A novel method and device for the destruction of nitrous oxide in gases such as those resulting from exhaled breath during dental, medical, and veterinary procedures are described. The method employs processing steps including the collection of gases containing constituents such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide from exhaled breath or from ambient room air, optional removal of moisture from the collected gas, catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide gas to nitrogen and oxygen, heat exchange to reduce high temperatures in gases exiting the reactor, and sorbents to remove traces of reaction byproducts. Instrumentation and controls are employed to monitor and regulate temperatures, pressures, gas compositions, and flow rates while also providing measures to automatically shut down in the event of off-nominal conditions. The method and device are capable of operating with variable anesthetic or patient exhaled breath flow rates while inducing no significant pressure or vacuum on the patient as they exhale. The method is carried out in a compact device suitable for operation in dental offices, hospitals, and other locations where nitrous oxide is administered as an anesthetic.

The present invention relates to a composition, textile, and mask for reducing the inhalation of pollutants. The composition includes an aqueous solution of an inorganic iodide compound, a metal phthalocyanine, and a polymeric binder. The inorganic iodide can be cuprous iodide, the metal phthalocyanine can be iron phthalocyanine, and the polymeric binder can be polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyvinyl alcohol. This pollutant-inactivating composition neutralizes pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds and other unpleasant airborne agents, without requiring elevated temperatures or bulky canisters containing adsorbents. Optionally, a humectant can also be incorporated into the coating solution to retain moisture in the active filter matrix, which enhances the activity of the composition to inactivate oxidizing gases and other toxic constituents of air pollution.

The present invention relates to a process for taking up one or more nitrogen oxide(s) from a gaseous and/or aerosol or liquid medium using at least one particulate earth alkali carbonate-comprising material and/or at least one particulate earth alkali phosphate-comprising material as well as an adsorbing material comprising said at least one particulate earth alkali carbonate-comprising material and/or at least one particulate earth alkali phosphate-comprising material.

The invention relates to a noxious gas purificant and its preparation and purification method for removing nitrogen oxides from gas streams thereof. The preparing method is characterized in that: mixing, according to a predetermined ratio and a process, a salt of iron, manganese, cobalt, or copper, and a related derivative thereof, an alkali or alkaline substance and a related derivative thereof, water and a forming agent, so as to obtain a solid compound or mixture; drying and activating the solid compound or mixture to produce a solid product as the purificant; and introducing the purificant into a gas-solid reactor, and removing noxious gases in a gas stream by performing, in a preconfigured temperature and using the purificant, a gas-solid reaction on the harmful gases in the gas stream. The purificant can be recycled and reused.

A method for the aftertreatment of the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine combusting gaseous fuel. The exhaust gas is conducted via a CH.sub.4-oxidation catalytic converter, which for the CH.sub.4-oxidation and accordingly as catalytically active compound includes a pyrochlore and/or a beta polymorphous A-type (BEA) zeolite and/or a cobalt-nickel oxide. The exhaust gas to be conducted via the CH.sub.4-oxidation catalytic converter has an NO.sub.2 proportion, based on a total proportion of nitrogen oxides, of at least 15%.

Various systems generating nitric oxide are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the system includes a first gas source providing nitrogen dioxide mixed in air or oxygen, and a second gas source supplying compressed air and/or compressed oxygen. The system also includes a ventilator coupled to the first and second gas sources, wherein the ventilator is resistant to nitrogen dioxide. The ventilator regulates gas flow and allows for the adjustment of nitrogen dioxide concentration in the gas flow. The system further includes one or more conversion devices operably coupled to the ventilator where the conversion devices convert nitrogen dioxide into nitric oxide. A patient interface delivers nitric oxide to the patient and is operably coupled to the conversion devices. The system allows oxygen and nitric oxide levels to be varied independently.

The present disclosure relates to constructs and methods of use thereof for improving NOx reduction in air. In particular, it has been found that improvements in NOx reduction are achieved when a photocatalytic, transparent or translucent titanium dioxide sol formulation is provided as a layer over a white surface or like surface that provides high reflection of incident light. The surface may be the surface of an underlying base structure or an applied layer, such as a paint. The base to which the layer(s) is applied can be a structure that is located where NOx concentration in the atmosphere is particularly high, such as near a roadway or other areas subject to significant vehicular traffic.

A rechargeable battery assembly for a vehicle has a metal-air rechargeable battery and a filter device to condition inlet air supplied to the metal-air rechargeable battery such that the inlet air exhibits predetermined inlet air values. The filter device has one or more filter elements, one or more sensor devices that determine at least one inlet air parameter, and one or more valve devices. A control system is coupled to the sensor devices so as to receive sensor signals for the at least one inlet air parameter and is coupled to the valve devices. The control system adjusts, depending on the received sensor signals, the valve devices in order to control the predetermined inlet air value in that the inlet air is guided through the filter elements; is guided past the filter elements; or is guided to an air outlet for regenerating the filter elements.

The present invention relates to a composition, textile, and mask for reducing the inhalation of pollutants. The composition includes an aqueous solution of an inorganic iodide compound, a metal phthalocyanine, and a polymeric binder. The inorganic iodide can be cuprous iodide, the metal phthalocyanine can be iron phthalocyanine, and the polymeric binder can be polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyvinyl alcohol. This pollutant-inactivating composition neutralizes pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds and other unpleasant airborne agents, without requiring elevated temperatures or bulky canisters containing adsorbents. Optionally, a humectant can also be incorporated into the coating solution to retain moisture in the active filter matrix, which enhances the activity of the composition to inactivate oxidizing gases and other toxic constituents of air pollution.

A copper-CHA zeolite catalyst for SCR of NO.sub.x is disclosed.