Abstract: Disclosed are a process and apparatus for selective catalytic reduction of NOx. The process is enabled by bypassing a heat exchanger section, such as an economizer, of the boiler in advance of an SCR unit at low load conditions to enable NOx reduction even at low loads using urea instead of ammonia. In a preferred form, under high load conditions, the bypass can be almost fully closed and the economizer can be operated normally without excessively cooling the combustion gases, using only a portion of bypassed gases which are hot enough to decompose the urea into its active components including ammonia.

Abstract: A distributed database system providing data and space management methodology. In a distributed system consisting a plurality of servers sharing access to data pages, a method for setting a timestamp indicating when modifications to data pages are made in a non-regressing fashion includes steps of: maintaining a local sequence at each server and an allocation page timestamp on an allocation page; upon allocation of a data page, applying a timestamp to the data page which is greater than the allocation page timestamp; upon modification of a given data page at a particular server, setting the timestamp on the given data page to the greater of the local sequence at the particular server and an existing timestamp already on the given data page; and when data pages are deallocated, adjusting the allocation page timestamp to a value greater than the timestamp value on any deallocated data page.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process and apparatus for selective catalytic reduction of NOx. The process is enabled by bypassing a heat exchanger section, such as an economizer, of the boiler in advance of an SCR unit at low load conditions to enable NOx reduction even at low loads using urea instead of ammonia. In a preferred form, under high load conditions, the bypass can be almost fully closed and the economizer can be operated normally without excessively cooling the combustion gases, using only a portion of bypassed gases which are hot enough to decompose the urea into its active components including ammonia.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process and apparatus for selective catalytic reduction of NOx. The process is enabled by passing a heat exchanger section, such as an economizer, of the boiler in advance of an SCR unit at low load conditions to enable NOx reduction even at low loads using urea instead of ammonia. In a preferred form, under high load conditions, the bypass can be almost fully closed and the economizer can be operated normally without excessively cooling the combustion gases, using only a portion of bypassed gases which are hot enough to decompose the urea into its active components including ammonia.

Abstract: A distributed database system providing data and space management methodology. In one embodiment, for example, a method for transferring a data structure in cache at a first database server to a second database server in a distributed database system comprises steps of: determining a first database server having a data structure in cache in response to a request for the data structure from a second database server, the request including a request for a lock on the data structure; providing the request for the data structure to the first database server; in response, sending the data structure from the first database server to the second database server; and receiving and using the data structure at the second database server without waiting for the lock request to be explicitly granted.

Abstract: A distributed database system providing data and space management methodology. In a distributed database system having an allocation page for tracking allocation and deallocation of data pages including a deallocation bit for tracking data page deallocation, a method for determining when to clear the deallocation bit during recovery comprises: during runtime operation, generating log records recording allocation and deallocation of data pages, setting the deallocation bit during deallocation of a data page by a transaction, and clearing the deallocation bit after the transaction has committed; during recovery following a failure, identifying a particular log record corresponding to the deallocation bit set during deallocation of a given data page; determining whether the deallocation of the given data page recorded in the particular log record committed prior to the failure; and if the deallocation of the given data page committed prior to the failure, clearing the deallocation bit.

Abstract: A distributed database system providing data and space management methodology. In a distributed system comprising a plurality of servers sharing access to data pages, a method for setting a timestamp indicating when modifications to data pages are made in a non-regressing fashion comprises steps of: maintaining a local sequence at each server and an allocation page timestamp on an allocation page; upon allocation of a data page, applying a timestamp to the data page which is greater than the allocation page timestamp; upon modification of a given data page at a particular server, setting the timestamp on the given data page to the greater of the local sequence at the particular server and an existing timestamp already on the given data page; and when data pages are deallocated, adjusting the allocation page timestamp to a value greater than the timestamp value on any deallocated data page.

Abstract: A distributed database system providing data and space management methodology is described. In one embodiment, for example, a method is described for detection of deadlocks in a distributed database system comprising a plurality of servers sharing access to data, the method comprises steps of: in response to a task at a first server waiting to obtain a lock regulating access to data, sending a search request including lock information to a second server holding the lock; at the second server, examining dependencies of the task holding the lock based on the lock information received with the search request and local lock information; if the task holding the lock is waiting to obtain a lock held by an additional server, forwarding the search request and local lock information to the additional server; repeating the examining and forwarding steps until all dependencies are examined; and responding to the search request indicating whether a deadlock was detected and providing lock information found.

Abstract: A distributed database system providing data and space management methodology. In one embodiment a system for allocating resources amongst a plurality of database servers sharing resources comprises: an input module for receiving user input for allocating resources shared amongst a plurality of database servers and establishing thresholds for utilization of resources at each database server; a monitoring module at each database server for monitoring local resource utilization at each database server and sending a request for balancing resources to a second database server when local resource utilization reaches an established threshold at a first database server; and a load balancing module for receiving the request for balancing resources and determining whether to adjust resources allocated to the first database server and the second database server in response to the request.

Abstract: In a system and method for viewing and screening data from multiple analysis instruments in a single display, a display device coupled to a processor, displays a universal browser window. The browser window includes a first portion and a second portion. A memory also coupled to the processor, has stored therein a software program including instructions for execution by the processor.

Abstract: A chemical sample loading and processing system for high throughput processing, having a processor coupled to a memory, and the memory has located therein at least one data file having a plurality of sets of information, and a software program. The software program includes instructions for the processor to correlate each of the plurality of sets of information in the data file or files with at least one sample, and control the automatic and sequential processing of each of a plurality of samples. The system also includes a stacker, where the stacker holds each of the plurality of samples to be processed and a chemical analyzer coupled to the processor and to the stacker, where the chemical analyzer processes each of the plurality of samples. The data file or files may be at least one of generated in advance of loading of the plurality of samples into the stacker and transferred to the memory and generated in real time as the samples are loaded into the stacker.

Abstract: A system and method to remotely enable and disable features in a mailing system is provided. When a customer desires to change the operating features of a mailing system, the customer places an order with a data center. The data center generates a file that identifies each of the features that should be enabled within the mailing system, and the file is sent to the mailing system, along with any files required to implement and support the enabled features, via a network. The mailing system will store the required files, and purge any files no longer required to implement and support features that are no longer enabled. The enabling and disabling of operating features is thus performed remotely from the data center, and does not require a customer service representative to physically visit the location at which the mailing system is installed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing rating information with respect to mailing services or other shipping services. Information regarding the weight or another characteristic of a mailpiece is provided by, e.g., weighing the mailpiece. A mailing charge for the mailpiece is displayed for a particular class of mailing or shipping service even though the user has not yet selected the class of service. A plurality of mailing charges, each for a respective class of service, is simultaneously displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing a plurality of mail pieces that is able to make appropriate class of service determinations during processing based on a first class of service received from a user and a measured weight and dimension(s) of each mail piece. If the first class of service is determined to not be appropriate, a second, appropriate, class of service is determined for the each mail piece using the measured weight and dimension(s). A postage amount is determined for each mail piece using the measured weight and dimension(s) and the appropriate class of service. The method may further include determining whether each of a number of requested special services is applicable to each mail piece so that special service fees may be applied in a discriminate manner. More accurate transaction information may thus be stored for each mail piece.

Abstract: A method for generating a color monitor profile for different operating system comprises the steps of: building a multimedia film for a screen to be measured; playing the multimedia film on the screen; measuring hues, gray levels, and RGB values of the screen by using a color meter near the screen; transferring outputs from color meter to a computer having a color management softwear so as to build a color monitor profile for the computer. Thereby, it is unnecessary to develop another color management softwear to fit for the operating system used in the screen.

Abstract: Fastening systems for releasably securing two components together include tab and landing members. In a first arrangement, a Z-fold tab member has combined mechanical and adhesive engagement. A second arrangement includes adjacent adhesive and cohesive contact portions. A third arrangement contoured apertures and mechanical engaging elements. A fourth arrangement includes apertures and mechanical engaging elements sized and arranged so that each aperture receives a plurality of mechanical engaging elements. A fifth arrangement includes tab and landing members that cooperate to provide a color indicia of secure adhesive engagement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the use of a urea hydrolysate for nitrogen oxides reductions. More particularly, the process involves forming a urea hydrolysate under conditions of low pressure and introducing the hydrolysate into a combustion effluent under conditions effective for the reduction of nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: Improved processes and improved compositions reduce the environmental damage caused by large-scale combustion, especially in the field of NO.sub.x reduction by selective noncatalytic reduction (SNCR) in the gas phase. In one aspect, the process improves the reliability of known means, compositions and methods for reducing the concentration of pollutants in a gas stream by: preparing an aqueous solution comprising a pollutant-reducing agent and a water-dispersible polymer, and introducing the solution into the gas stream. Preferred polymers comprise high molecular weight polymers selected from the group consisting of homo and copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylamide with RSV values of at least 10, sodium acrylate acrylamide copolymers with RSV values of at least 10, sulfonmethylated acrylamide/acrylamide/acrylic acid terpolymers of RSV of at least 18, alkylene oxide polymers and copolymers, and mixtures of any of these and like polymers.

Abstract: A method for removing carbonyl sulfide from fluids, particularly gases, involves contacting them with alkaline aqueous solutions containing peroxide and hindered amine. The sulfur products so formed can then be separated from the fluid. In one embodiment, gas containing carbonyl sulfide is cycled through a wet scrubber containing a solution of hydrogen peroxide and methyldiethanolamine, triethylamine, dimethylmonoethanolamine, diethylmonoethanolamine, triethanolamine, 2-amino-2-meth-yl-1-propanol, and/or 1,8-p-menthanediaminemethyldiethanolamine at a pH of about 9 to 11, e.g., about 10. Methyldiethanolamine is preferred in one embodiment. A dispersant such as a water-soluble polymer having a molecular weight of about 500 to 100,000 may optionally be employed in the solution. Abatement of greater than 90% of the carbonyl sulfide is achieved in preferred embodiments.

Abstract: More reliable removal of sulfur oxides (SO.sub.x) from combustion effluents by in furnace injection is achieved by stabilizing slurries of calcium carbonate (limestone), calcium oxide (lime) and calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime) for extended periods of time and during in-furnace injection. The slurries are stabilized by a stabilization system comprising a generally hydrophobic surfactant having an HLB of less than about 8 and a more hydrophilic surfactant having an HLB of at least about 8, wherein the HLB values of the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic surfactants differ by at least about 3.