supplies heated air to the plasma-generating assembly of the plasmatron. A method of operating a plasmatron is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plasmatron reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformed gas which is supplied to a remote device such as an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. The plasmatron includes an air jacket which removes heat from the reaction chamber of the plasmatron and supplies heated air to the plasma-generating assembly of the plasmatron. A method of operating a plasmatron is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel reformer is operated in one mode of operation to generate and supply a particular quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a first component such as a NOX trap, and then is operated in a different mode of operation to generate and supply and different quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a different component such as a soot particulate filter. In a similar manner, the fuel reformer is operated in one mode of operation to generate and supply a particular quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a fuel cell, and then is operated in a different mode of operation to generate and supply and different quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to an emission abatement device. A method of operating a fuel reformer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination emission abatement assembly includes a first emission device such as a NOX trap and a second emission abatement device such as a soot particulate filter. Reformate gas from a fuel reformer is used to selectively regenerate both the NOX trap and the soot particulate filter. A method of operating an emission abatement device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power system has a fuel reformer, an emission abatement device, and a fuel cell. The fuel reformer reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformate gas which is supplied to both the emission abatement device and the fuel cell. A method of operating a fuel reformer so as to generate and supply a reformate gas to both an emission abatement device and a fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary power system has a plasmatron and an internal combustion engine. The plasmatron reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformed gas which is supplied to the internal combustion engine. An electrical power source, which is independent of the mechanical output of the internal combustion engine, provides electrical power for operation of the plasmatron.

Abstract: A rotary power system has a plasmatron and an internal combustion engine. The plasmatron reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformed gas which is supplied to the fuel cell. Electrical power from the fuel cell is utilized to power a number of electrical accessories associated with the engine including system electronics and lighting.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the maintenance of computer software is provided. The invention receives a software maintenance module. The invention verifies the validity of the software maintenance module. The invention builds a maintenance job for the software maintenance module. The invention determines whether the software maintenance module requires test, and submits the module to test if required. The invention evaluates the installation and/or test results of a software maintenance module. The invention sends the software maintenance module to end users. The invention coordinates the exchange of information between software developers, system managers, and end users. The invention performs oversight functions on a periodic basis. The invention provides a user interface for manual control of automatic functions.

Abstract: A wall system is comprised of wall frame components and wall covering components. The wall frame components include a pair of space vertical supports and an array of selectively spaced cross membes spanning between and rigidly attached to the vertical supports. Pinch bars, designed to matingly engage the frame cross members are mounted on wall covering components in a matching spaced array. The wall covering components are secured to the wall frame component by matingly engaging the pinch bars with the cross member supports.The wall frames include locking connectors such that vertical supports of multiple frame components are serially locked together to form a wall system of any desired floor plan configuration. An infinitely variable hinge frame corner connector and a universal medial connector facilitate the construction of non-linear and/or complex floor plan configurations.

Abstract: A wall system is comprised of wall frame components and wall covering components. The wall frame components include a pair of space vertical supports and an array of selectively spaced cross members spanning between and rigidly attached to the vertical supports. Pinch bars, designed to matingly engage the frame cross members are mounted on wall covering components in a matching spaced array. The wall covering components are secured to the wall frame component by matingly engaging the pinch bars with the cross member supports.The wall frames include locking connectors such that vertical supports of multiple frame components are serially locked together to form a wall system of any desired floor plan configuration. An infinitely variable hinge frame corner connector and a universal medial connector facilitate the construction of non-linear and/or complex floor plan configurations.

Abstract: An immobilized enzyme product is produced by contacting an inert particulate support with an aqueous enzyme solution containing preferably at least 25% dissolved solids and with a water miscible organic solvent, and crosslinking the enzyme to insolubilize the enzyme on the support as a gel containing 50-90% water. The water miscible organic solvent is in substantial excess of the amount of water mixed with the support in the process. The solvent may be contacted with the support before or after contacting with the enzyme solution. The resultant immobilized enzyme product has a bulk volume 5 to 300% greater than the bulk volume of the support material. A least a portion of the gel is external to the support and constitutes at least 3% by volume of the immobilized enzyme product.

Abstract: A product comprising a mixture of .alpha.- and .beta.- forms of glucose as microcrystals, at least 70% of the glucose being in the form of the .beta.-isomer, dissolves readily in water to give approximately 60% solids solutions at ambient temperature. It is obtained by a process comprising the steps of(1) evaporating water from syrup at a pressure of less than 400 mm Hg to provide an at least 60% supersaturated solution of greater than 95% solids at a temperature of from 95.degree. to 140.degree. C.;(2) subjecting the supersaturated solution substantially instantaneously to a shear force to cause immediate nucleation of the syrup without cooling; and(3) immediately forming the nucleated but substantially uncrystallized syrup into a quiescent layer and allowing the layer to crystallize substantially isothermally to produce solid crystalline glucose.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of thaumatin from the fruit of T. daniellii, comprises the steps of skinning the fruit, drying the pulp and mechanically separating the arils from the remainder of the fruit, powdering or otherwise comminuting the dried aril and extracting the resultant powder with water in the absence of added salts while maintaining the pH in the range 2.0 to 4.5. The drying of the skinned fruit is advantageously a freeze-drying process.