Abstract: Provided are an apparatus for supplying amine, including: transfer pipe through which amine is transferred; a heat wire which heats the amine that flows through the transfer pipe; a temperature control sensor which controls the temperature in the transfer pipe; and a product recovery valve which recovers product resulting from thermal decomposition of the amine, and a method for supplying amine using the same. The apparatus and method for supplying amine are capable of economically and effectively supplying amine utilizing the thermal decomposition properties of the amine, and may be used to supply amine, for example, to circulating water for power plants.

Abstract: System to detect coking in at least one component of refinery equipment is provided. The system includes a fiber optic assembly having at least one optical fiber operably coupled with the component, the fiber optic assembly further including a light source to transmit light having a known parameter through the optical fiber and a receiver to receive the light from the optical fiber, and a processor in communication with the fiber optic assembly to identify a shift in the parameter received by the receiver, the shift corresponding to an operating characteristic of the component. Method also provided for detecting coking using the system to detect coking disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods related generally to the removal of atmospheric pollutants from the gas phase, are provided, as well as related apparatus, processes and uses thereof. A single-stage air scrubbing apparatus is provided that includes at least one reaction vessel, at least one introduction duct, and a turbulence component, wherein a residence time is sufficient to allow the conversion of at least one atmospheric pollution compound to at least one other compound, molecule or atom. In some embodiments, the at least one atmospheric pollution compound comprises nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide or a combination thereof. Additionally, methods of removing atmospheric pollution compounds from a waste gas stream are disclosed that include introducing a waste gas stream and at least one additional gas stream, mist stream, liquid stream or combination thereof into a single-stage air scrubbing apparatus at a flow rate sufficient to allow for conversion of the at least one atmospheric pollution compound.

Abstract: A purification arrangement for purifying a contaminated gaseous medium comprising: an ionizing equipment for ionizing air; a supply pipe for the supply of contaminated air; and at least one mixing chamber, wherein the contaminated air is fed through the mixing chamber in a main flow and ionized air is added to the main flow; an inlet for introducing ambient air into the main flow of the contaminated gaseous medium prior to the mixing chamber; a first temperature sensor arranged in the supply pipe prior to the inlet and configured to detect the temperature of the contaminated gaseous medium; wherein if the temperature of the contaminated gaseous medium detected by the first temperature sensor is above 70° C., ambient air is added through the inlet into the main flow.

Abstract: A device for sanitizing objects using ozone is disclosed having a container defining an enclosed space and a selectively closeable opening for enclosing the space, an ozone generator, an ozone converter, a controller, and a timer working together to generate a predetermined concentration of ozone within the enclosed space and maintain approximately the same concentration for a predetermined period of time. Also disclosed are assemblies and methods detecting and warning of entrapment within the enclosure and halting ozone production when it occurs. Further disclosed are devices and methods for coupling a maintenance device to the sanitizing system to perform various maintenance operations such as adjusting operational control parameters, and observing conditions within the enclosed chamber in real-time such as temperature, humidity, and ozone concentration.

Abstract: A gasifier, including a vertically disposed furnace body, a monitoring unit, and a microwave plasma generating device. The furnace body includes a material and fuel inlet, a syngas outlet, an oxygen/vapor inlet, and a slag outlet. The furnace body has a clearance zone in an upper part thereof and a fixed bed zone in a lower part thereof. The slag outlet is disposed at the bottom of the furnace body. The monitoring unit is disposed close to the syngas outlet. At least one microwave plasma generating device is disposed on the furnace body.

Abstract: Embodiments of system and method of sanitizing medical waste are described. In one embodiment, there is a the method including, introducing the medical waste into a heating zone, heating the medical waste to a sanitizing temperature thereby melting a majority of the medial waste, moving the medical waste via gravity into a cooling receiver, cooling the medical waste by cooling the cooling receiver; and removing the medical waste from the cooling receiver.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system of engine configured to classify a PM accumulation state of DPF into multiple evaluation stages based on a plurality of evaluation indices, and to repeatedly perform determination of the current evaluation stage by the current stage determination part and determination of whether to move up the current evaluation stage to the evaluation stage of the next rank by the evaluation stage determination part, wherein upon a defect of a sensor among different types of sensors being detected by the defect detection part, the current evaluation stage is newly redetermined by the current stage redetermination part as substituted for the current evaluation stage determined by the current stage determination part.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 200) is described for disinfecting and sanitizing up to three brushes (16) with steam, where the brushes (16) are placed in a horizontal position in the apparatus, such that the handles (16a) of the brushes (16) protrude from the apparatus and are not exposed to the steam generated for disinfecting and sanitizing the brushes. The apparatus (100, 200) comprises a case (1) covered by a tilting lid (8) and supported by a base (2), a water tank (3) and a chamber (4) located inside the case (1), the chamber (4) having a system for evaporating the water contained inside the tank (3), a support (5) for the brushes (16), a resistance heating system (6) for heating the water, a protection screen (7), a thermostat (26) and an electronic or mechanical control and operation system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conditioning synthetic crude oils are provided herein. The systems and methods described herein subject the synthetic crude to one or more process solutions to provide conditioned synthetic crude exhibiting, for example, a reduced TAN.

Abstract: A photoreactive system for preserving produce is provided. The photoreactive system may include a body member including an outer wall, an inner wall, a proximal vented section, a distal vented section, a void between an inner surface of the outer wall and an outer surface of the inner wall defined as an outer chamber, and a void defined by an inner surface of the inner wall defined as an inner chamber, a light source configured to emit light within a wavelength range and a plurality of photoreactive pellets configured to react to the light emitted by the light source to remove at least one of bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ethylene. The plurality of photoreactive pellets may be positioned within the outer chamber. The light source may be positioned within the inner chamber. The proximal and distal vented sections may be configured to permit a gaseous flow therethrough.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an article is provided. The method includes providing sterilization wrap system with which to wrap the article to be sterilized. The sterilization wrap system comprises a plurality of wrap units configured in a stack, at least one wrap unit in the stack being detachably attached to at least one other wrap unit in the stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor driven in an oscillatory-rotary manner about its fixed, preferably vertical, axis, for preferably biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. By means of its process-intensifying properties for mixing, suspension, gaseous material transport, heat transfer, irradiation and particle retention, the applicability on the industrial scale is ensured. The reactor which succeeds without a shaft seal permits particularly robust production with respect to sterile technique with avoidance of cleaning and cleaning validation required when the reactor is constructed as a single-use reactor.

Abstract: A multilayer material is described herein that includes at least one signaling layer configured to propagate at least one electromagnetic signal; and a flexible layer configured to enclose the at least one signaling layer, wherein the flexible layer is substantially impermeable to an environment and to the at least one electromagnetic signal. The multilayer material including the at least one signaling layer is configured to transmit a change in the at least one electromagnetic signal upon exposure of the signaling layer to the environment. A system, an article of clothing, or a method is described herein.

Abstract: A sanitizing device for toothbrushes is described. The device has a lower housing body, and a vessel for containing a sanitizing liquid being connected to the lower housing body in an upper position according to a vertical axis. The lower housing body has removable basins adapted to contain a head of the toothbrush substantially arranged along the vertical axis. The removable basins are hydraulically connected to the vessel for the controlled flowing down of the sanitizing liquid from the vessel to the basins. The removable basins The lower housing body is removably associated to a cap in an upper position according to the vertical axis, the cap being cup-shaped to enclose the vessel and possible portions of the toothbrush that project upwards from the lower body.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for the treatment and purification of fluids (e.g., water) using a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided a fluid flow conduit having an LED light source and a photo-catalytic material disposed therein. The LED light source emits ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm. In operation, the photo-catalytic material absorbs the ultraviolet light from the LED light source, and releases free radicals into the fluid. The free radicals then degrade organic substances (e.g., bacteria) in the fluid.

Abstract: A sterilizer system includes a base having a chamber configured to hold water, a lid configured to cover the chamber, a switch coupled to the base and in communication with the lid, and circuitry in communication with the switch. The circuitry is configured to determine whether a sterilization cycle was interrupted. The sterilizer system further includes a status indicator configured to indicate whether the sterilization cycle was interrupted based on input from the circuitry.

Abstract: A liquid introducing plasma system including a plasma chamber in which a plasma is produced, a plasma generator device which creates the plasma in the chamber, and a spouting device for linearly ejecting a liquid in a linear jet to thereby introduce the liquid into the plasma chamber is disclosed. The plasma system is capable of supplying an ultra-small volume of sample liquid to the plasma while reducing consumption of electrical power required for generation of the plasma.

Abstract: A hydrogen-producing catalytic converter is arranged in an exhaust pipe of an engine to absorb heat from engine waste gas for actuating hydrogen production, and includes a preheating body and a catalyst bed enclosed in a heating pipe, and a plurality of heating catalysts filled between the heating pipe and the preheating body and the catalyst bed. The heating pipe has two closed ends, one of which has a gas inlet pipe connected thereto to communicate the heating pipe with a combustion gas tank, from which an oxygen-containing combustion gas is supplied into the heating pipe to heat the heating catalysts. The heating catalysts in turn heat hydrogen-producing catalysts in the catalyst bed to a working temperature thereof, so that an engine hydrogenation process can be performed as soon as the engine is started to ensure reduced air pollution and fuel consumption in the whole course of engine operation.

Abstract: A nitric oxide generator generates nitric oxide from a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen such as air treated by a pulsating electrical discharge. The desired concentration of nitric oxide is obtained by controlling at least one of a frequency of the pulsating electrical discharge and duration of each electrical discharge pulse.

Abstract: A portable gas transfer device for sterilization at a sterilization site includes: a housing; a pressurized gas canister held by the housing; a first passageway in fluid communication with the pressurized gas canister and configured to supply pressurized pre-sterilization gas from the pressurized gas canister to the site; a gas discharge canister held by the housing; and a second passageway in fluid communication with the gas discharge canister and configured to supply post-sterilization gas from the site to the gas discharge canister. Additional related devices, systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for collecting volatile radioactive substances. The method includes irradiating a volatile radioactive substance on or under a contaminated material surface using microwave radiation and vaporizing the volatile radioactive substance, wherein the volatile radioactive substance comprises at least one of cesium and iodine. The method further includes recovering the vaporized volatile radioactive substance from the contaminated material. The method may be accomplished with and/or without physically collecting or isolating the contaminated material.

Abstract: A method and system for using spatially modulated excitation/emission and relative movement between a particle (cell, molecule, aerosol, . . . ) and an excitation/emission pattern are provided. In at least one form, an interference pattern of the excitation light with submicron periodicity perpendicular to the particle flow is used. As the particle moves along the pattern, emission is modulated according to the speed of the particle and the periodicity of the stripe pattern. A single detector, which records the emission over a couple of stripes, can be used. The signal is recorded with a fast detector read-out in order to capture the “blinking” of the particles while they are moving through the excitation pattern. This concept enables light detection with high signal-to-noise ratio and high spatial resolution without the need of expensive and bulky optics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for direct, continuous modification of polymer melts with additives in the side stream and is distinguished by a very high degree of flexibility in product change-overs.

Abstract: The application relates to apparatus capable of easily mounting an indicator to a device for verifying a sterilizing effect when a sterilizing process is performed. An installation apparatus is disclosed for positioning a sterilization verifying device in a sterilizing chamber having a sterilizing chamber door, said sterilization verifying device comprising a containing chamber for containing an indicator, the containing chamber having an opening for receiving an indicator into the chamber and connected to an introduction tube for introducing a sterilizing gas into the containing chamber, the installation apparatus comprising arrangement means configured to, in a case that the sterilizing chamber door is closed, position the opening of the containing chamber with respect to an inner wall of the sterilizing chamber door, such that the inner wall and the opening are brought into contact with each other thereby sealing the containing chamber against the inner wall.

Abstract: A multilayer material is described herein that includes a flexible inner layer and a flexible outer layer configured to enclose at least one signaling layer, the at least one signaling layer including at least one chemical compound. The multilayer material including the chemical compound within the at least one signaling layer is configured to release a gas-phase chemical compound to signal to a detector indicating a breach of the multilayer material. A multilayer material, a system, an article of clothing, or a method is described herein.

Abstract: A toothbrush sanitation device includes a base with a container for immersing toothbrush bristles in a sanitizing, disinfecting or cleaning fluid and a lid. The base includes a perimeter flange with an annular protrusion and an annular cavity that are circular and concentric to the base and has a height that is 20% to 40% of the total height of the device. The container has a cylindrical inner wall with a rounded bottom and a conical outer wall, which tapers toward an open end of the container, and has one or more level tags/indications. The lid has a column and a fitting zone disposed in an open end adjacent to the column. An inner wall of the fitting zone is cylindrical, and the external taper of the container and the internal cylindricity of the fitting zone define a locking line.

Abstract: A plant for synthesis of urea with a CO2-stripping process, comprising a natural-circulation synthesis loop, said loop including at least a urea reactor (1), a carbon dioxide stripper (2) and a condenser (3), said reactor, stripper and condenser operating substantially at the same elevated pressure, said loop comprising also a reactor effluent flow line (5), connecting said urea reactor to said stripper, which comprises means (15) for directly or indirectly detecting the flow rate and/or the direction of the flow through said reactor effluent flow line (5).

Abstract: Provided is an autoclave for sterilizing medical and/or dental instruments, including a sterilization chamber, a door for access to the sterilization chamber, the autoclave has at least one light source for lightening the sterilization chamber and/or an area in front of the autoclave.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring and controlling the NOx content of a NOx-containing gas stream such as, for example, a combustion engine exhaust stream discharged from a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. The apparatus includes an analyzer container which holds an ammonia slip catalyst element and has a NOx sensor positioned therein. The NOx sensor is positioned in the container between the ammonia slip catalyst and the container outlet. The apparatus is heated by positioning the container in the gas stream and can draw a representative gas sample from any size conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods utilizing infrared energy for heating reactions associated with peptide synthesis, such as activation, deprotection, coupling, and cleavage. Thorough agitation of the contents of reaction vessels during heating and real-time monitoring and adjustment of temperature and/or reaction duration are also described. Existing peptide synthesizers may be retrofitted to include an infrared energy source.

Abstract: A Sorbent media exhaustion indicator produces color change when the sorbent media is saturated. The indicator's fluid inlet attach to the fluid outlet of a sorbent media device such as filter. It includes is a hollow tube or a hollow polyhedron prism that fluids flow freely through it. The indicator also includes colorimetric sensor that changes color when exposed to trace amount of toxic fluids and a trap member that prevent toxic fluids exist in the surrounding environment from changing the color of the colorimetric sensor, hence preventing false indication of sorbent media exhaustion. Another function of the trap member is to trap toxic fluids from exiting to the surrounding environment when toxic fluids breakthrough the sorbent media device.

Abstract: A foot/shoe sanitizing system includes a housing having at least one opening and at least one ultraviolet emitting device supported within the housing. The ultraviolet emitting devices direct ultraviolet light around and/or through the set of foot/shoe support bars towards the foot or shoe placed on the foot/shoe support bars. The ultraviolet emitting devices are controllably powered to emit ultraviolet light and/or ozone onto the foot/shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the ultraviolet emitting device emits light that includes short wavelength ultraviolet light, causing the formation of ozone in the area of the shoe, thereby killing pathogens that are not easily killed with ultraviolet light alone. The system includes a sheet of activated carbon for catalyzing the ozone into harmless concentrations of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide generation systems and methods are disclosed. One or more reactants, such as sodium hypochlorite, may be electrolytically generated on-site for delivery to a reaction column. Low concentration reactants may be used to generate chlorine dioxide as part of a mixed oxy-chloro product stream containing free available chlorine. In at least one embodiment, an optical analyzer may be positioned along a reactant feed line to measure a concentration of reactant supplied to a reaction column. A controller may adjust a flow rate of the reactant in response to information provided by the optical analyzer. The controller may also perform pH control within the system. In some embodiments, the chlorine dioxide generator may be incorporated in an all-liquid water disinfection system.

Abstract: An electrical device for performing a particular function includes a system circuit for performing the function, and a dedicated power supply for providing power to the circuit. Both the system circuit and the power supply are hermetically sealed within a housing. The device within the housing is intended to be sterilized using high temperature, reaching a sterilization temperature. According to the invention, the device includes a thermal switch which is electrically connected between the system circuit and the power supply. With the present invention, the electrical components of a device are automatically protected from thermal damage during sterilization.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for monitoring a cleaning of a process gas passing through a wet scrubber. The wet scrubber comprises an inlet zone, a contact zone and an outlet zone. The contact zone is divided into at least two sections. The method comprises measuring a concentration of sulphur dioxide in at least a first measuring point corresponding to a first section of the at least two sections of the contact zone to obtain measurement information; and comparing the measurement information to a reference value to determine a local sulphur dioxide removal performance of the first section.

Abstract: An emissions control system and method of controlling emissions reduces contaminants in exhaust gases. The emissions control system may be a combined power and heat system which may include an organic Rankine cycle drive for producing electricity. The system may use ozone, a wet scrubber and a charcoal bed to reduce the contaminants.

Abstract: An ozone gas output flow rate management unit configured to receive a plurality of ozone gas outputs from a plurality of ozone generation units and capable of performing an ozone gas output flow rate control for selectively outputting one or a combination of two or more of the plurality of ozone gas outputs to any of a plurality of ozone treatment apparatuses by performing an opening/closing operation of a plurality of ozone gas control valves provided in the ozone gas output flow rate management unit.

Abstract: A system for extracting oil from oil-bearing plant parts has an extraction vessel supported by an upright stand and a separator vessel mounted below the extraction vessel. A source of hydrocarbon solvent supplies liquid gas to the top of the extraction vessel, while a recycling pump connected to the separator vessel facilitates transport of the solvent through the plant material in the extraction vessel. The solvent is recovered and re-circulated, while extracted oil is removed from the separator. A thermal jacket is mounted on the separator; the thermal jacket supplies heat and cold to the interior of the separator and helps evaporate and condense the solvent.

Abstract: It is described a device for the production of hydrogen gas by a reactor where aqueous solutions of metal borohydrides are hydrolyzed on catalysts based on ferromagnetic metals. Apparatuses containing said device are also described.

Abstract: An air blower including a motor 2 having output shafts 21, 21 on both sides in the axial direction and two impellers 3, 3 mounted on the respective output shafts 21, 21, and two ducts 5, 5 that individually allow passage of the air blown out by rotation of each of the impellers 3, 3 in the same direction and discharge the air to the outside are included. At a part or the whole of each of the ducts 5, 5, a laminar flow section that makes the flowing air laminar flow. An ion generating section is arranged at each laminar flow section so that ions generated by the ion generating section can effectively be included in the air, increasing the ion concentration of ions discharged in a room together with the air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed or remove one or more active chemical species into or from the hot water system and further operable to change at least one system parameter.

Abstract: A moving handrail disinfecting device for passenger conveyor whereby disinfection solutions can be suitably used depending on the situations of the device and the like, resulting in appropriate disinfection treatment with little waste, is a moving handrail disinfecting device 10B, having a contact roller switching unit comprising an applying roller 17 to be allowed to make contact with the surface of a moving handrail 5, a first impregnating roller 18 and a second impregnating roller 19 which supply disinfection solutions, a first slide section 22A, a second slide section 22B and a sliding mechanism 23A which separately slides the both, wherein a control unit 60B controls the sliding mechanism 23A to separately slide the first slide section 22A and the second slide section 22B so as to switch a roller to be allowed to make contact with the applying roller 17 from the first impregnating roller 18 to the second impregnating roller 19, or from the second impregnating roller 19 to the first impregnating roller 18

Abstract: A proximity-based catalytic converter protection system for a vehicle that includes a controller, and a catalytic converter, both located in the vehicle. The protection system further includes a pair of electrodes that are electrically coupled to the controller and located in proximity to the converter. The controller monitors capacitance between the electrodes to detect movement external to the vehicle near the converter. The controller may activate an alarm element upon detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In a method for sanitizing a touch screen of an electronic device, the electronic device includes a first motor roller and a second motor roller and a screen sanitization system. The first motor roller connects to the second motor roller through a flexible pipe that is filled with a sanitizer. The first motor roller is scrolled to clean and sanitize a first protective film using sanitizer when the first protective film is overlaid on the surface of the touch screen, and a second protective film is drawn to overlay on the surface of the touch screen. The second motor roller is scrolled to clean and sanitize the second protective film using the sanitizer when the second protective film is overlaid on the surface of the touch screen, and the first protective film is drawn to overlay on the surface of the touch screen.

Abstract: Continuous extraction units are constructed having a plurality of extraction chambers containing extractable material. Without disruption of total fluid flow in the unit: an extraction chamber completely depleted of extract can be evacuated of solvent and replaced with an extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. All solvent can be retained within the unit. One or more compressors can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers, the expansion chamber, and a condenser, where the expansion chamber and the condenser can be coupled as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A controller for an ultraviolet (UV) purification system having UV lamps includes a sensor in communication with a given UV lamp as well as a processor in communication the sensor. The sensor provides the UV light intensity rate of the UV lamp (sensed rate) and transmits this information to the processor which compares the sensed rate with a memory stored desired UV light intensity rate (desired rate). An indicator in communication with the processor indicates when the UV lamp is producing a UV light intensity below the desired rate. Current is provided to the UV lamp by a ballast. The processor includes a memory stored predetermined UV light intensity rate (predetermined rate) that is greater than the desired rate. When the sensed rate is lesser than the predetermined rate, the current provided by the ballast is increased such that the UV lamp produces a UV light intensity at least equal to the predetermined rate.

Abstract: An ozone-based disinfecting device is provided comprising a mixer having a generally hollow body with a water inlet for water under pressure, a spray nozzle for generating a generally conical spray of water introduced by way of the water inlet, a contact chamber communicating with a gas inlet for ozone rich gases, and an outlet aperture from the contact chamber that is coaxial with the spray nozzle and spaced apart therefrom. An electronic flow sensing device senses the extent of the flow of water through the spray nozzle according to vibration caused by water flowing through the mixer. The electronic flow sensing device is preferably located in a pocket formed in the mixer and preferably comprises a piezoelectric sensor embedded at least around its periphery in a settable material. A preferred construction of the mixer is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bags made from medical-grade paper for sterilization, with sterilization-process indicators and pigmented-adhesive-based safety features, which is easy to handle and use and can be used to store materials, more particularly surgical medical material, for sterilization. Such bags are produced using medical-grade paper that is treated on the surface thereof with a microbicide for sterilization, and, owing to the structure and design thereof, allow safe, rapid handling of the sterilized material placed within, since there are visual indicators that guarantee the hermetic closure and sealing thereof. Furthermore, generally, the invention has printed indicators that change colour depending on the sterilization process carried out on the bags and on whether said process was carried out correctly.

Abstract: A temperature measurement system for a gasifier may employ a first stage gasifier with a refractory wall that defines a first stage gasifier volume. A protruding refractory brick may protrude from the first stage refractory wall and into a gaseous flow path of the first stage gasifier volume. The temperature sensor may reside completely through the refractory wall, which may be a plurality of brick layers, except for a tip end of a temperature sensor that may reside in a blind or non-through hole within the protruding refractory brick. The protruding refractory brick protrudes beyond a normal wall surface of the plurality of brick layers that defines the first stage gasifier volume. The protruding refractory brick may have a face that forms an angle that is not 90 degrees, such as 45 degrees, relative to the gaseous flow path of the fluid stream through the first stage gasifier volume.