Abstract: Process for the production of di- and poly(diamino diphenyl methane) comprising the steps of (a) reacting aniline and formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce a reaction mixture containing di- and polyamines; (b) neutralising the reaction mixture containing di- and polyamines; (c) separating the neutralised reaction mixture into an organic phase containing di- and polyamines and an aqueous phase; (d) further treating the organic phase separated off in step (c) by (d1) washing with water followed by (d2) separating the washed mixture into an organic phase and an aqueous phase and (d3) further fractionation of the organic phase to produce purified di- and polyamines on the one hand and aniline/water on the other hand; (e) further treating the aqueous phase separated off in step (c) by (e1) washing with aniline followed by (e2) separating the washed mixture into an aqueous phase and an organic phase and (e3) further treatment of the aqueous phase to remove the aniline thereby leaving an efflu

Abstract: A carrying system is provided for use with breathing apparatus. The carrying system includes a backplate and a plurality of straps adapted to hold the backplate on the back of a user when the carrying system is worn. The backplate includes at least one plate of a plastics material. The at least one plate having a predetermined shape and the at least one plate being adapted to provide impact protection to a user during use by at least partially absorbing and/or dispersing impact forces, and to deform resiliency in response to external forces imposed by bending and/or twisting of a user during use and return substantially to its predetermined shape when not subjected to an external force.

Abstract: Method of fractionating a mixture of polyisocyanates in the liquid phase, optionally in the presence of a suitable solvent or mixture of two or more solvents, by means of a selectively permeable membrane into a permeate stream and a retentate stream of polyisocyanate compositions different to each other and different to the original mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing mixtures of diphenylmethane diisocyanates and polyphenyl polymethylene polyisocyanates by sequential reaction of benzene to nitrobenzene to aniline to polyphenyl polymethylene polyamines to polyphenyl polymethylene polyisocyanates wherein the benzene used as the starting material contains 500 to 5000 ppm w/w toluene and/or xylenes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, and to the preparation of di- and polyisocyanates of the diphenylmethane series from these di- and polyamines. The di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series are prepared by the reaction of aniline and formaldehyde in the presence of hydrochloric acid. In the present invention, the formaldehyde employed is used as an aqueous solution which contains less than 0.001 wt % of metal ions which are divalent and/or more than divalent.

Abstract: A die storing and organizing system includes a holder for storing and organizing crimp dies, the holder having a first side and a second, opposite side. The system further includes a plurality of apertures in the holder, each aperture extending from the first side to the second, opposite side; wherein each aperture is adapted to receive a die pin.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for initiating a conference call having a plurality of participants. A call originator is enabled to identify one or more participant identifiers. The call originator is enabled to establish a first connection to a remote system by which the one or more participant identifiers are communicated to the remote system. Establishment of the first connection does not require administrative access to the remote system. A second connection is established from the remote system to each of one or more voice communication devices corresponding to one or more of the participants using the one or more participant identifiers.

Abstract: A bioremediation device for liquid waste includes a medium for forming a microbial film and for exposing the microbial film to an effluent to decompose a first substance in the effluent and to produce a second substance from the decomposition of first substance. An aerator is coupled to the medium to supply the microbial film with oxygen and to accelerate the effluent around the microbial film.

Abstract: An integrated system to create relaxation in preparation for sleep, embodiments of the invention projects digital video content onto the ceiling or a wall while playing a synchronized audio track to engage the user. Content for the system is specially designed to create relaxation in preparation for sleep by engaging the user's interest with engaging stimulation content, transitioning to mild stimulation content, and then to low stimulation content. Higher stimulation content tracks would contain material that includes more activity, more colors, and the music more stimulating. The mild stimulation segment includes audio and video that has less movement and activity, fewer colors, and slower audio. The low stimulation content is designed to be low activity, and relaxing in nature so as to encourage relaxation and sleep. This segment is followed by content tagged as the nightlight segment.

Abstract: The invention provides an intracardiac occluder, which has biological tissue scaffolds as occlusion shells, for the percutaneous transluminal treatment of an intracardiac defect. The intracardiac occluder includes a proximal support structure supporting the proximal occlusion shell and a distal support structure supporting the distal occlusion shell. In one embodiment, biological tissue derived from the tunica submucosa layer of the porcine small intestine forms the occlusion shells.

Abstract: An apparatus for alkyl oxygenate (e.g., methanol) manufacture via partial oxidation of alkane (methane) has an injectively-mixed backmixing reaction chamber in fluid communication with a tubular-flow reactor. The injectively-mixed backmixing reaction chamber induces alkyl free radicals prior to input to the tubular-flow reactor. Injective intermixing of feed streams agitates the backmixing reaction chamber. In one embodiment, a variable position bulkhead axially moves to commensurately modify the backmixing reaction chamber and tubular-flow reactor volumes. In another embodiment, the tubular-flow reactor has a variable position quenching input. Both “hairbrush” and conical input inserts facilitate turbulent injective admixing of the input feed streams in the injectively-mixed backmixing reaction chamber. A condensing scrubber is also used for treating the output stream from the reaction system.

Abstract: One embodiment to assist bioremediation in grease intercepters to substantially reduce FOG (fats, oils and grease) commonly installed in Food Service Establishments. The embodiment consists of a open elongated enclosure (28) containing a media basket (22) positioned in an pneumatically accelerated flow generated by a aeration lateral (26) located towards the bottom of the device. The embodiment is inserted into existing grease interceptors and rests submerged at the bottom of the grease vault. It only requires a constant air supply via a readily available air pump. The airflow moves the liquid to the media, providing the oxygen for the biofilm around the media tubes (20). The biological processes of the biofilm results in the reduction of FOG. The effectiveness of the systems depends on the regular introduction of microbes. Alternatively the embodiment can be used in animal waste lagoons, septic systems, waste water treatment basins etc.

Abstract: A reactor system for gas phase reacting of at least two fluid feed streams, where the reactor system has an injectively-mixed backmixing reaction chamber in fluid communication with a tubular-flow reactor. The injectively-mixed backmixing reaction chamber has a bulkhead that slides during real-time operation to either diminish or expand the internal volume of the backmixing reaction chamber. In one embodiment, the effective passageway space through the bulkhead is also variably adjustable. In another embodiment, the tubular-flow reactor shares the bulkhead so that axial bulkhead movement commensurately expands one reaction space while diminishing the other reaction space. Input gas streams enter the backmixing reaction chamber with sufficient velocity to turbulently agitate the contents of the injectively-mixed backmixing reaction chamber by injective intermixing of the alkane-containing gas feed stream and the oxygen-containing gas feed stream.

Abstract: An aircraft designed with three wings located on either side of the fuselage. The forward wing has a downward angle with a curved top and bottom surface. The upper wing is located towards the rear of the aircraft and above the forward wing. The lower wing is located below the upper wing and slightly forward. It is also located to the rear and below of the forward wing. The outer ends of all three wings come into contact at one point. The forward wing uses the Coanda effect to increase the airflow across the top surface of the bottom wing. The aircraft can be designed so that it is large enough to carry people and/or cargo, or to be small enough to be flown as a toy aircraft. The like design can use any type of aircraft engine commonly used today. One embodiment of the aircraft has two turbines, shaft-coupled to a power source, located on either side of the forward end of the fuselage.

Abstract: A method for alkyl oxygenate (e.g., methanol) manufacture via partial oxidation of alkane (methane) uses an injectively-mixed backmixing reaction chamber in fluid communication with a tubular-flow reactor. Alkyl free radicals are induced in the backmixing reaction chamber prior to being fed through a flow-restriction baffle to the tubular-flow reactor. Injective intermixing of feed streams agitates the backmixing reaction chamber. In one embodiment, a variable position flow restriction baffle is axially moved to commensurately modify the backmixing reaction chamber and tubular-flow reactor volumes. In another embodiment, the tubular-flow reactor is quenched with a variable position quenching input. The method further provides for condensing the output stream from the reaction system in a condensing scrubber and also for recycling a portion of the scrubbed output stream to the reactor system.

Abstract: In a system for combined centrifugation and microfiltration, retentate from a cross-flow microfilter is fed to an automatic piston discharge centrifuge for solids removal, thereby enhancing the efficiency of both processes. The centrifuge includes a cylindrical bowl having a conical lower end with an opening through which feed liquid is injected. Solids separate from the feed liquid and accumulate along the inner surface of the bowl as the bowl rotates at high speed. A microfiltration membrane can be added to improve solids retention in the bowl and provide a filtered centrate. During solids discharge, a piston is urged downward along a vertical axis. The downward movement of the piston forces accumulated solids from the bowl via the opening in the conical lower end thereof.

Abstract: A removable blood clot filter includes a number of locator members and anchor members disposed radially and extending angularly downward from a hub. The locator members include a number of linear portions having distinct axes configured to place a tip portion approximately parallel to the walls of a blood vessel when implanted and to apply sufficient force to the vessel walls to position the filter near the vessel centerline. The anchor members each include a hook configured to penetrate the vessel wall to prevent longitudinal movement due to blood flow. The hooks may have a cross section sized to allow for a larger radius of curvature under strain so that the filter can be removed without damaging the vessel wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of producing methanol includes reacting a heated hydrocarbon-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas in a reactor; to provide a product stream comprising methanol; and transferring heat from the product stream to the hydrocarbon-containing gas to heat the hydrocarbon containing gas. After removing methanol and CO2 from the product stream, unprocessed hydrocarbons are mixed with the hydrocarbon containing gas for reprocessing through the reactor. Reactor byproducts are injected into the ground to increase the output of a hydrocarbon producing well.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for creating, scheduling and delivering messages.