Abstract: Systems and methods for rejecting waste heat generated by one or more operating systems installed on an aircraft employ an endothermic fuel that can participate in endothermic catalytic cracking at temperatures below about 80° C. when exposed to a cracking catalyst that contains a superacid operative to induce low-temperature catalytic cracking of the branched alkanes. The endothermic fuel contains an effective amount of the branched alkanes so that a net endothermic effect is realized when the fuel is exposed to the cracking catalyst. The low-temperature, heat-consuming cracking of the branched alkanes increases the heat sink capacity of the endothermic fuel.

Abstract: A method of affecting soot particulate size in an internal combustion engine exhaust by selectively providing a phosphorous based additive to the engine during combustion. Soot particulate size can be increased or decreased depending on the particular additive provided. Also disclosed in a conditioning effect experienced by using a phosphorous based additive for a period of time. A conditioned engine can also have its exhaust properties affected during the life of its conditioned state. Manipulating particle size during engine operation can employ an oligomeric phosphorous compound. Engine conditioning can employ a monomeric phosphorous containing compound, an oligomeric phosphorous containing compound, a polymeric phosphorous containing compound, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rejecting waste heat generated by one or more operating systems installed on an aircraft employ an endothermic fuel that can participate in endothermic catalytic cracking at temperatures below about 80° C. when exposed to a cracking catalyst that contains a superacid operative to induce low-temperature catalytic cracking of the branched alkanes. The endothermic fuel contains an effective amount of the branched alkanes so that a net endothermic effect is realized when the fuel is exposed to the cracking catalyst. The low-temperature, heat-consuming cracking of the branched alkanes increases the heat sink capacity of the endothermic fuel.

Abstract: A method of affecting soot particulate size in an internal combustion engine exhaust by selectively providing a phosphorous based additive to the engine during combustion. Soot particulate size can be increased or decreased depending on the particular additive provided. Also disclosed in a conditioning effect experienced by using a phosphorous based additive for a period of time. A conditioned engine can also have its exhaust properties affected during the life of its conditioned state. Manipulating particle size during engine operation can employ an oligomeric phosphorous compound. Engine conditioning can employ a monomeric phosphorous containing compound, an oligomeric phosphorous containing compound, a polymeric phosphorous containing compound, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for controlling a laundering process includes determining a concentration of a detergent within a wash fluid during at least one cycle of an article laundering process, and dynamically adjusting at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined concentration of the detergent. An apparatus for controlling a laundering process includes a fluid chamber to contain a wash fluid, a sensor coupled to the fluid chamber to determine a detergent concentration within the wash fluid, and a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to dynamically adjust at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined detergent concentration.

Abstract: A method for determining detergent concentration includes performing a photometric analysis of a wash fluid during an article laundering process, and determining a concentration of a detergent within the wash fluid based at least in part upon the photometric analysis. Furthermore, an apparatus for determining detergent concentration includes a fluid chamber to hold a wash fluid for washing articles, and an optical sensor optically coupled to the fluid chamber to determine a detergent concentration within the wash fluid based at least in part upon photometric properties of the wash fluid.