100461results about "Dispersed particle separation" patented technology

Items of mail are rapidly processed in a mail sampling system to determine if the mail is contaminated with a chemical or biological agent. The mail sampling system maintains a negative pressure in a containment chamber and includes a triggering sampler that makes a threshold determination regarding possible contamination, and a detecting sampler that obtains a sample for more detailed analysis in response to a signal from the triggering sampler. A sample of particulates collected from an item of mail is either removed for analysis or analyzed in the system to identify a contaminating agent. Optionally, the system includes an archiving sampler, which archives samples for subsequent processing and analysis, and a decontamination system, which is activated to decontaminate the mail if needed.

Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. In preferred high-temperature embodiments, the polymer sample is maintained at a temperature of not less than about 75° C. during sample preparation, loading into a liquid chromatography or flow-injection analysis system, injection into a mobile phase of a liquid chromatography or flow-injection analysis system, and / or elution from chromatographic column. The described methods, systems, and device have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.

The invention discloses an attapulgite argil powder with an air purifying function. The technical scheme is as follows: the attapulgite argil powder with an air purifying function is prepared from high-viscosity attapulgite clay, an attapulgite constant-humidity conditioner, a natural mineral adsorbing / filtering agent, Cacumen Biotae, aluminum silicate fiber and polyacrylamide. The attapulgite argil powder is prepared by the following steps: pulverizing the materials, soaking and aging to obtain a wet mixture, extruding the wet mixture into a strip, airing the strip, pulverizing to obtain powder, and packaging to obtain the finished product. The attapulgite argil powder has favorable cohesive property, plasticity, thixotropy, fire resistance and thermal stability; the pottery prepared from the attapulgite argil powder with an air purifying function contains a great deal of micropores and activated carbon, thus, has the characteristics of low shrinkage, no cracking or deformation and favorable adsorbability, and can effectively adsorb formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene and other harmful substances in the air, thereby protecting the environment and improving good health of people. The invention is suitable for producing pottery artware with an air purifying function.

A coated susceptor of electromagnetic energy for chemical processing made of a matrix material that surrounds a non-matrix material that is made from a material that is different from the matrix material, in which the matrix material is constructed of material having lower dielectric losses compared to the non-matrix material, the non-matrix material initially absorbs electromagnetic energy applied to the electromagnetic susceptor to a greater extent than the matrix material, the non-matrix material produces subsequent heat in the matrix material, and the surface of the susceptor is coated with a material that interacts with applied electromagnetic energy of at least one frequency and initially absorbs electromagnetic energy and produces heat.

A gas sampling line having a channel for conducting respiratory gases from a patient respiratory interface to a gas monitor, the gas sampling line comprising, i.a., a gas sampling tube comprised of a polyether block amide material, the polyether segments of which comprise polyethyleneoxide. Use of a tube comprised of a polyether block amide material, the polyether segments of which comprise polyethyleneoxide, for sampling of respiratory gases; and a method for sampling of respiratory gases, the method comprising conducting respiratory gases through such a tube. A gas analysis system for analyzing respiratory gases, comprising a gas sampling line as defined above and a gas monitor connectable to the gas sampling line.

Variable conductance gas distribution systems, reactors and systems including the variable conductance gas distribution systems, and methods of using the variable conductance gas distribution systems, reactors, and systems are disclosed. The variable conductance gas distribution systems allow rapid manipulation of gas-flow conductance through the gas distribution system.

A plasma concentrator for producing plasma concentrate from a plasma from which erythrocytes have been substantially removed. The device comprises a concentrating chamber having an inlet port and an concentrate outlet, the concentrating chamber containing hydrogel beads and at least one inert agitator; and a concentrate chamber having an inlet communicating with the concentrator outlet through a filter, and having an plasma concentrate outlet port. A process for producing plasma concentrate from plasma from which erythrocytes have been substantially removed, comprising the steps of a) moving the plasma into a concentrating chamber containing hydrogel beads and an agitator to form a hydrogel bead-plasma mixture; b) causing the agitator to stir the hydrogel bead-plasma mixture, facilitating absorption of water by the beads from the plasma, until a hydrogel bead-plasma concentrate is formed; and c) separating the plasma concentrate from the hydrogel beads by passing the plasma concentrate through a filter. The concentrator can be one or more syringe devices coupled for multiple concentrations.

A power generation system capable of eliminating NO, components in the exhaust gas by using a 3-way catalyst, comprising a gas compressor to increase the pressure of ambient air fed to the system; a combustor capable of oxidizing a mixture of fuel and compressed air to generate an expanded, high temperature exhaust gas; a gas turbine engine that uses the force of the high temperature gas; an exhaust gas recycle (EGR) stream back to the combustor; a 3-way catalytic reactor downstream of the gas turbine engine outlet which treats the exhaust gas stream to remove substantially all of the NOx components; a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG); an EGR compressor; and an electrical generator.

Vapor deposition systems and methods associated with the same are provided. The systems may be designed to include features that can promote high quality deposition; simplify manufacture, modification and use; as well as, reduce the footprint of the system, amongst other advantages.

A fluid storage and dispensing system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid at a desired pressure. The vessel has a pressure regulator, e.g., a single-stage or multi-stage regulator, associated with a port of the vessel, and set at a predetermined pressure. A dispensing assembly, e.g., including a flow control means such as a valve, is arranged in gas / vapor flow communication with the regulator, whereby the opening of the valve effects dispensing of gas / vapor from the vessel. The fluid in the vessel may be constituted by a liquid that is confined in the vessel at a pressure in excess of its liquefaction pressure at prevailing temperature conditions, e.g., ambient (room) temperature. In another aspect, the vessel contains a solid-phase sorbent material having sorbable gas adsorbed thereon, at a pressure in excess of 50 psig. The vessel may have a >1 inch NGT threaded neck opening, to accommodate the installation of an interior regulator.

A method and apparatus to extract and sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) from a stream or volume of gas wherein said method and apparatus hydrates CO2, and reacts the resulting carbonic acid with carbonate. Suitable carbonates include, but are not limited to, carbonates of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, preferably carbonates of calcium and magnesium. Waste products are metal cations and bicarbonate in solution or dehydrated metal salts, which when disposed of in a large body of water provide an effective way of sequestering CO2 from a gaseous environment.

Zeolite catalysts and systems and methods for preparing and using zeolite catalysts having the CHA crystal structure are disclosed. The catalysts can be used to remove nitrogen oxides from a gaseous medium across a broad temperature range and exhibit hydrothermal stable at high reaction temperatures. The zeolite catalysts include a zeolite carrier having a silica to alumina ratio from about 15:1 to about 256:1 and a copper to alumina ratio from about 0.25:1 to about 1:1.

The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and / or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.

Methods of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) are provided. Aspects of the methods include precipitating a storage stable carbon dioxide sequestering product from an alkaline-earth-metal-containing water and then disposing of the product, e.g., by placing the product in a disposal location or using the product as a component of a manufactured composition. Also provided are systems for practicing methods of the invention.

In a method for generating energy in an energy generating installation (10) having a gas turbine (12), in a first step, an oxygen-containing gas is compressed in a compressor (13, 14) of the gas turbine (12), in a second step the compressed gas is supplied, with the addition of fuel, for combustion in a combustion chamber (15), in a third step the hot flue gas from the combustion chamber (15) is expanded in a turbine (16) of the gas turbine (12) so as to perform work, and, in a fourth step, a branched-off part stream of the expanded flue gas is recirculated into a part of the gas turbine (12) lying upstream of the combustion chamber (15) and is compressed. A reduction in the CO2 emission, along with minimal losses of efficiency, is achieved in that carbon dioxide (CO2) is separated from the circulating gas in a CO2 separator (19), and in that measures are taken to compensate for the efficiency losses in the gas turbine cyclic process which are associated with the CO2 separation.

A process for selectively removing carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream by converting the carbon dioxide to a solid, stable form is provided. In a sequestration process, carbon dioxide enriched air is passed through a gas diffusion membrane to transfer the carbon dioxide to a fluid medium. The carbon dioxide rich fluid is then passed through a matrix containing a catalyst specific for carbon dioxide, which accelerates the conversion of the carbon dioxide to carbonic acid. In the final step, a mineral ion is added to the reaction so that a precipitate of carbonate salt is formed. This solid mineral precipitate can be safely stored for extended periods of time, such as by burying the precipitate in the ground or depositing the precipitate into storage sites either on land or into a body of water. An apparatus for removing carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream is also provided.

The present invention is directed to methods for removing carbon dioxide from air, which comprises exposing solvent covered surfaces to air streams where the airflow is kept laminar, or close to the laminar regime. The invention also provides for an apparatus, which is a laminar scrubber, comprising solvent covered surfaces situated such that they can be exposed to air stream. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) bound in a solvent. The invention is particularly useful in processing hydroxide solvents containing CO2 captured from air.

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to photobioreactor apparatus (100) designed to contain a liquid medium (108) comprising at least one species of photosynthetic organism therein, and to methods of using the photobioreactor apparatus (100) as part of a gas-treatment process and system able to at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream (608). In certain embodiments, the disclosed photobioreactor apparatus (100 can be utilized as part of an integrated combustion method and system, wherein photosynthetic organisms utilized within the photobioreactor (100) at least partially remove certain pollutant compounds contained within combustion gases, e.g. CO2 and / or NOX, and are subsequently harvested from the photobioreactor (100), processed, and utilized as a fuel source for a combustion device (e.g. an electric power plant generator and / or incinerator).

A low or no pollution engine is provided for delivering power for vehicles or other power applications. The engine has an air inlet which collects air from a surrounding environment. At least a portion of the nitrogen in the air is removed. The remaining gas is primarily oxygen, which is then routed to a gas generator. The gas generator has inputs for the oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel. The fuel and oxygen are combusted within the gas generator, forming water and carbon dioxide. The combustion products are then expanded through a power generating device, such as a turbine or piston expander to deliver output power for operation of a vehicle or other power uses. The combustion products are then passed through a condenser where the steam is condensed and the carbon dioxide is collected or discharged. A portion of the water is routed back to the gas generator. The carbon dioxide is compressed and delivered to a terrestrial formation from which return of the CO2 into the atmosphere is inhibited.

A system for effective NOx and particulate matter control in a diesel or other lean burn internal combustion engine is presented. The system includes a urea-based SCR catalyst having an oxidation catalyst coupled upstream of it and a particulate filter coupled downstream of the SCR catalyst. This system configuration results in improved NOx conversion due to fast SCR catalyst warm-up and higher operating temperatures. Additionally, placing the particulate filter last in this system configuration reduces tailpipe ammonia emissions as well as prevents any thermal damage to the SCR catalyst due to the particulate filter regeneration.

The present invention relates to droplet-based washing. According to one embodiment, a method of providing a droplet in contact with a surface with a reduced concentration of a substance is provided, wherein the method includes: (a) providing a surface in contact with a droplet comprising a starting concentration and starting quantity of the substance and having a starting volume; (b) conducting one or more droplet operations to merge a wash droplet with the droplet provided in step (a) to yield a combined droplet; and (c) conducting one or more droplet operations to divide the combined droplet to yield a set of droplets comprising: (i) a droplet in contact with the surface having a decreased concentration of the substance relative to the starting concentration; and (ii) a droplet which is separated from the surface.

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to photobioreactor apparatus designed to contain a liquid medium comprising at least one species of photosynthetic organism therein, and to methods of using the photobioreactor apparatus as part of a hydrogen production process and system configured to generate hydrogen with and / or from biomass produced in the photobioreactor apparatus. In certain embodiments, the disclosed hydrogen production systems and methods, photobioreactor apparatus, methods of using such apparatus, and / or gas treatment systems and methods provided herein can be utilized as part of an integrated combustion and hydrogen production method and system, wherein photosynthetic organisms utilized within the photobioreactor are used to at least partially remove certain pollutant compounds contained within combustion gases, e.g. CO2 and / or NOx, and are subsequently harvested from the photobioreactor, processed, and utilized as a fuel source for generating hydrogen and / or as a fuel source for a combustion device (e.g. an electric power plant generator and / or incinerator).

A fluid storage and dispensing system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid at a desired pressure. The vessel has a pressure regulator associated with a port of the vessel, and set at a predetermined pressure. A dispensing assembly, e.g, including a flow control means such as a valve, is arranged in gas / vapor flow communication with the regulator, whereby the opening of the valve effects dispensing of gas / vapor from the vessel. The fluid in the vessel may be constituted by a liquid which is confined in the vessel at a pressure in excess of its liquefaction pressure at prevailing temperature conditions, e.g., ambient (room) temperature. A phase separator such as a gas / vapor-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane, may be associated with the regulator, as a barrier to flow of liquid into the regulator, when the contained fluid in the vessel is in a liquid state.

An apparatus for forming liquid hydrocarbons from solid coal. The coal is pulverized to provide a particulate coal feed, which is then extruded to provide a hollow tube of compressed coal supported inside of a support tube. A clay feed is extruded to provide a hollow tube of compressed clay supported inside of the coal tube and a combustible fuel is burned inside of the clay tube. The temperature of combustion is sufficient to fire the extruded clay and pyrolyze the extruded coal to produce hydrocarbon gases and coal char. The support tube has holes for releasing the hydrocarbon gases, which contain suspended particles formed during combustion. The suspended particles are removed from the hydrocarbon gases to provide clean gases, which are passed through an ionizing chamber to ionize at least a portion thereof. The ionized gases are then passed through a magnetic field to separate them from each other according to their molecular weight. Selected portions of at least some of the separated gases are mixed, and the mixed gases are cooled to provide at least one liquid hydrocarbon product of predetermined composition. Portions of the separated gases may also be mixed with the coal char and other input streams, such as waste plastics, and further treated to provide other hydrocarbon products.

A method of generating energy in a power plant (30) having a gas turbine (29), includes a first step a gas containing air (1) is compressed in a first compressor (2) of the gas turbine (29), a second step the compressed gas (3, 3a, 3b; 5; 7a, 7b) is fed to a combustion process with the addition of fuel (8) in a combustor (23), a third step the hot flue gas (9) from the combustor (23) is expanded in an expander or a turbine (10), driving a generator (18), of the gas turbine (29) while performing work, and a fourth step a partial flow of the expanded flue gas (11) is recirculated to the inlet of the first compressor (2) and admixed with the gas containing air (1). Carbon dioxide (CO2) is separated from the compressed gas (3, 3a, 3b; 5; 7a, 7b) in a CO2 separator (6) before the third step. In such a method, the overall size and energy costs are reduced by virtue of the fact that, to permit increased CO2 concentrations in the CO2 separator (6), not more than about 70% of the carbon dioxide contained in the compressed gas (3, 3a, 3b; 5, 5a, 5b; 7a, 7b) is removed from the compressed gas (3, 3a, 3b; 5, 5a, 5b; 7a, 7b).

Devices and methods are described for converting a carbon source and a hydrogen source into hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, for alternative energy sources. The influents may comprise carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas or water, obtainable from the atmosphere for through methods described herein, such as plasma generation or electrolysis. One method to produce hydrocarbons comprises the use of an electrolytic device, comprising an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. Another method comprises the use of ultrasonic energy to drive the reaction. The devices and methods and related devices and methods are useful, for example, to provide a fossil fuel alternative energy source, store renewable energy, sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, counteract global warming, and store carbon dioxide in a liquid fuel.

A carbon dioxide separation system includes a compressor for receiving an exhaust gas comprising CO2 and generate a compressed exhaust gas and a separator configured to receive the compressed exhaust gas and generate a CO2 lean stream. The separator includes a first flow path for receiving the compressed exhaust gas, a second flow path for directing a sweep fluid therethrough, and a material with selective permeability of carbon dioxide for separating the first and the second flow paths and for promoting carbon dioxide transport therebetween. The system further includes an expander coupled to the compressor for receiving and expanding the CO2 lean stream to generate power and an expanded CO2 lean stream.

A device and method is provided for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly an elastic portion and a plug member. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the elastic portion of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates into the fluid sample and stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The elastic portion of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the elastic portion sealingly engages the container and separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.