Abstract: A thermal energy conveyance process involving at least one of transferring heat to a first heat transfer fluid and recovering heat from a second heat transfer fluid, wherein the first and the second heat transfer fluids include a gaseous carrier containing a quantity of micron sized solid particles and wherein the at least one of transferring heat and recovering heat is conducted to involve at least one of a) a temperature in excess of 1000° F. and b) a dilute-to-dense phase of the micron sized solid particles. Also provided is a media adapted for such heat conveyance operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for humidifying residential and commercial buildings in which a flue gas generated by a residential of commercial furnace is provided to one side of a porous liquid water transport membrane and habitable space air is provided to an opposite side of the porous liquid water transport membrane in an amount sufficient to provide a habitable space air to flue gas volume flow rate ratio of at least 8.3:1. At least a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas is condensed, providing condensed liquid water which is passed through the porous liquid water transport membrane to the habitable space air side of the porous liquid water transport membrane. On the habitable space air side of the membrane, the condensed liquid water is evaporated into the habitable space air, producing humidified habitable space air which is provided to the rooms of the residential and commercial buildings. Beneficially, no supplemental water source is required for the humidification process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for humidifying residential and commercial buildings in which a flue gas generated by a residential of commercial furnace is provided to one side of a porous liquid water transport membrane and habitable space air is provided to an opposite side of the porous liquid water transport membrane in an amount sufficient to provide a habitable space air to flue gas volume flow rate ratio of at least 8.3:1. At least a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas is condensed, providing condensed liquid water which is passed through the porous liquid water transport membrane to the habitable space air side of the porous liquid water transport membrane. On the habitable space air side of the membrane, the condensed liquid water is evaporated into the habitable space air, producing humidified habitable space air which is provided to the rooms of the residential and commercial buildings. Beneficially, no supplemental water source is required for the humidification process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for humidifying residential and commercial buildings in which a flue gas generated by a residential or commercial furnace is provided to one side of a porous liquid water transport membrane and habitable space air is provided to an opposite side of the porous liquid water transport membrane in an amount sufficient to provide a habitable space air to flue gas volume flow rate ratio of at least 8.3:1. At least a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas is condensed, providing condensed liquid water which is passed through the porous liquid water transport membrane to the habitable space air side of the porous liquid water transport membrane. On the habitable space air side of the membrane, the condensed liquid water is evaporated into the habitable space air, producing humidified habitable space air which is provided to the rooms of the residential and commercial buildings. Beneficially, no supplemental water source is required for the humidification process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for humidifying residential and commercial buildings in which a flue gas generated by a residential or commercial furnace is provided to one side of a porous liquid water transport membrane and habitable space air is provided to an opposite side of the porous liquid water transport membrane in an amount sufficient to provide a habitable space air to flue gas volume flow rate ratio of at least 8.3:1. At least a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas is condensed, providing condensed liquid water which is passed through the porous liquid water transport membrane to the habitable space air side of the porous liquid water transport membrane. On the habitable space air side of the membrane, the condensed liquid water is evaporated into the habitable space air, producing humidified habitable space air which is provided to the rooms of the residential and commercial buildings. Beneficially, no supplemental water source is required for the humidification process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for humidifying air in which the first side of a permselective water transport membrane is contacted with water vapor laden flue gas from a combustion process having a first water vapor partial pressure and a first temperature and at least a portion of the water vapor is condensed, producing condensed water. The condensed water is transported through the membrane to the opposite side of the membrane, which is contacted with an air stream having a second water vapor partial pressure, which second water vapor partial pressure is less than the first water vapor partial pressure, and having a second temperature, which second temperature is less than the first temperature. Upon contact with the air stream, the condensed water evaporates into the air stream, resulting in a humidified air stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting water to produce hydrogen having at least one photoelectrochemical cell. The photoelectrochemical cell includes at least one water permeable photoelectrode having a light sensitive, nano-crystalline catalytic material layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane, a metallic substrate disposed between the light sensitive nano-crystalline catalytic material layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane adjacent to the polymer electrolyte membrane layer, and at least one photovoltaic device connected in series to the light sensitive nano-crystalline material layer and disposed between the light sensitive nano-crystalline catalytic material layer and the metallic substrate layer.

Abstract: A system for selective removal of metabolites from an aqueous broth including a bioreactor vessel containing at least one live culture producing at least one metabolite disposed within an aqueous broth, and a membrane module having a mixed matrix membrane suitable for selective removal of the at least one metabolite from the aqueous broth. The membrane is made of mixtures of hydrophobic zeolite and carbon on a porous substrate. In accordance with one particularly preferred embodiment of this invention, the membrane module is integral with the bioreactor vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for humidifying air in which the first side of a permselective water transport membrane is contacted with water vapor laden flue gas from a combustion process having a first water vapor partial pressure and a first temperature and at least a portion of the water vapor is condensed, producing condensed water. The condensed water is transported through the membrane to the opposite side of the membrane, which is contacted with an air stream having a second water vapor partial pressure, which second water vapor partial pressure is less than the first water vapor partial pressure, and having a second temperature, which second temperature is less than the first temperature. Upon contact with the air stream, the condensed water evaporates into the air stream, resulting in a humidified air stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting water to produce hydrogen having at least one photoelectrochemical cell. The photoelectrochemical cell includes at least one water permeable photoelectrode having a light sensitive, nano-crystalline catalytic material layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane, a metallic substrate disposed between the light sensitive nano-crystalline catalytic material layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane adjacent to the polymer electrolyte membrane layer, and at least one photovoltaic device connected in series to the light sensitive nano-crystalline material layer and disposed between the light sensitive nano-crystalline catalytic material layer and the metallic substrate layer.

Abstract: A method for purification of a gaseous stream having at least one impurity in which a porous material having at least one polyoxometalate-based material is contacted with the gaseous stream and the at least one impurity is passed through the porous material, producing a purified gaseous stream.

Abstract: A water permeable electrode for electrochemical splitting of water having a light sensitive catalytic material layer which includes a light sensitive catalytic material and a semiconductor, a polymer electrolyte membrane layer, a metallic substrate layer disposed there between adjacent the polymer electrolyte membrane layer, and at least one photovoltaic device connected in series to the light sensitive catalytic material layer and disposed between the light sensitive catalytic material layer and the metallic substrate layer.

Abstract: A method for quick filling a vehicle hydrogen storage vessel with hydrogen, the key component of which is an algorithm used to control the fill process, which interacts with the hydrogen dispensing apparatus to determine the vehicle hydrogen storage vessel capacity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing compressed natural gas and for maximizing the mass of compressed gas dispensed into a gas storage cylinder is disclosed. Pressure and temperature transducers are provided as a part of the apparatus to emit data signals to a control processor of the pressure and temperature of a supply of compressed gas delivered to a gas dispenser, as well as the ambient temperature at the dispenser and the pressure of the compressed gas within the cylinder, respectively. A mass flow meter is also provided for emitting a data signal to the control processor of the mass of compressed gas injected into the storage cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing compressed natural gas and for maximizing the mass of compressed gas dispensed into a gas storage cylinder is disclosed. Pressure and temperature transducers are provided as a part of the apparatus to emit data signals to a control processor of the pressure and temperature of a supply of compressed gas delivered to a gas dispenser, as well as the ambient temperature at the dispenser and the pressure of the compressed gas within the cylinder, respectively. A mass flow meter is also provided for emitting a data signal to the control processor of the mass of compressed gas injected into the storage cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing natural gas into the natural gas vehicle cylinder of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The natural gas dispensing system includes a pressure transducer and a temperature transducer for measuring the pressure and temperature, respectively, of the supply gas as it is passed toward a dispenser, a second pressure transducer for measuring the pressure within the natural gas vehicle cylinder, an ambient air temperature transducer for measuring ambient air temperatures at the dispensing site, and a mass flow meter for measuring the gas mass injected into the vehicle cylinder. Each transducer and the mass flow meter emits a data signal to a control processor which automatically dispenses compressed gas to the vehicle cylinder, as well as maximizing the amount of gas mass injected into the cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing natural gas into the natural gas vehicle cylinder of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The natural gas dispensing system includes a pressure transducer and a temperature transducer for measuring the pressure and temperature, respectively, of the supply gas as it is passed toward a dispenser, a second pressure transducer for measuring the pressure within the natural gas vehicle cylinder, an ambient air temperature transducer for measuring ambient air temperatures at the dispensing site, and a mass flow meter for measuring the gas mass injected into the vehicle cylinder. Each transducer and the mass flow meter emits a data signal to a control processor which automatically dispenses compressed gas to the vehicle cylinder, as well as maximizing the amount of gas mass injected into the cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing natural gas into the natural gas vehicle cylinder of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The natural gas dispensing system includes a pressure transducer and a temperature transducer for measuring the pressure and temperature, respectively, of the supply gas as it is passed toward a dispenser, a second pressure transducer for measuring the pressure within the natural gas vehicle cylinder, an ambient air temperature transducer for measuring ambient air temperatures at the dispensing site, and a mass flow meter for measuring the gas mass injected into the vehicle cylinder. Each transducer and the mass flow meter emits a data signal to a control processor which automatically dispenses compressed gas to the vehicle cylinder, as well as maximizing the amount of gas mass injected into the cylinder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reproducibly forming monodisperse titania spheres by the hydrolysis of titanium alkoxides in the presence of an amine containing additive in such a way as to constrain the particle size within a narrow range.