Abstract: The present invention provides an optically clear, hydrophilic coating upon the surface of a silicone hydrogel lens by subjecting the surface of the lens to a process comprising plasma treatment, hydration, and heat sterilization that is controlled to result in a silicate-containing film having a mosaic pattern of projecting plates surrounded by fissures when viewing a 50×50 micron square AFM image, wherein the peak-to-valley distances of the fissures are on average between about 100 and 500 angströms and the plate coverage is on average between about 40% to 99%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lubricant for contact lenses or dry eye or to provide relief from eye irritation. In particular, the composition contains a biguanide preservative in combination with polyvinylpyrollidone. An ophthalmic solution containing such a combination of components can be applied, in the form of droplets, to the eye or to contact lens in the eye. In one embodiment of the invention, the composition is used as a universal lubricant, meaning that the same solution can be used with or without contact lenses, depending on the needs of the user, whether in the context of a contact-lens care or general eye care.

Abstract: A cleaning solution for contact lenses is described that includes a carbohydrate that is a mono- or disaccharide, its alcohols or partially hydrolyzed esters or mixtures thereof. Preferred carbohydrates are sorbitol, glucose, maltose, sucrose, dulcitol, dextran, dextrin, mannitol, maltitol, or mannose, preferably in an amount of 0.001 to 10% by weight of an aqueous solution for cleaning the contact lenses. A preferred composition for cleaning contact lenses comprises sorbitol in an amount of about 0.1 to 1% by weight in an aqueous solution. A method for cleaning contact lenses with said carbohydrate cleaning solution is described and may be combined, for simultaneously cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses, with a chemical, antimicrobial agent or thermal disinfecting regimen.

Abstract: Colored contact lenses that are colored by means of interference coatings for cosmetically enhancing or changing the color of the eyes are disclosed. In particular, the interference coating is applied to a surface of the lens material and, although transparent to the cornea and iris anatomy, so that the coating reflects pre-selected bands of the light spectrum to cosmetically change or enhance the natural color or hue of the eye.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to aqueous biguanide-containing disinfecting solutions containing an improved buffer system including both a phosphate and borate buffer. Preferred embodiments of the invention include methods and compositions for simultaneously cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses.

Abstract: A suitable slurry composition allows gas hydrates to be stored or transported under metastable conditions. The slurry includes gas hydrate particles and a carrier liquid for the gas hydrate particles. Suitable carrier liquids have a specific gravity in the range from about 0.6 to about 2, a pour point below about -20.degree. C. a viscosity of about 10 centipoise or less, and a thermal conductivity lower than that of the gas hydrate particles. The slurry can be stored or transported in a system that includes a container for holding the slurry; a device for agitating the slurry while in the container (e.g., a mixing blade, a rotating screw, a reciprocating box beam, or an ultrasound generator); a device for removing excess carrier liquid from the container while it is loaded or being loaded with gas hydrates and/or carrier liquid (e.g., a skimming device or a drain); and a device for reslurrifying the gas hydrates with carrier liquid before or during unloading of the gas hydrates from the container (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for continuously producing clathrate hydrate. This process includes comprising the steps of:(a) pressurizing a hydrate-forming gas to an elevated pressure and cooling the hydrate-forming gas below the gas-water-hydrate equilibrium point at the elevated pressure;(b) cooling liquid water below the gas-water-hydrate equilibrium temperature for the elevated pressure;(c) charging hydrate-forming gas at the elevated pressure into a reaction zone which contains a movable surface;(d) atomizing water in the reaction zone in contact with the hydrate-forming gas to form gas hydrates in the reaction;(e) depositing the gas hydrates on the movable surface; and(f) collecting the gas hydrates from the movable surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely, conveniently, and inexpensively liberating gas from gas hydrates includes the use of a device, provided adjacent to or in the bulk gas hydrates, for exposing the gas hydrates to heat from a gas or liquid (preferably steam). The gas hydrates can be directly exposed to the gas or liquid or indirectly exposed through a thermally conductive coil or channel. The heat from the gas or liquid dissociates the gas hydrates into the corresponding gas component and water component. After liberation, the gas component can be collected for further storage, transport, or use. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving at least a portion of the gas or liquid through the device for exposing the gas hydrates to heat. The device for exposing the gas hydrates to heat also can be movable, so it can be maintained in close proximity to or in contact with the gas hydrates for continued efficient gasification of the hydrates.

Abstract: A process for integration of an autothermal reforming unit and a cogeneration power plant in which the reforming unit has two communicating fluid beds. The first fluid bed is a reformer reactor containing inorganic metal oxide and which is used to react oxygen and light hydrocarbons at conditions sufficient to produce a mixture of synthesis gas, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The second fluid bed is a combustor-regenerator which receives spent inorganic metal oxide from the first fluid bed and which provides heat to heat the inorganic metal and balance the reaction endotherm, by combusting fuel gas in direct contact with the inorganic metal oxide producing hot flue gas. In preferred embodiments, steam is also fed to the reformer reactor and a catalyst may be used with the inorganic metal oxide.

Abstract: A variable-buoyancy marine riser and a method for providing and adjusting the buoyancy for such a riser. The riser is comprised of a main riser conduit on which a plurality of cans are affixed. A slurry of buoyant material, e.g. small, hollow spheres, is pumped into the cans to displace the seawater therein and give buoyancy to the riser. When it is desired to reduce the buoyancy of the riser, the spheres are removed by merely opening the cans and allowing the surrounding seawater to displace the spheres from the cans.

Abstract: A process for catalytically cracking a heavy feed in an FCC unit, with large amounts of shape selective cracking additive is disclosed. The catalyst inventory preferably contains at least 10 wt % additive, of 12-40% ZSM-5 on an amorphous support, equivalent to more than 3.0 wt % ZSM-5 crystal circulating with equilibrium catalyst. Large yields of light olefins are produced, without excessive production of aromatics, or loss of gasoline yield. Operating with large amounts of additives allows yields of butadiene and/or methane to be suppressed, and production of a cracked gasoline fraction with an unusually low olefin content, and high ratio of cyclic unsaturates to normal unsaturates.

Abstract: A gas hydrate storage reservoir includes at least one insulated wall defining an opening and a sunlight permeable top covering the opening. A gas-tight, gas hydrate storage cavity is defined within the top and the wall(s). A cover element is provided to cover at least a portion of the top to prevent sunlight from passing through that portion of the top. The gas storage reservoir also includes devices for removing gas and water from the storage cavity. In use, when gas is desired by the user, the cover element is removed from at least a portion of the sunlight permeable top so that sunlight will pass through the top and into the storage reservoir. Heat energy from the sun warms the exposed gas hydrates, thereby forcing the hydrates to dissociate into gas and water. The gas is removed from the tank and transported to an appropriate location for use. When sunlight is unavailable or when additional gas is needed than that produced by dissociation via the sun, an external, auxiliary heater (e.g.

Abstract: A process for thermally and catalytically upgrading a heavy feed in a single riser reactor FCC unit is disclosed. A heavy feed is cracked in the base of the riser at higher than normal cracking temperatures for at least 1.0 seconds of vapor residence time, then quenched. Quenching with large amounts of quench, preferably downstream of the mid point of the riser, increases conversion as compared to use of the same amount of quench within one second. Small amounts of quench, near the riser outlet, crack heavy feed roughly as well as large amounts of quench, near the base of the riser. High velocity, atomizing quench nozzles reduce riser pressure and/or catalyst slip in downstream portions of the riser, further increasing gasoline selectivity and reducing coke yields.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for rejuvenating an aqueous alkanolamine solution being at least partially deactivated from contact with an acid gas, said rejuvenation method comprising contacting said aqueous alkanolamine solution with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrotreating catalyst under hydrotreating conversion conditions including contact time sufficient to increase the acid gas sorption capacity of said aqueous alkanolamine solution.

Abstract: Heavy crude oil containing at least 1% by weight water is hydrotreated and upgraded while being produced downhole in a production well. During production the heavy crude oil containing water is subjected to sonic energy at a low frequency of 400 Hz to 10 kHz downhole in the presence of a metal hydrogenation catalyst that causes the water in the crude oil to react and form hydrogen which then hydrotreats and upgrades the heavy crude oil during production. In another embodiment, if the heavy crude oil does not contain water, the hydrogen may be formed in-situ by contacting the heavy crude oil downhole with a chemical compound comprising ammonia, hydrazine and formic acid that in the presence of a metal hydrogenation catalyst and sonic energy causes the chemical compound to react and form hydrogen which then hydrotreats the heavy crude oil during production. Suitable catalysts include nickel on zinc dust, platinum on carbon and palladium on carbon, preferably nickel on zinc dust.

Abstract: A process for integration of an autothermal reforming unit and a cogeneration power plant in which the reforming unit has two communicating fluid beds. The first fluid bed is a reformer reactor containing inorganic metal oxide and supplemental oxidant gas and which is used to oxidize light hydrocarbons, primarily by oxidant supplied from the inorganic metal oxide and secondarily supplied by supplemental oxidant gas, at conditions sufficient to produce a mixture of synthesis gas, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The second fluid bed is a combustor-regenerator which receives reduced inorganic metal oxide from the first fluid bed and which provides heat to heat the inorganic metal by combusting fuel gas in direct contact with the inorganic metal oxide producing hot flue gas. In preferred embodiments, steam is also fed to the reformer reactor and a catalyst may be used with the inorganic metal oxide and supplemental oxidant gas. The supplemental oxidant gas can be oxygen, enriched air or air.

Abstract: A method for recording and pre-processing vertical seismic profile high fidelity vibratory seismic data includes the steps of measuring the motion of the vibrator which is related to the vibrator applied force times a transfer function of minimum phase, causal, linear system relating the actual vibrator output with the measured vibrator motion, separating signals according to the generating source of each, determining a ratio by dividing the vibratory seismic data by the measured motion of the vibrator to remove the unknown applied force leaving the earth reflectivity times a time derivative divided by a minimum phase function, minimum phase band pass filtering the resulting ratio and performing minimum phase deconvolution to remove the time derivative divided by the transfer function of minimum phase.

Abstract: A cyclone and process for fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy oils is disclosed. Gas and entrained solids are added tangentially around a vapor outlet tube in a cylindrical tube cyclone body. Solids and some gas is withdrawn via a plurality of openings radially and longitudinally distributed in the cylindrical sidewall of the cyclone body. Distributed withdrawal replaces or reduces conventional underflow of solids from an end of cyclone outlet and reduces solids reentrainment. 0-5 micron particle removal is enhanced by reducing eddy formation and particle bouncing near the cyclone sidewall. The device may be used as an FCC regenerator third stage separator.

Abstract: Oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) emissions from an FCC regenerator are reduced by operating the regenerator in partial CO burn mode and controlled turbulent/laminar flow processing of the flue gas. Partial CO burn FCC catalyst regeneration produces flue gas with CO and NO.sub.x precursors. Air is added to a turbulent flow reactor such as a flue gas transfer line where most NO.sub.x precursors are homogeneously converted while leaving some CO unconverted. A downstream CO boiler thermally converts this unconverted CO. NO.sub.x emissions are less than would be experienced using a like amount of air injection to a conventional CO boiler.

Abstract: Oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) emissions from an FCC regenerator are reduced by operating the regenerator in partial CO burn mode and controlled thermal and catalytic processing of the flue gas. Partial CO burn FCC catalyst regeneration produces flue gas with CO and NO.sub.x precursors. Air is added and most NO.sub.x precursors homogeneously converted while leaving some CO unconverted. Downstream catalytic conversion then reduces produced NO.sub.x with unconverted CO.