Abstract: A process for producing a filter element suitable for use in smoking articles may include: embedding a bundle of cellulose acetate fibers with an aqueous suspension of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) to obtain a wet bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers covered by the aqueous suspension of the PHA; shaping the wet bundle in a form of a continuous elongated element; heating the continuous elongated element to temperature greater than or equal to 140° C. and less than or equal to 180° C. for time sufficient to melt the PHA and to evaporate water from the continuous elongated element; cooling the heated continuous elongated element to obtain crystallization of the PHA; and cutting the so-obtained continuous elongated element into segments of predetermined length.

Abstract: Provided is a spinning disc with plasma discharges for the treatment of liquid. In one configuration, plasma is introduced to the surface of a liquid by a point-plane discharge, dielectric barrier discharge or as a plasma jet. This liquid exists as a thin film on the surface of the spinning disc. The thin liquid layer, as well as the enhanced mixing provided by the spinning disc, allow the plasma generated radicals to more easily interact with the contaminant.

Abstract: A process for producing a filter element suitable for use in smoking articles may include: embedding a bundle of cellulose acetate fibers with an aqueous suspension of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) to obtain a wet bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers covered by the aqueous suspension of the PHA; shaping the wet bundle in a form of a continuous elongated element; heating the continuous elongated element to temperature greater than or equal to 140° C. and less than or equal to 180° C. for time sufficient to melt the PHA and to evaporate water from the continuous elongated element; cooling the heated continuous elongated element to obtain crystallization of the PHA; and cutting the so-obtained continuous elongated element into segments of predetermined length.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating article may include: an aerosol-forming substrate; and/or at least one element including at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The at least one element may be downstream with respect to the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-generating article may include: an aerosol-forming substrate; a support element immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate; an aerosol-cooling element downstream of the support element; and/or an outer wrapper circumscribing the aerosol-forming substrate, the support element, and the aerosol-cooling element. The aerosol-cooling element may include at least one PHA. A method for quenching reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an aerosol produced by an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate may include: providing the aerosol-generating article with at least one element including at least one PHA. The at least one element is downstream with respect to the aerosol-forming substrate.

Abstract: A filter element suitable for use in smoking articles may include: cellulose acetate fibers bonded together using polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) surrounding the cellulose acetate fibers, bonded together using PHA on surfaces of the cellulose acetate fibers, and/or bonded together using PHA. A process for producing the filter element suitable for use in the smoking articles may include: embedding a bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers with an aqueous suspension of the PHA to obtain a wet bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers covered by the aqueous suspension; shaping the wet bundle into a continuous elongated element; heating the elongated element to temperature greater than or equal to 140° C. and less than or equal to 180° C. to melt the PHA and to evaporate water from the elongated element; cooling the heated elongated element to obtain crystallization of the PHA; and/or cutting the elongated element into segments.

Abstract: A process for recovery of chromium in an aqueous solution comprising converting the chromium to chromyl chloride, separating the chromyl chloride from the aqueous solution, either as a heavy underlayer, or by extraction into a solvent, purifying the chromyl chloride, hydrolyzing the purified chromyl chloride to form a solution, and drying or precipitating the solution to form chromium, either as chromic acid or a chromate salt.

Abstract: A dry deposition sampling apparatus having at least one thin dry deposition plate with sample collection film is maintained on a support structure which is rotatable about a vertical axis and has a vane to maintain the sharp leading edge of the dry deposition plate(s) headed into the wind. Covers are positioned over the sample collection films automatically upon commencement of precipitation and are automatically moved to a position exposing the sample collection films to the atmosphere upon cessation of precipitation. The duration of exposure of the collection films to the atmosphere is timed, thus providing a dry deposition sampling apparatus which may be left unattended for long periods of time.