Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a mechanically stable, energy dense and water-resistant biomass product. By utilizing a unique two-step heating process in combination with mechanical compression, the resulting biomass product retains its physical shape and strength after immersion in ambient water for many hours. The treatment is effective for a variety of cellulosic biomass materials including forest slash wood.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a mechanically stable, energy dense and water-resistant biomass product. By utilizing a unique two-step heating process in combination with mechanical compression, the resulting biomass product retains its physical shape and strength after immersion in ambient water for many hours. The treatment is effective for a variety of cellulosic biomass materials including forest slash wood.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a binder-free product and process for making the product. The product is a mechanically stable, water resistant torrefied biomass product that does not comprise an extrinsic binder additive. The product is made using a combination of appropriate pre-treatment steps and compressing the conditioned biomass feedstock into a thermally managed compaction device comprising at least one modified die. The modified die allows for differential cooling/heating modifications so as to control the temperature near the entrance to the compaction device and passing the formed torrefied biomass into a post-formation curing zone.

Abstract: A manufacturing process is disclosed for preparing torrefied biomass having a reduced inorganic content which comprises passing crude torrefied biomass through one or more selective separation devices capable of separating inorganic particulate matter from the torrefied biomass.

Abstract: Silane and hydrohalosilanes of the general formula HySiX4-y (y=1, 2, or 3) are produced by reactive distillation in a system that includes a fixed-bed catalytic redistribution reactor that can be back-flushed during operation.

Abstract: A system and method are described for torrefaction of particulate biomass. The system comprises a reactor having mass flow characteristics, containing particulate biomass, and further is equipped with a heated gas input; a gas discharge output; a particulate solids inlet; and a particulate solids discharge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a binder-free product and process for making the product. The product is a mechanically stable, water resistant torrefied biomass product that does not comprise an extrinsic binder additive. The product is made using a combination of appropriate pre-treatment steps and compressing the conditioned biomass feedstock into a thermally managed compaction device comprising at least one modified die. The modified die allows for differential cooling/heating modifications so as to control the temperature near the entrance to the compaction device and passing the formed torrefied biomass into a post-formation curing zone.

Abstract: Silane and hydrohalosilanes of the general formula HySiX4-y (y=1, 2, or 3) are produced by reactive distillation in a system that includes a fixed-bed catalytic redistribution reactor that can be back-flushed during operation.

Abstract: A manufacturing process is disclosed for preparing torrefied biomass having a reduced inorganic content which comprises passing crude torrefied biomass through one or more selective separation devices capable of separating inorganic particulate matter from the torrefied biomass.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and process for the production of ultra-high purity silane and hydrohalosilanes of the general formula HySiX4-y (y=1, 2, or 3) by a reactive distillation method are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are described for torrefaction of particulate biomass. The system comprises a reactor having mass flow characteristics, containing particulate biomass, and further is equipped with a heated gas input; a gas discharge output; a particulate solids inlet; and a particulate solids discharge.

Abstract: Phosphine, stilbene, and arsine are removed from silane to ultra-trace levels by passing raw silane gas through a bed of a transition element modified potassium zeolite adsorbent at a temperature above the critical temperature of silane and at a pressure of at least about 150 psi. This purification system can be incorporated into existing silane production plants to augment bulk purification methods. The system also can be located at a site where silane is to be used, to assure that delivered silane gas remains of superior quality.

Abstract: A process for preparing an oil-in-water emulsion is provided, which process comprises mixing and heating a water-insoluble organomodified polysiloxane oil or an organic oil, an organomodified silicone emulsifier, water and an alkaline metal salt above the cloud point of the emulsifier under agitated conditions and cooling the resulting mixture below the cloud point.

Abstract: A process for preparing an oil-in-water emulsion is provided, which process comprises mixing and heating a water-insoluble organomodified polysiloxane oil, an organomodified silicone emulsifier, water and an alkaline metal salt above the cloud point of the emulsifier under agitated conditions and cooling the resulting mixture below the cloud point.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for producing ultra high purity polycrystalline silicon which process provides for increased production capacity and electrical power efficiency. The process comprises recycling the exhaust gases of the silane pyrolysis reactor after the gases have been preferably first cooled and filtered utilizing a pocket-type reaction zone enclosure having a particular effective radius thereby effectively decreasing the amount of silicon powder formation. Preferably, the rate of recycle flow is sufficient to entrain silicon powder in the reactor and remove the powder from the reactor with the exiting exhaust gases.

Abstract: Method for treating waste slurries containing solid impurities, e.g. in the form of metal chlorides, and silicon tetrachloride and trichlorosilane by evaporation and separation techniques to recover more of the silicon tetrachloride and trichlorosilane.

Abstract: Method for treatment of contaminated chlorosilanes with lime to obtain an environmentally inept silica base product.

Abstract: Silicon tetrachloride, hydrogen and metallurgical silicon are reacted at about 400.degree.-600.degree. C. and at pressures in excess of 100 psi, and specifically from about 300 up to about 600 psi to form di- and trichlorosilane that is subjected to disproportionation in the presence of an anion exchange resin to form high purity silane. By-product and unreacted materials are recycled, with metallurgical silicon and hydrogen being essentially the only consumed feed materials. The silane product may be further purified, as by means of activated carbon or cryogenic distillation, and decomposed in a fluid bed or free space reactor to form high purity polycrystalline silicon and by-product hydrogen which can be recycled for further use. The process results in simplified waste disposal operations and enhances the overall conversion of metallurgical grade silicon to silane and high purity silicon for solar cell and semiconductor silicon applications.