Abstract: An expectation module determines an expected average power consumption of a heat pump for a predetermined period as a function of indoor and outdoor temperatures of the building during the predetermined period. A difference module determines a power difference between an average power consumption of the heat pump during the predetermined period and the expected average power consumption of the heat pump for the predetermined period. A grade determination module determines a grade of the heat pump for the predetermined period based on the power difference of the predetermined period. A reporting module generates a displayable report including the grade of the heat pump for the predetermined period.

Abstract: A method for the heat treatment of a steel reinforcing element (F) for a tire, comprises a step of reducing the temperature of the reinforcing element by continuous cooling: from an initial temperature of the austenite range, to a final temperature of the ferrite-pearlite range, passing through at least one transformation range of the steel, the transformation range(s) being distinct from the bainite range. The temperature reduction step comprises a transformation (C2, C3) from the austenitic microstructure to the ferritic-pearlitic microstructure. The temperature of the reinforcing element is strictly decreasing during the reduction step. The mean rate of temperature reduction during the transformation (C2, C3) of the steel microstructure is greater than or equal to 30° C.·s?1 and less than or equal to 110° C.·s?1.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions and related methods are disclosed. The antimicrobial compositions include glycolic acid, an anionic surfactant, and at least one additional surfactant selected from anionic and nonionic surfactants.

Abstract: An aircraft auxiliary fuel tank system comprising a master tank and a plurality of slave tanks fluidly connectable to the master tank in series. The slave tanks may each include a valve assembly comprising a biased plate that is movable for throttling fluid during a deceleration event when the slave tanks are connected to the master tank or other slave tanks. A rail assembly is provided to assist in the easy installation and removal of the slave and master fuel tanks.

Abstract: A method of cleaning comprising propelling a sublimable media in a first direction through a discharge wand, inserting the discharge end of the wand into coils of a boiler, impinging on inner and outer surfaces the coils with the sublimable media, which subsequently dissipates or is consumed.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, compositions, and kits, for making and using compound droplets of a multiple emulsion to supply an amplification reagent, such as a heat-stable DNA polymerase or DNA ligase, to an aqueous phase in which the compound droplets are disposed. The compound droplets may be induced to supply the amplification reagent by heating the multiple emulsion, to achieve hot-start amplification.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an apparatus that cleans the drum of a ready mixed concrete truck includes a CAN-bus control system that includes a nozzle lance position encoder, a boom position encoder, a human-machine interface, a programmable logic controller, and monitors for an engine, hydraulic valves, and pressure sensors. The nozzle lance position encoder includes a rotary encoder, a bi-directional motor, a nozzle lance including a nozzle adapted to discharge water under high pressure, and a swivel assembly to which the nozzle lance is mounted for reciprocating motion. The programmable logic controller enables an operator to control the range of oscillation of the nozzle lance by inputting a desired range of oscillation into the programmable logic controller. An operator can also control extension and retraction of an elongate boom by inputting a desired rate of extension and retraction into the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and a system and method of determining the effectiveness of a cleaning process for an HVAC system including a heat exchanger having a coil matrix. The coil matrix includes a plurality of rows of heat exchanging coils in which each adjacent row of coils is offset. The plurality of rows define channels extending through the coil matrix between an upstream side and a downstream side. The heat exchanger cleaning method includes applying a cleaning solution and a wet steam mixture directed into the channels. The effectiveness of the cleaning method is determine by a system and method which measures various operating parameters at the inlet side and outlet side of the heat exchanger both before and after the cleaning process. The system and method calculate a SEER rating using the total amount of heat removed by the HVAC system and the total power usage of the HVAC system.

Abstract: Prepackaged cleaning compositions are described which are suitable for on-site dilution, and for cleaning substrates such as air conditioner coils.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved efficient and effective systems and methods of manufacturing hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane suitable for commercial applications and the resultant hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane suitable for commercial applications produced thereby and includes methods of manufacturing hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane comprising the acts of: providing hydrophobic PES membrane; prewetting the hydrophobic PES membrane in a sufficient amount of a liquid having a sufficiently low surface tension; exposing the wet hydrophobic PES membrane to a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution of oxidizer; and after the exposing act, heating the hydrophobic PES membrane for a sufficient time at a sufficient temperature and methods of manufacturing hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane comprising the acts of: providing gel PES membrane; exposing the gel PES membrane to a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution of oxidizer; and after the exposing act, heati

Abstract: A prepackaged, peroxide-based, cleaning composition is described which is suitable for on-site dilution, and for cleaning substrates such as air conditioner coils.

Abstract: In a steam cracking operation the formation of coke is a problem which needs to be overcome. While significant work has been done on decoking of furnaces little work has been done regarding transfer line exchangers. Coking of transfer line exchangers (TLE) may be reduced by injection of a solution containing at least one group 1 or 2 metal dichromate or dichromate and one or more of a group 1, 2 or 7 metal carbonate into the TLE.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning method for cleaning the film, scale and sludge from internal surfaces of tubes, tubesheets, tube support plates and channel heads of steam generators previously exposed to water or steam at temperatures of more than 200° C. introduces an ultrasonic transducer or transducer array into the steam generator and submerges the ultrasonic transducer and the surface to be cleaned in water or aqueous solution. Ultrasonic energy is introduced into the water at a power level of 20 watts/gallon or more and at frequencies of from 10 to 200 KHz. An array of transducers is employed to introduce 20 to 60 watts/gallon of water or more into the steam generator. In one practice, the transducer or transducer array is suspended in the steam generator. An array of transducers can be assembled (and later disassembled) in situ where individual transducers or small transducer subassemblies must introduced into the steam generator through small hand holes or other small diameter nozzles.

Abstract: Compositions for removing deposits from the interior surfaces of oil refining equipment are provided. The compositions include an organic oil-soluble or oil-miscible acid and a multi-polyether-headed surfactant (MPEHS). Methods of removing these deposits from the interior surfaces of oil refining equipment and removing mud deposits from the bottom of desalters, while the equipment is online, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preventing corrosion in pipelines comprising draining pipeline of all residual compounds, blowing through with nitrogen and rinsing with a corrosion inhibiting rinsing agent.

Abstract: An elongated fluid applicator is used to manually apply a fluid such as a lubricant or a cleaning fluid to the belt and/or belt supporting surface of an exercise treadmill. The applicator is optionally included in a kit containing one or more desired fluids, and at least one treadmill belt tension adjusting device.

Abstract: Two solutions to the problem of cooling a high temperature, high heat flux surface using controlled spray cooling are presented for use on a mandrel. In the first embodiment, spray cooling is used to provide a varying isothermal boundary layer on the side portions of a mandrel by providing that the spray can be moved axially along the mandrel. In the second embodiment, a spray of coolant is directed to the lower temperature surface of the mandrel. By taking advantage of super-Leidenfrost cooling, the temperature of the high temperature surface of the mandrel can be controlled by varying the mass flux rate of coolant droplets. The invention has particular applicability to the field of diamond synthesis using chemical vapor deposition techniques.

Abstract: A device for cleaning, disinfecting, and/or drying an endoscope consists of a basin supported on a base. The basin forms a channel that defines a teardrop shape. The device includes a lid that sealingly engages the basin. During operation, the endoscope to be cleaned is completely immersed in cleaning solution in the basin. The basin includes injectors arranged so as to create a rotating flow of cleaning liquid and sterile rinsing water or recycled drying air within the channel. The vessel also includes injection nozzles that attach to various inlets of the endoscope to inject products at specified pressures and to continuously test the tightness of the seal.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and modifying the surface of aluminum container sheet to make improved food can bodies and/or beverage can ends therefrom. The lowering of magnesium levels on an aluminum oxide surface and through the oxide-metal interface of this sheet, and deposition of at least some phosphorus-containing complex thereon produces container sheet that exhibits improved corrosion performance. The method comprises contacting said container sheet for less than about 20 seconds with a cleaner which preferably includes: about 1.0-10.0 wt. % (10.0-100.0 g/L) of sodium carbonate; about 0.1-2.5 wt. % (1.0-25.0 g/L) of sodium hydroxide, said cleaner including a total carbonate and hydroxide concentration in excess of about 3.0 wt. % (30.0 g/L); about 0.1-2.5 wt. % (1.0-25.0 g/L) of sodium gluconate; about 0.1-2.0 wt. % (1.0-20.0 g/L) of a compound containing 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (or "HEDP"); and about 0.05-1.0 wt. % (0.5-10.

Abstract: Undesired constituents are removed from rolled fabric or other rolled materials by: (a) placing a roll of the material containing the undesired constituents (soluble or particulate) in a cleaning chamber; (b) providing a structure for re-rolling the material within the chamber; (c) introducing into the cleaning chamber a cleaning fluid which is a dense phase fluid comprising a liquefied gas or a supercritical fluid and contacting the material containing the undesirable constituents with the cleaning fluid; and (d) exposing single layers of the material containing the undesirable constituents with the cleaning fluid for a period of time sufficient to remove the undesired constituents from the material.

Abstract: A self contained battery operated spray unit is provided for cleaning air-conditioning coils and other devices to be cleaned. The spray unit includes a solution tank and a rinse tank which are selected to be sprayed with a three way valve. Fluid from one of the tanks is pumped with a battery operated DC pump into a surge tank and out a spray wand when activated. The surge tank acts as a reservoir of pressure so that the pump does not have to continually cycle when in use, thereby increasing battery life. The pressure out of the wand is set to clean the conditioning coils without damaging them through excess pressure.

Abstract: Process for the remanufacture of transformers of the type having a coil/core assembly immersed in a tank of mineral oil. Contaminants such as water, air and dirt are removed from the coil/core assembly by means of a hot mineral oil bath which is maintained in a temperature range between the boiling point of water and the boiling point of the mineral oil, typically 212.degree. F. to 295.degree. F.

Abstract: A method for the rapid, direct cooling of a hot-rolled wire rod comprising the steps: transporting a hot-rolled and coiled wire rod on a conveyor, the wire rod being in a form of continuous series of loops; and blasting an air-water mist to the wire rod and simultaneously blasting air to the back side of the wire rod from below to cool the wire rod at a rate of 10.degree. to 100.degree. C./sec, while transporting the wire rod on the conveyor, the air-water mist providing 0.5 to 10 m.sup.3 /minute water and having an air to water ratio of 200 Nm.sup.3 /m.sup.3 or less.

Abstract: Method is disclosed herein for removing debris from nuclear fuel assemblies which have been in service in a nuclear reactor. The method generally comprising immersing the fuel assembly in a pool of water which may be the cask loading pit of a nuclear facility, securing the fuel assembly in a spent fuel rack, enveloping the spent fuel rack in a rectangular sleeve in order to isolate the water surrounding the fuel assembly from the balance of the water in the cask loading pit, and discharging a series of pressure pulses into the isolated water from a pressure pulse source to create shock waves that exert momentary forces on the fuel rods sufficient to dislodge debris therefrom but insufficient to create a liftoff between the fuel rods and the spring fingers of the grids which retain them within the fuel assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pickling method for electrical steel bands having excellent surface properties without requiring any especial treatment and increasing costs, where the pickling conditions of the hot rolled steel band are optimized not only in view of de-scaling properties but also interglanular corrosions, and the pickling is performed with hydrochloric acid for a period of a specified time determined by Si content of steel, temperature and HCl concentration of a pickling liquid.

Abstract: A method for transporting a hot-rolled wire rod comprises changing directions of movements of the wire rod to the left and to the right relative to the center line of a conveyer at an interval of d/3 to 2d of a diameter of a ring of the wire rod and shifting the center of the ring of the wire rod from the center line of the conveyer by a length of 2d/100 to 30d/100 at its maximum.An apparatus for transporting hot-rolled wire rod comprises a conveyer for transporting a hot-rolled wire rod and guide means alternately arranged in an upper portion of the side of the conveyer to change the directions of movements of the wire rod to the left and to the right relative to the center line of the conveyer.

Abstract: A device for cleaning opposing surfaces (13, 14) of concentric columns (11, 12) is formed from a strip of material (20) configured as a spiral having inside and outside edges (21, 22) such that each edge (21, 22) forms a helix. The device (10) is utilized by introducing it between the concentric columns (11, 12). The strip (20) inside edge (21) abuts the opposing surface (13) of the inner column (11), and the outside edge (22) abuts the opposing surface (23) of the outside column (12). The device (10) is forced to travel along the lengths of the columns (11, 12) by an hydraulic fluid downflow thereby scraping deposits from the opposing surfaces (13, 14).

Abstract: A rotary tube cleaning system having a rotary cutting tool attached to an elongated flexible drive wire for remotely cleaning the inside of elongated tubes, and method for its use. The tube cleaning system includes a special rotary cutting tool rigidly attached to an elongated flexible drive wire, which are rotatably driven through a slip clutch by variable speed rotary drive means. The tool has dual oppositely-facing cutting edges at its forward end and also has dual longitudinally separated cylindrical guide surfaces provided at the tool forward and rear ends. In the method for remotely cleaning the tubes using the rotating cutting tool, the tool is inserted into a thimble tube, rotated at 150-250 rpm and fed forward at 5-20 ft/min to cut or scrape any deposits from the inner wall of the tube. The tool is then removed and similarly inserted into other tubes in sequence to scrape and substantially remove accumulated material therein.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of vibrating coiled wires in a circumferential motion in a solution bath. The method comprises the steps of suspending a set of coiled wires from a hook whose supporting portion extends parallel to a beam and which is secured to the underside of the beam supported on shock absorbing members, vibrating the beam and the hook by at least one rotary vibrator whose rotating shaft is placed on and parallel to the beam and whose direction of vibration varies continually and cyclically in the plane perpendicular to the beam, and transmitting the vibration of the rotary vibrator to the coiled wires through the hook so that the coiled wires suspended from the hook are rotated along the circumferential direction in the solution bath.

Abstract: An apparatus for edulcorating a wire coil with an edulcoration fluid is provided which has a movable cart with an upright support and a plurality of horizontal, rotatable flanged shafts for supporting and rotating the wire coil, these shafts being mounted on the upright. A hollow pipe with outlets is positioned beneath the rotatable shafts on the upright to provide edulcoration fluid against the inside of a coil on the shafts, and a plurality of hollow pipes with outlets, also connected to the upright, are positioned above the rotatable shafts for providing edulcoration fluid against the outside of the coil on the shafts. The flanges on each of the shafts are at an angle to the axis of the respective shaft and are positioned in a special spaced relationship with regard to the flanges on the adjacent rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A system for cleaning and disinfecting medical parts which include a drum rotatable about a horizontal axis where the drum includes an interior enclosable chamber for receiving small parts and circumferential retaining members for receiving and retaining tubular members about the horizontal axis. A timing device sequentially controls the operation upon filling by washing, draining, rinsing and drying in sequence and structure is provided to accomplish these functions.

Abstract: Steel wire rod leaving the last stand of a rolling mill is quenched to between 850.degree. C and a temperature corresponding to the nose of the curve representing the start of the transformation of austenite to ferrite-pearlite plotted with respect to time and temperature. The wire rod is then subjected to a second cooling while in the form of loose turns passing along a given path. The variation of the temperature of the wire rod along this path is observed, and the position is detected at which a temperature increase occurs owing to recalescence. At this position the wire rod is subjected to supplementary cooling.

Abstract: A method for treating elongated flexible material such as metallic strips, wire and tubes in a processing container holding a treatment fluid for treatment of the material chemically, electrolytically, by pickling, deposition and similar processes, provides for the steps of: coiling the material; imparting the coiled material the shape of a helix having a plurality of loops; causing at least a partial immersion of the loops of the helix in the treatment fluid; advancing the helix in the said container at an advance speed; controlling the entry speeds of the helix relative to a predetermined speed withdrawal of the helix from the container.In a preferred and more efficient mode of treatment, the inlet speed of the helix exceeds the exit speed with a consequent slow and progressive increase of the length of the helix immersed in the treatment fluid at a time in a first phase of the operation.

Abstract: An arrangement for cooling hot rolled steel bands reeled into coils, according to which the rolling hot steel band after having been rolled into coils are cooled in a liquid bath.

Abstract: A hot-rolled coil having excellent adaptability for pickling can be produced by applying to the sides of the hot-rolled coil, a compound of an alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal, or an oxygen compound of boron, germanium, tin, antimony, lead, bismuth or vanadium. One or more of the aforesaid compositions when applied to a hot-rolled coil serves to suppress the formation of oxide film on the surface of the coil and/or promotes the solubility of the oxide film in the pickling tanks to the extent such oxide film does form.