Abstract: A method of inverting sucrose, including (i) determining an initial solids concentration of an aqueous sucrose solution, an initial bed volume of a sucrose inversion resin system, a minimum target inversion percentage, a maximum target inversion percentage, a target maximum hydroxymethylfuran (HMF) concentration, a minimum target pH, or a maximum target pH; (ii) contacting the sucrose inversion resin system with the aqueous sucrose solution under conditions of aqueous solution flow rate and aqueous solution temperature to produce an inverted sucrose solution having an inversion percentage, an HMF concentration, and a pH; (iii) observing an instantaneous inversion percentage, an instantaneous HMF concentration, or an instantaneous pH of the inverted sucrose solution; and, if appropriate; (iv) changing at least one of the aqueous solution flow rate or the aqueous solution temperature to yield a product having a desired inversion percentage, HMF concentration, and/or pH.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting energy from fiber introduced as a fuel into a vertically elongated combustion chamber having a suspension burner capable of projecting a flame down the axis of the combustion chamber with a heat collection surface located radially from the flame and below the burner, and an exhaust opening located below the flame and below at least a portion of the heat collection surface, in which the combusted fiber yields a mixture containing hot flue gas and molten ash above the exhaust opening and heat transfers therefrom to the heat collection surface prior to any substantial contact of ash to a surface of the combustion chamber, to yield a mixture containing warm flue gas and non-molten ash, that is thereafter cooled to yield a mixture containing cool flue gas and non-molten ash.

Abstract: We disclose a method of inverting sucrose, including (i) determining an initial solids concentration of an aqueous sucrose solution (solidsi), an initial bed volume (BVi) of a sucrose inversion resin system, a minimum target inversion percentage (invert %min), a maximum target inversion percentage (invert %max), a target maximum hydroxymethylfuran (HMF) concentration (HMFmax), a minimum target pH (pHmin), or a maximum target pH (pHmax); (ii) contacting the sucrose inversion resin system with the aqueous sucrose solution under conditions of aqueous solution flow rate in BVi/hr (ratep) and aqueous solution temperature in ° C.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of glycerol comprises contacting an aqueous feed composition that comprises water, glycerol, and at least one contaminant with a solvent extractant comprising at least one C5-C8 alkanol, optionally in admixture with at least one alkane, to form a first mixture, and separating the first mixture into a first solvent phase and a first aqueous phase. The first solvent phase comprises a majority (more than 50 wt %) of the solvent extractant and a majority of the glycerol that was present in the aqueous feed composition. The weight ratio in the first solvent phase of glycerol to a contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of glycerol to the contaminant in the aqueous feed composition. The first aqueous phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed composition and at least some of the contaminant from the aqueous feed composition.

Abstract: An oral hygiene station (10) for children has a portable, hand held body (12), and a suction cup (26) for releasably mounting the body to a vanity unit. The body (12) has a basin (16) and a lid (18) hingedly connected thereto for opening and closing the basin. The basin has slots (20) each of which can receive therethrough the shaft of a toothbrush. The basin also has a mouth wash cup holder (22). The lid (18) has a mirror (24) supported on its inside surface so that a child using the oral hygiene station (10) can see themselves in the mirror when the lid is opened.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating elongated semiconductor strips from a wafer of semiconductor material are disclosed. Vacuum is applied to the face of each elongated semiconductor strip forming an edge of the wafer or being adjacent to the edge. The wafer and a source of the vacuum are displaced to separate each elongated semiconductor strip from the wafer. Further, a method and an apparatus for assembling elongated semiconductor strips separated from a wafer of semiconductor material into an array of the strips are disclosed. Still further, methods, apparatuses, and systems for assembling an array of elongated semiconductor strips on a substrate are disclosed.

Abstract: A subsea intervention system is disclosed comprising a floating vessel and a source of coiled tubing at the floating vessel. The system includes a seabed installation including a wellhead and compliant guide having one end operatively connected to the floating vessel and the second end operatively connected to the seabed installation. The compliant guide provides a conduit between the floating vessel and the wellhead for the coiled tubing. At least one injector is present at the floating vessel for inserting the coiled tubing into the compliant guide, and a carousel is proximate the wellhead which comprises a plurality of chambers with intervention tools in at least two of those chambers. The system may also include a plurality of sensing units that are disposed at spaced intervals along the compliant guide to monitor various aspects of the compliant guide and to transmit that information to a repositioning system. A riser may be used instead of the compliant guide.

Abstract: A technique enables protection of subsea wells. The technique employs a subsea test tree designed to ensure control over the well in a variety of situations. The subsea test tree is formed with at least one shut-off valve to protect against unwanted release of fluids from the subsea test tree. The subsea test tree also is coupled with and controlled by a control system having a subsea control module mounted to an interior mandrel.

Abstract: A technique is provided for control of subsea well systems. The technique utilizes a subsea controller coupled to a plurality of subsea well system components to allow localized control of the subsea well system. The subsea controller can be used in a variety of functional applications, such as balancing power distribution to subsea components.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates implementation of transitory downhole video imaging and/or spectral imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for permanent and/or long term installations. The present invention contemplates various methods and apparatus that facilitate one-time or ongoing downhole fluid characterization by video analysis in real time. The methods and systems may be particularly well suited to permanent and periodic intervention-based operations.

Abstract: A booster pumping system is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea production well. The booster pumping system includes: (1) a submersible pump hydraulically connected to the production well to provide energy to the hydrocarbon flow and boost production to another destination such as a subsea production facility or the surface via a riser; (2) an inlet conduit to receive the flow from the production well and isolate the flow from the dummy wellbore and direct the flow to the intake of the pump; and (3) a motor exposed to the dummy wellbore to drive the pump. The dummy wellbore may be flooded or circulated with seawater to cool the motor.

Abstract: A detection system comprising a plurality of taut wire panels having vertical detection/sensor wires. The sensor wires are tensioned to position trigger plates associated one or more of the wires. Trigger plate movement causes an actuating means to indicate a sensor wire has been moved. In one embodiment, sensor wires and portions of the panel frame have similar coefficients of thermal expansion to substantially eliminate environmental expansion effects that may result in false alarms. Linked sensor wires on adjacent panel may signal movement of entire panels. Panels are monitored by panel controllers reporting to sector controllers that report to a central command computer that automatically numbers sector and panel controllers at start-up. Bi-directional communication enables alarms and system faults to be precisely located.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photoradiation and/or moisture curing silicone compositions and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, the methods of the present invention permit controlled growth of a polymer, and allow for incorporation of pendant functional groups along the length of the polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to signaling of MGW identity in SIP-I. A Call Control Unit of a network includes an Input/Output unit. The Call Control Unit includes a processing unit in communication with the input/output unit. The Call Control Unit includes a memory unit in communication with the processing unit, the processing unit producing a signal having information which identifies a seized Media Gateway (MGW) related to a call establishment or one or more offered Media Gateways, which is sent via Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to a Mobile Switching Centre (MSC)-Server in the network which is in charge to seize a MGW. A computer readable medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by at least one processing unit, signals a media gateway (MGW) identity. A method in a telecommunications node for signaling a Media Gateway (MGW) Identity.

Abstract: We disclose a method of extracting an alcohol or furan from a predominantly liquid stream comprising the alcohol or furan, comprising removing cations from the predominantly liquid stream comprising the alcohol or furan, using a cation-exchange resin; removing anions from the predominantly liquid stream comprising the alcohol or furan, using an anion-exchange resin; and recovering alcohol or furan from the predominantly liquid stream comprising the alcohol or furan, using either a vapor permeation membrane, a perevaporation process, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are passive and active vehicle arresting barrier systems that may be combined to provide anti-ram protection along an entire perimeter of a secured area including vehicle access points. A perimeter fence portion is a passive barrier system that stops an attacking vehicle within a predetermined penetration distance and may blend into an existing perimeter fence structure to provide an architecturally hidden structure. The access opening portion utilizes a collapsible road deck and an underlying pit that does not require hydraulic or electrical means to deploy.

Abstract: A subsea intervention system is disclosed comprising a floating vessel and a source of coiled tubing at the floating vessel. The system includes a seabed installation including a wellhead and compliant guide having one end operatively connected to the floating vessel and the second end operatively connected to the seabed installation. The compliant guide provides a conduit between the floating vessel and the wellhead for the coiled tubing. At least one injector is present at the floating vessel for inserting the coiled tubing into the compliant guide, and a carousel is proximate the wellhead which comprises a plurality of chambers with intervention tools in at least two of those chambers. The system may also include a plurality of sensing units that are disposed at spaced intervals along the compliant guide to monitor various aspects of the compliant guide and to transmit that information to a repositioning system.

Abstract: Carbonaceous feedstock is at least partially oxidized using a concentrated metal ion solution that is regenerated in an electrochemical hydrogen gas producing process. The at least partially oxidized feedstock and/or hydrogen are then advantageously used as an energy carrier in a downstream process.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices that enable to request more than one service during call set-up. To this end a new indicator is introduced into a request message sent to a database storing subscriber data, for indicating that at least one further request message is sent and a response indicator that a database is adapted to handle said indicator. Furthermore a set of rules is defined how different responses from the database are processed to enable said request.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a carbohydrate selected from sucralose and sucralose-6-esters from an aqueous feed stream is disclosed. The process comprises extracting the feed stream with an organic solvent, such as ethyl acetate, back extracting the resulting carbohydrate-containing organic extract with an aqueous solvent, and either crystallizing the carbohydrate from the organic solvent or replacing the organic solvent with water and crystallizing the carbohydrate from water. The process results in an increased overall yield of the carbohydrate.