Abstract: A diagnostic system for an engine includes an oxygen detection module, a timing module and a control module. The oxygen detection module receives an oxygen signal from an oxygen sensor that detects an oxygen level in an exhaust system of the engine. The oxygen signal has N rich states and M lean states, where N and M are integers greater than or equal to 1. The timing module determines a rich period that the oxygen signal is in at least one of the N rich states and determines a lean period that the oxygen signal is in at least one of the M lean states. The control module detects an asymmetrical error with the oxygen sensor based on a comparison between the rich period and the lean period.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor circuit comprises an oxygen sensor, a bias voltage module, and a switch module. The bias voltage module communicates with the oxygen sensor and generates a bias voltage. The switch module selectively connects the bias voltage module to the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: At least one section of structured packing where the length of the section is about 1 m to about 6 m; and where the specific surface area of the structured packing of the section is greater than 500 m2/m3, is used in a vapour/liquid contact column operating in locations where environmental conditions adversely affect steady state operation of the column to reduce maldistribution of liquid in the column under motion. The structured packing section has particular application offshore on a buoyant platform where tilt of the column out of vertical alignment due to the rolling motion of the platform can significantly affect the efficiency of the column.

Abstract: A method and bed for separating a reactive gas from a feed gas mixture is disclosed. The method includes reacting the reactive gas with a bed of reactive solid in an exothermic reaction to create a second solid and a product gas from which the reactive gas is depleted. The product gas is removed and the heat from the reaction is used to liberate the reactive gas from the second solid in an endothermic reaction which yields the reactive solid. The reactive gas is removed and sequestered. Heat reservoir material is included in the bed to retain the heat in support of the endothermic reaction. A device for executing the method having an insulated chamber holding the bed, as well as process units formed of multiple beds are also disclosed. The process units allow the method to be operated cyclically, providing a continuous flow of feed gas, reactive gas and product gas.

Abstract: A superheater in a power plant that superheats steam to operation conditions exceeding an operating limit of an associated steam-producing boiler. The superheater combusts oxygen and fuel with cooled recycled combustion gas to produce a CO2-rich combustion product gas stream at a fixed temperature. The combustion gas is used as the heat transfer fluid in the superheater's heat exchanger. The CO2-rich flue gas stream allows for efficient capture of substantially pure CO2. The superheater may be retrofitted to an existing power plant as a separate component, external to the boiler. The plant may thus have its electrical power output increased, while its overall CO2 emissions per nit of generated power is decreased, even when inexpensive, readily-available fossil fuels are used as the primary fuel for filing the boiler and/or the superheater.

Abstract: A control module for an engine of a vehicle includes a mode determination module that determines whether the vehicle is in a fuel-saving mode based on an acceleration of the vehicle. A diurnal control valve (DCV) control module selectively closes a DCV a predetermined time after at least one of determining that the vehicle is in the fuel-saving mode and determining that the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A method for separating a reactive gas from a feed gas mixture is disclosed. The method includes reacting the reactive gas with a bed of reactive solid in an exothermic reaction to create a second solid and a product gas from which the reactive gas is depleted. The product gas is removed and the heat from the reaction is used to liberate the reactive gas from the second solid in an endothermic reaction which yields the reactive solid. The reactive gas is removed and sequestered. Heat reservoir material is included in the bed to retain the heat in support of the endothermic reaction. A device for executing the method having an insulated chamber holding the bed, as well as process units formed of multiple beds are also disclosed. The process units allow the method to be operated cyclically, providing a continuous flow of feed gas, reactive gas and product gas.

Abstract: SO2 and/or NOx are removed from gaseous CO2 at elevated pressure(s) in the presence of molecular oxygen and water and, when SO2 is to be removed, NOx, to convert SO2 to sulfuric acid and/or NOx to nitric acid. The sulfuric acid and/or nitric acid is/are then removed from the gaseous carbon dioxide to produce SO2-free, NOx-lean carbon dioxide gas. The invention has particular application in the removal of SO2 and/or NOx from carbon dioxide flue gas produced in an oxyfuel combustion process, for example, in a pulverized coal fired power station.

Abstract: SO2 and/or NOx are removed from gaseous CO2 at elevated pressure(s) in the presence of molecular oxygen and water and, when SO2 is to be removed, NOx, to convert SO2 to sulfuric acid and/or NOx to nitric acid. The sulfuric acid and/or nitric acid is/are then removed from the gaseous carbon dioxide to produce SO2-free, NOx-lean carbon dioxide gas. The invention has particular application in the removal of SO2 and/or NOx from carbon dioxide flue gas produced in an oxyfuel combustion process, for example, in a pulverized coal fired power station.

Abstract: Impure carbon dioxide (“CO2”) comprising a first contaminant selected from the group consisting of oxygen (“O2”) and carbon monoxide (“CO”) is purified by separating expanded impure carbon dioxide liquid in a mass transfer separation column system. The impure carbon dioxide may be derived from, for example, flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen (“H2”) PSA system.

Abstract: A first contaminant selected from oxygen and carbon monoxide is removed from impure liquid carbon dioxide using a mass transfer separation column system which is reboiled by indirect heat exchange against crude carbon dioxide fluid, the impure liquid carbon dioxide having a greater concentration of carbon dioxide than the crude carbon dioxide fluid. The invention has particular application in the recovery of carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen PSA process. Advantages include reducing the level of the first contaminant to not more than 1000 ppm.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is separated from a feed gas, preferably derived from flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process, in a membrane separation system to produce separated carbon dioxide gas which is fed to the oxyfuel combustion process to improve the performance of the process.

Abstract: A fluid-filled structure, such as a bladder, is disclosed. The bladder has a first surface and an opposite second surface that are peripherally joined to define various edges. The bladder encloses a fluid between the first surface and the second surface. A portion of the edges may have a concave configuration, or the edges may have both concave and convex configurations. A shape of the bladder may be a tessellation pattern so that a plurality of the bladder may be efficiently.

Abstract: Hydrogen (H2) gas and crude carbon dioxide (CO2) gas are separated from a gaseous mixture thereof. Combustible gas(es) in the crude CO2 gas are combusted to produce heat, at least a portion of which is recovered by indirect heat exchange with at least a portion of the separated H2 gas or a gas derived therefrom. The invention may be integrated with coal-fired power stations to reduce or eliminate emission of harmful components into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for detecting emissions from an internal combustion engine generally including determining a reference air/fuel mixture signal based on an engine speed and an airflow into the engine. The method includes determining an actual air/fuel mixture signal from an air/fuel mixture sensor and comparing the reference air/fuel mixture signal to the actual air/fuel mixture signal. The method also includes determining whether an air/fuel imbalance condition occurs based on the comparison and setting a service indicator based on the determination of whether the air/fuel imbalance condition occurred.

Abstract: A method for detecting emissions from an internal combustion engine generally including determining a reference air/fuel mixture signal based on an engine speed and an airflow into the engine. The method includes determining an actual air/fuel mixture signal from an air/fuel mixture sensor and comparing the reference air/fuel mixture signal to the actual air/fuel mixture signal. The method also includes determining whether an air/fuel imbalance condition occurs based on the comparison and setting a service indicator based on the determination of whether the air/fuel imbalance condition occurred.

Abstract: At least one section of structured packing characterised in that: (a) the length of said section is from about 1 m to about 6 m; and (b) the specific surface area of the structured packing of said section is greater than 500 m2/m3, is used in a vapour/liquid contact column operating in locations where environmental conditions adversely affect steady state operation of said column to reduce maldistribution of liquid in said column under motion. The structured packing section has particular application offshore on a buoyant platform where tilt of the column out of vertical alignment due to the rolling motion of the platform can significantly affect the efficiency of the column.

Abstract: A fluid-filled structure, such as a bladder, is disclosed. The bladder has a first surface and an opposite second surface that are peripherally joined to define various edges. The bladder encloses a fluid between the first surface and the second surface. A portion of the edges may have a concave configuration, or the edges may have both concave and convex configurations. A shape of the bladder may be a tessellation pattern so that a plurality of the bladder may be efficiently.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel input to an engine of a vehicle. A feedback signal is received from a sensor that senses engine exhaust. A dither signal having the same frequency as the feedback signal is applied to a fuel control signal controlling fuel to the engine. A proportional/integral correction is applied to the fuel control signal based on the frequency.

Abstract: A method of controlling engine operation in a vehicle in response to a misfire of one of a plurality of engine cylinders fueled through fuel injectors. The vehicle includes a fuel vapor storage canister. The method includes disabling at least one of the fuel injectors, using an open loop to control fuel delivery by the injectors to the cylinders, and disabling purging of the canister. The disabling and using steps are performed while the misfire continues.