Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermochemically processing material, and in particular relates to the torrefaction of organic material such as biomass, in particular to improve the energy content of the material, the method involving enclosing the material in a reactor which is then evacuated by means of a fluid driven vacuum pump to establish an oxygen free environment within the reactor, heating the material to above 200° C. to liberate process by-products such as volatile gases and/or oils, extracting the liberated volatile gases and/or oils from the enclosure and entraining same within the fluid driving the vacuum pump.

Abstract: The Photocatalytic film of semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3), contains an n-dopant, or a mixture of n-dopants, or a p-dopant or a mixture of p-dopants. Electrode consists of a substrate, with one or more films or photocatalytic arrangements of film of semiconducting n-doped or p-doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) e.g. on the surface of one side of the substrate or on the surface of different sides. The photoelectrochemical cell comprises electrodes with a film or with films of the n-doped or p-doped semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3). The semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3) film can be manufactured with a spray pyrolysis process or a sol gel process. The system for the direct cleavage of water with visible light, into hydrogen and oxygen the system comprises one or more of the photoelectrochemical cells with photocatalytic films. The system can be a tandem cell system, comprising the photoelectrochemical cell with the doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) film.

Abstract: Supported photooxidation catalysts containing a metal oxide or metal ion as catalyst which is fixed to the support by means of carboxylate moieties are an alternative to existing such catalysts, particularly if low cost supports such as organic polymers, particularly polyethylene, are used. The supported photocatalysts can be used in mineralisation of organic pollutants in both liquids and gases and show reduced leaching of the catalyst and good resistance towards reactive oxygen species generated during the degradation process.