Abstract: A polymeric material is produced by atomizing into droplets a composition containing addition-polymerizable material and reacting the addition polymerizable material in the droplets to produce the particulate product. The polymeric product may be, for example, a powder coating composition.

Abstract: A method for processing substances to be degraded is provided. The method includes a decomposing step in which a mixed gas containing chlorine and the substances to be degraded is irradiated with light to decompose the substances to be degraded, a contact step in which gas generated through the decomposing step is contacted with an alkaline solution to trap chlorine contained in the gas generated through the decomposing step in the alkaline solution, and a reusing step in which the alkaline solution containing the chlorine as a source of generating the chlorine is used again in the decomposing step.

Abstract: A high activity catalyst is obtained by oxidizing and modifying the surface of zinc sulfide by hydrogen peroxide. An oxidation treatment is carried out in basic aqueous solution. The high activity photocatalyst is added to the basic aqueous solution in which hydrogen sulfide is dissolved to recover hydrogen and sulfur under low energy. Thus, the inexpensive high activity photocatalyst having a high catalytic activity and a long duration of life is realized and hydrogen gas is efficiently generated under little energy.

Abstract: A plasma reactor including a first dielectric having at least one slot defined therethrough, and a segmented electrode including a plurality of electrode segments, each electrode segment is disposed proximate an associated slot. Each electrode segment may be formed in different shapes, for example, a plate, bar, rim, or plug. The electrode segment may be hollow, solid, or made from a porous material. The reactor may include a second electrode and dielectric with the first and second dielectrics separated by a predetermined distance to form a channel therebetween into which the plasma exiting from the slots defined in the first dielectric is discharged. The fluid to be treated is passed through the channel and exposed to the plasma discharge. If the electrode segment is hollow or made of a porous material, then the fluid/gas to be treated may be fed into the slots defined in the first dielectric and exposed therein to the maximum plasma density.

Abstract: The present invention is a high volume, wall-mountable air sanitation apparatus for disinfecting and removing VOCs from air with high energy UV light and ozone. The apparatus has a powerful fan and an elongated UV light source and target for use with the movement of a large volume of air. The target includes a mesh and a secondary target both comprising a target compound which creates hydro-peroxides, super oxide ions and hydroxyl radicals in the presence of water also for removing pollutants in the air.

Abstract: In a process for the recovery of krypton and xenon, an oxygen-enriched stream containing krypton and/or xenon and hydrocarbons is removed from an air separation unit. A substantial portion of the hydrocarbons, especially methane, ethane, and acetylene, is removed from the oxygen-enriched stream prior to the distillation process. The hydrocarbon removal process includes, but is not restricted to, the hydrocarbons reacting with a portion of the oxygen present in the feed gas. The krypton and xenon are eventually recovered from the oxygen stream through a distillation process. The distillation process is performed in such a manner that at least a stream further enriched in both krypton and xenon is produced.

Abstract: A claim is laid to a permeable composite, a process of production of the composite as well as the use of this composite. The composite essentially contains a perforated and permeable carrier, on and in or on or in which another component that essentially contains metallic compounds with elements from group III to VI of the periodic system is stabilized. Stabilization of the component on or in the carrier is carried out by heating a suspension consisting of the component suspended in a metallic oxide sol that has been applied onto or into or onto and into the carrier. In this way, it is possible to produce a permeable composite that is ideally suited for use in filtration and membrane technologies under very mild conditions either by heating for a short time or warming for a longer time.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a fluid containing microorganisms or chemical contaminants includes a plurality of photocatalyst surfaces secured to a solid surface upon which a fluid to be disinfected contacts. A structure for removing a portion of the photogenerated electrons is in electrical contact with the photocatalyst layer, wherein an electron-hole recombination rate involving the photogenerated electrons and holes is reduced, thus increasing the removal rate of microorganisms or chemical contaminants from the fluid. The system can include a source of photons having a wavelength corresponding to a band gap energy of the photocatalyst to illuminate the photocatalyst layer. The invention can be used in air supply registers of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, or in air ducts, or used to disinfect wall coverings, floor coverings, envelopes, packages, and clothing articles.

Abstract: An air purification including a reaction zone for receiving a volume of air; and an excimer source of ultra-violet radiation adapted to expose the one to the ultra-violet radiation whereby photocatalytic oxidation of compounds in the air is accomplished.

Abstract: The air cleaning fluorescent lamp is designed and prepared by coating the photocatalysis materials as nano-crystalline TiO2 anatase or like as sol with some additive, made by sol-gel techniques on glass-fiber-cloth or sleeve to be acted under visible light, then wrapping the cloth or placing the sleeve on a fluorescent lamp. When the lamp is lighted, white light is not only used for illumination, but also used on air cleaning by the fluorescence radiates on the surface of photocatalysis materials to generate free electron and electron hole pairs that will activate as the decomposition of the waste gas for air cleaning and self cleaning.

Abstract: A plasma reactor including a first dielectric having at least one capillary defined therethrough, and a segmented electrode including a plurality of electrode segments, each electrode segment is disposed proximate an associated capillary. Each electrode segment may be formed in different shapes, for example, a pin, stud, washer, ring, or disk. The electrode segment may be hollow, solid, or made from a porous material. The reactor may include a second electrode and dielectric with the first and second dielectrics separated by a predetermined distance to form a channel therebetween into which the plasma exiting from the capillaries in the first dielectric is discharged. The fluid to be treated is passed through the channel and exposed to the plasma discharge. If the electrode segment is hollow or made of a porous material, then the fluid to be treated may be fed into the capillaries in the first dielectric and exposed therein to the maximum plasma density.

Abstract: A photocatalytic air purifier is disclosed. The photocatalytic purifier includes filter structures coated with a catalytic material such as titanium dioxide. One or more UV lamps are interposed between the filter structures. The catalytic layer reacts with airborne VOCs and bioaerosols when activated by the UV lamps to thereby oxidize the VOCs and destroy the bioaerosols. The photocatalytic air purifier does not need to be replaced or regenerated after a period of continuous usage. The photocatalytic purifier of the present invention substantially eliminates odors, VOCs, and bioaerosols from air directed through the fan coil. The photocatalytic air purifier includes a control system that optimizes operating costs. Because of these features, service, maintenance, and filter replacement are reduced to a minimum. At the same time, the well being of persons living in the space conditioned by the photocatalytic air purifier is improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purification method of poisonous gas comprising spraying an aqueous solution dispersed with titanium dioxide photo-catalyst having 1 to 500 nm particle size to the poisonous gas including harmful and offensive odor generating materials and, at the same time, radiating light from a light source onto the poisonous gas to execute a photo-decomposition of the harmful and offensive odor generating materials. The purification method of the present invention can remove hydrophobic organic materials and offensive odor generating materials in improved clearance rates and has excellent applicable and economical benefits sufficient to enhance working condition of small manufacturing firms including dye works and/or processing industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flue gas treatment method and apparatus for removing sulfur oxides by injecting ammonia into flue gas containing sulfur oxides. In the flue gas treatment method for removing sulfur oxides contained in the flue gas using ammonia, the present invention is characterized in that ammonia is injected into the flue gas containing sulfur oxides to react sulfur oxides with ammonia to produce ammonium compounds containing ammonium sulfate, and after recovering the produced ammonium compounds from the flue gas, the flue gas is brought into contact with an absorption liquid to remove residual sulfur oxides and/or ammonia contained in the flue gas.

Abstract: An adsorption-desorption photochemical oxidation process for destroying formaldehyde within an industrial process effluent gas stream is disclosed. The process includes an adsorption-desorption step to concentrate the formaldehyde into a seprate gas stream. The desorbed formaldehyde is oxidized in a photochemical reactor using ultraviolet light. The frequency of light in one embodiment is set at a spectral range of from 220 to 370 nanometers. A conventional wet scrubber is included downstream to control the effluent gas stream from the photochemical reactor. Formaldehyde that escapes the adsorption removal step is directly photolyzed using ultraviolet light in the spectral range of 220 to 370 nanometers.

Abstract: A device for producing singlet oxygen and having a light source and a transparent medium is described. The transparent medium has a first surface and second surface, the first surface facing the light source and a region which contains a photosensitizer are disposed on the second surface. The transparent medium is completely closed against a surrounding medium.

Abstract: A system for sterilizing air includes an air duct for flowing the air therethrough. A first electron beam generator is positioned relative to the duct for irradiating the air flowing therethrough with a first electron beam. The first electron beam for disabling microorganisms within the air.

Abstract: A gas conversion system for removing carbon dioxide from gases includes a duct through which gases are circulated. The duct has a port for introducing a reaction agent into the duct to the gases. An electron beam emitter is positioned relative to the duct for directing an electron beam into the duct to cause components of the carbon dioxide and the reaction agent to react to remove carbon dioxide from the gases and release oxygen.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for processing stench and volatile organic compounds from a polluted air. Dust particles are removed from the polluted air. The stench of the polluted air and the volatile organic compounds are processed through a photooxidation reaction and an ozone oxidation reaction using an ozone generating UV lamp and a TiO2-based photocatalyst. A residual ozone remaining after the photooxidation reaction and the ozone oxidation reaction are completed, is removed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for purifying a gas effluent containing contaminants, comprising: a reactor including at least an inlet for the gas to be purified and at least an outlet for the purified gas ; at least an ultraviolet or visible radiation source; and at least a support element arranged inside the reactor and coated with a catalyst forming an exposed catalytic surface capable of oxidising at least partly the contaminants under the action of the ultraviolet or visible radiation. The reactor comprises at least two obstructing means, each of said obstructing means obstructing partly the flow of the gas effluent from said inlet up to said outlet and generating a turbulent gas zone on its downstream side, and a catalytic surface is arranged in each turbulent gas zone so that the turbulent gas flow is incident on said catalytic surface.

Abstract: In a process for decomposing pollutants by bringing pollutants contained in air into contact with air that contains chlorine, under irradiation by light, at least part of a chlorine-generating solution present in a chlorine generation region is fed to a means for forming the functional water by electrolysis to effect regeneration and is again fed to the chlorine generation region. Also disclosed is a pollutant decomposition system used in such a process.

Abstract: At least one part of a road surface is covered by a photocatalyst layer containing a photocatalyst such as titanium dioxide, etc. to purify pollutants in exhaust gases emitted from vehicles by photocatalytic reaction of the photocatalyst. Pollutant-originating matters as retained on the photocatalyst layer are washed away by rain water or sprinkled water. In one embodiment of the invention, road 12 is a road provided with a dewaterable pavement and rain water passes through surface layer 18 during raining, flows over and along base layer 16 and is discharged. In surface layer 18, numerous aggregates of small particle sizes 1802 are projected from the entire surface of concrete layer 1804. Titanium dioxide layer 20 is formed by injecting or spraying a mixture comprising titanium dioxide, cement, a filler and water onto the entire surface of surface layer 18 thinly and is water-permeable.

Abstract: A photocatalytic air purifier (10) is provided which includes a tubular housing (1) having an inner and an outer wall, a central axis (A), a first end (2) having a centrally located air intake nozzle (4), a second end (5) having at least one air exhaust port (6), an air exhaust plenum (11) between the inner housing wall and a radial porosity medium (12), the porosity medium (12) extending radially and axially about the axis, and a housing central portion (13) defined by an interior perimeter of the radial porosity medium (12), the central housing enclosing an ultraviolet lamp (20) and a packing medium (30), the packing medium (30) extending radially and axially about the lamp (20) and comprising a plurality of spiral wound filaments (32) coated with a photocatalytic film.

Abstract: This is an apparatus that disinfects room air by destroying common allergens such as mold spore, dust mites, microbes, and VOCs, as well as dangerous substances, both organic and inorganic. Using photocatalytic oxidation, it places a continuing supply of the oxygen radical hydroxyl into a local environment. This helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases by destroying infectious microbes, contained in the droplet nuclei of human and animal respiration, as they float in the air. This apparatus also removes carbon monoxide, radon and other contaminants from the air by turning them into such harmless substances as carbon dioxide and water. It uses little energy, needs no filters, and operates silently.

Abstract: A method of operating a laser is disclosed. Components of the laser are located in an enclosure, which may contain contaminants including water vapor and organic vapor released by the optical components, mounts of the optical components, or the enclosure itself. The enclosure may also contain suspended particulate matter and ozone. In order to reduce the level of these contaminants, a purging system extracts gas from the enclosure and passes the gas through a catalyst to decompose the ozone, a desiccant, an organic vapor trapping material, and a particulate matter filter, then returns the extracted gas to the enclosure. Decomposing ozone is particularly important if the laser generates radiation at a wavelength less than 250 nm.

Abstract: The present invention is a high volume, wall-mountable air sanitation apparatus for disinfecting and removing VOCs from air with high energy UV light and ozone. The apparatus has a powerful fan and an elongated UV light source and target for use with the movement of a large volume of air. The target includes a mesh and a secondary target both comprising a target compound which creates hydro-peroxides, super oxide ions and hydroxyl radicals in the presence of water also for removing pollutants in the air.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for purifying a gas containing contaminants are disclosed. The gas is irradiated with an ultraviolet ray and/or a radiation ray so as to produce microparticles of the contaminants. The resultant microparticles of the contaminants are contacted with a photocatalyst. Then, the photocatalyst is irradiated with light so as to decompose the contaminants held in contact with the photocatalyst. Organic compounds, organosilicon compounds, basic gas and the like can be decomposed by the action of the photocatalyst. Even when these species are present at a low concentration, they can be concentrated locally by transforming into microparticles, and hence can be removed.

Abstract: A method for decomposing halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds or aromatic compounds characterized by contacting the compound to be decomposed with functional water under light irradiation, wherein the functional water is characterized by a hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of 1-4, an oxidation-reduction potential of 800-1500 mV (working electrode: platinum, reference electrode: silver-silver chloride) and a chlorine concentration of 5-150 mg/l, and the irradiation is carried out with light of a wavelength of 300 nm or more, with an intensity of 10 mW/cm2 or less. This method is carried out at room temperature under the atmospheric pressure. An apparatus for the method is also provided.

Abstract: A ventilation system has a water treatment section (54) which applies droplets of water (58) to contaminated air. The water is then removed by an entrainment separator (62). The air is passed over a series of UV lamps (70) which generate ozone sufficiently fast to strip off the layer of ozone formed on the UV tubes. Photolysis, ozonolysis and oxidation all reduce the level of organic contaminants in the air stream. The air then passes over a second UV source which decomposes any remaining ozone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the photocatalytic conversion of contaminants in a fluid stream. Fluid is directed through a semitransparent packed bed or an open cell, three dimensionally reticulated, fluid permeable, semiconductor unit. Within the unit, a semiconductor, when exposed to a photoactivating light source, converts the contaminants through a photocatalytic reaction. Both the substrate and the semiconductor photocatalyst are semitransparent to the activating light to allow penetration of light into the unit, thereby distributing the light, increasing the active specific surface area, and improving the net conversion performance of the unit.

Abstract: An air treatment apparatus includes an air mover for directing air toward a target compound. The target compound includes at least one of copper, titanium dioxide, and silver. A UV source is adapted to direct light against the target compound. The light preferably has a wavelength of about 185 nm. Light striking the air will generate ozone and the striking the target compound will generate at least one of hydroxyl ions and super-oxide ions. A method for treating air is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating an amount of ozone incident to an air stream of an air purifier. The air purifier has a number of ultra violet light lamps, a catalyst, a first sensor, a second sensor, a ventilating duct, an array of baffles and a fan. The first sensor and second sensor detect a first and a second level of contamination of the air stream and, in response thereto, the array of baffles increase or decrease the travel path of the air stream for exposure by the UV lamps. The UV lamps and catalyst also move with respect to each other for varying the amount of exposure of the UV lamps to the contaminated air stream to regulate the ozone incident on the air stream. The improved apparatus improves the efficiency by regulating the amount of ozone incident to an air stream for varying cooking loads.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is to be removed from the water and fuel mixture present in a fuel cell. A separation installation, which operates according to the principle of electro-osmosis, is used for carrying out the separation. The separation installation has a membrane that is permeable to both fuel and water. The corresponding device has a separation installation, which operates according to the principle of electro-osmosis and forms part of the complete fuel-cell facility.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery apparatus is used to deliver an aerosol into a reaction chamber for chemical reaction to produce reaction products such as nanoparticles. A variety of improved aerosol delivery approaches provide for the production of more uniform reaction products. In preferred embodiments, a reaction chamber is used that has a cross section perpendicular to the flow of reactant having a dimension along a major axis greater than a dimension along a minor axis. The aerosol preferably is elongated along the major axis of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds by zeolite and/or mesoporous material hosted photocatalysts. The present invention further relates to a method of treating a contaminated aqueous liquid or gaseous fluid containing organics using a combination of visible or solar light energy in the presence of a photocatalyst to decompose the organic impurities in the liquid or gaseous fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for removing elemental mercury from a fluid, the method comprising irradiating the mercury with light having a wavelength of approximately 254 nm. The method is implemented in situ at various fuel combustion locations such as power plants and municipal incinerators.

Abstract: A heat transfer process in which a chemical species flow is heated by heat exchange, by providing a source of applied electromagnetic energy that creates heat; directing at least a portion of the chemical species flow over the source of applied electromagnetic energy wherein the chemical species flow absorbs heat from the applied electromagnetic energy source to create a heated chemical species flow; and directing the heated chemical species flow into a device that uses applied electromagnetic energy to react gases within the chemical species flow.

Abstract: A method for flue gas desulfurization in which sulfur oxides in the flue gas are converted into powdery ammonium compound, including providing an aqueous ammonia spraying device configured to atomize aqueous ammonia into droplets, cooling flue gas containing sulfur oxides down to a temperature between a saturation temperature of water and 80° C., adjusting the aqueous ammonia spraying device such that the aqueous ammonia is atomized into droplets having a Sauter mean diameter of 0.5 &mgr;m to 30 &mgr;m, and spraying the aqueous ammonia into the flue gas which has been cooled in the cooling step.

Abstract: A method for processing substances to be degraded is provided. The method includes a decomposing step in which a mixed gas containing chlorine and the substances to be degraded is irradiated with light to decompose the substances to be degraded, a contact step in which gas generated through the decomposing step is contacted with an alkaline solution to trap chlorine contained in the gas generated through the decomposing step in the alkaline solution, and a reusing step in which the alkaline solution containing the chlorine as a source of generating the chlorine is used again in the decomposing step.

Abstract: There is provided a method of treating a substance to be degraded comprising the steps of: degrading the substance to produce a degraded product; contacting the product obtained in the degrading step with a liquid; and entrapping a component of the product not trapped by the liquid in a medium by contacting the component with the medium. Also, the apparatus for conducting the method is provided.

Abstract: A photocatalytic device for photocatalytically treating evaporative emissions comprises a substrate with a photocatalyst. A shell is disposed about the substrate, and can optionally comprises one or more sections of transparent material capable of being penetrated by an ultra violet light. Additionally, sealing agent can optionally be disposed between the shell and sections of transparent material to provide a gas tight seal.

Abstract: A polluted soil remediation apparatus comprising a treatment tank in which pollutants degradable with light irradiation in the presence of chlorine is extracted as a gas containing the pollutants from polluted soil and a mixture of the gas containing the pollutants and chlorine-containing air is irradiated with light to degrade the pollutants, wherein the apparatus comprises a unit for aspirating the gas containing the pollutants from the polluted soil, a chlorine-containing air generation unit for generating the chlorine-containing gas, a mixing unit for mixing the gas containing the pollutants extracted by the aspiration unit and the chorine-containing air generated by the chlorine-containing gas generation unit to form a mixed gas.

Abstract: A new method for design and scale-up of photocatalytic and thermocatalytic processes is disclosed. The method is based on optimizing photoprocess energetics by decoupling of the process energy efficiency from the DRE for target contaminants. The technique is applicable to both low and high-flux photoreactor design and scale-up. The low-flux method is based on the implementation of natural biopolymeric and other low-pressure drop media support for titanium dioxide and other band-gap photocatalysts. The high-flux method is based on the implementation of multifunctional metal oxide aerogels and other media in conjunction with a novel rotating fluidized particle bed reactor.

Abstract: A method of enhancing oxidation of air contaminants on an ultra-low density, UV light accessible aerogel photocatalyst is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a photocatalytic reactor system broadly comprising a photocatalytic reactor cell, a UV light source, and a pump to force the contaminated air stream through the photocatalytic reactor cell. The photocatalytic reactor cell includes glass cell. A catalyst bed formed of a titanium dioxide aerogel is provided in the glass cell whereby a high fraction of the titanium dioxide aerogel is accessible to UV light and gas. The catalyst bed is exposed to UV light from the UV light source and a contaminated air stream is introduced into the photocatalytic reactor cell such that the air stream passes through the catalyst bed causing oxidation of the contaminants of the air stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the photocatalytic purification and ultrapurification of water. Water containing organic, inorganic and/or biological contaminants is directed through an open cell, three dimensionally reticulated, fluid permeable, semiconductor unit. Within the unit, a semiconductor surface capable of promoting electrons from its valence band to its conduction band, when exposed to a photoactivating light source, removes the contaminants through a photocatalytic reaction.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrogen oxides from a lean flue gas. The method is carried out by: a) treating the flue gas in an electrical gas discharge, b) passing the thus treated flue gas over a basic storage material to store the nitrogen oxides in the form of nitrates and release of the treated flue gas to the environment, and c) regeneration of the storage material after depletion of its storage capacity by removing the storage material from the flue gas stream and treating it was a reducing regenerative gas stream while forming ammonia.

Abstract: In diesel engines, soot particles in the engine exhaust gas flow through an exhaust gas line. According to the invention, the soot particles flowing through the exhaust gas line are deposited by inertial forces onto electrodes of a reactor for producing dielectrically hindered gas discharges, the electrodes being periodically structured in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas, and are oxidized on the electrodes by the continuous action of the gas discharge. To such an end, at least one reactor for producing the dielectrically hindered discharges has metallic electrodes, which have a dielectrically active coating and an undulated or pleated structure.

Abstract: A photochemical process for removing or minimizing the concentration of PCDD or PCDF compounds within an industrial gas stream. The process includes the direct photolysis of PCDD or PCDF compounds. Light within a particular spectral range is irradiated into the gas stream and is absorbed by the PCDD and PCDF compounds in the presence of a hydrogen donor and this results in producing a lower chlorinated PCDD or PCDF compound form. In addition, the gas stream may be treated by removing particular matter therefrom and thereafter subjected to the above-described irradiation. Further, as another optional step, the gas stream may be irradiated with the specific purpose of targeting PCDD and PCDF precursor compounds. In this case, the irradiation is absorbed the precursor compounds causing them to be chemically modified to different chemical compounds that do not participate in chemical reactions that result in the formation of PCDD and PCDF compounds.

Abstract: A photocatalytic air purifier is disclosed. The photocatalytic purifier includes filter structures coated with a catalytic material such as titanium dioxide. One or more UV lamps are interposed between the filter structures. The catalytic layer reacts with airborne VOCs and bioaerosols when activated by the UV lamps to thereby oxidize the VOCs and destroy the bioaerosols. The photocatalytic air purifier does not need to be replaced or regenerated after a period of continuous usage. The photocatalytic purifier of the present invention substantially eliminates odors, VOCs, and bioaerosols from air directed through the fan coil. The photocatalytic air purifier includes a control system that optimizes operating costs. Because of these features, service, maintenance, and filter replacement are reduced to a minimum. At the same time, the well being of persons living in the space conditioned by the photocatalytic air purifier is improved.

Abstract: A procedure and a filter device (1) serving the purpose of removing and/or destruction organic substances in contaminated air. The filter device comprises at least one ventilator (12) for sending an air stream through a first chamber (14) with an opening, which is connected with a source for contaminated air; a second chamber (15) with a number of sheets (20) placed abeam the main direction of the air stream in order to make the air stream change direction at least one time; a third chamber (16) with a number of perforated tubes (22) which at least at one end are in open connection to a secondary air source; a fourth chamber with a number of lamps for radiating the air stream with a short-waved ultra-violet light and; a fifth chamber (17) with a volume, which gives the air stream a predetermined duration time in the chamber, and which has an opening, through which the purified air passes in order to be released to the surroundings.