Abstract: A particle deposition system can have a particle source providing a nanomaterial at a controlled rate and a gas distribution system coupled with the particle source and operable to receive the nanomaterial aerosol. A high pressure chamber can be coupled with the gas distribution system, and a nozzle can be disposed between the high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber. The nozzle can have a nozzle opening allowing fluidic communication of a nanomaterial aerosol between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber and the opening can have a length exceeding a width.

Abstract: An instrument to produce ionizing radiation includes a high voltage source of charge and ionizing radiation; a housing filled with insulating gas and containing the high voltage source; an insulator to which the high voltage source is mounted so that the source is spaced from the housing; one or more collector electrodes arranged in the housing such that the high voltage source preferentially discharges to the collector electrode(s); a control system which determines a level of ionization of the insulating gas through the amount of discharge to the collector electrode(s); and/or discharge rate limiting means controllable by the control system to deionize the insulating fluid at a controlled discharge rate and thereby maintain the maximum rate of discharge below a predetermined current. In this way, breakdown events can be inhibited.

Abstract: A spent sulfuric acid catalyst from an alkylation unit is regenerated via a paired oxidation electrolysis, wherein active intermediates are generated via both anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction without adding an additional organic peroxide during the electrolysis. The organic impurities in the spent sulfuric acid catalyst are decomposed by the active intermediates, and removed therefrom via evaporation.

Abstract: A treater combination unit wherein the functions of a heater treater and one or more of a sales gas heater, instrument gas heater/dryer, two-phase separator, and a free water knockout are incorporated into a single unit are included in a single, self-contained and optionally portable unit. In one embodiment, an instrument gas dryer can also optionally be incorporated into the combination unit. In an alternative embodiment, the instrument gas dryer is added to the unit as a retrofit.

Abstract: A method for removing gas components SOx, NOx, and CO2 from a flue gas, comprises the steps of contacting the flue gas successively with first, second and third liquid mediums each of which provides a plasma containing reactive electrons or ions in an amount such that the gas molecules SOx, NOx, and CO2 are successively subjected to impingement of the electrons or ions in the respective plasma to enable the dissociation of the gas molecules SOx, NOx, and CO2 so as to remove SOx, NOx, and CO2 from the flue gas. A system for removing gas components SOx, NOx, and CO2 from a flue gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing carbon dioxide from a gas stream and controlling ammonia vapor by scrubbing the carbon dioxide from the gas stream with ammonium carbonate, thereby producing ammonia vapor and ammonium bicarbonate; removing a portion of the ammonia vapor from the gas stream with ammonium bicarbonate; and polishing the flue gas to achieve an ammonia concentration of less than 10 PPM.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, methods, and systems for processing copper and, in particular, copper layer processing using sulfur plasma, One or more embodiments can include a method of forming a copper sulfur compound by reacting copper with a plasma gas including sulfur and removing at least a portion of the copper sulfur compound with water.

Abstract: Treated carbon-containing fly ash with reduced surfactant-adsorbing capacity is prepared by processing involving contacting the fly ash with ionized gas prepared from a humid gas feed, such as humid air. Treated fly ash with reduced ammonia content is prepared by processing involving contacting the fly ash with ionized gas prepared from a humid gas feed, such as humid air, or exposing the fly ash to microwave radiation or ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A process reduces SOx emissions in a flue gas stream by adding a wet collector plate section to an existing electrostatic precipitator (ESP) or by converting the last field of an existing ESP to wet operation. To achieve the conversion, the last field or fields of an existing dry ESP are removed and replaced with components made from materials suitable for operation in a wet environment. After the ESP contains wet operation, ammonia is added to the flue gas stream while it is progressing through the collection plates in the ESP.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for a sulfur based hydrogen production cycle wherein the sulfur products are maintained in a gaseous state throughout the cycle. The cycle includes a decomposition of a gaseous phase sulfur trioxide to sulfur dioxide and water in a decomposition reactor and an oxidation of gaseous sulfur trioxide with H2O in an electrolyzer to form sulfur trioxide and hydrogen. Costs are reduced by elimination of energy costs previous necessary to convert the sulfuric products from liquid to gas and back again and by extending the lifespan of decomposition catalysts through the elimination of water in an SO2/SO3 stream.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, NO, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, alkali hydroxide or carbonate scrubbing solution, regenerating the scrubbing solution with limestone, and removing any particulate matter and aerosols generated by the scrubbing step in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to oxidized Hg and removing it in the wet electrostatic precipitator. The scrubbing solution is preferably regenerated with limestone or magnesium, and results in a Group II sulfite or sulfate that can be recovered and sold, or landfilled.

Abstract: A compact capacitively coupled electrode structure for use in a gas plasma reactor/generator is disclosed. The electrode structure comprises a parallel plate type anode and cathode spaced to define a gas flow path or volume therebetween. A plurality of electrically conductive fin elements are interposed in the space between the anode and cathode. The fin elements substantially increase the ratio of electrode surface area to volume, and subdivide the gas flow path or volume, thereby substantially increasing the efficiency of plasma gas processing that is possible over a broad range of operating parameters, without substantially increasing the spacing between the anode and cathode. Static or closed operation is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a multi-anode/multi-cathode electrode assembly embodying the basic electrode structure and a highly efficient and compact gas plasma reactor/generator employing the assembly.

Abstract: In a non-thermal plasma reactor (300), at least a component of the active material (320) is selected or modified to provide the capability to adsorb or trap a predetermined chemical species in the gas flow thereby to increase the effective residence time of said species relative to the residence time of unadsorbed species in the gas flow.

Abstract: A gas treatment system and method for using the same is disclosed. The gas treatment system, comprises: a non-thermal plasma reactor; and a catalyst composition disposed within said non-thermal plasma reactor, said catalyst composition comprising a MZr4(PO4)6, wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, ruthenium, silver, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and combinations comprising at least one of said foregoing metals. The process comprises exposing said gas to a plasma field and to the catalyst composition.

Abstract: A device for purifying an exhaust gas contains at least one first and one second component with a respective shell and core through which the exhaust flows, as well as with two front faces each. At least one of the front faces of the first component and at least one front face of the second component has a predetermined profile with elevations and depressions. The elevations of the front face of the first component extend into the depressions of the front face of the second component and vice versa, thereby configuring a penetration section. The first component is disposed electrically insulated from the second component. The components have a potential difference between them and plasma is generated in the penetration section. The compact plasma reactor reduces the pollutant concentration in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine operated in the lean mode, especially when combined with an oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating harmful substances contained in a waste gas discharged from waste burning pants includes an insulating honeycomb structural body made of ceramics containing a photocatalytic material, a number of through holes formed in the honeycomb structural body in parallel with each other, first and second mesh electrodes arranged on respective end surfaces of the honeycomb structural body, and a pulse supply source connected across the first and second mesh electrodes. A waste gas flows through the through holes formed in the honeycomb structural body, while pulse corona discharge plasma is uniformly generated along the through holes. Harmful substances contained in the waste gas are decomposed by the high energy electrons and radicals generated by the discharge plasma, and the photocatalytic material is excited by ultraviolet radiation emitted from the discharge plasma to produce active oxygen which decomposes and/or oxidizes the harmful substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides and mercury from gas streams such as furnace or utility boiler flue gas streams, particularly those derived from coal-fired utility boilers. A stream containing relatively low concentration of ozone from an ozone concentrator is feed to a barrier discharge reactor. Nitrogen oxides and mercury in the flue gas are oxidized by oxygen and hydroxyl radicals formed in the reactor. The flue gas is then directed to a reactor duct along with the ozone at a greater concentration wherein the remaining nitrogen oxides and mercury in the gas stream will react with the ozone to form nitric acid, nitric acid precursors, mixtures thereof and mercuric oxide. These impurities can then be removed from the gas stream by use of an aqueous scrubber, a wet electrostatic precipitator, a dry scrubber or a semi-dry scrubber.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for plasma treatment of gas, particularly for transformation, passivation and stabilization of polluting and toxic admixtures is disclosed. A flowing gas (1) to be treated is passed through a hollow cathode (2) provided with a counter electrode (5) and a hollow cathode discharge plasma (3) is generated by a generator (4) connected to the hollow cathode (2). The flowing gas (1) undergoes interactions with oscillating electrons (6) in the hollow cathode discharge plasma being generated in the gas. The interaction of the hollow cathode discharge plasma with inner walls (8) of the hollow cathode is controlled and the inner walls should have a temperature below its melting point, whereby the inner walls can provide a catalytic effect. The inner walls may also release wall species (9) promoting plasma-chemical reactions in the hollow cathode discharge plasma. The flowing gas is then exhausted as a transformed gas (10) after being treated in the hollow cathode discharge plasma.

Abstract: A method of driving the electrodes of a dielectric barrier discharge device. The driving signal is a pulsed signal where the pulses have alternating polarities. In one embodiment, the pulse signal includes groups of opposite polarity pulses where a second pulse in each group immediately follows a first pulse and where the group of pulses are spaced from each other. This allows the charge trapped on the surface of the dielectric barrier of the device to be added power to the electric field generated by the following, opposite polarity pulse.

Abstract: A process for reducing particulate, Hg, NOx, and SO.sub.2 emissions from the combustion of fossil fuel while providing the capability of producing an end product that is commercially useful comprising the steps of oxidizing Hg, NOx and SO.sub.2 using a barrier discharge reactor to produce the HgO and acids HNO.sub.3 and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, collecting the HgO, acids and particulates in a wet ESP, and then draining them from the wet ESP to remove them from the flue gas stream.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing particulate, nitrogen oxides ("NOx"), sulfur dioxide ("SO.sub.2 "), and mercury ("Hg") emissions from the combustion exhaust of fossil fuel fired plants while producing an end product that is commercially useful, comprising the steps of oxidizing Hg, NOx and SO.sub.2 using a barrier, pulse, corona, or electron beam electrical discharge apparatus (100) to produce HgO and the acids HNO.sub.3 and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 collecting the HgO, acids and particulates in a wet ESP (120), and separating the particulates from the collected acid mixture, then separating and concentrating the acids for industrial use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating exhaust gases. In this apparatus, a plurality of stages of reactor chambers (R.sub.1, R.sub.2, . . . . and R.sub.n) are connected in series in the direction of an exhaust gas flow. Further, high-voltage power supplies (V.sub.1, V.sub.21 . . . and V.sub.n) are connected to the reactor chambers (R.sub.1, R.sub.2, . . . . and R.sub.n), respectively. Moreover, in each of these reactor chambers, a streamer discharger plasma is generated. Furthermore, the more downstream a reactor chamber of a stage is placed, the lower energy to be cast into the reactor chamber becomes. The density of electrons generated in a gas decomposition unit is high in a portion thereof on the upstream side of the exhaust gas flow and the electron density is low in a portion thereof on the downstream side. Additionally, the present invention further provides a pulse generator in which a high voltage, which is an output voltage of a D.C. charger (V.sub.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing particulate, nitrogen oxides ("NOx"), sulfur dioxide ("SO.sub.2 "), and mercury ("Hg") emissions from the combustion exhaust of fossil fuel fired plants while producing an end product that is commercially useful, comprising the steps of oxidizing Hg, NOx and SO.sub.2 using a barrier, pulse, corona, or electron beam electrical discharge apparatus to produce HgO and the acids HNO.sub.3 and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, collecting the HgO, acids and particulates in a wet ESP, and separating the particulates from the collected acid mixture, then separating and concentrated the acids for industrial use.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating an exhaust gas stream containing COS and CO arising from chlorinating titanium-containing material with a cold plasma wherein oxygen is present and selectively oxidizing COS.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction reactor employs two or more electrodes to enhance the effective corona discharge treatment volume by distributing a varying electric field pattern over the reactor's interior chamber. Appropriate delay circuitry allows the inner electrodes to be driven out of phase with each other by a sinusoidal voltage waveform, or corona producing voltage pulses to be cyclically supplied to the inner electrodes in sequence, preferably without overlapping the pulses.

Abstract: A pollutant destruction system connects a capacitive corona discharge chamber in a self-resonant circuit with an inductive element. Intermittent energizing signals are furnished from a power supply to induce corona discharges within the chamber, with the resonant circuit responding to the energizing signals by initiating additional corona discharges between energizing signals in a highly energy efficient operation. One or more discharge chambers can be provided in the resonant circuit, with each discharge chamber comprising a dielectric enclosure with a distributed electrode outside and an elongate electrode inside the enclosure. The inner electrode can extend either along the chamber axis, or along the inner chamber wall for better support and heat dissipation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing single-crystal diamond particles, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of introducing a reaction gas containing at least one organic compound into a reaction vessel having an anode and a cathode, producing a plasma by DC discharge caused between the anode and the cathode, and vibrating inorganic single-crystal particles in the plasma and depositing single-crystal diamond on the surface of the single-crystal particles. According to the method of the present invention, single-crystal diamond particles can be manufactured at high growth rate and with excellent reproducibility.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating high temperature plasmas for enhanced chemical processing of gaseous fluids, toxic chemicals, and the like, at a wide range of pressures, especially at atmospheric and high pressures includes an electro-magnetic resonator cavity, preferably a reentrant cavity, and a wave guiding structure which connects an electro-magnetic source to the cavity. The cavity includes an intake port and an exhaust port, each having apertures in the conductive walls of the cavity sufficient for the intake of the gaseous fluids and for the discharge of the processed gaseous fluids. The apertures are sufficiently small to prevent the leakage of the electro-magnetic radiation from the cavity. Gaseous fluid flowing from the direction of the electro-magnetic source through the guiding wave structure and into the cavity acts on the plasma to push it away from the guiding wave structure and the electro-magnetic source.

Abstract: In order to achieve the removal of SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x together with the entrained dust from the combustion product gases discharged from the combustion chamber of a steam generator in which sulfur-containing fuel, such as for instance lignite or brown coal is being burned, NH.sub.3 and/or NaHCO.sub.3 or chemical substances which release these compounds or react with the combustion product gases to form these compounds are introduced into the already partially cooled combustion product gases in the temperature region below 500.degree. C. upstream of a dry separator, such as for instance a cloth filter. The entrained ashes are to contain CaO or Ca(OH).sub.2 and/or Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3, especially from a previous desulfurization unit, prior to the introduction of the NH.sub.3 thereinto.

Abstract: A method for converting sulfur dioxide and/or nitrogen oxide gases to acid mist and or particle aerosols is disclosed in which the gases are passed through a streamer corona discharge zone having electrodes of a wire-cylinder or wire-plate geometry.

Abstract: A process for removing pollutants including sulfur dioxide and/or nitrogen oxides from effluent gas which relies on the use of corona discharge to enhance the efficiency of the process. In one embodiment, corona discharge is utilized in a conventional spray dryer. In another it is combined with an ammonia injection technique. In yet another embodiment corona discharge treatment is followed by exposing the acidic mist byproduct leaving the discharge treatment chamber to a neutralizing reagent directed into the path of the effluent. The reagent may be provided with an electrical charge opposite to that on the acidic mist byproduct emerging from the corona reaction chamber to enhance neutralization.

Abstract: A continuous process for the reduction of sulfur dioxide to sulfur in which a gas stream containing sulfur dioxide is contacted with a carbon source in the form of particulate coal at a temperature of at least 600.degree. C. in a plasma arc reaction zone generated by a rotating direct current arc.

Abstract: This invention is based on the factors that both oxygen gas and oxides of sulphur as well as hydrogen sulphide are highly soluble in saturated, halogenated hydrocarbon liquids which are also dielectric liquids. The absorber liquid, saturated with dissolved oxygen and sulphur dioxide and/or hydrogen sulphide is then ozonated using the solvent or absorber liquid dielectric as the dielectric in an ozone generator. The sulphur trioxide produced by the ozone reacting with the sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide in the presence of a catalyst (accelerates reactions) also carried in the liquid dielectric or, in the liquid stream at the ozonator, is then mixed with sufficient water to absorb the sulphur trioxide and produce the strength of sulphuric acid desired from the system. The sulphuric acid having a different specific gravity than the inert absorber liquid is gravity separated from the absorber liquid.

Abstract: Closed circuit process for effecting the selective removal of sulfur dioxide values from industrial waste gases or the like wherein a particularly constituted confined solution of mixed ammonium phosphates is exposed to absorbent contact with a sulfur dioxide bearing gas stream in an electrostatic force field followed by a thermally induced desorption of recoverable sulfur dioxide values therefrom and regeneration of the solution preparatory to reexposure thereof to the suflur dioxide bearing gas stream.