Abstract:
The present invention provides compositions, systems and methods for using coal from coal processing sources to remove coal fines from a mixture and form a coal-on-coal composite particle.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for recovering a target material from an aqueous stream. The target material can be a natively hydrophobic target material, such as a hydrocarbon material, such as coal. The target material can also have a surface modification that renders it hydrophobic. Systems for recovering the target material can comprise an extractant formulation comprising a light hydrocarbon solvent and a high molecular weight hydrophobic polymer, wherein the extractant formulation is mixable with the aqueous stream in a mixer to form an admixed solution having a hydrophobic portion and an aqueous portion, with the target material partitioning to the hydrophobic portion; a separator for isolating the hydrophobic portion from the aqueous portion; and a collector to which the hydrophobic portion is directed, wherein the target material is recovered from the hydrophobic portion.
Abstract:
Herein are disclosed methods, and compositions produced using them, to assemble highly conducting, hydrolytically stable polymer electrolyte films from commercially-available, water-soluble polymers using layer-by-layer assembly technology. In certain embodiments, these films can be used for electrochemical device applications which require an ion-conducting material to operate. For example, the power efficiency of any electrochemical device with a solid polymer electrolyte layer can be increased by this technology by virtue of the low ionic resistance of these layer-by-layer assembled thin film electrolytes. Specifically, direct-methanol operated fuel cells (DMFCs) should benefit remarkably, as the described technology offers very high conductivity values at fully hydrated conditions with low fuel (methanol) crossover.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are presented for removing an ionic material from a fluid using a capture polymer that sequesters the ionic material and an anchor particle bearing a tethering polymer. The tethering polymer complexes with the capture polymer after the capture polymer has sequestered the ionic material, thereby affixing a complex of capture polymer and ionic material to the anchor particle to form a removable complex. The removable material can be segregated from the fluid via a removal system, thereby removing the ionic material from the fluid.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for recovering a target material from an aqueous stream. The target material can be a natively hydrophobic target material, such as a hydrocarbon material, such as coal. The target material can also have a surface modification that renders it hydrophobic. Systems for recovering the target material can comprise an extractant formulation comprising a light hydrocarbon solvent and a high molecular weight hydrophobic polymer, wherein the extractant formulation is mixable with the aqueous stream in a mixer to form an admixed solution having a hydrophobic portion and an aqueous portion, with the target material partitioning to the hydrophobic portion; a separator for isolating the hydrophobic portion from the aqueous portion; and a collector to which the hydrophobic portion is directed, wherein the target material is recovered from the hydrophobic portion.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods of removing particulate matter from potash tailings fluid. The invention includes providing an activating material capable of being affixed to the particulate matter, affixing the activating material to the particulate matter to form an activated particle, providing an anchor particle and providing a tethering material capable of being affixed to the anchor particle; and attaching the tethering material to the anchor particle and the activated particle to form a removable complex in the potash tailings fluid. The invention also includes providing an activating material capable of being affixed to the particulate matter in the potash tailings fluid; affixing the activating material to the particulate matter to form an activated particle; providing an anchor particle and enveloping it with an enveloping agent to form an enveloped anchor particle capable of attaching to the activated particle; and combining the enveloped anchor particle with the activated particle to form a removable complex.
Abstract:
The present invention provides compositions, systems and methods for using coal from coal processing sources to remove coal fines from a mixture and form a coal-on-coal composite particle.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are presented for removing an ionic material from a fluid using a capture polymer that sequesters the ionic material and an anchor particle bearing a tethering polymer. The tethering polymer complexes with the capture polymer after the capture polymer has sequestered the ionic material, thereby affixing a complex of capture polymer and ionic material to the anchor particle to form a removable complex. The removable material can be segregated from the fluid via a removal system, thereby removing the ionic material from the fluid.
Abstract:
Herein are disclosed methods, and compositions produced using them, to assemble highly conducting, hydrolytically stable polymer electrolyte films from commercially-available, water-soluble polymers using layer-by-layer assembly technology. In certain embodiments, these films can be used for electrochemical device applications which require an ion-conducting material to operate. For example, the power efficiency of any electrochemical device with a solid polymer electrolyte layer can be increased by this technology by virtue of the low ionic resistance of these layer-by-layer assembled thin film electrolytes. Specifically, direct-methanol operated fuel cells (DMFCs) should benefit remarkably, as the described technology offers very high conductivity values at fully hydrated conditions with low fuel (methanol) crossover.