Abstract:
In an air conditioning system which includes a catalytic air purifier, a control system is provided for sensing the level of predetermined conditions in a space and for responsively modulating the air purification process in a manner which optimizes the process in terms of its effectiveness and its economical use. The conditions that are sensed include the levels of VOC's, CO2, and biological contaminants, as well as degree of occupancy, relative humidity and air flow. The air purification process is modulated by varying the power to a UV lamp, turning one or more UV lamps on or off, varying the effectiveness of the catalyst, varying the volume or speed of the air flowstream and/or varying the relative humidity in the space.
Abstract:
An apparatus for loading fibers in a fiber suspension with calcium carbonate has a housing with an inlet and an accept outlet. A rotatable distribution member is positioned within the housing. A rotor and stator assembly is positioned within the housing radially outside of the distribution member. A toothed ring is interposed between the distribution rotor and the rotor and stator assembly. The toothed ring and the rotor and stator assembly define a gas ring therebetween. A reactant gas supply is fluidly coupled with the gas ring.
Abstract:
The invention pertains to a continuous process for the conversion of inorganic solid starting particles which either are amorphous or possess a degree of order into inorganic solid product particles which (a) when the starting particles are amorphous, possess a degree of order, or (b) when the starting particles possess a degree of order, possess a different order, a different degree of order, or no order, which product particles are suitable for use in or as a catalyst, in or as a carrier, or in or as an adsorbent, in which process the starting particles are dispersed in a liquid thus forming a suspension. The suspension flows through at least two separate conversion vessels (3) which are connected in series and the suspension is agitated in each of these vessels (3). The invention furthermore relates to an apparatus suitable for carrying out the process according to the invention. This invention allows the processing of suspension with a high Solids to Liquid Ratio.
Abstract:
This invention relates to apparatus suited for gas-liquid reactions such as those employed in the hydrogenation or oxidation of organic compounds. The apparatus comprises the following: a tank having at least one inlet for introduction of liquid, at least one outlet for removal of liquid, and at least one outlet for removal of gas; a pump having an inlet and an outlet; a liquid motive gas ejector having at least one inlet for receiving liquid, at least one inlet for receiving a reactant gas and, at least one outlet for discharging a resulting mixture of said liquid and said reactant gas to a monolith catalytic reactor. Circulation of liquid is effected from the tank to the ejector, to the monolith catalytic reactor and then back to the tank. Gas is drawn from the tank to the ejector and mixed with the liquid prior to entry to the catalytic reactor.
Abstract:
A method for lowering the cloud/pour point of a waxy crude oil in locations where size and/or weight of the facility may need to be limited (i.e. arctic zones and offshore). The major components of the system comprise a fractionation/quench tower and a reaction furnace. The furnace has sufficient heat input to initiate thermal cracking of wax and the fractionation tower is operated at a temperature sufficient to flash off light hydrocarbons but also low enough to quench thermal cracking reaction. The feed to the furnace comprises a portion of the bottoms stream from the tower and the furnace output is fed back into the tower bottom to be quenched.
Abstract:
A fuel cell system having a water source wherein the water is fed in a controlled manner to a gas stream for cooling the gas stream to a desired temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the water is atomized prior to contacting the gas stream. In a further embodiment, a packing of high surface area material is fed with the cooling water as the gas stream passes through the packing material. By utilizing water already present in the fuel cell power plant, a highly efficient method and system for controlling the temperature of gas streams and O/C ratio in the fuel cell power plant is obtained.
Abstract:
A hybrid BHW-CIRCE process heavy water production system in which most or all of the CECE upper stages of the CIRCE process are replaced with BHW liquid phase catalytic exchange stages. The system allows the CIRCE process to return to a more natural cascade resulting in a more cost effective process.
Abstract:
A computer program module and computer system for issuing controls to an automated DNA isolation apparatus includes a series of sub-program modules for controlling the operation of generic processes of DNA isolation. The sub-modules may be used to construct an automated DNA isolation protocol specific to the user's purpose. In other embodiments, a computer program module and computer system issue controls to an automated nucleic acids isolation apparatus including subprogram modules for controlling nucleic acid isolation functions.
Abstract:
An exhaust-gas cleaning system for an internal-combustion engine has an exhaust-gas cleaning element, a first exhaust-gas sensor located upstream from the exhaust-gas cleaning element, and a control unit with an input connected to a first exhaust-gas sensor. The output of the control unit is connected to an engine management system for controlling the composition of the mixture in the internal-combustion engine as a function of the exhaust-gas composition that is measured by the first exhaust-gas sensor. A second exhaust-gas sensor has an output connected to the control unit. The second exhaust-gas sensor is arranged in the exhaust-gas stream of the internal-combustion engine, and is arranged downstream of the exhaust-gas cleaning element. The second gas sensor enables the control unit to cause a modification of the local balance of the oxygen concentration in the exhaust-gas cleaning element.
Abstract:
A non-thermal plasma reactor and method provides individually retained reactor plates. The method for preparing the non-thermal plasma reactor comprises stacking an alternating sequence of positive and negative reactor plates to form a reactor stack, placing temporary spacers between the positive and negative reactor plates. In a first embodiment, a ceramic insulating layer is disposed on each side of the stack, folds of the ceramic insulating layer extending between plate pairs. The temporary spacers are removed and the stack is compressed. The reactor is wrapped with a retention material, and suitable electrical connections are applied to the plates. The wrapped stack is inserted into a reactor housing, and the necessary electrical and inlet-outlet connections are made. In this embodiment, the reactor plates are secured by the retention material and the folds of the ceramic insulating layer. In a preferred embodiment, the temporary spacers have a thickness selected to provide adequate space for accurate insertion of a permanent pleated insulating separator. Preferably, the permanent pleated insulating separator comprises a pleated mica separator, prepared by folding a mica sheet into a series of pleats. The permanent pleated separator is disposed on each side of the reactor stack, with one pleat inserted between each opposing polarity pair of plates. In a third embodiment, an alternating sequence of positive and negative pairs of reactor plates are stacked to form a reactor stack having exhaust gas passages defined between opposing pairs of plates, using temporary spacers between opposing polarity pairs of said positive and negative reactor plates to support the stacked plates during preparation. A retention material, such as a ceramic fiber retention mat, is disposed about the stack. In this embodiment, permanent support for the stacked plates is supplied from the retention mat, which, upon compressing, extends slightly into the exhaust gas passages at each side of the stack. The non-thermal plasma reactors provide ease of manufacture at reduced cost due to the elimination of costly permanent ceramic spacers and the elimination of edge assembly retention with glass cement. In the preferred embodiment, the plates are secured by the retention material and additional spacing and support function is provided by the permanent pleated mica separators. The reactor eliminates the problem of thermal cracking by allowing each plate to expand or contract freely.