Abstract: Volatile organic compounds, for example organophosphonate compounds including chemical warfare agents, pesticides, and solvents, are decomposed by contacting the compounds with either a manganese oxide catalyst in the presence of visible light or a catalyst material selected from the group consisting of vanadium, vanadium oxide, manganese oxide and mixtures thereof deposited upon a catalyst support that is heated to at least 300 C. The catalyst material may be regenerated by a process selected from the washing with water, washing with a solvent, heating, exposing to light, purging with oxygen, purging with a reactive gas, exposing to microwave radiation, and combinations thereof. The catalyst composition may be used as an air filter in a vehicle, a building or a personnel protection device, such as a gas mask.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds, for example organophosphonate compounds including chemical warfare agents, pesticides, and solvents, are decomposed by contacting the compounds with either a manganese oxide catalyst in the presence of visible light or a catalyst material selected from the group consisting of vanadium, vanadium oxide, manganese oxide and mixtures thereof deposited upon a catalyst support that is heated to at least 300° C. The catalyst material may be regenerated by a process selected from the washing with water, washing with a solvent, heating, exposing to light, purging with oxygen, purging with a reactive gas, exposing to microwave radiation, and combinations thereof. The catalyst composition may be used as an air filter in a vehicle, a building or a personnel protection device, such as a gas mask.

Abstract: The destruction of organophosphonate compounds, including chemical warfare agents, pesticides, and solvents, is catalyzed by contacting the organophosphonate compound with a catalyst composition including a catalyst material selected from the group consisting of vanadium oxide, manganese oxide and mixtures thereof deposited upon a catalyst support.

Abstract: A humid gas stream is dehumidified by bringing that stream into contact with the front surface of a hydrophilic capillary condenser layer that captures the water and moves it adjacent the rear surface of the capillary layer. An osmotic layer, such as a semi-permeable membrane, is disposed on the rear surface of the condenser layer, and an osmotic fluid having a low concentration of water therein, is disposed adjacent the osmotic layer. An osmotic driving force, resulting from the water concentration gradient across the osmotic layer, transports the condensed water from the condensing layer through the thickness of the osmotic layer and into an osmotic fluid. The osmotic layer also inhibits the osmotic fluid from flowing into the condenser layer.

Abstract: A humid gas stream is dehumidified by bringing that stream into contact with the front surface of a hydrophilic capillary condenser layer that captures the water and moves it adjacent the rear surface of the capillary layer. A semi-permeable collodion membrane, is disposed on the rear capillary surface of the condenser layer, and an osmotic fluid, such as glycerol, is disposed adjacent the collodion membrane. An osmotic driving force, resulting from a water concentration gradient across the collodion membrane, transports the condensed water from the condensing layer through the thickness of the membrane and into an osmotic fluid. The collodion membrane also inhibits the osmotic fluid from flowing into the condenser layer.

Abstract: A biosensor 10 provides for real time monitoring a selected aspect of an air conditioning or a refrigeration process and system. The biosensor 10 includes a biocomponent element 20 carrying a bioagent 22 operative to detect one or more analytes indicative of the selected aspect of the climate control process to be monitored.

Abstract: A humid gas stream is dehumidified by bringing that stream into contact with the front surface of a hydrophilic capillary condenser layer that captures the water and moves it adjacent the rear surface of the capillary layer. A semi-permeable collodion membrane, is disposed on the rear capillary surface of the condenser layer, and an osmotic fluid, such as glycerol, is disposed adjacent the collodion membrane. An osmotic driving force, resulting from a water concentration gradient across the collodion membrane, transports the condensed water from the condensing layer through the thickness of the membrane and into an osmotic fluid. The collodion membrane also inhibits the osmotic fluid from flowing into the condenser layer.

Abstract: A humid gas stream is dehumidified by bringing that stream into contact with the front surface of a hydrophilic capillary condenser layer that captures the water and moves it adjacent the rear surface of the capillary layer. An osmotic layer, such as a semi-permeable membrane, is disposed on the rear surface of the condenser layer, and an osmotic fluid having a low concentration of water therein, is disposed adjacent the osmotic layer. An osmotic driving force, resulting from the water concentration gradient across the osmotic layer, transports the condensed water from the condensing layer through the thickness of the osmotic layer and into an osmotic fluid. The osmotic layer also inhibits the osmotic fluid from flowing into the condenser layer.

Abstract: An electronic air cleaner (10) includes a housing (20), a mechanical prefilter (30), an electrostatic precipitator cell (40) and at least one germicidal lamp (50). The electrostatic precipitator cell (40) includes a plurality of collector plates (42) for collecting thereon particulate material from the air stream. The germicidal lamp or lamps (50) are disposed to irradiate the collector plates (42) and any particulate material collected thereon with germicidal light to destroy microbial growth that might occur on the particulate material deposited on the collector plates. Reflectors (60) may be provided in operative association with the germicidal lamp or lamps (50) to concentrate the germicidal light unto the collecting surface of the collector plates (42). A post filter (90), disposed downstream with respect to air flow of the lamp or lamps (50), is provided to remove volatile organic compounds from the air flow.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing microbial growth on the collector plates (42) of an electronic air cleaner (10) by directing germicidal light, advantageously ultraviolet light, upon the surface of the collector plates (42) and the particulate material deposited thereon. At least one germicidal lamp (50) is disposed to irradiate ultraviolet light upon the collector plates (42) to destroy microbes that might be growing on the particulate material collected on the plates (42).

Abstract: A system for the in situ destruction of compressible refrigerant from a refrigerant containing apparatus includes a refrigerant recovery apparatus (30) for receiving refrigerant from the refrigerant containing apparatus (20) and a refrigerant disposal apparatus (100) for destroying refrigerant received from the recovery apparatus. The disposal apparatus (100) includes a storage tank (110) for collecting refrigerant received from the recovery apparatus (30) and a reactor device (130) for receiving refrigerant collected in said storage tank and destroying the refrigerant received from the storage tank. The reactor device includes a reaction chamber (135) housing a replaceable reactor core (140) containing a reagent functional to chemically react with the received refrigerant. A heater device (138) is provided in operative association with the reaction chamber for heating the reactor core (140) to a desired temperature at which the reagent will most effectively react with the refrigerant.

Abstract: Air cleansing apparatus includes an electrostatic precipitator in which the collector plates are made of, for instance, reticulated chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide, or reticulated silicon carbide ceramic coated with titanium nitride, zirconium diboride, or chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide. Microorganisms entrained on the collector plates are thermally degraded or vaporized by microwave radiation directed against the plates during a sterilization period which follows a collection period.

Abstract: An electronic air cleaner (10) includes a housing (20), a mechanical prefilter (30), an electrostatic precipitator cell (40) and at least one germicidal lamp (50). The electrostatic precipitator cell (40) includes a plurality of collector plates (42) for collecting thereon particulate material from the air stream. The germicidal lamp or lamps (50) are disposed to irradiating the collector plates (42) and any particulate material collected thereon with germicidal light to destroy microbial growth that might occur on the particulate material deposited on the collector plates. Reflectors (60) may be provided in operative association with the germicidal lamp or lamps (50) to concentrate the germicidal light unto the collecting surface of the collector plates (42).

Abstract: The present invention relates to sustaining high reaction rates at lower reaction temperatures than conventionally utilized with the particular catalyst. The improved reaction rates are obtained using various techniques and combinations thereof including simulated boiling, utilizing the reactant in the form of a thin film, employing microwaves, and the use of micromachines.