Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for purifying effluent wastewater utilizing electrophoretic cross-flow filtration and electrodeionization. The method first comprises filtering the water in a cross-flow direction with a filter membrane (120) in the presence of an electric field that is operative to drive suspended particles away from a surface of the filter membrane (120). The permeate (134) containing dissolved solids is next passed through a mixture (188) of at least one cation-exchange resin and at least one anion-exchange resin disposed between a cation-selective membrane (184) and an anion-selective membrane (181) in the presence of an electric field. The electric field drives cations in the permeate through the cation-selective membrane (184), and drives anions in the permeate through the anion-selective membrane (181), thereby to form deionized water (192). The apparatus includes cell modules adapted to be used in plate-and-frame or radial flow configurations.

Abstract: A process for fluoride removal from wastewater streams produced during industrial operation for further industrial use or to comply with environmental regulations. The process segregates the removal of fluoride and fluorosilicate ions, from the totality of ions in the waste water stream, thus improving treatment efficiency and reducing costs. Ion-exchange chromatography is used to remove the fluoride and fluorosilicate ions by passing the wastewater stream through one or more columns that contain a charged resin which selectively binds cations/anions in the stream. The fluoride ions are washed from the column and then collected for removal or use in other processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for producing nitrogen trifluoride. The method comprises contacting a fluorine-containing feed stream with liquid ammonium acid fluoride in a reaction zone for time and under conditions sufficient to produce nitrogen trifluoride. During the contacting step, the effective melt acidity value of the liquid ammonium acid fluoride is decreased and a reaction product stream is removed. In one embodiment, a gaseous mixture of elemental fluorine and hydrogen fluoride is contacted with a bulk liquid ammonium acid fluoride, such that the initial effective melt acidity value is greater than the melt acidity value of the bulk liquid ammonium acid fluoride in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for treating an industrial waste stream containing a borane compound including contacting the industrial waste stream with a resin carrying an oxidation catalyst that is capable of oxidizing the borane compound to boric acid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for mixing a gas and a liquid to produce a gaseous vapor of the liquid that is substantially free of droplets. Gas, e.g., carbon dioxide, is divided into first and second streams. The first stream is combined in an atomization zone with the liquid, e.g., acetic acid, to form an atomized mixture of the gas and liquid. This atomized mixture is then contacted with the second gas stream in a mixing zone within a mixing/separation chamber in which the second gas stream vaporizes substantially all of the atomized liquid, and the resulting mixture of gas, vaporized liquid and residual droplets moves to the separation zone of the mixing/separation chamber. In the separation zone, the residual droplets gravitationally separate from the vaporized mixture, and the vaporized mixture free of a substantial amount of residual droplets is removed from the chamber.

Abstract: A method (10) for reducing or eliminating the effects of proximate samples on the NMR measurement of the mass of a test sample in a NMR check weighing system (24) for samples on a production line. The test sample is in a container (22) on a production line with the plurality of proximate samples each also in a container (22) on the production line. Method (10) includes determining cross coupling weighing factors for a plurality of samples in proximity to the test sample, magnetic resonance measuring of the test sample and proximate samples, the step of magnetic resonance measuring of the test sample and proximate samples providing data representative of each measurement; and applying weighing factors to the data representative of each measurement compensating for the proximate sample effects.

Abstract: A method (10) insures that the characteristics of the magnetic field used in a magnetic resonance check weighing system (20) for samples in vials (22) on a production line track deviations from the resonant frequency of the sample. The method (10) includes the steps of obtaining (50) a free induction decay signal from a magnetic resonance measurement of the sample, monitoring (52) from the free induction decay signal the deviation of the resonance frequency of the magnetic resonance measurement from a preselected resonance frequency; and adjusting (62) the magnetic field to maintain the preselected resonance frequency.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance methods are provided for determining the mass of samples in vials (1) in a production line, each sample having a net magnetisation capability, including the steps of applying a first magnetic field in a first direction in an interrogation zone (25) for creating a net magnetisation within a sample located within the interrogation zone (25), applying an alternating magnetic field in a second direction in the interrogation zone (25) for temporarily changing the net magnetisation of the sample located within the interrogation zone (25), monitoring energy emitted by the sample as the net magnetisation of the sample returns to its original state and generating an output signal whose current amplitude is proportional to the energy emitted, comparing the current amplitude with like data obtained from at least one similar sample of known mass, and determining the mass of the sample.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) probe (10) for a nuclear magnetic resonance check weighing system produces a uniform magnetic field at the center of RF probe (10), has minimal sensitivity to electrical interference from external sources, shapes the magnetic field to minimize cross coupling from packages such as drug vials (22) not under test, and presents minimal airflow obstruction. RF probe (10) includes a coil (100) with a plurality of conductive loops (102, 104) having a rectangular cross section carried inside two opposing, rectangular cross section housings (106, 108), respectively. Housings (106, 108) are spaced apart and in parallel, creating an “open probe” configuration permitting a conveyor belt (28) carrying vials (22) whose contents are to be checked to pass between housings (106, 108), and allows airflow surrounding the vials (22) and conveyor belt (28) to pass substantially without obstruction.

Abstract: A method (10) permits determining the temperature in a magnetic resonance check weighing system (24) of a sample in a container (22) on a production line at the time of magnetic resonance testing. Method (10) includes the steps of determining a time-temperature correction factor for the sample in the container (50), measuring the temperature of the composite sample and the container at a time other than the time of magnetic resonance testing (70), and applying the correction factor to the temperature of the composite sample and container at a time other than the time of magnetic resonance testing (80).

Abstract: A carbon dioxide recovery apparatus and process for supercritical extraction includes providing a process stream from a supercritical extraction procedure in which the process stream includes pressurized carbon dioxide, extraction process waste and optionally at least one co-solvent; reducing the pressure of the process stream below critical pressure; venting low pressure carbon dioxide vapor to exhaust; cooling the process stream to form a two phase mixture; separating the two phase mixture into a process liquid, containing co-solvent if present, and a process vapor phase stream; collecting the process liquid; filtering the process vapor phase stream to remove particulates and optionally residual co-solvent; passing the filtered process vapor stream through an adsorber to remove trace impurities to form a purified carbon dioxide vapor stream; and, drying the purified carbon dioxide vapor stream to remove residual water vapor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing fluorine by providing a contained fluorine precursor source located proximate to or remotely from an adsorbent bed, optionally in a replaceable unit that may be a replaceable module comprising both the fluorine source and the adsorbent bed. Fluorine derived preferably from a nitrogen trifluoride source and used to remove deposited silicon-containing impurities in reaction chambers is reclaimed from an adsorbent bed, and made available to the reaction chamber as a supplemental fluorine source to reduce the total required amount of nitrogen trifluoride source gas. The separation column adsorbent is regenerated in cyclical intervals using a reverse flow of inert gas.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for oxygen sorption and other uses are presented, the compositions being within the general formulas (1), (2), (3), and (4): AxByO3-?, ??(1) AxA?x?ByB?y?O3-?, and ??(2) AxA?x?A?x?ByB?y?B?y?O3-?, ??(3) MOn ??(4) and combinations thereof, especially those where the B sites are independently selected from cations of the d block transition metals Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu. One desirable set of compositions of the invention are combinations of any one or more of the compounds of generals formulas (1), (2), or (3) with one or more compounds of the general formula (4). In combination with an active support or matrix oxide within general formulas (1), (2), and (3), stability of the binary metal oxides within general formula (4) can be enhanced, while extending the oxygen sorption/desorption capacities of the matrix oxide.

Abstract: A dilution apparatus for continuously producing a diluted liquid sample, e.g., a chemical-mechanical polishing slurry, for analysis, e.g., particle size distribution, comprises a mixer manifold, a diluent-introducing means, e.g., a flow controlling device, for introducing a diluent, e.g., water, into the mixer manifold, and a liquid sample introducing means, e.g., a pump, for introducing the sample into the mixer manifold. The mixer manifold includes a plurality of ports for receiving a plurality of liquid samples from a plurality of sample points. The dilution apparatus can include a second mixer manifold for continuously producing a second diluted liquid sample, and it can be associated with one or more sensors operable to measure sample properties, e.g., an optical particle counter. The sensors can be operated simultaneously, and the measurements of the sensors can be compared.

Abstract: An improvement in a magnetic resonance method for determining at least one property of multiple samples, including introducing multiple samples into the interrogation zone simultaneously; applying a gradient magnetic field to the interrogation zone wherein different positions within the interrogation zone are sensitive to different specific frequencies; monitoring energy emitted by the samples in the different positions and generating an output signal having a characteristic which is proportional to the energy emitted corresponding thereto in different frequency bands; and, attributing the signals to specific positions and samples, and comparing the output signal characteristics of the specific positions and samples with like data obtained from at least one similar sample to provide an indication of the corresponding property of the samples.

Abstract: A method for treating an electroless plating liquid or other metal-containing solution that also contains reducing agents. The method includes providing a reaction vessel containing an anode, a cathode, and a hydrogen ion-permeable membrane separating the anode and the cathode, placing the metal-containing liquid in contact with the anode, placing a catholyte solution in contact with the cathode; driving an electrical current through the anode and the cathode to oxidize the reducing agents present, and removing the used catholyte solution and the partially treated liquid from the electrodes, optionally from the reaction vessel to separate reservoirs. The partially treated liquid and an anolyte solution are placed in contact with the cathode and anode, respectively, and a current is again driven through the anode and cathode, plating a majority of the metal ions onto the cathode. The steps of oxidizing the reducing agents and plating the metal ions may also be reversed in order.

Abstract: The use of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane compound and linking agent to form an ultra low-k dielectric film on semiconductor or integrated circuit surfaces is disclosed. The reaction between the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane compound and linking agent is done in a chemical vapor deposition chamber.

Abstract: Composites and methods useful for oxygen sorption and other uses are presented, the composites comprising: (A) one or more crystalline ceramic oxides selected from compounds within general formula (1): AxA?x?ByB?y?O3-???(1) and (B) one or more crystalline ceramic oxides selected from compounds within general formulas (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8): A2BO4-???(2) A2B2O5-???(3) AO(ABO3-?)n ??(4) AM2Cu3O7-???(5) Bi4V2(1-x)Me2xO11-3x, ??(6) A?B?O3 ??(7) A2B2O7-???(8)

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for oxygen sorption and other uses are presented within the general formulas (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7): A2BO4?? (1) A2B2O5?? (2) AO(ABO3??)n (3) AM2Cu3O7?? (4) Bi4V2(1?x)Me2xO11?3x, (5) A?B?O3 where B? is W or Mo; (6) A2B2O7??, (7) and combinations thereof, wherein: A is a cation of atoms having atomic numbers ranging from 57-71, inclusive, a cation of yttrium, cations of Groups 1 and 2 atoms, and combination thereof; B is a cation of a d-block transition metal; A? is a cation of Na or Li; M is a metal cation selected from cations of Group 2 atoms; Me is a metal cation of Cu, Bi, and Co atoms; x ranges from 0.01 to 1.00; and ? ranges from 0.05 to 0.30. The compounds (1)-(7) may function as active supports for binary metal oxides to enhance the oxygen sorption/desorption capacity of the composites.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for oxygen sorption and other uses are presented, the compositions A composite material comprising components (A) and (B), wherein component (A) is selected from crystalline ceramic materials capable of forming a stable, reversible perovskite crystal phase at elevated temperatures (T>500° C.), and combinations thereof, and component (B) comprises a metal selected from rhodium (Rh), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), nickel (Ni) and silver (Ag), and combinations and alloys of these metals.