Abstract: Very thin-walled, multi-lumen catheters wherein each of at least three of the catheter lumens shares a common, integrally-formed wall portion with at least one adjacent catheter lumen are disclosed together with methods for using such catheters in medical treatment applications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (50) are disclosed for accurately measuring low concentrations of boron in deionized water utilizing the chemical reaction of boric acid with a polyol by injecting very small plugs of concentrated polyol into streams of boron containing and non-boron containing water samples to produce an ionized acids product, and then measuring the conductivity difference (delta conductivity), corrected for interfering or extraneous factors which can effect conductivity, between such boron containing and non-boron containing samples using a conductivity and temperature detector (23).

Abstract: Water treatment systems or assemblies are normally tested after construction, at least for leaks, prior to shipping or storage. Pressure testing with a gas is hazardous, so testing with water is a standard method. After testing, the water is displaced from the system by draining or gas phase flushing. It is nearly impossible to remove all of the water from the system or assembly. This remaining water provides an environment for biological growth which contaminates the system or assembly over time. The purpose of this invention is to eliminate or minimize this biological contamination by adding a biocidal agent to the system or assembly before sealing it for shipment or storage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determination of the total concentration of organic carbon compounds in aqueous process streams utilizing a pulsed-flow technique for irradiating a water sample in a chamber (3) with UV or similar wavelength radiation.

Abstract: A stabiliser for a ladder which enables the ladder to be safely used on sloping or uneven ground consists of spring loaded telescopic struts attached to the bottom of the ladder which are capable of compound rotary motion so that they can be opened to the required length and locked in position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved heavy oil hydrocracking process using a multimetallic liquid catalyst in a slurry-bed reactor, particularly an improvement of lightweight treatment of heavy oil in the petroleum processing technology. According to the present invention, a slurry-bed hydrocracking reactor and a highly dispersed multimetallic liquid catalyst are mainly applied during the process. A fixed-bed hydrotreating reactor is also used on line to enhance lightweight oil yield from heavy oil under normal pressure.

Abstract: Heat transfer catheter apparatus and methods of making and using same are disclosed wherein a fluid connection is provided between the distal portions of two adjacent, thin-walled, high strength fluid lumens to define a closed loop fluid circulation system capable of controlled delivery of thermal energy to or withdrawal of thermal energy from remote internal body locations.

Abstract: An integrated ocean bottom towed four-component array for seismic data acquisition consists of a four-channel electronic section for seismic data collection, a gimbaled three-component geophone and a hydrophone in a housing. The array connects with a submarine cable through a cable joint in order to acquire four components of data consisting of seismic P wave, shear wave and hydrophone in total. Through cable data transmission and processing in a central station, ocean bottom oil and gas structure information can be obtained. Because of the high SNR acquisition in the ocean bottom seismic data acquisition of the present invention, and the waterproof cable interconnections between each of the sections of the present apparatus, data acquisition of high quality can be gained to realize highly efficient and easy ocean bottom towing operations.

Abstract: A ladder levelling device which is simply operated by person's foot, embodying stile extender (7) either inserted into hollow stile (1) or removably attached to side of solid stiles of ladders or stepladders. Consisting of outer fixed housing, internal telescopic extender (7) and ratched mechanism, with teeth (20) in the extender (7) engaging with teeth (23) attached to an arm (21) which can rock about a pivot (4) in the housing to disengage the opposing teeth (20). A roller (15) or low friction device attached to the arm (21) between the teeth (23) and the pivot (4) disengages the teeth (23) during extending to reduce wear. A cam (12) attached either directly or indirectly to the opposing end of the arm (21) enables retraction and acts as safety device that prevents movement in either direction. A foot (30) is attached to base of expander by a spindle (31b) which allows limited universal movement and is capable of being locked in position.

Abstract: Heat transfer catheter apparatus and methods of making and using same are disclosed wherein a fluid connection is provided between the distal portions of two adjacent, thin-walled, high strength fluid lumens to define a closed loop fluid circulation system capable of controlled delivery of thermal energy to or withdrawal of thermal energy from remote internal body locations.

Abstract: A continuous process for integrated processing of a C8+ aromatic hydrocarbon stream is disclosed for recovery of a high purity meta-xylene product in conjunction with efficient separation and recovery of purified para-xylene and, optionally, purified ortho-xylene products.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supplying a portion of a fluid stream and, alternately, a fluid of known composition and concentration to an analyzer are provided. The fluid stream is directed through a series of connected chambers formed in an integral housing. A sampling needle has an inlet in one of the chambers and an outlet in fluid communication with the analyzer. When desired, a tube or vial containing a known fluid may be inserted into a chamber containing the sampling needle, so that the known fluid will be supplied to the analyzer. A second needle provides ventilation to the vial to prevent the formation of a vacuum as the known fluid is drained from the vial.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the content of total organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, total carbon and total heteroorganic carbon in water are disclosed. In a preferred comprehensive embodiment, the water sample is split into a first stream and a second stream. Inorganic carbon in the first stream, if any, is determined by acidifying the sample, measuring the electrical conductivity using a temperature and conductivity sensor, and removing the ionic species. Organic carbon in the first stream is then substantially completely oxidized in a U.V. oxidation reactor to carbon dioxide and possibly other oxidation products, and the electrical conductivity of the effluent- stream is measured using another temperature and conductivity sensor. At least a portion of the carbon dioxide in the first stream is transferred through a carbon dioxide permeable membrane into the second strewn. The second stream then passes into another temperature and conductivity sensor and conductivity is measured.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is disclosed utilizing hydrogen absorption in combination with photolysis and/or electrolysis for in situ generation, i.e., without the need for adding chemical oxidizing agents, or enhancement of oxidizing conditions used to promote oxidation of organic compounds to form carbon dioxide, and the use of the same in connection with high-accuracy determination of even extremely low levels of organic and/or inorganic carbon compounds both in flowing aqueous streams and in bulk solutions.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for the distillation separation of styrene monomer from ethylbenzene utilizing a split feed to two distillation columns in conjunction with cascade reboiling utilizing thermal energy from the overhead of one column to supply heat to the second.

Abstract: An improved system for the measurement of sulfur compounds is described. The system comprises an enclosed burner assembly for the conversion of sulfur-containing compounds to sulfur monoxide and subsequent detection of sulfur monoxide by ozone-induced chemiluminescence. The new burner assembly provides higher efficiency for the conversion of sulfur compounds to produce sulfur monoxide than previous flame-based detection systems.