Abstract: Systems and methods are described for reducing the start-up time of flue gas conditioning processes. Such processes can include a gas removal unit configured to selectively remove a reactive gas from a flue gas stream using a catalyst and reagent to produce a scrubbed stream that is substantially depleted of the reactive gas. A heating device can advantageously be used upstream of the gas removal unit to thereby preheat the catalyst to an operational temperature and thereby reduce the start-up time of the process.

Abstract: Materials with high levels of unsaponifiable matter, such as extracts from plants, produce hydrolysates with unique properties. Properties that are sought in traditional saponification of natural oils are a result of low levels of unsaponifiables. These properties include high levels of aqueous surfactant activity, water-solubility or ready water-dispersability, activity as foaming agents, and the like. An objective of traditional saponification processes is to increase the water-solubility and surfactant activity of naturally occurring materials. It has been found that the application of a hydrolysis process to materials, particularly materials with a high level of unsaponifiables (e.g., at least 6 weight percent of the material), produces a product with properties significantly different from those products resulting from the conventional saponification of materials with less than 6 weight percent of unsaponifiables.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to cleaning a flue gas are described, in which a column housing can be configured to receive a feed stream, and includes an absorber configured to produce a clean stream that is substantially depleted of at least one of SOx and CO2. The absorber can comprise at least one of (1) a primary CO2 capture system disposed downstream of a gas conditioning system and (2) a primary acid gas removal system disposed upstream of a gas conditioning system. The gas conditioning system can also be disposed in the column housing.

Abstract: A headgear assembly for a baghouse filter can include a headgear configured to allow for concentric arrangement of first and second filters coupled thereto, where at least one of the first filter, second filter, and headgear can include an opening through which accumulated particulate from the second filter can pass. The headgear assembly can also include a cleaning assembly configured to facilitate cleaning of at least one of the first and second filters. Methods of facilitating on-line cleaning of a baghouse filter are also described wherein an exhaust stream is passed through concentrically arranged first and second filters to produce a filtered stream. At least one of the first and second filters can be cleaned using a cleaning assembly to remove accumulated particulate, which can pass through an opening in at least one of the first filter, the second filter, and the headgear.

Abstract: Configurations and methods of reducing oxygen infiltration into an oxygen-sensitive process environment of a plant are presented in which carbon dioxide is isolated from a process stream within the plant, and in which a small portion of the isolated carbon dioxide is used in the plant as a transport gas or a seal gas for devices that are known to exhibit air in-leaking.

Abstract: The inventors disclose hair relaxing and/or straightening compositions, methods of making hair relaxing compositions, kits containing hair relaxing compositions, methods of straightening hair with hair relaxing compositions, and hair relaxed and/or straightened by hair relaxing compositions and/or methods.

Abstract: Materials with high levels of unsaponifiable matter, such as extracts from plants, produce hydrolysates with unique properties. Properties that are sought in traditional saponification of natural oils are a result of low levels of unsaponifiables. These properties include high levels of aqueous surfactant activity, water-solubility or ready water-dispersability, activity as foaming agents, and the like. An objective of traditional saponification processes is to increase the water-solubility and surfactant activity of naturally occurring materials. It has been found that the application of a hydrolysis process to materials, particularly materials with a high level of unsaponifiables (e.g., at least 6% by total weight of the material), produces a product with properties significantly different from those products resulting from the conventional saponification of materials with less than 6% by weight of unsaponifiables.

Abstract: Power is selectively transferred from a primary actuator to one of a plurality of output shafts with a transmission including a plurality of output members coupled to an input member, the input member being coupled to the primary actuator. A first active material actuator includes a mechanical coupling feature coupling one of the plurality of output shafts to one of the plurality of output members when the active material actuator is activated.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly is provided that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The head restraint assembly includes a support member and a deployable member. A link is rotatably mounted with respect to the support member and the deployable member. A shaft is mounted to the link for rotation therewith. The active material is actuatable to rotate the shaft and thereby cause the deployable member to move from its retracted position to its deployed position.

Abstract: The disclosed composition and method includes the use of non-polar unsaponifiable material and polar hydrophilic salts in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds to provide hair treatment preparations for cosmetic and personal care applications. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve substantivity and/or rinse-off characteristics. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide hair conditioners, shampoos, straighteners, permanent waves, color-fast dyes, non-color-fast dyes, and repair treatments with jojoba hydrolysates in combination with Quaternium 80 for increased substantivity and superior wash/rinse-off benefits.

Abstract: An active material actuated louver system having an actuator mechanism operable to selectively place a louver or louver system in an open or closed state of operation. The actuator mechanism includes a cable or wire formed from an active material, such as a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly is provided that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The head restraint assembly includes a support member and a deployable member. A link is rotatably mounted with respect to the support member and the deployable member. A shaft is mounted to the link for rotation therewith. The active material is actuatable to rotate the shaft and thereby cause the deployable member to move from its retracted position to its deployed position.

Abstract: An active air dam adapted for use with a vehicle, includes a deflector pivotally translatable relative to the vehicle, so as to be caused to achieve stowed and deployed conditions, wherein the deflector, when in the deployed condition, is configured to occlude air flow beneath the vehicle, and further includes an active material actuator comprising an active material drivenly coupled to the deflector, and configured to cause the deflector to pivot to one of the stowed and deployed conditions as a result of activating the material, and the vehicle is preferably configured to cause the actuator to pivot the deflector when a pre-determined vehicle or external condition is detected.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly is provided that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The head restraint assembly includes a support member and a deployable member. A link is rotatably mounted with respect to the support member and the deployable member. A shaft is mounted to the link for rotation therewith. The active material is actuatable to rotate the shaft and thereby cause the deployable member to move from its retracted position to its deployed position.

Abstract: An active air dam adapted for use with a vehicle, includes a deflector pivotally translatable relative to the vehicle, so as to be caused to achieve stowed and deployed conditions, wherein the deflector, when in the deployed condition, is configured to occlude air flow beneath the vehicle, and further includes an active material actuator comprising an active material drivenly coupled to the deflector, and configured to cause the deflector to pivot to one of the stowed and deployed conditions as a result of activating the material, and the vehicle is preferably configured to cause the actuator to pivot the deflector when a pre-determined vehicle or external condition is detected.

Abstract: Compositions may include long-chain organic molecules obtained from natural oils, particularly plant, bean, seed and nut oils, and their derivatives can be provided with increased oxygen stability by their combination with mixtures of particular classes of antioxidants, particularly combinations of at least one synthetic free-radical terminating antioxidant. The stabilization combination is particularly effective in combination with long-chain oils having less than 5% methylene interrupted unsaturation and free-radical terminating antioxidants present in an amount of from 0.001 to 5% or more by weight of the long-chain oils. The long-chain oil may include a natural oil or wax, such as Macadamia oil and its derivatives, Moringa oil and its derivatives, Babassu oil and its derivatives, Meadowfoam oil and its derivatives, and High Oleic Sunflower oil.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for assisting managers in managing invoices received from providers, and in particular for providing assistance to managers in identifying elements of invoices which are likely to be disputed, and assisting managers in disputing elements of invoices which are desired to be disputed by managers. The system may further embody features for assisting managers in managing accounts associated with invoices.

Abstract: Cosmetic particle compositions are provided which are adapted to form hard cosmetic particles that transform to soft cosmetic particles after their incorporation into topical formulations, particularly surfactant-based topical formulations. The composition includes one or more partially or fully hydrogenated triglyceride oils, at least 50% of which have at least 15% by weight fatty acid moieties with carbon chain lengths of C18 or higher. Additives may be disposed in or on the hard cosmetic particles and delivered when the cosmetic particles are broken proximate a target such as the skin, hair or nails of a mammalian subject or another target. The transformable hard cosmetic particles permit the storage and shipment of intact cosmetic particles yet transform in situ to achieve the benefits of soft cosmetic particles.

Abstract: The disclosed composition and method includes the use of non-polar unsaponifiable material and polar hydrophilic salts in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds to provide hair treatment preparations for cosmetic and personal care applications. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve substantivity and/or rinse-off characteristics. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide hair conditioners, shampoos, straighteners, permanent waves, color-fast dyes, non-color-fast dyes, and repair treatments with jojoba hydrolysates in combination with Quaternium 80 for increased substantivity and superior wash/rinse-off benefits.

Abstract: The disclosed composition and method includes the use of non-polar unsaponifiable material and polar hydrophilic salts in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds to provide hair treatment preparations for cosmetic and personal care applications. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve substantivity and/or rinse-off characteristics. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide hair conditioners, shampoos, straighteners, permanent waves, color-fast dyes, non-color-fast dyes, and repair treatments with jojoba hydrolysates in combination with Quaternium 80 for increased substantivity and superior wash/rinse-off benefits.