Abstract: A method and system for reducing corrosion in a turbomachine. The method may include providing a process gas to a condenser, wherein the process gas contains a condensate having a pH level that is acidic. The condenser may be configured to remove at least a portion of the condensate from the process gas. Any condensate that is not removed is a remaining condensate. The method may further include increasing the pH level of the remaining condensate to above about 4 by mixing the process gas and the remaining condensate with an amount of pH modifier to form a mixture, and directing the mixture to a compressor coupled to the condenser, wherein the compressor is configured to compress the mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the reduction of mercury emissions from an industrial plant utilizing a cement or minerals kiln that has a high level of mercury. The invention allows for the repeated treatment of a gas stream to reduce the level of mercury and other pollutants through reduction steps, allowing targeted treatment of specific compounds. The invention utilizes multiple sorbent injections for the step-wise reduction in pollutants. Utilizing the multiple stages of reaction, very high levels of mercury emissions may be controlled to greater reduction percentages than existing methods.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for and method of providing an autonomously mobile air purifier and surface cleaner in combination with a source of air fragrance in a single device for home or office use. The autonomously mobile air and surface cleaner and fragrancing system includes an air purifier, a fragrancer, a floor cleaner, an input means, a power system, operational and auxiliary sensors, robotics that drive and steer the device, and a central controller operatively connected to each of the aforementioned items to control the operation of the device. The present invention also provides a method for the operation of the device using the air purifier, fragrancer, floor cleaner and robotics to clean a room, and for modifying the operation of the device in response to signals sent from the sensors or from the input means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating an exhaust gas comprising heavy metals, wherein the apparatus comprises a heat recovery unit, recovering exhaust gas heat at an exit of the air preheater; a precipitator, collecting soot/dust contained in an exhaust gas at an exit of the heat recovery unit; a wet flue gas desulfurizer, removing sulfur oxides contained in the exhaust gas at the exit of the precipitator; and a reheater, heating the exhaust gas at the exit of the wet flue gas desulfurizer. Each of the heat recovery unit and the reheater has a heat exchanger tube, and a circulation line is disposed to connect the heat exchanger tubes. A sulfur trioxide (SO3) removing agent is supplied to the upstream side of the heat recovery unit, and the temperature of the exhaust gas at the exit of the heat recovery unit is adjusted to not more than a dew point of sulfur trioxide.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes: a reformer (102) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction using a raw material; a combustor (104) configured to heat the reformer; an air supplying device (106) configured to supply combustion air to the combustor; a first heat exchanger (108) configured to recover heat from a flue gas discharged from the combustor; a first heat medium passage (110) through which a first heat medium flows, the first heat medium receiving the heat recovered from the flue gas in the first heat exchanger; a first pump (112) configured to cause the first heat medium in the first heat medium passage to flow; a heat accumulator (140) configured to store the heat recovered by the first heat medium; and a controller (114) configured to cause the first pump to operate in a cooling step that is a step of cooling down at least the reformer by supplying the air from the air supplying device to the combustor in a state where the combustor is not carrying out combustion during

Abstract: An apparatus washes/disinfects, at a time, a plurality of endoscopes having a plurality of channels with different diameters, and dewaters the channels at a time. For the dewatering, the apparatus includes plural ports for receiving air supply, and a plurality of tubes for connecting between each of the plurality of ports and each of the plurality of channels in each of the plurality of endoscopes. The apparatus also includes an on-off valve for intermittently supply air to the ports, and a control unit for opening/closing the valve a plurality of times at a predetermined ratio. Water droplets remaining in a large-diameter channel are mainly moved by wind pressure of continuously flowing air while the valve is open, and discharged. Water droplets in a smaller-diameter channel are mainly moved by hammer effect of high-pressure air caused while the valve is closed, and discharged. The valve opening/closing is repeated for complete dewatering.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for reducing instabilities in a plasma-based processing system are disclosed. An exemplary method includes applying power to a plasma with a power amplifier; determining whether low frequency instability oscillations are present or high frequency instability oscillations are present in the plasma; and altering, based upon whether high or low frequency instability oscillations are present, an impedance of a load that is experienced by the power amplifier, the load experienced by the power amplifier including at least an impedance of the plasma.

Abstract: A water treatment system that performs a water purifying treatment by use of ultraviolet radiation, comprises a front stage ultraviolet radiation device for radiating ultraviolet light in a front stage process in a water purifying treatment process, a rear stage ultraviolet radiation device for radiating ultraviolet light in a rear stage process, and a controller for controlling these ultraviolet radiation devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: determining a specification for a fuel volatility characteristic so that a fuel complying with the specification meets an applicable regulatory requirement for volatility with or without the addition of ethanol; and utilizing a fuel blending mechanism to blend a plurality of different fuel components in a manner meeting the specification. A different aspect involves a computer-readable medium storing a computer program that, when executed: determines a specification for a fuel volatility characteristic so that a fuel complying with the specification meets an applicable regulatory requirement for volatility with or without the addition of ethanol; and causes a fuel blending mechanism to blend a plurality of different fuel components in a manner meeting the specification.

Abstract: A hand sanitizer having first and second compartments in which the first compartment includes an access permitting user's hands and forearms to be inserted and an ozone generator for sanitizing the hands. The second compartment houses an ultraviolet source for converting ozone present in said second compartment into molecular oxygen and includes also an access permitting user's hands and forearms to be inserted. The ozone concentration in the first compartment is maintained at a predetermined level.

Abstract: An addition apparatus, a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) system having an addition apparatus, and a method for adding material to an FCC unit are provided. In one embodiment, an addition system having the capability of interfacing with a material container is provided that allows the addition system to obtain information relating material held in the container. In one embodiment, at least some of the information is contained on a tag affixed to the container. Other information may be retrieved and/or sent to the addition system controller from a remote data source, such as a catalyst supplier.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process and apparatus for selective catalytic reduction of NOx. The process is enabled by bypassing a heat exchanger section, such as an economizer, of the boiler in advance of an SCR unit at low load conditions to enable NOx reduction even at low loads using urea instead of ammonia. In a preferred form, under high load conditions, the bypass can be almost fully closed and the economizer can be operated normally without excessively cooling the combustion gases, using only a portion of bypassed gases which are hot enough to decompose the urea into its active components including ammonia.

Abstract: A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously measuring one or more properties (e.g. temperature, concentration of NOx and ammonia, etc) in an exhaust gas mixture. Signals from one or more sensors that are cross-sensitive to one or more gases can be combined. A decoupling observer algorithm can be applied, such that these cross-sensitivities are decoupled. The sensors simultaneously obtain an estimate of one or more gases in the diesel exhaust. A decoupling observer algorithm can be structured and arranged to be operable among a plurality of positions corresponding to several internal configurations.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. Some embodiments include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy, a solar driven chemical reactor contained within the solar thermal receiver, and an entrained gas biomass feed system that uses an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar driven chemical reactor. Inner walls of the solar thermal receiver and the chemical reactor can be made from materials selected to transfer energy. Some embodiments include a control system that may be configured to balance the gasification reaction of biomass particles with the available concentrated solar energy and additional variable parameters including, but not limited to, a fixed range of particle sizes, temperature of the chemical reactor, and residence time of the particles in a reaction zone in the chemical reactor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a fuel synthesis system including a multiple methanol reactor train, operated in parallel from a common input of 1) synthesis gas from a solar driven chemical reactor and 2) synthesis gas from a storage tank. In some embodiments, the multiple methanol reactor trains are idled as needed based on a variable amount of synthesis gas fed into the process. Additionally, some embodiments may include a controller to control operation of the multiple methanol trains by potentially idling one or more of the methanol reactor trains, switching to an operational state, or altering the output from the reactor trains, based on the amount of synthesis gas being generated by the solar driven chemical reactor, which is subject to marked variations in volume of synthesis gas output based on a seasonal, diurnal and weather effects.

Abstract: A method for controlling sheeting in a gas phase reactor that includes producing a polyolefin with at least one metallocene catalyst and at least one static control agent in at least one gas phase reactor, measuring entrainment static using a static probe, and adjusting the concentration of the static control agent in response to changes in the measured entrainment static is disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus performs dispensing by filling a duct to which a dispensing nozzle is connected with a liquid, making the liquid move in the duct to absorb a liquid sample including a specimen or a reagent through the dispensing nozzle, and discharging the absorbed liquid sample; and an in-duct bubble presence determining method in the dispensing apparatus. The presence determining method includes discharging the liquid in the duct from the dispensing nozzle and detecting a transition of a pressure in the duct; calculating the number of mountain pulses in a pressure transition waveform based on the detected pressure transition; and determining a presence of a bubble in the duct based on the calculated number of mountain pulses.

Abstract: An effluent gas scrubber and a method of scrubbing effluent gases are provided. An inlet port receives an effluent gas. The gas passes through successive chambers in which it is sprayed with a scrubbing fluid. An oxidizer within the scrubbing fluid is effective to oxidize non-water soluble gases within the effluent gas. An oxidation-reduction potential probe measures the oxidation-reduction potential of the scrubbing fluid and adds the oxidizer to the scrubbing fluid as needed. A pH probe measures the pH of the scrubbing fluid and adds a base to the scrubbing fluid as needed to maintain the pH at or above a threshold such as pH 7, or pH 12.

Abstract: A method of reducing NOx in a lean burn engine exhaust stream from a hydrocarbon burning engine may be first passing the exhaust stream over a thrifted diesel oxidation catalyst that substantially completes the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) to carbon dioxide and water. Next, separate additions of ozone and ammonia or urea may be introduced to the exhaust gas stream upstream of the catalytic reduction reactor at temperatures below 250 degrees Celsius. The additions of ozone and ammonia or urea modify the exhaust gas composition to improve the performance of NOx reduction catalysts in the catalytic reduction reactor. At temperatures above 250 degrees, the ozone addition may be reduced or eliminated, while the ammonia addition can be controlled as a function of the amount of NOx in the exhaust stream and the temperature of the catalytic reduction reactor.

Abstract: A method of reducing NOx in a lean burn engine exhaust stream from a hydrocarbon burning engine may be first passing the exhaust stream over a thrifted diesel oxidation catalyst that substantially completes the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) to carbon dioxide and water. Next, separate additions of ozone and ammonia or urea may be introduced to the exhaust gas stream upstream of the catalytic reduction reactor at temperatures below 250 degrees Celsius. The additions of ozone and ammonia or urea modify the exhaust gas composition to improve the performance of NOx reduction catalysts in the catalytic reduction reactor. At temperatures above 250 degrees, the ozone addition may be reduced or eliminated, while the ammonia addition can be controlled as a function of the amount of NOx in the exhaust stream and the temperature of the catalytic reduction reactor.

Abstract: A hydrogen iodide manufacturing method which includes a step of producing aqueous solution of hydrogen iodide and sulfuric acid by causing iodine-containing aqueous solution and sulfur dioxide to react with each other in a pressurized condition. The pressurized condition may be of not lower than 0.1 MPa in gauge pressure. The method may further include: a separation step of adding iodine to the aqueous solution of hydrogen iodide and separating an upper phase containing sulfuric acid relatively to a large extent and a lower phase containing hydrogen iodide relatively to a large extent; and a step of producing hydrogen iodide by adding sulfur dioxide to the upper phase in a pressurized condition and extracting the produced hydrogen iodide to the lower phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in generating hydrogen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a fuel processor capable of producing a reformate from a fuel; a hydrogen purifier capable of generating a purified hydrogen gas stream from the reformate; a compressor capable of providing the reformate from the fuel processor to the pressure swing adsorption unit at a desired pressure; and a control system capable of integrating and controlling the operation of the fuel processor, the pressure swing adsorption unit, and the compressor. In another aspect, the invention includes a method for controlling the operation of a purified hydrogen generator, the method comprising: controlling the operation of a hydrogen generator; controlling the operation of a hydrogen purifier; and synchronizing the controlled operation of the hydrogen generator with the controlled operation of the hydrogen purifier.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring and controlling a sterilization system. Briefly described, the system can be implemented as follows. A current transformer is operatively associated with a source of power for a radiation source. A power meter is operatively associated with the source of power. The power meter is also operatively associated with the current transformer. The power meter is designed to monitor the source of power to confirm the radiation source provides a desired dosage.

Abstract: A catalytic method for treating an H2S/SO2 mixture for producing liquid sulphur including the following steps: a) at least one step of heating the mixture containing H2S/SO2 to a temperature Tc; b) at least one step of catalytically reacting the heated mixture obtained in a) in the presence of at least one catalyst and at least one step of recovering the exiting mixture containing gaseous sulphur; and c) at least one step of converting the gaseous sulphur contained in the exiting mixture obtained at step b) into liquid sulphur, wherein between step b) and step c), the temperature Ts of said exiting mixture and the dew point Tr of the gaseous sulphur contained in said exiting mixture are measured and in that the heating temperature Tc of step a) is adjusted so that the temperature Ts is 5° C. to 30° C. above the dew point Tr.

Abstract: In order to disinfect and to detoxify a fluid, a photoreactor contains at least two light sources. One light source activates the catalytic function of a semiconductor material in the fluid to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the fluid, such as by breaking down organic contaminants into non-toxic compounds. A second light source acts directly on living biological entities to sterilize or kill them and thereby disinfect the fluid, and can also serve to activate a semiconductor photocatalyst that in turn causes further damage to biological contaminants. The semiconductor photocatalyst is desirably attached to an optically transmitting fiber substrate in the fluid. The second light source in one embodiment is external to the fluid and illuminates the photocatalyst through transmitting surfaces in a fluid containment vessel. The light sources can comprise respective sets of plural LEDs.

Abstract: Calcium bromide is a component of sorbent compositions that can be added on to coal to reduce the amount of sulfur gases released into the atmosphere from a coal burning facility. The sorbent components are added onto coal before the coal is added into the furnace and combusted. The fuel being burned is any fuel that contains sulfur, such as lignite, bituminous, and anthracite coal. The sorbent can contain other components such as silica, alumina, cement kiln dust, lime kiln dust, Portland cement, and aluminosilicate clay. Sulfur emissions are monitored during combustion of the fuel, and the rate of sorbent addition can be changed or a adjusted based on the monitored sulfur levels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in determining ageing an ageing index of a blood bag (11, 62), to determine whether the blood bag is or not suitable for transfusion to a patient. The ageing index is calculated by connecting a silicon chip provided with a loop antenna integral with the blood bag (11, 62) with an electronic communication device (2, 8, 17, 12, 20, 24), itself equipped with a loop antenna, connected to a computer (9, 13) containing appropriate computing software elements. Said ageing index is regularly calculated at the blood transfusion center (16) from the sample (1), until it is removed from storage (7) to be sent to the health-care institution (18) and to the operating theatre (19).

Abstract: A particle manufacturing device for manufacturing a particle by mixing a plural number of fluids, thereby manufacturing a particle, being uniform in the size or particle diameter thereof, with stability comprises a mixing channel portion, which is configured to mix the plural number of fluids therein, a residence channel portion, which is connected with the mixing channel portion in series, and in which the particles manufactured in the mixing channel portion reside, a sensor mechanism, which is configured to sense at least a condition of the residence channel portion, and an agitation giving mechanism, which is configured to give an agitation to the residence channel portion, upon basis of the condition, which is detected by the sensor mechanism.

Abstract: A system for producing multi-component colloidal structures has a supply system; an assembly system that is in fluid connection with the supply system to receive a supply of colloidal structural components from the supply system; and an output system in fluid connection with the assembly system. The assembly system has an assembly chamber adapted to contain colloidal structural components during assembly of a multi-component colloidal structure and is structured and arranged to control positions and orientations of first and second c structural components in the assembly chamber to bring the first and second colloidal structural components together in predetermined relative positions and orientations for assembly into at least a portion of the multi-component colloidal structure.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus 1 includes a raw material supply unit 4 for controlling a flow rate of a raw material to be supplied from an external element and containing hydrocarbon and an odorizing component; an odorizing component removing section 5 containing an adsorbing agent for adsorbing the odorizing component contained in the raw material; a combustor 2 for combusting the raw material; a reformer 30 for generating hydrogen-containing gas from the raw material which has passed the odorizing component removing section 5 by a reforming reaction using combustion heat supplied from the combustor 2; and a controller 16 for controlling the raw material supply unit to, during driving after the adsorbing agent or the odorizing component removing section 5 is exchanged or after the adsorbing agent is regenerated, makes the flow rate of the raw material to be supplied from the external element higher than the flow rate during the driving immediately before the exchange or regeneration.

Abstract: A gas treatment device for processing a gas using plasma, wherein the gas treatment device is highly versatile and capable of rapidly processing a large quantity of gas that includes particularly an aromatic compound or other component that is difficult to process. The gas treatment device comprises a plasma equipment series comprising a plurality of gas processing units (20A, 20B) arranged in series on a gas flow channel; and a control section (10) for controlling the operation of each unit of plasma equipment (20A, 20B) of the plasma equipment series. Each of the units of plasma equipment (20A, 20B) comprises a cavity (22A, 22B) composed of an electrical conductor and communicated with the gas flow channel; a plasma generator (23A, 23B) for generating plasma within the cavity (22A, 22B); and microwave radiator (24A, 24B) for radiating microwaves to the plasma generated by the plasma starting section (23A, 23B).

Abstract: A reaction system in which a heat transfer fluid is carried through a process fluid in a conduit and the heat transfer surface area between the conduit and the process fluid can be varied according to the heat generated or absorbed by the reaction as determined by the temperature change in the heat transfer fluid across the reaction and the mass flow of the heat transfer fluid through the conduit.

Abstract: Water in a fuel cell accumulator is kept above freezing by a hydrogen/oxygen catalytic combustor fed hydrogen through a mechanical thermostatic valve in thermal communication with the container and connected to a hydrogen supply. The system includes an ejector hydrogen/oxygen combustor and a diffusion hydrogen/oxygen combustor for warming a medium within a container such as water in the accumulator of a fuel cell in response to a mechanic hydrostatic valve which conducts hydrogen to a combustor responsive to the temperature of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing polyisocyanate is provided for quickly contacting polyamine and carbonyl chloride in order to suppress an undesirable reaction between polyamine and polyisocyanate so that a by-product can be reduced and the yield of polyisocyanate can be improved. In a circulatory line 7, a material-mixing portion 8, a high-shear pump 3, a reactor 4, a liquid-feeding pump 5 and a cooler 6 are interposed in series along the direction of the flow of a reaction solution, thereby forming a closed line. In this apparatus 1, after polyamine and carbonyl chloride are supplied in the material-mixing portion 8, the reaction solution is sheared by the high-shear pump 3 in a state where the contact of the polyamine with the reaction solution is minimized. Thus, the formation of a urea compound as a by-product can be suppressed and the yield of polyisocyanate can be improved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting oils and fats from oil-bearing substances without using degrading temperatures. The apparatus may comprise an extraction chamber containing an oil-bearing substance, an oil-collecting chamber, a recovery pump, a first jacket adjacent at least a portion of the extraction chamber, and a second jacket adjacent at least a portion of the oil-collecting chamber.

Abstract: A method for treating a stream comprising an emission gas includes passing portions of the stream comprising the emission gas to two or more reactor units arranged in parallel while subjecting fluid flowing through at least one of the reactor units to pressure control; identifying when at least one of the reactor units trips or is taken out of service; and when at least one of the reactor units trips or is taken out of service, adjusting a flow path of said portion of the stream originally passing to the out-of-service reactor unit such that said portion passes to an absorber for removing the emission gas via a compressor, and subjecting the fluid flowing through all of the in-service reactor units to flow rate control.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided with a NOx removing device and a particulate filter in an exhaust system. A temperature of the exhaust system is detected. A switching control is performed for alternately performing a process for removing sulfur oxide accumulated in said NOx removing device and a regeneration process for burning particulates trapped in said particulate filter, when it is determined to be necessary to perform at least one of the removal of the sulfur oxide in said NOx removing device and the regeneration of the particulate filter. The switching control is performed according to the detected exhaust system temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems for surveying and sterilizing one or more areas or one or more portions of one or more areas are described.

Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) process with a palladium catalyst for reducing NOx in a gas, using hydrogen as a reducing agent is provided. The process comprises contacting the gas stream with a catalyst system, the catalyst system comprising (ZrO2)SO4, palladium, and a pre-sulfated zirconia binder. The inclusion of a pre-sulfated zirconia binder substantially increases the durability of a Pd-based SCR catalyst system. A system for implementing the disclosed process is further provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the concentrations of organic and inorganic carbon, or of other materials, in aqueous samples are described, together with related, specially adapted components and sub-assemblies and related control, operational and monitoring systems.

Abstract: A chemical reaction apparatus in which a chemical reaction of solutions is carried out by transferring the solutions includes moving units to seal or move the solutions in a flow passage or a plurality of chambers of a container by applying an external force to an elastic body of the container by moving on a surface of the elastic body while the moving units contact with the surface of the elastic body, the moving units being movable independently from each other with respect to a cartridge including the container which is at least partially structured with the elastic body, the container including the plurality of chambers to contain the solutions and the flow passage to connect the plurality of chambers, and a detection unit to detect a state of solution pool in the flow passage or the chamber.

Abstract: A solution is to be created, with a method and a device for generating hydrogen, in which silicon and/or an alloy that contains silicon is reacted in a reaction vessel (1), with an alkaline solution as a catalyst, so that the process, after starting, runs continuously and catalytically in the presence of silicon dioxide as a nucleating agent, without further addition of lye and without using higher pressures and temperatures (hydrothermal conditions). This is achieved in that the alkaline solution is used in a strongly sub-stoichiometric amount with reference to the entire reaction, whereby the silicon dioxide that is formed is precipitated onto crystallization nuclei.

Abstract: Feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems containing the same. The feedstock delivery systems include a liquid pump that draws at least one liquid feedstock from a supply and delivers at least one feed stream containing the feedstock(s) to a fuel processor, such as to the hydrogen-producing region thereof. The feedstock delivery system further includes a recycle conduit that establishes a fluid flow path for the liquid feedstock(s) from a location downstream of the pump back to a location upstream of the pump. In some embodiments, the feedstock delivery system further includes a flow restrictor associated with the recycle conduit and a pressure-actuated valve that selectively permits the recycled feedstock to bypass the flow restrictor. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to draw a greater flow rate of the feed stream from the supply than is delivered to the fuel processor.

Abstract: A dosing control system comprises a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) analysis module and a dosing management module. The SCR analysis module estimates ammonia (NH3) stored by an SCR catalyst, maximum NH3 storage capacity of the SCR catalyst, NH3 slip downstream of the SCR catalyst, NH3 oxidation, and NH3 conversion through reaction with nitrogen oxides (NOx). The NH3 stored is estimated based an amount of dosing agent injected, the NH3 slip, the NH3 oxidation, and the NH3 conversion. The dosing management module controls dosing agent injection into an exhaust system upstream of the SCR catalyst based on the NH3 stored by the SCR catalyst and the maximum NH3 storage capacity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing device for at least one air treatment agent comprising at least one airborne agent detector operable to detect airborne agents in the air; receiving means for receiving at least one source of air treatment agent; and control means for releasing an amount of at least one air treatment agent from a source thereof received in the receiving means when a current airborne agent level detected by the airborne agent detector deviates from a background airborne agent level detected by the airborne agent detector by more than a predetermined amount, wherein the background airborne agent level is calculated by the device. The present invention also relates to a method of dispensing at least one air treatment agent.

Abstract: A fragrance generator comprises a housing for containing a volatile liquid to provide a vapour. The housing has a wall of which at least a part is permeable to the vapour. The generator further comprises an actuator for diffusing the vapour emerging from the volatile liquid to an environment outside the housing. The generator is provided with an electric circuit comprising a solar energy converter arranged to convert solar energy into electric energy for feeding the actuator and the circuit comprises a capacitor for accumulating the electric energy from the solar energy converter.

Abstract: Methods of reducing agent control in an exhaust gas aftertreatment system of a combustion engine with an exhaust gas pipe in which in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas there is an SCR catalyzer. A reducing agent generating system has an NOx and CO/H2 generating unit, an oxidation catalyzer, and a combined NOx storage/ammonia generating unit in the standard gas path of the reducing agent generating system. Ammonia is introduced as a reducing agent for the reduction of nitric oxides before the SCR catalyzer of the reducing agent generating system. Precursor materials for generation of ammonia are directed at least temporarily to the NOx and CO/H2 generating unit through a fuel feed and an air feed. A CO/H2 reducing agent stream is temporally modulated during a rich phase. A CO/H2 concentration is primarily held constant at a high level.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous polymerization with a simple constitution to produce a polymer having a high quality, as well as a method for producing the polymer using the apparatus, are provided. The apparatus comprises a vessel; a means for supplying a monomer to the vessel; a means for supplying a polymerization initiator to the vessel; a means for detecting a temperature in the vessel; a means for regulating a temperature of an outer wall surface of the vessel so as to have a preset temperature; and a means for controlling a supply flow rate of the monomer and/or the polymerization initiator to the vessel by the monomer supply means and/or the initiator supply means so that the temperature in the vessel becomes substantially the same temperature as the preset temperature.

Abstract: There is provided a water sterilizer. The water sterilizer includes an ultraviolet light source electrically connected to an electrical power source, a light-protective housing encasing the lamp and having an inlet and an outlet, and a pump to draw the water into the housing to expose the water to ultraviolet light. Electric power supplied to the ultraviolet light source has an operating potential of not greater than 24 Volts. There is also provided a method for water sterilization.