North Carolina State University

Other

William L Roberts

Timothy L Turner

Larry F Stikeleather

H Henry Lamb

Brian Metzger

The present invention is directed to a process for the clean and convenient combustion of high viscosity liquid fuels, such as glycerol, as well as an apparatus useful for carrying such processes. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a process for glycerol combustion comprising providing a combustion apparatus with a glycerol combustion chamber that facilitates reflective heating, pre-heating the glycerol combustion chamber, atomizing the reduced viscosity glycerol, and combining the atomized glycerol with air in the glycerol combustion chamber to thereby completely combust the glycerol. In one embodiment, such as when using a pressure-atomizing nozzle, the inventive method may further comprise treating the glycerol to reduce the glycerol viscosity.

Process for combustion of high viscosity low heating value liquid fuels

The present disclosure is directed to processes for the direct conversion of lipidic biomass fuelstock to combustible fuels. In particular, the disclosure provides a process for the direct conversion of animal fats to transportations fuels suitable as replacement for petroleum-derived transportation fuels. In an example, the method comprises the steps of hydrolyzing a lipidic biomass to form free fatty acids, catalytically deoxygenating the free fatty acids to form n-alkanes, and reforming at least a portion of the n-alkanes into a mixture of compounds in the correct chain length, conformations, and ratio to be useful transportation fuels. Particularly, the product prepared comprises mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds selected from the group consisting of n-alkanes, isoalkanes, aromatics, cycloalkanes, and combinations thereof.

Process for conversion of biomass to fuel

A process for the direct conversion of lipid biomass fuel stock to combustible fuels include the steps of hydrolyzing a lipid biomass to form free fatty acids, catalytically deoxygenating the free fatty acids to from n-alkanes, and reforming at least a portion of the n-alkanes into a mixture of compounds having the correct chain length, conformations and ratio to be useful as transportation fuels. The process exhibits an overall energy efficiency of at least about 75%, wherein energy efficiency is calculated as the lower heating value of the produced transportation fuel over the sum of the lower heating value of the process reactants and the total energy input into the process.

A portable easel with tray and table composed of two legs, joined at the top by a crosspiece having in it pegs for hanging a thin, rigid easel board to serve as backing for commercially available easel pads. The legs pass through holes at their approximate midpoint in a tray table which senses as a tray for marking instruments in the front, a table for papers, books and the like in the rear, and which holds the legs in their splayed position. The tray table rests on fittings which support the upper structures, join the legs laterally for rigidity at their midpoint, and into which the lower portion of the legs may be fitted and removed. The lower ends of the legs have rubber tips to increase friction with the floor, or may be attached to a rectangular base to afford greater stability. The lower halves of the legs, when removed, enable the easel to function as a table model, and reduce the size of the structure for transport and storage. The structure will support chalk boards, white boards and bulletin boards on both its front and rear faces. The elements may be made so they can be slipped apart in order to be transported or stored in a small package. The lower portion of the legs may be reduced in length for use by children.

Portable easel with table

An improved clearance detecting device for warning the driver of a vehicle of a impending obstruction. In a detecting device consisting of a base, an antenna, spring means connecting the base and antenna, and an electrical circuit with an alarm device and normally open switch means, the improvement consists of switch means comprising a contact surface and an elongate spring with two ends. One end of the spring is attached to the clearance detector device while the other end is responsive when the antenna is deflected to engage the contact surface so that the electrical circuit is closed and the alarm device activated.

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

William L Roberts