Described herein is an improved conversion of nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) present as a by-product in a chemical process to NO.sub.x which can be further converted to a useful compound or material, such as nitric acid.

Described herein is an improved conversion of nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) present as a by-product in a chemical process to NO.sub.x which can be further converted to a useful compound or material, such as nitric acid.

Described herein is an improved conversion of nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) present as a by-product in a chemical process to NO.sub.x which can be further converted to a useful compound or material, such as nitric acid.

Described herein is an improved conversion of nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) present as a by-product in a chemical process to NO.sub.x which can be further converted to a useful compound or material, such as nitric acid.

A fill assembly sterilization method and system for a blow/fill/seal machine utilizes a closed loop circulation of sterilant containing gas. A typical sterilant is nitrogen dioxide in humidified air. The closed loop includes a shroud that defines a plenum and encloses the fill system. Optionally, at least one high efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter is provided in the closed loop. Sterility assurance level of 10.sup.6 can be achieved by subjecting the fill system to the sterilizing gas for at least 20 minutes at a temperature in the range of about 18 C. to about 30 C. Preferred sterilant gas is humidified air containing about 10 to about 20 milligrams of nitrogen dioxide per liter.

A fill assembly sterilization method and system for a blow/fill/seal machine utilizes a closed loop circulation of sterilant containing gas. A typical sterilant is nitrogen dioxide in humidified air. The closed loop includes a shroud that defines a plenum and encloses the fill system. Optionally, at least one high efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter is provided in the closed loop. Sterility assurance level of 10.sup.6 can be achieved by subjecting the fill system to the sterilizing gas for at least 20 minutes at a temperature in the range of about 18 C. to about 30 C. Preferred sterilant gas is humidified air containing about 10 to about 20 milligrams of nitrogen dioxide per liter.

A novel concept for a high energy and material efficient nitric acid production process and system is provided, wherein the nitric acid production process and system, particularly integrated with an ammonia production process and system, is configured to recover a high amount of energy out of the ammonia that it is consuming, particularly in the form of electricity, while maintaining a high nitric acid recovery in the conversion of ammonia to nitric acid. The energy recovery and electricity generation process comprises pressurizing a liquid gas, such as air, oxygen and/or N.sub.2, subsequently evaporating and heating the pressurized liquid gas, particularly using low grade waste heat generated in the production of nitric acid and/or ammonia, and subsequently expanding the evaporated pressurized liquid gas over a turbine. In particular, the generated electricity is at least partially used to power an electrolyzer to generate the hydrogen needed for the production of ammonia. The novel concepts set out in the present application are particularly useful in the production of nitric acid based on renewable energy sources.

A novel concept for a high energy and material efficient nitric acid production process and system is provided, wherein the nitric acid production process and system, particularly integrated with an ammonia production process and system, is configured to recover a high amount of energy out of the ammonia that it is consuming, particularly in the form of electricity, while maintaining a high nitric acid recovery in the conversion of ammonia to nitric acid. The energy recovery and electricity generation process comprises pressurizing a liquid gas, such as air, oxygen and/or N.sub.2, subsequently evaporating and heating the pressurized liquid gas, particularly using low grade waste heat generated in the production of nitric acid and/or ammonia, and subsequently expanding the evaporated pressurized liquid gas over a turbine. In particular, the generated electricity is at least partially used to power an electrolyzer to generate the hydrogen needed for the production of ammonia. The novel concepts set out in the present application are particularly useful in the production of nitric acid based on renewable energy sources.

A sterilant source for use in a portable sterilant system includes a gas-impermeable vial, a frangible ampule containing a first sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial, a second sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial and outside the ampule. The first and second sterilant gas precursor materials are selected to be mutually reactive to generate a sterilant gas. The system further includes an activation mechanism, actuatable to break the frangible ampule to release the first sterilant gas precursor material to allow it to react with the second sterilant gas precursor material to generate the sterilant gas.

A sterilant source for use in a portable sterilant system includes a gas-impermeable vial, a frangible ampule containing a first sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial, a second sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial and outside the ampule. The first and second sterilant gas precursor materials are selected to be mutually reactive to generate a sterilant gas. The system further includes an activation mechanism, actuatable to break the frangible ampule to release the first sterilant gas precursor material to allow it to react with the second sterilant gas precursor material to generate the sterilant gas.