Other

U.S. Department of Energy

Separation Design Group LLC

Separation Design Group IP Holdings, LLC

Waynesburg University

Robert B Lacount

Stephen Douglas Galbraith

David K Walker

Kenneth J McGowan

John P Baltrus

Evonne A Baldauff

Elise Galbraith

Douglas G Kern

Lightweight, portable oxygen concentrators that operate using an ultra rapid, sub one second, adsorption cycle based on advanced molecular sieve materials are disclosed. The amount of sieve material utilized is a fraction of that used in conventional portable devices. This dramatically reduces the volume, weight, and cost of the device. Innovations in valve configuration, moisture control, case and battery design, and replaceable sieve module are described. Patients with breathing disorders and others requiring medical oxygen are provided with a long lasting, low cost alternative to existing portable oxygen supply devices.

Ultra rapid cycle portable oxygen concentrator

A thermal method to passivate the carbon and/or other components in fly ash significantly decreases adsorption. The passivated carbon remains in the fly ash. Heating the fly ash to about 500 and 800 degrees C. under inert gas conditions sharply decreases the amount of surfactant adsorbed by the fly ash recovered after thermal treatment despite the fact that the carbon content remains in the fly ash. Using oxygen and inert gas mixtures, the present invention shows that a thermal treatment to about 500 degrees C. also sharply decreases the surfactant adsorption of the recovered fly ash even though most of the carbon remains intact. Also, thermal treatment to about 800 degrees C. under these same oxidative conditions shows a sharp decrease in surfactant adsorption of the recovered fly ash due to the fact that the carbon has been removed. This experiment simulates the various 'carbon burnout' methods and is not a claim in this method. The present invention provides a thermal method of deactivating high carbon fly ash toward adsorption of AEAs while retaining the fly ash carbon. The fly ash can be used, for example, as a partial Portland cement replacement in air-entrained concrete, in conductive and other concretes, and for other applications.

Fly ash carbon passivation

The present invention is a one-step thermal method for analyzing the acid-base content of earth samples, specifically mine overburden samples. By using a low oxygen concentration, preferably about 3%, the transition metal carbonates in the sample decomposed to produce carbon dioxide at a lower temperature than the alkaline earth metal carbonates. In contrast, alkaline earth metal carbonates decompose at approximately the same (higher) temperature regardless of the oxygen concentration. Any oxidizable sulfur forms present in the sample are also oxidized by using this oxygen concentration so that only one experiment is required to obtain the carbonate and sulfur contents of the sample.

Thermal acid base accounting in mine overburden

Gases flow to individual gas analysis cells. The cells are sequentially aligned with an infrared detector, which senses the composition and quantities of the gas components. Each elongated cell is tapered inward toward the center from cell windows at the ends. Volume is reduced from a conventional cell, while permitting maximum interaction of gas with the light beam. Reduced volume and angulation of the cell inlets provide rapid purgings of the cell, providing shorter cycles between detections. For coal and other high molecular weight samples, from 50% to 100% oxygen is introduced to the tubes. Cells are suspended from adjustable holders on a frame which is spaced from a table. The table is moved by a linear motor and a fixed platen. Sides of the table are shielded to prevent electromagnetic and magnetic motor interference with detected results. The entire table, cells, mounting plate and linear motor are mounted in a housing with aligned holes for the analysis energy source and detector. The gas cells are calibrated for carbon dioxide and water vapor with a mass flow controlled oxidized fuel gas from a single analyzed source of such gas, oxygen and inert gas. Other calibration gases may be included, generated or added in the calibration gas stream.

Fluid cell substance analysis and calibration methods

A furnace with two hot zones holds multiple analysis tubes. Oxidized gases flow from outlets of the tubes to individual gas cells. The cells are sequentially aligned with an infrared detector, which senses the composition and quantities of the gas components. Each elongated cell is tapered inward toward the center from cell windows at the ends. Volume is reduced from a conventional cell, while permitting maximum interaction of gas with the light beam. Reduced volume and angulation of the cell inlets provide rapid purgings of the cell, providing shorter cycles between detections. For coal and other high molecular weight samples, from 50% to 100% oxygen is introduced to the tubes. Cells are suspended from adjustable holders on a frame which is spaced from a table. The table is moved by a linear motor and a fixed platen. Sides of the table are shielded to prevent electromagnetic and magnetic motor interference with detected results. The gas cells are calibrated for carbon dioxide and water vapor with a mass flow controlled oxidized fuel gas from a single analyzed source of such gas, oxygen and inert gas. Other calibration gases may be included, generated or added in the calibration gas stream.

A furnace with two hot zones holds multiple analysis tubes. Each tube has a separable sample-packing section positioned in the first hot zone and a catalyst-packing section positioned in the second hot zone. A mass flow controller is connected to an inlet of each sample tube, and gas is supplied to the mass flow controller. Oxygen is supplied through a mass flow controller to each tube to either or both of an inlet of the first tube and an intermediate portion between the tube sections to intermingle with and oxidize the entrained gases evolved from the sample. Oxidation of those gases is completed in the catalyst in each second tube section. A thermocouple within a sample reduces furnace temperature when an exothermic condition is sensed within the sample. Oxidized gases flow from outlets of the tubes to individual gas cells. The cells are sequentially aligned with an infrared detector, which senses the composition and quantities of the gas components. Each elongated cell is tapered inward toward the center from cell windows at the ends. Volume is reduced from a conventional cell, while permitting maximum interaction of gas with the light beam. Reduced volume and angulation of the cell inlets provide rapid purgings of the cell, providing shorter cycles between detections. For coal and other high molecular weight samples, from 50% to 100% oxygen is introduced to the tubes.

Growing community of inventors

Waynesburg, PA, United States of America

Robert B Lacount