Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body has cavities through which a fluid can flow and contains at least one power distribution structure. The power distribution structure can be connected to a power source via a power feed line. At least one of the power feed line and the power distribution structure contains at least one closed-loop control element made of a material with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) which can be placed at least in thermal contact with a fluid flowing through the honeycomb body. The electrically heatable honeycomb body permits, through the formation of a self-regulating closed-loop control element made for example from the PTC material, the implementation of a simple measure for performing closed-loop control on the heating power of the electrically heatable honeycomb body since the rest of the open-loop control or closed-loop control electronics can be significantly simplified or can even be dispensed with.

Abstract: To provide an exhaust system (100) for an internal combustion engine having a housing (10) in which there are provided at least one exhaust inlet port (15b) and another exhaust discharge port (15a), and a catalyst element (22), which is disposed within the housing (10) of the exhaust system (100) for purifying the exhaust of the internal combustion engine in such a manner that a substantial part of the exhaust at least is caused to flow through the catalyst element (22), that is readily manufacturable at a low cost and still allows for purification of the entire exhaust by the catalyst element without causing power loss to the internal combustion engine, it is suggested that the exhaust gases (27) alternately flow through the catalyst element (22) through an exhaust conducting means (17).

Abstract: The system is based on a recirculating Carbon Flow Loop, within which toxins in municipal waste, or other feedstock, are neutralized in a plasma converter. This uses an electric arc in ionized gas to generate ultra high temperatures, which breaks down the feedstock into its basic elements, predominantly hydrogen and carbon monoxide (known as syngas). They can be further processed to yield additional hydrogen using an exothermal water shift reaction, or energy by using combustion. This transforms carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. Unsaved hydrogen is turned into steam. Flow then continues in the carbon loop to an algae bioreactor. Here photosynthesis of algae transforms the carbon dioxide to become part of an oil rich carbohydrate. This can either continue to the next loop as feedstock, and/or exit the loop, and be used to manufacture biofuels or other substances, new feedstock being added to replace the exiting carbon.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control device with a plasma generator received in a filter casing incorporated in an exhaust pipe for capturing particulates and capable of conducting electric discharge so as to generate plasma in the exhaust gas at a capturing place and with a power supply for impressing voltage on the plasma generator. The plasma generator is unitized and arranged in plurality. A control switch is provided for sequential changeover of the connection of the power supply to the plural units of the plasma generator. A processing capability comparable to a single, large-sized plasma generator is obtained while increase in size of the power supply is prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mixing a film of fluid, particularly a film of chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids undergoing a reaction. The apparatus comprises a means for nucleating a bubble using a discrete heat source, such as a resistor, and moving the bubble in the fluid by creating a temperature gradient, thereby mixing the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas treatment apparatus for treating the exhaust gas stream from an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises several compartments within which one or more treatments are to be performed upon a gas flowing through the compartments. At least one compartment includes a treatment element secured against axial movement at each end. The treatment element is secured at least at one end by removable axial retaining apparatus. The removable axial retaining apparatus includes a secured member secured against axial movement. The treatment element is removable from within the compartment by axial movement after the removable axial retaining apparatus has been removed.

Abstract: A heated catalyst support device for a reactor including a reactor vessel containing a bed of catalyst particles. The device includes a permeable support plate having a channel extending therethrough, where the support plate is adapted to contact the bed of catalyst particles. The device further includes a heating element extending through the channel in the support plate. A method for starting up a water gas shift reactor is provided that includes applying heat to the bed of catalyst particles using the heating element, measuring a temperature in the bed of catalyst particles. and starting up the water gas shift reactor when the temperature exceeds a saturation temperature for a desired operating pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for processing exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine. The disclosed system and method can be particularly suitable to the diesel engine that usually operates in a lean burn condition without the occurrence of a periodic high-load condition in view of its combustion characteristics. According to the system and method, an exhaust composition containing soot particles and gaseous components are processed to remove the soot particles and to reduce the amount of NOx compounds. The soot particles are first filtered with a filter that passes gaseous components of the composition and collecting the soot particles. The collected soot particles are oxidized in the presence of a light-activated redox catalyst to turn to smaller molecules that can pass through the filter. The NOx compounds are temporarily adsorbed by an adsorber and reduced in the presence of a light-activated redox catalyst to turn to N2.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure that is a plurality of honeycomb segments (21) bonded into one piece by a bonding material (25), the honeycomb segments (21) each having a large number of through-channels (11) separated from each other by partition walls (20), the bonding material (25) being composed of components substantially the same as components composing the unified body of honeycomb segments (21), and the honeycomb segments (21) being bonded to each other at their planes substantially parallel to the direction of channels of through- channels (11), in which honeycomb structure each bonded plane (22) of each honeycomb segment (21) has a structure possessing an unbonded area (12) containing at least an edge portion opening to a periphery of its gas inlet side end face (15) and/or a periphery of its gas outlet side end face (17). With this honeycomb structure, there is no cracking caused by the thermal stress during the use, and excellent durability can be obtained.

Abstract: Provided is a base metal undercoat containing catalyst and an exhaust article containing the catalyst. The catalyst contains a base metal undercoat with an oxygen storage component, and at least one catalytic layer. Also provided are methods for preparing the catalyst and methods for monitoring the oxygen storage capacity of an exhaust article containing the catalyst.

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body, in particular for cleaning exhaust gas originating in an internal combustion engine. The honeycomb body has at least two zones arranged in series in the flow direction with different coatings. The honeycomb body preferably has a first zone and a second zone which is arranged downstream, the first zone having an adsorbing coating, and the second zone having a catalytically active coating. The electrically heatable honeycomb body serves in particular as a trap for pollutants, preferably hydrocarbons or nitrogen oxides, which are contained in the exhaust gas. The configuration of the adsorbing first zone is matched to the light-off performance of the electrically heatable honeycomb body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising at least an electrostatic filter (20) with corona effect comprising an emitting structure (29, 32, 33) and a collector structure (24). The invention is characterized in that the collector structure (24) comprises a plurality of cavities trapping the particles contained in the gas medium, such as gases of an internal combustion engine. The emitting structure (29, 32, 33) comprises a plurality of serrated plates such as ratchets (32) designed to be connected to a high voltage circuit. Preferably, the collector structure (24) comprises a separator formed of a wire mesh. Advantageously, said device is associated with an oxidation catalytic converter and/or a continuously regenerating mechanical filter and/or suction means.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generating device has a thermoelectric element which utilizes an exhaust gas from an engine as a high temperature heat source and an engine coolant as a low temperature heat source in order to generate electricity. An introducing passage introduces a part of the exhaust gas passed through the thermoelectric element into an intake of the engine. An introducing valve opens and closes the introducing passage. A controller controls an opening degree of the introducing valve according to a load of the engine.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for treatment of oxygen rich exhaust and more specifically to a method and system that combines non-thermal plasma with a metal doped ?-alumina catalyst. Current catalyst systems for the treatment of oxygen rich exhaust are capable of achieving only approximately 7 to 12% NOx reduction as a passive system and only 25–40% reduction when a supplemental hydrocarbon reductant is injected into the exhaust stream. It has been found that treatment of an oxygen rich exhaust initially with a non-thermal plasma and followed by subsequent treatment with a metal doped ?-alumina prepared by the sol gel method is capable of increasing the NOx reduction to a level of approximately 90% in the absence of SO2 and 80% in the presence of 20 ppm of SO2. Especially useful metals have been found to be indium, gallium, and tin.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma reactor is provided. The non-thermal plasma reactor includes a plasma-generating substrate, a housing and a mat. The plasma-generating substrate has one or more flow paths for an exhaust gas. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. The mat retains the plasma-generating substrate in the housing such that the one or more flow paths are in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. A voltage is supplied to the plasma-generating substrate to generate a plasma field. An electrically insulating layer is disposed between the plasma-generating substrate and the housing for preventing an arc of electricity from the plasma-generating substrate and/or the voltage to the housing.

Abstract: A catalytic converter designed to be integrated into a food-cooking appliance and to act, during a cooking cycle in a closed atmosphere and without oxygen being admitted from the outside, to treat the odors in the cooking fumes before the fumes are discharged to the outside, the converter comprising a basic substrate (30) provided with perforations (31) for passing the cooking fumes to be treated, the substrate (30) being coated with an intermediate layer (32) having a large surface area, itself provided with a surface component (33) formed of an inorganic solution based on precious metals so as to form the catalytic active layer of the converter, the intermediate layer (32) comprising alumina and cerine so as to form an intermediate layer (32) with a surface area of not less than 150 square meters per gram (m2/g), the amount of alumina/cerine added to the basic substrate (30) lying in the range 30 g/m2 to 35 g/m2, including 15 g/m2 of cerine to 25 g/m2 of cerine.

Abstract: A plasma reformer for the chemical reforming of gaseous mixtures of water and hydrocarbon fuels for producing hydrogen. The reformer contains a reaction chamber with outer lateral walls containing emitter electrodes and inner lateral walls containing collector electrodes. The emitter electrodes and collector electrodes form an electric circuit. There are a multiplicity of thin needle-like extrusions on the emitter electrode from which a profusion of high energy electrons are emitted. These high-energy electrons dissociate the hydrocarbon fuel through absorption and ionization emitting low energy electrons in the process. These low energy electrons cause dissociation of water. Thus, dissociation of hydrocarbon fuel acts to initiate dissociation of water. The molar ratio of water to hydrocarbon fuel in the input mixture for reactions, and therefor the production of hydrogen from water, increases with carbon number of the hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature of a catalytic converter in an automobile exhaust system is disclosed. The method includes establishing a reference temperature for the catalytic converter, distributing a stream of exhaust gases through the catalytic converter, obtaining a measured temperature of the catalytic converter and converting thermal energy from the stream of exhaust gases into electrical energy when the measured temperature exceeds the reference temperature. An apparatus for controlling temperature of a catalytic converter in an automobile exhaust system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automobile catalytic converter that utilizes the energy of the exothermic reactions that take place in the catalysis substrate to produce electrical energy with a thermoelectric generator. On vehicle cold start, the thermoelectric generator is used as a heat pump to heat the catalyst substrate to reduce the time to catalyst light-off. In this way, the catalytic converter comes up to operating temperature more rapidly, reducing the amount of pollutant emissions at vehicle start-up.

Abstract: A heated and insulated catalytic converter includes a heat storage device and a control system for maintaining an elevated temperature while the engine is not operating. The control system may also include control of flaps to allow cool air to circulate to prevent overheating and timers.

Abstract: A gas generator system is provided wherein supply sources for halogenated gases, including pure molecular halogens, are connected into a gas reaction chamber, or chamber system, to enable generation of a predetermined gas for localized use in a subsequent process. The reaction chamber has a valved outlet for direct supply of the generated gas to a single or multiple chamber processing tool or process chamber. Thus it is possible, for example, to provide for the localized generation of reactive process gases.

Abstract: A thermally-activated exhaust treatment device, such as a catalytic converter (20) adapted to control exhaust emissions in a vehicle, includes a core having an inner housing (21) and a catalytic material (27) chosen to reduce undesirable emissions from the exhaust of a combustion engine. A jacket includes an outer housing (22) enclosing the inner housing (21) but characteristically not contacting the inner housing (21). The inner and outer housings (21, 22) include walls (30, 31) forming a vacuum-drawn sealed insulation cavity (26) around the inner housing (21). A chamber (60) positioned adjacent the inner housing (21) includes low melting point metal phase change material (61). A thermal management system is operably connected to the insulation cavity (26) that is constructed to control heat flow from the inner housing (21) to maximize the time the catalytic material (27) is within a predetermined optimum temperature operating range or limit catalyst maximum temperature.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas cleaning system for cleaning exhaust gas from a combustion source so as to remove at least nitrogen oxides contained therein is provided. An ammonia-generation catalytic converter for generating ammonia uses constituents of at least some of the exhaust gas emitted from the combustion source during ammonia-generation operating phases. A downstream nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter is provided for reducing nitrogen oxides which are contained in the exhaust gas emitted from the combustion source using the ammonia generated as the reducing agent. According to the invention, a plasma generator for using plasma technology to generate reactive particles, which promote the ammonia-generation reaction, from constituents of the exhaust gas fed to the ammonia-generation catalytic converter during the ammonia-generation operating phases is connected upstream of the ammonia-generation catalytic converter.

Abstract: An electrically-heated chemical process reactor having an inlet for receiving industrial gases, an internal channel for passing the flow of gases, and an outlet for expelling the gases. An array of current-carrying screen element packets are arranged along the channel for receiving a heating current, and the internal gas channel includes passages through the array for preheating the gas prior to entering the channel.

Abstract: In the embodiments described in the specification, a spark-ignited internal combustion engine has an exhaust line containing an oxide gas absorber for absorbing NOx and SOx and desorbing NOx and SOx at elevated temperatures. The support member for the oxide gas absorber is a metal foil or a thin walled ceramic support to permit rapid heating and is coated with a layer of a gas absorbing material at least 50 microns thick to permit longer intervals between regeneration, thereby providing effective storage of oxide gases even with fuel consumption-optimized engines.

Abstract: A scaleable inter-digitized tine non-thermal plasma reactor element includes at least one pair of inter-digitized tine end connectors connected together defining gas passages between the tines. The prepared inter-digitized tine reactor element has a scaleable height, width, and length. Connectors are defined that enable efficient non-thermal reactor element fabrication for widely varying applications having various flow throughput and constituent reduction requirements. An inter-digitized tine reactor element is provided having several zones that are selectively powered so that the effective length of the reactor can be adjusted during operation for optimal efficiency over a range of operating conditions Structural carrier connectors and structural conductor connectors are provided. Structural carrier connectors have tines defined in a side to side basis comprising a high-k dielectric layer, electrode layer, structural dielectric, electrode layer, and high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, assemblies, computer program products and devices produce hyperpolarized gas by: (a) heating a target gas in an optical pumping cell, the optical pumping cell having opposing top and bottom portions; (b) polarizing the target gas in the optical pumping cell; (c) directing heated polarized gas to flow out of the top portion of the optical pumping cell to a storage reservoir, the storage reservoir having a temperature that is less than the temperature of the heated target gas flowing out of the optical pumping chamber; and (d) flowing previously polarized gas from the reservoir into the optical pumping cell.

Abstract: A multichemistry measuring device and diagnostic test strips which, in combination with the multichemistry measuring device, provide a multichemistry testing system are disclosed. The test strips are for chemical analysis of a sample, and are adapted for use in combination with a measuring device having a test port and capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities. Each type of test strip corresponds to at least one of the testing functionalities, and at least some types of test strips have indicators of the testing functionality on them. The test port is adapted for use in combination with a multiplicity of different types of test strips and includes a sensor capable of specifically interacting with the indicator(s) on the test strips, thereby selecting at least one of the multiplicity of testing functionalities corresponding to the type of test strip.

Abstract: An electrically regeneratable filter element comprises at least two flanks, each of these flanks comprising a stiff material layer. Each of these flanks has at least one thermally and electrically insulated side. The filter element comprises further a metal fiber fleece being pleated according to pleating lines providing an edge with pleat openings. The metal fiber fleece is mounted between the flanks, in such a way that the thermally and electrically insulated sides make contact with the edge, meanwhile these sides closing the pleat openings.

Abstract: There is provided a honeycomb structure usable in a filter for trapping/collecting particulates included in exhaust gas and in which ashes deposited inside can be removed without requiring any special mechanism or apparatus or without detaching the filter from an exhaust system. The honeycomb structure includes: a plurality of through channels 9 separated by porous partition walls 7 and extending in the axial direction of the honeycomb structure; and plugging portions 11 for plugging one end of each of predetermined through channels 9a and an opposite end of each of the rest of through channels 9b in a checkered flag pattern, alternately. In the honeycomb structure, at least one slit 15 per through channel is formed in the vicinity of the plugging portions 11 of the partition walls 7 surrounding the respective through channels 9b.

Abstract: The object is to provide a method and an apparatus for decomposing halogenated hydrocarbon gas economically and stably without relying on any special treatment and without generating dioxins. The apparatus includes a carrier supporting a catalyst for decomposing halogenated hydrocarbon gas, wherein the carrier is resistant to a halogen-containing gas and is electrically conductive, the halogenated hydrocarbon gas passing through the catalyst which is supported by the carrier; and a heating mechanism for heating the carrier by an electromagnetic induction heating.

Abstract: A reformer installation for generating a hydrogen-rich product gas from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid, includes a housing having an interior, at least one reformer zone disposed in the interior of the housing and at least one feed line leading to the housing. A thermally insulating heat shield causes a reduction of an operating temperature in the at least one reformer zone by 50% to take at least 8 hours and preferably causes a reduction of the operating temperature in the at least one reformer zone by 20% to take at least 8 hours. This improves the cold start performance of the reformer installation, since the reformer installation is prevented from cooling off too quickly. That is particularly advantageous for the use of reformer installations of this type in automobile construction, since those kinds of reformer installations are activated again and again at certain intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing hazardous gases exhausted from a process chamber 25 includes an effluent plasma reactor 210 and a downstream catalytic reactor 220. The reactor 210 may include a consumable liner that reacts with the energized effluent to remove the hazardous gases. The catalytic reactor 220 may also include catalytic surfaces 227 in a honeycomb, foam, or pellet structure 225 to catalyze reactions that further reduce hazardous gas content.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for vehicles with internal combustion engines which is especially suited for catalytically cleaning exhaust gas with large proportions of hydrocarbons. The converter includes a jacket tube, in which one or more metal sheets are disposed. The metal sheets are at least partially coated with a catalytically active material and they are disposed in the vicinity of an inner wall surface of the jacket tube. A predominant portion of the cross-sectional area of the jacket tube is free of metal sheets with catalytically active material. The metal sheets may be structured at least in partial regions, with corrugations and/or perforations. A catalytic converter assembly includes two converter reactors connected one after the other in the exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: An open loop system for ambient air pollution processing by motor vehicles utilizing controlled volumes of air flow over exhaust system surface.

Abstract: A method for operating a reformer installation for providing hydrogen-containing gas, especially during a starting phase of energy generation using a fuel cell, includes feeding an incoming stream to and discharging an outgoing stream from, the reformer unit, branching-off at least one outflowing partial stream from the outgoing stream, and feeding-back the outflowing partial stream, as an inflowing partial stream, to the incoming stream, to at least partially form a circulating stream. The outflowing partial stream has a composition corresponding to a composition of the outgoing stream upon emerging from the reformer unit. A reformer installation includes at least one reformer unit having feed and discharge lines and a line connecting the discharge line to the feed line, at least partially forming a circulating stream. The method and installation provide a highly efficient production of hydrogen and especially short times required for starting the reformer installation.

Abstract: Methods of extracting and removing hyperpolarized gas from a container include introducing an extraction fluid into the container to force the hyperpolarized gas out of an exit port. The hyperpolarized gas is forced out of the container separate and apart from the extraction fluid. Alternatively, if the fluid is a gas, a portion of the gas is mixed with the hyperpolarized gas to form a sterile mixed fluid product suitable for introduction to a patient. An additional method includes engaging a gas transfer source such as a syringe to a transport container and pulling a quantity of the hyperpolarized gas out of the container in a controlled manner. Another method includes introducing a quantity of liquid into a container and covering at least one predetermined internal surface or component with the liquid to mask the surfaces and keep the hyperpolarized gas away from the predetermined internal surface, thereby inhibiting any depolarizing affect from same.

Abstract: A supplemental energy generating system is integrated with an exhaust system of a combustion engine. The system includes a thermoelectric generator (TEG) having a housing enclosing a metal catalytic substrate positioned in an exhaust passage of the exhaust system. A coolant channel is disposed with the housing having an input and output connected to an externally located cooling system, and at least one thermoelectric generator element is disposed within the housing between the coolant channel and the metal catalytic substrate. The thermoelectric generator element is positioned to be in heat exchange relationship with the metal catalytic substrate and the coolant channel, and generates harvestable electric power as a function of the heat exchange process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing and refurbishing catalytic heaters and to a replacement catalyst cartridge used therein. The method broadly comprises the steps of removing a face frame and a face screen from a heater frame of a catalytic heater to be refurbished, removing catalyst material from an interior portion of the heater, providing a replacement catalyst cartridge having a layer of catalyst material, and securing the cartridge to the heater frame. The replacement catalytic cartridge comprises a frame, an upper screen joined to the frame, a lower screen joined to the frame, and a layer of catalyst material positioned between the upper screen and the lower screen. The replacement catalytic cartridge also has a layer of insulation material secured to the cartridge frame, which layer of insulation material forms a gas tight seal with a peripheral lip of the catalytic heater.

Abstract: A plurality of etchers such as poly-etchers 3 or the like are installed within a clean room 2. A duct 7 that is connected to all the etchers is connected to a PFC decomposition device 9, which is installed outside of the clean room 2. An exhaust gas which contains PFC as drained out of all the etchers within the clean room 2 is supplied by the duct 7 to the inner space of PFC decomposition device 9. After having heated up within the PFC decomposition device 9, the PFC is decomposed by the action of a catalyst which is filled within the PFC decomposition device 9. It is no longer required to provide a space for installation of the PFC decomposition device 9 in the clean room 2 with the semiconductor fabrication apparatus or the liquid crystal manufacturing apparatus installed therein, thus enabling size reduction or “downsizing” of the clean room.

Abstract: A carbon black filter (23) is provided which has a heater (17) for burning deposited carbon black. The particle filter (23) has several filter surfaces (12), which carry catalyst coatings (21), which cover a small part of the filter surface. The catalyst coatings (21) are constructed for bringing about an oxidation of carbon black at a lower temperature than the ignition temperature of the carbon black. Combustion is initiated by the heater (17).

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for mixing a liquid within a disposable aspirating probe tip so that most of the liquid is forced to move past a transition zone between two different inside diameters to cause rotational mixing. The apparatus and method can be used to provide agglutination of blood, which in turn can be used for blood typing. The probe tip can comprise a single integral piece, or two separate portions. The transition zone can comprise a sharp demarcation between inside diameters, or a smooth one.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, O, 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 scrubbing solution, and removing any ammonia aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to HgO and removing it in the wet electrostatic precipitator. Ammonium sulfate, a valuable fertilizer, can be withdrawn from the scrubbing solution.

Abstract: In an electrically heated catalytic converter including a heater consisting of a structure having an open porosity so as to permit fluid to flow therethrough, a heterogeneous catalyst is disposed within the heater structure. The heater structure, which includes the catalyst, is capable of accommodating sufficient electrical energy to provide the activation energy required for a particular catalytic reaction to be performed by the catalytic converter.

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body, in particular for cleaning exhaust gas originating in an internal combustion engine. The honeycomb body has at least two zones arranged in series in the flow direction with different coatings. The honeycomb body preferably has a first zone and a second zone which is arranged downstream, the first zone having an adsorbing coating, and the second zone having a catalytically active coating. The electrically heatable honeycomb body serves in particular as a trap for pollutants, preferably hydrocarbons or nitrogen oxides, which are contained in the exhaust gas. The configuration of the adsorbing first zone is matched to the light-off performance of the electrically heatable honeycomb body.

Abstract: In an electrically heated catalytic converter including a heater consisting of a structure having an open porosity so as to permit fluid to flow therethrough, a heterogeneous catalyst is disposed within the heater structure. The heater structure, which includes the catalyst, is capable of accommodating sufficient electrical energy to provide the activation energy required for a particular catalytic reaction to be performed by the catalytic converter.

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 alkali scrubbing solution, and removing any alkali aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to oxidized mercury and removing it in the scrubbing solution and wet electrostatic precipitator. Alkali sulfates, which are valuable fertilizers, can be withdrawn from the rubbing solution.

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: An electrically heatable catalytic converter has first and second, electrically conductive and electrically separated components and an electrically insulating, stabilizing supporting structure being mechanically loadable in all directions for metallic bonding to the components. The supporting structure includes a first metallic structure, a second metallic structure, and an electrically insulating, ceramic material being disposed between the first and second metallic structures and being three-dimensionally pressed-in from substantially all sides. The first and second metallic structures are shaped to exert pressure from substantially all sides onto said ceramic material, without touching one another, and they are respectively secured to the first and second components for fixing the components relative to one another.

Abstract: A particle trap, which may be installed in a pipe, e.g. in an exhaust tract of a motor vehicle, is provided for the agglomeration and oxidation of particles in a fluid flow and includes a multiplicity of substantially rectilinear and mutually parallel flow passages having passage walls with structures. The structures generate swirling, calming and/or dead zones in the fluid flow but keep the particle trap open to the fluid flow. Therefore, the particle trap is an open system in which particles can be kept or precipitated out of a fluid by turbulences in the flow and can be held until they undergo oxidation. Assemblies and exhaust tracts having the particle trap are also provided.