Method for high temperature mercury capture from gas streams (open access)

Method for high temperature mercury capture from gas streams

A process to facilitate mercury extraction from high temperature flue/fuel gas via the use of metal sorbents which capture mercury at ambient and high temperatures. The spent sorbents can be regenerated after exposure to mercury. The metal sorbents can be used as pure metals (or combinations of metals) or dispersed on an inert support to increase surface area per gram of metal sorbent. Iridium and ruthenium are effective for mercury removal from flue and smelter gases. Palladium and platinum are effective for mercury removal from fuel gas (syngas). An iridium-platinum alloy is suitable for metal capture in many industrial effluent gas streams including highly corrosive gas streams.
Date: April 25, 2006
Creator: Granite, E. J. & Pennline, H. W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fail Save Shut Off Valve for Filtering Systems Employing Candle Filters (open access)

Fail Save Shut Off Valve for Filtering Systems Employing Candle Filters

The invention relates to an apparatus that acts as a fail save shut off valve. More specifically, the invention relates to a fail save shut off valve that allows fluid flow during normal operational conditions, but prevents the flow of fluids in the event of system failure upstream that causes over-pressurization. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in conjunction with hot gas filtering systems, which utilize ceramic candle filters. Used in such a hot gas system the present invention stops the flow of hot gas and prevents any particulate laden gas from entering the clean side of the system.
Date: January 3, 2006
Creator: VanOsdol, John
System: The UNT Digital Library
In-Situ Containment and Extraction of Volatile Soil Contaminants (open access)

In-Situ Containment and Extraction of Volatile Soil Contaminants

The invention relates to a novel approach to containing and removing toxic waste from a subsurface environment. More specifically the present invention relates to a system for containing and removing volatile toxic chemicals from a subsurface environment using differences in surface and subsurface pressures. The present embodiment generally comprises a deep well, a horizontal tube, at least one injection well, at least one extraction well and a means for containing the waste within the waste zone (in-situ barrier). During operation the deep well air at the bottom of well (which is at a high pressure relative to the land surface as well as relative to the air in the contaminated soil) flows upward through the deep well (or deep well tube). This stream of deep well air is directed into the horizontal tube, down through the injection tube(s) (injection well(s)) and into the contaminate plume where it enhances volatization and/or removal of the contaminants.
Date: December 27, 2005
Creator: Varvel, Mark Darrell
System: The UNT Digital Library
Near-Field Magneto-Optical Microscope (open access)

Near-Field Magneto-Optical Microscope

A device and method for mapping magnetic fields of a sample at a resolution less than the wavelength of light without altering the magnetic field of the sample is disclosed. A device having a tapered end portion with a magneto-optically active particle positioned at the distal end thereof in communication with a fiber optic for transferring incoming linearly polarized light from a source thereof to the particle and for transferring reflected light from the particle is provided. The fiber optic has a reflective material trapping light within the fiber optic and in communication with a light detector for determining the polarization of light reflected from the particle as a function of the strength and direction of the magnetic field of the sample. Linearly polarized light from the source thereof transferred to the particle positioned proximate the sample is affected by the magnetic field of the sample sensed by the particle such that the difference in polarization of light entering and leaving the particle is due to the magnetic field of the sample. Relative movement between the particle and sample enables mapping.
Date: December 6, 2005
Creator: Vlasko-Vlasov, Vitalii; Welp, Ulrich & and Crabtree, George W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method for Synthesizing Extremeley High Temperature Melting Materials (open access)

Method for Synthesizing Extremeley High Temperature Melting Materials

The invention relates to a method of synthesizing high-temperature melting materials. More specifically the invention relates to a containerless method of synthesizing very high temperature melting materials such as borides, carbides and transition-metal, lanthanide and actinide oxides, using an Aerodynamic Levitator and a laser. The object of the invention is to provide a method for synthesizing extremely high-temperature melting materials that are otherwise difficult to produce, without the use of containers, allowing the manipulation of the phase (amorphous/crystalline/metastable) and permitting changes of the environment such as different gaseous compositions.
Date: November 22, 2005
Creator: Saboungi, Marie-Louise and Glorieux, Benoit
System: The UNT Digital Library
Systems and Methods for Integrated Emissivity and Temperature Measurement of a Surface (open access)

Systems and Methods for Integrated Emissivity and Temperature Measurement of a Surface

A multi-channel spectrometer and a light source are used to measure both the emitted and the reflected light from a surface which is at an elevated temperature relative to its environment. In a first method, the temperature of the surface and emissivity in each wavelength is calculated from a knowledge of the spectrum and the measurement of the incident and reflected light. In the second method, the reflected light is measured from a reference surface having a known reflectivity and the same geometry as the surface of interest and the emitted and the reflected light are measured for the surface of interest. These measurements permit the computation of the emissivity in each channel of the spectrometer and the temperature of the surface of interest.
Date: November 8, 2005
Creator: Poulsen, Peter
System: The UNT Digital Library
Ultrasound Analysis of Slurries (open access)

Ultrasound Analysis of Slurries

An autoclave reactor allows for the ultrasonic analysis of slurry concentration and particle size distribution at elevated temperatures and pressures while maintaining the temperature- and pressure-sensitive ultrasonic transducers under ambient conditions. The reactor vessel is a hollow stainless steel cylinder containing the slurry which includes a stirrer and a N, gas source for directing gas bubbles through the slurry. Input and output transducers are connected to opposed lateral portions of the hollow cylinder for respectively directing sound waves through the slurry and receiving these sound waves after transmission through the slurry, where changes in sound wave velocity and amplitude can be used to measure slurry parameters. Ultrasonic adapters connect the transducers to the reactor vessel in a sealed manner and isolate the transducers from the hostile conditions within the vessel without ultrasonic signal distortion or losses.
Date: November 1, 2005
Creator: Soong, Yee and Blackwell, Arthur G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Solid Sorbents for Removal of Carbon Dioxide from Gas Streams at Low Temperatures (open access)

Solid Sorbents for Removal of Carbon Dioxide from Gas Streams at Low Temperatures

New low-cost CO2 sorbents are provided that can be used in large-scale gas-solid processes. A new method is provided for making these sorbents that involves treating substrates with an amine and/or an ether so that the amine and/or ether comprise at least 50 wt. percent of the sorbent. The sorbent acts by capturing compounds contained in gaseous fluids via chemisorption and/or physisorption between the unit layers of the substrate's lattice where the polar amine liquids and solids and/or polar ether liquids and solids are located. The method eliminates the need for high surface area supports and polymeric materials for the preparation of CO2 capture systems, and provides sorbents with absorption capabilities that are independent of the sorbents' surface areas. The sorbents can be regenerated by heating at temperatures in excess of 35 degrees C.
Date: June 21, 2005
Creator: Sirwardane, Ranjani V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Compression Stripping of Flue Gas with Energy Recovery (open access)

Compression Stripping of Flue Gas with Energy Recovery

A method of remediating and recovering energy from combustion products from a fossil fuel power plant having at least one fossil fuel combustion chamber, at least one compressor, at least one turbine, at least one heat exchanger and a source of oxygen. Combustion products including non-condensable gases such as oxygen and nitrogen and condensable vapors such as water vapor and acid gases such as SO<sub>X</sub> and NO<sub>X</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> and pollutants are produced and energy is recovered during the remediation which recycles combustion products and adds oxygen to support combustion. The temperature and/or pressure of the combustion products are changed by cooling through heat exchange with thermodynamic working fluids in the power generation cycle and/or compressing and/or heating and/or expanding the combustion products to a temperature/pressure combination below the dew point of at least some of the condensable vapors to condense liquid having some acid gases dissolved and/or entrained and/or directly condense acid gas vapors from the combustion products and to entrain and/or dissolve some of the pollutants while recovering sensible and/or latent heat from the combustion products through heat exchange between the combustion products and thermodynamic working fluids and/or cooling fluids used in the power generating cycle. Then the …
Date: May 31, 2005
Creator: Ochs, Thomas L. & O'Connor, William K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nuclear Storage Overpack Door Actuator and Alignment Apparatus (open access)

Nuclear Storage Overpack Door Actuator and Alignment Apparatus

The invention is a door actuator and alignment apparatus for opening and closing the 15,000-pound horizontally sliding door of a storage overpack. The door actuator includes a ball screw mounted horizontally on a rigid frame including a pair of door panel support rails. An electrically powered ball nut moves along the ball screw. The ball nut rotating device is attached to a carriage. The carriage attachment to the sliding door is horizontally pivoting. Additional alignment features include precision cam followers attached to the rails and rail guides attached to the carriage.
Date: May 11, 2005
Creator: Andreyko, Gregory M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method for Extracting and Sequestering Carbon Dioxide (open access)

Method for Extracting and Sequestering Carbon Dioxide

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.
Date: May 10, 2005
Creator: Rau, Gregory H. & Caldeira, Kenneth G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Real-Time Combustion Controls and Diagnostics Sensors (CCADS) (open access)

Real-Time Combustion Controls and Diagnostics Sensors (CCADS)

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the monitoring of the combustion process within a combustion system. The apparatus comprises; a combustion system, a means for supplying fuel and an oxidizer, a device for igniting the fuel and oxidizer in order to initiate combustion, and a sensor for determining the current conducted by the combustion process. The combustion system comprises a fuel nozzle and an outer shell attached to the combustion nozzle. The outer shell defines a combustion chamber. Preferably the nozzle is a lean premix fuel nozzle (LPN). Fuel and an oxidizer are provided to the fuel nozzle at separate rates. The fuel and oxidizer are ignited. A sensor positioned within the combustion system comprising at least two electrodes in spaced-apart relationship from one another. At least a portion of the combustion process or flame is between the first and second electrodes. A voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes and the magnitude of resulting current between the first and second electrodes is determined.
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Thornton, J. D.; Richard, G. A.; Dodrill, K. A.; Nutter, Jr. R. S. & Straub, D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Variable-Period Undulators for Synchrotron Radiation (open access)

Variable-Period Undulators for Synchrotron Radiation

A new and improved undulator design is provided that enables a variable period length for the production of synchrotron radiation from both medium-energy and high energy storage rings. The variable period length is achieved using a staggered array of pole pieces made up of high permeability material, permanent magnet material, or an electromagnetic structure. The pole pieces are separated by a variable width space. The sum of the variable width space and the pole width would therefore define the period of the undulator. Features and advantages of the invention include broad photon energy tunability, constant power operation and constant brilliance operation.
Date: February 22, 2005
Creator: Shenoy, Gopal; Lewellen, John; Shu, Deming & Vinokurov, Nikolai
System: The UNT Digital Library
Heterodyne Interferometer with Angstrom-level Periodic Nonlinearity (open access)

Heterodyne Interferometer with Angstrom-level Periodic Nonlinearity

Displacement measuring interferometer systems and methods are disclosed. One or more acousto-optic modulators for receiving a laser light beam from a laser light source can be utilized to split the laser light beam into two or more laser light beams, while spatially separating frequencies thereof. One or more reflective mechanisms can be utilized to reflect one or more of the laser light beams back to the acoustooptic modulator. Interference of two or more of the laser light beams generally at the acousto-optic modulator can provide an interfered laser light beam thereof. A detector for receiving the interfered laser light beam can be utilized to provide interferometer measurement data.
Date: January 25, 2005
Creator: Schmitz, Tony L. & Beckwith, John F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bead and Process for Removing Dissolved Metal Contaminants (open access)

Bead and Process for Removing Dissolved Metal Contaminants

A bead is provided which comprises or consists essentially of activated carbon immobilized by crosslinked poly (carboxylic acid) binder, sodium silicate binder, or polyamine binder. The bead is effective to remove metal and other ionic contaminants from dilute aqueous solutions. A method of making metal-ion sorbing beads is provided, comprising combining activated carbon, and binder solution (preferably in a pin mixer where it is whipped), forming wet beads, and heating and drying the beads. The binder solution is preferably poly(acrylic acid) and glycerol dissolved in water and the wet beads formed from such binder solution are preferably heated and crosslinked in a convection oven.
Date: January 18, 2005
Creator: Summers, Bobby L., Jr.; Bennett, Karen L. & Foster, Scott A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method and Appartus for Calibrating a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (open access)

Method and Appartus for Calibrating a Linear Variable Differential Transformer

A calibration apparatus for calibrating a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) having an armature positioned in au LVDT armature orifice, and the armature able to move along an axis of movement. The calibration apparatus includes a heating mechanism with an internal chamber, a temperature measuring mechanism for measuring the temperature of the LVDT, a fixture mechanism with an internal chamber for at least partially accepting the LVDT and for securing the LVDT within the heating mechanism internal chamber, a moving mechanism for moving the armature, a position measurement mechanism for measuring the position of the armature, and an output voltage measurement mechanism. A method for calibrating an LVDT, including the steps of powering the LVDT; heating the LVDT to a desired temperature; measuring the position of the armature with respect to the armature orifice; and measuring the output voltage of the LVDT.
Date: January 18, 2005
Creator: Pokrywka, Robert J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Rotating Aperture System (open access)

Rotating Aperture System

A rotating aperture system includes a low-pressure vacuum pumping stage with apertures for passage of a deuterium beam. A stator assembly includes holes for passage of the beam. The rotor assembly includes a shaft connected to a deuterium gas cell or a crossflow venturi that has a single aperture on each side that together align with holes every rotation. The rotating apertures are synchronized with the firing of the deuterium beam such that the beam fires through a clear aperture and passes into the Xe gas beam stop. Portions of the rotor are lapped into the stator to improve the sealing surfaces, to prevent rapid escape of the deuterium gas from the gas cell.
Date: January 18, 2005
Creator: Rusnak, Brian; Hall, James M.; Shen, Stewart & Wood, Richard L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Plasma Synthesis of Lithium Based Intercalation Powders for Solid Polymer Electrolyte Batteries (open access)

Plasma Synthesis of Lithium Based Intercalation Powders for Solid Polymer Electrolyte Batteries

The invention relates to a process for preparing lithium intercalation compounds by plasma reaction comprising the steps of: forming a feed solution by mixing lithium nitrate or lithium hydroxide or lithium oxide and the required metal nitrate or metal hydroxide or metal oxide and between 10-50% alcohol by weight; mixing the feed solution with O2 gas wherein the O2 gas atomizes the feed solution into fine reactant droplets, inserting the atomized feed solution into a plasma reactor to form an intercalation powder; and if desired, heating the resulting powder to form a very pure single phase product.
Date: January 4, 2005
Creator: Kong, Peter C.; Pink, Robert J. & Nelson, Lee O.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Low-Temperature Synthesis of Actinide Tetraborides by Solid-State Metathesis Reactions (open access)

Low-Temperature Synthesis of Actinide Tetraborides by Solid-State Metathesis Reactions

The synthesis of actinide tetraborides including uranium tetraboride (UB,), plutonium tetraboride (PUB,) and thorium tetraboride (ThB{sub 4}) by a solid-state metathesis reaction are demonstrated. The present method significantly lowers the temperature required to {approx_equal}850 C. As an example, when UCl{sub 4}, is reacted with an excess of MgB{sub 2}, at 850 C, crystalline UB, is formed. Powder X-ray diffraction and ICP-AES data support the reduction of UCl{sub 3}, as the initial step in the reaction. The UB, product is purified by washing water and drying.
Date: December 14, 2004
Creator: Lupinetti, Anthony J.; Garcia, Eduardo & Abney, Kent D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method and Apparatus for Atomizing Fluids with a Multi-Fluid Nozzle (open access)

Method and Apparatus for Atomizing Fluids with a Multi-Fluid Nozzle

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for atomizing liquids. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for atomizing heavy hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel, as part of a fuel reforming process. During normal operating conditions the fuel is atomized by a high pressure fluid. Under start-up conditions when only a low pressure gas is available the fuel films across part of the nozzle and is subsequently atomized by a radially directed low pressure dispersion gas.
Date: December 7, 2004
Creator: Novick, Vincent J. & Ahluwalia, Rajesh K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Closure Mechanism and Method for Spent Nuclear Fuel Canisters (open access)

Closure Mechanism and Method for Spent Nuclear Fuel Canisters

A canister is provided for storing, transporting, and/or disposing of spent nuclear fuel. The canister includes a canister shell, a top shield plug disposed within the canister, and a leak-tight closure arrangement. The closure arrangement includes a shear ring which forms a containment boundary of the canister, and which is welded to the canister shell and top shield plug. An outer seal plate, forming an outer seal, is disposed above the shear ring and is welded to the shield plug and the canister.
Date: November 23, 2004
Creator: Doman, Marvin J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method of Evaluating, Expanding, and Collapsing Connectivity Regions Within Dynamic Systems (open access)

Method of Evaluating, Expanding, and Collapsing Connectivity Regions Within Dynamic Systems

An automated process defines and maintains connectivity regions within a dynamic network. The automated process requires an initial input of a network component around which a connectivity region will be defined. The process automatically and autonomously generates a region around the initial input, stores the region's definition, and monitors the network for a change. Upon detecting a change in the network, the effect is evaluated, and if necessary the regions are adjusted and redefined to accommodate the change. Only those regions of the network affected by the change will be updated. This process eliminates the need for an operator to manually evaluate connectivity regions within a network. Since the automated process maintains the network, the reliance on an operator is minimized; thus, reducing the potential for operator error. This combination of region maintenance and reduced operator reliance, results in a reduction of overall error.
Date: November 16, 2004
Creator: Bailey, David A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Use of Phosphates to Reduce Slag Penetration in CR203-Based Refractories (open access)

Use of Phosphates to Reduce Slag Penetration in CR203-Based Refractories

A high-chromium refractory material that provides improved resistance to coal slag penetration is presented. The refractory mixture comprises a blend of chromium oxide, aluminum oxide and phosphates. The refractory mixture may be blended with an aggregate and cured. In addition a phosphorus oxide may be blended with chromium oxide and aluminum oxide and additionally an aggregate. The refractory mixture reduces the rate of coal slag penetration into the surface of the cured refractory.
Date: November 9, 2004
Creator: Kwong, Kyei-Sing; Dogan, Cynthia P.; Bennett, James P.; Chinn, Richard E. & Petty, Arthur V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Self-Anchoring Mast for Deploying a High-Speed Submersible Mixer in a Tank (open access)

Self-Anchoring Mast for Deploying a High-Speed Submersible Mixer in a Tank

A self-anchoring mast for deploying a high-speed submersible mixer in a tank includes operably connected first and second mast members (20, 22) and a foot member 46 operably connected to the second mast member for supporting the mast in a tank. The second mast member includes a track (36, 38) for slidably receiving a bearing of the mixer to change the orientation of the mixer in the tank.
Date: October 12, 2004
Creator: Cato, Joseph E. Jr.; Shearer, Paul M. & Rodwell, Philip 0.
System: The UNT Digital Library