Abstract: An automated process for separating and recycling a broad mix of waste material including, but not limited to, paper and flexible plastics. A materials recovery facility (MRF) collects, presorts, and separates into individual commodities the material, then separates partially processed 2D blends from 3D containers, while refraining from any quality control of the 2D blends, and bales the 2D blends. A fiber center receives the bales from the MRF, aggregates the partially processed 2D blends, removes recyclable commodities including flexible plastics from the 2D blends, aggregates each recyclable commodity that is removed from the 2D blends, and forms separate commodity streams of clean paper and clean flexible plastics. Also provided are a related fiber center (and an infrastructure including the center) and at least one computer-readable non-transitory storage medium embodying software for performing the process.

Abstract: An integrated, automated process for separating and recycling a broad mix of plastic waste material including, without limitation, polyester and polyolefin streams. The process begins by collecting the material. The material is then pre-processed to remove contamination. Next, the material is coarsely shredded, resulting in ground material. The ground material is friction washed to remove further contaminants from the ground material and form cleaned ground material. The cleaned ground material is sink floated to further wash the clean ground material and separate it into polyolefin flakes and polyester remainder. The polyester remainder is dried, yielding polyester flakes. Finally, the polyester flakes are collected. The process eliminates the tradeoffs between recovery and purity that perplex recycling facilities and permits simultaneous handling of polyesters and polyolefins.

Abstract: An automated process for separating and recycling a broad mix of waste material including industrial and commercial streams. The process begins by collecting the broad mix of waste material. Optionally, the broad mix of waste material is sorted to remove contamination from the broad mix of waste material. Next, the broad mix of waste material is coarsely shredded. Plastic film is removed from the broad mix of waste material, creating a stream of plastic film and a separate stream of dirty cardboard. Residual plastic is separated from the cardboard stream and included either in the plastic stream or in an independent third stream. The process yields separate streams of a film-rich recycled plastic and a clean recycled cardboard having a purity of at least about 95%. Also provided are a related system and at least one computer-readable non-transitory storage medium embodying software for performing the process.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a monitor module for a first device, wherein the first device is configured to obtain measurement data from a second device, to compare the measurement data to a reference value, and to send a signal when the measurement data in comparison to the reference indicates an error condition. Machine learning can be used, where a head-end is capable of modifying the second device when the reference value so indicates.

Abstract: This application discloses a method and an apparatus for the measurement of gases in hydraulic fracking sites, comprising a gas sensor, a computer, and a correction factor wherein the correction factor is applied to the observed gas reading to generate a more accurate reading of the gas level at the site.

Abstract: An integrated sensor of volatile organic gas can include a photoionization detector (PID) and one or more additional detectors such as an infrared detector, a catalytic combustion detector, or an electrochemical detector. One embodiment includes a methane detector that allows correction of the PID measurements for the interference of methane with the PID and/or allows a combination of measurements of the sensors to measure a total hydrocarbon concentration. A further sensor of non-hydrocarbon quenching gases such as carbon dioxide may also be used in correction of the PID measurements.

Abstract: A method for analyzing gas dissolved within a fluid filled asset includes extracting the fluid from the fluid filled asset, circulating the fluid though a first fluid loop, and passing the extracted fluid along a first side of a gas permeable membrane. Gas is extracted from a second side of the gas permeable membrane and the extracted gas is circulated through a second fluid loop. The first fluid loop and the second fluid loop are separated by the gas permeable membrane. The method further includes controlling a pressure differential across the gas permeable membrane to a predetermined pressure differential and providing the extracted gas to a gas analysis unit located within the second fluid loop. The chemical makeup of the extracted gas is periodically determined using the gas analysis unit.

Abstract: This application discloses a method and an apparatus for the measurement of gases in hydraulic fracking sites, comprising a gas sensor, a computer, and a correction factor wherein the correction factor is applied to the observed gas reading to generate a more accurate reading of the gas level at the site.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for the analysis of gases for medical purposes are described. In one aspect, a system includes a sample collector to collect a physical sample associated with an individual and present a gas sample for analysis, a gas analysis device to analyze the gas sample presented by the sample collector to determine a concentration of one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample, a data storage device that includes information reflecting a correlation between concentration of the one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample and a disease state, and a data analysis device to determine a medical condition of the individual based on the concentration of one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample and the information.

Abstract: An integrated sensor of volatile organic gas can include a photoionization detector (PID) and one or more additional detectors such as an infrared detector, a catalytic combustion detector, or an electrochemical detector. One embodiment includes a methane detector that allows correction of the PID measurements for the interference of methane with the PID and/or allows a combination of measurements of the sensors to measure a total hydrocarbon concentration. A further sensor of non-hydrocarbon quenching gases such as carbon dioxide may also be used in correction of the PID measurements.

Abstract: A method for analyzing gas dissolved within a fluid filled asset includes extracting the fluid from the fluid filled asset, circulating the fluid though a first fluid loop, and passing the extracted fluid along a first side of a gas permeable membrane. Gas is extracted from a second side of the gas permeable membrane and the extracted gas is circulated through a second fluid loop. The first fluid loop and the second fluid loop are separated by the gas permeable membrane. The method further includes controlling a pressure differential across the gas permeable membrane to a predetermined pressure differential and providing the extracted gas to a gas analysis unit located within the second fluid loop. The chemical makeup of the extracted gas is periodically determined using the gas analysis unit.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for the analysis of gases for medical purposes are described. In one aspect, a system includes a sample collector to collect a physical sample associated with an individual and present a gas sample for analysis, a gas analysis device to analyze the gas sample presented by the sample collector to determine a concentration of one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample, a data storage device that includes information reflecting a correlation between concentration of the one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample and a disease state, and a data analysis device to determine a medical condition of the individual based on the concentration of one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample and the information.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an analyte gas is provided. The apparatus may include a signal amplifier that may include a thin film transistor that may include a semiconducting film that may include a metal oxide capable of chemical interaction with the analyte gas, such as carbon monoxide. The apparatus may be tuned for detecting the analyte gas by varying the gate voltage of the transistor.

Abstract: A process for encapsulating metal microparticles in a pH sensitive polymer matrix using a suspension containing the polymer. The process first disperses the metal particles in a polymeric solution consisting of a pH sensitive polymer. The particles are then encapsulated in the form of micro-spheres of about 5-10 microns in diameter comprising the pH sensitive polymer and the metal ions (Ni2+, Cu2+) to be coated. The encapsulated matrix includes first metal particles homogeneously dispersed in a pH sensitive matrix, comprising the second metal ions. A high shear homogenization process ensures homogenization of the aqueous mixture resulting in uniform particle encapsulation. The encapsulated powder may be formed using spray drying. The powder may be then coated in a controlled aqueous media using an electroless deposition process. The polymer is removed when the encapsulated micro-spheres encounter a pH change in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor and/or switch fabricated from an array of nanowires or a nanoparticle thick film composed of metal or metal alloys. The sensor and/or switch demonstrates a wide operating temperature range and shortened response time due to fabrication materials and methods. The nanowires or nanoparticle thick films demonstrate an increase in conductivity in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for detecting biological and chemical species in liquid and gaseous phase. The systems and methods utilize carbon nanotubes to enhance sensitivity and selectivity towards the reacting species by decreasing interference and detecting a wide range of concentrations.

Abstract: A device for sensing hydrogen based on palladium or palladium alloy nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are deposited on a resistive substrate, to permit sensing of less than 1% hydrogen; wherein the nanoparticles are deposited as islands on a continuous resistive layer.

Abstract: A protective coating sustains the long term performance of a solid-state hydrogen sensor that includes a catalyst layer for promoting the electrochemical dissociation of hydrogen. The catalyst is susceptible to deterioration in the presence of at least one contaminant, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, water and oxygen. The coating comprises at least one layer of silicon dioxide having a thickness that permits hydrogen to diffuse to the catalyst layer and that inhibits contaminant(s) from diffusing to the catalyst layer. The preferred coating further comprises at least one layer of a hydrophobic composition, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene, for inhibiting diffusion of water through the protective coating to the catalyst layer. The preferred protective coating further comprising at least one layer of alumina for inhibiting diffusion of oxygen through the protective coating to said catalyst layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an analyte gas is provided. The apparatus may include a signal amplifier that may include a thin film transistor that may include a semiconducting film that may include a metal oxide capable of chemical interaction with the analyte gas, such as carbon monoxide. The apparatus may be tuned for detecting the analyte gas by varying the gate voltage of the transistor.