Abstract: The claimed invention is directed to compositions and methods effective in preventing microbial contamination or reducing microbial count associated with a contaminated surface, comprising a biocidal system comprised of a primary biocide, a pH buffer agent, a surfactant, all in an aqueous based carrier, wherein the compositions may be considered environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A flue-gas purification system includes a flue-gas cycling system, a reactor, and an absorbent adding system having at least a catalytic absorbent, wherein the catalytic absorbent is being gasified for reacting with the flue-gas in the reactor in a homogenous gas-gas phase reacting manner. Therefore, the purification system has fast reaction rate between the pollutants of the flue-gas and the catalytic absorbent, which is preferably ammonia, to efficiently remove pollutants, so as to effectively purify the flue-gas.

Abstract: Hybrid particles that comprise a coating surrounding a chalcopyrite material, the coating comprising a metal, a semiconductive material, or a polymer; a core comprising a chalcopyrite material and a shell comprising a functionalized chalcopyrite material, the shell enveloping the core; or a reaction product of a chalcopyrite material and at least one of a reagent, heat, and radiation. Methods of forming the hybrid particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of recovering an organic decomposition product from an organic source may include: a) causing an inert gas to flow through the reduction zone from a reduction inlet to a reduction outlet in such a way that pressure in the reduction zone is maintained above ambient pressure of a local environment for the material recovery system and b) applying electromagnetic wave energy to the organic source in the reduction zone via a bifurcated waveguide assembly in the substantial absence of oxygen to produce at least one gaseous organic decomposition product in the reduction zone that is exhausted from the reduction zone along with the inert gas through the reduction outlet. A material recovery system may include a housing with an inert gas inlet, a reduction zone, and a reduction outlet, an inert gas supply, an electromagnetic wave generator, a bifurcated waveguide assembly, and a controller.

Abstract: Methods for generating metallic particles in situ in a polymer are disclosed. A method includes (a) contacting the polymer with a solution comprising (i) a solvent, (ii) a metal salt, and (iii) a free radical generator; (b) removing the polymer from the solution; and (c) exposing the polymer to actinic radiation. Polymer composites and polymer nanocomposites comprising inorganic particulates comprising metallic particles generated in the polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The application generally relates to a process for generating hydrogen, oxygen or both from water. More particularly, the application generally relates to a lanthanide-mediated photochemical process for generating hydrogen, oxygen or both from water.

Abstract: Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment include a reactor having a reaction zone, a reactant source coupled in fluid in communication with the reactant zone, and a solar concentrator having at least one concentrator surface positionable to direct solar energy to a focal area. The system can further include an actuator coupled to the solar concentrator to move the solar concentrator relative to the sun, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator.

Abstract: A highly protonated, supercharged, low pH, non-corrosive composition and process for making the composition wherein the composition has a milli-volt charge between 400 and 1400, a proton count between 8×10^?and 14×10^?, and a pH level at 1 part composition with 99 parts water between 0.9 and 1.8.

Abstract: A highly protonated, supercharged, low pH, non-corrosive composition and process for making the composition wherein the composition has a milli-volt charge between 400 and 1400, a proton count between 8×10??and 14×10??, and a pH level at 1 part composition with 99 parts water between 0.9 and 1.8.

Abstract: Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) is used to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the biogas produced in an anaerobic digester. The cleaned biogas is then combusted in a reciprocating engine. The exhaust of the engine is passed through a heat exchanger and then through GAC in an adsorber to adsorb nitrogen oxides (NOx) and any sulfur oxides (SOx). The GACs containing NOx, H2S, and SOx, are transported to a microwave reactor, mixed, and exposed to microwave energy. The H2S and NOx are desorbed from the GAC and chemically combined to produce nitrogen, carbon dioxide, sulfur and water. Unreacted nitrogen oxides or hydrogen sulfide are transported to a second reactor containing carbon media to be reacted by a further microwave process. Sulfur is removed with a filter as a solid and the remaining inert components are vented to the atmosphere. The GAC is regenerated and reused to remove additional H2S and NOx.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of activating a photosensitizer, wherein for the photosensitizer nanoparticles of a catalyst capable of catalyzing the production of active oxygen (1) is selected, which is further subjected to irradiation by light (5). Preferably, heterocrystal minerals are used as a source of nanoparticles. Preferably, the photosensitizer is combined with a liquid (3), to which a suitable amount of oxygen gas (4) is added. Still preferably, the photosensitizer is chemically coupled to a DNA-molecule and a suitable anti-metabolic agent. The invention further relates to a method for treating a health disorder using activated photosensitizer provided in nanoparticle form, whereby the activated nanoparticle photosensitizer is administered to a recipient (7).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for obtaining a hydrogen product and a sulfur product from a feed gas comprised of hydrogen sulfide. In the process, a first separating step separates the feed gas to obtain a first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction comprised of at least about 90 percent hydrogen sulfide by volume. A dissociating step dissociates hydrogen sulfide present in the first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction to convert it into a dissociated first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction comprised of elemental hydrogen and sulfur. A second separating step separates the dissociated first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction to obtain a hydrogen rich fraction comprised of elemental hydrogen. The sulfur product may also be obtained from the dissociated first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction. Finally, the hydrogen product is obtained from the hydrogen rich fraction. The apparatus is provided for performing the process.

Abstract: A technique is provided which enables highly efficient hydrogen sulfide decomposition and hydrogen generation with a photocatalyst. It is a method of treating hydrogen sulfide or producing hydrogen which comprises disposing a liquid tank having a photocatalyst electrode 1 comprising a photocatalyst and a liquid tank having a metal electrode 2 so that the two liquid tanks are separated from each other by a cation-exchange membrane 3, placing a liquid containing either hydrogen sulfide or an organic substance in the liquid tank having the photocatalyst electrode 3, electrically connecting the photocatalyst electrode 3 to the metal electrode 2, and exposing the photocatalyst to a light. The liquid to be placed in the liquid tank having the metal electrode 2 preferably is an acidic solution. The photocatalyst preferably comprises a metal sulfide, and preferably is fine particles having a layered nanocapsule structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for separating hydrogen and sulfur from hydrogen sulfide(H2S) gas. Hydrogen sulfide(H2S) gas is passed into a scrubber and filtration unit with polysulfide solution. Interaction frees elemental sulfur which is filtered, excess continues to a stripper unit where the excess H2S is removed. The excess H2S returns to the scrubber and filtration unit, while the sulfide solution passes into a photoreactor containing a photocatalyst and a light source. The sulfide solution is oxidatively converted to elemental sulfur and complexed with excess sulfide ion to make polysulfide ion, while water is reduced to hydrogen. Hydrogen is released, while the polysulfide solution is fed back to the scrubber unit where the system operation repeats. In a second embodiment, the photocatalyst is eliminated, and the hydrogen sulfide solution is directly illuminated with ultraviolet radiation with a light source such as a low pressure mercury lamp operating at approximately 254 nm.

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: 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: A method of producing calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate is disclosed, including the steps of exposing a mixture including a calcium sulfate form selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcium sulfate &bgr;-hemihydrate, water-soluble calcium sulfate anhydrite, and mixtures thereof, water, and a crystallization catalyst, to microwave radiation to produce calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate; and separating at least a portion of the calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate to provide a solid comprising calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate and a filtrate and/or remainder that can be recycled to provide at least one of a calcium sulfate form, water, a crystallization catalyst, a crystal habit modifier, and a surfactant for use in production of additional &agr;-hemihydrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a fertilizer by injecting ammonia into and applying electron beam to gas containing sulfur oxides. Gas containing sulfur oxides is cooled by a heat exchanger (2) and a cooling tower (3), and thereafter introduced into a process vessel (4) in which ammonia is injected into the gas and the gas is irradiated with electron beam. The product of the ratio of the concentration of ammonia to the concentration of water in the gas prior to irradiation of the electron beam and the ratio of the concentration of ammonia to the concentration of water in the gas after irradiation of the electron beam is controlled to be of a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and system for separating hydrogen and sulfur from hydrogen sulfide(H2S) gas being produced from oil and gas waste streams. The hydrogen sulfide(H2S) gas is first passed into a scrubber and filtration unit where it encounters polysulfide solution. Elemental sulfur is freed when the H2S interacts with the solution, the sulfur is filtered through a porous media such as a ceramic frit, and continues to a stripper unit where the excess H2S is removed from the sulfide solution. The excess H2S returns to the scrubber and filtration unit, while the sulfide solution passes into a photoreactor containing a semiconductor photocatalyst such as Cadmium Sulfide(CdS), Platinized Cadmium Sulfide, Pt-CdS, Zinc Sulfide, ZnS, Zinc Ferrate, ZnFe2O4, Indium Sulfide, In2S3, along with a 450-500 nm light source.

Abstract: A process for destroying aromatic compounds in an exhaust gas containing also sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust, first the dust is removed at a temperature of between room temperature and 150° C. to a residual quantity of not more than 50 mg/m3,the sulfur dioxide is removed to a residual quantity of not more than 1000 mg/m3, the nitrogen oxides are removed to a residual quantity of not more than 300 mg/m3 and the exhaust gas is then subjected to electron irradiation having an energy of 3 to 10 kWh/1000 m3 exhaust gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gas by irradiation with an electron beam. Flue gas discharged from a fuel combustion facility is treated with an electron beam to remove sulfur oxides and/or nitrogen oxides. Ammonia is added to the flue gas and the mixed gas is irradiated with an electron beam in a process vessel. A dust collector receives the gas and collects a by-product mainly composed of ammonium sulfate and/or ammonium nitrate which is produced by the reaction in the process vessel. A gas-contacting portion extending from the process vessel to the dust collector is cooled either wholly or partly, to a dew point of the gas or below.