Abstract: A compound honeycomb body comprising a first honeycomb section having a volume V1 and a second honeycomb section fluidly connected to the first honeycomb having a volume V2 is provided. The first honeycomb section comprises a low mass high porosity porous ceramic substrate. The second honeycomb section comprises a standard porous ceramic substrate. Wherein V1/V2 comprises a ratio in a range from about 50/50 to about 10/90.

Abstract: Diesel engine exhaust filtration systems, and ceramic honeycomb wall flow exhaust filters for such systems, wherein the filters comprise axially centralized filter sections having a higher heat capacity and/or a higher gas flow resistance than peripheral filter sections disposed radially outwardly thereof, the filters thereby exhibiting increased resistance to thermal damage from filter regeneration over-heating.

Abstract: A low cost, plastic, one-piece paint tray, which is optionally disposable or reusable, is thermoformed or molded and has a roller platform hinged at one of its ends to a base for pivotal movement relative to the base between use and non-use positions wherein, in a use position, the roller platform is disposed within the base and releasably attached as by snap fastener means to the base and wherein, in a non-use position, the roller platform is disposed exteriorly of the base for ease of cleaning, storage and shipment, the base being configured to support the roller platform at an inclined angle relative to the base in the use position and to provide communicating chambers under the roller platform when the platform is in a use position to increase the paint holding capacity of the paint tray.

Abstract: Diesel engine exhaust filtration systems, and ceramic honeycomb wall flow exhaust filters for such systems, wherein the filters comprise axially centralized filter sections having a higher heat capacity and/or a higher gas flow resistance than peripheral filter sections disposed radially outwardly thereof, the filters thereby exhibiting increased resistance to thermal damage from filter regeneration over-heating.

Abstract: A catalyst for purification of exhaust gases including (1) a catalysis-promoting coating comprising a noble metal catalyst and a NOx storage component loaded onto a carrier material, wherein the NOx storage component comprises an alkali metal and, (2) a ceramic substrate for supporting the catalysis-promoting coating, wherein the ceramic substrate exhibits resistance to alkali metal migration below 1000° C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than about 25×10?7/° C. (25-800° C.). A second aspect of, the invention is a process for purifying an exhaust gas from a lean burn engine involving simultaneously removing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides by bringing the exhaust gas from a lean burn engine into contact with the exhaust gas purifying catalyst of the present invention disclosed above.

Abstract: Monolithic metallic catalyst substrates offering improved heat conductivity are provided from metal powder extrusion batches of copper, tin, zinc, aluminum, iron, silver, nickel, and mixtures and alloys thereof by extrusion through a honeycomb extrusion die followed by drying and firing in a two stage firing process to oxidize organic extrusion batch components, remove residual oxides from the porous wall structure, and consolidate the metal powders to strong, integral honeycomb support structures.

Abstract: A catalyst support for use in technologies (i.e., SCR and NOx adsorbers) which address the reduction of NOx from exhaust emissions of diesel and GDI engines. The catalyst support has a honeycomb body composed of a porous ceramic material, and a plurality of parallel cell channels traversing the body from a frontal inlet end to an outlet end thereof. The porous ceramic material is defined by a total porosity greater than 45 vol. %, and a network of interconnected pores with a narrow pore size distribution of pores having a median pore size greater than 5 micrometers but less than 20 micrometers. The catalyst support is capable of attaining higher catalyst loadings without a pressure drop penalty.

Abstract: Desulfurization reactors, and fuel desulfurization systems incorporating them, comprise monolithic sulfur-adsorbent reactor packings having internal void spaces bounded by internal fuel contacting surfaces that support or contain active sulfur adsorbents for sulfur trapping, the reactors providing efficient fuel feed desulfurization at high liquid and/or gas feed rates and low pressure drops.

Abstract: Monolithic metallic catalyst substrates offering improved heat conductivity are provided from metal powder extrusion batches of copper, tin, zinc, aluminum, iron, silver, nickel, and mixtures and alloys thereof by extrusion through a honeycomb extrusion die followed by drying and firing in a two stage firing process to oxidize organic extrusion batch components, remove residual oxides from the porous wall structure, and consolidate the metal powders to strong, integral honeycomb support structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a ceramic filter, by forming a mixture from NZP-forming raw material powders selected from metal oxide sources capable of reacting to form a reaction product comprising an NZP-type phase having the general formula R1+(y/2)Zr4P6−ySiyO24 where 0≦y≦1.0 and R is one or more of the metals Ca, Sr, and Ba, pre-reacted powder having the same general formula, and mixtures thereof; and a precursor additive selected from the group consisting of silica precursor, zirconia precursor, and mixtures thereof; shaping the mixture into a green structure; and, firing the green structure to produce a ceramic filter having an open porosity of at least 35% by volume, a median pore size of at least 8 micrometers and a permeability of at least 0.30×10−12 m2, and being suitable as a diesel particulate filter.

Abstract: A ceramic filter which includes a plurality of end-plugged honeycomb structures which in combination act to trap and combust diesel exhaust particulates. The exhaust gas flows substantially equally through the end-plugged honeycombs. Preferably the ceramic filter includes two end-plugged honeycomb structures composed of a plurality of alternatingly end-plugged cell channels extending from an inlet face to an outlet face. The end-plugged honeycomb structures are arranged either parallel or perpendicular to the flow of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A replaceable gravity-flow cyst-reducing water filter cartridge for placement in a water filter carafe, comprising a filter cartridge housing with a cap having a plurality of untreated water inlet ports, wherein the cap is sealingly attached to a top rim of the housing. The filter housing further comprises a gooseneck conduit that is connected to a lower region of the filter housing, with the gooseneck conduit having at one end a treated water outlet port that opens into a side surface of the filter housing. The filter housing also includes a packed bed of ion-exchange resin that is disposed in an upper region of the filter housing and a high surface area cyst-reducing filter element that is disposed in the lower region of the filter housing. The filter element provides at least 99.95% removal of 3-4 &mgr;m particles when tested in accordance with NSF standard 53, Drinking Water Treatment Units—Health Effects (September 1997).

Abstract: A structure made predominately of an NZP-type phase having the general formula RxZ4P6−ySiyO24, where 0≦x≦8, 0 ≦y≦6, R is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, and/or lanthanides, and Z is Zr, Ti, Nb, Ta, Y, and/or lanthanidess, and optionally a sintering additive. The structure has an open porosity of at least 20% by volume, median pore diameter in micrometers of at least a value defined by the quantity [10-0.10 (% open porosity)], both as measured by mercury porosimetry, and four-point modulus of rupture as measured on a solid rod of circular cross section, of at least 300 psi. Method of making the structure involves forming a mixture of NZP-forming raw material powders that are metal oxide sources capable of reacting to form an NZP-type reaction product, and/or pre-reacted powder having the above general formula.

Abstract: A catalyst for purification of exhaust gases including (1) a catalysis-promoting coating comprising a noble metal catalyst and a NOx storage component loaded onto a carrier material, wherein the NOx storage component comprises an alkali metal and, (2) a ceramic substrate for supporting the catalysis-promoting coating, wherein the ceramic substrate exhibits resistance to alkali metal migration below 1000° C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than about 25×10−7/° C. (25-800° C.). A second aspect of, the invention is a process for purifying an exhaust gas from a lean burn engine involving simultaneously removing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides by bringing the exhaust gas from a lean burn engine into contact with the exhaust gas purifying catalyst of the present invention disclosed above.

Abstract: A ceramic filter which includes a plurality of end-plugged honeycomb structures which in combination act to trap and combust diesel exhaust particulates. The exhaust gas flows substantially equally through the end-plugged honeycombs. Preferably the ceramic filter includes two end-plugged honeycomb structures composed of a plurality of alternatingly end-plugged cell channels extending from an inlet face to an outlet face. The end-plugged honeycomb structures are arranged either parallel or perpendicular to the flow of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A gravity-flow cyst-reducing water filtration device, comprising a removable high surface area cyst-reducing filtration member that provides at least 99.95% removal of 3-4 &mgr;m particles when tested in accordance with NSF standard 53, Drinking Water Treatment Units—Health Effects (September 1997). The cyst-reducing filtration member is adapted for connection to a bottom rim of a filtration cartridge sleeve of a water filter carafe, the cartridge sleeve being integral with a bottom surface of an untreated water reservoir of the water filter carafe. The cartridge sleeve further comprises an air vent hole that is located proximate to a top rim of the cartridge sleeve, wherein the cartridge sleeve further contains a filtration cartridge that is filled with an ion-exchange resin and carbon granules.

Abstract: A device for use in processing of a liquid and/or gas stream. The device is made up of a monolithic structure having active powder for treating streams. The structure has an inlet end and an outlet end and a multiplicity of cells extending from inlet end to outlet end. The cells are separated from one another by porous walls, a portion of the total number of cells being plugged in a pattern such that a stream enters the device through the unplugged cells at the inlet end and passes through at least two porous walls and the active powder in-between, and thereafter passes out of the device through unplugged cells at the outlet end. The device finds use in a number of applications including ion exchange, adsorption, biological and chemical reactions, and catalytic applications.

Abstract: A gravity-flow water filtration cartridge is disclosed herein. The cartridge includes a housing having a compressed bed of ion-exchange resin disposed within an upper region thereof and a high surface area cyst-reducing filter element that is disposed within a lower thereof. The housing includes a middle chamber which separates the compressed bed of ion-exchange resin from the cyst-reducing filter element. The housing further includes a hydrophobic air vent conduit having an entry end that is positioned above a topmost surface of the cyst reducing filter element and an exit end that is positioned at least at a lowest surface of the cyst-reducing filter element, wherein the entry end includes a membrane having at least one hydrophobic side.

Abstract: A cyst reduction water filter and a method and carafe system for using it, wherein the filter incorporates a cellular ceramic honeycomb filter element of a selectively plugged channel configuration wherein all water filtration paths traverse porous channel walls, the walls exhibiting open porosity characterized by a median pore diameter in the range of about 2-8 micrometers and with pores over 10 microns in diameter comprising not more than 10% of the open pore volume, and wherein the filter element has a primed water flux of at least 0.3 ml/min/cm3 under a water pressure of 0.3 psig.

Abstract: A monolithic structure having active material that includes at least inorganic ion exchange material, for purifying a liquid stream of contaminants such as heavy metals, chlorine, volatile organics, pesticides, herbicides, and/or parasites, etc. The structure has an inlet end and an outlet end and a multiplicity of cells extending from inlet to outlet end. The cells are separated from one another by porous walls that are alternatively plugged at each end such that a liquid stream that enters the structure, enters through the unplugged cells at the inlet end and passes through porous walls to be purified by the active material, and thereafter passes out of the structure through unplugged cells at the outlet end. One method of making the structure involves applying active material as a coating on an alternately plugged substrate. The average particle size of the active material after calcination is greater than the average cell wall pore size of the substrate.