Abstract: Systems and processes for improving quality and yield of one or more distillate products generated in a distillation column are disclosed. The system comprises a feed inlet distributor that reduces the amount of liquid entrained in vapor rising from the feed zone of the distillation column, a wash zone collection apparatus having an improved design for collecting slop wax falling from a liquid/vapor contacting structure provided in the wash zone, a recirculation subsystem for recirculating at least a portion of the collected slop wax to the top of the wash zone for distribution as wash oil, and a control subsystem. The feed inlet distributor ensures a horizontal fluid flow path free of transverse surfaces thereby minimizing atomization of liquid droplets entrained in vapor in the feed stream.

Abstract: Systems and processes for improving quality and yield of one or more distillate products generated in a distillation column are disclosed. The system comprises a feed inlet distributor that reduces the amount of liquid entrained in vapor rising from the feed zone of the distillation column, a wash zone collection apparatus having an improved design for collecting slop wax falling from a liquid/vapor contacting structure provided in the wash zone, a recirculation subsystem for recirculating at least a portion of the collected slop wax to the top of the wash zone for distribution as wash oil, and a control subsystem. The feed inlet distributor ensures a horizontal fluid flow path free of transverse surfaces thereby minimizing atomization of liquid droplets entrained in vapor in the feed stream.

Abstract: Processes for selectively eliminating hydrogen sulfide from liquid ammonia, either anhydrous or aqueous, are described herein. The processes generally include contacting a first liquid stream, anhydrous or aqueous, comprising ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, with a solution comprising sulfur dioxide to convert the hydrogen sulfide to thiosulfate.

Abstract: Processes for selectively eliminating hydrogen sulfide from liquid ammonia, either anhydrous or aqueous, are described herein. The processes generally include contacting a first liquid stream, anhydrous or aqueous, comprising ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, with a solution comprising sulfur dioxide to convert the hydrogen sulfide to thiosulfate.

Abstract: Systems and processes for improving quality and yield of one or more distillate products generated in a distillation column are disclosed. The system comprises a feed inlet distributor that reduces the amount of liquid entrained in vapor rising from the feed zone of the distillation column, a wash zone collection apparatus having an improved design for collecting slop wax falling from a liquid/vapor contacting structure provided in the wash zone, a recirculation subsystem for recirculating at least a portion of the collected slop wax to the top of the wash zone for distribution as wash oil, and a control subsystem. The feed inlet distributor ensures a horizontal fluid flow path free of transverse surfaces thereby minimizing atomization of liquid droplets entrained in vapor in the feed stream.

Abstract: A process for reducing hydrogen sulfide from a gas comprising contacting the gas with an aqueous scrubbing liquid recycled from a sour water stripper. The aqueous scrubbing liquid comprises ammonia. The contacting of the gas with the aqueous scrubbing liquid thereby produces a semi-sweet gas with reduced concentration of hydrogen sulfide and a rich liquid solution.

Abstract: Rotationally translated PV cells exhibit enhanced efficiency relative to identical cells provided in a flat array statically arranged parallel to the plane of the earth or designed to follow the arc of the sun. A solar energy converting article that includes a shaft and a plurality of outwardly extending vanes, each of which bears a plurality of photovoltaic cells, can produce larger amounts of current than the same area of photovoltaic cells arranged in a plane. The article can be used as part of an assembly with a motor or generator.

Abstract: Process for the production of ammonium thiosulfate from gas streams comprising ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. One embodiment of the invention provides absorbing SO2 into a solution of ammonium sulfite and then contacting gaseous feed streams with portions of the resulting solution in a plurality of contact zones where portions of ammonium sulfite in the liquid streams are converted to ammonium thiosulfate upon contact with the gaseous feed streams.

Abstract: Processes for selectively removing sulfur-containing compounds from a gas are described herein. The processes generally include contacting a first gas including carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide with a scrub solution including ammonium bisulfite and ammonium sulfite in a first contact zone to produce a first contact zone effluent liquid including ammonium thiosulfate and a first contact zone overhead gas in which the concentration of hydrogen sulfide is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A process for reducing hydrogen sulfide from a gas comprising contacting the gas with an aqueous scrubbing liquid recycled from a sour water stripper. The aqueous scrubbing liquid comprises ammonia. The contacting of the gas with the aqueous scrubbing liquid thereby produces a semi-sweet gas with reduced concentration of hydrogen sulfide and a rich liquid solution.

Abstract: Pliers comprising a composite material comprising: individual regions of a ductile metal phase distributed in a substantially continuous amorphous metal alloy matrix are disclosed. Pliers comprising a first lever arm and a second lever arm that is complementary to the first lever arm, wherein the two arms are pivotally attached, and at least a portion of at least one of the two arms comprises the composite material are disclosed. A method of forming pliers is disclosed.

Abstract: A fish hook formed at least in part of a composite material comprising: an amorphous metal alloy forming a substantially continuous matrix; and a second ductile metal phase embedded in the matrix and formed in situ in the matrix by crystallization from a molten alloy. A method of making a fish hook. A method of fishing.

Abstract: Processes for selectively removing sulfur-containing compounds from a gas are described herein. The processes generally include contacting a first gas including carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide with a scrub solution including ammonium bisulfite and ammonium sulfite in a first contact zone to produce a first contact zone effluent liquid including ammonium thiosulfate and a first contact zone overhead gas in which the concentration of hydrogen sulfide is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A cutting tool comprising: a blade portion having a cutting edge and a body portion; wherein the blade portion is made at least in part of a composite material comprising an amorphous metal alloy forming a substantially continuous matrix, and a second ductile metal phase embedded in the matrix and formed in situ in the matrix by crystallization from a molten alloy.

Abstract: Processes for selectively removing sulfur-containing compounds from a gas are described herein. The processes generally include contacting a first gas including carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide with a scrub solution including ammonium bisulfite and ammonium sulfite in a first contact zone to produce a first contact zone effluent liquid including ammonium thiosulfate and a first contact zone overhead gas including carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission or clutch device (10) includes at least one pulley (18) rotatable on a pivot (28) and having a pair of adjustable sheaves (30, 34) including a movable sheave (30) movable along the pivot. An ortho-planar compliant mechanism (14) is capable of elastic deformation and operatively coupled to the movable sheave to bias the movable sheave towards or away from the other sheave. The ortho-planar compliant mechanism includes a substantially flat configuration and is deflectable therefrom as the movable sheave moves. The ortho-planar compliant mechanism can include a center platform (38) disposed on the pivot and a plurality of arms (42) extending from the platform to distal ends (46) coupled to the movable sheave.

Abstract: Process for the production of ammonium thiosulfate from gas streams comprising ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. One embodiment of the invention provides absorbing SO2 into a solution of ammonium sulfite and then contacting gaseous feed streams with portions of the resulting solution in a plurality of contact zones where portions of ammonium sulfite in the liquid streams are converted to ammonium thiosulfate upon contact with the gaseous feed streams.

Abstract: Line guides for fishing rods made from one or more materials including an amorphous metallic alloy, sometimes referred to as a metallic glass. In preferred embodiments, the line guide has a one-piece structure and more preferably is formed substantially entirely from metallic glass. The present invention also relates to fishing rods incorporating such line guides.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing thiosulfate from oxidation of reduced sulfur species without producing elemental sulfur and without converting more than 9% of the sulfur species to sulfate ion. The method consists essentially of oxidizing a thiosulfate solution with an oxidizing agent to produce a partially oxidized solution, adjusting the pH of the partially oxidized stream to between 5 and 8; and contacting the partially-oxidized solution with a stream containing a reduced sulfur species so that the reduced species is oxidized and the partially-oxidized stream reduced.

Abstract: A process for producing ammonium thiosulfate by contacting a feed gas containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia with an aqueous absorbing stream containing ammonium sulfite and ammonium bisulfite to form an ammonium thiosulfate-containing solution; the absorption being controlled by monitoring the oxidation reduction potential of the absorbing stream and varying the feed rates in response to the oxidation reduction potential measurements. An ammonium bisulfide-containing aqueous stream is contacted with and absorbs sulfur dioxide to form an aqueous stream containing the ammonium sulfite and ammonium bisulfite reagents. This sulfite/bisulfite-containing stream is combined with the ammonium thiosulfate-containing solution in a vessel to produce a combined solution. A portion of the combined solution is recycled back to contact the feed gas and ammonium thiosulfate is recovered from the remaining portion of the combined solution.