Abstract: A process for producing dry alcohol (including ethanol) that comprises at least one stage wherein a gaseous feedstock, which includes alcohol and water, is contacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a water-gas shift catalyst, at a temperature sufficiently high so that carbon monoxide and water are consumed and carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced, thereby removing a portion of the water. The process may include multiple stages; the dry alcohol produced contains 99.5 wt. % or greater of alcohol and 0.5 wt. % or less of water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying ethanol includes a first reaction chamber for carrying out the removal of water from wet ethanol, a feed inlet for introducing the wet ethanol into the reaction chamber, a product outlet for removing dry ethanol from the reaction chamber, an optional fuel inlet for introducing a fuel into the reaction chamber, and a particulate bed, including sorbent particles, that is disposed within the reaction chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the bed is divided into first and second zones each provided with different size sorbent particles. In another preferred embodiment, the bed contains a mixture of sorbent particles and catalyst particles. The sorbent particles operate to remove water from the wet ethanol and form hydrated-sorbent particles. The catalyst particles operate to promote chemical reaction of the fuel, generating heat that causes removal of water from the hydrated-sorbent particles and regenerating the sorbent particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying ethanol includes a first reaction chamber for carrying out the removal of water from wet ethanol, a feed inlet for introducing the wet ethanol into the reaction chamber, a product outlet for removing dry ethanol from the reaction chamber, an optional fuel inlet for introducing a fuel into the reaction chamber, and a particulate bed, including sorbent particles, that is disposed within the reaction chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the bed is divided into first and second zones each provided with different size sorbent particles. In another preferred embodiment, the bed contains a mixture of sorbent particles and catalyst particles. The sorbent particles operate to remove water from the wet ethanol and form hydrated-sorbent particles. The catalyst particles operate to promote chemical reaction of the fuel, generating heat that causes removal of water from the hydrated-sorbent particles and regenerating the sorbent particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying ethanol includes a first reaction chamber for carrying out the removal of water from wet ethanol, a feed inlet for introducing the wet ethanol into the reaction chamber, a product outlet for removing dry ethanol from the reaction chamber, an optional fuel inlet for introducing a fuel into the reaction chamber, and a particulate bed, including sorbent particles, that is disposed within the reaction chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the bed is divided into first and second zones each provided with different size sorbent particles. In another preferred embodiment, the bed contains a mixture of sorbent particles and catalyst particles. The sorbent particles operate to remove water from the wet ethanol and form hydrated-sorbent particles. The catalyst particles operate to promote chemical reaction of the fuel, generating heat that causes removal of water from the hydrated-sorbent particles and regenerating the sorbent particles.

Abstract: A chlorine gas generating candle in a vented container which serves as a portable means to generate heated chlorine gas for killing insects, bacteria, viruses and other dangerous biological agents. The device has application in sanitizing dwellings, swimming pools and the like, and is effective in case of accidental release and/or biological attack. The chlorine gas generating candle disinfects an enclosed space with a quantity of heated chlorine gas. The chlorine gas generator is a self contained unit including an igniter which can be activated to initiate a self propagating burn of the entire candle and a resultant distribution of toxic chlorine gas. The use of one or a plurality of chlorine generators described in this application can provide any desired concentration of the killing gas. The chlorine gas generating candle can be safely and easily transported and does not require a source of power to operate.

Abstract: A process for producing dry alcohol includes at least one stage wherein a gaseous feedstock, which includes alcohol and water, is contacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a water-gas shift catalyst, at a temperature sufficiently high so that carbon monoxide and water are consumed and carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced, thereby removing a portion of the water. The process may include multiple stages; the dry alcohol produced contains 99.5 wt. % or greater of alcohol and 0.5 wt. % or less of water. A preferred alcohol is ethanol; dry ethanol can be combined with gasoline to afford a gasohol. The water-gas shift reaction is exothermic. The heat generated may be used to increase the energy efficiency of the process. In one embodiment, the heat is used to generate high-pressure steam. The high-pressure steam may be used, for example, to convert feedstock to gaseous feedstock or in the operation of a production plant.

Abstract: A high-speed chemical drill (20) for removing portions of a target material (30), comprises: an elongated tube (21) formed of a fuel material; a source (24) of oxidizer; a conduit (26) for establishing a controllable flow of oxidizer from said source through said tube; and a sleeve (28) formed of a material containing chlorine and/or fluorine mounted on said tube; whereby, when said drill is ignited and used to remove portions of a target material, the chlorine and/or fluorine in said sleeve material will react chemically with the target material to form gaseous reaction products.

Abstract: A continuous hot rod (10, 30) for removing portions of a target material (20, 40), comprises: an elongated lance formed of a fuel material (15, 35); a reel for providing a continuous source of fuel material (13, 33); a source of oxidizer (11, 31); a conduit (16, 36) for establishing a controllable flow of oxidizer from the source through the lance; and a sleeve (14, 34) with a layer formed of a material containing chlorine and/or fluorine, and/or a second layer formed of carbon and/or Grafoil® which contribute to focus a flame; whereby, when the hot rod is ignited and used to remove portions of a target material, the chlorine and/or fluorine in the sleeve material will react chemically with the target material to form gaseous reaction products, and the reel will provide a continuous source of fuel material.