Abstract: A computer system for generating an insurance policy for a user includes a processor and a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: (i) receiving, from a wearable electronic user device, biometric data associated with a user; (ii) analyzing, based upon a plurality of rules, the biometric data; (iii) determining a health score associated with the user, based in part upon the analysis of the biometric data, wherein the health score represents a likelihood that the user will maintain a level of health for a predefined period of time; (iv) retrieving terms and conditions for an insurance policy from a database based upon the health score; and (v) generating, based upon the determining, an insurance policy for the user based upon the terms and conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for thermally processing waste to produce steam and generate energy while minimizing air pollutants in a staged thermal reactor. The method includes gasifying the waste to convert the waste to a fuel gas and a substantially carbon free, inert, granulated, sintered mineral ash and reforming the fuel gas auto-thermally to minimize creation of nitrogen oxide when the fuel gas is combusted. The method further includes burning the reformed fuel gas to minimize creation of nitrogen oxide in a flame region of a fuel gas burner and recirculating cooled flue gas to control oxygen content and temperature during the reforming operation and the burning operation. In one example, reforming the fuel gas converts non-molecular nitrogen species into molecular nitrogen in an auto-thermal non-catalytic reformer unit by decomposition reactions promoted by a prevailing reducing gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A method is provided for thermally processing waste to produce steam and generate energy while minimizing air pollutants in a staged thermal reactor. The method includes gasifying the waste to convert the waste to a fuel gas and a substantially carbon free, inert, granulated, sintered mineral ash and reforming the fuel gas auto-thermally to minimize creation of nitrogen oxide when the fuel gas is combusted. The method further includes burning the reformed fuel gas to minimize creation of nitrogen oxide in a flame region of a fuel gas burner and recirculating cooled flue gas to control oxygen content and temperature during the reforming operation and the burning operation. In one example, reforming the fuel gas converts non-molecular nitrogen species into molecular nitrogen in an auto-thermal non-catalytic reformer unit by decomposition reactions promoted by a prevailing reducing gas atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that receives waste and generates electrical power or thermal energy with minimal NOx emissions. A gasifier is provided that receives the waste and air to produce fuel gas for delivery to a fluidly coupled reformer. The reformer receives the fuel gas, recycled flue gas, and air to auto-thermally produce a reformed fuel gas and destroy fuel gas pollutants at a first temperature without a catalyst. A burner is fluidly coupled to the reformer and receives recycled flue gas and air to oxidize the reformed fuel gas at a second temperature that prevents nitrogen oxide formation, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature. A quench chamber is fluidly coupled to the burner and receives flue gas from the burner for quenching with recycled flue gas. A heat recovery system is fluidly coupled to the reformer, burner, and quench chamber to extract usable energy.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that receives waste and generates electrical power or thermal energy with minimal NOx emissions. A gasifier is provided that receives the waste and air to produce fuel gas for delivery to a fluidly coupled reformer. The reformer receives the fuel gas, recycled flue gas, and air to auto-thermally produce a reformed fuel gas and destroy fuel gas pollutants at a first temperature without a catalyst. A burner is fluidly coupled to the reformer and receives recycled flue gas and air to oxidize the reformed fuel gas at a second temperature that prevents nitrogen oxide formation, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature. A quench chamber is fluidly coupled to the burner and receives flue gas from the burner for quenching with recycled flue gas. A heat recovery system is fluidly coupled to the reformer, burner, and quench chamber to extract usable energy.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus that thermally processes solid waste such as municipal solid waste to generate heat for production of steam that is employed to generate electrical power. The apparatus provides clean efficient gasification of refuse derived fuel to minimize air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and uses released thermal energy to produce steam for electricity. Carbon in the solid waste is converted to synthesis gas or syngas that is combusted to generate steam or electricity. The apparatus recovers energy from residual carbon that is normally rejected by air fed gasifiers and partially recycles the flue gas to control combustion temperature and oxygen content in the fuel gas burner. The apparatus extends boiler service life by reducing the temperature of hot gases entering the boiler and produces clean electrical energy from materials that otherwise would be discarded as environmentally damaging waste.

Abstract: Method and related device intended for rapid non-destructive testing of powdered materials with low electric conductivity such as cement and cement-based compositions through determination of their electrical properties. The invention involves an electromagnetic method, including an electronic circuit for generating an electric field in a capacitance probe that is inserted into the powder to be tested. Electrical properties of powdered materials are determined on the basis of a set of the values for a set of parameters including quality factor (Q-factor), capacitance, dissipation factor, and dielectric permeability of the material. These parameter values can be related to such characteristics as moisture content, particle size, and material composition. The method and device can indicate the differences between the samples with various quantities of unwanted components or reaction products, and the extent of sample ageing.

Abstract: Wafers have material removed from them in processes such as lapping or polishing without the use of hold down adhesives to secure the wafers to a wafer mounting plate. The front side of a polymeric mounting pad on a wafer mounting plate is moistened with a liquid, the wafers are rendered shedding of that liquid and substantially free of adhesion diminishing particles and powder and are mounted on the moistened mounting pad. It is critical that the wafers shed the liquid with which the pad is moistened. The wafers are pressed firmly against the mounting pad in order to assure their continued adhesion to the pad during the material removal process. The wafer mounting plate is then mounted in the lapping, polishing or other material removal machine and the wafers lapped or polished in a normal manner. After completion of the desired material removal the wafers may be removed from the mounting pad with tweezers or by floating the wafers off the mounting pad.