Abstract: An emulsion is provided for defoaming water used in processing of various products such as cellulose or wood-based products or in food processing which is formed by reacting a fatty acid with a compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, sodium, potassium and combinations thereof so as to form a water soluble soap, dispersing the water soluble soap in water and homogenizing the dispersed water soluble soap with hydrophobic oil or hydrocarbon oil to produce the emulsion. Methods for preparing the emulsion and using the emulsion are also provided. The emulsion is advantageous in that it can improve water resistance and/or reduce the use of water resistant additives during processing of cellulose or wood-based products or food-grade products.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing noxious emissions from the combustion of coal or other solid fuels wherein a suspension and/or a dispersing agent is combined with a catalyst having a high surface area to mass ratio so as to optimize the reduction of emissions such as NOx. In addition, the agent and/or catalyst is applied on the surface of the fuel in an evenly distributed manner so as to maximize the contact between the agent and/or catalyst and combustion gases and further maximize reduction of emissions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved chemical change reagent which is used as an additive to coal to enhance the complete combustion of the coal after turning it into a synthetic fuel. The composition is a chemical change agent in that it converts the coal/composition mix into a different material which, when burned, results in lower NOx emissions. The composition includes a wax, a base for ph adjustment and water and is mixed with the coal prior to combustion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical change reagent which is used as an additive to coal to enhance the complete combustion of the coal after turning it into a synthetic fuel. The composition is a chemical change agent in that it converts the coal/composition mix into a different material which, when burned, results in lower NOx emissions. The composition includes a wax, a base for ph adjustment and water and is mixed with the coal prior to combustion.

Abstract: A method for deposition glass soot for making an optical fiber preform. A fuel and a glass precursor are flowed to a burner flame forming glass soot which is deposited onto a glass target. By first depositing an insulating layer of glass soot with a low velocity burner flame, the amount of water which may be adsorbed into the surface of the glass target can be reduced. Thereafter, the flame velocity may be increased to increase the deposition rate of the glass soot without significantly increasing the concentration of water incorporated into the glass target.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a substantially gaseous halo-containing compound of an effluent of a glass manufacturing facility and a system for such method. The method includes the step of oxidizing the halo-containing compound to form a hydrogen and halo-containing compound. The method also includes the step of adsorbing a halogen of the hydrogen and halo-containing compound on a surface. The system includes at least one glass manufacturing apparatus which the operation of the apparatus in glass manufacturing generates an effluent which comprises a substantially gaseous halo-containing compound. The system also includes an oxidizer in fluid communication to receive the halo-containing compound and oxidize the compound to transform the halo-containing compound into a hydrogen and halo-containing compound. The system further includes a scrubber for receiving said hydrogen and halo-containing compound and absorbing the halogen from the hydrogen and halo-containing compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a substantially gaseous halo-containing compound of an effluent of a glass manufacturing facility and a system for such method. The method includes the step of oxidizing the halo-containing compound to form a hydrogen and halo-containing compound. The method also includes the step of adsorbing a halogen of the hydrogen and halo-containing compound on a surface. The system includes at least one glass manufacturing apparatus which the operation of the apparatus in glass manufacturing generates an effluent which comprises a substantially gaseous halo-containing compound. The system also includes an oxidizer in fluid communication to receive the halo-containing compound and oxidize the compound to transform the halo-containing compound into a hydrogen and halo-containing compound. The system further includes a scrubber for receiving said hydrogen and halo-containing compound and absorbing the halogen from the hydrogen and halo-containing compound.

Abstract: A furnace assembly for heating an optical waveguide preform includes a furnace. The furnace includes a muffle and a heating device. The muffle defines a furnace passage. The furnace passage has a length extending from a first end to a second end. The heating device is operative to heat the furnace passage. A process gas supply provides a process gas to the furnace passage. A handle is disposed in the furnace passage and is adapted to hold the waveguide preform. A flow shield is positioned between the first and second ends and extends across the furnace passage between the handle and the muffle. The flow shield is arranged and configured to restrict flow of the process gas from the first end to the second end of the furnace passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for a glass manufacturing facility. The apparatus includes a glass production system providing an exhaust stream entrained with particulate material including germanium—containing particulate. The apparatus further includes an exhaust filtration system including a PTFE fabric material. The exhaust filtration system is connected to the production system to receive the exhaust stream an capture the particulate material. A collection system is connected to the exhaust system to collect the captured particulate material from the exhaust system. The particulate material collected contains at least about 2% by weight germanium. The invention further includes incorporating the aforementioned apparatus into the operation of a glass manufacturing facility.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering germanium from a gaseous mixture which includes a germanium-containing compound in vapor or particulate form, acid in vapor form, and water vapor. The gaseous mixture is contacted with a liquid containing water under conditions effective to dissolve the germanium-containing compound in the liquid. The acidity of the resulting liquid mixture is increased under conditions effective to vaporize the germanium-containing compound. The vaporized germanium-containing compound is contacted with one or more aqueous solutions under conditions effective to dissolve and precipitate the germanium-containing compound in at least one of the one or more aqueous solutions, and the resulting precipitate is separated from the at least one of the one or more aqueous solutions. The methods described herein are particularly well suited for recovering germanium from the waste gases produced during optical waveguide manufacturing processes.