Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods for enhancing chemical conversions. One or more embodiments relate to a method for enhancing a multi-step chemical conversion reaction. The method includes providing a reactant mixture comprising one or more reacting specie(s); and providing a catalyst or sorbent comprising one or more support materials and one or more deposited catalytically active materials. The method further includes applying an electromagnetic field with a prescribed power, frequency, and pulsing strategy specific to interactions of reactant species and an electromagnetic field with at least one of the support materials, sorbent, and catalytically active materials in a particular chemical reaction.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a light source configured to generate light to inactivate one or more pathogens. The light includes an inactivating portion. In one embodiment, a method for inactivating one or more pathogens and optionally concurrently illuminating a room having one or more human occupants while the pathogens are inactivated is also provided. The method includes generating light from a light source to inactivate the one or more pathogens. The light is generated with an inactivating portion of the light.

Abstract: A system for providing ultraviolet treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is disclosed. The system can include a first gas conduit to carry a stream of gas having VOCs and a second gas conduit to carry a second stream of gas containing a partial pressure of water vapor. A gas treatment unit can be coupled to the first gas conduit and the second gas conduit. The gas treatment unit can form hydroxyl radicals from the water vapor in the stream of gas carried by the second gas conduit and inject the radicals in the first gas conduit to decrease the presence of the VOCs. The gas treatment unit can include a photocatalyst component and at least one ultraviolet radiation source to irradiate the photocatalyst component with ultraviolet radiation. To this extent, the irradiated photocatalyst component disassociates the gas containing the water vapor to form the hydroxyl radicals.

Abstract: A method of directly analyzing an environmental sample, such as a crude oil sample, to simultaneously determine distillation ranges, identify elements therein, and/or identify impurities. The method includes performing multi-element scanning thermal analysis (MESTA) on the crude oil sample to obtain a thermogram of the elements within the crude oil sample, wherein peak information within the thermogram indicates presence of the elements, compounds, and/or impurities within the crude oil sample.

Abstract: A method of removing at least one single ring aromatic hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon contaminated fluid. The method includes contacting the hydrocarbon contaminated fluid with carbon nanotubes to adsorb the at least one single ring aromatic hydrocarbon while exposing the hydrocarbon contaminated fluid and the carbon nanotubes to UV irradiation from at least one UV light source, preferably a UV light emitting diode (LED), with a wavelength of about 315-415 nm, preferably about 365 nm, to form a treated fluid having a reduced concentration of the at least one single ring aromatic hydrocarbon relative to the hydrocarbon contaminated fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of oxidizing VOCs to carbon dioxide and water in a photo catalytic environment by passing the VOC laden industrial effluent through a filter tube containing a porous inorganic substrate, impregnated and surface coated with TiO2 powder, present within an Ultra Violet light/ozone/hydroxyl flux field. The porous inorganic substrate includes at least one multiple wavelength type C UV lamp of wavelengths between and/or in combinations of 185 and 285 nm. The lamp is placed in parallel and in the center of the filter tube, allowing maximum radiation to reach the TiO2 surface to enhance its catalytic activity. The lamp is further encapsulated in an air purged, UV transparent annular quartz tube to maintain an ambient temperature of less than 50° C. The purged air passing through the quartz tube further provides ozone/hydroxyl, formed by the contact of oxygen and humidity in the purged air with UV light, which assists in oxidation of volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: A production method for biomass-alcohol includes a saccharification step of saccharifying biomass, a first concentrating step of ultrasonically vibrating the saccharified solution and atomizing the saccharified solution into a mist, so as to elevate the sugar concentration in the saccharified solution by removing water from the saccharified solution, a fermentation step of fermenting the saccharified solution concentrated in the first concentrating step to form an alcohol water solution, and second concentrating step of separating alcohol from the alcohol water solution fermented in the fermentation step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for releasing genetic materials from a solid medium. The present invention also relates to methods for releasing genetic materials from a solid medium. The present invention further relates to methods for isolating genetic material from a biological sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a simple and efficient method for the self-sustaining radiation cracking of hydrocarbons. The method disclosed provides for the deep destructive processing of hydrocarbon chains utilizing hydrocarbon chain decomposition utilizing self-sustaining radiation cracking of hydrocarbon chains under a wide variety of irradiation conditions and temperature ranges (from room temperature to 400° C.). Several embodiments of such method are disclosed herein, including; (i) a special case of radiation-thermal cracking referred to as high-temperature radiation cracking (HTRC); (ii) low temperature radiation cracking (LTRC); and (iii) cold radiation cracking (CRC). Such methods were not heretofore appreciated in the art. In one embodiment, a petroleum feedstock is subjected to irradiation to initiate and/or at least partially propagate a chain reaction between components of the petroleum feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filtration chamber comprising a microfabricated filter enclosed in a housing, wherein the surface of said filter and/or the inner surface of said housing are modified by vapor deposition, sublimation, vapor-phase surface reaction, or particle sputtering to produce a uniform coating; and a method for separating cells of a fluid sample, comprising: a) dispensing a fluid sample into the filtration chamber disclosed herein; and b) providing fluid flow of the fluid sample through the filtration chamber, wherein components of the fluid sample flow through or are retained by the filter based on the size, shape, or deformability of the components.

Abstract: Methods of dissociating and recovering methane from solid hydrate deposits are provided. A method for recovering methane from a methane hydrate includes at least applying electromagnetic radiation to the methane hydrate to dissociate the methane-water bond. Further provided is an apparatus for dissociating methane from a methane hydrate. The apparatus includes at least: an electromagnetic spectrum power source; a probe connected to the electromagnetic spectrum power source; an antenna connected to the distal end of the probe is capable of focusing a radiated beam into a target area of a methane hydrate; and a control system in communication with and capable of controlling the electromagnetic spectrum power source, the probe, and the antenna.

Abstract: Described are techniques for optical detection of single molecule signals from a nanopore array for analysis of nucleic acid sequences. These techniques are useful for rapid multiplexed DNA sequencing.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of heat, an oxidizing agent and, preferably, sonic energy. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process, and may further include optional steps of centrifugation or hydrodesulfurization.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing residues of hazardous materials from vapor in a tank (1), wherein such a vapor is heated, passed outside the tank and subsequently cooled and the remaining dry vapor is recirculated, characterized in that a) said vapor is heated to a temperature of at least 5° C. above the melting point and below the self ignition point of the hazardous material, b) the vapor mixture thus formed is passed by means of a pump (3) from the tank through a discharge unit to a recovery unit, c) is cooled to a temperature of at least 5° C. lower and above the melting point of the hazardous material in a recovery unit, d) the liquid components of the vapor are recovered and the dry gas mixture is recirculated to the tank after reheating to the desired temperature, e) said recirculation being repeated as required.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and process to remove the remaining sulfur in four types of Arabian crude oils (Arabian Heavy) (AH) and straight-run diesel (SRD) by ionizing radiation. Radiation-induced desulfurization is not feasible for absorbed doses up to 200 kGy. Most of the organically bound sulfur and/or elemental sulfur and hydrogen sulfide still exist in the irradiated samples. Sulfur removal from crude oil and straight-run diesel was achieved by combining gamma-irradiation with other physical/chemical processes (i.e. liquid/liquid extraction and oxidation) which provided a considerable levels of total sulfur reduction in the investigated products (AH and SRD). The best removal processes for Arabian heavy crude oil and straight-run diesel resulted in reducing total sulfur content up to 36% (AH) and 78% (SRD) corresponding to (liquid process/200 kGy) and (liquid process/200 kGy) for AH and SRD, respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a simple and efficient method for the self-sustaining radiation cracking of hydrocarbons. The method disclosed provides for the deep destructive processing of hydrocarbon chains utilizing hydrocarbon chain decomposition utilizing self-sustaining radiation cracking of hydrocarbon chains under a wide variety of irradiation conditions and temperature ranges (from room temperature to 400° C.). Several embodiments of such method are disclosed herein, including; (i) a special case of radiation-thermal cracking referred to as high-temperature radiation cracking (HTRC); (ii) low temperature radiation cracking (LTRC); and (iii) cold radiation cracking (CRC). Such methods were not heretofore appreciated in the art. In one embodiment, a petroleum feedstock is subjected to irradiation to initiate and/or at least partially propagate a chain reaction between components of the petroleum feedstock.

Abstract: A method for harvesting potable water and energy from waste that comprises the steps of collecting the waste, separating the waste into a water fraction, a solid fraction, and a gas fraction, sterilizing the water fraction, converting the solid fraction into an energy resource; and scrubbing the gas fraction.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for processing organic material using solar energy. The system includes a flat mirror reflecting unit configured to rotate around a dual axis of the flat mirror reflecting unit in order to receive sunlight from the sun. The flat mirror reflecting unit reflects the sunlight in response to receiving the sunlight. The system further includes a fixed concentrating Fresnel mirror unit for receiving the sunlight reflected by the flat mirror reflecting unit. The system also includes a sliding tray unit which receives organic material. The sliding tray unit is positioned such as to receive the sunlight reflected by the fixed concentrating Fresnel mirror unit. The sliding tray unit receives the sunlight concentrating on a focal region of the sliding tray unit. Upon receiving the sunlight on the sliding tray unit, the organic material in the sliding tray unit is subjected to thermal processing using solar energy of the sunlight.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to chemical reactions and processes, and in particular to a method for enhancing the rate of a chemical reaction and to apparatus for carrying out the method. The invention more particularly relates to methods and apparatus which utilize microwave and ultrasonic energy to enhance chemical reaction rates; and in specific instances, the invention relates to methods, processes and apparatus for the synthesis of biodiesel fuels. The methods, processes and apparatus of the invention are useful for the synthesis of biodiesel fuels; and also useful for production of reaction products of esterification and/or transesterification reactions including fatty acid alkyl esters.

Abstract: A pulsed electric field method for the continuous extraction of oil and lipids from small aquatic plants, the method including providing a continuous flow of a slurry of small aquatic plants. A continuous flow of small aquatic plants is directed to a treatment zone. Pulsed electric fields are applied to the treatment zone to lyse cell walls of the small aquatic plants to enhance extraction of oil and lipids therefrom.

Abstract: Purified single-walled carbon nanotubes are created by placing a sample of unpurified single-walled carbon nanotubes in a chamber and irradiating the sample of unpurified single-walled carbon nanotubes in the chamber with a microwave field. Each purified single-walled carbon nanotube created is a semiconductor.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of heat, an oxidizing agent and, preferably, sonic energy. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process, and may further include optional steps of centrifugation or hydrodesulfurization.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process to remove impurities from triacylglycerol oil including mixing the oil and a fluidic agent, pumping the mixture through a flow-through hydrodynamic cavitation apparatus at a pre-determined inlet pump pressure, creating hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture, maintaining the hydrodynamic cavitation for a pre-determined period of time, moving the impurities from the oil to the fluidic agent, and then separating the fluidic agent from the oil. The impurities can include phytosterols, sterol glucosides, acylated sterol glucosides, in which case the fluidic agent is water, an alkali hydroxide, an inorganic base, an organic base, phosphoric acid, citric acid, acetic acid or a mixture thereof. The impurities may also include phosphatides, in which case and the fluidic agent comprises water and an enzyme such as phospholipase, a lipid acyltransferase or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A method for treatment of oils and fats having a high saturated fatty acid content whose treatment has previously been difficult, especially waste oils and fats and discharged oils and fats, characterized in that the oils and fats just prior to hydrolysis is subjected to ozone treatment and light irradiation treatment.

Abstract: A catalytic system (10) for fluid purification, the system (10) comprising: at least one photon source (2) to substantially break down at least two types of target molecules in the fluid to create short lived intermediates; and a ceramic core (5) including at least one type of micropore to adsorb the short lived intermediates for the propagation reactions and termination reactions of the short lived intermediates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for photocatalytic separation of a dispersed substance from a surfactant-containing dispersion. The surfactant-containing dispersion contains at least one dispersant, one dispersed substance, one surfactant and one photocatalyst. Irradiation of the photocalyst causes the decomposition or modification of the surfactant allowing for the separation of the dispersed substance from the dispersant.

Abstract: A method for separating a hydrocarbon content from a hydrocarbon contaminated matrix is disclosed. The method comprises controlling a water content of a feed material comprising the hydrocarbon contaminated matrix; continuously conveying the feed material into a treatment cavity (3), exposing the feed material in a treatment area (8) of the treatment cavity to microwave radiation arranged to cause rapid heating of at least a portion of the water content to form steam, wherein the rapid steam formation results in thermal desorption of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon content from the matrix; and continuously removing the treated matrix from the treatment cavity.

Abstract: A photodegradation catalyst or a photodegradation catalyst precursor comprises a plurality of domains of an oxide of a first metal distributed in a substrate of a halide or oxyhalide of a second metal, wherein the mole percentage of the halide or oxyhalide of the second metal is above 50%. Additionally, a method of preparing a photodegradation catalyst or a photodegradation catalyst precursor, a photodegradation catalyst or a photodegradation catalyst precursor obtained from the method and a method of treating organic pollutants or substances in air or water by using the photodegradation catalyst or the photodegradation catalyst precursor are illustrated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing acrylamide and/or melanoidin forming cellular ingredients from starchy plant material without enabling to remove a considerable amount of starch from the cells by washing, comprising the process steps of: providing the biological material, irreversible electroporation of the biological material, and obtaining plant material having a reduced amount of acrylamide and/or melanoidin forming cellular ingredients, the starch content of which is not enabled to be considerably reduced by washing as compared to the starting material.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for decomposing and extracting compositions for the recovery of petroleum-based materials from composites comprising those petroleum-based materials, comprising subjecting the compositions and/or composites to microwave radiation, wherein the microwave radiation is in the range of from about 4 GHz to about 18 GHz. The present invention also provides for products produced by the methods of the present invention and for apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a simple and efficient method for the self-sustaining radiation cracking of hydrocarbons. The method disclosed provides for the deep destructive processing of hydrocarbon chains utilizing hydrocarbon chain decomposition utilizing self-sustaining radiation cracking of hydrocarbon chains under a wide variety of irradiation conditions and temperature ranges (from room temperature to 400° C.). Several embodiments of such method are disclosed herein, including; (i) a special case of radiation-thermal cracking referred to as high-temperature radiation cracking (HTRC); (ii) low temperature radiation cracking (LTRC); and (iii) cold radiation cracking (CRC). Such methods were not heretofore appreciated in the art. In one embodiment, a petroleum feedstock is subjected to irradiation to initiate and/or at least partially propagate a chain reaction between components of the petroleum feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for decomposing and extracting compositions for the recovery of petroleum-based materials from composites comprising those petroleum-based materials, comprising subjecting the compositions and/or composites to microwave radiation, wherein the microwave radiation is in the range of from about 4 GHz to about 18 GHz. The present invention also provides for products produced by the methods of the present invention and for apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Devices and improved methods are provided for operation of ultrasonic transducers and horns.

Abstract: Provided are methods for sterilizing a material comprising a biologically-active agent comprising irradiating said material with ionizing radiation at a dose of about 5 kGy to about 25 kGy while maintaining said material in an atmosphere comprising at least 95% by volume inert gas and at a temperature of about 4° C. or lower. Also provided are sterilized materials comprising a biologically-active agent, wherein said materials exhibit substantially the same amount of biological activity as a non-sterilized control.

Abstract: A method for increasing an amount of effective constituents from a plant in a solvent is provided. The method comprises steps of treating the solvent with a far-infrared radiating (FIR) material and extracting the effective constituents from the plant by the treated solvent for increasing the amount of the effective constituents dissolved in the solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying a composition (I) at least comprising cyclododecanone. The process according to the invention for purifying a composition (I) at least comprising cyclododecanone comprises at least step (i) (i) irradiation of the composition (I).

Abstract: A device for generating a magnetic field moving in at least one field plane located in a fluid to be treated and in which the gradient of the vector product between the intensity of the magnetic field and its displacement velocity induces stereochemical deformations of the molecules of the treated fluid, which may be a limestone water or a fuel. Each field plane may have a first magnetic field generator such as a pair of coils (10, 10?) and a second magnetic field generator such as a pair of coils (12, 12?) forming an angle ? with the first generator, both being disposed at the periphery of the pipe (20) through which the fluid to be treated is flowing. At least one of the two field generators generates a magnetic field whose amplitude is variable over time so that the resultant is a magnetic field moving in the field plane having a variable amplitude and a direction moving at an angular velocity such as to obtain the highest possible gradient of the vector product.

Abstract: A new photocatalyst, which is high in visible light response, is great in quantum efficiency, and is more excellent in photocatalytic activity, is provided. A composite metal oxide, prepared combining two photocatalytic systems of TiO2 and BiVO4, including elements of Bi, Ti, and Vi as composition elements, can be a photocatalyst having a high activity under visible light. Particularly, BiTiVO6, which is obtained at a compounding ratio of 1:1, can be a photocatalyst having a remarkably high activity under visible light. Moreover, a composite metal oxide expressed by a general formula BiTiMO6 (in the formula, M represents at least one element selected from a group consisting of V, Nb, and Ta) can be a photocatalyst having a high activity under visible light.

Abstract: A method of producing alkanes containing chlorine by addition of chlorine to C—C double bonds or C—C triple bonds or by exchange of hydrogen for chlorine by contacting the starting compound in the gas or liquid phase with elemental chlorine and irradiating the reaction mixture with UV light having a wavelength of ??280 nm. In this way pentachloroethane can be produced from trichloroethylene, CFC-113 from HCFC-123 or HFC-133a, CFC-112a from HCFC-142b, or HCFC-123 from HCFC-133a. The method also is suitable for separating photochlorinatable impurities from HFC-365-mfc to obtain purified HFC-365-mfc. Advantages include high yields and excellent selectivity.

Abstract: There is disclosed a burnable used oil fuel product by the process comprising: (a) obtaining a used oil sample having at least 1% (by weight) aqueous substances; (b) heating the used oil sample to a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 60° C.; and (c) extracting a volume of water from the heated used oil by adding super critical CO2.

Abstract: A process for preventing undesired polymerization is conducted by maintaining an effective concentration of a stabilizer which comprises N-oxyl radicals in a mixture containing ethylenically unsaturated compounds, wherein (i) an electronic signal which correlates with the concentration of the N-oxyl radicals in the mixture is obtained periodically or continuously, (ii) the electronic signal is compared with a reference value, and (iii) addition of a stabilizer to the mixture is controlled according to the comparison (ii). The signal is preferably obtained by ESR measurement. The process permits efficient use of the stabilizer.

Abstract: In the synthesis of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (R-365mfc), a mixture of R-365mfc and the impurity 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-butene (R-1354mzy) is purified and R-1354mzy is removed from the mixture by contacting the mixture with 1-5 mols of chlorine for each mol of R-1354mzy in the presence of ultraviolet light having a wavelength between about 300 to 400 nm which provides at least 0.02 watts-hour/kg of the mixture. The R-1354mzy is reduced to below 10 wt. ppm as it is converted to 2,3-dichloro-1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobutane (R-354) or other butane containing more chlorine and having a higher boiling point than R-365mfc. The butane(s) may be separated more easily from R-365mfc. The photochlorination is effected in a manner such that at least about 96 weight percent of the starting amount of R-365mfc is maintained in the mixture.

Abstract: A discoloration of an aminosilane having a content of a free base is treated by adding an acid chloride to the aminosilane to obtain a mixture having a molar excess of acid chloride; neutralizing the molar excess of the acid chloride in one or more steps with a molar deficit of a base to obtain a mixture containing a salt; separating off the salt from; and irradiating the remaining aminosilane with UV-containing light.

Abstract: Novel accelerated methods involving corona discharge, and preferably pulsed streamer high voltage corona discharge, in combination with an effective amount of suitable particles to break down organic contaminants, such as phenol and phenol red, in aqueous mediums are disclosed. More particularly, it has been discovered that the addition of an effective amount of suitable particles to the aqueous phase of a corona reactor greatly affects the properties of the corona discharge, i.e., streamer length, intensity, number of streamers and sparkover voltage, thereby significantly increasing the breakdown voltage (i.e., the maximum voltage prior to sparkover), so that the removal of organic contaminants may be accelerated, since the production of hydroxyl radicals, aqueous electrons and hydrogen peroxide increases with increases in the applied discharge voltage.

Abstract: The methods of this invention involve preventing the formation of a complex between adenine and riboflavin by reducing the amount of adenine in a solution containing blood or blood components to be pathogen reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for decomposing a target substance, which is a halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon compound or a halogenated aromatic compound. This apparatus has a water tank for holding water containing chlorine and for contacting the target substance with the chlorine, a means for feeding the target substance to the water, a light source for irradiating the water containing the supplied target substance with light at a wavelength of 300 nm to 500 nm, and a means for reducing a chlorine concentration of a wastewater discharged from the water tank by contacting the wastewater with air.

Abstract: Ozone gas having a high ozone concentration is generated by a solid electrolyte electrolytic process. An ozone solution is prepared by injecting the ozone gas into an acidic solution of pH 6 or below. The ozone solution heated at a temperature in the range of 50° to 90° C. is supplied to a contaminated object to oxidize and dissolve a chromium oxide film by an oxidizing dissolving process. The ozone solution used in the oxidizing dissolving process is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to decompose ozone contained in the ozone solution, the ozone solution is passed through an ion-exchange resin to remove ions contained in the ozone solution. An oxalic acid solution is supplied to the contaminated object to dissolve an iron oxide film by a reductive dissolving process.

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 method for decomposing an organic compound by using functional water followed by neutralization of the wastewater not to affect the environment.

Abstract: A process for treating colored liquid comprises a step of contacting a colored liquid and functional water generated by electrolysis of a water solution of an electrolyte under light irradiation, to decolorize efficiently and stably to a low chromaticity.