Abstract: An electrochemical process for the oxidation of an alkane to at least one corresponding alkene uses an electrochemical cell having an anode chamber on one side of a proton conducting medium, and a cathode chamber on the other side of the said medium. The alkane is oxidized in the anode chamber to produce at least one corresponding alkene and protons are transferred through a proton conducting membrane to the cathode chamber where protons combine with a proton acceptor, while generating electricity and water. An apparatus for use in the process is also provided.

Abstract: A power control system for driving a vessel (which may be manned or unmanned) is used to provide a series of pulse trains to the system wherein at least one pulse within each series of pulse trains provides a differing amount of power. Preferably, a portion of the series of pulse trains which has a duration of 10% of the duration of the pulse train delivers more than 20% of the total power to the drive member for the vessel which the drive member receives each cycle. In this way, the noise signature of a vessel is reduced or is varied to match the noise signature of another vessel or wildlife of a natural phenomenon.

Abstract: An antistatic composition for treating a substrate such as paper for use in a photocopier or the like, in rolls, or bundles in which sheets of the substrate are individually fed from a bundle of sheets of the substrate, comprises a single phase hydrocarbon oil composition. The hydrocarbon oil may optionally include additional antistatic additives. The composition reduces static between the individual sheets in the bundle, thus reducing paper misfeeds and jams when individual sheets in the bundle are fed into the photocopier. Also disclosed is a method of treating a substrate for use in a photocopier in which sheets of the substrate are individually fed from a bundle of sheets of the substrate, or rolls of a substrate, with an antistatic composition to reduce static between the individual sheets of the substrate. The method includes applying an antistatic composition including a hydrocarbon oil to at least one lateral margin of the bundle of sheets of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a dirty air stream in a vacuum cleaner to obtain a clean air stream includes subjecting the dirty air stream to a first cyclonic separation stage to obtain a partially cleaned air stream and subjecting the partially cleaned air stream to an electronic filtration stage and optionally a second cyclonic separation stage to obtain the clean air stream. The electronic filtration stage is optionally removable with a cyclonic cleaning stage from the vacuum cleaner. The electronic filtration stage is optionally an electrostatic precipitator which utilizes air flow through the vacuum cleaner to generate the voltage used by the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A treatment carafe for an apparatus for treating ozone with water is disclosed. A treatment carafe has a water inlet which is automatically sealed when the user places the carafe on a base member. There is also provided a gas conduit so that off gases which accumulate in the carafe may be vented during the treatment cycle. The gas conduit is automatically connected in air flow communication with an off gas conduit when the carafe is placed on the base member.

Abstract: A panel structure comprises a frame members defining the perimeter of the panel structure. The frame members have a first side facing outwardly of the panel structure and an opposed side facing inwardly. A panel member extends between the frame members and is engagable therewith. The panel member comprises an inner honeycomb core constructed from cellulosic material and having a pair of opposed side faces and a pair of opposed side panel members having a first side facing outwardly of the panel structure and an opposed side facing inwardly. Each of the opposed side faces is affixed to a respective side of the honeycomb core. The side panels are constructed essentially from material which, when not affixed to the honeycomb core, is non-structural and, when affixed to the honeycomb core, has a tensile strength sufficient to prevent compressive movement of the opposed side of the honey comb core.