Abstract: In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide separating and recovering system includes an absorption tower to cause carbon dioxide to be absorbed in an absorbing solution, a regeneration tower to release the carbon dioxide from the absorbing solution, and at least one measuring apparatus to measure an ultrasound propagation speed in the absorbing solution. Each of the at least one measuring apparatus calculates a dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in the adsorbing solution, based on a temperature measured by a temperature measuring unit, the ultrasound propagation speed measured by an ultrasound propagation speed measuring unit, and a correlation expression which shows a relationship between the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration and the ultrasound propagation speed in the absorbing solution, and is changed according to the temperature of the absorbing solution.

Abstract: A method for purifying polluted air having particle phase pollutants and gaseous phase pollutants is provided. The method comprising: separately purifying and treating particle phase and gaseous phase pollutants present in the air; providing a dust cleaning apparatus, a catalytic filter core and a valve for controlling an airflow path within an air purification apparatus; controlling the airflow path for the air to bypass the catalytic filter core in a way that: if the amount of particle phase pollutants is above a predetermined value, the valve is moved to the open position to enable the air to bypass the catalyst filtering core; if the amount of particle phase pollutants is less than a predetermined value, the valve is moved to the closed position to force the air to pass through the catalyst filtering core.

Abstract: A respirator leak detection system and method for increasing the sensitivity and accuracy of leak detection through the fit seal of a respirator. A charged particle separator is used to separate charged particles that pass therethrough and to draw charged particles away from an aerosol flow into a clean gas flow. The separator may also be configured as an aerosol concentrator that takes in a major aerosol flow and outputs a minor flow of higher particle concentration. Neutral particles having no charge, which may have passed through the filtering medium respirator and which are not indicative of fit seal leaks are not entrained in the output flow for subsequent detection, thus increasing the accuracy of the filter leak detection system.

Abstract: A container having a plurality of walls, and at least one inlet and/or outlet, said container including an apparatus for controlling the composition of gases within the container, the apparatus including at least one sensor, at least one controller and at least one gas permeable membrane, through which membrane different gases can pass at different rates, said membrane dividing the container into a first region being for holding cargo and a second region defining a gas buffer region, and said membrane being permeable permitting for nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide at different flow rates, wherein the buffer region is in communication with the ambient atmosphere through one or more vacuum pump(s).

Abstract: Method and system to capture target gases from all kind of point-sources, as well as from ambient air and surface waters, sediments or soils by advantage of large differences in Henrys law constants. For gas dissolution in water the constants favor dissolution of e.g. CO2 compared to the main constituents of flue gases like N2 and O2. The main principle is to dissolve the gases—release of the non-dissolved part stripping the liquid for the dissolved gases, which are enriched in target gas. Further steps can be used to reach a predetermined level of target gas concentration.

Abstract: A method for extracting methane purifies a biogas and components present in the biogas, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur compounds, and ammoniac are separated in a plurality of different process steps. The method for extracting methane is characterized by low energy consumption and allows an increase in methane content of at least 10%. In a first purifying step, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammoniac, and other water-soluble organic substances present in the raw gas are removed in a washing column at a standard pressure or at overpressure of up to 6 bar by use of fresh water. The methane gas having a methane content of at least 65% is drawn off at the head of the washing column. Methane and carbon dioxide dissolved in the wash water are sequentially separated from the contaminated wash water discharged from the washing stage, in a first stripping column and subsequently in a second stripping column, by adding stripping air under standard pressure.

Abstract: A system and associated method for improved mercury removal from a flow containing combustion exhaust. The system includes a filtration arrangement through which the flow proceeds to remove material, including mercury, from the flow. The system includes a sensor arrangement sensing a mercury concentration within the flow downstream of the filtration arrangement and providing a signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration. The system includes an adjustable temperature control arrangement changing a temperature of the combustion exhaust proceeding to the filtration arrangement in response to the signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration to change an amount of mercury being removed from the flow.

Abstract: A system includes an air separation unit configured to separate air into an oxygen rich stream and a nitrogen rich stream and a purity control system configured to receive input indicative of a target diluent level. The purity control system is configured to control the air separation unit to adjust an oxygen percentage and a nitrogen percentage of the oxygen rich stream based on the target diluent level.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of an oxygen concentrator system. In some embodiments, an oxygen concentrator system may be shutdown such that the canisters are pressurized to a pressure greater than ambient pressure.

Abstract: A method for extraction of gas from liquid provides for reliable and accurate extraction of gases dissolved in fluids and routing the extracted gas to an analytical instrument. An extraction module comprises one or more fluorosilicone membranes molded into the shape of a flattened disk. The membranes are retained in a housing in a spaced apart relationship. The membrane is permeable to target gas(es), but not to the fluid. Porous support members support the membranes and prevent damage to them and the housing defines separate fluid flow paths for the fluid and the gas extracted from it. Fluid is passed over the membrane in a first fluid phase; target compounds in the fluid diffuse across the membrane to a second fluid phase until equilibrium is achieved.

Abstract: A system and process for gas homogenization is disclosed. This has application in the areas of generation of gas and its conversion to electricity in downstream applications. The homogenization system minimizes variance in the gas characteristics (composition, flow, pressure, temperature), thereby rendering a steady stream of gas of consistent quality to the downstream machinery. This homogenization system can be adjusted to optimize the output gas stream for specific end-applications, or to optimize the output gas stream for different input feedstocks. This ensures that overall conversion efficiencies are maximized while keeping the process cost-effective. Such a uniform, steady output gas stream has a wide range of applications in the broad areas of generation of electricity (e.g. using internal combustion engines and combustion turbine engines), chemical synthesis (e.g.

Abstract: Described is a method of water treatment including the steps of: a) Stripping water or dissolved gas by an inert gas b) Subjecting water to oxidation treatment to precipitate metals; and c) Removing precipitates from water. Oxidation treatment is a multi-stage oxidation treatment including the stages of: (1) contacting water with oxidant under pressure to precipitate metals from water; and (2) catalytic oxidation of water with oxidant, oxidation being catalysed by a catalyst, such as a zeolite catalyst, in a bed reactor or filter. Inert gas stripping is aimed at preventing growth of iron bacteria in the treatment system. Pressurised oxidation reduces the amount of oxidant injection required for catalytic oxidation. The method is particularly suited to removal of contaminants such as iron, manganese and arsenic from ground water.

Abstract: A feed gas comprising CO2, H2S and H2 is treated to produce an H2-enriched product and an H2S-lean, CO2 product. The feed gas is separated to provide the H2-enriched product and a stream of sour gas. The stream of sour gas is divided into two parts, one of which is processed in an H2S removal system to form one or more streams of sweetened gas, and the other of which bypasses the H2S removal system, the stream(s) of sweetened gas and the sour gas bypassing the H2S removal system then being recombined to form the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas. The division of the sour gas between being sent to and bypassing the H2S removal system is adjusted responsive to changes in the H2S content of the sour gas, so as to dampen or cancel the effects of said changes on the H2S content of the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas.

Abstract: In a process of manufacturing polylactide, synthesis of high-quality polymers is achieved with a sufficient degree of vacuum secured. Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing polylactide which includes the steps of preparing lactide through oligomerization of lactic acid and depolymerization of the resulting oligomers, effecting ring-opening polymerization of the lactide, and removing unreacted lactide. The apparatus comprises an exhausting gas treatment device for reducing pressure in the step of removing unreacted lactide.

Abstract: A method of preparing a gas separation membrane system and the gas separation membrane system itself, wherein the method includes applying a layer of a gas-selective material to a porous substrate followed by heat-treating thereof in an inert gaseous atmosphere and then polishing and repeating these steps to thereby provide the gas separation membrane system or a structure that may suitably be used in a gas separation membrane system.

Abstract: In one example, a method of operating an engine having a diesel particulate filter in a vehicle, the particulate filter having a length and depth, includes performing particulate filter regeneration in response to temperature variation across the length and/or depth of the particulate filter.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for purifying polluted air consisting of particle phase pollutants and gaseous phase pollutants, the apparatus (10) comprising: a dust level sensor (23) to measure the amount of particle phase pollutants in the polluted air; a dust removal component (14) to remove the particle phase pollutants from the polluted air; a catalyst filtering core (17) to decompose the gaseous phase pollutants by chemical reaction; a valve (22) for selectively controlling a path of air flow within the apparatus (10) and is movable between an open position and closed position, the valve (22) being positioned downstream from the dust removal component (14); wherein if the amount of particle phase pollutants measured by the dust level sensor (23) is above a predetermined value, the valve (22) is moved to the open position to enable the air to bypass the catalyst filtering core (17); and if the amount of particle phase pollutants measured by the dust level sensor (23) is less than a predetermined value, the valve (22)

Abstract: Filters, methods, and an apparatus for filling housings and both encapsulated porous and non-porous spaces with contaminant control media for placement in electronic enclosures, such as disk drive enclosures, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a housing comprising an internal cavity configured to receive contaminant control media, a fill port in communication with the internal cavity, and an opening in communication with the internal cavity, and filter media at least partially covering the opening; and contaminant control media occupying the internal cavity. Contaminant control media is deposited within the internal cavity via the fill port by means of creating a negative pressure within the internal cavity. The application of a partial vacuum facilitates movement of the contaminant control media into the internal cavity and minimizes the contamination of the filter, housing, and work space common to other loose fill filling methods. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: An adjustable type guide vortex gas-liquid separating apparatus is provided, it comprises a case, a vortex flow guide spiral pipe, a mist eliminator, an adjusting valve and a ? ray phase volume fraction meter. Its separating method is to make the oil-gas-water multiphase flow move in vortex, and thus to realize the gas-liquid separation, then to measure the gas content of the separated liquid phase by using the ? ray phase volume fraction meter and to send out control information as judged by the magnitude of the gas content in the liquid phase, so as to control the opening of the adjusting valve of the gas circuit, thus to achieve adjustment of the gas-liquid separation effects, and to control the gas content of the liquid phase to a certain range.

Abstract: A control system and associated methods for an air treatment system. In one aspect, the present invention provides a control system and method for controlling blower speed as a function of separately determined smoke and dust concentrations. In one embodiment, the control system and method provides a variable delayed between changes in motor speed to address undesirable rapid changes between speeds. In another aspect, the present invention provides a system and method for calibrating a sensor to provide more uniform operation over time. In yet another aspect, the present invention provide a system and method for calibrating motor speed to provide more consistent and uniform motor speed over time. The present invention also provides a system and method for tracking filter life by as a function of time, motor speed and/or a sensed variable, such as particulate concentration in the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a control system for controlling an adsorbent bed unit in which an adsorbent bed concentration of an impurity within an adsorbent bed of the adsorbent bed unit is measured. The adsorbent bed concentration is controlled by manipulating the feed cycle time during which an adsorbent bed is adsorbing the impurities to maintain the adsorbent bed concentration at a targeted adsorption bed concentration. The targeted adsorption bed concentration is determined such that the product impurity concentration is maintained at product impurity concentration targets. The method and control system can incorporate a supervisory level of control reactive to product impurity concentration levels and related targets to determine the targeted adsorption bed concentration and a primary level of control that calculates the feed cycle time based upon an error between the measured and targeted adsorption bed concentrations. Proportional integral control can be used for such purposes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting the presence of a leak in a baghouse bag installed in a baghouse system having at least one compartment. The methods include using a system to acquire electrical signals corresponding to the opacity of gas flow through an outlet of a baghouse system during a start-up of one or more compartments of the baghouse system and comparing the electrical signals corresponding to the opacity of the gas flow with electrical signals characteristic of a leak in at least one of the baghouse bags of the baghouse system.

Abstract: A system and associated method for improved mercury removal from a flow containing combustion exhaust. The system includes a filtration arrangement through which the flow proceeds to remove material, including mercury, from the flow. The system includes a sensor arrangement sensing a mercury concentration within the flow downstream of the filtration arrangement and providing a signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration. The system includes an adjustable temperature control arrangement changing a temperature of the combustion exhaust proceeding to the filtration arrangement in response to the signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration to change an amount of mercury being removed from the flow.

Abstract: A method for tracking the deterioration of the insulators in a rotating machine, a method for preventive maintenance of these machines using this tracking and devices using the tracking method is presented.

Abstract: An air dehydration membrane module is provided with a sweep gas which is taken from the waste gas of a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit. No additional compressor is required, other than the compressor forming part of the PSA unit. In another embodiment, the sweep gas includes the combination of dried product gas, taken from the dehydration membrane module, and a supplemental gas, which may be ambient air, or permeate gas from an air separation membrane, or waste gas from a PSA unit. An air ejector combines the streams, without the use of an additional compression step, and the combined gas is used as a sweep stream for the dehydration module. The invention also includes the method of selecting an optimum point at which the sweep gas is injected into the module.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling odor within a refrigeration appliance is provided. The apparatus includes a frame removably positioned within an airflow path configured to supply cooled air to a food storage compartment of the refrigeration appliance. The frame defines a chamber. A filter medium is positioned within the chamber. The filter medium is configured to filter air channeled therethrough and remove odorous molecules.

Abstract: A method of controlling an apparatus for separating product gas and non product gas from an air supply, the concentration of the product gas produced by the apparatus being variable depending on a control signal from a controller and the efficiency of the apparatus in producing product gas depending upon an environmental parameter, the method including sensing the oxygen concentration in the product gas produced by the apparatus, determining an instantaneous demand for oxygen concentration in the product gas, providing to the controller a process variable signal indicative of the sensed concentration of the oxygen in the product gas, and providing to the controller a demand input signal indicative of the demand, sensing the environmental parameter and providing an environmental parameter input signal to the controller, comparing the process variable signal and the demand signal to generate an error signal indicative of a change in oxygen concentration in the product gas required to match the instantaneous dem

Abstract: A method and system of operating a trans-fill device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising generating an enriched gas stream from atmospheric air, and operating an intensifier which, when provided the enriched gas stream, produces a cylinder fill gas stream. The operating continues in the absence of the enriched gas stream being provided to the intensifier.

Abstract: A system and method for supercritical fluid enrichment of radioactive isotope/s are disclosed. The method involves pressurizing an outer chamber and an inner centrifugal chamber of a stage to supercritical pressure; supplying material including target isotope/s at supercritical pressure to the inner chamber; spinning the inner chamber to centrifuge the material including target isotope/s; providing a differential pressure between the inner chamber and the outer chamber; wherein windows in the inner chamber enable passage of the target isotope or an undesired isotope from the inner chamber to the outer chamber in response to the differential pressure.

Abstract: A water deaerating system and method are provided. The first end of an open-ended conduit is placed beneath the surface of a body of oxygen-rich water. The conduit extends into a housing and where the second end of the conduit resides at a location in the housing that is above the surface of the body of oxygen-rich water. A vacuum is applied to a spatial region defined within the housing above the location of the second end of the conduit. The oxygen-rich water is pumped through the conduit and exits the second end of the conduit to enter the spatial region of the housing. The oxygen-rich water descends through the housing due to gravity. The oxygen-rich water's descension is interrupted and the vacuum operates to remove oxygen from the oxygen-rich water so-descending to generate oxygen-depleted water.

Abstract: A method for degassing a fluid includes providing a degassing system having a degassing module and a fluid pump apparatus having a fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid pump apparatus is operated in a discontinuous mode involving one or more discrete pumping cycles having a first cycle time. The fluid pump apparatus is calibrated to deliver a predetermined volume of the fluid from the fluid reservoir during each of the pumping cycles, and the degassing module is adapted to operably move gas from the fluid to an extent sufficient to render the fluid volume to a desired degassed condition within a period of time that is not greater than the first cycle time.

Abstract: Novel uses and methods of use for inorganic and macroreticulate polymer bonding to metals to control moisture and oxygen in OLED, and other like devices, are provided. Materials having color change capacity are also provided for the removal of moisture from an OLED, where the material changes color upon reaching its capacity and thereby signals the user that the OLED is no longer protected from moisture damage.

Abstract: The invention describes a system and method for hydrogen sulfide decontamination of natural gas using a scavenging reagent. The system uses a scavenging reagent within two reactors wherein the consumption of scavenging reagent is optimized by the control of flow of clean and partially-consumed scavenging reagent within and between the two reactors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating contaminants in a contaminated airstream are described. In one embodiment, a contaminated airstream is received and a vortex is created that separates the contaminated airstream into a clean airstream used in the system and contaminants (e.g., debris and particles).

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a main body, a filter and an interlock. The main body includes an airflow generator, a separating apparatus separating dirt and dust from an airflow, and a flowpath between the separating apparatus and the airflow generator delimited by a wall. The interlock has a first part located on the filter and a second part located on the main body outside the flowpath, arranged to communicate remotely when the filter is correctly located in the pre-determined position. The interlock is arranged selectively to allow or prevent operation of the airflow generator depending upon the relative separation between the first and second parts. By providing an interlock which has first and second parts which communicate remotely, the second part located on the main body can be isolated from the airflow path so that the second part is not subject to dirt and dust carried by the airflow.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing a hypoxic environment inside an enclosed compartment with simultaneous removal of carbon dioxide and moisture produced by occupants; said method and system designed for fire prevention and for simulated altitude training, wellness and hypoxic therapy, including equine and other animal applications.

Abstract: A method for removing methane from biogas is described. The method includes: (i) receiving biogas including methane and other components into a first tank; (ii) receiving water into the first tank; (iii) contacting the biogas with the water inside the first tank; (iv) dispensing methane gas from an outlet of the first tank; and (v) producing from the tank an effluent stream that includes other components of the biogas.

Abstract: A method is provided for indicating the useful service life of a gas filtration and purification system comprising steps of embedding two or more mass-responsive electronic sensors (e.g., surface acoustic wave devices) in a sorbent bed of a filtration cartridge, wherein the mass-responsive electronic sensors are coated with a non-conductive absorptive organic polymer; passing a gas containing a volatile chemical of interest through the filtration cartridge and in contact with the two mass-responsive electronic sensors; and measuring a difference in an electronic property between the two mass-responsive electronic sensors. In such a manner, the two mass-responsive electronic sensors act as internal references with respect to each other, thereby eliminating variations in temperature, interferents, pressure, and the like.

Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel deoxygenator for removing oxygen from a liquid fuel. A vaporizer is in fluid communication with the fuel deoxygenator. The vaporizer vaporizes at least a portion of the liquid fuel to produce vaporized fuel. At least a portion of the vaporized fuel pre-mixes with oxidizer to reduce formation of undesirable emissions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adsorbing perchlorate in a fluid and successively destroying it. Perchlorate in the fluid is removed by adsorption on an adsorbent in a column. The adsorbent is then regenerated by desorbing perchlorate, and the perchlorate in the regenerant is then chemically destroyed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing aqueous stream purification services. The system includes at least one separation unit. Each separation unit may include a mechanical vapor recompression separator, a steam stripper, and a secondary recovery heat exchanger. The system for wastewater purification may receive water from a waste water storage, purify the water, and return the purified water to a purified water storage. The system may include a controller. The controller may include an operating conditions module configured to interpret at least one operating condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a control system for controlling an adsorbent bed unit in which an adsorbent bed concentration of an impurity within an adsorbent bed of the adsorbent bed unit is measured. The adsorbent bed concentration is controlled by manipulating the feed cycle time during which an adsorbent bed is adsorbing the impurities to maintain the adsorbent bed concentration at a targeted adsorption bed concentration. The targeted adsorption bed concentration is determined such that the product impurity concentration is maintained at product impurity concentration targets. The method and control system can incorporate a supervisory level of control reactive to product impurity concentration levels and related targets to determine the targeted adsorption bed concentration and a primary level of control that calculates the feed cycle time based upon an error between the measured and targeted adsorption bed concentrations. Proportional integral control can be used for such purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new type of air cleaner adapted to primarily filter out various types of alien substances (e.g. dust) through a filter assembly, as well as automatically remove the alien substances that have been filtered out, and a method for controlling the operation of the air cleaner. The air cleaner includes a rotation brush unit installed on the inner wall surface of the front panel to face the front surface of the mesh-type filter body and adapted to rotate while maintaining contact with the front surface of the mesh-type filter body. When the air-drawing unit stops operation, the rotation brush unit is operated to remove dust accumulated on the surface of the mesh-type filter body of the filter assembly, which is installed near the air inlet.

Abstract: A particulate matter accumulation amount detection apparatus includes a filter pressure loss detecting section, an incombustible component amount estimating section, an incombustible component accumulation state estimating section, and a particulate accumulation amount detecting section. The filter pressure loss detecting section is configured to detect an upstream-downstream differential pressure of an exhaust gas purification filter having a plurality of substrate walls. The incombustible component amount estimating section is configured to estimate an amount of an incombustible component. The incombustible component accumulation state estimating section is configured to estimate an accumulation state of the incombustible component on the substrate walls based on the engine operating state and the amount of the incombustible component.

Abstract: A method is provided for indicating the useful service life of a gas filtration and purification system comprising steps of embedding two or more mass-responsive electronic sensors (e.g., surface acoustic wave devices) in a sorbent bed of a filtration cartridge, wherein the mass-responsive electronic sensors are coated with a non-conductive absorptive organic polymer; passing a gas containing a volatile chemical of interest through the filtration cartridge and in contact with the two mass-responsive electronic sensors; and measuring a difference in an electronic property between the two mass-responsive electronic sensors. In such a manner, the two mass-responsive electronic sensors act as internal references with respect to each other, thereby eliminating variations in temperature, interferents, pressure, and the like.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for organic molecules such as ethylene includes an electrochemical cell, gas sample inlet means and means for detecting current produced by the oxidation of the organic molecule at the anode of the cell. The sensor is capable of sensing multiple organic molecules in some embodiments. A voltage is applied to the anode of the cell to provide energy to drive the oxidation reaction and produce a corresponding current. The sensor of the invention can be made as a small, hand-held unit that is capable of real-time detection of various organic species.

Abstract: In a method of treating a gas stream, an aqueous scrubbing liquor is circulated through an essentially closed loop (20) comprising an electrochemical unit (48) for reducing the acidity of the liquor. A portion of the circulating liquor is diverted away from the closed loop (20) to a gas scrubbing unit (10). The gas stream enters the scrubbing unit (10), wherein an acid, for example HF and solid particulates, for example SiO2 particulates, within the gas stream dissolve in the diverted liquor. The diverted liquor is subsequently returned to the closed loop (20), and is replenished in the scrubbing unit (10) by fresh liquor diverted from the closed loop (20). A device (46) is provided for monitoring the acidity of the liquor at a location within the closed loop (20). The reduction in the acidity of the liquor by the electrochemical cell (48) is controlled depending on the monitored concentration.

Abstract: A system for recycling vented atmosphere gas discharged from a heat treatment chamber utilizing a protective atmosphere gas therein. The system includes an atmosphere recycling apparatus configured to receive the vented atmosphere gas. The atmosphere recycling apparatus includes a gas separator configured to separate the vented atmosphere gas into a purified atmosphere gas stream and an impure stream. The atmosphere recycling apparatus is configured to feed the purified atmosphere gas stream to the heat treatment chamber. A storage vessel can be provided to receive the purified atmosphere gas stream from the atmosphere recycling apparatus, and configured to supplement an atmosphere gas supply to the heat treatment chamber with the purified atmosphere gas stream.

Abstract: A method of determining the purity of oxygen present in an oxygen-enriched gas produced from an oxygen delivery system is disclosed. The oxygen delivery system includes at least one sieve bed having a nitrogen-adsorbing material disposed therein and configured to adsorb nitrogen from a feed gas introduced into the at least two sieve beds via a pressure-swing adsorption cycle. The method includes determining a quantity of nitrogen adsorbed by the nitrogen-adsorbing material by inferring an effective volume of the at least one sieve bed based on a pressure change of the at least one sieve bed.

Abstract: A portable gas fractionalization system with built-in administrative and self-diagnostic functions is provided. The system includes a multiple mode programmable controller which has a operations mode and a diagnostic mode that can be activated by a triggering event. The triggering event can be when a user enters a command input, when one or more process parameters deviate from a nominal value, or when the system is scheduled to perform self-diagnostics. The system also includes a multi-level user interface which is integrally formed with the system. The user interface includes a multi-level display screen and a plurality of user command functions. The diagnostic information displayed on the display screen can be in an abbreviated code form so that only technicians would be able to interpret meaning of the code.