Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to paraffins useful as liquid fuels The process involves the conv ersion of water soluble oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenates, such as alcohols, furans, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, diols. triols. and/or other polyols, followed by the subsequent conversion of the oxygenates to paraffins by dehydration and alkylalion. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.

Synthesis of liquid fuels from biomass

Disclosed are catalysts and methods that can reform aqueous solutions of oxygenated compounds such as ethylene glycol, glycerol, sugar alcohols, and sugars to generate products such as hydrogen and alkanes. In some embodiments, aqueous solutions containing at least 20 wt % of the oxygenated compounds can be reformed over a catalyst comprising a Group VIII transition metal and a Group VIIB transition metal, preferably supported on an activated carbon-supported catalyst. In other embodiments, catalysts are provided for the production of hydrogen or alkanes at reaction temperatures less than 300° C.

Catalysts and methods for reforming oxygenated compounds

This invention relates to the use of a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system for detecting contraband, wherein the detection system comprises a container with a detection panel and at least one coil for exciting and detecting the nuclear quadrupole resonance frequencies of a contraband source placed near an outer side of the detection panel.

Detection of contraband using nuclear quadrupole resonance

This document describes a general system for noise reduction, as well as a specific system for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR). The general system, which is called Calculated Readout by Spectral Parallelism (CRISP), involves reconstruction and recombination of frequency-limited broadband data using separate narrowband data channels to create images or signal profiles. A multi-channel CRISP system can perform this separation using (1) frequency tuned hardware, (2) a frequency filter-bank (or equivalent), or (3) a combination of implementations (1) and (2). This system significantly reduces what we call cross-frequency noise, thereby increasing signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR). A multi-channel CRISP system applicable to MRI and NQR are described.

Noise reduction apparatus, systems, and methods

The use of a superconducting resonator with continuous-wave (CW) excitation allows low-noise quadrupole resonance (QR) detection without the need for a lock-in amplifier. This allows detection times to be greatly reduced. Hence, for the first time, a CW QR spectrometer using a superconducting resonator can be used in a portable device, such as a hand-held wand for detecting explosives.

Quadrupole resonance using narrowband probes and continuous-wave excitation

Using a high temperature superconductor (HTS) sensor, we have detected a /sup 14/N nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) signal from a room temperature sodium nitrite (NaNO/sub 2/) sample. This demonstrates the feasibility of using such sensors for the NQR detection of contraband, e.g. explosives. The sensor is composed of two high Q-value, self-resonant HTS devices strongly coupled to each other that detect the induced magnetization of the target compound. We briefly describe our techniques for making, adjusting the resonant frequency and spoiling the Q-value of the HTS sensors.

HTS sensors for NQR spectroscopy

The methods of the invention for scanning a band of frequencies using a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system with an array of high temperature superconductor sensors to detect nuclear quadrupole resonance signals improve the nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system performance.

Scanning a band of frequencies using an array of high temperature superconductor sensors tuned to different frequencies

Methods and apparatus for scanning a band of frequencies using an array of high temperature superconductor sensors

The decoupling of an array of two or more closely spaced high temperature superconductor sensors (1, 2) can be accomplished by introducing a capacitive decoupling circuit.

Robby L. Alvarez

Papers

HTS sensors for NQR spectroscopy

Scanning a band of frequencies using an array of high temperature superconductor sensors tuned to different frequencies

Methods and apparatus for scanning a band of frequencies using an array of high temperature superconductor sensors

Decoupling high temperature superconductor sensor arrays in nuclear quadrupole resonance detection systems

Scanning a band of frequencies using an array of high temperature superconductor sensors tuned to the same frequency