Innovatek Corporation

Battelle Memorial Institute

Mesosystems Technology, Inc.

Patricia Marie Irving

Charles John Call

Robert S Wegeng

Joseph G Birmingham

Qimin Ming

Bruce D Lerner

Todd Healey

W Lloyd Allen

Yin-Fong Su

Trevor M Moeller

Nathan D Hindman

The subject invention is a catalyst consisting of an oxide or mixed oxide support and bimetallic catalytically active compounds. The supporting oxide can be a single oxide, such as AlO; it also can be a mixture of oxides, such as YOstabilized ZrO(YSZ), AlOwith CeO, AlOwith YSZ and others. The bimetallic compounds, acting as active components, are selected from platinum, and ruthenium, prepared in an appropriate ratio. The catalyst is used in the steam reforming of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen for applications such as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

Hydrocarbon fuel reforming catalyst and use thereof

The particle separation and collection assembly uses cyclonic forces to separate and remove large particles from an airstream and concentrate small particles for sensor/detector technology. This assembly utilizes multiple mini cyclones operating in parallel to reduce the size and velocity of air through the cyclone inlets while maintaining the same fluid or flow rate as compared to one large cyclone. The multiple cyclone system can be arranged in a radial geometry or in a bipolar or uni-polar longitudinal design. The particle separator and collection assembly uses a blower or vacuum pump to draw outside gas into the cyclone particle separator assembly through radial inlets. Vacuum transfer channels, extending the entire length of the assembly, pull gas into the top of the cyclone chambers and out through the bottom apex of cyclone chamber and through the top vortex finder. Gas entering the cyclone particle separation chambers from the inlet swirls downwardly through cyclone chambers due to the tangentially aligned inlet. The gas travels in a helical pattern downwardly toward the bottom of cyclone chambers. Some of the air carrying particles smaller than the cut reverses direction and leaves the cyclone through the top vortex finder. The rest of the air exits the cyclone at the bottom. The geometry of the cyclone determines particle &ldquo;cut&rdquo; size. Due to centrifugal forces, the particles larger than the &ldquo;cut&rdquo; size flow outwardly away from the center axis of the chambers and toward the walls of the respective chambers. Liquid is pumped into chamber from a liquid reservoir through the central liquid passage tube. This liquid wets the particles in chamber and washes down the chamber walls flushing the particles into the reservoir. The liquid is continuously recirculated through the conical chambers by the peristaltic pump thereby concentrating the particles within the liquid over time. The liquid then can be pumped to an optionally integrated monitoring system comprised of detectors and/or sensors. The monitoring system then can send out a warning if toxic microorganisms are present.

Mini-cyclone biocollector and concentrator

A micro-machined virtual impactor device to permit the separation, collection and concentration of a significant portion of environmental particulates having a diameter of less than ten microns and its method of operation. The device includes a plurality of projections, each having a virtual impact surface that defines an aperture in a stagnant zone of fluid flow. A major portion of the particulate material is concentrated into a minor portion of the fluid which is processed through the aperture, where it is collected for subsequent analysis.

Micro-machined virtual impactor and method of operation

Growing community of inventors

Kennewick, WA, United States of America

Patricia Marie Irving