Methods according to the present invention decolorize a polymer by mixing a solution of the polymer with a photocatalyst and exposing the mixture to ultraviolet light; by way of non-limiting example, the polymer may be a star polymer and the photocatalyst may be titanium dioxide. Methods according to the present invention also utilize a metal scavenger, in some embodiments a solid-phase metal scavenger, to remove a metal catalyst from a polymer solution; by way of non-limiting example, the metal catalyst may be a tin catalyst. The decolorization methods and the catalyst removal methods of the present invention may be practiced separately, sequentially in any order, or simultaneously.

A metal ion detection equipment and a metal ion detection method are provided. The metal ion detection equipment includes a porous silicon resonant cavity structure, an electrochemical device and a spectrum detecting device. A sample solution permeates into the porous silicon resonant cavity structure. A to-be-detected metal ion of the sample solution in the porous silicon resonant cavity structure is reduced into a to-be-detected metal by the electrochemical device. The spectrum detecting device detects a spectral variation of a reflective light from the porous silicon resonant cavity structure.

An apparatus for the destruction of a precursor material includes a steam plasma reactor having a high temperature zone and a combustion zone. The high temperature zone is adapted for hydrolyzing the precursor material, whereas the combustion zone is adapted to effect medium temperature oxidation of the reactant stream where combustion oxygen or air is injected. A quenching unit is provided at an exit end of the reactor for quenching a resulting gas stream to avoid the formation of unwanted by-products.

The invention concerns a method for controlling at least one gas bubble produced in a localised manner in a medium (3) allowing the movement of said at least one gas bubble, characterised in that it comprises a step consisting of generating at least one ultrasound burst towards said at least one gas bubble, said at least one burst being emitted for a burst duration at least partially covering a duration during which said gas is effectively being produced.

A method for converting hydrocarbon materials into a product includes receiving a hydrocarbon feedstock in a first reaction chamber, receiving a process gas in the first reaction chamber, and forming a first set of discharge conditions in the presence of energy from a microwave generator, in the first reaction chamber, to convert the hydrocarbon feedstock into an intermediate product for delivery to a second reaction chamber. The method also includes delivering the intermediate product to the second reaction chamber, forming a second set of discharge conditions, and converting the intermediate product into a final product in the second reaction chamber.

A venting cap is disclosed for pressure vessels for microwave-assisted chemistry. The venting cap includes a flexible circular cover for closing the mouth of a reaction vessel, a flexible annular wall depending from the circular cover, and a flexible annular ring at the bottom of the annular wall and parallel to the circular cover for positioning the cap on a reaction vessel. At least one indentation in the circular cover minimizes distortion when any contents of a reaction vessel exert pressure against the cap, and at least one opening in the annular wall provides a ventilation path through the cap when gas pressure in a reaction vessel flexes the cap sufficiently to partially disengage at least a portion of the cap from the mouth of the reaction vessel.

Materials and methods for precious metal recovery are disclosed. Usable leaching solutions are preferably aqueous based and include appropriate materials in sufficient quantities to solubilize and stabilize precious metal. Such materials typically include oxidant material. Some or all of the oxidant material can be, in some instances, generated in-situ. The leaching solution is typically contacted with a substrate having a target precious metal, thereby solubilizing precious metal to form a stable, pregnant solution. The precious metal can then be recovered from the pregnant solution. In some instances, components of the leaching solution can be regenerated and reused in subsequent leaching.

The present, disclosure relates generally to reactor cells comprising an enclosure and one or more plasmonic photocatalysts on a catalyst support disposed within the enclosure. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the enclosure is at least partially optically transparent.

An improved photocatalytic device in which within semiconductors, absorbed electromagnetic radiation is known to generate electron-hole pairs; unwanted recombination of the radiation-generated electrons and holes is a significant limitation of photocatalytic efficiency, while the simultaneous local presence of both electrons and holes at the photocatalyst surface make reaction-specificity difficult to control. A photocatalytic device is described in which radiation-generated electrons and holes are spatially separated to be individually introduced into the reactant flow, minimizing unwanted recombination while promoting reaction-specific outcomes.

Embodiments of the subject invention are directed to methods and apparatus for inducing mixing in a fluid using one or more plasma actuators. In an embodiment, a pair of electrodes is positioned near a fluid and a voltage potential is applied across the pair of electrodes such that a plasma discharge is produced in the fluid. In an embodiment, the plasma discharge creates turbulence in the fluid thereby mixing the fluid. In an embodiment, flow structures, such as vortices are generated in the fluid. In an embodiment, the fluid is mixed in three dimensions. In an embodiment, a plurality of fluids are mixed. In an embodiment, solids are dispersed in at least one fluid. In an embodiment, heat or other properties are dispersed within at least one fluid. In an embodiment, at least one of the pair of electrodes has a serpentine shape.