Abstract: A system for excavating a rock face using microwaves. The system may include a microwave generator, an articulable robotic arm with a plurality of rotatably connected rigid waveguide segments, an applicator attached to a distal end of the robotic arm, and a robotic control system. The system produces microwaves with the microwave generator and moves the robotic arm such that the applicator moves along the rock face as the microwaves exit the applicator to precondition the rock face for excavation. Various patterns of microwave treatment, and controls based on sensor feedback, may be implemented.

Abstract: A method of controlling a chemical reaction is disclosed. The method may include feeding a solution at a first flow rate into a reactor and detecting a sound in the reactor using a sound sensor that is adjacent to the reactor. The sound sensor may convert the sound into a sound signal. After the sound signal is acquired, it is compared to a stored sound signal or a stored sound threshold to detect a reaction event. The method may include adjusting the flow rate of solutions into the reactor in response to the reaction event.

Abstract: A system for excavating a rock face using microwaves. The system may include a microwave generator, an articulable robotic arm with a plurality of rotatably connected rigid waveguide segments, an applicator attached to a distal end of the robotic arm, and a robotic control system. The system produces microwaves with the microwave generator and moves the robotic arm such that the applicator moves along the rock face as the microwaves exit the applicator to precondition the rock face for excavation. Various patterns of microwave treatment, and controls based on sensor feedback, may be implemented.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of treating process water using a reactor for generating chlorine dioxide onsite. The onsite generation system may include double ensured precursor feeding, effective reactor, automated control/alarm, and effective product delivery. The reactor may include a mixing device, a first feed line connected to the mixing device, and a second feed line connected to the mixing device. The reactor may include a proximal portion in fluid communication with the mixing device and a distal portion in fluid communication with a motive water line. The mixing device, the reactor, a portion of the first feed line, and a portion of the second feed line may be positioned within the motive water line.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to producing chloride dioxide. A chlorine dioxide reactor, methods for producing chlorine dioxide, and treating aqueous systems are disclosed. The reactor may include a mixing device, a first feed line in fluid communication with the mixing device, and a second feed line in fluid communication with the mixing device. The reactor may include a proximal portion in fluid communication with the mixing device and a distal portion in fluid communication with a motive water line. The mixing device, the reactor, a portion of the first feed line, and a portion of the second feed line may be positioned within the motive water line.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to reducing mercury emissions from a coal power plant. Specifically, a method for treating a gas stream containing mercury is provided that includes injecting a mercury oxidant or absorbent and a carrying agent into a gas stream that was produced by heating or burning a carbonaceous fuel comprising mercury. The carrying agent vaporizes after being injected into the gas stream. The mercury oxidant or absorbent and a carrying agent may be injected before passing the gas stream into a gas scrubber.

Abstract: An apparatus for automating the process of bunching straw in a farming operation is disclosed. The straw buncher is a towable implement that includes one or more rakes mounted on a rotatable axle. The rakes gather straw. Rotation of the rake assembly is prevented by a stop mechanism that holds a rake in position using a resistive force until sufficient straw has gathered in front of the rake and the drag created by the straw overcomes the resistive force. At this point the rake begins to rotate, a cam on the rake assembly engages a drive system that turns the rake assembly until the next rake is in position. The implement works automatically and does not require monitoring by an operator to have straw bunches of a desired size be formed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of treating process water using a reactor for generating chlorine dioxide onsite. The onsite generation system may include double ensured precursor feeding, effective reactor, automated control/alarm, and effective product delivery. The reactor may include a mixing device, a first feed line connected to the mixing device, and a second feed line connected to the mixing device. The reactor may include a proximal portion in fluid communication with the mixing device and a distal portion in fluid communication with a motive water line. The mixing device, the reactor, a portion of the first feed line, and a portion of the second feed line may be positioned within the motive water line.

Abstract: A method of controlling a chemical reaction is disclosed. The method may include feeding a solution at a first flow rate into a reactor and detecting a sound in the reactor using a sound sensor that is adjacent to the reactor. The sound sensor may convert the sound into a sound signal. After the sound signal is acquired, it is compared to a stored sound signal or a stored sound threshold to detect a reaction event. The method may include adjusting the flow rate of solutions into the reactor in response to the reaction event.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of treating process water using a reactor for generating chlorine dioxide onsite. The onsite generation system may include double ensured precursor feeding, effective reactor, automated control/alarm, and effective product delivery. The reactor may include a mixing device, a first feed line connected to the mixing device, and a second feed line connected to the mixing device. The reactor may include a proximal portion in fluid communication with the mixing device and a distal portion in fluid communication with a motive water line. The mixing device, the reactor, a portion of the first feed line, and a portion of the second feed line may be positioned within the motive water line.

Abstract: A lockout unit coupled to a gate to provide selective access to an electrical machine is provided. The lockout unit includes a stationary bracket, an arm, and a removable bracket. The stationary bracket includes a first aperture defined therein, and the arm includes a second aperture defined therein. The arm is selectively movable between an open position in which the arm is spaced from the stationary bracket, and a closed position in which the second aperture is substantially concentrically-aligned with the first aperture to receive a locking device therethrough. The removable bracket is selectively coupleable to the arm when the arm is in the closed position. The removable bracket includes a third aperture defined therein that is selectively aligned with one of the first aperture and the second aperture to receive the locking device therethrough when the removable bracket is coupled to the arm.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of treating process water using a reactor for generating chlorine dioxide onsite. The onsite generation system may include double ensured precursor feeding, effective reactor, automated control/alarm, and effective product delivery. The reactor may include a mixing device, a first feed line connected to the mixing device, and a second feed line connected to the mixing device. The reactor may include a proximal portion in fluid communication with the mixing device and a distal portion in fluid communication with a motive water line. The mixing device, the reactor, a portion of the first feed line, and a portion of the second feed line may be positioned within the motive water line.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to reducing mercury emissions from a coal power plant. Specifically, a method for treating a gas stream containing mercury is provided that includes injecting a mercury oxidant or absorbent and a carrying agent into a gas stream that was produced by heating or burning a carbonaceous fuel comprising mercury. The carrying agent vaporizes after being injected into the gas stream. The mercury oxidant or absorbent and a carrying agent may be injected before passing the gas stream into a gas scrubber.

Abstract: A lockout unit coupled to a gate to provide selective access to an electrical machine is provided. The lockout unit includes a stationary bracket, an arm, and a removable bracket. The stationary bracket includes a first aperture defined therein, and the arm includes a second aperture defined therein. The arm is selectively movable between an open position in which the arm is spaced from the stationary bracket, and a closed position in which the second aperture is substantially concentrically-aligned with the first aperture to receive a locking device therethrough. The removable bracket is selectively coupleable to the arm when the arm is in the closed position. The removable bracket includes a third aperture defined therein that is selectively aligned with one of the first aperture and the second aperture to receive the locking device therethrough when the removable bracket is coupled to the arm.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to producing chloride dioxide. A chlorine dioxide reactor, methods for producing chlorine dioxide, and treating aqueous systems are disclosed. The reactor may include a mixing device, a first feed line in fluid communication with the mixing device, and a second feed line in fluid communication with the mixing device. The reactor may include a proximal portion in fluid communication with the mixing device and a distal portion in fluid communication with a motive water line. The mixing device, the reactor, a portion of the first feed line, and a portion of the second feed line may be positioned within the motive water line.

Abstract: An apparatus for automating the process of bunching straw in a farming operation is disclosed. The straw buncher is a towable implement that includes one or more rakes mounted on a rotatable axle. The rakes gather straw. Rotation of the rake assembly is prevented by a stop mechanism that holds a rake in position using a resistive force until sufficient straw has gathered in front of the rake and the drag created by the straw overcomes the resistive force. At this point the rake begins to rotate, a cam on the rake assembly engages a drive system that turns the rake assembly until the next rake is in position. The implement works automatically and does not require monitoring by an operator to have straw bunches of a desired size be formed.

Abstract: A backplane controller to couple to a carrier interface and a plurality of host controllers of different types. The backplane controller is to identify a host controller corresponding to a type of a storage device of a storage device carrier. The storage device carrier is to interface with the carrier interface. The backplane controller is to arbitrate multiplexing of communication between the carrier interface and the identified host controller.

Abstract: A backplane controller to couple to a carrier interface and a plurality of host controllers of different types. The backplane controller is to identify a host controller corresponding to a type of a storage device of a storage device carrier. The storage device carrier is to interface with the carrier interface. The backplane controller is to arbitrate multiplexing of communication between the carrier interface and the identified host controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for surface electromyography (sEMG) index calculation and applications. The sEMG data points are quantified by accessing sEMG data points describing activity of a muscle. A single value is calculating from the sEMG data points. The single value is calculated using the sEMG data points as an input to a mathematical algorithm. The mathematical algorithm can include an integral. The mathematical algorithm can also include consideration of high points, low points, averages within the sEMG data points, first-order derivatives, second-order derivatives, and other direct or indirect data based at least in part upon sEMG data. The E-index calculated can be used in many applications and in combination with EKG and EEG.

Abstract: A process includes substituting a substituent on a substrate. The process includes reacting a salt of an anionic form of the substituent with an electrophilic fluorination agent to provide an electrophile containing a cationic form of the substituent. The electrophile is then electrophilically substituted on the substrate. In some aspects of the process, the substrate can be an aromatic or a non-aromatic. The process can be used for a variety of reactions having electrophilic mechanisms, including halogenation, thiocyanation and nitration.