This invention is for an innovative magnetic air separator (MAS) for delivering oxygen-enriched air or near-pure oxygen to for advanced combustion, coal gasification, industrial processes, and medical applications. In the MAS of the subject invention, input air is drawn into a large array of microchannels immersed in a strong, spatially varying magnetic field. Magnetic forces accelerate the paramagnetic O2 molecules within the microchannel flow and in a direction perpendicular to it, thus forming enriched and depleted streams. Such streams are then physically separated and subsequently combined according to their level of O2 enrichment or depletion. Highly enriched streams are repeatedly subjected to the magnetic separation process until the targeted level of O2 concentration is reached in selected streams. Partially enriched streams are recycled and fed back into the process feedstock air, while depleted streams are vented from the process.

An exhaust system is described comprising an array of a plurality of operably coupled fluid treatment apparatus for the treatment of a fluid substance. Each one of the plurality of fluid treatment apparatus comprises a reactor chamber defined by a perimeter wall; a fluid inlet adapted to provide fluid communication from an external supply of a fluid substance to be treated to said reactor chamber whereby said fluid substance passes into and through said reactor chamber; a fluid outlet adapted to provide a fluid communication from said reactor chamber whereby said fluid substance passes from said reactor chamber; at least one electromagnetic radiation (EMR) waveguide, having a waveguide input port and a waveguide output port, operably coupled within said reactor chamber and adapted to couple electromagnetic radiation of at least one predetermined wavelength to a fluid substance passing through said reactor chamber, wherein said perimeter wall of said reactor chamber is adapted to force said fluid substance received from said fluid inlet and passing through said reactor chamber into a continuous swirling flow towards said fluid outlet. The exhaust system in an embodiment further comprises a housing, having at least one exhaust inlet port and at least one exhaust outlet port, adapted to operably receive and enclose said array of a plurality of operably coupled fluid treatment apparatus, and at least one fluid tight seal member, adapted to engage with at least an outer surface of said array of a plurality of operably coupled fluid treatment apparatus, so as to provide a fluid tight seal between an inner surface of said housing and said at least one outer surface of said array of a plurality of operably coupled fluid treatment apparatus.

An exhaust system is described comprising an array of a plurality of operably coupled fluid treatment apparatus for the treatment of a fluid substance. Each one of the plurality of fluid treatment apparatus comprises a reactor chamber defined by a perimeter wall; a fluid inlet adapted to provide fluid communication from an external supply of a fluid substance to be treated to said reactor chamber whereby said fluid substance passes into and through said reactor chamber; a fluid outlet adapted to provide a fluid communication from said reactor chamber whereby said fluid substance passes from said reactor chamber; at least one electromagnetic radiation (EMR) waveguide, having a waveguide input port and a waveguide output port, operably coupled within said reactor chamber and adapted to couple electromagnetic radiation of at least one predetermined wavelength to a fluid substance passing through said reactor chamber, wherein said perimeter wall of said reactor chamber is adapted to force said fluid substance received from said fluid inlet and passing through said reactor chamber into a continuous swirling flow towards said fluid outlet. The exhaust system in an embodiment further comprises a housing, having at least one exhaust inlet port and at least one exhaust outlet port, adapted to operably receive and enclose said array of a plurality of operably coupled fluid treatment apparatus, and at least one fluid tight seal member, adapted to engage with at least an outer surface of said array of a plurality of operably coupled fluid treatment apparatus, so as to provide a fluid tight seal between an inner surface of said housing and said at least one outer surface of said array of a plurality of operably coupled fluid treatment apparatus.

A self-cleaning ion generator device includes a housing having a bottom portion and a top portion selectively secured to each other, the top portion contains a base portion extending to an outer edge and having an internal side and an external side, a first pair of opposed sidewalls and a second pair of opposed sidewalls extend from the outer edge of the base portion forming a cavity therein. Ion terminals extend from the housing, and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the two ion terminals.

A self-cleaning ion generator device includes a housing having a bottom portion and a top portion selectively secured to each other, the top portion contains a base portion extending to an outer edge and having an internal side and an external side, a first pair of opposed sidewalls and a second pair of opposed sidewalls extend from the outer edge of the base portion forming a cavity therein. Ion terminals extend from the housing, and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the two ion terminals.

Ionization systems and methods include moving air into contact with one or more ion generators and then past an ozone removal assembly to remove at least some ozone from the air. The air may be moved by a fan and may be filtered before contacting the one or more ion generators. The amount of one or more of the following of the air may be measured: the amount of ions, particulates, temperature, humidity, and other relevant factors. The ionization amount may be adjusted based on one or more of the measured amounts. The one or more ion generators and ozone removal assembly may be constructed as part of a single unit so they can be removed and replaced easily.

Ionization systems and methods include moving air into contact with one or more ion generators and then past an ozone removal assembly to remove at least some ozone from the air. The air may be moved by a fan and may be filtered before contacting the one or more ion generators. The amount of one or more of the following of the air may be measured: the amount of ions, particulates, temperature, humidity, and other relevant factors. The ionization amount may be adjusted based on one or more of the measured amounts. The one or more ion generators and ozone removal assembly may be constructed as part of a single unit so they can be removed and replaced easily.

An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an anode separator, a cathode separator, a first end plate and a second end plate that are disposed on the respective ends of at least one hydrogen pump unit in which the electrolyte membrane, the catalyst layers, the gas diffusion layers, and the separators are stacked on each other, a fastener that fastens the end plates and at least one hydrogen pump unit, and a voltage applier. The electrochemical hydrogen pump transfers hydrogen from the anode catalyst layer to the cathode catalyst layer and pressurizes hydrogen when the voltage applier applies the voltage. The cathode gas diffusion layer includes a water-repellent carbon fiber layer in a main surface thereof that is on a side of the cathode catalyst layer, and is compressed by the fastener.

The invention concerns a method for drying at least one cell of the electrostatic precipitator of a smoke treating unit in a system of a coffee beans roasting apparatus and a smoke treating unit, said method comprising the step of passing hot air through said cell, while said cell is positioned inside the electrostatic precipitator and while said cell is switched off.

An environmental control system employs an electrolysis cell utilizing an anion conducting membrane. A power supply is coupled across the anode and cathode of the electrolysis cell to drive reactions to reduce oxygen and/or carbon dioxide in an output gas flow. A cathode enclosure may be coupled with the electrolysis cell and provide an input gas flow and receive the output gas flow. A first electrolysis cell may be utilized to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration in an output flow that is directed to a second electrolysis cell, that reduces the concentration of oxygen. The oxygen and/or carbon dioxide may be vented from the system and used for an auxiliary purpose. An electrolyte solution may be configured in a loop from a reservoir to the anode, to provide a flow of electrolyte solution to the anode. Moisture from the cathode may be collected and provided to the anode.