Abstract: A tubular reformer wherein biomass is treated in the presence of steam in a tubular reactor at elevated temperatures to convert the biomass and steam into synthesis gas, comprising primarily of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A pulsed discharge arc lamp can utilize an integrated optical adapter assembly to ease the coupling of an optical fiber to the lamp. An optical rod of the assembly allows for a precise positioning of the output, and acts as an integrating rod whereby the output is transformed to a relatively diffuse, uniform, and stabilized circular beam of light. The optical adapter assembly helps to reduce the presence of intensity peaks in the UV spectrum, making the output more uniform over the entire spectrum of the lamp.

Abstract: An arc lamp comprises a single edge-to-edge cathode support strut on which the cathode is mounted with an end slot. Such makes heat and thermal stress loading on the assembly symmetrical over operational time, and arc tip wander from the anode center is practically eliminated. Nine component parts that are brought together in only three brazes and one TIG-weld to result in a finished product. An anode assembly is brazed with the rest of a body sub-assembly in one step instead of two. A single-bar cathode-support strut is brazed together as one step. A window flange and a sapphire output window are brazed together with the product of the strut braze step in a mounted-cathode-braze step. A copper-tube fill tubulation, a kovar sleeve, a ceramic reflector body, an anode flange, and a tungsten anode are all brazed together in a “body-braze” step. The products of the mounted-cathode-braze step and body-braze step are tungsten-inert-gas (TIG) welded together in a final welding step.

Abstract: An arc lamp system comprises a power supply coupled to a xenon arc lamp through an interface constructed on a heavy printed circuit board. Such plugs directly into an igniter printed circuit board. In turn, a xenon arc lamp module with heatsinks plugs directly onto banana plugs bolted on the interface printed circuit board. Copper traces buried on inner layers of the interface printed circuit board are very wide and heavy, and kept as short as possible.

Abstract: A bulb-shaped flashtube is provided with a metal envelope to increase its strength and enhance its reliability and operating characteristics. The metal envelope comprises a hollow cylindrical container including an open bottom end and an inwardly extending annular flange at its top end which defines a window opening in the container. A circular base of insulating material is sealed in the open bottom end of the container. A plurality of conductors extend through the insulating base to support a plurality of electrodes within the container. A circular, transparent window is sealed to the annular flange inside the top end of the container for transmitting a flash of light upon electrical discharge between the electrodes.