Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic slag forming briquette encased in an aluminum shell. The briquette may include a deoxidizing agent, calcium oxide, calcium fluoride, calcium aluminate, magnesia, or dolomitic lime, or combinations thereof. The deoxidizing agent may include calcium carbide, powdered aluminum or magnesium, or combinations thereof. The aluminum shell may be formed from molten aluminum, or aluminum sheet or foil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent workload routing are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system for intelligent workload routing may include a first processing platform having a first characteristic; a second processing platform having a second characteristic; and a workload router in communication with the first processing platform and the second processing platform the workload router receiving a message comprising a workload request and routing the workload request to one of the first processing platform and the second processing platform based on at least one of a workload request characteristic, the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic slag forming briquette encased in an aluminum shell. The briquette may include a deoxidizing agent, calcium oxide, calcium fluoride, calcium aluminate, magnesia, or dolomitic lime, or combinations thereof. The deoxidizing agent may include calcium carbide, powdered aluminum or magnesium, or combinations thereof. The aluminum shell may be formed from molten aluminum, or aluminum sheet or foil.

Abstract: A system and associated method for analyzing a filter element of at least one of a filter rod and a smoking article is provided. At least one sensor element is adapted to interact with the filter element so as to determine an object insertion status with respect thereto and to generate an output signal in response. The object insertion status includes at least one of an object presence within the filter element, an object absence from the filter element, a proper insertion of an object into the filter element, a defective insertion of an object into the filter element, a proper object within the filter element, and a defective object within the filter element. An analysis unit is in communication with the at least one sensor element and responsive to the output signal therefrom to generate an indicia corresponding to the object insertion status.

Abstract: An inspection system and associated method are provided for inspecting a cigarette package. A transport device is configured to transport individual cigarette packages to an inspection position such that at least a portion of the cigarette package is visibly accessible for optical inspection. An inspection device is configured to optically inspect each cigarette package, at least about the visibly accessible portion thereof, as the cigarette package is transported through the inspection position, and to automatically determine from the optical inspection whether the inspected cigarette package is defective.

Abstract: A system and associated method for analyzing a filter element of at least one of a filter rod and a smoking article is provided. At least one sensor element is adapted to interact with the filter element so as to determine an object insertion status with respect thereto and to generate an output signal in response. The object insertion status includes at least one of an object presence within the filter element, an object absence from the filter element, a proper insertion of an object into the filter element, a defective insertion of an object into the filter element, a proper object within the filter element, and a defective object within the filter element. An analysis unit is in communication with the at least one sensor element and responsive to the output signal therefrom to generate an indicia corresponding to the object insertion status.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for steelmaking using magnesium carbonate to create a foaming primary slag.